Taking care of your baby can be one of the most wonderful and satisfying experiences of your life. You may feel lost and unable to provide your child with the care and attention they need. Relatives and friends are often available to help. Even if you disagree with them on some points, don't dismiss their experience. If you're a first-time parent, these newborn care tips will make the process easier for taking care of your new baby at home.
Baby Caring and Handling Tips for New Parents
Being a parent is one of the most difficult things to do; it requires a lot of adjusting and healing from birth, as well as getting into a new routine and figuring out how to get your baby to sleep and how to calm them when they cry, among other things.
Ensure Some Things to do Before Holding your Baby
The baby's skin is soft and sensitive. When picking up your baby, make sure you wash your hands properly because you will be touching many places, and germs can easily be transferred from your hand to your baby's body. Your baby's immune system is still developing. As result, it is your responsibility to maintain hygiene and prevent the virus from spreading.
Provide support
Because your child is delicate, you must provide complete support. So, always support their neck and head properly before holding the rest of their body. Cradling is a personal way to carry a newborn that allows you to interact with the child. Place the baby's head on your chest and support the neck with your hand from the bottom.
Parent Should be Relax and Comfortable
It's not just about holding the baby; you may also need to calm it. As a result, before you hold a baby, make sure you are completely comfortable, as holding a baby and managing multiple tasks at a time is not easy.
Take Care while Baby Bathing
If you become a new parent, then you should be very careful during baby bath time. It is the most critical part for the new mom and dad to handle the newborn while bathing. Here you can read some amazing tips for baby bath time.
Gather some necessary items before taking your baby for a bath:
- Soft washcloth
- Light, unscented baby shampoo and soap
- A gentle brush to massage the baby's scalp.
- Blankets or towels
- A new diaper
- Clean clothes
Some of the toys for newborn are used for bath time. You can engage your baby with bath toys. There are two types of baby baths. One is a sponge bath, and the other one is a tub bath. Both are used according to the baby's age.
Sponge Bath:
Choose a safe, flat surface (such as a changing table, floor, or counter) in a warm room for a sponge bath. Fill a nearby sink or bowl with warm (not hot!) water. Remove your baby clothes and wrap him or her in a towel. Wash your newborn's eyes with a dampened washcloth (or a clean cotton ball) only, beginning with one eye and cleaning from the inner corner to the outer corner. To clean the other eye, use a clean side of the washcloth or another cotton ball. With a moist washcloth, clean your baby's nose and ears. Then, wet the cloth again and gently wash and dry his or her face with a little soap.
Tub Bath:
When your baby is ready, the first tub baths should be gentle. If your baby becomes upset, return to sponge baths for a day or two before attempting the bath again. A baby tub filled with 2 to 3 inches of warm water. To test the water temperature, feel the water on the inside of your elbow or wrist). A baby tub is a plastic tub that fits in the bathtub; it is a better size for babies and makes bathing more manageable.
Parents Need to Learn the Baby Swaddling or Wrapping
The most important thing for new parents to learn is how to handle their baby. Swaddling the baby in a similar case. By doing it correctly, you will allow the baby to sleep well while reducing the risk of certain health issues. In fact, the risk of suffocation increases if the baby is not properly swaddled.
It's time to wrap the blanket's left corner and tuck it beneath the baby's back. The next step is to take the baby's feet and gently pull them upwards while folding the blanket down. Fold up the right corner of the blanket under the baby's back, covering the entire baby. In fact, only the baby's head and neck must remain exposed.
Diaper Changing Essentials
You must change your baby's diaper whenever he or she has a bowel movement or when it becomes wet. You turn them over, remove the dirty diaper, and clean them. You can use wipes, water, cotton balls, or a washcloth.
Whether you prefer cloth or disposable diapers, you must change your newborn approximately ten times per day. Before you proceed, make sure you have all of your items close at hand. A new diaper, threaded inserts (if using pre-fold cloth diapers), diaper wipes, and diaper lotion are all required.
Feed and Burp your Baby on Time
You may be puzzled as to how frequently you should feed your newborn, whether by breast or bottle. Your baby may evoke you by crying, putting his or her fingers in his or her mouth, or sucking. A newborn requires feeding every 2 to 3 hours. Some newborns may need to be awakened every few hours to ensure proper nutrition. If you need to wake your newborn or if your baby isn't interested in eating or sucking, contact your baby's doctor.
Try these burping techniques:
Hold your baby up and place his or her head on your shoulder. Support your baby's head and back with one hand while gently patting the back with the other. Place your infant on your lap. Support your baby's chest and head with one hand by cradling his chin in your palm and resting the heel of your hand on his chest (be careful to grip his chin, not his throat).
With your other hand, gently massage your baby's back. Place your baby on your lap, face down. Make sure your Baby's head is higher than his or her chest, and gently massage or rub his or her back.
Conclusion
Good parenting involves deciding the routines, techniques, and activities that will keep you and your family healthy. A first-time parent guide in your back pocket will help you remember the basics and enjoy every precious moment with your new bundle of joy.
