You’ve probably got your pregnancy preparation checklist all ticked off. You can just imagine people flooding in and celebrating the birth of your newborn.
What can you read in this article?
- Newborn care immediately after birth
- Newborn tips and facts
- Baby safety tips
Although it’s one of the most exciting times of your life, don’t get carried away at the moment. The guidelines change often, but there’s a general trend of what not to do with a newborn. Unfortunately, not many new parents-to-be aren’t aware of these things they shouldn’t do.
Be aware of and plan to avoid these mistakes for your baby’s health and safety, so your little one keeps a clean bill of health in their first few weeks out of the womb!
Newborn care immediately after birth
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Congratulations on a successful delivery! Now, it’s time to be the parents your newborn needs you to be. Don’t fret because here are newborn care tips for you and your partner.
Cutting the umbilical cord
Following the birth of your baby, you will experience more contractions that will aid in the delivery of the placenta.
The umbilical cord, which connects the baby to the placenta, will next be pinched in two places and cut. The infant’s umbilical cord is clamped in two areas, one on top of the other, and the umbilical cord is severed between the clamps.
Skin-to-skin contact
Your newborn infant will be placed on your chest for skin-to-skin contact after a normal vaginal birth. Aside from sleep and food, your newborn also needs a sense of security and warmth, which they might obtain through skin-to-skin contact.
If you had a C-section, ask your midwife immediately when you can have skin-to-skin contact with your baby. Do this as early as possible.
Having skin-to-skin contact has many benefits to your newborn:
- Lowers infant crying
- Maintains baby’s body temperature
- Starts and sustains breastfeeding
After this short moment, your baby will be weighed, measured, and examined to ensure nothing else is wrong with their health.
Your newborn baby’s first look
Your baby’s skin may be blue when they are born. Amniotic fluid, blood, and vernix, a cheesy white substance, are likely to be present. This is very normal.
Your baby’s hands and feet may appear blueish for several hours, but their skin will turn pink soon. Tell your doctor immediately if you see any problem or seem to have an unusual color.
Apgar scores
An Apgar score is one of the most co mmon assessments made after a baby is born. It evaluates your baby’s transition from the womb to life outside the womb. While the infant is on your chest, the Apgar score is taken at 1 minute and 5 minutes following birth. It’s sometimes retaken 10 minutes after birth.
Your baby’s heart rate, respiration, color, muscle tone, and reflexes are all recorded. The highest possible score is ten. A score of 7 or higher indicates that your child is doing well. It’s not an ability or IQ test, and it has no bearing on your child’s future health.
Feeding
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Colostrum is the first milk you produce. Instead of being pure white, it’s thick and typically yellowish. It is the best milk for your child.
Soon after birth, babies begin to exhibit signs of wanting to feed, and around 50 minutes after birth, they usually attach and suck at the breast. After that, they can nurse for up to an hour. If you place your baby against your chest, they will most likely find your breast and begin to nurse.
Urine and meconium
Your infant will most likely pass pee and meconium (newborn feces) at least once in the first 24 hours. Meconium is a black, sticky substance. Over the next few days, the color and consistency of your baby’s poop will vary.
Newborn tips and facts
Get to know your baby more through these newborn tips and facts!
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Babies have more bones than adults.
Your child was born with approximately 300 bones. Many of these will get harder as she matures, and some will fuse. Your baby’s body is expected to have only 206 bones by the time she reaches adulthood.
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Birthmarks are common.
The majority of birthmarks are harmless and will fade away on their own, but some may indicate a medical condition that requires treatment. Ask your doctor to examine your infant if she has a birthmark or other inexplicable bumps or coloration on her skin.
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Babies’ stomachs are tiny.
The stomach of a newborn is the size of a hazelnut. This explains why very young newborns need to be fed so frequently — their tiny bellies simply don’t have enough room to hold all of the milk they need at once!
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Boys’ and girls’ brains develop differently.
According to research, newborn boys’ brains expand quicker than newborn girls’ brains in the first three months, especially in areas that regulate mobility. On the other hand, girls may have more sensitive senses, which means they may see and hear better than guys.
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Babies are born near-sighted.
Newborn newborns can see only around 20cm to 30cm (8in to 12in) in front of their faces. The rest is a jumble of light, shape, and movement.
Baby safety tips: 15 things NOT to do with a newborn
Most of these DON’Ts will tackle newborn care immediately after birth. Having a newborn can be very overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to stress you so much. Read on for baby safety tips!
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Let him sleep on his tummy
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It might seem natural for your little one to konk out on his/her belly. However, sleeping facing the front can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
SIDS happens when your baby breathes in their carbon dioxide repeatedly.
This happens if your little one’s face is facing against somewhere with poor ventilation, for example, against the mattress or a pillow.
Your baby might not like it at first, but it’s essential to keep them safe. Ensure your newborn is sleeping on its back.
2. Let anyone kiss your newborn
Newborns are angelic and so precious! But as tempting as it is, avoid kissing your little one during the first few weeks of their life.
Your newborn’s immune system is underdeveloped and can easily catch infections or diseases from an innocent kiss. Your baby can even contract herpes!
