Today I tell you the most basic newborn baby care you should take, in his/her first days of life. Below we give you some newborn baby care tips, by which you will know how to take care of your newborn baby, and this will make you an ideal parent for sure.
In the beginning, it will be hard for us to get used to knowing what our baby needs at each moment. However, it is the most normal thing that every new parent face.
There is a period of adaptation of the child to his environment and the parents to the new situation. So, I recommend a lot of patience and tranquility so that the newborn baby care situation flows as well as possible in a natural way.
Sometimes this is difficult because of the lack of sleep, time, and fatigue. It can cause us to take care of our baby but do not try to carry the load always alone. You can ask for help when you need it from your family, friends. They will be glad to help you.
The Most Newborn Care Basics
They have survived nine months of pregnancy. They have overcome the nerves of childbirth and the birth of the baby, and now they are ready to start a new life.
Reviewing the main recommendations can help parents feel safe about the type of newborn baby care requires.
It is also essential to have the experience of nurses and professionals who will be available to give advice and are specialists in neonatal feeding and breastfeeding. They teach you how to hold, transport, burp, and change diapers and primary care of the baby.
A professional is the one to guide during the first days, and the pediatrician will clear all doubts. These are some of the most important aspects to take.
Newborn Baby Care Tips After Delivery
It is appropriate to consider the possibility of asking friends and family to give a hand during the first weeks, as they can be quite chaotic and overwhelming.
Sometimes for the peace of the baby and his mother, it is not too much to limit the visits and concurrence until a few days have passed and things start to acquire a rhythm or routine.
Breastfeeding On Demand
Regardless of whether you decide to breastfeed, it is recommended to feed the babies when they seem hungry, which is known as “feeding on demand.” Usually, a newborn needs to feed every 2 or 3 hours.
If the breastfeeding is maternal, let the baby suck from each breast for about 10 to 15 minutes. If you have opted for breastfeeding, your baby will most likely eat between 60 and 90 milliliters of milk in each feeding.
Babies often swallow air during feedings, which can cause discomfort and restlessness. That is why it is necessary to help him to expel him by making him burp frequently.
To burp the baby can be placed in an upright position, holding the head with one hand and with the other giving a very soft pat on the back.
Each child has its rhythm, so when you notice that your little one is hungry; do not be afraid to breastfeed what you need.
The Diaper Is Better To Change It Often
Regardless of the type of diapers, you use (cloth or disposable); they will have to be changed approximately ten times a day to ensure the newborn baby care.
The diaper rash is quite common. For this, it is necessary to change the diapers frequently and as soon as possible after the bowel movements.
It is best to clean with water and mild soap; the specific creams are also a great help that offers a barrier against moisture. If the baby wears cloth diapers, they should wash them with neutral detergents that do not contain dyes or perfumes.
Nursing
The water should never be hot or cold, but warm – between 34 and 37 degrees Celsius. The way to try it is by introducing the inside of our wrist or elbow.
If it does not burn us, it is excellent for the little one. If you do not know how to measure it, there are great thermometers for it, cheap and straightforward versions, and even super cool options.
The room temperature it should oscillate between 22 and 25 degrees. It is also important to avoid drafts.
Have everything at hand: soap, sponge, shampoo, brush, towel, and clothes. Cleaning products should be neutral and not perfumed.
You can also bath the baby only with water, especially those who have only a few days of life. Then, glycerin products or neutrals are ideal.
After Bath
Thoroughly wash the basin, the plastic tub, or sink before and after the bath. The amount of water can vary between 25 and 30 centimeters so that the baby does not fall. It is advisable to put a towel on the bottom to prevent it from slipping.
An excellent resource that gained ground in recent years is the mattresses for the bathroom, which are like floats that hold you with your head out of the water while the body gets wet. Undress the baby and clean the diaper area before putting it in the bathtub.
The forearm of the one who bathes it must hold his head, and that same hand must go under the baby’s armpit. That way it will remain safe, and with the other hand, you bathe it. You have to hold it firmly but delicately.
Wash it from top to bottom. Starting with the head and ending with the genitals. Never leave the baby alone. Never! If you have to go out a moment to look for something or to answer the phone wrapped your child in a towel and take it with you.
On The Umbilical Cord
It does not need any special bandage sense to have it in the air it will dry before when bathing it do not forget to dry this wound thoroughly. You can wash it with a towel dipped in warm water and then place a clean gauze on it.
If you notice, bleeding and oozing do not hesitate to call or take him to the pediatrician.
Fundamental Aspects of Sleep
It is best to lie on your back, this will decrease the discomfort of the gases, and it is the safest position recommended by pediatricians.
