Newborn baby health in the first weeks
Newborn baby health is vital, and it can be scary for first-time parents. From holding the baby correctly to keeping them warm, here are some useful tips for ensuring nothing goes wrong.
Decide how and what to feed
Your new baby is a feeding machine and will need food around eight times per day in the first few weeks. Deciding how to feed and what to feed is an important step. They always say “breast is best”, but it isn’t possible for some babies. Some won’t take to nursing, and they may also have lactose intolerance. Human milk contains 7.5 g per 100 ml, much more than cow’s milk. Lactose free baby formula is recommended in this case for better baby health and results.
Holding the baby is vital
Any time you hold a newborn, the head must be supported. Contact is also important for bonding in the first vital days and weeks. Snuggling and holding the baby close to the chest is a tried and tested method of baby bonding and helping them feel secure. You can also cradle a baby in the traditional style or rest them on the shoulder. Swaddling a baby in tightly wrapped blankets can also help them feel secure and promote better sleeping habits in the child.
Bathing and newborn baby health
Your health is essential as a new parent, but like adults, it’s the same for newborn babies, especially before the umbilical stump comes off. This must be kept clean, and if you aren’t sure how ask a midwife. You don’t need to submerge a baby in water to clean them, and you can simply wash their head, hands, feet and bottom for the first few weeks. Be sure to use baby cleaning products and not general adult ones, as they are much gentler on their sensitive skin.
Keeping the Baby Warm
Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature very well, so they must be kept warm, especially when outside. An easy tip to remember is to give them one more layer than you feel is necessary for yourself. Keeping them warm is vital. But babies also need to be kept cool too. When you return indoors, in a warm car or when taking the bus, remove a layer of clothing or a top layer blanket so their temperature doesn’t get too high to cause any distress to the baby. So why not try to buy weighted sleep sacks online? That way, you can remove the jacket and at the same time be sure that you’re keeping your baby warm.
Putting them to sleep
If you are a newborn parent, you can say goodbye to sleep. But the baby must sleep often. There are a few things to remember when putting your baby to sleep for health and safety reasons. Always put the baby lying on their back to avoid breathing issues. But even when a baby sleeps soundly, they will wake up a lot to be cuddled, fed and changed. They will learn when it’s night and day eventually and adjust, but this can take some time, so be prepared.
Summary
There are a few things to keep in mind for newborn baby’s health as a parent. You must decide on formula or breast milk, bathe the baby appropriately, and adjust to their sleep patterns.