Newborn Care

After bringing your child to your home, you need to take his utmost care, especially in the initial weeks as the baby is weak. Newborn Care is very important in order to make sure that both mother and infant are in good health. Newborn Care is the period starting immediately after the child birth and extending for about 6 weeks, depending upon the mother’s health condition. Around 50 to 80% of women experience postpartum blues in the first few weeks after the child birth. In this section, you will find in-depth knowledge on Newborn Care, physical recovery after pregnancy, emotional and mental post-natal care, and why newborn Care is important.

Importance of newborn care

The first 28 days after the baby is born is defined as the neonatal period. This is very crucial for a baby as it has a greater risk of newborn deaths in this period. Besides, the first month also lays the foundation of growth and development. If given proper care and nutrition, babies grow healthily and enter infanthood and then adulthood.

As per figures, around 2.6 million infants die in the neonatal period. Stillbirth is another major risk factor. In India only, around 0.75 million deaths of neonates are recorded despite a 50% decline in the neonatal mortality rate. To prevent newborn deaths and nurture a healthy baby, newborn care is very important.

Newborn essentials

Here is a checklist of things that parents must keep ready before birth. These would come in handy as newborn care essentials after the baby is born.

• Diapering essentials-Diapers, Wipes, Diaper rash cream
• Sleeping Essentials- Mattress, bassinet or crib, swaddle blankets
• Clothing essentials- Onesies, socks, hats, comfortable sleepwear
• Feeding essentials- Nursing pillow, burp cloths, breast pump
• Bathing essentials- Bathing kit, hooded towels, washcloths
• Skin care essentials- Mild chemical-free products like baby soap, shampoo, lotion, baby oil
• Others- Car seat, baby carrier or baby wrap

Newborn care tips

Feed the baby frequently
Whether you are breastfeeding or feeding formula milk to your newborn for some reason, feed him/her frequently. However, breastfeeding is best for both mother and baby. The infant would receive essential nutrients for growth from mother milk and the mother would be safe from various diseases if she breastfeeds the child. Breastfeeding is recommended for the initial six months. Also, a mother’s body starts producing breast milk within 2-3 days of giving birth. Either you give the child breast milk or formula milk, feeding at regular intervals should be ensured. Fed milk to the baby at every one to three hours. 

Set your bedtime routine as per the baby’s sleep
After birth, sleep becomes a far-fetched dream for parents. In order to manage your sleep and get sufficient sleep, you must sleep when the baby sleeps. Initially, a newborn sleeps for a good 16-17 hours a day however, he/she would wake up every 2-3 hours. This time period is enough for the mother to take a power nap.

Put baby to sleep on their back
Parents must make sure that they put the baby to sleep on his/her back. Do not put him to sleep on the sides or stomachs. By making them sleep on the back, you are minimizing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Don’t bathe the newborn frequently
For infants, proper bathing 2-3 times a week is sufficient. Other days, you can just spot clean the baby around the mouth, neck and groin. Frequent bathing can cause dry skin and atopic dermatitis or eczema in children. Use gentle, chemical-free products on the baby.