Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Now, what do you need to know about raising them? Parents for generations have faced these questions. It can become overwhelming to take care of your newborn when there are so many aspects to consider, not to mention taking care of yourself in the process.
Aside from feeding, proper development and nutrition are key concerns parents should address early in life to provide a healthy start with strong foundations upon which all future endeavours will build. Other factors include sleeping, bathing, bonding, and healthcare. This article outlines all of the most important aspects when it comes to new parent advice, newborn needs, and baby health tips.
Key facts
- Newborns do not have a fully developed immune system and thus require special attention when it comes to their health. There are certain things you need to do with a newborn to ensure the needs of the baby is met.
- Everything from bonding and feeding to clothing and sleeping habits are vital when it comes to a newborn.
- Always keep your hands clean when handling a newborn.
- As a new parent, it’s essential to take care of yourself too.
Why it’s so important to take care of your newborn’s needs
Your newborn’s immune system is still developing, which means that they will be at a higher risk for serious complications from illness. Germs and bacteria that are harmless to adults can quickly make an infant sick with something as simple as a cold or virus. Taking care of your new baby’s needs means that you’ll be able to maintain an equilibrium in your home where both parent and bub
Important baby needs to take into consideration
The start of your new baby’s life is an exciting time, but it also brings new challenges to parents. Starting at birth and extending through each stage of their development in childhood, there are some important things that every parent should be concerned about when caring for their child. Care for newborns is especially important as they are the most fragile at this stage of their lives.
Below are some of the most vital pieces of advice for new parents:
- Bonding: The first few days of life are a time for bonding, and it starts with physical closeness. Start the bonding with skin-to-skin, gentle massages, speaking with your baby, and keeping eye contact.
- Feeding: Babies, like adults, need food and nutrients to live. Babies may cue their hunger by crying or putting fingers in their mouth – usually around 2 -3 hours after feeding them the last time.
- Healthcare: There are a few actions you need to do to ensure the wellbeing and health of your newborn. Making sure you have adequate health insurance in place for the whole family may be one of the best things you ever do for your little one.
- Clothing: Since babies grow unbelievably fast, you won’t have to purchase many clothing items. However, it’s still important to ensure their health and safety, even when it comes to clothing.
- Bathing: Give your baby a sponge bath until their umbilical cord falls off, which is usually one to four weeks after birth. From then on, give your baby a soothing bath only two to three days a week, as too many baths may dry out their sensitive skin.
- Sleep: Newborns sleep about 16 hours. They need feeding every few hours and should be awakened if they haven’t been fed for 4 hours, but don’t worry; the digestive system in babies is so small that your bundle of joy will soon catch up with all those extra calories you give them while breastfeeding!
8 Best baby health tips
1. Keep your hands clean
You have to be careful who you let hold your baby. Germs can spread from person to person, even without any symptoms! Mothers should encourage family members and friends, in particular, to wash their hands with a safe antibacterial hand sanitiser before holding or touching anything that could come into contact with the babe’s skin.
2. Find the feeding solution that works for you
Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your baby and provide the necessary immunity for both mother and child. However, not all mothers can breastfeed, which leaves open questions and room for debate on what approach should be taken if one decides they want or need formula. However, it’s recommended that you speak to your doctor before making any decisions about this sensitive topic – especially since there isn’t just one “right answer.”
3. Manage germ exposure
A newborn is a very delicate and special creature. To protect your new bundle from germs, you must consider some things when taking care of them- such as where they go. When at childcare centres or friends’ houses with other toddlers who may be sick. Avoid crowds during these first few months after birth because babies aren’t yet too big enough to withstand harsh environments like large gatherings full of people coughing etc.
4. Avoid overstimulation
Your newborn is still going through developmental stages and is brand new to life itself. It’s of the utmost importance to take care of their stimulation within their environment. Don’t take your newborn to crowded areas, around loud noises, or anywhere that they wouldn’t be able to cope. Keep them in a peaceful environment at all times.
5. Make sure to observe safe sleep practices
When you have a new baby, ensuring they are safe at all times is one of your top priorities. Make sure that if you’re putting your baby into a cot at night that there are no obstructions like toys, cot bumpers or blankets. If you decide to co-sleep, you may want to think about investing in a co-sleeping bassinet to keep your precious little one safe all through the night.
6. Keep up with their vaccinations
To protect your child from infection, you’ll want them vaccinated before they leave the hospital. Your doctor will recommend a few vaccinations for newborns, then later on at different intervals until age four when it should no longer be given as an adolescent dose (and might not even need one). Make sure all adults – including those who provide care or live in close proximity like grandparents do- get updated too so we can keep these diseases far away!
