So, after spending hours in labor and going through the delivery process, your baby is finally here. Congratulations! While this baby will surely bring happiness and light into your new home, knowing how to adequately accommodate your munchkin will seem challenging.
During the process, thoughts like “I’m not ready for this!” or “How could the hospital trust us with such an enormous responsibility?” may scurry through your brain. But it is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed. After all, no matter how much one plans and prepares for a child’s birth, there will always be difficulties and hurdles. Plus, it doesn’t take long for a baby to go from “oh, what a sweet little thing” to “a living, breathing nightmare!”
The good news is that you will be alright, no matter how difficult it gets. The trick is to arm yourself with the proper knowledge and proceed with taking care of your baby. To that end, here are some must-know baby care tips:
1. Improve your “baby talk” game
Talking to your baby is essential to taking care of them. But only some people do it right. To ensure your baby is heard, never ignore their coos. Respond to their every noise with delighted vocalizations, then slowly draw out your sentences as you say things like, “Who’s an adorable baby? You are!” Speaking to your baby is also an excellent way to teach them to imitate all the sounds of your language and lengthen their vowels. While you’re at it, remember that the outcome will depend on your child’s capabilities.
For instance, if your child is developmentally-handicapped, such as with cerebral palsy, it might be difficult for them to react. Furthermore, the degree of disability will vary as there are many types of cerebral palsy. Whatever the case, the key is to give the process some time and to support your infant in every possible way.
2. Get your infant vaccinated
This tip has two implications: vaccinations for your child and everyone else who will be close to them. Newborns only receive the Hepatitis B vaccination at birth; all other doses are administered over the next four years. This is why it’s a good idea to follow your doctor’s advice and ensure everyone older than six months, including all caregivers, is up to date on their vaccines.
3. Sleeping
Newborns require roughly 16 hours of sleep per day in the first two months. They often take 2- to 4-hour naps, waking up only when they get hungry or wet. You might need to rouse the baby up so they can be fed because they have to be fed every three hours. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t have the ideal newborn sleep schedule. Each baby is unique and has a particular sleep schedule.
Additionally, keep in mind to switch up your baby’s head posture when they sleep. This stops flat patches from developing on the head. Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics says that newborn babies like to sleep in the same room as their mothers. Investing in a bassinet is an excellent option to keep the baby close and prepared to sleep.
4. Master the art of swaddling
If you want a happy, content baby, you should think about swaddling a baby. Swaddling is an age-old method of comforting a newborn by wrapping it in a tiny blanket or fabric. Additionally, swaddling stops the infant from flailing their arms or legs, which could trigger their startle reflex.
5. Diapering
Changing diapers is crucial when caring for a newborn. Your baby will wet at least 6–8 diapers daily and have regular bowel movements if they receive enough breast milk or formula. When their diaper feels full, change it right away. You might even need to replace it ten times a day or more. Moreover, you must have an on-the-go baby bag containing a changing sheet, a pack of wipes, baby powder or rash cream, and brand-new diapers.
6. Encourage the baby to self-soothe
When your baby is already asleep when you place them in their crib, they won’t recognize their surroundings when they wake up at night and will want your assistance to fall back asleep. To teach your baby to self-soothe and sleep on their own, consider putting them to bed when they are drowsy but awake. Also, remember to give your baby a massage. Massages can increase a baby’s immune system, colic relief, and sleep quality.
7. Take care of the little things
During the first three months, most newborns scream for an average of two hours daily. Even though it may be startling, it is also common. Before trying to soothe your infant, attempt to identify what’s making them upset. Baby, are you hungry? Do they have gas? Do they need a diaper change? Is a nap in order? Is there too much light, noise, or activity around your baby? You can ensure your baby is well taken care of by keeping an eye on the tiny indicators.
Another thing to remember is that during the first few weeks of life, your baby has limited mobility and may cry out for assistance while lying in the crib. Gently moving your baby’s position can aid them in comfort. However, you should always put your infant to sleep on their back for safety reasons.
8. Self-care is also important
Parenting is hard— we’ve established that.
To energize yourself, avoid classifying “caffeine” as a major food group, as this will end poorly. Instead, consume a balanced diet, obtain enough water, and spend time outside. Plan a bedtime routine with your significant other that lets you both get some rest and care for the baby so that you may sleep when the baby naps. You can keep the energy you need to care for your infant by developing good habits.
Conclusion
Life with a newborn is terrific, but it may also be exhausting and overwhelming. You may feel as if your world has been turned upside down. But if you can take the time to catch your breath and understand that every parent experiences challenges, you might not freak out as much. Also, by heeding the advice mentioned in this article, you can reasonably accommodate your baby and ensure they are raised to be happy and healthy. Lastly, remember not to disregard your health in the process, as you’ll need all the energy you can get to care for this new baby.