Newborns sleep approximately 16 hours or more, daily for periods of 2 to 4 hours. It is important to lay the baby on his back to sleep in order to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and remove any soft object from the crib so it cannot be caught or choke on them.
To help you rest is advisable to eliminate the lighting or that it is the minimum possible, reserve games and conversations with the baby for the hours of the day.
We Should Not Overlook Them
To sleep you can take your temperature with your fingers on the nape of your neck if the sweaty notes this shows you that it is hot.
Look at The Temperature of Your Hands and Feet to Guide You
Always try that the head of your little one has supported when taking it and when lying down since in its first months of life it needs it.
It is also perfect for expelling the gases often so that they do not create future discomfort, the belching after each take will come in handy.
If you observe that, your baby will feel comfortable. First weeks you will have several controls of your baby with your pediatrician who will watch weight and growth.
However, if at any time you doubt your weight, you can go to the pharmacies, some have individual baby scales. It will guarantee you peace of mind whether you gain weight or not.
For any doubt or symptom that you consider strange, I recommend that you should take an approach to your pediatrician. It is better to go and ask to stay with the doubt.
Manipulate The Newborn
The fragility of a newborn can sometimes intimidate a little, but it will be enough for all those who have contact with him to wash their hands (or use an antiseptic for hands, such as alcohol in gel) since they are very vulnerable to infections.
Be careful in holding the baby’s head and neck. Do not shake it or shake it and limit any activity that is too rough.
Techniques That Favor The Formation of The Bond
Bond formation occurs during the sensitive period comprised of the first hours and the early days after birth. During which parents establish a deep connection with the child. The physical contact between the parents and the baby favors that emotional connection.
To establish skin-to-skin contact with the newborn while cradling or feeding him and with vocal sounds. Such as when speaking to them, singing or cooing, is the best for filial ties. It is always convenient to control the noise and light levels.
Newborn Baby Care 1st Month: Mistakes to Avoid
Becoming parents is one of the most arduous tasks that exist, and the first months are undoubtedly the hardest. Your son is a stranger, and it is almost impossible not to make a mistake.
It is normal; you are in a continuous process of learning newborn baby care, although it is possible to avoid some of the most frequent if you know them beforehand. Here are a few.
We are Parents and Humans
As perfect parents do not exist, it is convenient to de-dramatize from the first minute and assume that. Although a baby indeed brings tons of happiness, his care also entails a lot of weariness and a radical change of habits, at least in the first months.
Therefore, it is better to adapt to the situation as soon as possible by following three golden rules: prioritize, organize well. If the situation overwhelms us, ask for help.
Losing Perspective
Today we have few children and quite late, so the arrival of a baby becomes a significant event.
In addition, while it is true that it is one of the most critical moments of our life, outside of our environment, it may not have the relevance that we believe.
So do not take things out of context. Remember that children are born every day and that, therefore, you are neither the first nor the last.
Free Time
Many parents think that since newborn babies spend so much time sleeping, they will have plenty of free time to deal with other things.
Crass error: between one shot and another, there is barely a minute to do anything that is not related to the baby and the day passes, in general, in a sigh. You may have free time, but much less than you thought, so it is better to have it clear in advance.
Be Yourself
Magazines, books, TV shows, friends, mother-in-law … everyone will bombard you with advice on pregnancy, delivery, and baby care.
Instead of listening patiently and trying to do everything you told, be clear about what kind of parents you want to be. Follow the advice of experts – make sure they are with your same philosophy.
Worry Too Much
Many new parents lose so much time reading and worrying about all the evils that can happen to their baby. However, they forgot the essential newborn baby care fundamentals. They become almost paranoid and do not let anyone or anything approach them.
Every time you suspect that something happens to your child, do not put yourself in the worst or make unfounded assumptions, it is better to be guided by your intuition and go to the pediatrician, he will solve all your doubts.
Spend More Than The Bill
Even if we do not like to admit it, many of the things we buy for a newborn are more caprices of parents than the needs of the baby. He needs little more than parents who want him and a place to sleep, so you do not have to stay in the red, so you have everything ready for birth.
Buy the things you need, borrow or ask them to give them to you, but do not fill the house with miscellaneous items that you are not sure you are going to use or need. In a few months, they will not serve you at all, and you will not know what to do with them.
The newborn baby care makes him/her become the center of attention at home, and not only the first weeks or months. Parents have to give up a part of themselves to take care of their offspring and come to the idea that they are no longer just a couple in love.
Care for Other
However, by giving concentrating on newborn baby care does not mean you should give up the other, it is difficult, but you have to find time to talk. Tell how you feel, and while the first few weeks it is impossible to sexual life, it should not be left too long.