20 BABY CARE TIPS TO HELP YOU TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR NEWBORN

A baby's arrival is a moment of utmost joy for the entire family, opening up a new world for the new mother. However, along with joy, a newborn also brings a lot of responsibilities, which can sometimes be quite overwhelming. If you are about to become a new mum, here are the 20 most important baby care tips to ensure your newborn remains healthy and fit.

Why Is Baby Care Important for Your Newborn?

All newborns require a lot of care to minimize their risk of illness while maximizing growth and development – both physical and emotional. Infants who receive quality care develop better both emotionally and physically. It also improves their life chances, making them less susceptible to infections and diseases. 

1. Ensure Self-Hygiene

A newborn baby is susceptible to environmental changes, demanding the utmost level of cleanliness and hygiene. One of the most shared baby care tips for new moms is to always wash their hands before holding the baby and wear clean clothes before picking up the baby to avoid infections and allergies.

2. Seek Help

First-time parents need all the help they can get to care for a newborn. Some moms also need professional psychological support to manage their emotions better and deal with postpartum depression. When you feel overwhelmed, don't hesitate to ask for help, as it can significantly strengthen your and the baby's emotional well-being.

3. Be Comfortable

A mother's comfort is as important as the baby's. Only when you are comfortable and in the right mind space will you be able to ensure comfort and steady emotional and physical growth for your baby.

4. Consider Getting Help After Your Baby's Birth

A new mother has many responsibilities like timely feeding, proper hygiene, adequate massages, and even caring for herself. A baby's sleep cycle is also quite different from us adults. All this can be overwhelming for a new mother taking care of her child. You mustn't hesitate to hire a nanny or ask a relative to stay with you for some time after the baby is born.

5. Handling A Newborn Baby

Babies, especially infants, are fragile. Knowing all the newborn baby care tips before giving birth is vital to prepare well for welcoming the newest member into your family. While holding newborns, you must cradle their neck in the nook of your elbow while supporting their spine on your hand. Doctors recommend holding your infant in a sleeping position only.

6. Bonding with the Newborn Baby

Bonding with your baby happens as soon as you make the first contact. Bonding promotes your baby's emotional and physical development. You can care for your baby by gently cradling and stroking them. Babies also benefit immensely from massages. You can ask your doctor about the best massage techniques and books/videos about baby bonding.

7. Avoid Shaking

A newborn baby's body is extremely delicate, and shaking too vigorously may cause a brain injury. You should also avoid jiggling the baby on your knees or throwing it in the air. The best way to care for your baby is by gentling rocking them from side to side, and singing a lullaby.

8. Keep It Gentle

A prominently shared newborn baby care tip is to handle the baby gently. Everything requires the utmost care and gentleness, including feeding, bathing, massaging, changing diapers, moving around, or putting him to sleep.

9. Maintain Skin-To-Skin Contact

Transitioning from a mother’s womb to the outside world is difficult for babies. As a mother taking care of her child, it is your responsibility to make this transition comfortable for your baby by making as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. It helps give your baby the much-needed warmth while helping relax their senses.

10. Check The Diapers Frequently

Newborn babies require several diaper changes in a day. A soiled diaper causes rashes and other severe infections. Diaper hygiene is even more important if you use cloth diapers. A pro baby care tip for diaper management is checking your baby's diaper every couple of hours and putting on a new one as soon as you find it soiled.

11. Regularly Sterilize Breast Pumps and Bottles

If you prefer using breast pumps and bottles to feed your baby, you should ensure they are well washed and sterilized. You must sterilize these products by leaving them in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. You must wash the bottles and pump after every use for better hygiene.

12. Know The Bathing Basics

Knowing the bathing basics is an integral part of baby care tips. Right after the birth, until your baby's umbilical cord falls off and the area heals, you must give your baby only a sponge bath. Later, you can start regular baths in warm water using the right products.

13. Maintaining Good Umbilical Cord Care

A part of the umbilical cord remains attached to the baby for 10-21 days after birth. It's a susceptible area and must be cared for very well. Use medicated powders to keep it dry and heal faster. Also, make your baby wear loose clothes until the area is healed completely.

14. Avoid Overfeeding

In the initial days, all your baby would do is eat and sleep. You must ensure to only feed just as much as the baby requires. If your baby refuses to eat, try playing and cuddling to give them the necessary diet.

15. Sleeping Basics For Your Newborn

While putting your baby to sleep, make sure to rest her head on a soft baby pillow only. Doctors recommend using an individual cot or crib next to the mother for the baby while sleeping to allow enough space for movement.

16. Don't Keep Toys Near The Bed

When your baby's sleeping, keep away all the toys from the sleeping area. This is important to avoid any respiratory problems due to fur inhalation or the smell of new plastic toys. Too many pillows/soft toys can also lead to suffocation or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

17. Pay Attention To Night Clothing

When your baby sleeps, make sure to have them wear loose cotton clothes only. It promotes proper blood circulation while allowing for easy movement. Avoid wrapping your baby too tight in blankets, but make sure your baby is warm enough.

18. Check For Diaper Rashes 

Diaper rash is more common among babies than you would think. To avoid rashes, you must change the baby's diaper as soon as it is soiled. After every diaper change, clean the area with warm water and mild soap. If your baby has a rash, keep them diaper-free for as long as possible, give warm baths, and lather on a thick layer of diaper cream (with zinc oxide) to keep the moisture away.

19. Check For Expiry Dates

Another often shared baby care tip for new moms is always being wary of expiry dates. All baby care products must be used before expiry to avoid unnecessary infections or reactions.

20. Nourish Dry Skin

Your baby's skin is sensitive and can turn dry quickly. New parents need to use a doctor-recommended moisturizer every time they sponge or bathe the baby. Anytime you see your baby's hands, face and feet dry, don't hesitate to put on some baby cream.

Conclusion

Caring for a newborn may stress out new parents. But with the above-shared baby care tips, you'll be able to get a better understanding. Always consult a doctor if you find something unusual with your baby. Lastly, always buy baby care products from a doctor-recommended, reliable pharmacy such as Wellness Forever, where you get only authentic baby products.