A Handy Guide for First-time Parents
Parenting is certainly one of the most magical experiences and can definitely be termed life-altering. Once you get discharged from the hospital after your delivery you might feel clueless about few things as a new parent. We are going to share few tips that will help you feel more confident while taking care of your little one.
Handling Newborns
If it is your first time around a newborn, their fragility may be a nerve-racking experience for you. Here are few things you need to keep in mind:
- Support baby’s head and neck: You need to support their neck while carrying them upright. Even while cradling or laying them down on their bed you need to do the same.
- Never shake your newborn: Many parents tend to shake the baby in frustration or while playing but it could prove fatal for them as shaking can cause bleeding in the brain.
- Make sure your baby is safely fastened to the car seat, stroller or carrier while taking them out.
Bathing Basics
Many first time mothers are nervous while handling their babies during bath time. Keeping a few things in mind would make the job much easier.
- Give a sponge bath until umbilical cord falls off and navel heals completely. It may generally take 1-4 weeks.
- If your baby has a dry skin, avoid giving baths daily.
- Keep towel, fresh diaper and clean clothes ready before you take your baby for bath.
- Make sure to test the water temperature, it should not be too hot or cold.
Feeding and burping your baby
A newborn needs to be fed every 2-3 hours, if you are breastfeeding give your baby a chance to nurse about 10-15 minutes at each breast. If you are formula feeding your baby is likely to take 2-3 ounces (60-90 ml) during each feed. If your baby is hungry, they may be giving you a cue by crying, putting their fingers in mouth or making sucking noises. Talk to your paediatrician if you have any concerns about the feeding schedule.
Babies often swallow air during feeding making them fussy at times, to prevent this burp your baby at the end of each feeding.
Diapering
Use wipes to clean your baby’s genital area before getting them into a new diaper. Diaper rashes are a common cause of concern for new parents. To prevent and heal them don’t hesitate to use an ointment prescribed by children’s doctor.
Sleeping Basics
Babies should always be laid on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Newborns need to sleep about 16 hours or more. Make sure there are no soft toys or blankets in your baby’s crib or bed which can pose a danger of suffocation. There is nothing to worry if your baby is not sleeping throughout the night. Like adults babies need to develop their own sleep cycles.
Seek opportunities to bond with your baby and keep making memories we are sure that in a few weeks you will definitely become a pro at parenting.