If how to take care of a newborn baby is the only question you are pondering all the time, then either you are about to welcome the little bundle of joy, or he has recently arrived to add joy and love. Parenthood is an exciting journey that demands you to take up the responsibility of properly caring for your baby without any errors.
Thus, most new parents tend to be nervous performing day-to-day activities and wish to gather all critical information so that rearing the child becomes easy and fun.
This article will throw light on the challenges that parents face during raising a child and top tips for taking care of a newborn. So, if you are searching for information, here is an exhaustive guide that will help you at every step.
Top 10 Tips To Take Care of Newborn Babies
As parents, you should remember that your newborn was snuggled inside the mommy’s tummy and that he will take time to adjust to the outside world. Thus, as parenthood is new for you, it is equally unique for the tiny angel. Below are ten tips that work wonders and make parenting an easy-peasy job with a healthy and happy child.
1. Hold comforting the baby close through touch and gentle rocking
There will be instances when the baby will cry even if his tummy is full, meaning he wants to be held close to you and feel secure.
So, whenever you think that the baby is crying without any reason, try comforting him by gently rocking him in your arms.
2. Support head and neck when carrying and holding
Your baby’s neck and head are exceptionally delicate; thus, you need to be extra cautious when holding the little one so there is no pressure on the parts.
Some parents even take extra precautions by placing the head straight when putting the baby to sleep. There are special pillows designed to keep the neck and head properly, which new parents can use to make the baby lie comfortably.
3. Change diapers frequently to avoid rashes
Diapers are common, but you need to know some newborn care tips to make the best use of diapers. Firstly, you should use the best quality baby diapers according to your newborn’s size and weight range.
Secondly, you should change them frequently to keep the area dry. Parents who neglect the importance of diaper change have babies suffering from painful diaper rashes. Thus, you should keep a check and give diaper-free time to the child so that the skin stays healthy and rash-free.
4. Look for feeding cues like lip smacking to nurse on demand
When a child is born, most parents receive advice on the correct technique and feeding routine that one should maintain to provide the best baby nutrition.
However, the truth is that the best approach is to feed on demand, which means you need to look for cues like lip-smacking, crying, etc.
Also Read: 8 Simple Tips On Potty Training Your Child
5. Burp baby after every feed by patting or massaging
One of the most crucial tips for taking care of a newborn baby is to massage and pat the baby after each feed so that the baby does not spit back the feed due to colic.
Indeed, it is a tedious job since newborns feed several times, but it is equally essential and unavoidable, so you better start practicing and set up a routine.
6. Establish a calming pre-sleep routine like massage and lullabies
Developing a sleep routine is very important, and you need to put in effort from the very first day, even if your child takes time.
The best approach to calm the baby before sleep and make him sleep longer is to massage him using a naturally formulated baby oil and then sing sweet lullabies to relax him.
7. Give sponge baths using warm water and mild soap
In the initial days, you can give sponge baths to the baby with mild soap and lukewarm water so that the child’s body temperature does not fluctuate much.
You may hear people telling you that you can give a bath to the child soon after birth, but the fact is that it should be avoided until the baby gets a few days old.
8. Dress baby comfortably in breathable fabrics like soft cotton
You should always dress up your tiny tot in comfortable, airy clothes that are made of natural cotton fiber, which is skin-friendly for baby’s sensitive skin.
This tip also applies in winter because too many layers can make the baby uncomfortable and cranky. During winter, try maintaining the room temperature rather than overdressing.
9. Check body temperature often and avoid overheating
Your baby is very sensitive, and temperature fluctuation is a normal problem in newborns. As new parents, you should be vigilant, check the body temperature, and do what is needed whenever the temperature fluctuates.
10. Manage umbilical cord stump hygienically till it falls off
When a baby is born, the umbilical cord connecting the mother and baby is cut.
This cord dries over time and falls, but until then, you need to be very careful in handling it and also maintain proper hygiene, or else there are chances of infection, which may lead to severe problems if neglected.
Also Read: Top 6 Helpful Tips To Prevent Diaper Rash
Ask for Support from Your Partner, Family, and Friends
Usually, mommies are expected to take care of the little angel, and there will be lots of tips for taking care of a newborn alone. Still, one tip that is usually neglected is that raising a child is also the responsibility of both parents and other family friends.
Thus, moms should never hesitate to ask for help and should take some time to relax since it is vital for a mommy to be stress-free to avoid postpartum depression, which is a common problem that a considerable percentage of mother’s face.
When to Contact a Pediatrician?
It is usual for a newborn to make several visits to a pediatrician in the first few years of childhood until the immune system gets fully developed. Parents should not hesitate to ask for expert advice whenever they feel stuck over an issue.
As the child grows, there will be several health concerns like cold, colic, fever, flu, etc.; therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor in time so the situation does not go out of hand.
Key Takeaways
We have now stated all the vital tips for taking care of a newborn, and now it is your turn to put in your best efforts to create a healthy feeding and sleeping routine for the best growth and development. You should always maintain hygiene, like frequent diaper changes, safe bathing, bottle sterilization, and more, to eliminate any health concerns.
You should try to understand your baby’s cues and attend to the needs of your best capabilities. If you are searching for the best baby care essentials, you should buy from a reputed brand that makes top-notch products with unique features that ensure best-in-class baby care with the least effort.