The moment your newborn arrives, you will receive a lot of help from nurses, lactation consultants, and doctors. With just a button, help is there instantly. The thing that mothers aren’t prepared for is the time to take when you bring your little one home. Maybe you have read books or spoken to a family or friend to prepare yourself. We have decided to pen down some important tips that you wish someone has told you about in your first few weeks with your baby.
Baby sleeping on the bed.
1. Sleep
Exhaustion is undoubtedly part of parenting, but it’s important to be aware when what you’re feeling is not just being tired. In addition to needing to feed every few hours, your newborn does not know the difference between day and night. Therefore, the same applies to you. The lack of sleep is worse than what you can imagine. Dozing in 1- or 2-hour snippets deprives you of REM sleep, which plays an important role in your emotional health. Sleep train your baby while you can. It is ok to let your baby sleep at night. DO not wake him up at night to feed. Use the chance to enjoy the extra sleep yourself.
Baby twins crying on the bed.
2. Crying
Your newborn is going to cry! Besides sleeping, eating, or pooping, your baby is going to cry! Babies often cry out of loneliness because they’re not being held or rocked constantly. Understanding your baby’s cues and seeing to his/her needs will bring comfort. Some babies tend to cry more between three weeks and 16 weeks of age, peaking at around two months. So give your baby the chance to just let it all out. You can try cuddling your newborn at your chest, swaddling, rocking, or singing.
A mother breastfeeding her newborn.
3. Feeding
All mothers know that breast milk is the best nutrition for infants. We should breastfeed our babies every 2-3 hours. What not all new mothers know is that although breastfeeding is somewhat supposed to be “natural”, not all babies are good at it. It requires time and patience during this breastfeeding journey. Know that every effort that you put in is worth it for your you and your baby’s health. It usually takes 4 or 5 days for your real milk to come. Having rest, water and a nutritious diet always helps.
A baby carried in the arms of an adult.
4. Hiccups, Sneezes & Pukes
When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you will probably think of how cute your newborn is when you hear his/her first hiccups, sneezes, pukes. However, these will continue to and go on and on. And it is normal! As long as your baby is feeding and gaining weight normally, there is no need to be concerned.
A baby’s diaper being changed.
5. Poop
It is normal for your baby to poop depends on whether you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding. If your baby is breastfed, bowel movements will often be mustard-like in color. It will also be sometimes loose, even watery, and seedy, mushy, or curdy. If your newborn is formula-fed, the stool will usually be soft but better formed than a breastfed baby’s, and anywhere from pale yellow to yellowish-brown, light brown, or brownish-green. Expect at least 3 bowel movements per day, but maybe up to 4-12 for some babies.
Hands of a baby and a mother.
6. Growth
Your baby will usually gain weight at the rate of about 30g per day during his/her first month. His/her height will also gain at about 2 to 4cm during the first month. Many newborns go through a period of rapid growth when they are 7 to 10 days old and again at 3 and 6 weeks.
A baby holding hands with a mother.
7. Skin
Babies have a reputation for having perfect skin, so it surprises most new parents to find out that their baby has skin blemishes. It is actually fairly common in the first year of your baby’s life. Exposure to cold temps and dry air, especially common in air-conditioned environments, can sap skin of its usual moisture. And your baby’s thin, delicate skin makes it extra prone to becoming parched.
Fill the tub with lukewarm water instead of hot and opt for a fragrance-free, soap-free wash over a sudsy bubble bath. When it’s time to dry, go easy on your baby’s skin by gently patting it dry instead of rubbing it. Bathe your baby daily or every other day and apply moisturizer to lock in moisture. Your baby’s skin conditions and will go away with time, no treatment is needed.
Read More On The Babies Cue:
- Birth Of The Babies Cue This Mother’s Day 2021
- 5 Ways To Stay Sane While Trying To Conceive
- How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant
- Top 5 Myths About Getting Pregnant
- Top Tips On How To Get Pregnant With A Boy or Girl
- Baby Milestones – Your Child’s First Year of Development