The most anticipated moment for parents and the entire family: the arrival of that newborn baby who brings joy and love to the home, for the first time. And of course! At the same time, a meeting of feelings and emotions due to not being sure of what to do, how to take care of him, how to bathe him, how to know what he needs, and the doubt of all new parents: what is the reason for the crying?
If you are a new dad or mom, or an aunt who wants to support parents, here we tell you what you need to know to put aside any fear, trust your instinct and write down recommendations on newborn care check your czech names origin (in czech).
1- BEFORE ANYTHING, REMEMBER THAT YOUR BABY’S SAFETY COMES FIRST
One of the best safety recommendations you can have is to have a child car seat from the first moment, from the moment you leave the clinic with the baby. For this, it is important that you check the type of chair, make sure it is well installed, the baby has the correct posture and the straps are well tied.
“The child car seat can save a child’s life by more than 70% in the event of an accident. Its function is to protect the child, and it is essential from newborn,” says Eduardo Medina, expert in Child Safety and the first Colombian Childproofer member of the International Association for Child Safety.
2- A SLEEPING SPACE FOR THE NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
Whether you choose a bassinet or crib for your baby, keep in mind that your baby’s sleep should be safe sleep. For this, you can place him in the same room where you sleep, but the baby should never sleep in the same bed as his parents.
From day 1, your baby should sleep alone, on his back, in a crib. Do not place blankets, toys, blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, cushions, or protectors inside the crib. If you live in a cold climate, use thermal pajamas or sleeping bags.
These recommendations help reduce death from suffocation or strangulation, one of the leading causes of sudden infant death.
3- HOW TO HOLD THE NEWBORN CORRECTLY?
New dads, don’t worry. Right at the moment your baby is handed to you, the caring instinct will show you how to protect it. Now, always wash your hands before holding the baby and pay attention to the way you hold his head and neck. You should hold the head gently but firmly, rest it on your arms or use your hands. Ah! And don’t feel ashamed to ask everyone who is going to touch or hold the baby to wash their hands beforehand. It is basic care. Also, forget about shaking the baby, not to play or for anything. It can be deadly.
4- AT BATH TIME FOR THE NEWBORN
Although there is no unanimity regarding the time of the first bath, some professionals suggest that the bath is done when the umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals completely (around 1 to 4 weeks after birth). If you decide to bathe him before the umbilical cord falls off, the important thing is that you do not wet it excessively and make sure that this area of the navel is completely dry.
Always test the temperature of the water with your elbow or wrist, it should be warm (33 degrees), and prepare all the elements you need before starting; Never leave the baby alone to go look for something that was needed.
The bath starts with the head, and then descends to the genital area. Keep in mind: use mild soap, without fragrance, you can use a sponge or cloth to bathe it. And to dry your baby , wrap him tightly in a hooded towel to keep his head warm. Do not use powder, and diaper rash cream only if it is really necessary, its use is not daily.
Bathing every day is also not essential, in fact it can dry out the skin. It is recommended to bathe the baby every two or three days, and on the other days change the diaper with soap and water.
5- DRESS YOUR BABY IN COMFORTABLE CLOTHES WITHOUT EXCESSES
Your baby will be happy if you put him in cotton clothes that are wide and easy to take off. Avoid tight clothing, with laces, sequins or decorations that rub against the skin. You don’t need to cover it too much either. A tip! Put on one more piece of clothing than what you are wearing.
To wash your newborn’s clothes, it is best to do it separately, rinse well and do not use fabric softeners, as they can cause allergic skin reactions. The same applies to sheets, blankets and bibs.
6- FEEDING THE NEWBORN BABY
Of course, the main advice is that every baby should drink breast milk exclusively for the first six months, without including any other food, and up to two years or more, as mother and baby decide.
UNICEF and WHO , in addition to the above, recommend starting breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. “Breastfeeding promotes sensory and cognitive development and protects babies against infectious and chronic diseases ,” among many other benefits.
Now, regardless of whether your baby drinks breast milk or formula milk from a bottle, the frequency of feedings should be on demand. That is, every time she expresses hunger, for example, when they wake up, or they cry by putting their fingers in their mouth. Between one feeding and another, no more than three to four hours should pass. To know if your baby is satisfied, pay attention to her when she moves away from the breast or bottle.
And if you want to be sure if your baby is getting enough food, check that he or she wets approximately six diapers a day, sleeps well, and gains weight regularly.
7- CREATE BONDS OF LOVE AND TRUST WITH YOUR NEWBORN BABY
Physical closeness fosters emotional connection. Your baby only needs to feel her parents close to her, that’s the main thing. This is why carrying them, lulling them, singing to them, making skin-to-skin contact, caressing them, and massaging them are very beneficial practices.
Attachment favors your baby’s development in many cognitive and emotional aspects . And that attachment is affirmed when he feels sure that her parents are present, covering her physiological and emotional needs whenever she seeks them out.
The typical beliefs or phrases of “letting the baby cry” so that it develops its lungs, or is not “spoiled” have no basis. Your baby is going to cry to communicate with you, to tell you that she needs something, it is the only way she has to do it. Surely again your instinct will tell you that you should attend to it, trust.
Never ignore your baby’s crying, every time he cries and you go to him you will understand what it can mean. What others say… is not going to solve your baby’s needs.