Becoming a parent is overwhelming and one of the best experiences that you will ever go through. However, the first few months with a newborn can be troublesome. You might come across multiple tips from your family and friends that might leave you confused. Further, it can also be challenging to decide what advice to follow when it comes to taking care of your newborn. Here are a few basic tips to help you take care of your baby in the initial days.
#1 Holding the Baby
It is essential to remember that you provide support to the baby's neck and head while holding them. A baby's neck muscles are under development and too flexible to hold the head independently, so you need to support the neck and head while holding the baby. Their backbone is under the development stage and still growing. Further, it is only after they reach 3 months of age that your toddler’s neck will support the weight of their head. Therefore, pay attention while holding the baby and make sure you always support the head and neck.
#2 Know Your Way around Baby Diapers
Changing diapers is an essential skill when it comes to caring for your newborn. You need to know when your child’s diaper is full or needs replacement. However, there are a few basic essentials that you will require to replace a diaper. Ensure that your diaper changing kit includes baby powder, diaper wipes, rash cream, and baby diapers.
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#3 Feeding
An infant should only drink breast milk for the first six months, and it is vital that you feed your baby on time. Your newborn needs to be fed every two to three hours which means you will have to nurse him or her 8 to 12 times a day. It is suggested to feed your baby breast milk because it contains vital nutrients as well as antibodies that help your baby to grow and survive. Try to nurse your baby for at least 10 minutes every time after feeding.
Hold your child’s lips near the breast until he or she latches and starts sucking it firmly. If your baby has held it firmly, you will not feel any pain in your breast. In case breastfeeding is not an option, then try to go with the doctor's suggested formula. Your baby should get at least 60 to 90 ml of formula per feeding.
#4 Bathing
Initially, you need to bathe your baby around 2-3 times a week, once their cord stump is dry and has fallen off. However, before you are ready to give them a bath, ensure that you are equipped with all the required bathing supplies. Giving them a bath, just before they go to bed will help the baby to sleep better.
For bathing, the baby will need a few supplies like a baby bathtub, mild body wash or soap, lukewarm water, washcloth or biodegradable baby wipes, baby lotion, and fresh clothes.
Bathing a baby is not an easy task. You might need help to hold the baby's head and neck above the surface level, while you bathe the baby. Try to clean the baby's head, scalp, neck, and genitals, clean out the dried mucus accumulated around the baby's nose and then rinse off your baby with lukewarm water. Once you are done, dry the baby's body and put on some fresh clothes.
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#5 Burping
Babies need to be burped after feeding else it can cause gas, stomach colic and constipation. Try to hold the baby's head against your chest with one hand and make sure that the baby's chin is resting on your shoulder. Try to very gently pat on the back with the other hand until the baby burps.
#6 Sleeping
As a parent, you might be surprised to discover that your newborn, who seems to need you all day long, really sleeps around 16 hours or more!
Newborns commonly sleep for periods of 2–4 hours. Try not to anticipate that yours should stay asleep for the entire night— the digestive system of babies is really small that they need nourishment at regular intervals and ought to be awakened if they haven't been fed for 4 hours.
When can you expect your baby to sleep? Many babies stay asleep for the entire night (between 6–8 hours) at 3 months old enough, however on the off chance that yours doesn't, it’s not a cause of concern. Like grown-ups, babies should foster their own sleep patterns and cycles, so if your newborn baby is putting on weight and seems healthy, don't despair if the baby hasn’t slept through the night at 3 months.
Conclusion
Being parents for the first time can be pretty challenging, and there are several aspects of a newborn that needs to be taken care of. New parents should seek help from their family members as well so that they can rest and take care of themselves too. These tips will help you to be better prepared before the baby arrives and if you face any trouble consult a doctor online on The Wellness Corner because stepping out can be quite risky for you these days. If you are a corporate user, you can choose a Pregnancy Care Plan and let our experts be there for you throughout your journey.
