You’ve probably spent months fantasizing about your newborn child, imagining everything from their appearance and first sounds to how they would feel in your arms. But if this is your first child, any advice on how to care for a newborn would be appreciated.
There are lots of other parents out there who can relate to your confusion about how to best spend your time with your brand new kid. Our newborn infant care guide covers a wide range of topics that will be useful to new parents, such as how to handle visitors, what to wear, how to use a car seat properly, how often to feed the baby, how to get the baby to sleep, how to handle fevers, and much more.
Visitors
Your loved ones will be anxious to see you, but at first you may need some time alone. You’ll be able to spend some quiet time getting to know your new relatives.
The moment to start bonding with your newborn is shortly after they are born, when they are highly receptive and alert. Those who have been in your presence during your pregnancy may find solace in your voice. You can start hosting guests whenever you’re ready.
Clothing
Keep in mind that infants have very little control over their body temperature for the first six months, so a beautiful dress for the baby’s first trip home might not be the best idea. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborns need an extra layer of clothes in comparison to what’s needed for adults.
If you’re not sure about sizing, it’s best to bring an NB and a 0-3M size just to be safe. Easy-to-access clothing is another suggestion we have. Depending on the forecast, don’t forget socks or booties, and think about bringing your own blanket instead of using the one offered by the hospital.
Both Breast-Feeding And Chest-Feeding
No matter what approach you take to feeding your baby, there are several things to remember. The following are some suggestions for both breastfeeding and formula feeding in the first few weeks. Nursing may be an organic process, but entering the industry can be challenging. The following advice will be useful if you choose to breastfeed:
Don’t put it off; your newborn will be at its most alert if you nurse him or her within the first hour after delivery. Additionally, this will assist your newborn in adjusting to the outside world, and it will allow them to immediately bond with their new parent.
On-demand nursing services:
Regular breastfeeding encourages your body to create more milk, so you should let your baby nurse as often as it needs to.
According to the CDC, a baby may require feedings as frequently as every three hours in the first two days of life. Frequent feedings “help increase your milk supply and give your baby practice at sucking and swallowing,” the organisation explains.
Obtain an appropriate latch:
A proper latch not only ensures that your baby is getting adequate milk but also protects you from painful nipples. If you are unsure of how this should look, do not be afraid to ask a nurse, pediatrician, or lactation consultant for advice.
Ask for assistance:
Most hospitals employ lactation consultants who help new mothers. They can help you acquire a good latch by guiding you through the process of experimenting with different positions.
Establish a safe haven for nursing:
If you want to feel comfortable and supported while breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to have a footstool, pillows, and a sturdy chair nearby.
Consume sufficient food and liquids:
If you are breastfeeding, you will need an extra 300–400 calories each day. Additionally, since you will be losing fluids while nursing, it is recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
Breastfeeding And Pumping
If your newborn is having trouble latching and not getting enough colostrum (early nutrient-dense breast milk), or if you and your newborn must be separated after birth due to issues, you may elect to express breast milk for a period of time, possibly even for the duration.
In the first few days of life, some parents prefer to give their infants extracted colostrum with a spoon or syringe. In case you decide to try breastfeeding in the future, these techniques can help you prevent nipple confusion in the beginning.Here are a few pumping pointers:
Select the most suitable pump for your needs:
Colostrum is best expressed manually for maximum effectiveness. The majority of modern moms who breastfeed do so with the aid of a hand pump or electric pump.
Find help:
Inquire about help from the hospital’s breastfeeding consultant; you might even be able to borrow a high-quality pump from them.Don’t give up and keep trying:
If you decide to continue breastfeeding for an extended period of time, pumping will become more routine and comfortable with time. Furthermore, pumping shouldn’t hurt; if it does, consider switching positions or decreasing the suction.
Just try to chill out:
If you notice that your milk ejection response is diminished when you are nervous or agitated, try gazing at your baby or otherwise diverting your attention.
Safely storing breast milk entails:
Breast milk should be stored in containers that are safe for consumption. Breast milk can be stored for up to a year in the freezer, or for up to four hours at room temperature or four days in the fridge. You can feed your baby again with the breast milk that was left over from the previous feeding as long as it is within two hours.
Sleep Near Them
According to James McKenna, Ph.D., director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, a baby’s heart rate, immune system, and stress levels all benefit from being physically close to a parent. Nursing is facilitated by the intimate proximity. When problems arise, such as with sleep apnea, “it also keeps the baby in lighter phases of sleep so he can practice arousing and going back to sleep.”
For the first six months of their babies’ existence, experts recommend that parents keep them in the same room as them, but not on the same bed. This is due to the fact that babies sharing a bed with their parents are at increased risk of experiencing oxygen deprivation.
Sharing a room with another person, but not a bed, may also reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in newborns. However, this is only true if the bed is not shared. Having said that, this is only applicable if the room is significantly larger than the bed. The following is a list of additional tactics that might be applied in order to stay away from it:
- Babies should only ever sleep on their backs, never their bellies or sides.
- Nothing but a fitted sheet and a baby should go in the bassinet.
- Don’t put anything soft in the crib with the baby.
- The crib mattress should be flat and sturdy.
- Keep your infant from getting too hot by never sleeping with them on your bed.
Conclusion
Newborn care is a crucial aspect of a child’s development and well-being. It is essential for parents and caregivers to be well-informed about the various aspects of newborn care, including feeding, bathing, soothing, and medical check-ups. Providing a safe and nurturing environment, along with offering proper nutrition and regular healthcare, can significantly contribute to a newborn’s growth and overall health.
Additionally, establishing a bond of love and trust with the newborn through consistent and attentive care can promote emotional development and lay the foundation for a healthy parent-child relationship. Undertaking newborn care responsibilities can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and support, parents and caregivers can ensure optimal care and provide the best possible start in life for their newborns.
