How to Take Care of a Newborn Baby
A newborn baby is a serious responsibility for anyone. Here’s a quick guide to get you on track and be prepared in taking care of your newborn baby. Remember, this articles is just a basic how-to. It shouldn’t take place of a doctor’s instructions on how to properly care for a newborn.
Feeding
Feeding your newborn is one of the most important things to do when taking care of a one. Whether you believe in breastfeeding or not, it’s essential that your baby receives all the nutrition it needs. A newborn baby will require feeding every two or three hours, and four hours as it grows a little older. Never let your baby go unfed for more than five to six hours! Wake your baby for feeding if you need to. Do not fall asleep while feeding your baby.
When feeding your newborn, make sure that he or she actually drinks the milk instead of spitting it out. Keep track of how much and how often your baby drinks. Burp your baby after feeding. If your baby is still hungry after being fed or hungry all the time, you may want to take this up with your pediatrician to advise you on what you should do about it.
Changing Diapers
To change a newborn’s diapers, make sure that you have a safe place where you can change their diapers. A changing table will do, or a bed or a cushioned table, with one wall on the baby’s side to prevent the baby from rolling. Prepare your diaper change paraphernalia at arm’s reach.
Lie the baby down on its back and gently remove the diaper fastenings by lifting your baby’s buttocks a bit off the table. Use baby wipes or a soft cloth soaked in soap and water to wipe off urine and feces off the baby’s buttocks. Avoid getting the feces or urine into your baby’s genital areas. Use another piece of soft cloth to wipe the baby’s buttocks dry. You can put some baby powder on the baby buttocks, but that is optional. Attach the new diaper on, and dispose the used diaper in an environmentally-friendly manner. Wash your hands after.
You can change diapers after your baby has pooped, or after your baby has peed in the diaper several times. If your baby develops rashes on the buttocks, ask your pediatrician what the best treatment for the baby may be.
Bathing
It’s not required to bathe a newborn baby daily. However, should you choose to do so, make sure that you have cleaned your baby’s buttocks first. Don’t bathe a baby right after its fed, let one hour pass at least. Bathe the baby during the warmer hours of the day.
Prepare the bath in a baby’s bathtub. Put it on a table or anywhere your arms can easily reach. Use warm water, and test if it’s not too hot. Put a few drops of baby soap in and mix with the water. Hold your baby in one arm, and dip slightly in the water, but do not submerge. Use the other hand to splash water lightly over the baby’s stomach, and wet the baby’s hair by pressing your wet palm gently on its head. Make the bathing quick, and remove muck from your baby’s eyes by using cotton balls. Place the baby on a towel, and pat dry thoroughly.
Bonding
Don’t make your baby duties a chore. Take it as an opportunity to bond with your child. Smile, touch, talk and cuddle your baby. They may be small, but showing affection plays a huge role in your child’s development.