Newborn Care Tips

As often as you feel you need to. And if you feel compelled to check your baby's breathing all the time, you're not alone. Consider your vigilance a reflection of how seriously you're taking parenthood.

It may help to keep in mind that babies have various stages of slumber — sometimes deep and still, sometimes active, sometimes noisy and snuffly. Your comfort level should grow with experience, but it's okay if you continue to make nightly forays into your child's bedroom, just to check on his breathing, for years to come.
Danielle Buckley-Werner remembers feeling panic-stricken every time she put her son to bed during his first months of life.
"I was sure that if I wasn't there to hear him breathe, then he couldn't take a breath," she says. "I was so tired all the time because when he slept, I would watch him. I finally collapsed on the floor of the nursery one afternoon and realized that something had to give if I was going to have the energy to be a good mom."
Buckley-Werner started taking naps with her son and using a baby monitor when she couldn't. For the first three months, she and her husband, Daniel, kept the crib in their room so they could easily respond to any coughs, cries, or breathing emergencies — which, thankfully, never arose.
"I can't tell new parents that they shouldn't worry and that constantly checking breathing is insane," says Buckley-Werner. "But depriving yourself of rest and waking your baby up all the time will exhaust everyone. For me, keeping my baby close helped me overcome my fears that he'd stop breathing."

Source: babycenter.com

Find out how to change a diaper for a baby boy or girl. Get useful tips and tricks, and learn common diapering mistakes.

Video Transcript

Narrator: Before you get your little one's diaper in a twist, it's a good idea to learn how to properly diaper your baby.

The average newborn goes through eight to ten diapers a day. For the parents of twins Jack and Madison, that's double diaper duty – and double trouble when they get it wrong.

Nurse Shari Criso: See how low this is? And that's probably why he's peeing through.

Narrator: Shari Criso – a nurse, midwife, and baby expert in New Jersey – is guiding these new parents through her tried and true diapering tips.

To start, you'll want to wash and dry your hands or clean them with a baby wipe.

Nurse: Make sure that the surface is nice and clean. Have all your supplies ready, so you're not having to walk away or reach for them.

Narrator: You'll need a clean diaper, of course, and plenty of baby wipes or something else to wipe your baby with, like moistened paper towels or a damp washcloth.

To prevent or treat diaper rash, keep diaper cream, ointment, or petroleum jelly on hand.

Nurse: You want to find a safe place where the baby's going to be safe and can’t roll off.

Narrator: Many diaper changing tables come with a safety strap, but you probably don't want to rely on the strap alone.

Keep at least one hand on your baby at all times. You never know when she may suddenly learn how to roll over or scoot off the table.

Nurse: Keep talking to your baby while you're changing their diaper. This is a great time for you to interact with your baby. Hi, sweetheart – yes, you like this? Lift the baby up and pull the clothes all the way away from the diaper.

Take your clean diaper and open it up. And you'll know which side is the back because it's the side that has the tabs on it.

Narrator: Grasp your baby by the ankles, gently lift her bottom, and slide a clean diaper under the soiled one.

Nurse: We'll take off the first diaper. I like to fold these in so they don't stick to everything. Okay? And then if the baby is soiled with a bowel movement, what you could do is use the diaper to actually wipe off the excess as you go down.

Narrator: Fold the dirty diaper in half under your baby, clean side up.

Nurse: Now we are going to take a wipe, and what we're going to do with a girl baby is always make sure that you're wiping from the front to the back. Okay, that way we avoid spreading any kind of infection to the baby. Okay? So we're going to wipe down. Turn the wipe over so you get a clean spot, wipe in the folds.

Narrator: Lift your baby's legs to clean her bottom.

Nurse: Clean anything that's residual underneath. Put that right into your dirty diaper, roll that up.

With a boy you want to make sure you're getting all around all the different areas that poop can hide in. And the other thing is try to keep it covered or you're both going to get sprayed.

For both boys and girls, it's a good idea to let the diaper area air dry before applying any ointment or cream.

Nurse: A little bit of cream on his bottom. And when you go to put the diaper back on, try to put his penis in a downward position so that when he does urinate it doesn't shoot up the top.

If your baby boy is newly circumcised, follow your pediatrician's instructions for special care you may need to take during diapering.

Nurse: So one of the most common mistakes that moms and dads make when they're changing diapers is they don't pull the diaper up high enough, okay, they have them like a low rider. We need to hike them all the way up.

So actually after the first two weeks when the belly button finally comes off, you want to come up and cover the belly button.

Narrator: Before your newborn loses his umbilical cord stump, you'll need to fold the front of the diaper back so it doesn't rub against the stump. Or you can use a diaper made for newborns that has a notch specially cut out.

