Delay the first bath for 24 hours. Establish skin-to-skin contact as much as possible. Keep the baby warm with layers of clothes, and the list goes on. Having a new little member in the home can sometimes be an exciting and challenging responsibility.
Studies have found that around 1.76 million babies were born as of June 2024. If you’re also expecting to welcome your bundle of joy by the end of this year, let’s begin with the heartiest congratulations! You’re about to enter a life-altering wild ride that will have its mountaintops and valleys.
If anything, you must have heard how crucial a baby’s first few weeks of life are. The physical and mental development they experience in these first few weeks sets the stage for the future. A few unmistakable signs of a healthy baby include 8-10 wet diapers daily, weight gain, regular smiles, eye contact, and better sleep.
A little to the left or right is not an issue, but watching for a pattern is important. When your infant is healthy, they will show the signs mentioned above consistently. How can you ensure this is the case? In this article, we will discuss four best practices for moms to keep their newborns healthy.
Regular Postnatal Visits
Postnatal care is extremely vital for you and your baby. Besides trained healthcare providers, your care team would include postpartum nurses. They often have the most direct contact with the mother, the baby, and their family.
These nursing professionals are well-trained in extending postnatal care, usually holding advanced degrees through family nurse practitioner courses. They may pursue their specialized education offline, or even FNP online programs that are available these days.
Once completed, they get their certification and become qualified to treat patients of all ages. According to Spring Arbor University, the nurses will provide evidence-based primary care to infants, their mothers, and even antepartum women. A team rife with doctors and nurses can help you in the following ways –
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They will educate on breastfeeding and infant care. You will be taught to identify warning signs and when to seek help.
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They will help you connect with relevant support groups. This is especially helpful in the case of those at risk of postpartum depression.
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They will help you and your loved ones adjust to life with a new little member. The transition from hospital to home becomes smoother.
Deep Connection and Bonding
Did you know that scientists are still trying to learn all there is about bonding? It is described as the intense attachment that takes place between the parents and their baby. This phenomenon makes the parent want to shower their child with love and affection.
It is believed that bonding happens best during the first few hours and days after birth. Physical proximity is extremely important for this to happen. It can create a strong emotional link between the parent and their child.
You can start bonding with your baby by gently stroking them and caressing them in different ways. Another popular technique is known as kangaroo care or skin-to-skin contact. For this, you need to hold your newborn against your bare chest.
It is believed that this practice not only soothes babies but also regulates their heartbeat. UNICEF also states that skin-to-skin contact may aid the baby’s digestive function.
If you want to establish proper skin-to-skin contact with your infant, here’s how –
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Ensure you have no scented perfume or lotion on. Also, stay away from cigarette smoke before kangaroo care.
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Look for a comfortable sitting spot in a dimly lit room. Have your baby only in a diaper and lay them against your bare chest.
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During this time, you can hum, talk softly, or sit quietly. Many babies fall asleep during skin-to-skin contact.
Healthy Feeding
Since we are discussing newborn health here, it’s a must to talk about their feeding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates for breastfeeding, at least for the first six months of life. A mother’s milk is considered to be the best source of nutrition for the baby.
Babies who are exclusively breastfed have a lower risk of developing gastrointestinal infections, obesity, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or asthma.
The practice also benefits mothers as it reduces their risk of developing breast cancer, high blood pressure, or Type II diabetes. Since it is the clinical gold standard, it is highly recommended that you breastfeed.
Even if you’re unable due to valid reasons, consider procuring milk from hygienic human milk banks. There is so much that can go wrong with commercial formulas. Now, let’s come to the feeding times.
A newborn usually needs to be fed every two to three hours. Your baby will display signs of hunger through crying, sucking noises, or putting their fingers in their mouth. Here’s how you will know your baby is eating well every day –
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They seem happy and satisfied.
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They require frequent diaper changes in a day.
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They tend to gain weight regularly.
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They’re sleeping well.
Additionally, your breast should feel fuller before a feed than after. Just keep in mind that newborns tend to swallow air during their feeding. This can make them fussy, so gently make them burp often.
Proper Handling
Have you ever looked at a newborn and wondered at how fragile they appear, perhaps your own? To a certain extent, this is true since an infant’s head is generally larger compared to the rest of the body.
Their neck muscles may not be developed enough to support the weight of the head. Also, their immune system is not developed enough to fight infections properly. This means you or anyone holding them must keep in mind a few things.
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The first tip has to do with the obvious hand hygiene. As mentioned, newborns have weak immune systems, especially for the first two months of their life. It’s important to be extra diligent regarding clean hands. Wash them every time before holding your baby. Have visitors do the same.
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Never lift your baby by or under their arms. Since their head and neck are extremely fragile this can cause injuries to their arms or shoulders. Always scoop the baby up by placing one hand under their head and neck whilst the other under their bottom.
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Do not position the baby upright against your shoulder and bounce them up and down. It’s a poor way to calm a fussy baby. Instead, just lift them in a football hold and rock them back and forth.
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When you’re tired, do not risk holding the baby. Fatigue and parenthood go hand in hand. However, it takes only seconds to drift into Slumberland. This increases your risk of dropping your baby. If you feel drowsy, immediately place the baby in a bassinet or cradle before sitting or lying down.
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Resist the urge to kiss your baby when you have a cold sore. Also known as oral herpes, cold sores happen due to the HSV-1 virus known to cause brain damage in infants.
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Avoid all sorts of rough play with your baby. This would include shaking them, jiggling them on the knee, or throwing them in the air.
The four tips we have discussed should give you the kickstart you need for your mom’s life. As your little one grows, there will be many other matters to take care of, including bath safety, car precautions, and whatnot.
Just take it one day at a time and focus on enjoying this beautiful journey. Before you even realize it, the little one would have flown from your nest.
