Having a baby is exciting, but also tiring, especially if it's your first pregnancy. Regardless of your experience with babies, it is common to have doubts about how to look after a particular baby. In any case, if you learn to feed him, bathe him, make him feel comfortable and well rested, you can take care of him in the best possible way.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Meeting a Child's Primary Needs
Step 1. Feed the baby
Nutrition is essential for the baby to be healthy and happy. Feed him according to the schedule and his age. Proper nutrition will help him grow full of energy and calm.
- Babies can be nursed or bottle fed. Breastfeeding is recommended as it offers greater benefits to the baby. Most babies need 8-12 feedings per day. After 5-6 months, you can usually choose between breast milk or powdered milk. Also, at this stage, babies can start eating cereals or baby food, sometimes called semi-solid foods.
- At the end of the feed, help him to burp for a few minutes to help the gas dissipate in the body.
- To find out if your baby is eating enough, make sure he fills his diaper with urine at least 6 times and that he passes out several times a day. Additionally, she should gain 140-200g per week in the first 6 months of life. Between 6 and 12 months you should be taking around 85-140g per week.
- Check with your pediatrician to find out when is the best time to switch to semi-solid and solid foods or drink water.
Step 2. Change the diaper as often as necessary
It is important to make sure that the baby is dry and clean. In addition to making him feel comfortable and peaceful, this will come in handy when it comes time to teach him how to potty. Whether it's fabric or disposable, change your nappy as soon as you notice it's dirty.
- Lay him on his back to change the diaper. Make sure you keep an eye on it and don't leave it alone so you don't risk it falling.
- Remove the dirty nappy and gently wipe the genital area with wipes or a damp cloth. Girls should be cleaned from front to back to minimize the risk of urinary tract infections.
- Remember that removing a baby boy's diaper too quickly can cause him to urinate.
- Place a clean diaper under the baby and apply a special ointment before closing it. Your pediatrician will tell you which product to use. Ointments, often based on zinc oxide, are effective in preventing diaper rash.
- Change your nappy, wash your hands.
Step 3. Bathe him regularly, more specifically a couple of times a week or when it is difficult to clean the genital area with a wipe (for example, after an episode of diarrhea)
In this way the skin will be kept very clean without drying out.
- If you want to bathe him after a feed, wait for him to digest first.
- Before bathing him, prepare a sponge, hooded bathrobe, fragrance-free baby shampoo and soap, baby wipes, a diaper, and clean clothes. This will allow you to focus exclusively on the baby during the bath, without having to interrupt him to go look for something.
- If you don't want to use the bathtub all the time, you can do some sponging.
- Fill the tub by calculating about 5-8 cm of warm water. Pour it on the baby during bath time to keep him warm. To avoid burning it, the temperature should be around 38 ° C, without exceeding 49 ° C.
- Support the baby, including the head, for the duration of the bath, so that he does not slip and do not get hurt.
- Focus on washing the areas where the skin folds in on itself, especially on the face, neck and nappy area.
- After washing, wrap him in a bathrobe with a hood to keep him warm and make him feel comfortable.
- You can also massage it with a hypoallergenic lotion. The procedure can calm him down and help you bond with him.
Step 4. Trim his nails
Children must wear short nails so as not to run the risk of scratching or cutting the skin, which is particularly delicate. Since they grow quickly, trim or lim them 1 or 2 times a week, more often if necessary.
- Use baby scissors or a small cardboard file - they are more delicate and safe for babies, who often fidget and squirm.
- To minimize the risk of cutting it, you can ask your partner, friend, or family member to help you trim his nails.
- If you were to accidentally cut it, put good pressure on the baby's finger and remove the blood. It is normal that this happens, there is no need to worry. Do not use patches: they pose a choking hazard if they are brought to the mouth.
Step 5. Check the umbilical cord stump
The funiculus plays an essential role in pregnancy, but after delivery it stops being necessary. After cutting it, the midwife closes the stump, which detaches by itself within about 2 weeks.
- The umbilical cord area must be kept dry and medicated until it falls. However, it does not need to be cleaned, unless it appears crusted or sticky. If you notice any secretions, clean it with warm water and pat it dry with a clean towel.
- Don't try to pull on the stump - let the detachment happen by itself.
Step 6. If you have had a baby boy and have opted for circumcision, the area should be monitored and medicated during healing to take better care of it
The wound heals in about 7-10 days and in the meantime is prone to the appearance of infections.
- Check her every time you change your nappy. Remove traces of feces or urine from the baby's penis with a mild, fragrance-free soap and warm water.
- If you notice swelling, redness or cloudy and encrusted secretions, call your pediatrician: it is possible that the wound is the site of an infectious process.
Part 2 of 3: Helping a Child to Sleep
Step 1. Examine their needs
Sleep is essential for the health and well-being of the baby. Find out how long he should sleep so that he is happy and healthy like a fish. Here is how many hours are recommended:
- Infants aged 0-2 months: 10.5-18 hours a day.
