Can you care for a newborn as a new parent? If you’re a mommy to be or daddy to be, then, congratulations! The arrival of your newborn baby is one of the best gifts God can give you in this material world that you should care about. Read on to learn more about kids.
Being a parent is a life of complicated situations and challenges, but there is no greater joy in this universe than being a mom or a dad. The moment your baby is born, your heart is filled with love and happiness that you can’t explain, right? That is true. And so, because you love your baby so much, you will take care of him and protect him with your life.
Tips In Caring For A Newborn Baby
Newborn caring involves several essential aspects to ensure their health, safety, and overall well-being. Here are some tips you can follow on how to care for newborns.
1. It’s Fine To Look For Help During The First Few Weeks After Birth
You can enlist the help of your relatives, friends, or even an at-home baby nurse if you can afford it. If you’re a first-time mom or dad, you can benefit from people with experience with babies. Mommy, it’s okay to rest and sleep after giving birth. Don’t pressure yourself too much, deal? While you baby care for a newborn baby, you also need to take care of your body and your mental health, as well. If you feel emotionally overwhelmed at any time, contact a counselor so you can get immediate assistance.
Mom’s Newborn Notes
After giving birth, the baby is put on the mom’s chest with some skin-to-skin contact. This is to promote an emotional connection which is necessary. It can help both the mom and the baby with their emotional growth and of course, the love between them. Moms, always hold your baby. Touch him, caress him and make him feel that love.
2. Wash Your Hands For Skin To Skin Contact. This Is The Cardinal Rule
Wash your hands before you hold your baby. No exemptions and no excuses on this rule. Why is this necessary? Well, many babies have a weak immune system, and your hands can come from everywhere – dirty laundry, kitchen garbage, cellphone, computer, and everything else. Your hands carry viruses, germs, and bacteria that will harm your baby.
So, before you hold him, wash your hands and use a hand sanitizer too, just to be sure that you’re perfectly bacteria-free.
3. NO Kissing On The Face
There was a baby who died from a kiss back in 2017. It wasn’t just a normal kiss. The person who kissed the baby had transferred a deadly virus called viral meningitis, and after 18 days, the disease killed the supposedly healthy baby.
During the fourth trimester, it’s advisable that new parents avoid kissing the baby’s face to reduce the risk of introducing unwanted germs, especially before they have received their first bath.
4. Don’t Shake Your Baby Too Much
Shaken Baby Syndrome – this is also a baby killer. First time parents are often too excited about the baby, and they just go on shaking or rocking it to sleep. Well, don’t shake your baby too much. The baby’s brain is too fragile, and the shaking will cause bleeding. It’s crucial not to shake a baby too much, as their delicate neck muscles and developing brain can be severely impacted.
5. You Need To Buy A Newborn Child Carrier, Stroller, And Car Seat
Why buy all of these things for your children? A carrier can make the baby feel like it’s still in the womb. It keeps them from cold. It means the baby will be comforted by it and the carrier can also help you move about even if you’re carrying your baby. The stroller is your help with transporting your baby. Make sure to buy one fit for a newborn.
6. No Rough Play
A newborn child doesn’t understand playing, and so, no rough tickling. No jiggling. Never make it sit up to 5-6 months old and never throw your newborn up in the air. A good rule is to avoid putting stuffed animals for the first six months as it can suffocate them anytime. A fitted sheet is ideal.
7. Support Your Newborn’s Head And Neck
It is crucial to support your newborn’s head and neck, especially in the early stages, due to their delicate nature and the impact of their birth weight. Newborns have relatively weak neck muscles and limited control over their head movements. Additionally, their heads are proportionally larger and heavier in relation to the rest of their bodies. These factors, combined with the effects of their birth weight, make it necessary to provide adequate support to their head and neck.
8. Learn How To Swaddle
This is a soothing technique that you must learn to comfort your child.
- Lay down the baby blanket on the bed.
- Put your baby on the baby blanket.
- Wrap the baby on one side, tucking in the excess blanket under the baby’s arms. Do the other side, as well.
- Pull the excess blanket on the bottom going up and secure your baby.