7. Try baby massage to keep your baby calm
Massage your baby to help make him, or her feel comfortable and calm. Massages can be used for self-soothing, which relieves anxiety and discomfort in children with colic symptoms; however, we must take care of our infants and ourselves! Start by placing them on their backs, so you maintain eye contact while gently stroking each part of the infant’s body (avoiding tickling). If they jiggle their arms happily when touched suggestively, then keep going. If not, continue later after giving yourself time away from work/school obligations such as meals or television sets before trying again.
8. Never be afraid to ask for help
The best way to find help during this time is by talking with the experts around you. Hospitals often have feeding specialists or lactation consultants who can guide getting started nursing your baby, as well as nurses eager to assist in any area needed. You might also want to hire an experienced nurse-user like yourself postpartum doula/nanny if possible; some hospitals offer these services while others may know where one could be found locally – talk about what’s available near you.
Caring for yourself when you have a new baby
Your baby may be your number one priority, but that doesn’t mean your health needs to fall by the waistline. After all, caring for your baby is done best when you are caring for yourself too. To keep track of your health and wellbeing, consider getting AIA watch benefits. Members rewards include discounts on gym memberships, health screenings and assessments, and even flights.
5 Self-care tips for new parents
- Look out for your body: Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water can help you feel better, sleep when the baby sleeps-and have energy for caring for your newborn. Eat well to ensure you have enough energy, avoid high caffeine drinks or alcoholic beverages, drink at least 8 litres of water per day, and try to move your body as much as you can.
- Visiting Rules are Important: Friends and loved ones might come out of the woodwork to admire your newborn. Let them know which days work best for a visit and how much time you have available during that period not to feel continuously overwhelmed by caring for an infant who can’t take care on their own yet! Be firm about requiring visitors to wash hands before holding a baby – no one wants STDs just because they’re being nice or want some new experience under their belt.
- Switch up your environment: It’s not surprising that new parents feel overwhelmed at times. The best way to combat the feeling is by taking your baby out for a walk or leaving them with someone you trust so they can take over while you go do something else!
- Expect a storm of emotions: You might go from adoring your baby and marvelling at tiny fingers and toes to grieving the loss of independence, worrying about how you’ll care for a newborn all in an hour. You’re likely both tired as well as anxious-don’t be afraid to share what’s on your mind! A shared laugh could help lighten up those moods too.
- Allow for a helping hand: Offer to help your friends and loved ones in any way you can. If they have baby-sitting, offer up some of that time so it’s not just sitting around doing nothing when someone could be using the sitter! Offer them laundry work or grocery shopping – anything will give an extra hand at home while giving back what was given away for free by being there unconditionally.
Frequently asked questions and answers.
What are 3 important items you need to care for a baby?
You will need a few items when having a baby. One of those is a diaper. While there are many on offer, we recommend a cloth diaper or cloth nappy that is safe for your baby and non-harmful to the environment. A co-sleeping bassinet is another essential item to have when caring for your baby. Finally, you’ll probably need a baby gate to keep your baby from crawling around the house unsupervised.What first time moms should know?
Hold your baby as much as you want. You can’t spoil babies, nor should the small stuff worry us! Fretting over nursery paint colours and stroller brands is a waste of time – after all, babies have low expectations when it comes to things like this. You are also important, so take care of yourself by drinking enough water. And sleep whenever possible because who knows how long these early days will last. Always remember to ask for help when you need it.What do babies do in the first month?
One-month-old babies are still in the process of forming their brains and nervous systems. They will primarily be using reflexes while doing things like eating, drinking or moving around; they don’t have much control yet at this age because you can tell it’s involuntary. That being said, your little one could do whatever they want as soon as next week if given some encouragement!How do I prepare for my first baby?
To have the most from your baby’s first year, it helps to plan ahead. The sense of uncertainty can cause feelings that new parents don’t know what will happen or how their lives will change for good with a newborn, but there is always some way you’re able to take care of yourself during pregnancy and beyond! A checklist may provide relief when navigating all these unknowns in such an exciting time while also preparing well before the delivery day arrives.What do pregnant moms need?
Pregnancy can be difficult without the proper nutrients, so all pregnant women need to take a prenatal vitamin. The hormone levels in your body change, and you may experience back pain or other side effects from growing bigger muscles that need extra energy. You’ll also want support during this time by wearing an elastic belt around your stomach if possible!
