New Born Baby Care

Handling a New Born Baby

Congratulations!! Now that you are the parent of a new born baby, you need to understand how well to handle your baby without causing any trouble to her in any form. Here are a few basics to remember:

Always be careful to support your baby's head and neck. Cradle the head when carrying your baby and support the head when carrying him or her upright or when you lay him or her down.

Never shake your newborn, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking that is vigorous can cause bleeding in the brain and even death. If you need to wake your infant, don't shake him or her - instead, tickle his or her feet or blow gently on his or her cheek.

Always make sure your baby is securely fastened into the carrier or stroller. Limit car rides and any other activity that would be too rough or bouncy.

Please remember that your newborn is not ready for rough play such as being jiggled on the knee or thrown in the air. Avoid showing off to others by doing all this.

Bonding and Soothing the Baby

Baby bonding is probably one of the most pleasurable aspects of infant care. "Bonding" is a concept that was introduced in the late 1970's by two pediatricians, Klaus and Kennell. They suggested that there is a sensitive time in the first hours to days after birth in which it's important for parents to make a connection with their infant. This physical connection promotes an emotional connection between parent and infant (bonding). The attachment that's then formed allows the parents to make the necessary sacrifices to be able to take care of their child.

For infants, the attachment contributes to their emotional growth, which also impacts their development in other areas like physical growth. Another way to think of bonding is "falling in love" with your baby. Children who don't have a parent or adult in their life that unconditionally love them will potentially have greater problems as they mature.

Begin bonding by cradling your baby in your lap and gently stroking him or her in different patterns. If you and your husband both hold and touch your infant frequently, he or she will soon come to know the difference between your touches. Each of you should also take the opportunity to be "skin-to-skin" with your newborn, holding him or her against your own skin when feeding or cradling.

Babies usually love vocal sounds, such as talking, babbling, singing, and cooing. Your baby will probably also love listening to music. Try a variety of types to find your baby's preference. Baby rattles and musical mobiles are other good ways to stimulate your infant's hearing. If your baby is being fussy, try singing, reciting poetry and nursery rhymes, or reading to him or her as you sway or rock gently in a chair.

Some babies may be unusually sensitive to touch, light, or sound. Such babies may startle and cry easily, sleep less than you might expect, or turn their faces away when you speak or sing to them. Keep noise and light levels moderate.

Wrapping is another soothing technique first-time parents should learn. Wrapping keeps your baby's arms close to his or her body and his or her legs securely bound. Not only does this keep your baby warm, but the surrounding pressure seems to give most newborns a sense of security and comfort.

Baby Sleep Patterns

This topic is of interest to all new parents because babies usually have very absurd sleep routines and most first time parents literally feel not being able to sleep at all after the birth of their baby. All babies are different in many ways, especially in how much sleep they require. Although you may feel that your baby is not sleeping but the little one actually sleeps most of the time, usually 17 hours out of 24 during the first month which at times may be more during the day causing sleepless nights for the parents. They have different stages of sleep. By the time your baby is three months old, he may well be sleeping about 10 hours a night, with another five hours during the day, often in two distinct naps, morning and afternoon.

If you wrap him up snugly in a blanket, it makes him feel safe and secure and stops his limbs from jerking and twitching as he drops off to sleep. Lay him down on his side, smoothing his rear flat under him and for the first three months put a rolled -up blanket along his back so he can't roll over. During this time he is safest sleeping like this- If he sleeps on his back and brings up any milk or formula he might choke, and if he sleeps on his stomach he may accidentally get his mouth and nose buried in the mattress.

Some babies always cry before going to sleep, while others slip off to sleep easily, especially if they are allowed to do so in their mother's arms. Listen to your baby, when he is crying, you'll be able to tell the difference between some whimpering during a nap and intense sobbing which needs attention. For some babies, sleeping may be difficult without some background noise. Try the hum of a fan or the soft strains of soothing music. Rituals such as rocking your baby back and forth in your arms or rubbing her back or stomach rhythmically or patting her legs rhythmically, often work to soothe your baby into sleep, but remember babies often get used to such attention and want you to do this each time before they fall asleep.

Many women are happiest fitting in with their baby's pattern, feeling that sleeping together - as mothers and babies do all over the world - is best.