Essential Tips for Caring for Your Baby

The arrival of a baby at home is a moment of great joy.

But dads also acquire a great responsibility, which is to take care of such a small and fragile being. It takes a lot of time and attention.

Therefore, it is necessary to have some basic care for the newborn to grow strong and healthy.

During this period, it is very common for people close to you to want to give a hint on everything related to the child, this can even become uncomfortable at times. While others’ advice may be well-intentioned, you don’t have to follow all of them to the letter.

So, so that you can fully enjoy every moment of your little one and not have headaches, keep reading and discover essential tips to take care of your baby and ensure that he grows up healthy and happy.

1. Start from motherhood

Baby care should start as soon as she is born. It is essential that the foot, eye, heart and tongue test be carried out in the maternity ward itself.

This type of routine exam serves to rule out whether there are congenital diseases, syndromes, or any other type of threat to the health of the little one.

It is also worth mentioning the importance of applying the appropriate vaccines for newborns, such as BCG and Hepatitis B. They are essential and must be taken by the child in the maternity ward.

2. Encourage breastfeeding

What many people don’t know is that the baby’s first contact with the mother’s breast should preferably happen right in the delivery room.

The objective is not for him to perform the suction, but for him to have closer contact with the skin, since breastfeeding will then become much easier.

3. Restrict visits

The most indicated by doctors is that in the first month of life the child does not receive any type of visit. However, if this happens, make sure that the person is healthy, and that the visit is as soon as possible.

And of course, it is always necessary that before picking up the little one, even the parents wash their hands very well.

4. Make the house silent

This is essential, as remember, the baby has just left a place where everything was just peace, as the womb was a peaceful and cozy place for the baby one.

Therefore, indoors it is necessary to make the environment a silent and peaceful place, at least in the first months of life.

Soon, as soon as he grows up, it’s good to maintain this silence and tranquility at least during bedtime and breastfeeding.

5. Pay attention to the bath

Usually, in the same maternity ward, the nurse indicates how the child’s bath should be and what care should be followed. Sometimes they even hold a demonstration inside the room.

Then, when you’re at home, you can follow some basic steps that will be very useful when it comes to bathing. See the continuation:

• Leave everything you are going to use at bath time nearby, such as: towel, hypoallergenic liquid soap, etc;
• Check the water temperature before starting the shower. It should be around 36 degrees;
• During the bath, be especially careful with certain sensitive areas of the little one, such as the mouth, nose, eyes and ears;
• Once finished, dry the child well, and immediately put on the diaper and clothes.

6. Change the Baby’s Diaper

Many people believe that as soon as the newborn pees, it is necessary to change the diaper. This is not necessary, however, several diapers will be used up in a day since in the first few weeks they poop about eight times a day.

We know that wet wipes are much more practical, but they usually have chemicals that can cause allergies. When changing the diaper, the ideal is to use cotton and warm water.

7. Take care of the umbilical stump

The umbilical cord is cut after birth, however the remainder always remains, which falls naturally until the 15th day of life. It is important in this period to have proper hygiene in this area. Whenever you change the diaper, with the help of a cotton, pass 70% alcohol on its base. If a little bleeding occurs, don’t worry, this is normal.

8. Go to the pediatrician regularly

The first appointment with the pediatrician should take place a week after the baby one has been discharged from the maternity ward. In this first meeting, an assessment can be made of how breastfeeding is taking place, and how the child’s health is.

Soon, the appointments will be once a month so that the specialist can monitor food, growth, weight gain and prevent possible diseases.

9. Avoid walks in the early days

As mentioned above about visits, walks in the first few days should be avoided, with the exception of trips to the doctor. Any type of excessive contact with other people without need can pose risks to the health of the little one.

10. Clean the ears and eyes well

To clean the ear, just use a bath towel or even a baby cotton swab. Do this always in a delicate way. In the case of the eyes, they should only be cleaned with cotton and water. But if the little one tears a lot during the day, you can repeat the procedure.

Conclusion

We hope these tips are very useful and helpful. It is worth emphasizing that regular visits to the pediatrician are essential, and always keeping the baby’s vaccines up to date. All of this will directly help him to have a healthy development and a better quality of life.

And remember, don’t worry about other people’s guesses regarding your child’s care, only you know what’s best for him!