The most essential aspect of your life should be taking care of your baby, especially in the first few weeks after he or she arrives. Take a look at the following advice on how to keep your infant healthy and happy.
Swaddling
Swaddling is another calming method that first-time parents should master. Swaddling works effectively for certain newborns throughout their first few weeks. It properly keeps a baby’s arms close to the body while allowing for some leg mobility. Swaddling a baby not only keeps them warm but also gives them a sense of security and comfort. Swaddling can also assist to reduce the startle response, which can cause a baby to wake up.
How Much Should They Weight?
Your baby’s weight and nutrition are two of the most crucial things to keep track of, especially in the first few weeks and months. The average weight of a baby born between 37 and 40 weeks is between 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams), and 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams). The size of a newborn during delivery can be affected by a variety of factors. Babies born around or after their due date are usually bigger than those born before. Because newborns are so little, it can be difficult to see if your baby is gaining weight properly. You might be concerned that your baby has lost too much weight or isn’t getting enough breast milk or formula in the first few days. To be on the safe side, you may use the best baby scale available and keep track of every change in your baby’s weight. Whether your baby is big, little, or normal at birth, you should anticipate him or her to develop rapidly in the coming months.
Diet
The majority of babies eat every 2 to 3 hours, or 8 to 12 times each day. For the first day or two of life, babies may only take in half an ounce every feeding, but after that, they will normally drink 1 to 2 ounces per meal. This amount will increase to 2 to 3 ounces when your baby is 2 weeks old. At around 2 months of age, newborns typically consume 4 to 5 ounces of milk every 3 to 4 hours.
With a few exceptions, breast milk is the best nourishment for newborns. Cereal, water, juice, and other fluids are unnecessary for healthy neonates.
Circumcision
The foreskin is a skin hood that covers the penis’ head. The foreskin is surgically removed during circumcision. Most circumcisions are performed during the first 10 days of a baby’s life (typically within the first 48 hours). Circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) later in life, as well as acquiring urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly in the first year of life.
It’s critical to maintain the circumcision site as clean as possible thereafter. Do not use diaper wipes; instead, gently clean with warm water. If necessary, soapy water can be utilized. For the first day or two, if there is a covering on the cut, apply a new one every time you change a diaper. Apply a dab of petroleum jelly on the front of the diaper until the penis is healed. This can assist prevent rubbing or adhering of the penis to the diaper, which can cause pain to your baby.
Umbilical Cord Care
It’s also crucial to look after a newborn’s umbilical cord. Some physicians prescribe rubbing alcohol sanitizing until the cord stump dries and comes off, which normally takes 10 to 3 weeks, while others advise leaving the region untouched.
The navel area of a newborn should not be immersed in water until the cord stump has fallen off and the wound has healed. The cord stump will change color from yellow to brown or black until it comes off, which is typical. If the navel region becomes red, or if a bad smell or discharge occurs, contact your doctor.
Bathing
Although you can survive motherhood without getting one, infant tubs can make your life easier. Especially if they offer a bath mat, non-slip seats, or suction cups to help keep the tub securely in place. This insight, as commented by Osmara Aryal, Founder of the Motherhood Community website, highlights the optional yet beneficial features of using specialized infant tubs.
Bearing these tips in mind, it becomes important to focus not only on the type of bath seat but also on the actual bathing process to ensure it’s safe and comfortable for your baby. The water should be shallow and at a comfortable temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also make sure that the space you’re in is warm and clear of drafts. As you remove your baby’s clothes, talk to them. Make them feel safe by holding them close. Place the infant in the tub, but keep one hand on the baby at all times for safety. Take the washcloth and begin bathing the infant with your other hand. Remember to begin with the face and neck and work your way down to the diaper region. Hair may be washed with a variety of baby soaps. You can also avoid using soap on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Vaccination
A baby’s innate immunity against infectious illnesses, which they get through the umbilical cord, is present at birth. However, newborns build their immunity to a variety of infectious illnesses. Breastfed newborns, for example, receive antibodies and enzymes in their breast milk that help protect them against illnesses and even allergic reactions. Within 24 hours of birth, newborns should get their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccination in the hospital. Some infants require treatment right away, while others may have to wait for a little longer (if they were born early and had a low birth weight). In the next months, babies will receive more immunizations as part of a routine immunization program.
Hopefully, these suggestions will make it simpler for you to look after your child and ensure that he or she is healthy, comfortable, and happy.
