Rejoice Your Joyous Moments with Your Newborn – Here's Your Guide

Getting ready for a newborn is exciting, whether it's a girl, a boy, a twin, or a triplet. Your little one has arrived, and your life is changed forever like magic. But sometimes, it could be challenging. Therefore learning how to feed your baby, make her sleep and understand the constant needs of your baby may keep you on your toes. Here's your guide, which can help to ease your mind.

What happens in the first week?

Life with your baby is simple now. Your little one requires eating every two hours, sleeping well, having a clean diaper, and getting love from everyone. As a new mom, you can focus on only the essential things you require- the baby's basic needs. You may consult a Lactation Consultant who can help you get started nursing. Nurses are experts who show you how to hold, burp, change diapers, and care for your baby.

Learn how to handle a newborn

Wash your hands before handling your little one because newborns don't have a robust immune system yet. So they may get infected soon. Give support to the baby's head and neck. Never shake the newborn, as it may cause bleeding in the brain or even death. If you want to wake the baby, tickle the baby's feet or gently blow on the cheek. Take extra care while travelling with your baby- try to avoid any activity that is rough or bouncy.

Features of the baby:

It takes a few weeks or months for your little one to get the cute chubby look you expect. Your baby is beautiful as they are, and your little one's appearance will change after a few weeks.

Bonding:

Bonding is one of the most pleasurable parts of infant care. It happens during the first few days after birth. Physical closeness with the baby can promote an emotional connection. Some types of massages enhance bonding and promote infant growth and development. You should do a gentle massage as your baby is not as strong as adults.

Babies usually like sounds such as talking, singing, and cooling. Baby rattles, and musical toys are other good ways to check your infant's hearing. If your baby is sensitive to sounds or cries when someone touches them, has significantly less sleep and turns their face if someone speaks, in such a case, keep the sounds at a very low level.

Newborn senses:

Your little one's senses will start working from the moment she's born, which includes their Vision- the baby's vision will be a little blurry. But they can see your face and objects that are close. The range of vision is around 8-12 inches, so hold the objects in front of them. Sometimes you may notice that the baby's eyes are crossed. It is because the muscles that control the eye movement have yet to fully develop. It will take a few weeks to establish, so there is nothing to worry about. Breastfeeding provides various advantages for both the mother and child.

Hearing- the baby's hearing is not fully developed. Your baby is familiar with your voice and other sounds that she often heard in the womb.

Taste- the baby's taste is fully developed as they can differentiate between sweet and bitter. Smell- soon after the birth, the baby can recognize your scent.

Touch- your baby learns the softness of your face through touch and understands that she is loved by those who care for her the most.

Weight loss:

Don't get scared if your baby loses some weight around 5 to 10%. It happens due to normal post-delivery fluid loss. The weight drop will stop when the baby is 5 days old, and the baby will regain the weight after 10 to 14 days. Sometimes it may happen due to breastfeeding if your baby is not getting enough milk. So check with your doctor.

Newborn sleep:

Newborn babies sleep for around 14 to 17 hours a day. On average, the newborn sleeps about 16.5 hours and wakes up frequently for feedings. Breastfed babies typically eat every 2 to 3 hours, and formula-fed babies eat every 3- 4 hours.

How much milk does your baby need?

Feed your baby on demand instead by checking the clock. Babies generally eat at least 8 to 12 times. How to know if your baby has had enough milk? Your baby looks happy if their tummy is full. The baby's weight gain is appropriate. A baby should sleep 1.5 to 2 hours post-feed, and whether the baby is making enough dirty diapers(urine) around 6 to 8 times, the baby is probably getting enough.

Bathing:

You can give a bath to the baby from birth unless the baby's weight is less than 2.5 kgs. A sponge bath can be given if the weight is below 2.5kgs till the umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals completely. Keep all the items ready before giving a bath to your baby- a soft towel, mild, gentle soap, shampoo, a clean diaper, and dry clothes. You can start giving massage to the little one once the umbilical cord falls off.