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Basics of Taking Care of Your Newborn
Newborns need to be loved, kept clean, warmed and fed. As you meet each of these most basic needs, you are building your child's sense of security, which is the foundation for much of her later development. Joy and anxiety! Even before your baby was born, if you are like most parents, you felt incredible joy and certain anxiety at the responsibility of being a parent. The process of bonding with your baby really began weeks or months before his or her arrival. But a baby's birth still brings tremendous changes. A newborn is adjusting to a world that is very different from the warmth and security he knew in his mother's womb. Parents need time to adjust, too. Feel free to call your pediatrician or health care provider with questions during this time. Is nursing the best? Breast is best; however, if a mother is opposed to breastfeeding or unable to breastfeed, formula is fine. Beside nourishment, breastfeeding may give babies immunity against infections caused by many viruses. Breastfeeding also gives mother and baby a chance to bond. But a genuine desire to breastfeed is important to its success. If the formula disagrees with your baby's digestion the symptoms of this may include: • Frequent vomiting • Excessive crying • Excessive gas • Diarrhea or blood flecks in stool • Rash • Constipation Talk to your doctor before changing your child's formula. Wait a week to decide if the is tolerating the new formula. How to handle colic? Usually around three or four weeks of age, some babies begin to be colicky. That is, they cry excessively for reasons you can't figure out. The best news about colic is that it rarely lasts longer than to the third month of age. Some believe colic is due to the baby's system getting used to foods or formula; others say some babies are just more sensitive. Try not to leave the baby alone when he is crying. Handle your baby as gently as you can. Some people have some success with walking, singing, running the vacuum, holding the baby against your shoulder. Colic will end, so try and be patient. How often should babies eat? Babies eat frequently - some as often as every one to two hours - until their stomachs grow large enough to handle more food at one time. Frequent feedings may help the baby to develop better sleep patterns. Burp that baby! However you feed your baby, be sure to burp the baby during and after each feeding. This can be done either by holding the baby in a sitting position or placing the baby on your shoulder. Cover your clothes with a cloth in case the baby spits up. What's the best advice for new parents? Mothers and fathers need to take care of themselves after a baby is born. A baby is totally dependent on parents to provide for every need and that is no easy work. Parents must be patient and ideally have family or friends to help them. Important things for the new mom Take a nap every day and hold off on having everyone visit at once. If people do visit, ask them to help in some other way. Parents should also plan to have some time alone. Consider sharing an evening out after the baby's two-week check-up. Choose a competent baby sitter, then relax and enjoy Parents expectations about child's development It's natural for parents to compare their child's development to other babies. However, babies are all unlike and develop at their own pace. One baby may walk at nine months while another waits until 14 months. Both are normal. Pediatricians, nurse practitioners and other health care providers and resource books can give parents general guidelines for their child's development. Seeing your baby's doctor regularly allows your child's growth to be monitored, gives you a chance to ask questions, and learn the large range of what is normal.
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