The complete newborn care guide for new parents

Caring for newborn babies is a challenge for parents, especially those who are first to have babies. Indeed, care for a newborn cannot be done carelessly because he is only present in the world after nine months of living in the mother's womb. To make it easier, here is a complete guide on how to care for a newborn that you can follow.

Complete guide to care for newborns up to 1 year of age

As a new parent, caring for a baby can be both exciting and challenging.

Often times parents feel "afraid of wrong" in caring for a newborn and are afraid of the baby's condition.

But there is no need to worry, because when the baby is born the doctor will screen the newborn.

This is important to check whether the baby is healthy or not. If not well, there are several conditions for infant resuscitation when the baby needs to be given respiratory support.

To make it easier, here are guidelines for newborn care that you and your partner can do:

How to bathe your little one

The first thing in newborn care that often confuses parents is the rules for cleaning the little one's body. How often do newborns bathe and how do you wash them?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, newborns don't need to bathe every day 3-4 times a week. However, when you replace your baby's diaper, his body is also cleaned using a washcloth or washcloth.

The reason behind newborn babies not needing to bathe too often is because it can dry out the baby's skin. This skin condition that is too dry can make the baby uncomfortable because the skin is still very sensitive.

One of the problems that often arise in babies is diaper rash. Keep your baby's diaper clean and dry. Use warm water and soft cotton when cleaning the buttocks then dry with a soft towel.

Here's how to bathe a newborn:

1. Lay the baby on the mat
2. Clean starting from the head of the baby
3. Pay attention when cleaning baby's eyelids
4. Clean every fold of the baby's body
5. Clean the baby's mouth area

Cleaning the baby's body using wet wipes that contain alcohol is not recommended, because it can trigger skin irritation.

When going to bathe your little one, you need to prepare a dry towel, small towel or washcloth to rub the baby's body, and the mattress.

Understand what a baby's crying means

As a parent, a baby's crying often makes you panic and confused about what to do. In fact, not infrequently, a crying baby makes parents stressed.

In fact, crying is one of the language of babies and the response to something they experience, such as discomfort, fear, or hunger.

Here's why babies cry:

• Hungry
• Feeling sick
• Babies want to be held
• Dirty or wet diapers
• Babies feel irritated because they can't sleep
• Fussy babies

A baby's crying cannot be explained directly, but you can slowly understand the meaning behind it.

Guide to skin to skin in the care of newborns

Skin to skin often mentioned in the care of newborns, what is it? Quoting from the Cleveland Clinic, skin to skin is a baby care by placing your baby's body directly on the mother's or father's chest.

Shortly after birth, the nurse will clean and dry the baby's body, place it directly on the mother's chest, then cover it with a warm blanket.

Skin to skin beneficial for baby and mother to get to know each other. It will also be useful to make the baby warmer and closer to the parents.

For Dad, skin to skin can be done at home in the same way as in the hospital when a new baby is born. Here are the benefits skin to skin in the newborn care series.

Makes it easier to feed

Skin to skin make it easier for babies in the early stages of breastfeeding. When newborn and baby sleeps on the mother's chest, she will look for your nipples and practice breastfeeding.

This process makes it easier for your little one to learn to breastfeed properly. Usually, newborns will continue to breastfeed in the first 6 weeks of life.

Babies have small stomachs, so you need to give them small amounts of milk, but often.

Usually he will nurse 1-2 hours in the first few days.

When the baby is hungry, he will give several signs such as strong crying, sucking his hand, or tasting like looking for the nipple.

Make baby calmer

Skin to skin be the right treatment to make newborns calmer and adjust to the outside world after birth. C

This fig makes the baby feel warmer, calmer, and more comfortable than the swaddling.

Increase the bond between mother and baby

To do skin to skin or hugging from skin to skin early in the baby's life, can affect the closeness between mother and baby.

Apart from mother, father can also do skin to skin in the same way, namely placing the baby on the chest while wrapped in a blanket.

Items that must be owned by newborns up to the age of 1 year

Look stakeout baby items are adorable and make you want everything to buy. But you need to choose the items that are really needed, here is a list of newborn baby supplies as mandatory care for your little one.

Baby clothes

There is not only one type of baby clothing that your little one needs to have, here are some of them:

• Night gown
• Trousers
• Short trousers
• Short T-shirt
• Hat
• Gloves
• Socks

You also need accessories to support your little one's appearance while traveling, such as a bandana, hair clip, or hat. Do not forget to pay attention to the comfort of the baby when choosing clothes for your little one.

Baby toiletries

Not just soap or shampoo, baby toiletries include:

• Disposable or cloth diapers
• Wet wipes or cotton
• Diaper cream
• Lotion
• Bath soap
• Shampoo
• Diaper changing mat

You also need diaper bag or a special bag to carry when traveling. Make sure this bag has pockets that make it easy for you to take things when you need them.

In the beginning, you may find yourself confused about how to change a baby girl's diaper or change a baby boy's diaper. However, by continuing to practice, you will be able to put the baby's diaper properly.

Travel equipment

There are several baby items that need to be used when traveling, such as:

• The sling
• Stroller
• Car seat

All of the three items above do not need to be owned, you can choose one according to your travel needs. If you have a private car, car seat It is very important that babies stay safe while sitting on trips.

This equipment is included in the care of newborns that parents need to pay attention to. Including the selection of bottles and nipples to provide formula or expressed breast milk to babies.

Know your baby's sleep time

Quoted from Kids Health, newborn babies need 14-17 hours of sleep a day. Some may have 18-19 hours of sleep per day for babies.

Even though babies sleep very often, that does not mean neglecting when to eat and feed them. Babies need to suckle every 2-3 hours, you need to wake your little one up if he is still sleeping when it's time to eat.

Why is it important to wake the baby at feeding time? This is to gain weight for your little one and usually occurs in the first few weeks of a baby's life. After he is full, you can let him sleep longer.

Here's how to care for a newborn in terms of putting your little one to sleep, you need to pay attention to:

• Babies sleep on their backs
• The baby mattress is not too soft
• Keep away from toys and pillows
• Wear soft material clothes
• Turn off the lights while sleeping
• Increase activity during the day

At night, try not to keep the baby awake. A way that can be tried is to let the baby do a lot of activities during the day. That is one way of caring for newborns.

x