It’s normal to be nervous about certain things on the birth of a baby. There are things parents are not sure about and that brings about loss of security as well. Following are important tips and secrets that will help retain the coolness of the parents during the first year of new born baby’s life.
Safety of Skin
Baby’s skin is very sensitive and can get easily sunburned we well. Keep your baby away from direct sunlight for the first year. Light cotton hats, covered strollers and removable mesh window shields for the car are good protective measures, also it will be good to stay away from sunscreen until your baby is six months old.
Safety of Bones
A new born baby has more than 300 bones, but most are still in the cartilage stage as the bone is in the formative stage. As the baby grows older, cartilage will also turn into bone and smaller bones will fuse together to create stronger bones by adulthood. It will be good to supply calcium consistently in order for proper development of bones.
Care of Feet
It is wise to ensure that socks and soft booties are giving enough room to the young one to move around. Trim toenails as well to ensure prevention of ingrown nails. Overall the baby needs a freedom of movement for the lower limbs.
Factor of Touching
Skin-to-skin does result in a stronger bond between parent and baby. Research shows this is also an important factor in the overall development of brain and faculties of observation, so do invest time in this valuable experience.
Wetness of Diapers
Diapers often get wet very frequently. If it’s been over six hours and the baby hasn’t produced a wet diaper as yet this may be due to dehydration. Babies are more prone to dehydration than adults and it can become dangerous, so keeping an eye on diapers is also fruitful. Also, on days when your baby is sick or when it’s rather hot, ensure providing the bay with plenty of fluids.
Baby Teeth
Babies can start teething anywhere from three months to twelve months’ time period. As a gentle gesture do use a piece of damp gauze to massage baby’s gums, use a firm rubber teething ring, prevent rashes by wiping away excess saliva and offer cold washcloths or soft foods to manage baby’s discomfort that cannot be expressed by the infant.
Reflex Action
For the initial two months, the baby will try and curl the fingers around those of parent if you touch baby’s palm. This bonding experience can result in an emotional experience during the initial stage so have a box of tissues handy for a better experience.
The Soft Skull
The shape of baby’s skull may look abnormal and you may even feel it soft in the middle, but this is completely normal. Referred as a fontanelle, this gives the head flexibility to squeeze through the birth canal. After delivery, this stays open to accommodate the baby’s brain that is in the stage of growth. While bathing the baby, be extra gentle in massaging this area.
Evolving Vision
As is the process to learn walking and talking, the baby also learns to see gradually as the vision is evolving. Babies are born with extreme near sightedness so they can see objects close-by sharply, this makes far off objects as blurred. At around three months babies will be able to recognize faces from a distance and by six months there will be much improvement in identifying the depth and colour of an object.
Immunization
Immunization of a baby is very critical and the usual time for a routine immunization to begin is when the baby is about two months old, and then continuing at four months, six months, twelve months, fifteen months and eighteen months. Just ensure that are able to protect the baby against 14 vaccine-prevented diseases.
Breast Feeding
Baby ends up spitting very frequently, but if you find your new born is doing so more often than expected, it may actually be infant reflux, a digestive disorder that occurs when acid from the stomach flows back up to the oesophagus. Infant reflux is not that uncommon among babies. Breast milk can help with reflux, as it is easier to digest, so do increase the frequency of breast feeding as it is healthy. Also, try to hold your baby upright for 30 minutes after each feeding.
Moment of Tummy
Exercise is good for babies as well. Spending time on a tummy will help baby learn to reach, pull up and crawl. It will be good to get down on the floor for a few minutes each day and see things from the perspective of the baby who can use the moment spent on tummy valuably.
