Their are so many things people tell you to do and don't do when you have a new baby, but then that baby comes and you forget them all and usually you have questions at about 2am when the baby is bawling and you know something is wrong, but have no idea what it is or how to fix it. Here are a few things that worked for us.
Colic- I have no idea experts have studied this for years and no one can agree, but one thing everyone agrees helps is reading the book Happiest Baby on the Block it is all about preventing colic and then dealing with those tough times. Try to read it before the 2am sob fest ( you and the baby), but I do have a friend that the husband read the entire book aloud while the wife spent several hours trying to sooth the baby. Also many people say a warm bath or just being in a steamy bathroom. It also seems that it is frequently related to digestive problems so try soy vs. dairy formula and letting them sleep propped up ( like in a swing, bouncy or car seat) I know these are not "approved" baby sleepers, but.....
Diaper Rash- NO FUN. depending on how bad it is frequent changing and application of cream ( I like Arbonne's diaper rash cream) can prevent it from getting BAD. If you have already reached BAD my best rec is a warm bath with baking soda in it and then apply Maalox ( the antacid blocks the acid from the poo) and then Lanolin ( yes the nipple ointment) our pediatrician recommended Maalox with A&D ointment and we tried it, but found that the Lanolin worked better. Tylenol can also help lessen the immediate pain.
Teething- Obviously Tylenol and Ibuprofen are the 2 main helps, but sometimes teething lasts a long time and/or you are not sure if it is teething and if you don't want to have your kid drugged for days their are a few other options. Gentle Natural Teething Drops these are an all natural remedy for teething whose main ingredient is chamomile, so it really does help calm the child. Sassy Teething Feeder mesh bags that you can put frozen fruit in that the child can chew on to numb the area as well as work the tooth through. Nuby Bug a Loop Teether no idea why but this is the best teething ring ever!!!
Colds- Just like our own these are miserable and their is not a ton you can do about them. Increase their liquids if you can. Warm steamy baths seem to help. I usually ran HOT water with the door closed for a while and then plugged the tub and filled with warm water, so the bathroom was very steamy. A humidifier in the baby's room seems to help. Elevate the crib mattress, I finally found a use for our bumper and put it under the mattress. Vicks baby Rub seems to help. Saline Solution and really squeeze it in like a nasal rinse it helps to clear everything out. But like everything sleep and time are the best 2 helpers. Most pediatricians will not even see a child with a cold for 2 weeks unless they have a fever about 104 or are having trouble breathing.
Cuts - I just learned from a friend of mine, who's a pharmacist, that Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment can be irritating to babies, so they make a double antibiotic cream that you should use.
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