Understanding A Few Points As You Look After Your Newborn

First Time Being Parents?

Parenting for the first time is a surreal experience. They give you some of the most memorable moments with your newborn. You want to raise your baby correctly. However, as you have no experience in raising a baby before, you will have millions of doubts and questions while doing so. In such cases, rather than worrying, you must get knowledge about newborn care tips and things you must avoid with your newborn.

What Should You Not Do With Your Newborn?

1. Avoid Feeding Cow Milk

Feeding a newborn feels like a never-ending job. While feeding, you create an unconditional bond with your baby. Most newborns take 8 to 12 feedings on average in 24 hours. As it’s a natural process, they will give you little cues when they are hungry.

Breastmilk is an ideal food for your newborn. It gives your baby all the necessary enzymes and antibodies that will boost their immunity. In some cases, infant milk formula can also give to a newborn.

You should avoid giving cow’s milk to newborns. The reason is your tiny baby cannot digest cow’s milk. Additionally, cow’s milk does not contain necessary nutrients that babies need until they turn 1-year old.

2. Don’t Bath Them Before The Umbilical Cord Falls Off

Bathing your newborn is another bonding time for a new parent. Although you are excited about it, you must wait until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off. Bathing your baby with an umbilical cord can put them at risk of catching an infection. Until then sponging is recommended.

3. Don’t Give Them Water Till They Turn 6 Months

As mentioned before, breastmilk is all your baby needs during the first six months, even for quenching their thirst in hot weather. Breastmilk is a rich source of nutrients, enzymes, and antibodies your newborn requires. Giving them water early fill their stomach without consuming any nutrients they need. This thing put them at risk of malnutrition.

4. Don’t Introduce Solid Food Until They Turn 6 Months

You should avoid giving your baby solid food until they turn 6 months. Giving them solid or other food than breastmilk can put them at risk of illnesses such as looseness of the bowels. It can lead to life-threatening conditions.

5. Don’t Panic If Your Baby Is Not Pooping

After passing their first poop, meconium, newborns can go two weeks without passing poop, which is completely normal. As they are only consuming breastmilk, very little waste product is left to poop them out. As breastmilk is a natural laxative, your baby will never be constipated even then do not poop daily.

6. Avoid Shaking Your Baby

Newborns’ head is comparatively heavy and large. Additionally, their neck muscles are also quite weak and cannot support their large head in the initial days. Shaking your baby back and forth rapidly can cause some serious injuries to the brain which can prove fatal.

7. Avoid Leaving Your Baby Alone

You must accompany your baby at least till they turn six months old. There is a higher risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) when you leave small babies alone to sleep. Therefore, you must not leave the baby alone initially.

8. Don’t Overdress Your Baby

As a new parent, you might overdress your newborn to protect them from the cold. However, newborns who are overdressed might get a fever as they cannot regulate their body temperature. Therefore, you should avoid overdressing your baby.

9. Avoid Smoking Around Your Baby

When someone smokes, they leave behind smoke which is quite harmful to newborns and babies. This is because their airway is still developing. Also, they have a less mature immune system. Therefore, you should avoid smoking around your babies.

Your newborn expresses their need through crying. Each time they cry for different things like hunger, sleep, separation, and thirst. You, as a new parent, will do everything to soothe your baby. However, some things you should consciously avoid doing. It is always better to seek advice from experienced parents and avoid mistakes.

Conclusion

Caring for a newborn is a journey filled with love, responsibility, and learning. As a new parent, it's important to be informed about the dos and don’ts in newborn care.

Understanding and adhering to these guidelines, from feeding to safety measures, ensures your baby's well-being. Remember, it’s okay to seek advice and support from experienced parents and professionals.

Your baby's health and happiness are paramount, and with proper care and attention, you can provide a safe, nurturing environment.