Raising a baby does not have to be a scary thing, although it is perfectly normal for new parents to feel anxious. After all, you’re welcoming another human being to this world. Luckily, you got nothing to worry about, as newborn care can be not only an easy, but a very fun experience.
Of course, this is only true if you do your job right. By this, we mean that you need to prepare yourself mentally for the arrival of the new member of your family! The most important thing you need to do is learn everything about the newborn care. Once you know all the essential tips on how to keep your newborn safe and happy, you will be able to relax and enjoy parenting!
To help you out, here are a couple of essential tips that will ensure a proper development of your newborn!
Take Care of Baby’s Basic Needs!
Most of the time in the first few weeks of their lives, babies spend sleeping. In fact, newborns typically sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day! What this means is that during the first few weeks of infancy, the baby will not ask too much from you. All you need to do for the baby in this period is take care of their basic needs.
The most important of those needs is food. Whether you’re going to breastfeed or go with a formula is not that important. What’s really crucial is to feed your baby on a regular basis, that is, when the baby needs it. Usually, newborns eat between 8 and 10 times a day, which is something that’s essential for their development.
Ensure Your Baby Gets Enough Sleep
Sleep is not only an essential need of the newborn – it’s important for you as well! If the baby is waking up too often, you too won’t be able to get enough sleep. In turn, this might make you nervous, which your baby is bound to feel. To prevent that from happening, you need to ensure that nothing can disrupt your infant’s sleep!
Apart from eliminating all the noise in your home that could wake your baby, you also need to ensure the baby is warm and comfortable. Wrapping your baby in a cozy blanket will mimic the conditions the baby had in the womb, making them feel safe and comfy.
Another thing you need to ensure is that your newborn has a clean diaper. This way, the baby will be clean and dry all the time. On top of that, you need to make sure that the diaper you’re using is soft, sturdy, and easy to fit!
In order for you, the parent, to get enough sleep, you must be certain that your newborn is completely safe. Only when you have a peace of mind can you get proper sleep! To reduce the risk of the SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), you need to place the baby on the back! Sleeping on the back is important for their own well-being, as apart from preventing them to suffocate it also promotes the healthy development of the spine.
That said, you should know that the best solution for these kinds of issues is buying a proper cradle mattress. There are some of them that are completely breathable, ensuring that the baby will get enough air even if it turns around of the stomach accidentally.
Final Advice
The most important part of newborn care is to be there for your baby 24/7! It’s not just about providing the newborn with all they need and ensuring their safety, but also about creating a bond between the two of you!
