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Having a baby is a beautiful but challenging experience. If this is your first baby, you might think that you’re not ready for this. We understand how overwhelming it can be for first-time parents. Newborn care requires patience, willingness to learn, and confidence in yourself.
Something you need to know? You’re not the only one. Many new parents feel unready when it’s finally time to take their newborns home from the hospital. You can take steps to help prepare yourself for the adjustment at home. At Katy Pediatric Associates, we will help you take this step.
Handling Your Baby
As you can imagine, your little baby is delicate, so it’s essential to handle the process properly. You need to be wary when you or someone else tries to pick them up or get very close, since it’s easy for a baby to catch infections or illnesses. Just to be sure, we recommend washing your hands before getting in direct contact with your newborn.
When picking them up, ALWAYS support your baby’s head and neck; we emphasize this since your baby is still developing their muscles and cannot hold certain positions without help. If you fail to do this, their weak neck muscles will cause their head to flop, potentially leading to injury or even brain damage.
Last but not least, despite being scary at first, don’t fear holding your child in your arms. Part of newborn care at home is strengthening bonding. Additionally, skin-to-skin contact helps to regulate your baby’s temperature and heartbeat.
Feeding 101: Breastfeeding vs Formula
The worst downside of newborn care is that your baby cannot properly communicate whether they are hungry, sleepy, cold, frightened, or have a stomach ache. They just know something is wrong, and it’s entirely your job to figure out how to solve it. You always need to pay attention, especially to its hunger cues:
- Sucking Motions
- Fussiness
- Rooting
In the case of breastfeeding, try to feed on demand, generally 8-12 times daily. Take care of your diet since your baby will end up feeding on what you consume. Try to drink water several times a day so you can maintain a good milk supply.
If you use formula feeding, then make sure to follow the instructions for preparation rightfully and sterilize the bottles and nipples to avoid contamination.
In both cases, always burp your baby halfway through and after feeding. Make sure to carefully place your child against your shoulder, with their chin resting on it, support the head and shoulder area with one hand, and gently pat your baby’s back. It might help to walk around as you are doing this.
👉 Read more: What to Expect During a Feeding Evaluation
Health and Hygiene Monitoring
It is essential to remain vigilant about your baby’s well-being. Always be alert if something feels off, and pay special attention to refusal to eat, fever, or breathing difficulties. Whenever you feel that your baby could be in danger, it is advisable to check with your provider.
Effective hygiene monitoring is part of proactive newborn care. Keep your baby clean and dry, and use quality, fit diapers to avoid leaks and discomfort. Remain vigilant of any red skin in their private area, as it could be a sign of diaper rash; if it happens, you’ll need to apply diaper cream in the area.
If you want to bathe the baby, do sponge baths in the first two weeks. Afterward, you could take the leap into tub baths. In both cases, try to keep the baths under 10 minutes, or you could provoke dry skin in your baby. Do not leave your baby alone in the tub under any circumstance.
Pay attention to the immunization schedule; as immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect and prevent your child from getting life-threatening diseases. Try to do regular checkups to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
👉 Read more: Is Your Child Up-to-Date on Their Immunization Schedule?
Your Pediatric Team in Houston, Texas
A healthy baby monitored and cared for will grow happy and without setbacks. Besides all the precautions you can take at home as a new parent, it’s important to also schedule your newborn care appointments with a trusted practice.
You should take your newborn for a specialized doctor’s appointment between two and five days after birth to make sure everything is in order, address any concerns, and start a pediatric plan for the next weeks and months to come.
Your new baby needs to be safe and protected. A team of compassionate specialists who know what to expect and how to help your child grow healthy will ensure this.Â
At Katy Pediatrics and Associates, we offer newborn care services with the intention of helping you enjoy this moment with peace of mind by providing the best care for your little one.When you need assistance with newborn care, call our office directly at 281-492-7676 or use the online scheduler.