My little one Aarna is around 3 years old now and it’s only about a year back that I actually started to get some good sleep. Both my kids, Aarav and Aarna, are not the best sleepers. Thinking about those days makes me feel so grateful for the good night’s sleep I get every day now. All they say about not being able to sleep around your baby is true. You’ll have to wake up every now and then to feed the baby, the baby may not fall asleep, and other times you may have a friend or family member visiting you and the baby. You will be tired and frustrated but you will have to focus on keeping your baby healthy and safe.
As much as you would want your baby to be safe and healthy, not everything would come to instinctively. You may need a few tips to help you cruise through at least the first few days after your newborn comes home. Here are a few baby care tips that my mother told me about. Hope this helps!
1. Holding
Second-time moms do not need to be trained much when it comes to holding the baby. New moms, however, may take a few days to hold the baby comfortably. If you think your baby is uncomfortable when you carry him or her, do not worry about it. It will take a few days of practice before you can learn how to hold your baby perfectly. What is most important while holding a baby is securing the very delicate neck and head. So, always support the neck and head when you carry the baby in your arms or lay him or down on the mat.
The first few days post-delivery are a sensitive time for the baby and mom to bond. Holding your baby skin-to-skin will help you create this bond over time. The closeness helps create an emotional attachment for both the baby and the parent.
2. Feeding
It’s only when you start nursing the baby that you realise how hungry they get and how often they get hungry. The recommendation made by most doctors is to feed the baby every time he or she demands it. Make sure you wash your hands before you hold your little one.
If you feel your milk ducts are clogged, try using a warm pack. On the other hand, if your breasts feel sore, try a cold pack for some relief.
3. Burping
Once your baby’s tummy is full and he or she stops drinking, you should make sure you make the baby burp. In fact, many experts opine that babies should be made to burp every five minutes.
To make your baby burp, you can make him lay in your lap with his back facing up. Make sure you support his or her head and that the head is higher than the chest. Another way to make the baby burp is to hold him or her upright on your shoulder while supporting the head. In both cases, you will have to pat the back gently until you hear the baby burp.
4. Umbilical cord care
You should pay special attention to this section as it is one of the most important baby care tips. The umbilical cord is very delicate and should not be submerged in water. Typically, the umbilical cord turns from yellow to brown and then black before it finally falls off. You could swab the area with rubbing alcohol but do so only after consulting your doctor.
5. Bathing
Since you cannot submerge the baby’s umbilical cord, you will have to give your baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord falls off. Once that happens, you can start giving him tub baths carefully. Here’s a complete guide on giving baby baths.
6. Changing diapers
Load up on baby essentials such as diapers before the arrival of the baby and be prepared to change about 5-7 diapers a day! When you change the diaper, make sure you make your baby lie on a comfortable surface. Remove the diaper carefully and wash the baby’s genital area clean using wipes or a washcloth and warm water.
In case of boys, be cautious while removing his diaper because exposure to air may make him urinate. In case of girls, wipe the bottom from front to back so that she does not contract UTI. Apply diaper ointment before you make your baby wear the new diaper. Diaper rashes are common so don’t worry about that. Just give your baby more air time and apply ointment and it should go away in a few days. Try using a cloth diaper instead of a disposable one. This prevents rashes and reduces the amount of waste you produce. If the rashes persist, consult a doctor.
7. Sleeping
Newborns sleep almost for 16 hours in a day. Throughout the day they’re either sleeping or feeding. Put your baby to bed on a comfortable bed and make him or her alternate between sleeping on the left and right side of his or her head. Make sure there are no heavy blankets or toys around the baby that could suffocate the baby.
Your baby will develop a sleep cycle just like adults do. This needs time and some help from you as well. You could restrict playtime only in the daytime and avoid waking him or her up at night unless it is for sleeping.
I assure you the sleepless nights will end, very soon! Adore and cuddle your tiny little baby before he or she is all grown up! And make it a point to get the dad involved take one of the two shifts in a day to take care of the baby. This way, you will get the rest you need too.
What other newborn baby care tips do new moms need? List some of them out in the comments section below!