Nurse: So you're gonna pull it up nice and high in the back. Now you'll be able to bring the front up over. Hold both sides nice and tight with one hand. Grab this, pull it across tightly.

Narrator: Make sure the diaper is snug, but not so tight that it pinches your baby's skin. Check the back and elastic around the legs to make sure there are no gaps.

Nurse: And then you'll have no leaks.

Narrator: Parents today have several options when it comes to diapers.

Nurse: The first type is the traditional disposable diaper – single use and then throw away. Today's cloth diapers are really different than our mothers' were. It actually opens with Velcro. Now these are completely reusable. And there's a third type of diaper, which is a hybrid. It's a combination of the first two. The outer shell is one that would be used again, and the inner part is an insert that would get tossed, so you can get the best of both worlds.

Narrator: Try out different kinds to see which is most comfortable for your baby or best suits your lifestyle, and check the manufacturer's instructions for specific tips. Once you pick a brand, you'll probably buy a supply in bulk.

After disposing of the dirty diaper in a diaper pail or disposable trash bag, dress your baby and wash your hands thoroughly.

That's it – you're done!

Source: babycenter.com

These instructions show how to change a basic type of cloth diaper: an interior diaper, made of cloth, and a separate waterproof cover that goes over it. (There are many other types of cloth diapers, too. The same basic directions can be used for other cloth diapering options – just substitute your diaper of choice for what we describe here.)

While there's no one right way to change a cloth diaper, here are a suggested series of steps to get you started. In time, you may modify the steps and develop your own preferred method – which you'll be able to do in a darkened room while half-asleep.

Preparation

Wash and dry your hands, or clean them with hand sanitizer or a baby wipe.

Set up a warm, clean area to change your baby. If you're not using a changing table, consider laying a blanket, towel, or changing mat on the floor or bed.

Assemble your supplies:

· Clean diaper

· Clean diaper cover, in case the one your baby's wearing got dirty

· Diaper fastener (Snappi and Boingo are popular brands) or safety pins

· Cloth wipes, baby washcloths, or disposable wipes for cleaning your baby. (Dampen the cloth or washcloth with warm water or a homemade solution of warm water and a little liquid soap.)

· Dry wipe or washcloth, to dry your baby if you won't be letting your baby air-dry

Optional items:

· Rash cream, if your baby is fighting a diaper rash. (Make sure to select a cream that works with cloth diapers, since standard rash creams and jellies are difficult to wash out of cloth diapers and may ruin them.)

· A cloth or disposable liner. Liners wick moisture away from your baby and into the diaper. Disposable liners make it easier to dispose of poop and also help protect cloth diapers from lotions and creams. Cloth liners can be used to protect diapers, too, in which case they should be washed separately from the diapers.

· An insert or booster, sometimes called a doubler, for added absorbency. (Some inserts are also topped with a stay-dry fabric.)

Safety note: If you change your baby on an elevated surface such as a changing table or bed, be sure to keep one hand on your baby at all times. Most changing tables have a strap you can use to secure your baby. Whether your baby is strapped in or not, don't leave your baby unattended for even a second. Babies of any age can squirm off the table unexpectedly.

Diaper change

Cloth diapering tips

· Change diapers frequently to avoid diaper rash. It's especially important to change poopy diapers as soon as possible, since they can cause diaper rash quickly.

· Learn about the difference between regular diaper rash and yeast diaper rash, since they need to be treated differently.

· Keep distractions handy. If your baby fusses during changes, hang an engaging mobile over the changing area, put up pictures or mirrors to look at, or give your baby a small toy to play with while you take care of business.

· Stock up on clean diapers or plan to wash them often enough that you won't run out. Newborns can wet as many as 14 cloth diapers a day. It's recommended that you purchase 18 diapers for a newborn, if you want to wash daily. If you want to wash every other or every second day, you'll need two or three dozen diapers.

· If you opt to use a diaper pail to store dirty diapers, you may want to use a liner to cut down on odors and keep ammonia from the diapers from leaching into the pail. Some parents use liquid in the diaper pail because they think it reduces odors and stains, but it's generally not recommended – it can create a drowning hazard for young children and cause deterioration of the diapers and setting of stains. Your best bet for avoiding stains is to soak diapers for an hour or two before washing.

· Have fun: Diaper changes offer a chance for some special one-on-one time. Talk and sing to your baby, pointing out the different parts of your baby's body and explaining what you're doing. Once your baby is cleaned up, try a few simple songs like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." Play a bit of peekaboo or patty-cake, and share a kiss before you wrap up.

Cloth diapering on the go

When you're away from home, bring a wetbag to stash dirty diapers in until you get home.Wetbags are waterproof bags that help reduce odors.

