Disclosure: collaborative post
Being a newborn mom can be a hectic, overwhelming experience and getting help during this time is something to consider. There are many concerns that mothers have on newborn babies, especially new moms, so using resources available like nurses and specialists is essential.
From feeding, diapering, sleeping, or bathing, hospital specialists can show ways for caring for your newborn. Never dismiss your family and friends’ experience, they often want to help and be involved too. Here are five most common concerns new moms have and tips for healthy ways to take care of their newborn.
Feeding and Burping
Feeding a newborn baby is probably one of the most significant stresses as a new mom; how you feed is perhaps as critical as when you feed them. Experts recommend feeding a baby whenever they seem to demand being fed, using cues like sucking noises, crying, and attempts to put fingers in his or her mouth.
Feeding your baby every two to three hours is probably enough for efficient eating and giving them enough fluids to avoid baby constipation. Depending on how you’re feeding your baby, there are different ways to ensure you are providing them enough. Breastfeeding moms give the baby an allowance of 10-1 minutes, and two to three ounces for a formula feeding method, at each feeding.
Handling a Newborn
Newborn babies are intimidating and fragile, and the way you handle them is critical. With this knowledge, newborn moms are always concerned about grasping the baby without hurting them at a tender age. Always make sure that you support your baby’s head when picking them up or laying them down. Before touching your baby, make it a healthy habit to wash and sanitize your hands for optimum hygiene. Remember that they are not ready to play rough and are not prepared to be thrown in the air or jiggled.
Sleeping Basics
New parents are always surprised that a baby so delicate and fragile sleeps for an average of 16 hours a day. However, they sleep in intervals of approximately two to four hours each time. A baby’s digestive system is so tiny that they need to be frequently nourished. Roughly every four hours, you need to wake the baby up to manage their weight gain more often.
At three months of age, babies have a sleeping tolerance of about six to eight hours through the night; however, if your baby doesn’t, they may still be developing their sleep cycles and patterns. To avoid or reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the best position to lay your baby is on their backs. Other critical sleeping tips include: not including quilts, stuffed animals, sheepskins, pillows, and blankets, as these items would suffocate the baby.
All About Diapering
Diapering is always a concern for new moms, and that is because someone kept telling them babies relieve themselves almost ten times a day. Choosing the type of diaper is an important decision but whether you decide to use disposable or cloth diapers, remember that a baby needs to be changed about 70 times a week so make sure you have plenty of basic diaper supplies including diaper wipes, ointment, and fasteners
Bathing Basics
Until the baby’s umbilical cord falls off or the circumcision (if one was carried) heals completely, you should only wash your newborn using a sponge. To avoid drying skin on the baby, the recommended bath frequency is two to three times during the first year. Essential bathing items include a soft washcloth, mild baby soap, a soft and warm blanket, and a fresh diaper.
Thank you for reading - if you enjoyed this content, please consider buying me a coffee here or browse my Amazon wishlist I really appreciate your support and it helps to keep the site running and for my time 🙂