Taking Care Of Your Newborn (0-6 months)

A newborn baby can feel small and fragile. The first month or two of your baby's life are an intense time. You may find yourself more "in love" than you thought possible or it may take longer to feel truly bonded. It's also a time of hard work and little sleep. The better prepared you are for this time, the smoother the transition will be. Taking care of your newborn can be one of the most special and rewarding experience of your life.To take care of a newborn, you need to know how to give your baby the rest, nourishment and care that he needs as well as a healthy dose of love and affection. Here you'll find information about bathing and feeding your baby, establishing good sleep habits, interpreting your baby's cries, and knowing when to call the doctor.

 

 Help your newborn get plenty of rest

• Newborns need to get lot of rest to continue growing healthy and strong. Some can rest up to 16 hours a day as well. Though once your baby is three months or so, he may be able to sleep for 6-8 hours at a time. In the beginning your baby may only sleep for 2-3 hours at a time and should be woken up if he or she hasn't been fed for 4 hours.

Hold your newborn

• You have to make sure to give your baby as much head and neck support as possible when you hold them. You should let the baby's head rest inside your inner elbow, with the length of their body resting on your forearm. Their outer hip and upper legs should rest in your hand, with inside arm resting over their chest and abdomen. Hold the baby snugly and give your baby all of your attention.
• You can also hold the baby by pacing his/her tummy on your upper chest, while using the same side hand to hold their body, while using the opposite hand to support the baby's head from the back.
• If your baby has siblings and people unfamiliar with holding babies, carefully instruct them on how to hold the baby and make sure they are sitting down with a knowing adult nearby to keep the baby safe.

Care for your newborn's umbilical cord stump

• Your baby's umbilical cord stump should fall off within the first two weeks of its life. It will change in color from a yellowish green to brown and black as it dries and falls off on its own. It's important to care of it properly before it falls off to avoid infection.
• Keep it clean. Clean it with plain water and dry it with a clean and absorbent cloth. Make sure to wash your hands before you handle it. Stick to giving your baby sponge baths until it falls off.
• Keep it dry. Expose it to air so the base dries out, keeping the front of your baby's diaper folded down so it is uncovered. Resist the urge to pull it off. Let the stump fall off at its own pace.
• Keep an eye out for signs of infection. It's natural to see a bit of dried blood or a little bit of crust near the stump. However, you should see a doctor immediately if the stump produces a smelly discharge or yellowish pus, continues to bleed, or is swollen and red.

Nutrition for your newborn

• Feeding is an essential task which also provides you with an opportunity to interact. In the early days babies need a minimum of 8-12 feeds in a 24 hour period. This includes overnight feeding. 
• Infant nutrition means making sure your baby is getting enough nutrients during the first year. Nutrients are calories, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Making sure your baby has good nutrition will protect them against diseases. It also helps him stay healthy as he grows.
• Breast milk or infant formula is the only nourishment needed by most healthy babies until they are 4-6 months old. During 4-6 months we can include cereal mixed with 4 to 5 tablespoons of breast milk or formula in their diet along with breastfeeding.
• Breast milk or formula or cereal contains 8 to 15% protein, 35 to 55% fat, and 30 to 50% carbohydrate, which is the right amount of calories and protein your baby needs.
• Cow's milk or other dairy products should not be given until at least one year of age. Your baby's kidneys cannot handle the high protein and mineral content well until that age.
• Do not feed your newborn with fruits. At 4-6 months you can feed them with 1/4th cup of completely pureed fruits or mix the pureed fruit with the cereal.
• Most infants get the water they need from breast milk, formula, or juices. In very hot climates, they may need 1/2 to 1 cup a day to make up losses.  

Diaper your newborn

• If the baby gets enough food, it will produce 6-8 wet diapers a day, along with steady bowel movements. Stock up on diapers, so you don't run out.
• Change diapers frequently to avoid diaper rash. It's especially important to change poopy diapers as soon as possible, since they can cause diaper rash quickly. If you observe any diaper rash, apply some diaper rash cream and dress your newborn with fresh diaper.
• Keep distractions handy. If your baby fusses during changes, give your baby a small toy to play with while you take care of business.
• Resist the urge to change your baby every time she wakes up you'll just jostle her awake even more. Instead, dress your baby in a high-quality, nighttime diaper at bedtime.
• For sleepy nighttime changes, nothing wakes a baby faster than a cold wet wipe, try using a warm washcloth instead.
• Some disposable diapers for young babies have a wetness indicator on them a line that turns color if the diaper is wet. This isn't necessary, but it can be a convenient way to tell at a glance if it's time for a change.

