Bringing a newborn into the world is a major milestone. Frightening, exciting, fascinating, it is all things in between! If you’re a first-time parent, we understand how overwhelming this might be. You might be stocked on diapers, blankets, and formula, but when it comes down to it, you still might not feel as prepared as you’d like to be. Everyone starts from somewhere, and we want to be there when you bring your newborn home with you! We take a look at the most important tips for parents to keep in mind for the first month of their newborn’s life.
Wash Your Hands Often
Your newborn is at its most fragile stage in life. Their bodies require plenty of time to develop, especially their immune systems. This means your baby doesn’t have the strength you have to fight off infection. The more you wash or sanitize your hands, the less likely they are to catch an illness. You should also make sure that anyone else who touches or holds your baby washes their hands prior to.
Talk to Your Little One
Talking to your little one plays a great deal in helping them learn and grow! It also helps with creating a tighter bond, from parent to newborn. One of the first things that your newborn will recognize is your voice. The more you talk to them, the more they will feel comfortable with you. This is the most crucial time in parenthood, where you need to establish your roles as parent and child. You want your little one to associate their mom and dad with the ideas of nourishment, warmth, and comfort.
Make Physical Contact as Much as Possible
Similar to talking to your little one, swaddling and holding your newborn is also critical to their growth and development. Human beings, by nature, crave affection. Although you give your newborn your attention, you must also be affectionate. Holding your newborn can also help when it comes to establishing a deep connection, emotionally and physically. You can also gently stroke your baby in different patterns to make them feel more comforted and relaxed.
Apply a Diaper Appropriately
This comes off as one of the biggest challenges for first-time parents. It can get messy, but by preparing for this, you won’t have anything to worry about! You will want to lay your newborn down on their back and remove the diaper. Use a washcloth or wipes to gently wipe your newborn. When wiping your baby girl, you just wipe from front to back to prevent a urinary tract infection. To prevent a rash or irritation, you can apply ointment as needed.
Providing a Bath
When it comes to bathing your newborn, they only require a bath two to three times a week for the first year of their life. This is important to keep in mind because the more you bathe them, the more it may irritate and dry their skin. It is best to have specific items ready before bathing, such as mild soap for babies, a clean and soft washcloth, a soft brush for the scalp, towels, a clean diaper, and clean clothes. You should also wait to bathe your newborn until the umbilical cord falls off and heals, which might take one to four weeks.
How to Burp Your Newborn
Burping your newborn is essential after feeding them. They swallow air while feeding, which can make them fussy, which is why it is crucial to burp them right after. You can try burping your baby after they have consumed two to three ounces by gently tapping them on the back while you have them held up to your chest. You can also try burping your baby in intervals of five minutes.
Provide Age-Appropriate Toys
In the first few weeks, you can provide rattles, textured toys, musical toys, and unbreakable crib mirrors to enhance their interaction. These toys are best as they appeal to the senses, including hearing, sight, and touch. It is also good to purchase toys with strong contrasts in colors to improve their sense of vision and stimulation.
Get Professional Healthcare for Your Newborn from Minis Pediatric Walk-In Clinic
We understand the support you might need, especially in the first couple of months of your baby’s life. That’s what our team is here. Contact us today to learn more about how we are providing medical care for parents and their little ones while following safety protocols.