How to Care for Your Baby: The Billion Dollar Guide
By Javier Olivo
You’ve been through with one of the most emotional and exciting nine months of your life which is pregnancy, and you finally have your little one cradled in your arms. It’s the most beautiful moment of your life, and surely it is something that you’ll always remember.
Bringing home a baby may seem like a daunting task, while new parents might still be floating on cloud nine, many soon begin to feel the pressure on how they will care for their newborn once they leave the hospital. First-time mothers, most especially, view it as a typically scary and stressful situation, which is entirely reasonable and understandable.
Most of this apprehension stems from the fact that there are a lot of considerations to be made. Parents make a lot of preparations for their infants. Babies need a lot of work, from feeding, clothing, burping, bathing and receiving the right amount of love and attention.
Here are the key tips that you can follow and things you can prepare that might hopefully help your transition be as stress-free as possible.
Feeding
It is imperative to be food-wise when it comes to your baby. From the early stages where they can only live with milk until their teething, there few important points you may want to write down.
When breastfeeding, you should eat the right kind of foods. Stock up on fruits and vegetables, and healthy proteins. Drink your vitamin supplements. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Think of it this way: don’t eat or drink anything you wouldn’t want your baby to have.
If you opt for cow milk protein-based formulas, choose the right kind of milk for your baby. Take into account that your infant might have any allergies. Make sure your bottles and bottle nipples are well-cleaned and sterilized, to avoid your child from getting any bacteria and viruses.
During the teething stage, your baby’s gums are quite sore and tender. Your toddler might be kicking up a fuss due to the discomfort they’re feeling from having their teeth grow out. During this time, you can only give them soft and easily chewable food, such as teething biscuits, green peas, steamed fish, and mashed potatoes.
Bathing
In bathing your baby, you may want to use an infant tub. Gather all the necessary supplies and lay out a towel on top of a broad, steady surface. Make sure the room is warm enough to avoid chilling your baby.
Slowly slip them in the tub feet first, supporting their head and neck firmly. Use mild soap moderately. Start by washing their head first, and slowly dabbing your way down. Rinse them thoroughly with clean water and carefully wipe them down with the towel that you prepared beforehand.
Before dressing them, you may want to apply a gentle baby moisturizer after their bath.
Clothing
When dressing up your tiny bundle of joy, you can choose from a whole array of baby clothing. It is highly essential for you to equip your infant with the right kind of clothing for the right kind of weather.
Here are some types of clothing to consider according to the season.
Summer
Choose clothes that have light, neutral tones with breathable fabrics. Avoid wearing dark clothing, and abstain from scratchy clothing fabrics.
If you decide to go out in the sun, you may dress your baby in lightweight long sleeves to protect their delicate skin from the harsh rays of the sun, since their skin is much more susceptible to UV damage.
Always be keen to notice the warning signs of an overheated infant: flushed skin, rapid breathing, and restlessness are some of the most commonly seen.
Winter
One mainstream rule when dressing your newborn during the cold season is to clothe them with the same amount of layers that you’re wearing plus one. Take this situation for instance; you’re going out in a hat, scarf, gloves, sweater, undershirt, and jeans, your baby should wear the same, along with a blanket or an extra layer of undergarments as his plus one.
Always keep in mind to avoid overdressing your baby. Steer clear from garments where materials might be too thin or too thick. Stick to layering clothes, since it’ll be easier to remove if needed. Don’t forget to bring a hat, mittens, and booties or socks to protect their head, hands, and feet.
Be attentive to the warning signs that show if an infant feels too cold: few of the more rampant signs are the reddening of toes and fingers, shivering, and crying.
Swaddling
Swaddling is the practice of wrapping your newborn in a blanket for warmth. It is important because it allows the baby’s internal thermostat to be able to adjust to their surroundings during the first few days of their birth.
To swaddle correctly:
- Lay a blanket on a flat surface like a diamond and fold down the top corner about 6 inches to form a straight edge.
- Place your baby on his back so that the upper part of the fabric is at shoulder level.
- Bring your baby’s left arm down. Pull the corner of the blanket near his left hand over his arm and chest, and tuck the leading edge under his back on his right side.
- Bring your baby’s right arm down. Pull the corner of the blanket near his right hand over his arm and chest, and tuck the cloth under his left side.
- Twist or fold the bottom end of the blanket and tuck it loosely behind your baby, making sure that both legs are bent up and out from his body, his hips can move, and his legs can spread apart naturally.
It is of great importance to know how to swaddle an infant properly. Improper swaddling may cause damage to the joints and damage soft cartilage.
Takeaway
There is no sure-fire way to raise a child perfectly. Every single thing is unique, with their quirks and personalities. All mothers have one mindset in common: to always give the best for their children.
One way to do this is to prepare yourself for raising your kids. You need to learn what, when, and how to feed and bathe them, take into consideration their adjustments to the real world, and equip your newborn with the right set of clothes. These are just the tips of the iceberg of your incredible journey in life with your little one.
Author Bio
Aside from being a blogger and social media influencer, Javier Olivo majored in Landscape Architecture. He loves to orchestrate landscapes for the urban jungles, especially for his family and friends. Javier considers writing his passion, usually writing about the joys of parenthood and do-it-yourself crafts. In his free time, he takes his kids out to the nearby dog park.