Newborn Care Tips

Being a mother of two kids, one boy and one girl, I was faced with a lot of challenges in taking care of my newborn babies. This is indeed true particularly with my first child. More than ever, for first time moms I would like to share with you my basic baby care tips which I also learned from different mothers who were around me and supported me on my first newborn baby.

1. Breast milk is still best for babies. This is the rule of thumb. This will not only benefit your baby but you as well. If in case you don’t really have milk for your baby then use milk formula of best quality. For me, this is also investment for your child so if you can afford it then go.

If you are to use milk formula, make sure that you sterilize the bottle, nipple, etc. Gone are the days that you still need to heat a bottle of formula using a hot water and check the temperature frequently by shaking a few drops on your wrist. These days you can now use distilled water. Believe me it saves time and ease the preparation of milk for your baby.

While feeding milk make sure that excess milk or spills should be cleaned immediately. Wipe it with towel or baby wipes. This could also cause some irritation to your baby’s skin and of course will also make the baby smells unpleasant after a while.

Don’t forget to routinely burp your baby between breasts or halfway through the bottle. And have your baby drink some distilled water around 1 to 2 oz between feeding 2 or 3 times a day.

2. Infant massage every morning. As early as first few days of your child, massage should be given on a daily basis.

You massage the head with your two hands as if you want to make a snow of ball. The objective? To really mold your baby’s head with a good shape so that your child will not blame you for having a flattened head =)

Never, never, never forget as well to massage your baby’s legs. Again why? You don’t want again to be blamed by your child for not doing so. It is a must so that your child’s legs will not be bow-legged afterwards. How do we do this? Hold your baby’s legs straight and close to each other. Then, with both hands start massaging your child’s thigh down to his knees then to his legs massaging from the outside to the inside.

Your touch should not be too light or too hard. If your baby is not enjoying it then you should stop and try again next time. For a more detailed baby massage, try to buy a video, book or take a class with a massage therapist who knows about it.

You can also apply some simple exercises and stretching to your lovable baby. As you are doing these massage and exercises, try to put some laughter to your baby’s face. This is also the time to bond so talk to your child from time to time.

3. Make sure to regularly change your baby’s diaper. Be aggressive in doing so to prevent diaper rash. You should also put petroleum jelly or cream every diaper change.

4. If the baby’s cord is still on, daily sponging with lukewarm water is enough. Tub baths thereafter when the cord has fallen off.

Applying a little baby oil at his head, back, chest, stomach and feet prior to tub baths will not do harm. A bath of two to three times a week in the precrawling months is still sufficient as long as ample spot cleaning is made during diaper changes and after feedings.

5. You should clean your baby's umbilical cord with 70% ethyl alcohol 2 times a day or every diaper change. Never let water pass or enter the umbilical cord.

6. Wipe your baby’s outer ears with a cotton balls or wash cloth but don’t try to clean the ear canal itself. The ear wax will come out unsurprisingly since the ear is naturally self-cleaning. But if it seems accumulating, then ask the doctor about it.

7. Like ears, the nose is also self-cleaning and needs no special care. Just wipe the outside preferably with wet wipes or wash cloth. Don’t use cotton swabs, tissue or even your fingernails.

8. At birth, infant’s nails are typically overgrown. Hence, trimming them is necessary to prevent them from scratching their own face. Best time to cut your baby’s nails is when he is sleeping.

If the nails are neither long nor short, it is still better to put on mittens on your baby’s little hands just to be safe.

9. As soon as the baby can see things though not yet clear, they begin to focus their eyes on objects. Sometimes, this causes them to appear as crossed eyes where just one eye focus on what he is looking at while the other just seems aimed anywhere. These eye movements mean he is still learning to use his eyes. But still it would be better to just close his eyes and restart his focus on objects.

10. While sleeping, make sure that your baby’s head position is changed regularly. For example, if his head is on the right side for an hour then try to have his head on the left side after and so on. It would also be better if his pillow is comfortable enough for his head to move around. This is to prevent from having a baby’s head with flat side.

11. Once a day or after feeding if necessary, make sure to clean your baby’s mouth with a clean wet washcloth or an infant brush where you put your finger in it. This could prevent mouth and tongue infection brought about by milk leftovers.

12. When dressing your baby, use clothing with an easy-on and easy-off feature as much as possible. This could be wide neck openings or necks with snap closings. Fairly loose sleeves and a minimum fastening should be necessary.

These are just basic tips for new moms out there. If there are things that you are in doubt about your baby’s condition that needs immediate attention, don’t hesitate to immediately call your baby’s pediatrician. They are your partners as well in the development and well-being of your baby.