Newborn Care 101:
5 tips for new parents
Congratulations, you have a new baby and are finally home! You’re probably exhausted, excited, and possibly a little anxious now that you are home from the hospital and on your own with your newborn. Read on to learn some basic, helpful tips on taking care of your sweet little bundle of joy. Below are 5 tips on caring for your newborn.
1. Bathing
Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off, you will need to give your baby a sponge bath. This is easily done at a kitchen sink or at the changing station, allowing you to stand in a comfortable position. Undress your baby, and then swaddle your baby in a towel to keep him comfortable and warm. Using a basin or bowl filled with warm (not hot) water, use a washcloth or cotton ball to wash baby’s eyes. Using the corner of the cloth, wipe from inner to outer corner of eye. Use another cotton ball or other edge of cloth to clean the other eye. Then, using a little soap, gently wash the baby’s face and pat dry.
The next step is to create a lather with gentle baby shampoo to wash baby’s head and then rinse. Once that is done, un-swaddle baby and using warm (not hot) water and gentle soap, wash the rest of the baby. You will want to make sure you thoroughly wash the areas that are creased such as under the neck, arms, and genital areas. Once you are finished, pat baby dry and then diaper and dress baby.
When the umbilical cord falls off, you can transition to tub baths. Make sure you use warm (not hot) water, and only fill a basin or tub with a little water. If your baby becomes upset by being fully emerged, then go back to sponge baths for a little while.
2. Feeding
Your baby will need to eat frequently, whether bottle or breastfed. Generally, it is recommended that you feed baby upon demand. However, if you have difficulty at first, remember that newborns need to eat every 2-3 hours. If you are breastfeeding, your newborn should eat for 10-15 minutes at each breast. If you are formula feeding, your newborn will likely take 2-3 ounces per feeding.
If you are formula feeding, it is fairly easy to monitor how much your baby is eating. If you are breastfeeding, it can be a little more difficult. You will pay attention to how many diapers they use, looking for a minimum of 8-10 wet/dirty diapers per day. You will also pay attention to their demeanor after a feeding. Do they seem satisfied, especially between feedings? Are they gaining weight? Another indicator for you to look at is how your breasts feel before and after a feeding. They should feel full at the beginning of a feeding and you should be able to feel a difference at the end of the feeding. If you are concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough, you should check with your pediatrician and a lactation consultant.
Your baby may swallow some air while feeding. If you are formula feeding, burp the baby every 2-3 ounces. If you are breastfeeding, burp the baby between each breast.
3. Sleeping
Newborn babies sleep a lot! Did you know that a newborn will sleep around 16 hours a day! Unfortunately, not all at once and there is no schedule to their sleep patterns.
Newborns usually sleep in 2-4 hour blocks of time and will not sleep through the night as they will develop their sleep schedules over time. They often have their days and nights mixed up and you will see a shift in sleep patterns around 3 months of age, but don’t worry if your baby is still not sleeping through the night by that time. If they are gaining weight and appear healthy, there is no cause for concern.
Always put your baby to sleep on his back, and follow the ABC’s of safe sleep to reduce the risks of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
4. Bonding
Bonding is probably the most enjoyable and best thing about having your newborn and it happens when parents hold their infants often and respond to their cues and cries. Did you know that it’s a myth that you can spoil a newborn? By holding your baby skin-to-skin, you are promoting many benefits, both immediate and long-term, for your baby.
For infants, attachment and bonding contribute to their emotional, developmental and physical growth and health. By holding your baby and gently cradling them, talking to them and spending face-to-face time with them promotes their overall health and trust in your unconditional love for them.
5. Taking care of you
This is probably one of the most important things you can do, but we often over look it as new parents because we are so attuned to taking care our newborn’s needs. However, remember! If you are struggling and not taking care of yourself, your baby isn’t getting your best either.
Eating healthy, getting out and exercising, getting as much rest as possible, and having open communication with your partner are all ways of caring for yourself. If you find that you are having a hard time and are experiencing depression or anxiety, there is help available to you!
In just a few short weeks, you will find that you have developed a sense of what your baby needs and you will feel more settled. If you find you are anxious or have questions about anything, reach out to your pediatrician, doctor, or local family resource center for resources and help.
