Caring for a newborn baby can be exciting yet challenging. First-time parents will experience significant life changes after bringing their newborn home. Their lives may revolve around the new baby. It is because they are responsible for everything for this tiny creature, from lying down to sleeping, eating, cleaning, and learning to walk and talk.
Moreover, the fact that you cannot leave a newborn alone even for a moment can get tough, especially during the first year. You may need to get as much help as possible from your family and other caretakers.
Even then, parents have many responsibilities when it comes to taking care of a newborn. It can get stressful, from pediatrics appointments to vaccination schedules and developing a routine for the newborn.
However, you can gradually switch to bottle feeding or baby formula. If you use the formula feed, ensure that you feed the baby 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 ml) at each feeding. A good way to tell if your baby is getting enough feed is to see if the baby seems satisfied, wets at least 6 diapers a day, is gaining weight, and sleeps well.
- Get a Newborn Screening
If you experienced a difficult pregnancy or labor or had a prolonged or premature birth, it is better to get your baby tested, called newborn screening. These tests include checking the baby’s vitals and reflexes and identifying rare or serious health conditions at birth.
The earlier you can detect any problems, the quicker you can take action for treatable conditions. All babies in the United States undergo a newborn screening. Around 4 million babies undergo the screening every year. It will also help you identify birth injuries like cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy.
If birth injuries appear in the diagnostic reports due to medical malpractice, you can get the required medical and legal help from the available resources across the country.
The screening has to take place within 1 or 2 days after birth. Some States require a repeated newborn screening 1 or 2 weeks after the first. It helps ensure your baby’s health.
- Feeding
Feeding the baby is one of the most important elements of caring for a baby. Breastfeeding works best for babies during the first 2 years of their lives. It helps them develop a strong immune system and improves their health. Initially, you must feed the baby every one to three hours to help them regain the lost birth weight.
However, you can gradually switch to bottle feeding or baby formula. If you use the formula feed, ensure that you feed the baby 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 ml) at each feeding. A good way to tell if your baby is getting enough feed is to see if the baby seems satisfied, wets at least 6 diapers a day, is gaining weight, and sleeps well.
Burping the baby after every feed is equally important. It is because they can inhale air during feeding, making them fussy. If the baby has gastroesophageal reflux, try burping the little one after feeding them one ounce or after every 5 minutes during breastfeeding.
- Newborn Sleep Schedule
Newborns typically require about 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day. The best way to put your newborn to sleep is by laying them down on their backs without loose beddings, blankets, or toys in the crib, or they can suffocate the baby. Their single sleep cycle consists of 2 to 4 hours at each interval. It is why you cannot expect a newborn baby to sleep through the night until they are at least 3 months old. They will wake up in the middle of the night requiring nourishment or a change of diaper.
Their digestive system is small, so they require feeding every few hours. You can wake your baby up to feed them if they have not done so for over 4 hours or not gaining enough weight. However, always be gentle when waking them up. Never shake them awake or use loud voices. Otherwise, they may wake up screaming and crying.
- Baby Baths
Bathing a newborn can be a tricky business. However, try to make it as comfortable for the baby as possible so they will enjoy the bath and fuss less. Select a flat and safe surface to lay the baby, such as the changing table, and take care of the room temperature. If it is cold, ensure the bathroom is warm, and vice versa.
Use a soft and clean sponge or washcloth for sponge baths to gently wipe the baby’s nose, mouth, ears, and eyes with warm water. Make sure that you use mild, unscented baby soap and shampoo. When washing the baby’s head, ensure it does not touch the baby’s face, or it may enter the eyes. Gently wash the rest of the baby’s body, paying special attention to the creases.
Make sure you give the baby a sponge bath only after the umbilical cord falls off, healing the naval completely. It can take from one to four weeks. It would help if you also waited for the circumcision to heal, which can take 1 to 2 weeks. Until then, you can give the baby tub baths. After the bath, immediately wrap the baby in a towel and dress them up.
- Diapers
Diapering is another very important element of taking care of a baby. Your baby will need diaper changing at least 10 times a day. Therefore, make sure that you stock up in time. Also, never leave the baby in a dirty diaper for too long, or they may get rashes and fuss throughout the day.
To prevent the rashes from happening, always use a clean diaper, wipe the baby’s bottom with water and diaper wipes thoroughly, and use baby powder and ointment. The best way to remove dirty diapers is to lay them on their backs and then change them. Moreover, always wash your hands afterward.
If the diaper rash does occur and is red and bumpy, it should go away in a few days. Cleanliness is the key to getting rid of it. However, if it does not go away sooner, call your doctor, for it could be a fungal infection requiring treatment with a prescription medicine.
Conclusion
Taking care of your newborn baby can pose challenges. However, you can follow the tips mentioned above to make the process easier. Do not forget to undergo a newborn screening to identify possible birth injuries.
Moreover, remember to feed the baby after every few hours, burp them and make sure that they get enough sleep. Avoid sponge baths during the first 4 weeks and go for tub baths instead 2 to 3 times a week. Lastly, change the baby’s diaper after every bowel movement to maintain cleanliness and prevent rashes.
