Newborn Care – Tips for First time Parents
Apart from happiness, your newborn baby will bring you sleepless nights, sudden realisations of your imperfections, fear of small things, and possessiveness. Instead, what you can do is, make a list of things and tackle them together to raise a healthy and happy baby.
Let’s look at the things you need to look out for:
Baby’s health
From the time you bring the baby home, everyone around you will become a child specialist. They’ll tell you everything from their diet to their sleep schedule. The best advice is not to take any random advice. Consult a doctor for the baby’s vaccinations, diet, and everything else.
Handling the baby
There are small things which you probably never thought of. Imagine the task of sanitising every time before touching the baby. Tough, but worth it. There are other precautions like the pose in which you hold the baby, how to place your hands etc. Also take lessons on safe usage of baby carrier, baby stroller, and other such utilities.
Diapering
Wipe their genital areas with minimum exposure to the air. Use water, cotton balls or wet wipes in the process. Make sure that diapers are always clean and dry. This avoids all kinds of infections to the baby’s body.
Diet
Breastfeeding is often referred to as the first vaccination taken by the baby, and it must continue until the advised period. While a lot of mothers have their own ways, the ideal way is to feed on demand. When hungry, babies often feel cranky, they cry, put their fingers in mouth etc. Spot those peculiar hunger signs. See how soon they feel full, is their excretion on point, and are they sleeping well. Always make the baby burp after the feed.
Sleep
Yes, it is true. Newborns do sleep for around 16 hours a day. But that does not mean they sleep through the night. Their digestive systems are small; hence they need nourishment every 3-4 hours and hence, they can’t sleep for longer than that time. There are sleeping postures for babies and the most recommended posture is putting them to sleep on their backs. Along with this, alternate their head position every time.
Massage
Full body massage helps make the baby stronger and strengthen your bond with him. But yes, you must learn the right techniques and strokes to massage your baby.
Bathing
Give a sponge bath or tub bath, only as per the doctor’s advice. Make sure water isn’t too cold or too warm, ensure neck support at all times, keep the bath duration as short as possible and switch off the fan till the baby is dressed.
As a parent, you might feel anxious and nervous for a few days, but soon you will be confident and start to enjoy parenting. Remember one thing, you love your child. And all the care you take of him or her reflect that love. Follow a few simple rules, and watch them grow with glee.
