Caring for Your New Baby
In the first few weeks of life, your baby’s main goal is to eat so she can grow, sleep so she can grow, and start bonding and developing a relationship with her family. As a parent, it is your responsibility to provide her with the proper nutrition, so that she may develop physically and mentally into a healthy, intelligent baby. You only have two options for food at this newborn stage, either breast milk, or formula. Most pediatricians now recommend that your baby nurse exclusively for the first six months, but if you decide that nursing isn’t for you, formula is certainly a safe alternative. The hospital and your pediatrician will probably recommend that you feed your baby on a schedule, and if it works for you, this is a convenient solution. But, be prepared, most babies will set their own schedule, especially if they are breast fed. Usually after the first six weeks or so, your breastfed baby will have her own routine figured out, and nursing will become much easier for both parties. With formula, just make certain is prepared exactly according to package directions, and that all utensils and bottles are kept clean and sterilized to avoid any harmful bacteria from getting to your baby.
It may seem that your newborn sleeps all the time when you first bring her home, and that is certainly nothing to worry about. The average newborn is only awake for about three or four hours total time in a twenty-four hour period. Occasionally, your baby may have an upset stomach, or be diagnosed as having colic, and be very hard to get to sleep, and harder to keep asleep. In this case, there are some few tried and true remedies that you can try. For the colicky baby, running the vacuum cleaner, or having white noise in the background often seems to soothe them. If your baby tends to have a lot of tummy troubles due to gas, try giving them some gas drops, or some gripe water that you can purchase from the pharmacy. Another solution to the gassy, irritable baby is to burp them more often during feeding, try sitting them more upright while they drink their bottles, or consider changing brands of bottles. Many bottles on the market today claim to help with gas and infant fussiness, just shop around and find what works best for you. Keep in mind that newborn babies like to be swaddled, and perfecting this technique may help your baby stay asleep longer. Some newborns also like to be held in an infant carrier, close to your body so that they can hear and feel your heartbeat, lulling them to sleep.
You should make certain you have plenty of diapers when you come home, because the newborn baby will go thru many a day, especially if you are nursing. Always try to change your baby often, to prevent diaper rash and irritation. Change her clothes and her sheets as needed, to make sure she is comfortable at all times. You would cry to if you had to wear a wet, smelly diaper all day, right? Or if you had to sleep in a wet bed? Your baby is no different in this respect.
Make certain that you follow your pediatrician’s advice, and if you are ever in doubt call and ask. You can also call the hospital you delivered at, and talk to the nurses on the labor and delivery floor. They are often a great help in calming new parent jitters, and usually don’t mind answering any questions or concerns that you may have. Keep your appointment’s with your baby’s pediatrician, and make certain she gets all of her immunizations on time, to help keep her healthy and prevent disease.
Always keep in mind that you are your baby’s lifeline, that she is totally dependent on you for everything she needs. It gets difficult sometimes, especially with a high need or fussy baby, but think of all the rewards you will get from being a good parent in the long run. Enlist as much help as you can when you come home, as having a new baby in the house can be draining for both parents, both physically and mentally. Take time out for yourself, so that you don’t get overwhelmed with the responsibilities of parenthood. And the best advice I can give a new parent, is to remember to sleep when your baby sleeps, or you will be severely lacking for several months to come.
