Caring For Your Newborn
Having a new baby is a wonderful experience. You've anticipated your baby's
birth for nine months. Now that he or she has finally arrived, you are
thrilled. Many new parents face the arrival of their new baby with great
anxiety, however. The responsibility of caring for such a little person
can be overwhelming.
There are several safe, comfortable ways to carry a baby. Whatever position you choose, always support your newborn's head and neck-a baby cannot hold his head up. One hand should always support the head and neck, and the other should support the baby's bottom.
Parents always seem to wonder when the umbilical cord stump will ever fall off. The umbilical cord connects the placenta and your growing baby at the navel (belly button) area. The cord is closed with clamps and is cut shortly after birth. To help the cord dry up so it can fall off and prevent infection, cord care must be done. At each diaper change, clean the cord with alcohol. Gently move a cotton ball or cotton swab, dipped in alcohol, around the bottom of the cord where it attaches to the navel. Be sure to get the alcohol on both the cord and the skin. Keep the diaper from touching the cord. The cord stump should fall off within one to three weeks after birth.
Newborns usually eat every three to four hours; some feed as often as every two hours. Breastfed babies feed more frequently than bottle-fed infants because breast milk is easier to digest. Only you can decide whether breastfeeding is the right choice for you and your baby. Breastfeeding during the first year of life is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is beneficial to you and your baby, but there are alternatives to breastfeeding such as formula feeding. Your baby will let you know when she's full, usually by turning away from the nipple or bottle. Babies tend to swallow air during feeding, causing them to spit up or become fussy if they're not burped frequently. Using one arm, hold your baby upright against your shoulder. Gently pat his back with your other hand.
A baby crying is a form of communication between a baby and mother. Babies usually cry when they are hungry, tired, wet, have to burp, are bored, or are just lonely. A mother will quickly learn what her baby is trying to tell her. Responding to a baby's crying will not spoil a child; it simply builds a trusting relationship between the child and mother.
There are many things parents can do to calm a crying baby. Holding a baby over one's shoulder or rocking baby will usually calm him down. Also, placing a baby on his or her stomach across your knees or arms, or wrapping a baby in a blanket will do the trick. Patting the baby's back may release a trapped burp; you could even go outside for fresh air or consider using a pacifier to satisfy baby's natural urge to suck.
Sleep is an essential routine for a newborn baby. Babies sleep more than they do anything else. It is normal for a baby to sleep 16 to 20 hours a day. Mothers should rest and take it easy while their baby sleeps. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all healthy full-term infants sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
During the first days of life, nails may be long and adhered to the skin high on the nail. Trim nails frequently with blunt edged small scissors or file with an emery board to prevent scratching. Cut nails straight across.
Bathing your baby is a great opportunity for "fun time" with your baby. Be sure that the room is warm and without a draft. A sponge bath is given until the cord has fallen off and the circumcision is healed; after the cord falls off, tub baths may be given. The bath can be given in a basin, small tub, or kitchen sink. Testing the water temperature is an essential responsibility for the mother. A full bath is given only 2-3 times a week. However, it is a good idea to wash the face and behind the ears, neck, hands and bottom on a daily basis. Don't use soap on baby's face. Support the baby's head and neck at all times while bathing. Bathing can be done at any time of the day but preferably before a feeding or at least one hour after feeding.
A baby's diaper should be changed when the baby is wet or soiled. After each bowel movement or wetting, wash and pat dry. For girls, separate the folds and gently wash area from front to back, using a clean area of washcloth with each swipe until thoroughly clean. For boys, wash penis, creases and folds near the scrotum. Do not push back the foreskin of the uncircumcised baby. Your pediatrician will instruct you how to care for your uncircumcised baby.
Always put your baby in an infant car seat each and every time you travel, even if you are just driving around the corner. Use all the infant seat straps, buckles, and snaps.
Caring for a newborn, especially your first, is one of life's biggest challenges. You and your partner will probably feel overwhelmed at the beginning-after all, there's so much to learn! But don't worry: you'll soon know your baby's needs and how to soothe them.