Recommendations For Caring For Newborns

Caring for newborns means giving them all the basic care they need for both their physical and mental well-being. It means giving them the love they need and taking care of them  whenever they need you. When a baby is born, they must become a priority for their mother, father and the rest of the family.

3 important aspects in caring for newborns

Caring for newborns: A bath

Your baby’s first bath should be with baby soap and warm water when it’s a week old.

Prior to this, use only washcloths and wet cotton swabs to clean them.

It is not recommended to give your newborn a bath a few days after their birth because they come into the world already protected with a white substance called fetal fat.

Fetal fat helps keep their temperature in balance. It also has antimicrobial properties and protects the skin. But after the first week of life, the newborn’s skin absorbs some of this oily substance and they will be ready to have their first bath.

Every time you give your child a bath, it should be done with a routine. Only in this way can your child begin to feel comfortable with the process.

Some children cry uncontrollably while bathing, and will only overcome the fear when they “learn” that a bath is not harmful and may even be pleasant.

Another thing we can give you as advice is that a newborn should only take a shower once a day. If you get help from another person, the process will be less stressful and you will be able to hold them properly while someone helps you.

Many mothers are afraid to give their newborn a bath because of their small size and because they move quite a lot. If you need to give your baby a bath alone and you do not know what to do, here is a suggestion.

Turn your bedroom into a bathroom

Lay a wet layer over your bed to prevent it from getting wet. Put their little tub on it, and next to the tub, place a small container with the water you need for the bath, along with soap and a towel.

Sit on the bed. Hold your naked child in one of your arms in a way so that their head is placed in the palm of your hand and their buttocks at your forearm.

Gently wet your baby with your other hand, use a little soap and rinse at the end. Then dry them and then you are ready to dress them again.

It is important to do this while you are in bed so that the chances of your baby getting hurt are as low as possible.

Caring for newborns: Stubble of the umbilical cord – necrotic tissue that sometimes scares parents

The stump that remains after the umbilical cord is cut is dead tissue that should not be removed immediately. But it should also not be treated as if it will be there forever.

The stump of the umbilical cord is nothing to be afraid of unless it becomes infected due to inadequate hygiene. In most cases, this is not a problem.

If the area gets wet, make sure it dries properly afterwards. It should preferably be allowed to air dry, or dabbed very gently with a clean, soft washcloth.

As time goes on, the stump will fall off. It starts from the sides and a few days after birth it falls off, leaving a scar.

Food for your newborn: Milk, milk and more milk

Your baby’s diet should only consist of breast milk

Of course, there are always exceptions. If you have a problem with your breasts, if you are not producing enough milk, if the baby is not getting properly at the nipple or in case of other problems, you can choose alternative methods.

In the first months of life, give only breast milk or replacement.

Breast milk contains antibodies and it helps to develop the baby’s immune system to protect them from pathogens. It is also rich in fats, carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, hormones and digestive enzymes.

It consists mainly of water, and because of this, newborns do not need to drink water while receiving breast milk.