How To Take Care Of New Born Baby
Updated: Feb 10
Whether you are new to parenthood or have been one for a while, caring for your newborn is an exceptional and close-knit experience. From the time they are born to every minute detail, parents do a lot of research and work to provide the best care for their children. And being a first-time parent is no laughing matter. Though they appear less tense, much panic goes behind the scenes. You may be overwhelmed due to a great deal of expectation and fear that you place on yourself.
Take heart, we are not telling you to be completely relaxed, but we also don't want you to be on a rollercoaster of fear episodes.
Though it may be difficult initially, you can handle the process reasonably quickly if you do it correctly. So keep reading to learn the fundamentals of caring for your newborn baby.
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Obtaining assistance after the birth of your newborn
When you first glance at your child, all the books you've read, advice you've received from family and friends, and research you've done will all seem insignificant—although exciting, putting all your knowledge into practice can be overwhelming. But don't worry; experts in the hospital are on hand to assist you. You can contact them anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
If you are having difficulty holding your baby, making them burp, changing diapers, and caring for your children, nurses can be a great resource to help you. For new parents, family and friends can often be lifesavers. Their knowledge and experience can significantly assist you in caring for your newborn in the early days.
How to handle your newborn
If you have not spent much time with newborns, handling your newborn is most likely the worst nightmare any new parent will face. The cute eyes are adorable, but their fragility can be pretty intimidating. Here are some fundamentals to know when dealing with a newborn.
Have clean hands: Before handling your newborn, wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser. Because newborns lack a robust immune system, they are more vulnerable to infection. So ensure you and everyone who comes into contact with your baby have clean hands.
Keep your baby's head, and neck supported: Cradle the head when carrying your baby upright and support the head when laying your baby down.
Do not shake your newborn: If you want to wake your baby, tickle their feet or gently blow on their cheek instead of shaking them.
Check that your baby is securely fastened: Whether using a carrier, stroller, or car seat, make sure they're securely fastened and limit any activity that could be rough or bouncy on your baby.
No rough play: Avoid rough play with your newborn, such as being jiggled on the knee, thrown in the air, or any other activity that could harm your newborn.
Swaddling your newborn
Now that you've returned home from the hospital and better understand how to care for your newborn, it's time to learn how to swaddle your baby. Swaddling is something that almost all infant babies enjoy because they spend their first months in a safe environment. They find comfort in the sensations of warmth and firmness.
With the help of the following guide, first-time parents can quickly and confidently swaddle their newborn.
Lay out a baby blanket with or without velcro tabs in a diamond shape with the point at the top, then fold down the top end about 10 inches and place the baby on the blanket with the fold at the baby's neck. If you are right-handed, do the following as mentioned; if you are left-handed, do the opposite.
With one hand, support the baby's arm with the other. Lift the upper left corner and bring it across the baby's body, tucking it under the baby's side, then lift the blanket material at the feet.
Swaddle the baby by rolling it and tucking this corner underneath. Bring the remaining upper corner across the baby's belly over the other shoulder. Remember that the more you swaddle your baby, the easier it becomes. It will become second nature to you before you know it.
Change of diapers
Don't be surprised if you have to change diapers several times a day; because it's more prevalent with newborns. It can also be a stressful time for many first-time parents. To make the process much simpler. Always keep plenty of diapers on hand, and learning to change a diaper ahead of time will be highly beneficial for first-time parents. Remember that your newborn will get a diaper rash at some point.
Diaper rash is typically caused by wet or infrequently changed diapers, skin sensitivity, and chafing. Use a baby diaper rash powder at each change to keep your baby's diaper area dry. These diaper rash powders repel excess moisture from the skin and reduce friction between the legs. Apply a safe and effective zinc oxide-based cream