Newborn baby care

Many moms would attest that taking care of older babies and toddlers are definitely easier than caring for a newborn child. Newborns are seen as very delicate, because they indeed are. They are still in the growth and development stage similar to when they were inside the womb. Many functions have not matured enough to be of use yet. This is why they express their needs through the only way they know – crying.

Post-natal depression can be affected by factors such as not knowing enough to care for newborn children. Experienced and inexperienced mothers alike can undergo this depression; after all, all babies are different. It is recommended that expectant mothers should prepare for newborn infant care early on by reading books or watching videos that have tips. Preparation is the key; if you know what to expect, you will know how to deal with it when it comes.

All species procreate – it is necessary for the propagation of their kind. As such, even before medicine became a field and even before Hippocrates and other scholars theorized about properly caring for people – not just newborns – older generations have developed beliefs of their own. These superstitions can be nerve-wracking for new mothers. Even if the mother would want to take the baby out to catch some sun or be exposed to the fresh air, older people would point out that this is not advisable.

This runs in contrast with hard, scientific knowledge. Lack of sunshine in newborns can lead to the development of jaundice. It is perfectly acceptable to take newborn babies outside even if they have been in this world for only a few weeks, just as long as they are dressed appropriately for the weather. This means that cool, comfortable clothing should be worn during summers, and layered, warm clothing for cooler months.

After several weeks, you may notice that a newborn child’s skin undergoes some changes. It could flake, or even shed. Mothers might want to counteract this with lotions, but this is not at all necessary. In fact, you may be risking your child’s skin because these chemicals, while safe for adults, may not be safe for use on the delicate skin of newborns.

Mild rashes may also develop on the newborn’s skin. This should not be a cause for excessive worry because the child is just adjusting to its new environment. If you feel the urge to apply ointments or creams, make sure you consult your pediatrician first. These can prove to be harsh on the baby’s skin. If you feel that the rashes are not normal or if they get worse, your pediatrician is always there to help.

There are also raging debates about the appropriateness of carrying infants or not if it cries. Some parents say that carrying the child may lead to him or her being spoiled when he or she grows up. This is not true. As was mentioned above, a baby can only express its needs through crying. Thus, the newborn’s cry may be out of need for sustenance or because he or she already needs a diaper change. Sometimes, a baby cries to draw attention, to be comforted, to feel safe. Not giving in to this demand may have a profound impact on the child’s psychology later on in life.

New mothers may also feel very awkward when dealing with the stump from the umbilical cord for fear of harming the baby. The stump is actually just dead protein, so it’s perfectly safe to touch it. But remember to keep it dry. After bathing, clean the stump with a cotton ball with alcohol so that it won’t be a breeding ground for germs. The stump should have fallen off after the second week. As soon as it does, baths should only be about thrice or four times a week so that the navel can heal.