Baby Care

Caring for a baby can be both an exciting and nerve wrecking time for the parents as it requires a great deal of time and attention. Firstly, it is important to know how to hold and handle the baby. When carrying the baby, the head must be cradled. You also need to support the head when laying the baby down. When playing with the baby ensure that you don’t shake him as this can affect the baby’s delicate body. You can instead play with the baby by tickling the feet or blowing gently on his cheek. When traveling, ensure that the baby is safely fastened in the car seat or stroller. Bonding with the baby is one of the most important aspects of baby care. This encourages emotional and physical growth and development. Bonding can be done by caressing or stroking the baby gently. Gentle massages are also a good option. Babies love to listen to sounds such as singing and cooing and this also helps in stimulating their hearing abilities. However, they can be very sensitive to loud noise and harsh light.

Swaddling is an aspect of baby care that all parents must know. This helps to keep the infant warm by keeping his arms and legs close to his body. This also gives them a secure and comfortable feeling. Another important aspect of caring for a baby is diaper changes. Babies may go through at least ten diapers in a day. When changing diapers you need to ensure that the baby is cleaned thoroughly in order to prevent diaper rash and infection. A baby must be given a sponge bath until the umbilical cord has fallen off and the navel has healed. In the first year, a bath may be given 2-3 times a week as very frequent baths can dry out the skin. Use mild products for bathing and soft towels that are gentle on the skin.

Newborn infants must be fed every couple of hours. While breastfeeding a baby, about 10 to 15 minutes on each breast is the general norm. Babies usually cry when they need to be fed. If the baby is not showing interest in sucking or eating, then it is advisable to consult a doctor. Babies sleep for about 16 hours a day in periods of about 3-4 hours each. Babies must be made to sleep on their backs and all fluffy bed linen must be removed so that the baby doesn’t suffocate or get tangled in it. In situations that require outside help in caring for the baby such as a baby day care center, the parents need to choose wisely if the place is indeed right for their baby’s needs.