Being a new parent has its own set of challenges as you experience many new things — from soothing your crying baby to late-night feedings. You have so much to learn as you embark on the journey of parenthood. And knowing how to take care of your delicate baby is the first step.
Every first-time parent feels nervous about managing a fragile newborn. Yet, with time, love and lots of patience, you’ll learn to take the best care of your baby. Each passing day helps you understand the signals for hunger, sleepiness and other reasons for crying. So, soon you’ll be a pro at it.
But for now, you need the right information at your fingertips to endure a fulfilling experience. So, here are the top baby health tips for you as a new parent.
1. Make a Checklist
It’s essential to prepare yourself by making a checklist of the items you require for baby care. Before you bring your baby home, ensure you have enough stock. At bathtime, for instance, you’ll need to gather the essentials, including soft washcloths, baby shampoo and soap, cotton balls, a hooded towel and a bathtub.
If you’re nursing, you’ll need things like nursing pillows, nursing bras, a breast pump, etc.
2. Tips for Breastfeeding Your Baby
Feeding your baby breast milk is nutritious, and it helps boost their immune system. If you decide to breastfeed, try to breastfeed during the first hour after giving birth — this is also known as the “golden hour.” It’s important to breastfeed during the golden hour as the skin-to-skin contact will help you bond with your baby. Plus, the suckling releases hormones helping the uterus contract and stop bleeding.
After the first few months of birth, you’ll want to feed your baby regularly. This means you should be feeding at least every two to four hours or 8-12 times a day — depending on how hungry your baby may be.
It’s also crucial you avoid bottle feeding in the first three months unless you have no other option. After every feeding, it’s important to wipe away any residue off their gums using a soft washcloth for dental hygiene purposes.
3. Handle Your Newborn With Care
A newborn’s body is fragile, and new parents should handle their baby delicately with the utmost care. Supporting the head first with one hand is essential when you hold your baby. The head is the heaviest part of their body, and they’re not ready to support it on their own yet. Once you have a handle on their head, you can rest it in your arm’s cove. Then, you can use the other arm to support your baby’s bottom.
You’ll also need to wash your hands regularly before handling your baby. Newborns don’t have an adequate immune system yet, so they’re always at risk for infection. Plus, anyone else who holds your baby should always have clean hands.
You should also be sure never to shake your baby. Shaken baby syndrome causes a serious brain injury if you forcefully shake them out of frustration or playing.
4. Trim Baby’s Nails Regularly
Ensure you trim your baby’s nails regularly. Babies’ skin is very delicate, and their nails are sharp. Essentially, they could scratch their face at any point. That’s why you must cut the nails at regular intervals because the baby’s nails grow back quickly. However, you want to do this cautiously while the baby is sleeping.
If you’re too afraid to use nail clippers, consider filing the baby’s nails. Just be careful not to trim the nail too far down into the baby’s nail bed. Furthermore, you want to ensure the baby doesn’t scratch himself in the face. To prevent this, you can place soft mittens on your baby’s hands, so he doesn’t scratch himself while sleeping.
5. Bond With Your Baby
Establishing a bond with your newborn is one of the most enjoyable parts of parenthood. It’s crucial to bond with your little one as it helps establish an emotional connection. Plus, it contributes to their overall emotional development, which affects other areas like physical growth.
You have a few ways to bond with your newborn. First, SSC (skin-to-skin contact) begins with bonding by cradling your baby and gently stroking the tummy or back. You want to be sure your baby looks into your eyes so she gets familiar with you. Studies have shown mothers who have SSC breastfeed longer than the average of over 60 days — meaning more women can breastfeed successfully while bonding.
You could also try massaging your baby to enhance the bonding. Or you can use vocal sounds — babbling and singing — as you rock your little one in a chair.
6. Soothe Your Baby’s Cry
Crying is a baby’s way of communicating — whether hungry, tired or feeling discomfort. As you continue to observe your baby, you’ll be able to understand what he is trying to say.
You can look for certain cues that can help you tell whether your baby needs:
- Fed
- A diaper change.
- Swaddled
- Entertainment
- To sleep.
- Changed because they’re too hot or cold.
- To suck on something.
- To cry for no reason.
7. Establish a Bedtime Routine
Setting a nighttime schedule for your baby helps her learn when it’s bedtime. If you let the baby sleep at odd timings, this will set the foundation for many sleepless nights. Set a bedtime schedule as early as possible. That way, you can prepare yourself and your baby for a good night’s sleep.
Establishing a bedtime routine is also beneficial for your baby’s circadian rhythm. This teaches them the difference between day and night and often helps your baby mentally prepare for bedtime.
8. Keep Your Baby Clean
Expect to have a soiled diaper at least 8-10 times per day. Depending on the number of times you feed your newborn, you’ll be doing many diaper changes. So, it’s imperative not to leave the soiled diaper on for too long. Dirty diapers can make your baby feel discomfort, while they can also cause rashes and infections.
Try to change the diaper immediately after you sense a dirty diaper. While changing your baby, use soft baby wipes to get her clean. You can also use diaper rash cream to take care of the redness before placing a clean diaper back on.
