The baby that you had been so eagerly waiting for is here. You are of course, very happy, but at the same time, you feel overwhelmed, especially when it is your first baby.
The baby is so small, dainty, that you are afraid to even hold them. If you are feeling out of your depth, you are not alone. You had been preparing for the experience, but to find yourself in the situation can lead to a different kind of apprehension.
Whereas your pediatrician in Lahore will guide you about the pertinent matters concerning the welfare of the baby, you can still find it tad bit intimidating.
To help you through this phase, we have gathered the top tips, the CliffsNotes version of the thick books on parenting that you have been meaning to read!
Newborn care protocols
Baby bag
Your baby bag should be ready with the essentials, and that doesn’t include fancy dresses that are so convoluted that the poor hospital staff is left confused. Go with the classic swaddle and dresses, the complicated stuff can wait when you get home!
Moreover, make sure that the clothes are appropriately warm. If they are too bulky, they can cause the baby to sweat and thus cause them to become chilly. Hence, layer them up accordingly.
Burping
If your baby is being breastfed, they do not need to burp as such; just do not lay them immediately after feeding, as it might lead to reflux. However, if your baby is on the bottle, they might then need to be burped. This may require some time and learning You should learn how to burp a easily newborn baby.
Crying
Check for the signs of distress. The baby might be crying because of their diaper, or they are hungry. If neither, then swaddle, rock and comfort them.
Grooming
It is common for babies to have acne, but don’t worry, it will clear out on its own. Just make sure to regularly their face with a mild baby soap. Similarly, baby can scratch their face with their nails, so get special baby clippers to cut their nails.
Make sure that you bathe your baby with mild baby shampoos and soaps that are suitable for their delicate skin. Try to change their diapers on time so that they do not develop rashes.
Sleeping
Babies need their sleep but so do the mothers. The best solution is sleep when the baby does. Also, keep the baby close by, so that they are reassured of your presence.
Try to maintain a consistent sleep time, so that baby develops a routine. To differentiate between day and night, switch the lighting in the room accordingly.
Start bonding ASAP
Your baby is more receptive immediately after birth, and it is the prime time for you to connect with the baby. Both the parents need to register their voice, scent, and face with the baby, so the baby gets soothed as a result.
Feeding
Whether you want to go for formula or try breast feeding is completely our own choice, but if you are going for the latter, make sure that you feed the baby as soon as possible.
Initially, colostrum is released before the milk supply is established. Colostrum is nutrient rich, and thus very beneficial for the baby.
Moreover, know that learning the art of latching can be tricky, and may take some time. Do not be frustrated in the process, and do not think that there is something wrong with you. Everyone goes through this trouble, and it does not make you a bad mother! You can seek help of a lactation expert if things are becoming hard to manage.
Don’t worry about your milk supply initially, as the body will regulate the production according to the supply. However, if your baby is not gaining weight, you can confer with your Child specialist about supplementing with formula.
