Parenting: Becoming a mother, especially for the first time, is an exciting but tough experience. Though every mother would want to give her baby the best start in life, only very few Moms actually know what to do in order to achieve that. You’ll be entering a whole new world where different rules apply, and no matter how prepared you think you are, there’s usually little or no experience which you can draw on when making the choices and quick decisions that will become a major part of your life once the little one arrives.
As a first time mom, at the time of the arrival of your baby, there are many new questions that will come to your mind like, how to feed your baby, what kind of food is good for your baby till the age of 6 months, how to get your baby to sleep, bathing and caring for the baby’s soft and delicate skin, clothing the baby and so on. The list of such questions is endless. Consider getting help during this hectic and overwhelming time.
Relatives and friends often want to help at this time. Even if you disagree with them on certain things, don’t dismiss their experience. But if you don’t feel up to having guests or you have other concerns, don’t feel guilty about placing restrictions on visitors.
When my first baby arrived, I got a bunch of different advice and opinions from everyone I talked to. All the women that came around, from my mother in-law to friends, family, neighbors, and acquaintances suddenly became “Special Advisers” on parenting. Each one had one piece of advice or the other to give. Some of their advice was quite useful while others left me even more confused than I was. Well, since babies don’t come with a “manual” – it was hard to know what the right thing to do is. Caring for your baby is certainly one of the most important things you need to consider once you become a new parent. But there are many things you need to take into account in order to make sure that your baby gets all the attention. So as not to be misled, it is very important that you educate yourself with the right ways or techniques to take care of your newborn baby. Here are some vital tips that will help you:
- Feeding Your Baby Right
Deciding on whether you should breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby with formula greatly depends on you and what your physician recommends. However, it has been proven that exclusive breastfeeding is still the best way to nourish newborn babies. Lots of benefits can be obtained through exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of the baby’s life. Some medical studies have explained that breastfed infants have less hypersensitivity later in life compared with those who were raised with bottle feeding. This is mainly because the mother’s milk is known to contain natural enzymes and antibodies that can help fortify the baby’s immunity against infirmities. Aside this, some doctors also believe that breast milk is responsible for superior intellect as he/she grows and becomes fully developed. Breast milk is always ready, always available, convenient, and always the right temperature for feeding plus, it saves you a lot of money.
Breastfeeding also offers many benefits for the mom as well. The baby sucking on the breast will cause contractions right after birth, leading to less bleeding for the mom, and helping her uterus return to its shape before pregnancy much faster. It will also burn calories, so a mom can lose weight much faster than if she fed her baby with formula.
For some mothers, it is also a natural form of contraceptive – as long as they breastfeed their babies, they won’t get pregnant. Breast feeding creates a special bond with the mother and the baby – which is one thing formula simply cannot do. So you see, the importance of breast feeding your baby exclusively for the first six months especially, cannot be overemphasized. However, this can be really tough if you are a working mom and have to return to work barely three months after you give birth to your baby. If you are already thinking of what to do, when you resume work, this carefully selected Haakaa Manual Breast pump lets you express milk using the power of natural suction. Simply squeeze, attach to your breast and let it work its magic. It doesn’t require any cords or assembly, smooth inside and extremely easy to clean by boiling in water for 2-3 minutes. You can extract as much milk as your baby requires, while you are at work, and store in Lasinoh Breast Milk Storage Bags – ideal for storing, freezing and protecting precious breast milk. They come pre-sterilized with a double zipper seal to prevent leakage. So you don’t have to worry about you or your baby while you are at work.
2. Ensuring Your Baby Gets Good Sleep
Sleep is crucial for babies because it has a direct effect on the child’s mental and physical growth. Newborn babies sleep for up to 17 and 18 hours a day. As a new mom, you should understand that your baby’s sleep cycle could be pretty erratic. You may notice for a few weeks, your baby’s sleep may only last from approximately 30 minutes to 3 hours, and this can vary throughout a 24 hour period. But by the sixth week, you should see some signs of improvement as your baby’s sleep pattern becomes more structured. Newborns show signs of sleepiness by crying or rubbing their eyes. Newborns should be put down to sleep as soon as they feel sleepy. If you are not getting much sleep at night it may be a good idea to sleep when your baby does during the day if possible.
There are a number of behavioral interventions you can put in place to help establish positive sleeping habits in your baby, such as encouraging your baby to self-soothe. Babies who self-soothe (settle to sleep at the beginning of the night and get back to sleep if they wake during the night) are generally considered to be better sleepers than those who consistently need assistance to make the wake-sleep transition. Self-soothing can be supported by establishing a sleep routine for your baby, particularly daytime sleep habits. Day time sleep is thought to improve night time sleep and development of routines for sleep time, feeding, and bathing. Whether in a crib, cot or co-sleeping with you in your bed, providing a sense of permanence in where your baby sleeps will encourage a better sleep pattern. So be consistent in where you lay your baby to sleep.
Also consider swaddling, most babies enjoy being swaddled; it helps them to feel safe and secure and makes them sleep better. This Love To Dream Swaddle UP will allow your baby to sleep in the preferred arms up position for self-soothing, snug fit calm. Rocking is also a natural way to soothe, comfort, and helps your baby fall asleep. It is the reason they calm down so quickly in Baby Safety 1st Nap and Go Rocking Bassinet. Watch your baby sleep peacefully in this Rocking Bassinet.
3. Bathing Your Newborn Properly
Bathing your baby is an experience many parents treasure because it’s a great time to bond. However, newborn babies do not need to be bathed on a daily basis as most people believe. Bathing them two to three times a week is enough. Bathe your baby using sponge baths. This is imperative at first. Tub bathing your baby can only be done once the baby’s umbilical cord falls off to avoid infection. But be careful not to damage your baby’s smooth and delicate skin with harsh soaps. For this reason, it is necessary that you use products that are especially made for babies. Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo gently cleanses and nourishes your baby’s delicate skin, leaving it softer and more nourished than other baby bath soap. Use a soft brush to stimulate the baby’s scalp. Wrap the baby in clean towels or blankets; wear a clean diaper, and dress your baby in soft and comfortable clothing.
4. Playing With Your Newborn
There are a few things to keep in mind when playing with your baby. Always disinfect or wash your hands before handling the baby, as their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are vulnerable to infections. Never shake your baby as her internal organs are delicate and can be damaged by vigorous shaking. Do not throw the baby up into the air, as this can be dangerous. Ensure that your baby is fastened securely in a stroller, car seat, or baby carrier if you are taking her out. Make your baby lie on her tummy every day for a short while. This will make her neck and back muscles stronger. It will also improve her vision, as she will need to look up and sideways to see.
If you still feel anxious about handling a newborn, don’t worry, in a few short weeks, you’ll develop a routine and be parenting like a pro! Remember, everyone makes it through, and so will you. Trust in your own capabilities as a mom above all else, and trust in your own ability to make the best of all the advice and support that’s out there. That way you’ll definitely be the best parent your child could ever have. Soon enough you’ll be rewarded with your baby’s first smile and that will help make up for all the initial craziness.