You can bring one small bag, containing a clean diaper and a couple of wipes, for each diaper change. Each time you change your baby, simply exchange the clean items in the bag for the dirty ones.

Alternately, you can have one larger wetbag to put all the dirty diapers in. Another option is a wet/dry bag, which allows you to put clean things on the dry side and dirty things on the wet side.

For wipes, if you choose not to use disposable wipes on the go, you can bring pre-moistened cloth wipes in a small, clean wetbag. Or you can tote dry cloth wipes with a small spray bottle filled with a mild water-and-soap solution. (Simply spray the solution onto a wipe when you need one.)

If you're using diaper covers, remember to bring an extra diaper cover, too, in case the one your baby's wearing gets soiled.

Source: babycenter.com

Whether you're using a conventional disposable diaper or one of the newer, more earth-friendly options, the methods for changing a dirty one are the same.

That said, there's no one right way to change a diaper. Below is a suggested series of steps to get you started. In time, you may modify them and develop your own preferred method – which you'll be able to do in a darkened room while half asleep.

Preparation

Wash and dry your hands, or clean them with hand sanitizer or a baby wipe.

Set up a warm, clean area to change your baby. If you're not using a changing table, consider laying a blanket, towel, or changing mat on the floor or bed.

Grab your supplies, including a clean diaper and plenty of wipes or wet cloths. For babies with sensitive skin, you can use lukewarm water and gauze. If your baby is prone to diaper rash, keep rash cream or petroleum jelly on hand.

Safety note: If you change your baby on an elevated surface such as a changing table or bed, be sure to keep one hand on your baby at all times. Most changing tables have a strap you can use to secure your baby. Whether your baby is strapped in or not, don't leave your baby unattended for even a second. Babies at any age can squirm off the table when you least expect it.

Diaper change

Diapering tips

· Change diapers frequently to avoid diaper rash. It's especially important to change poopy diapers as soon as possible, since they can cause diaper rash quickly.

· Learn about the difference between regular diaper rash and yeast diaper rash, since they need to be treated differently.

· Keep distractions handy. If your baby fusses during changes, secure an engaging mobile over the changing area, hang pictures or mirrors to look at, or give your baby a small toy to play with while you take care of business.

· Stock up on diapers so you don't run out. Newborns can wet as many as eight to ten diapers a day.

· Some disposable diapers for young babies have a wetness indicator on them – a line that turns color if the diaper is wet. This isn't necessary, but it can be a convenient way to tell at a glance if it's time for a change.

· If poop keeps leaking out the top back of your baby's diaper, it may be time to go up a size. The weights noted on diaper packaging are just guidelines, and your baby may need a bigger size sooner.

· When you leave home, carry some extra plastic or biodegradable bags with you so you have somewhere to put dirty diapers if there's nowhere to dispose of them. (Get our full list of diaper bag essentials.)

· Have fun: Diaper changes offer a chance for some special one-on-one time. Talk and sing to your baby, pointing out the different parts of your baby's body and explaining what you're doing. Once your baby is cleaned up, try a few simple songs like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." Play a bit of peekaboo or patty-cake, and share a kiss before you wrap up.

Source: babycenter.com

Does your newborn sleep through the night? In the first few weeks, new born babies sleep a lot.

They will not sleep when you want them to sleep.

There are many reasons that your newborn have trouble to sleep. Sleep problems are common in newborns.

The main thing is that they don’t know the difference between day and night. The other reason of newborn sleep problem is they can’t hold enough milk in their tiny stomach and after few hours they wake up for milk.

Newborn baby sleep can be affected when they are exposed to bright light or conversational speech sounds.

Follow these tips for your newborn sleep:

As the newborns don’t know the difference between day and night, you should establish the surrounding environment suitable for your baby. The room should be quiet, calm, dark and unstimulating to make your baby understand that it is the time to sleep.

Newborn sleeps eight to nine hours during daytime and about seven to eight hours at nighttime. They will be ready to drink milk for every three to four hours. At nighttime, there is no need to wake your newborn for feeding unless your doctor suggests it.

But, don’t allow your newborn to sleep more than five hours continuously without feeding in the starting months.

When your newborn cries in the night, reach him or her as soon as possible. Don’t allow the baby to wake up completely and reach a miserable state. Pick your newborn, soothe the baby and feed him/her.

Watch your newborn sleep pattern and if the baby is sleeping consistently, and waking up suddenly and crying, then you should notice that there might be some problem.

Put your newborn to sleep in the crib on his back or side when he begins to doze during daytime. When you put your baby always in the crib when he is sleepy, he learns that crib is the place for sleep.

