Baby Care: Tips for Caring for a Newborn
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Taking care of a newborn baby can be an overwhelming experience for any mom. The tasks involved in baby care – from feeding to diapering to getting your baby to sleep – can be both an emotional and stressful time. However, following some simple tips can help you and provide you with what you know about how to take care of your newborn.
Baby Care Tips
The most important thing to remember is that even if you’re a first time mom, you should always trust your instincts when it comes to taking care of your infant. If you are in doubt about something, whether it be your child’s sleep patterns or how often you should feed your baby, do not hesitate to contact your health care provider.
While it may not seem like it at first, know that eventually you will be able to establish a normal routine with your baby. Feeding and sleep time will take place at more or less set times, although it will probably be unlikely that you will be able to have a fixed schedule. This can be especially helpful for stay at home moms who may also have other children to care for and household duties to which to attend.
Feeding is a central component of infant care and is essential to your baby’s health. Make sure not to restrict the length and frequency of feedings, as your baby needs proper nutrition in order to grow at a healthy rate. If you are breastfeeding, follow these helpful breastfeeding tips:
- nurse your baby as soon as possible after birth
- use a pillow to support your baby as well as for your comfort
- establish proper latch on (make sure your baby’s mouth completely covers your nipple)
Working moms can also speak to their employers about breastfeeding policies at the workplace, as well as make alternative arrangements, such as pumping milk beforehand, so that baby gets the nutrition he needs while you’re on the job.
If you experience any pain during breastfeeding, or if your baby is having trouble latching on, talk to your health care provider.
New moms are also concerned about baby sleep safety. Your newborn might sleep for up to 16 hours each day, generally sleeping for 3 to 4 hours at a time.
The following tips can help encourage healthy sleep in your newborn, as proper sleep is essential to baby care:
- always put your baby in her crib for sleep time; this will help her associate sleeping with her crib and help to establish a routine
- put your baby to sleep on her back; this reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- reduce stimulation at night; dim the lights prior to bedtime and stay silent or speak in only soothing voices to help lull your baby to sleep. It can also be helpful to establish a bedtime routine; for example, make bath time prior to bed time.
- make sure there’s nothing in or near your baby’s crib, including bedding, stuffed animals and drapes; these objects could pose a hazard to your newborn
Is your baby still crying? Soothing a crying baby can be a frustrating and emotionally draining experience for a mom, even if you’re a second or third time mom.
Sitting in a rocking chair or carrying your baby close to you can help soothe your newborn. Also, going for a walk or a ride in the car can help your newborn relax, as can speaking in soothing tones or singing to your baby. Wrapping your child in a blanket can also help calm your baby. If you are feeling frustrated, take a few minutes to breathe deeply.
Always remember that you’re not alone when taking care of your newborn. Even if you’re a single parent, you still have resources available – including your health care provider, family and friends – to provide you with advice on how to take care of your newborn.
Also, remember that your baby is unique and therefore requires different care as she develops at her own rate. This is particularly true of special needs children; be loving and attentive with your baby and try to respond to her unique requirements as best as you can. Remember, no mom is perfect – there’s no such thing! The important thing is that you bond with your bundle of joy.
Watch the video related
www.tmwmedia.com Complete Baby Care teaches new mothers how to care for their baby. This program was created in collaboration with health care professionals that specialize in both the education and clinical practice of post-natal care. Viewers will learn the information on caring for their infant including: holding, feeding, breast feeding, expressing milk, bottle feeding, diapering, cord care, bathing, calming, dealing with colic, play, safety, general healthcare, temperature, giving …
Help answer the question
What baby care books should I think about avoiding?