- Children aged 2-12 months: 14-15 hours per day.
Step 2. Get some good habits
Follow a set and regular schedule. This allows to promote and normalize sleep, and also helps the child to relax.
- Remember that most babies cannot be assigned a set schedule in the first 2 or 3 months of life, as you have to breastfeed them every few hours.
- To understand baby's rhythms, consider naps, feedings, baths, and age.
- Modify the schedule to introduce certain activities or other factors, such as illness.
Step 3. Help him relax before bedtime
Babies usually need time to fall asleep. Help your baby relax by implementing a specific routine to prepare him for bed and creating a comfortable environment.
- Start setting the mood at least 2 hours before bed.
- Silence the noises.
- Dim the lights in the spaces the child is frequenting to let him know that it's time to go to bed.
- Speak to him gently and massage his back to help him relax. This can also make him calm down if he has a tantrum.
Step 4. Determine the nocturnal rituals associated with bedtime
Bathing him, feeding him or giving him a bottle, reading him a story, singing or listening to relaxing music can make him understand that it's time to go to sleep.
- Reading or singing can help calm down.
- Give him a warm bath to stimulate sleep. A gentle massage can also be effective.
Step 5. Create a comfortable and restful environment
The bedroom should help you sleep. Factors such as temperature, white noise, and soft lighting can be beneficial in helping him sleep well through the night.
- A temperature between 15 and 21 ° C is optimal for inducing sleep.
- Remove electronic devices and anything that might stimulate the baby.
- Use soft lights, curtains or blinds to control the lighting. A night light of a non-stimulating color, such as red, can reassure the child.
- A white noise generator can attenuate external sounds and help him sleep.
- Remove blankets and soft items from the crib to minimize the risk of suffocation.
Step 6. Place the baby in the crib when he is sleepy but still awake
This will allow him to associate the bed with sleep and can help reduce your nocturnal interventions.
- Lay him out on his back.
- If he wakes up after being placed in the crib, let him orientate and wait for him to go back to sleep, if not, keep him in your arms until he dozes off.
Part 3 of 3: Having a Safe, Happy and Awake Baby
Step 1. Try to bond with the baby
Encouraging the formation of a bond from the first days of life and then throughout childhood is essential to make him stay healthy and promote adequate development. Always do activities that allow you to stay in tune: at first it will be enough to help him calm and lull him, but then also start playing with him. You can bond with and stimulate your child through various activities, including:
- Gentle massages or caresses;
- Voice stimulation, such as speaking, singing, reading, or whispering
- Maintain close eye contact;
- Use toys appropriate for his age.
Step 2. Calm him when he throws a tantrum
Sooner or later it happens to most children. Comforting him when he cries will help him calm down and encourage bonding.
- Avoid sudden movements, bright lights and excessive noises, so as not to scare him;
- If you can't get him to stop crying, pick him up;
- Caress him and talk to him calmly to help him calm down;
- Swaddling infants and children younger than 2 months can be effective in comforting them.
Step 3. Fasten the seat belts when putting it in the baby carrier, car seat or stroller
The child must always be supported well to prevent injuries or even lethal movements.
- Learn how to properly fasten the seat belts of baby carriers, strollers and car seats. Get adequate information before giving birth, as you must already know how to use the car seat when leaving the hospital.
- Ask any necessary questions regarding the use of baby carriers, strollers and car seats. You can also read the instructions in the manual.
- Limit abrupt or dynamic activities - they can be dangerous for a child.
Step 4. Get help
Many people feel overwhelmed by this new responsibility. Invite your partner, friends, or relatives to help you out from time to time or when you need it. You might also consider hiring a trusted and reputable babysitter to carve out some time for yourself.
- Remember that there is nothing wrong with asking for help and that many people are willing to help out with children.
- If you can't rely on friends or family, your pediatrician or other doctor can offer assistance in finding someone who can help you.
Step 5. Make regular appointments with your pediatrician
Also, call them if you have any doubts or concerns. Better to play it safe and ask questions than take unnecessary risks. If you think the child has a fever or is otherwise unwell, speak to his doctor immediately.
- Have your child examined regularly. The pediatrician will examine your general health and development according to your age. Plus, he'll make sure he gets all mandatory vaccines.
- The baby should be examined at regular intervals by the doctor, including: birth, 3-5 days after delivery, after 2-4 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 15 months and 18 months.
- Know the nature of each visit so you don't get caught off guard. For example, 3-5 days after delivery, the pediatrician will check the weight, height and circumference of the baby's head, as well as ask you questions about feedings, sleep habits and defecation. At 9 months he will check the physical growth of the child and evaluate his development, for example he will consider if he has started talking, if he is able to stand up and react to the game of the cuckoo.
