Tips for Taking Care of a Newborn Baby

Tips for Taking Care of a Newborn Baby

Taking care of a newborn is both the simplest and most difficult thing you have probably ever done in your life. Here is this little bundle of humanity whose only method of communicating is crying and screaming. He is entirely dependent on you and your partner for everything. The sense of responsibility, particularly after years of being responsible only for yourself, can be overwhelming. So here's your first bit of advice: Breathe. And the second: Relax. Your baby knows when you're uptight and anxious. You transfer that anxiety to him and then he can't relax!

First, know that your baby will sleep much of the time. Newborns generally sleep up to 20 hours a day the first few weeks. Unfortunately, it may not be in large chunks! That's because they also need to eat quite often. Their tummies are tiny and their nutritional needs enormous. If it feels like you spend every hour of every day with your breast or a bottle in your baby's mouth, that's not unusual.

The most common reason for Baby's crying is hunger. Not hungry? Check the diaper. If that's not the problem, try swaddling her—wrapping her tightly in a receiving blanket. Newborns are used to the tight confines of the womb; being out in the world and having their arms and legs flapping around can be scary. Holding her and walking around, "wearing" her in a sling or front pack, or, if all else fails, putting her in the car seat for a drive are other time- and parent-tested options to soothe a crying child.

After feeding and crying, the other new thing you have to get used to is washing your baby. Until Baby's umbilical cord stump falls off, just use a warm washcloth to wipe around her face, bottom and hands. When it's time for her first bath, fill the basin or sink with about an inch or two of warm water with a couple of squirts of baby wash. Make sure you have everything you need at hand before you undress the baby. That includes baby wash, shampoo, washcloth and towel. Holding Baby against one arm, slowly lower her into the water and, using the other arm and hand, wet the washcloth and begin gently washing her. Don't let go and don't ever leave any young child unattended around water. You can use the washcloth to wash her hair, too. It's best if you have two people doing this—one to hold her and one to wash her—but you can do it on your own.

When you're finished, lift her out of the tub and lay her on the towel. Wrap her securely in the towel and take her off to be diapered and dressed. There, that wasn't so hard, was it?

1. Hold Your Baby with Care

Newborn babies have very floppy necks, as the muscles have not developed properly. The muscles start developing within the first few months, but until then parents should always be sure to fully support the baby’s neck.Proper support will prevent the head from moving in an uncontrolled way, which could damage the baby’s brain. Supporting the head and neck will also make it easier for you to hold your baby, and your baby would be less prone to “jumping” out of one’s arms.

Always support your baby’s head and neck with your hands when you hold him. Try to cradle the head when carrying your baby. Also, support your baby’s head when carrying him upright and when you lay him down.

2. Help Your Baby Latch on during Breastfeeding

The decision to breastfeed your baby is one of the best gifts you can give to your newborn. Breast milk has many health benefits, including strengthening your baby’s immunity.

When it comes to breastfeeding, a good latch is very important, since improper latching can cause breast discomfort. A good latch means the baby’s mouth covers both your nipple and the areola. This way the baby’s mouth, tongue and lips will massage the milk out of your milk glands.To get a good latch, hold your baby facing your breasts and tickle the baby’s lip with your nipple to make the mouth open very wide. Once the mouth is open wide, bring your baby forward toward your breast. Keep a hold of your breast until your baby has a firm grasp and is suckling well.

Allow your baby to nurse from both breasts – at least 10 minutes on each side.

If you are having latch-on issues while breastfeeding, you can use breast shields to help the process.

3. Do Not Forget to Burp Your Baby

The air that your baby takes in during breastfeeding can interfere with your little one’s digestion. This can make your baby feel uneasy and even lead to colic pain.

Hence, it is important to make your baby burp to free the system of excess air. This simple trick will keep your baby’s stomach troubles at bay.When it comes to burping, upright positions generally work most effectively.

Place your newborn in a sitting position, facing forward on your lap.

Support your baby with one hand on the baby’s front and lean him or her forward slightly.

Gently pat your baby’s back to release air from the tummy.

Listen for the slight burping sound.

You can also place your baby upright on your shoulder and gently pat her back.

4. Give Only Sponge Baths in the Beginning

It is very important to give your newborn baby sponge baths until the remaining umbilical cord falls off.

Always remember, when the umbilical cord is kept dry, it falls off faster. This may take 2 to 3 weeks. Even if the umbilical cord gets wet, pat it dry. When giving your baby a sponge bath, always use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing your baby’s gentle skin too hard. Bear in mind that newborns don’t get very dirty.

After the umbilical cord stump falls off, you’ll be able to give your baby a real bath. Bathing your baby a couple of times a week is fine during the first year.

5. Make the Baby Sleep on the Back

Even if it is for a short nap during the day, place your baby on his or her back. This is the safest sleep position for a healthy baby.

This sleep position, recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also called crib death.Make sure your baby’s face and head stay uncovered while sleeping. Keep blankets and other coverings away from your baby’s mouth and nose. It is better if you make it a habit of dressing your baby in appropriate sleep clothing so that there is no need to use blankets or other coverings.

If you do put a blanket on your sleeping baby, make sure that the baby’s feet are at the bottom of the crib and the blanket is no higher than the baby’s chest. Keep the blanket tucked in around the bottom of the crib mattress so it doesn’t slide up to your baby’s face.

6. Tend to Diaper Duty Timely

Though diaper changing can be messy and smelly at times, it is one duty that you need to take seriously.

A wet or spoiled diaper can make your baby prone to infection as well as itchy and painful diaper rashes. Hence, you need to keep checking your baby’s diaper from time to time.Change your baby’s diaper frequently, and as soon as possible after bowel movements. Before putting on a new diaper, wipe the skin thoroughly and apply a barrier cream. This will work as a barrier against moisture.

If possible, allow your baby to go without a diaper from time to time. This gives the skin a chance to breathe and air out.

Note: Before diapering your baby, make sure you have all the supplies within reach so you won’t have to leave your baby unattended on the changing table.

7. Keep Hand Sanitizer Handy

Newborn babies have weak immune systems and are very susceptible to infections. Being a parent, you need to protect your newborn from infections by maintaining good hygiene.

As you are almost constantly touching your baby, you need to keep your hands thoroughly clean. Always wash your hands before handling your baby, and especially after changing a dirty diaper.

In fact, if your baby starts crying and you do not have time to wash your hands before soothing the baby, you can use a hand sanitizer. Hence, it is highly recommended to keep a hand sanitizer handy. Make sure it is alcohol-free, though.

Also, make sure that everyone who handles your baby has clean hands. At the same time, do not allow anyone to kiss your baby’s cheek.

Teach older siblings to touch the baby’s feet instead of her hands and face, which will help prevent the spread of infection.

8. Give Full Body Massages

Massage is important for your newborn baby. It will improve your baby’s sleep quality as well as promote relaxation and strengthen the immune system.

Gentle massage even encourages the development of flexibility and coordination, and improves the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

On top of that, it will strengthen the bond between you and your baby, which plays a key role in forming the basis of loving, open communication.

Give your baby a full-body massage 2 or 3 times a day. Baby massage is soothing and can comfortably last 10 to 30 minutes. However, you should wait to start massaging until after the umbilical cord falls out.

If possible, expose your baby to early morning sunlight after a massage, as the sun’s rays carry vitamin D, which is highly beneficial for the development of bones.