A Guide for New Parents

Becoming a professional parent requires a lot of time, money, and dedication. Since there’s no actual room for trial and error, you have to start properly executing every step of taking care of your newborn as quickly as possible, which makes things too stressful sometimes. But worry not, if you’re currently awaiting your newborn baby and looking for all the tips you can get for the time being, this blog will be of much use for you. Join us as we discuss all the essential information you need to know and take into account as a new parent.

How to Take Care of Your Newborn:

Let’s go through the guide we put together to help new parents get the hang of things quickly. Before we get started, allow us to note that this is all general information, so for more personalized and professional advice, remember to seek help from your pediatrician.

General Care:

• Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding:
  

• Burping:

Burping is an essential part of every breastfeeding or formula feeding session as it plays a major role in getting rid of some of the air that your newborn tends to swallow during feeding. Swallowing too much air and not being burped very often will make your newborn gassy, and cranky, and will cause spit-up incidents too often. To burp your baby correctly, hold your baby upright against your shoulder and gently pat its back to help it release the gas. You can try different burping positions to find which one your baby feels comfortable with.

• Sleeping:

Remember that your newborn won't just instinctually create their own sleeping routine, so they tend to have irregular sleep patterns. And here is where your role as a parent comes into play. Try to create a bedtime routine for your baby to help them signal or understand what time of day is the time to go to sleep. Additionally, remember to use a solid and flat mattress in your baby crib, and avoid any type of soft bedding to reduce the risk of suffocation as much as possible.

• Diapering:

Changing diapers is one of the hardest parts of parenting, but is one that you should do regularly. It's important to keep your baby's diaper clean to prevent diaper rash. Speaking of prevention, remember to use fragrance-free wipes or a soft damp cloth for cleaning, and to use high-quality and soft diapers to prevent any skin irritations.

Health Monitoring:

• Regular Check-ups:

The most important thing is for your kid to be healthy, so be sure to get them checked by a pediatrician within the first week of their birth. It's best if you follow the popular and suggested well-baby visit schedule, which recommends a pediatrician at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, etc.

• Growth Monitoring:

Keep track of your baby's weight, length, and head circumference to ensure that your child is going through a healthy development process, and find out early about any unfortunate health issues so you can be one step ahead with the proper treatment. Consult your pediatrician whenever you have any concerns regarding your child's growth or development.

• Temperature Regulation:

Keep an eye out for your newborn’s temperature because, at this age, high temperature can either cause serious harm or indicate another serious issue. Make sure to always dress your baby in layers to make it easier for them to adjust to the room temperature. Some parents also use room thermometers to keep a comfortable environment.

• Hygiene and Safety:

Use gentle, fragrance-free infant shampoo and soap for bathing that are low in chemicals, particularly dangerous preservatives like Paraben. A comfortable warm temperature of about 100°F is what you want to maintain for the water. Finally, to avoid any discomfort or choking during the bath, remember to hold your baby's head and neck with one hand.

Regarding safety, there are a number of baby brands that produce all the baby products you may need to keep your child secure in your home and car. Purchasing a baby car seat is crucial for your child's safety, so do your research and choose wisely, without compromising the safety of your child to save money.

• Warning Signs to Keep an Eye Out for:
  

1. Fever:

   As we mentioned earlier in the blog, there is no room for trial and error. When you measure your child's temperature, you have to use a tool that can provide you with the most accurate result possible, therefore, pediatricians tend to recommend the use of a digital rectal thermometer. If you notice any signs of fever, you have to immediately talk to your pediatrician as it could indicate an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

2. Breathing Difficulties:

   Keep an eye out for any indications of respiratory problems in your child, such as fast breathing, groaning, or flared nostrils. Seek immediate medical attention if you ever detect anything out of the ordinary. 

3. Dehydration:

   Your child needs to be well-hydrated at all times, so keep them close to their sippy cup at all times. Keep an eye on how many wet diapers your kid is producing; a decline could be a sign of dehydration. Vital organs like the heart and brain cannot function as well as they should in the absence of sufficient blood flow. So, your baby needs their fair share of fluids for their body to make enough blood.
   

Final Thoughts:

As a new parent, you have to keep in mind that every infant is different and that parenting is a long learning experience. So, don't be embarrassed to accept assistance from your family and friends. Having help may be really beneficial when it comes to meal preparation, laundry, and babysitting while you relax. This type of help can make a significant difference in your parenting experience.