Given that "What to Expect When You're Expecting" is
(a) "the pregnancy bible"
(b) garbage, in my opinion
…I'm a little leery of baby-care books. If there's one you thought was junk — even if it was just you, and everybody else loves it — could you mention the name, and tell me why you disliked it? Thanks!
baby care
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13 Comments
July 6th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
When the baby is first born, let it lye for a while. Mom and it need to rest and while the umbilical cord is still connected, blood from the placenta is going into the foal. Once the mare stands, let her be alone with the baby for 10 minutes or so to bond. (Assuming she doesn't take aggressive state, or it's not 30 degrees outside.) If it's cold, 40 or lower, immediatly start drying the foal. Once the mare has had her bonding time, go in with the foal and disinfect the unmilical cord stump. (You can use a diluted iodine mix, or 1:10 chlorohexidine.)
Basic timeline:
Foal stands 1 hour after birth. (the eariler the better in all situations!)
Mare passes placenta within 1-2 hours of birth (Oh yea, save this in a bucket for the vet to look at)
Baby gets first drink within 6 hours-EXTREMELY important.
12-24 hours after birth foal and mare are examined by vet
–After the foal is standing good, you need to administer one ennima. Also, you need to worm the mare 2 hours after birth.
-Hope this helps, and happy foaling!
July 6th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
breast or bottle feeding? Breastfed babies should always be fed on demand and it's best to hold off on pacifiers so it won't interfere with feeding- wait no more than 2-3 hours as for bottle feeding 3-4 hours
July 6th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Why would they have real babies demonstate playing with electrical wires???!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
because it is more effective
July 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
July 7th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I can’t wait to have a baby!
July 8th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Don't worry about them. 99% of the time, hamsters make wonderful mothers and do a great job raising their babies. Just be sure she is undisturbed and the cage is not in any cool drafts. She should have plenty of fresh water and food. Grapes and bits of melon are good for nursing hamsters. Boiled egg is a wonderful food for the mother now and for her and the babies when they start moving around and nibbling at food. It will help them grow and wean faster. I have noticed a significant size difference and difference in how fast litters wean when I use egg and when I don't. Good luck finding 11 new homes! They will start fighting between 3 and 4 weeks, and it gets really severe after that 4th week.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Well what did you want to know, Newborns are great, they are small and sleep alot, you'll probably want to help your mom with changing the baby and feeding it. Just let your mom know that you're willing to help, she will be happy to show you what you have to do. In the beging lil ones just eat sleep and poop. But they do get bigger then you're mom will need more help. But good luck to you and Congrats. You'll do just fine.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Well my husband & I try to have date night once a week where once or little one is asleep we do a sit down dinner, play cards, talk or anything that doesn't include a tv or computer, this helps us stay up o date on what is happening with each other etc as we find we get so caught up in work, house work & our little one we don't always have time for each other and evey now and then we get a family member to babysit for 2hrs so we can catch a movie or go out for dinner.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Caring for puppies and kittens are about the same. Did you buy the little bottles when you bought the formula? Warm the milk like you would a baby's formula. Make sure the hole in the bottle is big enough for the milk to come out. They are not going to eat very much at first. Just give them what they want. If they do not want to take the bottle you may have to feed them with a dropper.After they eat, you need to wipe their little bottoms with a warm washcloth to help them go to the bathroom. Good luck with those babies. Oh, they should be fed about every 2 hours.
July 8th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Your best bet would be to get an ovulation calendar. http://www.ovulation-calendar.net/ try this website. You could also buy an ovulation test from the store and test if you are ovulating. Also, talk to your doctor when you guys are ready to start trying and they could give you tips on conceiving and early prenatal care. When you guys try I would suggest you take plenty of folic acid. Folic acid helps to prevent birth defects. Make sure you have plenty of folic acid when you conceive and the first few weeks. Good Luck!!
July 9th, 2009 at 9:43 am
#1. Sleep when baby sleeps. I wish I would've listened to that. It is a life saver!
#2. Remember that your baby does need you for comfort and soothing. When they cry, make sure to rule out the normal things like hunger, diaper change, etc… but if that isn't it, rock and sing to your baby. It's very soothing and if you start early, it will continue to work for you.
#3. Remember that every mommy makes mistakes. Learning from those mistakes is what is important.
Congrats and good luck
July 9th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
awesome