How To Take Care of Your Newborn Baby

For first-time parents, taking care of a newborn can prove challenging. A newborn will keep you on your toes all the time, demanding frequent care and attention.

With the coming of a newborn baby into the family, there are lots of changes that you will face in your life. First, your schedule changes completely and you have to make yourself adjust to the new parenting demands. Your newborn baby needs extra care. It may look tough to you at first, but it is not really so.

Here are a few simple things that can help you build your confidence to take the best care of your baby.

Feed

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding for the first few months. Make sure you breastfeed your baby every one to two hours and look out for signs of hunger - i.e., too much mouth movement - to know when your baby is hungry. Gradually you will be able to fix your newborn’s feeding schedule and after feeding your baby, slowly burp them to get rid of excess gas.

Sleep

Taking care of your newborn’s sleep is an important part of baby care. A newborn baby can sleep up to 18 hours a day. Coping with your child’s sleeping schedule is extremely hard, but to make things easier for you and your little one, try to develop a sleep routine. Make sure you provide a safe, clean and peaceful environment. After a feed, the baby should feel sleepy and be allowed to rest.

Diaper

Regular diaper checks and changes are a must while taking care of your newborn baby. Non-scented baby wipes should be used to avoid irritation. You should always wash your hands after each diaper change to keep your baby away from germs. Use of cotton diapers is advised by doctors. Disposable diapers should be avoided as they make the nappy area humid and hot, which is the primary reason for nappy rashes and urine infections.

Dress

Grooming your baby is always a fun activity, but this needs a lot of care as well. Give your baby a daily sponge bath with a lukewarm water to maintain cleanliness. Dress them two to three times a day to make them feel nice and smell good.

Comfort

Your baby needs to feel comfortable all the time. Always hold your child carefully i.e. with your arms supporting your baby’s head and neck to prevent injury. Holding your baby promotes a bond between both of you. Cover your baby with a blanket to compose them and make them feel less irritable.

You might hear many parents complaining about sleepless nights and constant diaper changes, which may worry you to some extent, but actually, it’s not as bad as you fear. So do not worry, and make sure your newborn gets the best care.

Read more articles on Parenting.