The first month with your newborn baby is going to be a lot of fun. Here's what you can expect:

A lot of sneezing and hiccupping. This is perfectly normal.
Mottling of the skin when the clothes are removed -- also normal.
Mucus accumulating in the corners of the eye and in the nose. This should be wiped away very carefully.
Cradle cap of the scalp -- the yellowish scalp crusting seen during the first month and easy to cure with baby oil, a fine tooth comb and a shampoo.
Frequent startling and crying, along with noisy and irregular breathing.
Light sleeping, easily awakened, and very few sleeping through.
Cheesing or spitting up after almost every feeding.
A diaper that is almost continually wet, and so diaper rash is a problem.
The ability to hear right from birth and to be able to see bright lights and big objects with poor focusing.

This is one of life great adventures so, relax and enjoy your child.

Dr. Alvin Eden is chairman of the department of pediatrics at Wyckoff Heights Hospital in Brooklyn and associate clinical professor of pediatrics at Cornell University Medical Center. Dr. Eden has authored several books including "Positive Parenting" and "Healthy Kids." His "Visit With A Pediatrician" column regularly appears in "American Baby" magazine.