Having a baby is an exciting time for a any new parent, but it is also a very stressful time. Learning what all your baby needs and how to take care of your newborn can at first seem overwhelming; however, the joy of a newborn baby far outweighs any stress that may occur. The following article will offer a wealth of information on how to properly care for your newborn and keep you and your baby happy and healthy.
When it comes to feeding a baby there are two choices. Breast feeding is considered the best choice for both the newborn and the mother. During the first few weeks of breastfeeding, the baby receives many antibodies from the mother that cannot be found in formula.
However, many women do not wish to breastfeed and decide that they would rather bottle feed their child.
Although formula fed babies do not get the natural antibodies in breast milk, they normally do quite well and gain weight quicker than breastfed babies. As you can see, either option has advantages and should be a personal choice for each woman.
Nothing is more daunting than holding a newborn baby for the first time. But, this task can be one of the greatest joys you will ever experience. Before picking up a newborn baby for the first time, it is important to remember that a newborn baby lacks the muscle control to hold up their own head. To pick up a newborn, place your left hand underneath your infant’s head and use your left hand to support his bottom. Draw the baby up to your chest and slide your left hand downward toward his bottom. This will allow your child’s head to rest comfortably in the crook of your left arm, freeing your right hand.
Every baby is born with its own distinct sleep patterns. Sometimes these sleep patterns do not match up with your sleep patterns and must be adjusted. Newborns sleep a lot in the first couple of months of their lives, but their sleep is in short periods. This is because of the newborn’s necessity for sustenance. A newborn is continually growing and thus, must be fed often. One way to ensure that you are getting plenty of rest is to sleep when your newborn sleeps. To help your newborn develop good sleep habits, try to keep your baby awake as much as possible during the day.
During the first few weeks of bringing a newborn baby home, it is important that you get as much rest as possible. One mistake most new parents make is to try to clean the house, do the laundry and cook while the baby is sleeping. During a baby’s nap time, the parents should also try to rest. If you feel that you are unable to keep up with the demands of a newborn and your housework, enlist the help of friends and family members.
As this article has shown, there are many things to learn before bringing home your newborn. However, with the proper knowledge and practice, you will be an old pro at caring for a newborn in no time! Use the information you have learned from this article to help you properly care for your newborn.