Ask visitors not to kiss your baby and ask them to wash their hands. Be firm but polite, as it’s much more important to be safe than sorry, even if it ruffles a few feathers. Most people will understand, though.
3. Leave dirty diapers on for too long
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It can seem economical to leave the diaper on until necessary. However, newborns urinate and excrete a lot more than older babies.
Leaving your little one to sit in their mess for that long is unsanitary and cruel. It can lead to diaper rash, which is extremely uncomfortable but ultimately avoidable.
Change your little one’s diaper regularly. You don’t have to wait until it’s soaked or heavy.
4. Over-do the outfits
Your newborn might seem cold. However, piling on clothes can be detrimental and actually cause fever and dehydration!
After all, if you wore too many clothes, you’d overheat your own body.
A simple rule is to dress the baby as you’d dress yourself!
5. Let your newborn cry
Your newborn can’t speak. Their only method of communication is by crying.
If you allow your newborn to cry without giving them any attention, it can lead to higher stress levels, which can hamper your little one’s brain development.
Also, your baby could learn that they won’t get attention and feel neglected.
Attend to your newborn when the crying starts and try to identify the source of discomfort. It might be a nappy change, feeding time, or just wanting a cuddle.
READ MORE:
Newborn Hiccups: What causes it and should I be concerned about it?
How should you hold your baby? Here are newborn holding positions you can study
The benefits of reading to your newborn, according to studies
6. Leave your baby alone
Image source: iStock
Babies are designed to need the companionship of their parents. Until they can take care of themselves, newborns need adults to look after them.
Being left alone for prolonged periods will leave your baby distraught and scared. After all, they are new to this world and have no idea what’s going on.
Avoid teaching newborns to be independent. Your little one needs you to be a calming and reassuring presence.
7. Punish your newborn
Research shows nearly a third of 12-month-olds are spanked. Using physical punishment might seem like a good idea to cut out bad behavior.
However, it has the complete opposite effect. Babies learn from how they’re treated. In essence, smacking your newborn will trust you less, have less motivation to explore, and even misbehave more than before!
Learn to be patient with your little one. If you’re stressed, take some me-time to unwind. Even if it’s just for five minutes, it can help your state of mind and help you deal with the situation at hand.
8. Give your newborn cow’s milk
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Although convenient, don’t give your newborn cow’s milk. Your baby’s digestive system isn’t ready to digest it.
It could potentially cause many problems for your little one’s undeveloped kidneys.
Breastmilk has all the nutrients and vitamins your baby needs (unless there are circumstances when a mother is unable to breastfeed).
Avoid water and juice for the same reasons, as well!
9. Leave your baby in water without supervision
Swimming can be an excellent learning opportunity for your baby. Playing in water engages your newborn’s brain in so many ways.
However, you should never leave your baby alone in the water. You run the risk of drowning. Your little one is unable to rescue themself in that situation.
Read up on steps to safely introduce your baby to swimming before you attempt to bring them to a pool.
10. Allow everyone to visit all at once
Everyone is excited to see your newborn! But when everyone comes all at once, it can be distressing for your little one.
Your baby is still getting used to being alive. You must spend time holding your child as they get used to you in these early moments.
Not to mention that you’ll be mentally and physically exhausted as well! Many people will be telling you what to do and giving you advice. Avoid becoming overwhelmed by staggering your visits. Friends and family will have their chance to see the baby.
11. Give your newborn a pacifier
Image source: iStock
You might try anything to calm your crying baby down. While a pacifier seems like a good idea, it confuses your newborn, who can’t tell between a nipple from a pacifier.
It can lead to issues with latching further down the line.
Wait until your newborn is at least two months old before introducing a pacifier.
12. Leave stuffed toys next to your sleeping baby
As cute as it looks and makes for a great Instagram photo, doesn’t leave a stuffed or fluffy toy in the cot with your newborn.
It can lead to SIDS if your baby rolls over and buries their face into the stuffed animal while sleeping.
It’s safer to introduce toys into the cot when your baby is at least one-year-old.
13. Co-sleeping with your newborn
Image source: iStock
Many mums are co-sleeping advocates. While it might have been okay for them, it doesn’t reduce the risks involved.
After all, we aren’t in control of what we do while we sleep. You may accidentally roll over on top of your newborn.
Your little one might get caught up in the pillows, the sheets, or the duvet. It can seem like a great comfort to your child, but it comes with high risks.
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Not cleaning your newborn’s gums
Despite not having teeth, your newborn still needs its gums cleaned regularly. Use a clean and damp washcloth or gauze and wipe your little one’s gums after each feeding.
The remaining milk still has germs and bacteria lingering in your baby’s mouth. Not taking care of the gums can lead to issues with teeth development.
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Leave your baby alone with a pet
Pets are also part of the family. But leaving your pet alone with your newborn should be avoided at all costs.
Pets who were the center of attention until your newborn came along can become aggressive. Ensure your newborn is out of touching distance from your furry companion if you have a pet.
It’s easy to get caught up in the celebrations of welcoming your newborn into the world. However, take time to know what you should avoid doing to your newborn baby. It’ll save a lot of headaches later and keep them safe!
Sources:
Pregnancy Birth & Baby, MSD Manual, Baby Centre UK
