5 Tips To Take Care of Your Newborn Baby

Well, you have handled the discomforts of nine months of pregnancy and successfully made it through the excitement of labor and delivery, and now a new life is in front of you. The joy and happiness of bringing a life into this world cannot be described in words.

With a newborn comes a lot of responsibilities and it can cause some nervousness for most new moms, especially those who have not spent a lot of time around newborns. In fact, many new parents feel unprepared when it’s time to bring their new baby home from the hospital.

* Holding Baby

Newborn babies have very floppy necks, as the muscles have not developed properly. The muscles start developing within the first few months, but until then parents should always be sure to fully support the baby’s neck. Proper support will prevent the head from moving in an uncontrolled way, which could damage the baby’s brain. Supporting the head and neck will also make it easier for you to hold your baby, and your baby would be less prone to “jumping” out of one’s arms.

* Baby Latch on during Breastfeeding

The decision to breastfeed your baby is one of the best gifts you can give to your newborn. Breast milk has many health benefits, including strengthening your baby’s immunity. When it comes to breastfeeding, a good latch is very important, since improper latching can cause breast discomfort. A good latch means the baby’s mouth covers both your nipple and the areola. This way the baby’s mouth, tongue and lips will massage the milk out of your milk glands.

* Burp Your Baby

The air that your baby takes in during breastfeeding can interfere with your little one’s digestion. This can make your baby feel uneasy and even lead to colic pain. Hence, it is important to make your baby burp to free the system of excess air. This simple trick will keep your baby’s stomach troubles at bay.

* Sponge Baths

It is very important to give your newborn baby sponge baths until the remaining umbilical cord falls off. Always remember, when the umbilical cord is kept dry, it falls off faster. This may take 2 to 3 weeks. Even if the umbilical cord gets wet, pat it dry.

* Hand Sanitizer

Newborn babies have weak immune systems and are very susceptible to infections. Being a parent, you need to protect your newborn from infections by maintaining good hygiene. As you are almost constantly touching your baby, you need to keep your hands thoroughly clean. Always wash your hands before handling your baby, and especially after changing a dirty diaper.