You have survived through nine months of pregnancy. Hey, no one said pregnancy was all rainbows. You have even made it through the excitement of labor and now you are ready to go home and start a life with the new baby. One you are home though, it finally sets it. You have no idea what you are doing! You go into a panic as you try to be the best mom and dad ever. Chill. Calm down. Relax. I am a mom of a 5 year old little girl, Ariela. She’s my life and I want only the best for her. I am going to give you 10 tips for first time parents…
Believe it or not, you cannot do everything all by yourself when you are in the hospital, so it is important to get some help. Use the expertise that is surrounding you. There are specialists and consultants that can help you get started with bottle-feeding or nursing. In addition to this, nurses can show you how to change, burp, hold and care for the baby. For in help in your home, you may want to ask your mother to help you out. Make sure it is someone that you trust.
If you have not spent a whole lot of times with newborns, then you may not know how to handle one. It is important that you wash your hands before you handle them. Young babies do not come with a strong immune system.
When you are holding the baby, make sure you are careful to support the neck and head. When carrying the baby, cradle the head. When carrying the newborn upright, support the head. It is important that you do this, because the baby does not have strong enough muscles to do this yet.
Whether in play or in frustration, be careful not to ever shake the baby. Vigorous shaking can cause the baby to bleed in the brain. It could even cause death. If you need to wake the baby, do not do it by shaking them. Instead, tickle the baby’s feet or gently blow on the cheek.
When you are traveling with your baby, it is important that you make sure they are securely fastened. This includes the stroller, carrier and car seat. It is important to follow directions when fastening your child into these devices. Never take a child in the car without a car seat.
Spread the receiving blanket out with one corner slightly folded over. Lay the baby face up on the receiving blanket with the head above the corner that has been folded. Wrap the left corner over the body and tuck it under the back of the child. It should go under the right arm. Bring the bottom up over the feet and pull it toward the head. Fold the cloth down if it is too close to the face. Wrap the right corner of the blanket around the baby and tuck it under the back on the babies left side. This leaves only the neck and head exposed.
When you are changing the baby’s diaper, make sure all of the supplies are within your reach. This way, you will not have to leave the baby unattended on the changing table. You will need a clean diaper, a fastener (if you use cloth diapers), diaper ointment, a container of water that is warm and diaper wipes.
Typically, the rash is going to be bumpy and red. It will go away in a couple of days with some diaper cream, war baths and some time out of the diaper. Rashes show because the baby has sensitive skin and it becomes irritated when they have a poopy or wet diaper.
Your child should have a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off (1 to 4 weeks), the circumcision heals (1 to 2 weeks) and the naval heals completely (1 to 4 weeks). In the first year, a bath two or three times a week I sufficient. When you give your baby frequent baths, this could dry their skin out.
Hold the baby upright with the head placed on your shoulder. Make sure you are supporting the baby’s back and head as you are patting gently on the back with your hand. This is one of the most common techniques. Of course, make sure you have a burp cloth on your shoulder!
Those are 10 tips for first time parents. If you know a first time parent, then forward them this blog as I have covered the basics. When you first became a parent, what was your fondest memory?