Babies enter the world as unique people with their own ways of behaving.

From the beginning, your newborn is ready to interact with other human beings and has important skills to help with adapting to the world beyond the womb.

No matter how carefully you planned, your newborn will have some surprises for you. Few babies are exact matches with the statistical norms.

Your baby may be larger or smaller than average - but still be the right weight - or sleep less and eat more than books suggest, yet be sleeping and eating as much as necessary.

Go with the flow
For the first few weeks, your baby will be adjusting to a new environment, so expect behaviour patterns and physical development to be haphazard during 'settling in'. Babies have different temperaments; some are calm and placid whereas others are easily disturbed and take longer to soothe when they're upset. Try to be flexible and avoid comparisons with other newborns.

For a while, your baby's changing and unpredictable needs will dictate the way your days unfold. Grab a little sleep when you can. Don't try to do everything in the house. This is temporary - you will eventually be back in control!

Most newborns look a bit weird
You may find that your baby isn't as immediately loveable as you had expected. This is quite normal. Although some parents claim love at first sight, for others the bond takes longer to develop but is just as strong.

Your baby may not look like the perfect babies in magazines and may be wrinkled or misshapen from the pressures of labour. A newborn's body needs time to adjust to life outside the womb and begin to function effectively. This can result in minor irregularities from blotchy, spotty skin to puffy eyes and mild secretions. Most disappear in a few days but if you're concerned, consult your doctor.

'I am who I am!'
Not all infants like being snuggled. This is normal and one of the many differences between babies. Some mould themselves into whomever is holding them - others arch their backs, stiffen their bodies and resist being cuddled.

If their baby doesn't enjoy being held, some parents get upset and feel they're doing something wrong. They're not - it's just that babies are as different from each other as the rest of us are.

The important thing is to be close enough to your baby to enjoy talking and playing with him face to face. Top tip - smile at your baby! By 1 month old, newborns are already able to smile back.

• How To Parent Your Newborn - More Advice
• Need Someone To Talk To? Support For Parents