8 Tips on Baby Care for First Time Moms
After delivering your baby successfully, now comes a second challenging and daunting task-raising your little bundle of joy. However, being a mom is not a walk in the park, especially if you are a first time mom. It comes with its own unique sets of challenges that will make anyone feel very tired. However, being a new mom doesn't necessarily mean that you can’t be able to handle your new role like a professional. There are some newborn care tips that when you learn can make your whole motherhood journey much easier. With that, get ready for the 8 tips on baby care for first time moms.
1. Prepare a checklist
Before your baby arrives home, you should ensure that you have all the items that you will need for baby care. Ensure that you include everything that would be essential from nursing bras and nursing pillows to skin care products and comfortable clothes. According to newmommysplace.com, your lovely baby also deserves the best comfort available. For that reason, you should consider buying a bassinet where it will always rest safely and comfortably.
2. Get breastfeeding right
It is a requirement that mothers breastfeed their babies during the first few months of birth. Breast milk is very crucial in a baby's diet since it helps boost the baby’s immune system. To breastfeed, turn the baby's body toward you, pull it to your breast, and touch it’s upper lip with your nipple,
3. Know how to handle with care
Babies are very delicate and should, therefore, be handled with so much care. When you are holding your baby in your arms, you should use one hand to hold and support its head, the heaviest part, and then use your other hand to scoop up the baby’s bottom. Also, avoid shaking your newborn as this can easily cause some bleeding in the brain.
4. Bond with your baby
Initial bonding is believed to be everlasting. Therefore, you should try as much as possible to bond with your newborn within the first few days. There are three ways that you can use to bond with your newborn. You can do it either through eye contact, skin-to-skin contact, or by responding to its needs.
5. Care for your baby's umbilical cord stump.
Generally, a newborn's umbilical cord stump may fall off within the first two weeks of its life. As it dries, it’s color will change from a yellowish green with a black and brown color when ready to fall off. Before this happens, you are supposed to care for it properly to avoid any infection.
6. Trim nails regularly
Since the skin of a newborn is usually very delicate, you should try to trim your baby’s nails regularly. When your baby has very long nails, it might easily scratch, its face and get hurt. Always trim your newborn’s nails when it is sleeping and do it very cautiously.
7. Soothe your wailing baby
When your newborn cries, you should patting its back lightly in a heartbeat-like rhythm. Doing this helps your baby to burp more quickly as well as make it feel relaxed if it was just crying because of insecurity.
8. Set a schedule for your baby
According to psychologists, new born babies love routine or repetition. Therefore, ensure that you make a schedule for your baby. To do this, try to ensure that your baby gets fed, poops, and sleeps at regular intervals. Never let your baby doze off at odd timings since this will just make you go sleepless at night.
Taking care of your new born baby will be one of the most special experiences of your life. Whether you are a first time mom or a repeating mom, these tips will help you feel more confident about taking good care of your newborn. Even though you may at first feel anxious about handling your baby, it will only be a matter of time before you master these tips and handle parenting like a pro.