Taking care of your baby is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of life. However, it can also be a stressful time. Getting the proper information to help you care for your baby can help you feel more prepared and confident.
Proper Caring For Your Babies
Newborns are very fragile and delicate, so they’re at risk of being injured or harmed by others around them. That’s why it’s important to make sure that everyone who comes in contact with your baby has clean hands and that they are up-to-date on their vaccines.
Wash your baby’s face, head and mouth regularly with warm water to prevent infections. Gently splash the water on your baby’s forehead, cheeks and chin before using a soft cloth to wipe. Use a small amount of soap to clean the eye area, and then wipe gently from inside to outside with a cotton ball.
Ears are self-cleaning and will eventually push out any ear wax or dust that collects there. You can wipe your baby’s ears with a soft towel or a clean piece of cotton wool that’s dampened with boiled water.
Avoid inserting anything into your baby’s ear canal, as this can cause infection and block the airways. Alternatively, you can use a cotton ball dampened with warm, boiled water to gently remove any dried mucus from around the nose and anus (a large slit in the back of the upper chest).
Keep your newborn’s umbilical cord dry and untangled. Your baby’s cord can become tangled or irritated easily, and it can even break off. If your baby does loose the cord, it’s best to fold the diaper in front of the stump and allow it to air-dry.
Give your baby “tummy time” every day to strengthen their arms and legs, develop their neck muscles and build their muscle tone. Some doctors recommend that you do this for up to 20 minutes each day, but it’s better to get your baby used to tummy time as soon as possible, once they’re around a week old.
Talk, sing and bumble with your baby as often as you can. They love hearing voices and vocal sounds, and they will be happy to be able to hear you and your voice while they’re still young enough to respond to it.
Play with your baby, but be careful to not rough house or shake her too much. This can cause bleeding in the brain, and even death.
Smile and laugh with your baby and try to imitate her smiles and facial expressions. She should soon begin to smile back in return.
Interact with your baby as often as you can, and don’t forget to give them a hug and kiss frequently. This will encourage bonding and promote healthy growth and development in your baby’s brain and body.
If you have a friend or family member to help with your baby, make sure that they’re up-to-date on all the vaccinations and are well-rested before helping out. Having too many people in your home to take care of your baby can be overwhelming, so set up visiting hours and rules to reduce the number of visitors you receive.