It is natural that newborn sleep while sucking at the breast, bottle or pacifier. When your baby sleeps in this way, he learns to sleep while sucking and he cannot sleep I any other way. If you want your newborn to sleep without you, you can allow sometimes your newborn suck until he is sleepy.

Remove the breast or pacifier when he is not totally asleep. Sometimes, your baby resists when you remove the breast or pacifier. You can give him back and again remove it. In this way, they will learn to sleep without sucking.

Watch for tired signals in your baby. When you notice tired signals in your baby, put him down to sleep.

Your baby cannot understand his own sleep signs and if he is not put to sleep, it can lead to sleep depression. You have to carefully read your baby’s signs and put your newborn to sleep immediately.

If your newborn is still not sleeping, then consult your pediatrician so that he can diagnose if there are any other conditions that are making your newborn sleep disturbed.

Source:

Right now, sleep is a luxury that was once taken for granted. Just to have five hours of uninterrupted rest probably sounds as close to bliss as you can imagine, yet it seems as though that will never happen – ever again.

Don’t worry, it will, but we have to admit that most babies still wake to feed every two to three hours (sometimes stretching it to four hours at night if you have an exceptionally considerate baby) for the first six to eight weeks – give or take. And then it will most likely be another few months before the baby is sleeping through the night. We know it sounds impossible to get through this when you’re in week one, but before you know it, you’ll be looking back at this fuzzy, sleep deprived time and hardly remember it. (Probably because you’ve been half asleep this whole time.) Here are more tips worth knowing about your baby’s current sleep pattern:

• There’s not much parents have to do to encourage or schedule their baby’s sleep patterns during the first week. As you’ve probably noticed, they’ll sleep anywhere, anytime – whether it’s in the middle of a feeding or just as the family comes over to visit.
• The baby will sleep a whopping 14 to 18 hours a day right now, which seems as though you’d have plenty of time to sleep yourself, right? However, their irregular short naps (one or two hours at a time) don’t leave nearly enough time for you to feel rejuvenated.
• It’s assumed that babies need these short naps in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to aid in their development.
• Don’t let your baby go three hours without nursing or four hours without drinking formula at this stage.
• Put your baby to sleep on his or her back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Sometimes, depending on the time of day your baby entered the world, his or her internal clock might be off, thinking day is night and night is day. Even though the baby will be sleeping around the clock at almost even intervals, your baby might take his four-hour sleeping stretch in the middle of the afternoon and be more alert and awake at night. Don’t worry – the problem will fix itself before you know it, mostly because our biological clocks are automatically programmed to be awake when it’s light and sleepy when it’s dark. However, starting a bedtime routine – like shower, baby massage, story, bed – will help indicate that it’s time to get sleepy.

Where Should Baby Sleep?

You have quite a few options when it comes to you and your baby’s sleeping arrangements – some more recommended than others. We think you should have an open mind, ultimately choosing the option that allows the most people to get the most sleep.

• In a bassinet or cradle, in your room. This is the most popular option with many experts, citing the in-room convenience of around-the-clock feedings, but with the safety of putting the newborn in his or her own space. And with all sleeping option, experts agree that babies should sleep on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Co-sleeping. The more traditional, attachment-parenting method, co-sleeping is when the newborn is brought to sleep in your own bed. While this is most convenient for those breastfeeding, the use of pillows, comforters and soft mattresses are hot spots for SIDS controversy. There have also been rare cases of adults rolling over and suffocating their baby. Despite these risks, for people all around the world, it’s still a very popular and comforting way to sleep.
• Co-sleeper bassinet. A hybrid between the former two options, a co-sleeper bassinet allows the baby to be close to Mommy while still having a separate, safe sleeping space.
• A crib in the nursery. Some parents decide to go for the gusto and just place the baby in his or her own room from the get-go. You didn’t spend all that time decorating for the room to remain empty, now did you?

Source: babble.com

Baths can be fun for Mom, Dad and baby, but there are also times when things won’t go as smoothly as you would hope. Here are a few tricks to help keep bath-time on the fun track.

• Make sure the room (bathroom, kitchen, etc) where the baby will be bathed is warm and draft-free and you can be comfortable.
• Keep the baby diapered (especially boys who are known to shoot straight up at inopportune moments) until you’re ready to wash that area, or place baby in the tub.
• Avoid giving your baby a bath immediately after he’s eaten. Newborns are more likely to spit up post-meal, and you don’t want him to need a second bath before he’s even out of the first.
• Avoid giving your child bubble baths. Studies show they can increase the incidence of bladder inflammation.
• Think about where you place the baby bath, especially if you have a bad back. Find a spot that is stable and at a comfortable height.