- Read further here: WomensHealth.Gov
9. Diaper 101
Okay, here is the real deal with diapers. Newborns are expelling their waste at least five times a day. So, you have to be ready with that. You can use a cloth diaper or the disposable diapers. The downside to using cloth diapers is that you will have to wash it often. The advantage is your child will never have diaper rash.
10. Give Your Baby A Quick Sponge Bath
The umbilical cord is still attached – just leave it and don’t take it off by force. After the sponge bath, you can put alcohol on the cord and wipe the excess. The cord will fall off in a few weeks.
How many times do you have to give your baby a sponge bath?
As a new parent, the frequency of giving your child a sponge bath depends on various factors, such as personal preference, cultural practices, and the child’s specific needs. However, it is generally recommended to give a newborn a sponge bath two to three times per week to keep the child clean.
- Newborns do not typically get very dirty, and frequent bathing can actually strip their delicate skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Instead, regular diaper changes, wiping the baby’s face and genital area after each diaper change, and cleaning any soiled areas promptly are usually sufficient to maintain cleanliness.
- During sponge baths, you can focus on areas that tend to accumulate more dirt or sweat, such as the face, neck folds, underarms, and diaper area. Use a soft washcloth or sponge dampened with warm water to gently cleanse these areas, taking care not to immerse the baby fully in water.
- While sponge baths are typically done a few times per week, it’s important to keep the baby’s face, hands, and diaper area clean on a daily basis. Regular cleaning and maintaining good hygiene practices help ensure the baby stays comfortable and free from dirt or irritants.
- It’s worth noting that if your baby has any specific medical conditions or circumstances that require more frequent bathing, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized guidance on how to keep your baby clean and maintain their well-being.
11. Feeding And Burping Time
Feeding your child will depend upon his demand and feeding schedule. He will cry, suck his fingers, and make weird noises whenever he’s hungry. Typically, newborn babies feed every two to three hours according to their feeding schedule. As for those who are breastfeeding, provide 15 minutes on each side of your breast for your child. If you are using formula feeding, you can start with one ounce and gradually increase if you see that your child needs more, following the recommended feeding schedule.
12. Sleeping Habits Of A Newborn
Newborns will sleep the whole day or whole night through if you’re lucky. Most babies ask for milk every few hours even during at night. You will have to get up and feed him.
Every Mother’s Newborn Baby Care Tips
- You must put your baby on his back when asleep to prevent SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- Keep all distractions from the crib away from your baby. These are the blankets, extra pillows, toys, and more. He might suffocate from it.
- It’s okay to keep your baby on the same room as yours, but he must be on his bed or crib; not on your bed. Accidents like falling off the bed or a parent crushing the baby might happen.
- You have to shift the baby’s head every day when he is sleeping to keep the head’s surface balanced on both sides.
- Don’t worry about the soft spot on the head. Never press it or touch it. It will just harden on its own.
Newborn Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The 4 Basic Needs Of My Baby?
Newborns should receive all 4 elements of essential healthcare which are immediate and thorough drying, skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping, and early initiation of breastfeeding.
What’s The Proper Way Mothers Tend For Their Baby?
Once the child arrives, and you bring the child home, it is going to be a lot and the first thing you’ll need is a checklist to include a breast pump, milk storage containers, nursing pillows, nursing bras, breast pads, as well as a lotion for sore nipples.
How Should I Spot The Danger Signs In Newborn Child?
There are several danger signs to watch out for in newborns. It’s essential to pay attention if a child shows signs of any potential complications or health issues such as respiratory problems, fever, excessive crying and poor appetite.
How To Care For Newborn Baby?
Always make sure that your hands are clean, freshly washed, or sanitized before handling your child, support your child’s head and neck, never shake your newborns whether in play or in frustration, and make sure that your baby is securely fastened into the carrier, stroller, or car seat.
How Should I Monitor Baby All Day?
Besides nursing and cleaning your newborns, the key is to constantly interact with your newborns, rather than give them games and toys.
How Can Small Baby See?
Your baby can only see black and white and a little bit of gray right after birth because the nerve cells and retina of your child’s eyes are not yet fully developed making it hard for them to focus and are sensitive to lights.
