Life with a newborn can be magical, but it can also be overwhelming, exhausting, and scary. I still vividly remember the day I brought my son home from the hospital and thought: How will I take care of this little animal in need? Where’s your owner’s manual? Newborn Baby Care Basics: When You Leave the Hospital But as difficult as it is to be a new parent, you’ll probably handle it just fine. Newborn Baby Care Basics: What to Know When You Leave the Hospital
“Babies are much stronger are parents realize,” said Dr. Jennifer, an Atlanta-based pediatrician and co-author of “Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality. (I remember our one-week-old fell off the sofa once and thought we had broken it. He was fine.) Over time, parents also learn to identify and understand their baby’s needs, wants, and schedules. Caring for a newborn, a baby less than 28 days old, isn’t easy, but it becomes more manageable, especially with the right advice. Newborn Baby Care Basics: When You Leave the Hospital with oxygen cylinder refill.
For this newborn guide, I spoke to three pediatricians and a board-certified pediatric sleep consultant and put together advice on what parents should look out for, what types of schedules to follow, what to do, and what not to worry about.
Whether you are breastfeeding or using a formula, feed your baby often.
When a mother breastfeeds (the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least six months), her body usually produces breast milk within three days of giving birth. But, before that, your breasts produce a thick, yellow liquid full of nutrients called colostrum.
First, a breastfeeding mother may need to work on getting her baby to latch properly or to lie against her breast for feeding. Talk to a certified lactation consultant if you’re having trouble building a good lactation or getting your baby to eat. Most hospitals and birth centers have at least one employee. You can also find a private lactation consultant through the American Association of Lactation Consultants.
It doesn’t matter if you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding; Who should feed newborns every one to three hours, so they eat eight to 12 times in 24 hours? (If using a formula, feed 1 to 2 ounces at a time. The C. has information on choosing, preparing, and storing formulas.) Frequent feeding helps newborns regain the weight they lose after birth. In addition, as your baby gets older, he will gradually be able to eat more at each feeding and less during the day and night.
Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t burp after a feed. Babies burp when they need to and have to,” said Diane Cicatello, M.D., developmental and behavioral pediatrician and vice president of pediatrics at CareMount Medical in Poughkeepsie, N.
Sleep when your baby sleeps and start a bedtime routine.
Babies under one year old should always sleep on their back, never on their side or stomach, as sleeping on their back minimizes the risk of SIDS. After the American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending turning babies on their backs, the incidence of SIDS fell by more than half. Newborn Baby Care Basics: What to Know about medical equipment’s.
Newborns sleep a lot initially, about 16 to 17 hours a day, but this sleep is interrupted by periods of waking every one to two hours. So said Arielle Greenleaf, a board-certified pediatric sleep consultant based in Massachusetts. Since your baby will also be awake for short periods during the night, which inevitably disturbs his sleep, “it is imperative that you sleep when your baby is sleeping in order to get a good night’s sleep. “, said.
Some babies have mixed days and nights and may sleep more during the day than at night. If that’s the case, Greenleaf suggested waking your baby if naps exceed two hours. You may also want to establish a bedtime routine that acts as a social signal that it’s time for your baby to sleep in longer.
The newborn bedtime routine can include putting your baby in pajamas, diaper changing, feeding, reading, and singing songs. “If parents can create a predictable routine for a baby, or as predictable as it can be in the first few days, babies begin to understand how their day goes and what to expect next,” Greenleaf explained.
It’s also okay to let your baby fool around for a few minutes at night if they’re not hungry or dirty; No need to rock or carry it all the time. “Let them see if they can fall asleep naturally on their own,” said Dr. Angela Mattke,
a pediatrician at the Mayo Clinic Children’s Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
Bathe your baby safely and not too frequently.
Every day, spot clean your baby around their mouth, neck, and groin – anywhere they get dirty. As for proper bathing, “once or twice a week is enough,” Shu said, and bathing too frequently can lead to dry skin. Or eczema, a skin condition characterized by red itchy skin and rashes.
You should give him sponge baths to wash a baby before the umbilical cord stump falls off, which is usually 5 to 15 days after birth. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends wrapping your baby in a towel and putting him to bed. On a smooth, flat surface. First, clean her face with a clean, damp washcloth (you shouldn’t use soap as it could get in her eyes or mouth), then apply a small amount of baby soap to the washcloth and gently rub the rest body.
Then wipe your baby’s body again with a clean, damp washcloth. After the bath, consider applying a baby moisturizer like petroleum jelly, Mattke advised, to help prevent dry skin. Once your baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off, you can bathe your baby in a hard plastic carrycot or basin. Before bathing, ensure you have everything you need handy: baby soap or shampoo, a washcloth, a dishwashing cup, and a dry towel.
If you need anything after you put your baby in the bath, bring it with you — never leave a baby unattended in the
tub, or they may drown. First, fill the tub with two inches of warm water of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay your baby on their back in the bath and wash them with a washcloth and some baby soap, then rinse with clean, warm water. Next, consider applying a moisturizer like petroleum jelly to your baby’s damp skin.
When your baby is awake, bond with them, calm her or do tummy time.
One of the best ways to bond with your baby when he’s awake is through skin-to-skin contact, for example, by placing your shirtless baby on your bare chest. Studies have shown that babies with skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth are more likely to breastfeed, breastfeed longer, and respond healthier to heart and respiratory tests. Better.
If your baby becomes restless, consider using some or all of the “five S’s”: swaddling, lying on the side or stomach (while awake only!), silence, rocking, and sucking, first identified by pediatrician Harvey Karp, M., were suggested. Author of The Happiest Baby Alive. If you want to insert a pacifier to give your baby something to suckle.
It’s best to wait until she learns to breastfeed or drink well from a bottle, Shu said. Don’t forget the prone position is “really important for gross motor development, head control, and neck strength,” Mattke said. To do the tummy position, place your awake baby on their stomach on a soft, stable surface for three to five minutes two to three times a day. Newborn Baby Care Basics: What to Know When You Leave the Hospital Talk to your baby on the floor to keep them entertained. You also do tummy time on your chest. If your baby prefers it, Mattke added.