Don’t worry if you feel awkward and uncertain at first. Before you know it, looking after your baby will seem natural, you will hardly remember that it was something you had to learn.
There are many things you need to take into account in order to make sure that your baby gets all the attention.
There are many things you need to take into account in order to make sure that your baby gets all the attention.
Firstly as an expectant mother or father, you need to prepare as much as you can.
Arm yourself with enough information about caring for babies, information such as how to breastfeed, bathing, etc. Seek information on the internet and read relevant books. Also, do not forget to prepare the home, nursery/baby’s room, stock up on food, and also make arrangements for someone to be around during the early days, a house help, your mother, or mother-in-law are good options.
Make sure that you feed your baby right.
Deciding on whether you should breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby greatly depends on your personal decision and what your physician recommends. However, it has been shown that breastfeeding is still the best way to nourish newborn babies. Lots of benefits can be obtained through breastfeeding. Some medical studies have determined that breastfed infants have less hypersensitivity later in life compared with those who were bottle-fed. This is mainly because the mother’s milk is known to contain natural enzymes and antibodies that can help fortify the baby’s immunity against infirmities. Aside from this, some doctors also believe that breast milk is responsible for the superior intellect as the baby grows and becomes fully developed. If you are returning to work, much before you resume, buy a breast pump, test it, pump some breast milk and let someone else feed your baby, do this often so as to get the baby used to it before you resume. Also, you may introduce Hipp Formula Stage 1 if you do not want to pump breast milk.
Be prepared to adjust your sleep cycle.
Sleep is crucial for babies because it has a direct effect on the child’s mental and physical growth. Parents should understand that baby's sleep cycle could be pretty erratic. You may notice for a few weeks, your baby’s sleep may only last from approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours, and this can vary throughout a 24 hour period. But by the sixth week, you should see some signs of improvement as your baby’s sleep pattern becomes more structured. Newborns show signs of sleepiness by crying or rubbing their eyes. Newborns should be put down to sleep as soon as they feel sleepy. If you are not getting much sleep at night it may be a good idea to sleep when your baby does during the day.
Bathing your newborn.
Bathe your baby using sponge baths. This is imperative at first. Tub bathing your baby can only be done once the baby’s umbilical cord falls off to avoid infection.
Maintain your baby’s optimal skin care.
Newborn babies have smooth and delicate skin. For this reason, it is necessary that you use products that are specially made for babies. But before buying any baby product, it is best to consult your pediatrician. Most babies develop rashes from time to time and this is perfectly normal. However, if your baby seems irritated by a rash or has a fever, you should immediately seek advice from your baby’s doctor.
Know when and how to give the baby medicine.
Like anyone else, newborn babies sometimes have special needs that require attention. When giving your baby medicine, it is important that you follow the advice of your baby’s physician. You need to know how to give the right dose prescribed by the doctor. It can sometimes be advised to start the baby with a small dose to ensure there is no adverse reaction to the medication.