Massage and Bath for your newborn

• Baby Massage is a lovely way of bonding and connecting with your baby or toddler. You can learn simple massage techniques that you can use at home as part of your daily routine with your child.
• You can start massage for baby at any age, including premature babies (with the consent of your midwife/Health Visitor) and can continue this as your child grows.
• Baby Massage can soothe and calm babies and also help with conditions such as colic, constipation, wind, colds, teething and birth-related conditions such as wry neck and stiff legs. It also reduces post-natal depression in mothers.
• Massaging your baby can make you feel more relaxed and connected with your baby, and you will have more confidence about handling your baby.
• Warm hands make for a comfortable massage feeling. After rubbing a few drops of oil in each hand, you're ready to go. Start with stroking motions from baby’s head to feet. After this gentle beginning, perform the different exercises on the reverse side for complete relaxation. After you finish massaging your baby you can directly take them for bathing.
• During the first week, you should carefully give your baby a sponge bath. Once the umbilical cord falls off, you can start bathing your baby regularly.
• Set everything you'll need within arm's reach soap, washcloth, towel, diaper, change of clothes before you start so that you can keep one hand on your baby at all times. When you're done bathing, quickly wrap your baby up in the towel so they doesn't lose too much body heat. Dry them thoroughly, being sure to get into the creases, before you diaper and dress them.
• You may feel a little scared or uncertain when you bathe your baby for the first time. If so, see if you can get your partner or a family member involved. That way, one person can hold the baby while the other person bathes the baby.
• Use mild soap and use it sparingly (too much dries out your baby's skin). Wash your baby with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front and back. If dried mucus has collected in the corners of your baby's nostrils or eyes, dab it several times to soften it before you wipe it out. As for your baby's genitals, a routine washing is all that's needed. When you are done bathing, wipe your baby clean with a washcloth. Continue to use one hand to support their neck and head. Be careful babies are slippery when wet.
• Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a minute. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop him up in a towel and take him with you.

Give your baby "tummy time" every day

• Since your baby spends so much of its time on its back, it's important to also give your baby time to stay on his tummy so that he develops both mentally and physically and strengthens his arms, head, and neck.
• Some doctors say babies should get 15-20 minutes of tummy time a day, while others say that you should just place your baby on his tummy for 5 minutes during different parts of the day as he develops.
• You can start with tummy after a month. To make tummy time fun, get level with your baby. Make eye contact, tickle your baby, and play around. Tummy time is hard work, and some babies will be resistant to it.

Connect with your newborn

• You can't play with the child just yet, but they do get bored like we do. Try taking them for a walk to the park once a day, talking to them, putting pictures in the room where they spend most of their time, listening to music.
• In the beginning, the most important thing you can do is to bond with your baby. This means you should stroke your baby, cradle your baby, give the baby some skin-to-skin contact, giving your baby an infant massage.
• Babies love vocal sounds, and it's never too early to start talking, babbling, singing, or cooing with your baby.

Learn to soothe a crying newborn

• If your baby is upset, it's not always easy to find the reason right away, though there are a few tricks you can try. Check for a wet diaper. Try feeding them.
• If that doesn't work, try adding a layer of clothing if it's cold out or removing a layer if it's hot.
• Sometimes, your baby just wants to be held, or is experiencing too much stimulation.
• As you get to know your newborn, you'll become better at finding what's wrong. Your baby also may just need to be burped.
• Rocking them gently and singing or humming a lullaby to them will help. They might just be tired so lay them down. Sometimes, babies just cry and you have to let them until they fall asleep.

