Five months into motherhood and I can definitely say that there is no job as daunting and fulfilling at the same time as being Mommy. We often read that mothers wear a superhero cape, but it takes time effort and experience to flaunt that invisible cape. In this article I will share tips on How to handle a New Born.
Having said that , there are a certain dos and dont’s when it comes to a newborn baby . I am sure a lot of parenting advice is readily available in the guise of moms , mom in laws, neighborhood aunties … So on and so forth. So here I am to give you some more.
A newborn baby has a limited number of things on his time table. It is mostly Eat Poop Sleep and repeat. While we all wish for a routine like that, trust me it becomes the most difficult task to help your little one achieve this routine. I will be covering the following topics 1. Handling 2. Feeding 3. Bathing 4. Pooping 5. Sleeping.
Handling a New Born:
I have always found it very difficult to hold a newborn, even with my own son, I used to avoid holding him as much as I could but with your own child it becomes inevitable.
- First and foremost, always sanitize your hands. It doesn’t matter if you washed your hands five minutes back, you still must clean your hands before holding a baby. The immune system of your baby is still developing and you don’t want to risk infections which can easily be avoided. Also, never hesitate to ask anyone to clean up before letting them hold your baby.
- Always support the head of the baby. Neck muscles of the baby take around 3 to 4 months to fully develop so it is advisable to support your baby’s head at all times.
- I used to hold my baby against my chest. It is believed that this way, the baby hears your heartbeat and it instantly soothes him. Babies are familiar with the heartbeat of their mothers since the time they are in the womb.
- Gently rocking the baby and speaking softly to your baby also gives him comfort.
How to handle a New Born: Feeding
All babies have different feeding requirements, some take in more milk and some less. So as long as your baby is gaining weight and wetting diapers, there shouldn’t be a cause of concern.
As a general rule of thumb, it is believed that babies should be having 8 feeds a day. However this figure can vary as per the dietary requirements of the baby, but never should you let there be a gap of more than 4 hours between feeds. So that makes it a necessary 6 feeds a day. This pattern is to be followed till 2 to 4 weeks of age. The frequency of feeds gradually decreases, as your baby starts digesting milk properly.
It is always advisable to feed baby on demand, the exception being the four hour rule we just discussed. You will be surprised to know that crying is the last resort of the baby to get your attention to the fact that he is hungry. So it is advisable to recognise of the signs of hunger.
- The early signs include opening of mouth, puckering, licking of lips and rooting reflex ( baby turns his head to your breast).
- Then the baby will start putting his hands in his mouth or anything he can get his hands on.
- And finally your baby will cry and let the whole world know that he is hungry
How to handle a New Born: Bathing
It is not absolutely necessary to bathe a newborn. Sponging for the first few weeks is good enough especially till the time the umbilical stump falls off. It is absolutely necessary to keep the area around the umbilical stump clean and dry to avoid infections. For the same reason, a newborn should always be dressed in loose and breathable clothing.
It is important to note that the umbilical stump is not painful for the baby so don’t hesitate to hold him against your chest. As tempting as it may look, never ever pull the umbilical stump, let it fall on its own. However, if you do find redness, swelling, or odor in the area, consult your doctor immediately.
How to handle a New Born: Pooping
The topic which will make you a social outcast among your single friends and friends without kids. I think this is the single most thing about which all mothers fret.
For the first few days, babies excrete Meconium, which will look as if a road is being constructed in your baby’s diaper. It will them gradually shift to a liquidy yellow greenish mixture. While it takes around 3 to 4 weeks for your baby to establish a pooping routine, it can range from 6 times a day to every alternate day.
Generally, it is observed that breastfed babies poop more in comparison to formula fed ones, because breast milk is easy to digest.
Though slight variations in poop is normal and expected, you should consult your doctor immediately if you see red black or white stool.
How to handle a New Born: Sleeping
It is very difficult to set up a sleeping routine for newborns. You should always follow your baby’s cues when young. So this is how to handle a new born.
I did manage to set up a sleeping routine for my son at a very young age and he was sleeping through the night for 12 hours by the time he was 3 months old. I think I will be doing a separate post on that. Have been ranting for quite some time now. I hope this post may be useful for New Moms to How To Handle A New Born.
Happy Parenting with Budding Star …!!!
Read More parenting blogs by me:
- Am I Ready To Be A Mom??? - June 13, 2017
- How To Handle A New Born - June 5, 2017
