- Fever of 102°F or more.
- Rashes, itches or swelling anywhere on the body.
- Is abnormally lethargic or unresponsive.
- Has discolored, mucusy or loose stools.
- Exhibits frequent changes in eating/feeding pattern.
- Uncontrollable cries and abnormal irritable nature.
The Next 8 Things You Should Do For Newborn Success
The first few weeks with your newborn can seem like a rollercoaster of emotions, a sort of unexplainable happiness accompanied by stress and anxiety. Taking care of your newborn not only requires you to be physically equipped but also mentally and emotionally. Your post-pregnancy weeks can seem exhausting, but it's crucial that you make the right choices for your little one. You will surely notice a plethora of advice and tips flowing in from your families, friends, and doctors; These can seem overwhelming, but it's also essential to have a clear idea of how to get through it successfully.
I am sure you have read innumerable books and articles that offer you different tips and tricks for newborn success. With so much information out there, it's easy to get confused and lost. We present to you eight most important tips that will help you and your baby get through these tough times.
1. Seek as much help as you can.
The next few weeks can be baffling, but with the right advice and care, you can get through it with maximum success. With all the vast sources available on the internet, it has become easy to extract information and reach out to professionals. It is crucial that you make good use of these resources as much as you can. These resources include therapists (to deal with postpartum depression), nannies, nurses, doctors, and lactation consultants. Hiring professionals can help ease your confusion and anxiety of being a new mother.
Get help from family and professionals alike
Consult your family doctor or an experienced pediatrician immediately is you notice any of these issues with your baby:
2. Breastfeed Basics
While good nursing habits come naturally to some women, it can prove to be difficult for others. Feeding your baby might not be as easy as it seems, there are quite a few areas you need to make yourself aware of, from taking good care of your breasts to feeding your baby the right way.
Learn to breastfeed the right way
Below are a few quick tips to keep you informed of all the crucial aspects of feeding.
- Start immediately: Usually, breastfeeding seems to go smoothly for women who start feeding within an hour of delivery, some may find this difficult, but you can always approach lactation consultants (most hospitals are well equipped with such consultants on staff) to help you get started.
- Maintain your breasts: It's important to take good care of your breasts and keep them clean. Make sure to wash your nipples after each feed and massage your breasts frequently.
- Feeding positions: Explore different positions and latches to find one that is comfortable for you and the baby. It's important that your baby has a deep latch to get enough milk and to prevent any damage or soreness to your nipples.
- Milk Supply: Manage your body's milk supply by drinking enough water (8 glasses) throughout the day and maintaining a healthy calorie intake depending on your metabolism.
3. Baby Formula
Breastfeeding does not come easy to some, and some choose to supplement with baby formula occasionally. All popular, well-known baby formula brands are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to ensure safety and nutritional value. If you are considering trying out a baby formula, we'd recommend you to consult your pediatrician before going ahead with a particular type (powder, liquid, concentrate) and brand.
Below are a few quick tips for you to get started with your baby formula:
- Avoid microwaving the formula and instead heat it in a pan of warm water.
- DO NOT save any formula that your baby leaves uneaten; it could be contaminated by bacteria from his/her saliva.
- DO NOT keep the formula frozen, it will damage its nutritional value.
- After the first few days, babies will need approximately 90ml serving of formula every 3-4 hours for the first few weeks.
4. Develop a good sleep routine for your baby
A newborn's sleep schedule is just as crucial as it is unpredictable. Typically, on average, your baby will sleep 8-9 hours in the day and approximately another 8 hours in the night; but remember, this does not happen at a stretch. Your baby will tend to get up every 2-3 hours as he/she will get hungry frequently; this will change as the baby grows older.
During the first few months, the most critical aspect of your baby's daily life is sleeping. Therefore, it's vital that you pay attention to where, how, and when your baby sleeps. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborns should share a room or sleep with their parents for at least the first six months. This will also make it easier for you to feed and comfort your baby in the middle of the night. However, the AAP advises against sleeping your baby next to you or on the same bed. This increases the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other harm to the baby. So the safest suggestion is to arrange a separate sleep space for the baby in the same room, such as a crib or a bassinet.
5. Stocking up on the essentials
Bringing your baby home for the first time can be a little daunting and exciting at the same time. You want to make sure everything goes as planned and your baby feels comfortable and happy in their new home.
Having a little one in the house will change your daily routine as well as the general set up of the house. You need to make sure you are well equipped with all the essentials that your baby will require in the upcoming months. Because it's important but also just as easy to mess up, we've made a quick list for you that sums up the essential items.
- Baby Formula
- Baby Bathtub
- Crib/bassinet
- A heap of baby clothes (pajamas, onesies, etc.)
- Burp cloths
- Boxes of newborn diapers and diaper cream
- Nipples and newborn bottles
- Wipes and soft towels
6. Bathing your Newborn
Newborn babies are incredibly delicate, and you need to handle them with utmost care and love. Bathing your baby for the first time can seem confusing and scary, but the good news is that your baby does not need a daily bath. A newborn will only need a bath once or twice a week for the first month or 2.
Start the first few weeks with a simple sponge bath (at least until the umbilical cord stump is completely healed), then move onto baby tub bath and after the first two months or whenever your baby learns to sit up straight, you can move on to a full tub bath.
For the sponge bath, dip a soft cloth or sponge in warm water and gently clean your baby's head and body. Bathing your baby is a moment to treasure, make sure you do it with care while you make some great memories.
7. Baby fever
Newborn baby fever is said to be common, but sometimes it can indicate a severe underlying illness. A low-temperature fever is normal and usually nothing to worry about but consult your doctor immediately if your baby's rectal temperature is above 100.4° F or 102° F (if two months or older). Make it a point to keep track of your baby's routine and keep an eye for any abnormal behaviors or other signs of illness such as irregular eating and drinking habits.
DO NOT give your baby any medication or pain killer without consulting the pediatrician.
8. Dealing with frequent cries
Last but definitely not the least important is learning to adapt and find new ways to deal with your crying baby. Below mentioned are some quick tips to handle your newborn:
- Most importantly, rule out the obvious causes such as a full diaper, hunger, and sleep issues.
- Pay attention to your baby's signals and reactions to different temperatures, environment, and time of the day. Each baby is unique in the way they react to different things; it's important you understand your baby and his/her different moods.
- Letting your baby suck on something such as a pacifier is a great way to stop them from crying.
- Swinging and swaddling your baby will make them feel comfortable and safe.
Explore Other Topics:
Download Our App
About Women's Health Tracker:
We are a dedicated one-stop destination for every woman who wants to either track or monitor health-related information across her years. We pride ourselves in being that one place where any woman can enter relevant information before, during and even after pregnancy…with a separate set of special trackers just for her newborn!
