The presence of a baby not only drains energy and emotions, but also causes worries for some new parents. Many parents, especially those who are having children for the first time, are still confused about caring for a newborn.
Maybe you have made various preparations to welcome the arrival of your baby long ago, but still you need a big adjustment to live your new role as a parent.
Some Things Related to Newborns
Some of the things below you must pay attention to when caring for a newborn:
- Keeping baby clean and safeKeep your hands clean when you want to hold or hold a newborn baby. Wash your hands first before touching your little one so that he/she is protected from germs and viruses. Be careful when holding a newborn, especially the way you hold the head and neck. Never shake the baby while calming him down as this can cause bleeding in the brain.
- bathing babyAvoid bathing a newborn before the umbilical cord is dislodged and the umbilical area is dry. Just wipe your little one with a washcloth. After the umbilical cord is removed, bathe your little one with shampoo and soap specially formulated for babies. If necessary, ask your doctor about products that are suitable for newborns. In addition, also prepare the appropriate equipment for bathing the newborn, such as a baby bath tub and soft towels.
- Changing diapers
You need to know, babies usually have their first bowel movements 1-2 after birth. Newborn stools are black meconium. Meconium is made up of mucus, amniotic fluid, and everything that a baby swallows while in the womb.
- Give milk
At first, breastfeeding a baby may feel difficult. But over time, you and your little one will become more proficient in this process.
Important Advice for Parents
Caring for a newborn is not easy and quite tiring. Many parents, especially those who are having a baby for the first time, feel overwhelmed and stressed, even to the point of falling ill. Therefore, you need to know how to take care of your health and manage the stress you may feel while caring for a newborn.
The following are some things you can do to reduce stress and stay fit while caring for a newborn:
- Maintain physical conditionEven if you don't get enough sleep because you are taking care of your little one, avoid consuming caffeine. Keep eating healthy foods and drinking enough water. Also make sure to always breathe fresh air. In order not to be sleepy, try to go to sleep when your little one sleeps. If you feel very tired or sleepy, ask your partner or other family member to watch your little one for a while while you sleep or rest.
- Do not be afraid
In addition, laughing cheerfully with your little one and your partner can also describe the fears you feel. Not only crying, babies can also communicate through body language, such as facial expressions or hand movements.
Don't worry and feel insecure because you are still clumsy when bathing, changing diapers, and breastfeeding your little one, or if you can't calm him down when he cries. Over time you will get used to it and be able to do it smoothly. Remember, no mother is immediately skilled at taking care of a baby, how come. It's natural to make a few small mistakes while caring for a child, especially if you're a new parent.
- Postpone another job
You can also save energy by reducing activities that usually take a long time, such as cooking. If before your little one used to prepare the perfect dinner, now just serve easy-to-process food. However, that does not mean you can rule out the nutritional content in it, yes.
- Don't lock yourself up
Having a baby also doesn't mean limiting your relationships with your friends and family. Every now and then, let them help take care of your little one. This help can save you energy, as well as strengthen your relationship with them.
If friends or family say something unpleasant, try not to think about it too much and pretend they're just trying to be supportive.
- Know when to ask for help
If the pressure you feel is already very heavy, ask your partner or other family members for help. You can also ask your parents or doctor for tips on caring for a newborn.
No less important to remember, when you become a new parent, you will probably hear a lot of comments from out there. In fact, not a few comments become mom shaming or dad shaming. So, don't worry about these things too much, okay? The most important thing is that you are sure that you are doing the best for your baby.
The methods above can make the process of caring for a newborn easier and more enjoyable. There's no need to feel pressured or inferior because you haven't been able to do it well. Just enjoy the process while getting used to it. Don't let your happiness in the presence of your little one be disturbed because of this.