The most anticipated moment for parents and the whole family: the arrival of that newborn baby who brings joy and love to the home, for the first time. And of course! at the same time, a meeting of feelings and emotions for not being sure of what to do, how to take care of it, how to bathe it, how to know what it needs, and the doubt of all new parents: what is the reason for crying?
If you are a new mom or dad, or an aunt who wants to support parents, here we tell you what you need to know to put aside any fear, trust your instinct and write down the recommendations on newborn care.
Before Anything Else, Remember That Your Baby’s Safety Comes First
One of the best safety recommendations you can have is to have a child car seat from the first moment, from the moment you leave the clinic with the baby. For this it is important that you check the type of seat, make sure it is properly installed, the baby has the correct posture and the straps are well tied.
“The child car seat can save a child’s life by more than 70% in the event of an accident. Its function is to protect the child, and it is essential from birth”, says Eduardo Medina, an expert in Child Safety and the first Colombian Childproofer member of the International Association for Child Safety.
A Sleeping Space For The New Member Of The Family
Whether you choose a bassinet or crib for your baby, keep in mind that your baby’s sleep should be a safe sleep. For this, you can place it in the same room where you sleep, but the baby should never sleep in the same bed as her parents.
From day 1, your baby should sleep alone, in a face-up position, in a crib. Do not place blankets, toys, blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, cushions, or protectors inside the crib. If you live in a cold climate, use thermal pajamas or sleeping bags.
These recommendations help reduce death by suffocation or strangulation, one of the main causes of sudden infant death.
How To Hold The Newborn Correctly?
New parents, don’t worry. Right at the moment, your baby is handed over to you, the caring instinct will show you how to protect it. Now, always wash your hands before you pick up the baby and pay attention to how you support the baby’s head and neck. You must support the head gently but firmly, support it in your arms or use your hands. oh! And don’t feel embarrassed about asking all the people who are going to touch or pick up the baby to wash their hands beforehand. It is basic care. Also, forget about shaking the baby, neither to play nor for anything. It can be deadly.
At Newborn Bath Time
Although there is no unanimity regarding the time of the first bath, some professionals suggest that the bath is performed when the umbilical cord falls off and the navel is completely healed (around 1 to 4 weeks after birth). If you decide to bathe him before the umbilical cord falls off, the important thing is that you don’t get it too wet and make sure that this area of the navel is completely dry.
Always test the temperature of the water with your elbow or wrist, it should be lukewarm (33 degrees), and prepare all the elements you need before you start; never leave the baby alone to go look for something that was missing.
The bath begins with the head and then descends to the genital area. Keep in mind: use mild, fragrance-free soap, you can use a sponge or cloth to bathe him. And to dry your baby, wrap him well in a hooded towel to keep his head warm. Do not use powders, and diaper rash cream only if it is really necessary, its use is not daily.
Bathing every day is also not essential, in fact, it can dry out the skin. It is recommended to bathe the baby every two or three days, and on the other days to change the diaper with soap and water.
Dress Your Baby In Comfortable Clothes Without Excesses
Your baby will be happy if you put on cotton clothes, wide and easy to remove. Avoid tight clothing, with laces, sequins, or decorations that rub against the skin. You don’t need to wrap it up too much either. oh, dude! Put on one more piece of clothing than what you are wearing.
To wash your newborn’s clothes, it is best to do it separately, rinse well, and do not use fabric softeners, as they can cause allergic reactions on the skin. The same applies to sheets, blankets, and bibs.
Newborn Baby Feeding
Of course, the main advice is that every baby should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, without including any other food, and up to two years or more, as mom and baby decide.
UNICEF and WHO, in addition to the above, recommend starting breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. “Breastfeeding favors sensory and cognitive development and protects babies against infectious and chronic diseases”, among many other benefits.
Now, regardless of whether your baby drinks breast milk or formula milk from a bottle, the frequency of feedings should be on demand. That is, every time she says she is hungry, for example, when they wake up, or cry, putting their fingers in their mouth. Between one shot and another should not spend more than three to four hours. To know if your baby is satisfied, pay attention to her when she moves away from the breast or the bottle.
And if you want to be sure that your baby is getting enough to eat, check that he wets approximately six diapers a day, sleeps well, and gains weight regularly.
Create Bonds Of Love And Trust With Your Newborn Baby
Physical closeness fosters emotional connection. Your baby only needs to feel her parents close to her, it’s the main thing. This is why carrying them, eating them, singing to them, making “skin-to-skin” contact, caressing them, and giving them massages are very beneficial practices.
Attachment favors your baby’s development in many cognitive and emotional aspects. And that attachment is affirmed when she feels sure that her parents are present, meeting her physiological and emotional needs whenever she seeks them out.
The typical beliefs or phrases of “letting the baby cry” so that he develops his lungs, or is not “spoiled” have no basis. Your baby is going to cry to communicate with you, to tell you that she needs something, it’s the only way she has to do it. Surely again your instinct will tell you that you should attend to it, trust.
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