Know when to call the doctor for your baby

• It's normal for new parents to worry about their baby's health. Even if you can see that your newborn is strong and sturdy, babies are small and vulnerable and need our protection.
• Many first newborn visits occur just 1-3 days after you and your baby are discharged from the hospital. After that, each doctor's program will vary slightly, but you should generally take your newborn to the doctor at least two weeks to a month after birth, after the second month, and then every other month or so. It's important to schedule regular visits with your baby to make sure that your baby is growing normally and receiving the necessary care.
• If your baby like the usual playful, happy and is feeding well, then your baby is not seriously ill. A baby who has a runny nose and a big smile is probably not as sick as a baby who has a runny nose and is sluggish or inactive.
• If your baby suddenly starts crying more than usual and you can't comfort your baby in the usual ways, or if your baby cry is weak or unusually high-pitched, he/she may be seriously ill. The opposite is also true if your baby seems unhappy and doesn't cry, but is unusually inactive and difficult to wake up, call your doctor.
• A baby who tires easily from sucking or loses interest in nursing or feeding may be sick. Also, if you notice your baby spitting up more than usual, with more effort, or if the spit-up is greenish in color, call your doctor.
• Young babies, especially breastfed babies, often have very soft or liquid bowel movements. But if the stools become extra watery, your infant may have diarrhea. Monitor their bowel movements and see whether the diarrhea continues. Make sure they are breastfed or bottle fed as often as usual, so they doesn't get dehydrated. Your baby should wet a minimum of six diapers a day. If they seems lethargic and stops having bowel movements or begins to have small, hard, or dry bowel movements or if their stool is streaked with blood or mucus, or has the consistency of jelly, call the doctor.
• If your baby's breathing is labored or if they have  trouble breathing at all, get help immediately.
• Although fever in a baby is a signal that they are sick, the fever alone usually isn't worrisome. A baby can have a low-grade fever and be seriously ill, or a high fever and be only mildly ill. But if a baby under 3 months of age has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher, then they should be examined. If  your baby has fever, but appears completely well otherwise, observe them for a day to see whether they develops other symptoms. If you're still in doubt, call your healthcare provider immediately.

Sleep patterns for your newborn

• Newborns sleep a lot typically up to 16 to 17 hours a day. But most babies don't stay asleep for more than two to four hours at a time, day or night, during the first few weeks of life.
• Baby sleep cycles are far shorter than those of adults, and babies spend more time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is thought to be necessary for the extraordinary development happening in their brain. REM sleep is lighter than non-REM sleep, and more easily disrupted.
• At 6 to 8 weeks of age, most babies begin to sleep for shorter periods during the day and longer periods at night, though most continue to wake up to feed during the night. They also have shorter periods of REM sleep, and longer periods of deep, non-REM sleep.
•  Somewhere between 4 and 6 months, experts say, most babies are capable of sleeping for a stretch of 8 to 12 hours through the night. Some infants sleep for a long stretch at night as early as 6 weeks, but many babies don't reach that milestone until they're 5 or 6 months old and some continue to wake up at night into toddlerhood. You can help your baby get there sooner, if that's your goal, by teaching them good sleep habits from the start.
• For the first six to eight weeks, most babies aren't able to stay up much longer than two hours at a time. If you wait longer than that to put your baby down, they may be overtired and have trouble falling asleep.
• Watch your baby for signs that they are tired. Are they rubbing their eyes, pulling on their ears, or being more fussy than normal. If you spot these or any other signs of sleepiness, try putting them down to sleep. You'll soon develop a sixth sense about your baby's daily rhythms and patterns, and you'll know instinctively when they are ready for a nap.
• Some infants are night owls and will be wide awake just when you want to hit the hay. For the first few days you won't be able to do much about this. But once your baby is about 2 weeks old, you can start teaching them to distinguish night from day.
• When they are alert and awake during the day, interact with them as much as you can, keep the house and their room light and bright, and don't worry about minimizing regular daytime noises like the phone, music, or dishwasher. If they tends to sleep through feedings, wake them up.
• At night, don't play with them when they wakes up. Keep the lights and noise level low, and don't spend too much time talking to them. Before long they should begin to figure out that nighttime is for sleeping.
• When your baby is a little older, you should establish a regular bedtime, as well as consistent nap times, to regulate their sleep patterns. Choose a reasonable bedtime that suits your schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
•  You can start to plan naps for a specific time every day. You can just put your baby down about two hours after they last woke up. As long as they are getting enough opportunities to sleep, either approach is fine.
• If your baby's having a hard time getting to sleep or staying asleep, whether during naps or at night, try putting them down sooner. Being too tired can make it hard to settle down and get restful sleep.
• It's fine to wake your baby up in the morning if they are sleeping past their usual waking time, to help set their daily clock. Your baby needs to follow a regular sleep/wake pattern and recharge with naps during the day. Waking them up at the same time every morning will help keep them on a predictable sleep schedule.

Conclusion:

Your child is strongly influenced by the environment, daily activities and routines. A predictable routine, including meal, bath, story time, brief cuddle and sleep help your child establish good habits or patterns. It takes time for your baby to develop a predictable routine. This can be a fun time as your child develops new skills such as exploring their world. All babies are different. Modify the routine to match your baby's needs. Trying out the above things is never a mistake, it might take some time, but will help the baby in the long run. If you try and lose, then it isn't your fault.