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Having a baby is a very exciting event in your life but it can also be a time of great concern, especially for first time parents. The following information may be helpful with any questions that you may have in regard to caring for your newborn baby.
Holding The Baby
Babies love to be held. When you hold the baby, you must always support the baby's head and neck. The baby can not hold up his head and without the proper support the baby could injure his neck.
The Umbilical Cord
Each time that you change the baby's diaper, you will need to wipe the umbilical cord stump with alcohol. The diaper should be kept folded down under the umbilical cord stump so it will not get wet when the diaper becomes wet. The umbilical cord stump will fall off after about ten days to two weeks. If you notice that it is not drying out or that it has a foul odor you should call the baby's doctor.
Diapering The Baby
When you change the baby, clean the diaper area with warm water and a soft cloth. Diaper wipes should not be used right away as a newborn baby's skin is very sensitive and easily irritated.
If your baby is a boy, and has been curcumcised, he may have a ring on his penis. You should just wipe the area with warm water and a soft cloth until the ring falls off in about one week.
Little girls should be wiped from front to back to avoid infection.
Bathing The Baby
The baby should not be given a tub bath until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off. Until it falls off, the baby should just be washed up with a damp cloth on the face, hands, and diaper area.
Once the umbilical cord stump has fallen off the baby can have a tub bath. The baby does not need a bath everyday however, as it dries out the baby's skin. It is not necessary to bathe the baby more than two or three times a week as long as the hands, face, and diaper area are kept clean.
Feeding The Baby
Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding is very good for your baby. The first few days that you nurse your baby you will be giving him antibodies in your milk that he needs to fight infection.Breastfeeding also helps you to bond with your baby. You may have concerns about how much milk your baby is getting at a feeding but you will know that he is getting enough to eat as long as he has at least six wet diapers in a day and keeps gaining weight.
Bottle Feeding
If you have decided to bottle feed your baby you will need the following items:
1.)Six or more four ounce bottles with caps, rings and nipples.
2.)A bottle brush.
3.)Formula- There are several different kinds of formula available to feed the baby. Discuss with your baby's doctor which formula is best for your baby. You should have a weeks supply available when you bring the baby home.
You should bring the temperature of the formula up to room temperature before feeding it to the baby. You can set the bottle in a cup of hot water for one minute and shake before feeding.
Never heat a baby's bottle in the microwave as uneven heating can occur causing the baby to be burned.
The baby should eat from two to four ounces about every three or four hours. Burp the baby after every ounce to avoid spitting up. A fussy baby may not take a lot of formula at one feeding. Feed him smaller amounts more often.You will know that the baby is getting enough to eat if he has at least six wet diapers a day and keeps gaining weight.
Colic can be a real problem with a new baby. Colic is caused by trapped gas in the baby's digestive system. It is very painful for the baby which explains the crying which can last for hours. The baby with colic will pull his legs up to his body. If you think that your baby may be suffering from colic you should talk to your doctor who may suggest giving the baby simethicone drops to break up the gas. The drops can be purchased in the grocery store and may give your baby relief from the very painful gas.
Bottle Washing
All bottles, caps, rings, and nipples should be washed in hot soapy water. The bottles should be scrubbed inside throughly with the bottle brush.
After cleaning, the bottles, rings,caps and nipples should be sterilized by boiling in a pot on the stove for no less than ten minutes. Air dry on a rack or a clean towel until ready to use.
Care For The New Mom
Having a new baby means special care for the new Mom too. Getting plenty of rest is very important. In addition to getting a good nights sleep, you should also take naps when the baby does. If you are breastfeeding your nutrition is very important to your baby's health. Eat nutritious meals and snacks and do not take any medications without checking with your doctor.
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