Giving birth to a baby is one of the most wonderful things in the world. The instant the baby is out of the cocoon, you will have to pay some physical attention and there are many things that a young mother must know about how to take care of a baby. You must know what the baby needs, apart from the love that you are giving him.
You must have good knowledge in taking care of the baby and being connected with the baby. Here are some simple steps on how to take care of a baby.
Things Required:
- Patience
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Baby q-tips
- Baby shampoo
- Baby soap
- Baby bathtub
- Infant Tylenol
- Formula or breast milk
- Bottles
- Blankets
- Cloth diapers
- Nasal aspirator
Steps:
- Keep changing the diapers of your baby whenever you notice that they are wet or soiled. Always keep a fresh diaper on your baby, because this will avoid diaper rash. Before you change the diaper, keep all the required supplies with you. You will require wipes, diapers, diaper rash cream (if needed) and a change of clothes if required. You must keep all the things with you while changing the diaper, because later you don’t want to leave your child alone.
- Whenever you are changing the diapers, it will be easier to simply slide the new diaper right below the soiled diaper. If there is more than urine on the diaper, then you will have to wipe the bottom of the baby and then throw away the spoiled diaper. Take out the soiled diaper and keep it away from the reach of baby’s hand. If you want then hold the legs up of your baby, but make sure that you do not fold the baby into half for wiping the bottom.
- If the umbilical cord is still stump on the baby, then carefully fold the diaper downwards and make sure that it does not touch the cord. There are special diapers made for babies who still have the umbilical cord.
- Now take the old diapers and use the fasteners for wrapping the diaper tightly in a ball. Throw this away in the trash or on the diaper tower, which is made for throwing away the soiled diapers. Once you are finished with changing the diapers, keep your baby in a safe place and wash your hands clean.
- If your baby has got a diaper rash, then apply the diaper rash cream on the irritated skin. Diaper rash will be very uncomfortable for your baby and if you do not treat it in time, it will cause skin infection. Always remember that you must never leave skin reddening untreated. Always make sure that you are efficient in keeping the diaper of your baby dry.
- The diaper rash cannot be treated with the cream alone. You will have to wash the rash, pat it dry and keep the baby without a diaper for sometime. Some people recommend that you must lay your baby in sunlight or use some baby powder on the diaper rash.
- Feed your baby. Whether you are feeding your baby breast milk or from the bottle, you must always use this time for bonding. Make eye contact and sing or talk softly to the baby. This will go a long way for making a sense of security and creating a strong bond with the baby. However, always remember that you must not prop the bottle. Your baby can choke on it and it is essential that you use this time to make a connection with the baby.
- At the time of making a milk bottle, make sure that you do not microwave it. If you microwave a bottle then it will make hot spots in the bottle, which can burn the mouth of your baby. You will have to make the bottle with your baby’s preference in the mind. You can use the bottle warmers for warming the milk.
- Once you are done feeding, then you must burp the baby. Take your baby, sit him up and pat or rub the back of the baby. Do not stop until you hear the first burp. You will soon understand your baby and will come to know how many times your baby burps during the entire day. Keep a burping cloth or a handy napkin to wipe the mess or for protecting your clothes.
- You can make your baby burp over your shoulder as well. Do not skip this step, because if you do then you will have a cranky baby with gas in stomach.
- Snuggle, cuddle and love your baby, because this is the best part of having a baby. Shower as much love as you can on your baby, because this time will never come back. Make sure that your child always feels loved.
- You must swaddle your baby. You will usually learn this from the nurses at the hospitals. The nurses are experts in this; if not then you can look online for some swaddling pictures and instructions. Swaddling helps in calming your baby and it will make him feel secured.
- Try using a baby sling, because your baby will always want to be close to you. However, realistically you will have many more things to do. A baby sling will help in creating a closeness that your baby needs and will keep both your hands free to do other work.
- Give a bath to your baby. Make sure that you have all the supplies, which you need for bathing your baby. Before you bathe the baby, just make sure that the water is not too hot or cold for the baby and always keep your one hand on the baby. Always remember that until the baby has the umbilical cord, you will just have to give your baby sponge bath.
- If your baby has cradle cap then you will have to treat it. Cradle cap is nothing but baby dandruff, which is not dangerous. If your baby is suffering from cradle cap, then simply shampoo and the brush the baby gently, it will go away.
- Remember to clean the ears of your baby. There are special q-tips made for the baby’s, which will never injure the ears of the baby or you can simply use a warm washcloth or baby wipe. Trim the nails of your baby, remember that a newborns nail will always grow faster. Always keep their nails trimmed so that they do not scratch themselves.
- For this, you will need a baby nail file or baby nail clipper. Make sure that do not cut very close to the skin or it will be painful for the baby. If you are too scared to trim the nails, then use the nail file gently.
- Buy a nasal aspirator. This is used for sucking out the booger from the nose. You can get this at the hospital and make sure that you always have it. The baby might get stuffy in the night and not like the nasal aspirator, but you will still have to use it. If you are unable to clear the mucus out of the baby’s nose, then simply put one drop of saline in both the nostrils. This will help in loosening the mucus and then you will be able to suck it out.
- If your baby gets fussy, then give a call to your pediatrician. Always take your baby for regular check to the pediatrician.
Tips and Warnings:
- If you care for your baby with immense care, kindness and love, then you will be fine.
- Always remember that you must follow the advice of your pediatrician, he or she will know what suits your child best.
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