Newborn's Care: What Parent's Should Know About Their Newborn's Care

Are you a first-time parent? Are you worried about newborn baby care? Then this post will give you the complete guide and tips.

You have gone through many phases like pregnancy, labor, and finally delivery. And now you are mentally and physically going home with your little bundle of joy to start a new phase of life. Your baby is indeed completely beautiful. Every new parent's wish is to do their best and to do the right things for their newborns. It is a fact that newborns can bring full of activity, joy, happiness to your life with a lot of stress and fatigue. Now your mind will look for newborn baby care information or advice since your newborn did not come with a ready manual.

So, here is In my experience, I have rounded up some guide points and tips to keep your little one healthy. If this is your first baby you might worry more when it comes to caring. It is the most special experience of your life but still, new parents feel confused about what to do and what not to do. Try to take steps and prepare your mind for caring for your little one. Remember one cannot learn everything at the start, but practice will make you perfect. Below are the important facts to be considered are:

1. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEWBORN

(i) REST/SLEEP

For healthy and strong growth rest or sleep is necessary. As a new parent, it takes time to understand your newborn. Many newborns have little confusion in their night and day. Usually, they tend to be more active at the night and more sleepy during the day.

How much sleep does your baby need?

I still remember my sleepless nights. I thought I will never get a peaceful sleep again but do not worry, all these precious moments you spend are worth more than you think. It is important to set a schedule for the baby's sleep to maintain proper health and growth balance. Generally, newborns need to sleep maximum hours in a day and do not expect them to sleep throughout the night because their digestive system is so small. So you need to feed every 3 hours.

Parents expectations about baby's sleep

Around the month of 5, many babies sleep through the night between 5-7 hours because many parents start solid food along with breast/formula feed. So the baby feels full tummy and sleeps for long at the night.

Always remember one thing, every baby is different and has a sleep cycle. And make sure that you put the baby to sleep on their back to avoid suffocation.

(ii) FEEDING AND BURPING

FEEDING

Feeding your little one by breast or formula milk does not matter - but it is always recommended that babies need to feed on demand (i.e.,) whenever they feel hungry. Newborn has to feed on every 2 to 3 hours, which means that you need to feed around 12 times a day.

If you are breastfeeding, feed your baby for about 10-15 minutes on each side. Breast milk contains various nutrients and antibodies that are necessary for a baby's survival, growth, and also health.

How to check that the baby is getting enough milk in Breast Feeding

It is simple that, the breast should feel less once the baby is done feeding.

If you are formula feeding, your baby should have 60-90ml at each feeding. In formula feeding, you can easily check that your baby is getting enough milk (i.e.,) The baby will finish the bottle.

 BURPING

Once the baby is fed, he/she needs to be burped. During feeding, babies often swallow air, which causes gas or discomfort in their tummy. To help from this, often burp your baby. You can follow the below-burping tips after every feeding.

* Hold your baby against your chest with one hand. The baby's chin should rest on your shoulder. Pat back the baby with your other hand until he/she burps.

* If your baby does not burp, change the baby's position and try burping for another few minutes. Always burp your baby when feeding time is done.

(iii) DIAPER CARE

When comes to taking care of your newborn, frequently changing a diaper is a very necessary task. If you are feeding your little one in the right way and right time, he/she will wet at least 6 to 8 diapers in a day. As soon as the diaper feels full, immediately change the diaper.

Before every diaper change make sure that you have all the below-suggested supplies within your reach. They are:

* a clean, new diaper/ pre-folded cloth diaper

* diaper(rash) cream/ baby powder

* wet wipes/ container of Luke warm water and a clean cotton washcloth

After each bowel movement, lay your baby on their back and remove the dirty diaper. Use warm water and a clean cotton washcloth or wet wipes to gently wipe your baby's genital area. When wiping a baby girl, to avoid UTI(Urinary Tract Infection) wipe her bottom from front to back rather than back to front. And to prevent diaper rash apply rash cream whenever changing the diaper. Remember one thing, allow your baby to remain undiapered for a few hours each day.

A diaper rash is a common issue. Most rashes happen because the baby's skin will be very sensitive and become irritated by wet or poop diapers. If the diaper rash continues for more than 3 days or gets worse it is best to consult your doctor.

(iv) BATH TIME CARE

The main tough job in taking care of the baby is bathing. During the first few weeks, you should give a sponge or cotton washcloth to your baby. Once the umbilical cord falls off, then you can start regular body wash but only two to three times or one after another day in a week. However, bathing can be delayed due to certain situations like winter, lightweight baby, or delay in the umbilical cord to fall off.

Before you, the baby for a bath, make sure that all the bathing and changing items like a bathtub, Lukewarm water, gentle and mild baby soap or body wash, soft cotton towel, baby lotion or cream, clean new diaper, and finally baby clothes. And you can get your partner or family members' help during bathing.

Always clean the baby's genital area, scalp, neck, and if you find any dried mucous inside the nose gently remove that with a cotton cloth. Once the baby's bath time is done, dry the baby completely with a soft cotton towel, apply recommended lotion, and wear baby clothes.

(v) HOW TO HANDLE YOUR NEWBORN

Your baby seems to be very tiny, fragile, and delicate. So, you may be worried to handle them but with a few basics,  you feel more confident to handle your baby. Here is some basic technique you can follow:

* Wash your hands/ Use a hand sanitizer before handling the baby. Generally, the newborn does not have a strong immune system. So, they easily got an infection. And make sure that everyone handles your baby with clean hands.

* Give support to your baby's head and neck. Whenever you are holding the baby in an upright position or you make them lay down, give support to their head.

* Avoid shaking your baby. Never shake your baby it may lead to bleeding in the brain and can cause sudden death. And if suppose you want to wake your baby just tickle their feet instead of shaking.

(vi) HOW TO HOLD YOUR NEWBORN

Whenever you hold your little one always give support to their head and neck. This is because their neck muscles are not strong enough to hold up their head independently and their backbone is still growing. Usually, after the 3 months of age, only the baby's neck can support the head on its own till that support for their neck and head is necessary.

And comfort is a necessary and important factor to hold the little one. Whenever you are trying to hold your baby, first you should feel physically comfortable and confident. And if you have siblings, cousins, or any other relatives when they try to hold your baby carefully instruct them on how to hold the baby.

Since Newborn baby care: guide & tips is a big topic. This particular article will come up with two different sections:

1. How to take care of your Newborn

2. How to keep your Newborn healthy.

In this post, I covered only How to take care of your Newborn. I hope this post gives you some basic knowledge of taking care of a Newborn.

And stay tuned for the next continuation section (i.e.,) How to keep your Newborn healthy.

Here is the continuation section of newborn's care: Newborn's Care: What Parents Should Know About Their Newborn's Care(cont)

You can also read: Tips For First Time Moms To Take Care Of Newborn