Taking care of our newborn baby is one great challenge, especially for first time parents. There are a lot of things to consider especially since your baby is dependent only on you. A few things you need to think about when taking care of your newborn baby are listed below.
Feeding:
One of the first things you need to decide on is whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby. It is highly recommended by doctors that mothers should breastfeed their child since it contains the highest nutrition, and it helps build a stronger immune system for babies. But some parents, due to some other reasons, formula feed their babies, though it is still a good alternative. Here are 10 reasons to breastfeed.
Feeding babies should depend on their demand and lasting for only about 10 to 20 minutes. And usually they’re fed every 2 to 3 hours during the first months and become less frequently as they progress. It’s certainly a struggle, and a great way to make you exhausted, but keep in mind it doesn’t last forever! Here are some tips to get your baby to sleep through the night.
Bathing:
Babies below one year still possess very delicate skin so they should only be bathed for 2 to 3 times week. Bathing them should only be done with a clean sponge during their first 2 weeks or up until their umbilical cord stump falls off. After that, you can then clean your baby using a basin filled with warm water that’s 2 inches deep. Make sure to have your baby’s head supported at all times and she should not be left unattended while bathing.
Sleeping:
One very important thing to have your baby grow healthily is to have a good sleep. She should always be placed on her back while sleeping to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). You should always ensure that the crib mattress is rigid and enclosed by a sheet without other objects on such as pillows or blankets that may block your baby’s mouth or nose. If you’re having a problem with her sleeping, you should contact your doctor to know what the best position for your child is.
Immunization:
Your baby has still not developed her immune system, so in order to protect her against diseases, getting a number of vaccinations even before her first birthday is a must. You should always communicate with your baby’s doctor to talk about the recommended schedule for her immunization schedule.
Since babies are only able to communicate with her cries and laughter, whenever you notice that her cries are beyond the normal, you should visit her doctor quickly as it could be a medical problem. And it is very important that you let her feel lots of love and attention and give her a child-friendly environment at home.