How Can I Position Baby To Her Side Correctly?
The best sleeping position advised for newborns is on their back every time they sleep as the chance of SIDS of higher for other sleeping positions.
Your baby should sleep in his own crib or bassinet, it is good to share a room with your baby, but don’t share a bed with them. Don’t put too many blankets or pillows in your baby’s crib for it might block their nose and cause difficulty in breathing.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day and would wake every couple of hours to eat.
You don’t need to give your newborn a bath every day, three times a week should be a good balance because bathing your baby too much might dry out their delicate skin.
How Do You Burp Infants?
Burping a newborns are an important step in helping them release air trapped in their digestive system, which can cause discomfort or colic. While there are various methods to burp newborns, one technique that can be effective is combining burping with infant massage.
What Is The Priority In The Immediate Upbringing Of The Child?
The priority in the immediate care of the newborns is to keep the baby warm. This is crucial because babies are not able to regulate their body temperature effectively, and maintaining an appropriate temperature is essential for their well-being. By keeping the baby warm, we create a favorable environment for their development and overall health.
Additionally, providing warmth supports various aspects of a baby’s development. Adequate temperature regulation helps optimize organ function, metabolic processes, and physiological stability within the baby’s body. It also promotes proper blood circulation, respiratory function, and digestion, all of which are vital for the baby’s growth and development.
What Can I Do To Kids Having Hiccups?
If a baby has hiccups, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate them. One approach is to hold the baby against your bare chest, providing skin-to-skin contact. This can offer comfort and a soothing environment, potentially helping to reduce the hiccups.
Additionally, healthcare providers often suggest offering the baby a feeding or a pacifier as sucking can help interrupt the hiccup cycle and provide relief. For formula-fed babies, you can try offering a small amount of milk to see if it helps stop the hiccups.
It’s important to note that hiccups are usually harmless and temporary in infants. However, if the hiccups persist for an extended period, occur frequently, or seem to cause discomfort to the baby, it’s advisable to consult with healthcare providers for further evaluation and guidance.
Remember, each baby is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and comfort level when trying different techniques to address hiccups.
How Long After Birth Is A Newborn Ready To Breastfeed?
The readiness of newborns to breastfeed can vary, as babies develop at their own pace. However, in general, most newborns are ready to breastfeed shortly after birth. Skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding initiation are encouraged within the first hour after delivery, as this promotes bonding between the baby and the mother and stimulates the baby’s natural feeding instincts.
How Many Diapers Does A Newborn Use A Day To Keep Them Warm And Dry?
The number of diapers newborns use in a day can vary depending on several factors, including the baby’s age, feeding pattern, and metabolism. On average, newborns tend to require frequent diaper changes, often ranging from 8 to 12 diapers per day.
Newborns have small bladders and may pass urine frequently, especially during the early days when their feeding and hydration needs are high. Additionally, newborns typically have bowel movements several times a day, so keeping the baby’s genital area clean and dry is important to prevent diaper rash and maintain good hygiene.
Regular diaper changes are necessary to ensure the baby’s comfort and prevent skin irritation. It’s essential to check the diaper frequently and change it promptly whenever it becomes wet or soiled. By maintaining a clean and dry environment around the baby’s genital area, we can help prevent diaper-related skin issues and promote overall comfort for the newborns.
Should I Keep A Baby Warm?
What Is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
What’s Important Newborn Care?
What Can I Feed A Child?
Should I Improve The Health And Wellbeing For Children And Adolescents?
What Are National And Subnational Programme Reviews For Children?
What Are The Basic Needs Of Homeless Children?
What Care Should I Give To Kids Who’ve Undergone Trauma?
Can I Monitor Kids While Sleeping?
Can I Take Young Kids In The Park For Treat?
What Are The New Antenatal Care Model In The United States?
What’s Who Recommended Kids Nutrition?
Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Mary Cimeni
DISCLAIMER (IMPORTANT): This information (including all text, images, audio, or other formats on FamilyHype.com) is not intended to be a substitute for informed professional advice, diagnosis, endorsement or treatment. You should not take any action or avoid taking action without consulting a qualified professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about medical conditions. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here a FamilyHype.com.