When a new guest, a newborn, arrives in the family, our joy knows no bounds, especially when it comes to caring for a newborn. Everyone begins preparing eagerly for the arrival of the new baby. Amidst all this excitement, there are countless worries about caring for a newborn—how to take care of the baby, when to feed, bathe, and massage, and what will be best for their health. From feeding to bathing and massaging, meticulous attention is crucial in every aspect of caring for a newborn For new parents, taking care of a newborn can be quite challenging. So, let’s learn some important things about caring for a newborn today.
Personal Cleanliness
Design by Freepik
Before coming into contact with the baby, wash your hands thoroughly. If it is not always possible to wash your hands, use an antiseptic hand wash or instant hand sanitizer. This will reduce the risk of infection. Ask other family members to wash their hands before holding the baby.
Feeding the Baby
Feeding the baby at the right time is very important. A newborn should be fed every 2 to 3 hours, which means you may need to feed the baby 8–12 times in 24 hours. For the first 6 months, the baby should only be given breast milk. Breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients and antibodies for the baby, which boosts growth and immunity.
Sometimes babies cannot get or take milk for various reasons. In such cases, with a doctor’s advice, the baby should be fed formula milk. Before buying formula milk, check the expiration date, the correct amount, and the quality of the milk. If any problems arise from feeding the baby formula milk, take the baby to the doctor.
Baby Burping very Important Caring for a Newborn
After feeding, babies need to be burped using a special technique known as baby burping. Babies swallow air while feeding, which can cause gas to build up in their stomachs and lead to stomach pain. This excess air can be released by burping the baby. To do this, hold the baby gently against your chest with one hand. Let their chin rest on your shoulder. With your other hand, gently pat their back until they burp.
Keep the Baby’s Tongue Clean
Due to breastfeeding, a white layer may appear on the baby’s tongue, known as oral thrush. If oral thrush is not cleaned, it can cause discomfort in the baby’s mouth. Therefore, use a soft, dry cloth to gently clean the baby’s tongue. Wipe the tongue once a week to keep it clean.
Trimming a Newborn’s Nails
Trimming a newborn’s nails is important because infants’ nails grow quickly. Their nails can accidentally scratch their delicate skin, potentially causing deep scratches. Since a baby’s skin is very sensitive, scratches can lead to irritation. Therefore, it’s necessary to carefully trim their nails to keep them smooth.
Trim their nails when the baby is asleep to avoid any movement. Use baby nail clippers or scissors made specifically for infants. Before use, ensure they are clean by washing them in antibacterial water. Baby nails are usually soft, but if they feel strong, trim them regularly after bathing.
More Read: Best 3 Nutritious Foods for Your baby
Care of the Baby’s Eyes
Children often have dirt in their eyes. Never attempt to clean a child’s eyes with just bare hands. Soak a soft cloth in lukewarm water and gently squeeze out the excess. Carefully wipe the child’s eyes from the inner corner outward using the damp cloth.
Keeping a Baby’s Ears and Nose Clean
Use cotton buds to clean children’s ears and noses. Be careful when cleaning their ears and nose after the child falls asleep. Take care not to hit too deep inside the eardrum or nose. Apply a light amount of olive oil to the cotton buds before cleaning. Sometimes children’s noses get cold or dirt accumulates, causing them to close, making it difficult for them to breathe, and not wanting to drink milk. So be especially careful about this.
Massaging Important Caring for a Newborn
Massaging a child’s body is beneficial for them. It helps them sleep better and aids in blood circulation and digestion. Before bathing the child, gently massage them with a small amount of baby oil or lotion. This improves blood circulation in the child’s body and helps them feel relaxed. As a result, it can also have a positive impact on their sleep.
Exposing to the Sun
Sunlight contains Vitamin D, which is essential for bone development in children as it helps in the absorption of calcium, which is crucial for building strong and healthy bones. Additionally, exposure to sunlight is important for regulating mood and sleep patterns, supporting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being in children.
Baby Bathing Time
During bathing time, it’s essential to handle bathing for newborns very carefully. Because if the baby moves around too much, there is a possibility of water or soap getting into their ears or eyes. Before bathing the newborn, make sure you have everything ready: lukewarm water, baby soap or body wash, a soft towel, baby lotion or cream, new diapers, and clean clothes for the baby afterward.
Be cautious while bathing so that water does not enter the baby’s eyes or ears. Gently cleanse the baby’s skin and wrap them in a warm towel after bathing. Then, lightly massage them with baby oil or special baby lotion. Try to bathe the baby around noon, or 12 o’clock.
Changing diapers
Taking care during diaper changes is another crucial aspect of caring for newborn babies. Since babies consume milk or formula, they need to have their diapers changed at least 6 to 8 times a day. Therefore, ensure to change the diaper promptly according to schedule. Wet or soiled diapers can be very harmful to infants.
If a diaper remains wet, there’s a possibility that the baby could catch a cold. Moreover, an unclean diaper can cause skin rashes or irritation, like diaper rash. In case of diaper rash, you can use baby diaper cream. After changing the diaper, clean the baby’s skin thoroughly.
Newborn Baby Care clothes
It’s important to be particularly careful when choosing newborn baby clothes. Opt for clothing made of cotton during warm weather. Using synthetic or thick fabrics may cause issues for the baby’s skin. Before dressing the baby, ensure there are no insects or dirt on the clothes.
Gentle Detergent
Always wash new clothes and blankets before using them for children. Use a gentle and mild detergent to remove germs.
Starting from the newborn’s environment, there can be many reasons for physical issues. Therefore, seek medical advice without hesitation. Today’s article was helpful for you. And always remember to ensure that products for children are authentic.
