Being a new parent can be very exciting and exhausting at the same time. Your little bundle of joy must demand all your attention and often keep you up at night. But keeping the exhaustion and excitement aside, being a first-time parent comes with lots of stressing about how Newborn Baby Care Basics for New Parents.
The truth of the matter is that every new parent has panicked because of this question at least once. But that also means you have a community of people around you and on the internet who have experienced the same things. So, rest assured that there is plenty of information available about how you can take care of your newborn baby and relieve stress. In that light, let us discuss some newborn baby care basics that every parent needs to know.
1. If you want to breastfeed, start immediately:
Breastfeeding is a choice, so it depends on whether you want to breastfeed your child or start them on a formula. But if you choose to breastfeed the baby, we suggest you start immediately, even if the baby doesn’t latch on yet. Starting the process immediately ensures that they acquire the immune-boosting nutrients present in breast milk as soon as possible. Doing so strengthens their ability to fight off diseases in their most vulnerable state.
Besides, the HiPP Baby Formula provides essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to support a baby’s growth and development.
2. Take the baby for regular checkups:
The first few months are the most important in the baby’s life. The reason is that these first few months will show symptoms of any condition or disease, and catching them early on is the key to having a healthy baby. However, since the baby can’t voice out its discomfort and problems, get regular checkups done by a pediatrician.
For example, the symptoms of cerebral palsy, a motor disability disorder, may not be visible during infancy, but they develop over time and become more prominent. But if you notice some signs early on, you can start motor therapy and take other steps under the guidance of your pediatric doctor.
Apart from that, the pediatric doctor will also be able to find out the cause of cerebral palsy, and you can move towards filing a lawsuit after that.
3. Dress the baby properly:
It might be tempting to dress the baby in all the cute outfits you gathered throughout the pregnancy, but you should keep in mind that babies are a lot more sensitive to temperature than we are. Until they are six months old, they cannot even regulate their body temperature.
For this reason, dress the newborn baby very carefully. As a general rule of thumb, your baby should be wearing the same amount of clothes as you, whether they are indoors or outdoors. While layering is a good technique to keep the baby warm in chilly weather, if they overheat and start sweating, it can cause them to get colder. So be aware of the baby’s body temperature during the first six months.
4. Install a baby seat in the car:
You should have a certified child safety car seat even before the baby is born. But be sure that you install the seat properly in your car. Apart from that, the occasional family dinners and trips to the doctor will require you to take the baby out. There are some points to remember while putting the baby in the car seat, such as:
- The harness will be too tight if your baby has too many clothes on. So in case it is cold outside, consider putting the baby in the car seat first and then cover it with some blankets
- Make sure the harness is snug and fits perfectly against the shoulders and hips
- The chest clip on the seat should be on the level with the child’s armpits
- Ensure that the seat is semi-reclining
- When you install the seat, ensure that it does not move more than an inch or so
5. Keep the baby clean :
As fragile and small as they are, and even though babies cannot control their body temperature during the first six months, it is still important to keep them clean. So wash the baby’s face daily with a bar of very mild baby soap. If you see blotchy and red marks, then don’t be alarmed. It may be baby acne which is a harmless condition. But if it gets too red and itchy, visit a pediatrician.
Apart from that, you may notice some yellowish and crusty discharge on the baby’s eyes. When cleaning it, use a soft cotton ball and wet it with mildly warm water to clean that area. Moreover, wash your baby’s hair with a mild formula baby shampoo about two to three times a week. Also, use a nasal bulb syringe to unclog the nostril and baby nail clippers after a bath to clip their nails.
You may also want to change the diaper frequently. To reduce the risk of rashes, clean your baby’s bottom with water when changing, and pat dry the area. Don’t use wipes unless you are outside, as using too many wipes can irritate the skin. Also, use some barrier cream such as white zinc oxide or petroleum jelly to protect the skin.
6. Sleep close to the baby:
While it is tempting to decorate a cute nursery and put it to use immediately, we suggest that you sleep close to the newborn baby for the first few months. The reason is that being closer to the mother helps regulate the baby’s immune system and heartbeat and reduces stress.
Moreover, it gets easier to breastfeed the baby at night. So keep a cradle or bassinet adjacent to the bed so you can monitor and care for your baby without having to take trips to the nursery every few hours.
You should also ensure that the baby’s sleeping routine is consistent with all other activities and rituals. This will help the baby adjust to the routine as they will anticipate what happens next.
Conclusion:
Newborn Baby Care Basics is a highly rewarding process. The initial few months are when you can grow the closest to your little bundle of joy. So maintain skin-to-skin contact, talk to the baby, and play with it to improve your emotional bond.
But remember that you have all the right to ask for help now and then when caring for your baby gets a little too much. So ask for help from trusted family members, friends, and your partner, and distribute responsibilities so you can enjoy these wonderful times without getting too stressed or exhausted.
Read more, Traveling With An Infant
