New Baby
To being with, you are very excited. But being a parent is not easy. There are thousands of questions that crowd your mind these days. Why does my baby cry? How do I clean the nappies? How do I know my baby is well? Here are some answers that‘ll make your life a little easier.
The first days
This is the time when you and your baby are getting used to one another. Your baby more than you. It takes your baby time to get used to the home environment. Bright lights and loud noises may startle or upset your little one, even when he/she is asleep. The sound of your voice or soft music will often calm your baby.
Feeding your baby
Breast feeding is the best way to meet your baby’s nutritional needs. Breast milk has all the nutrients a child needs to grow and helps build the immune system of the baby as well. Besides that, there is also no better feeding creates a warm, intimate relationship between you and your child. This is important for your baby’s healthy and psychological growth.
Note:
Babies who are breast-fed are less likely to become ill, because breast milk is free from bacteria and contains immune factors that protect a baby from infections.
Babies will cry
Crying it the only way your baby communicates that something is wrong. Most often your baby cries because of hunger, discomfort or fatigue. Cries of hunger happen just before feeding time. However, your baby may cry for no apparent reason between feeding time. If this happens at a particular time like the afternoon, your baby is perhaps tired. Irregular period of crying that occur throughout the day or night may be a sign of gas. You can relieve your baby’s discomfort by gently rubbing the back. At other times, check for a wet or soiled diaper, but never let your baby’s crying go unattended.
Sleep
Most newborns sleep between 18 to 22 hours a day, so don’t worry. It is however necessary that you establish a routine. Try to get your baby to nap after each feeding. By the end of the first year, most babies will sleep through the night. Till then, a few sled.
Holding a baby
Most babies are active. You must support your baby’s head and neck until the muscles are fully developed. This usually happens by the third month. When you pick up a baby, always support the head gently with one hand and the neck with your arm. When lifting from a laying position, slip your other hand under the buttocks. This ensures that the baby is properly supported. Remember to keep your baby’s back supported at all times.
Now that you are a new mum, there’ll be many things you’ll learn on the way. Your baby is a special individual and you as a parent will instinctively know what your little one needs, for “some things in life are hard to define”.
Bathing your baby
Daily baths are good for your baby, unless he/she isn’t well. Make sure the room is warm and check the water temperature is the same as the baby’s. In the first few weeks, you may give your baby a sponge bath instead of a tub bath. Use a clean cloth with a mild soap. Always rinse the cloth thoroughly before you wash the soap off your baby’s body.
Care of the navel
The umbilical cord is normally cut after birth. A scab is left behind and this dries up and falls off within three weeks. This leaves a mist spot on your baby’s navel and that takes a few more days to heal. To prevent infection, keep the navel clean and dry. Do not cover it with diapers or plastic pants until it is completely healed. If you bathe your baby in a tub, make sure you dry him/her with a clean cloth or sterile cotton.
All about nappies
Nappies should be changed after every bowel movement or whenever they are wet. This reduces the chance of nappy rash, which is often caused by irritation from stools/urine.
Add 2 capfuls (27ml) of Antiseptic liquid to 1 liter of washing water for disinfecting nappies. Then wash them as normal with soap/detergent and water. Always wash them separately and dry outdoors, as sunlight also kills bacteria.
Cloth for your baby
Your baby needs soft, light and comfortable clothes. Let them be simple and practical as they outgrow them quickly. Instead of buttons, try and use strings.
Washing your babies clothes
If baby’s clothes are soiled, soak in diluted Dettol. add 2 capfuls (27ml) Dettol antiseptic liquid to 1 liter of water and then wash in mild detergent solution.
Your baby’s world
A baby’s environment should always be hygienic.
Nose
Wet and dripping sense organs, often found with tiny fingers stuck into the nostrils, need constant wiping with soft, clean cloth.
Mouth
Serves for intake of food and other household objects within reach. Well adapted for perforating rubber teats, and reshaping plastic objects.
Sheets
Adsorbent layer that acts to soak up baby fluids. Practice caution in handling. Rinse baby’s sheets and pillowcase in a dilute solution of Dettol, and then wash as normal.
Toys
Very important household items. Indispensable to parents. Frequently lubricated by baby’s mouth and essentially used for target practice. Wipe hard toys with a dilute solution of Dettol followed by rinsing with clean water.
Taking care of yourself
Ensure your nipples and breast is clean. Wash and rinse them thoroughly before feeding.
Clean stitches regularly with Dettol Antiseptic liquid at least 2-3 times a day.
This helps prevent infection thereby aiding healing.
Your hands should always be clean and nails short. Wash your hands with Dettol Soap.
Source:Perfect
No comments:
Post a Comment