What cares do you need for hi potty & nasal care in this cold winter for new born baby

After the hot humid months, winter brings some much-needed respite from the heat. But it also brings its own challenges like seasonal colds or trying to keep warm. Read on to find out how best to care for your baby during the winter, and 

what to do to protect her from seasonal illnesses.
Should I stop massaging my baby in winter?

If you keep your room warm, massaging your baby can be as enjoyable and beneficial for you and your baby in the winters as it is in the summer.

Massaging your baby can improve her circulation and some believe that it can even help build her immunity. But there is little evidence for this. 

Warm up your hands well before you begin so your baby doesn’t feel cold from your touch. You can also warm up the oil you use for the message. Make sure it is not too hot by touching it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist. The oil should be a comfortable temperature, not hot. Oil which is too hot can cause your baby to get burnt.

What massage oil should I use for my baby in winter?

Many mothers change massage oil to suit the weather, usually moving from coconut oil, which is believed to be cooling, to mustard oil, which is believed to be warming. Research shows that mustard oil can damage the protective layer of the skin making it more prone to dryness and irritation. 

Mustard oil has been used for generations in India with few documented ill effects, perhaps because it is usually washed off straight away with a bath. But if your baby has sensitive or dry skin, eczema or any other form of rash, it is best not to use mustard oil on her skin. Instead, you could try an oil that is thought to be gentler on sensitive skin, such as unperfumed baby (mineral) oil or coconut oil. 

If you do use mustard oil, ensure you follow the massage up with a bath and wash the oil off well. If you usually massage your baby after her bath, you can opt for a baby lotion or a medical moisturiser recommended by your doctor. Unperfumed products are thought to be best for dry or sensitive skin.

How can I keep my baby warm at bathtime during winter?

Before you begin your baby's bath, ensure the room is warm. You can use any kind of heater to bring the room to a comfortable temperature. Then prepare everything you will need for your baby's bath before your start. Keep your baby's baths short, no more than between five and 10 minutes. 

Use warm water that feels comfortable, not hot, to your skin when you insert your elbow or the inside of your wrist. If you have a bath thermometer, the ideal temperature is thought to be about 38 degrees C, which is close to body temperature. Use a small amount of a mild liquid baby cleanser if you wish, or you can use plain water. 

Newborns don’t get dirty much as they can't move around yet. So if you only want to bathe your newborn a few times a week, that’s enough to keep her clean. Just ensure that you regularly clean her nappy area with unperfumed baby wipes. Baby poo is fattier than adults’ so just water is not enough to keep it clean and remove the deposits on your baby’s skin. 

Also regularly clean the folds of your baby’s skin in her neck area. Spit up milk can collect there. You can use a wet washcloth or unscented baby wipes to wipe her neck area clean. 

Once your baby starts rolling over, sitting, crawling and eating solid foods, she is likely to get dirtier and need more regular baths. If you prefer not to get your baby wet all over on very cold days, you can give her a sponge bath. Clean each area and dry it before moving to the next area of her body to keep her warm. 

What kinds of baby clothes are best suited for winter?

The shops and online shopping sites offer such variety of clothing that it can get confusing to know what you really need for your baby. If the weather is cold, it is best to dress your baby in layers. This way, you can add or remove a layer as needed. The rule of thumb is to have one layer more than what you are wearing for your baby. 

You can use long sleeved inners or onesies under her long sleeved baby suit. You can top this off with a woollen cardigan or sweater made from soft but warm material such as flannel or fleece. Remember that your baby's skin is more sensitive than yours. If you notice your baby's skin get red or irritated where the wool touches it, use a softer fabric to keep her warm. Always have a layer of cotton or other such soft and breathable material directly on your baby's skin. Some experts advise against using wool if your baby has eczema as it could aggravate the condition.

Mittens, a hat and booties will keep your baby's hands, head and feet warm. Again, if your baby has dry skin or a rash, use only soft fabric like fleece, cotton or flannel on her skin. 

The best way to keep your newborn warm at night is to swaddle her with a warm blanket. You can swaddle her till she is two months old. Use a blanket made of thick cotton, flannel or fleece to swaddle her. 

Even in cold weather, swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, as newborns are not very good at regulating their body temperature. 

If your baby seems cold, hold her near you so that your body warmth can help her regulate her own.

Once your baby is two months or older, you should stop swaddling her because she could roll over and get stuck on her front making it difficult for her to breathe. Cover her with a blanket instead. 

If you are using a cot, the best way to keep her warm is to place your baby in her cot with her feet touching the feet of the cot. This way she cannot wriggle down any further. Then tuck her blanket under the cot mattress on all three sides keeping the top of the blanket at her chest level with her arms out of the blanket. Keep her face and head uncovered, so she can breathe easily and doesn't overheat. 

You can also find a warm baby sleeping bag of your baby's size that fits snugly around her. This is a good option if your baby tends to wriggle a lot in her sleep. 

In your desire to keep your baby warm, be careful not to overdress her. Your baby can easily sweat and lose fluids from sitting in a stuffy, sweltering room or because she’s wearing too many layers. Overheating can lead to dehydration. So watch for signs that your baby is getting too hot. These signs include:

• sweating
• damp hair
• flushed cheeks
• heat rash
• rapid breathing

How can I protect my baby from seasonal illnesses in winter?

You will not be able to protect your baby from every virus or bug that is doing the rounds. But there are some things you can do to minimise the chances of your baby picking up an infection:

Boost your baby's immunity by breastfeeding her. Your baby is likely to develop fewer infections, and recover more quickly from illnesses, in the first year of her life, if you breastfeed exclusively for the first six months. As well as the antibodies that are already in your breastmilk, your body will make new antibodies as soon as you are exposed to an infection. So even if your baby catches a cold, as soon as you're exposed to the cold virus from her, your immune system gets to work. The antibodies your body makes then transfer to your milk, ready for your baby to receive as soon as she next has a breastfeed.

Frequently wash your hands with soap and ensure anyone who holds or cares for your baby does so as well. This is the simplest and most effective way of preventing the spread of cold and flu germs. Also make sure you wash your hands with soap before and after changing your baby’s nappy, for example.

As most winter diseases are spread through coughs, sneezes and direct contact, keep your baby away from sick people and avoid going to crowded places.

Ensure your baby's vaccinations are up to date to protect her from some serious diseases. Your paediatrician might prescribe the seasonal flu vaccine that will protect your baby from two or three of the most common strains of the flu virus in circulation that year.

If you or your husband smokes, give it up, and don’t take your baby to areas where people are smoking. Babies who live with smokers have more coughs, colds and other viral infections than babies who aren't exposed to smoke.

When should I go to the doctor if my baby gets sick?

Though the common cold, as distressing as it can be, will probably not send you running to the doctor, there are signs to look out for that should raise a red flag and prompt you to seek medical help. These include:

If your baby is pulling on her ear and cries as if in pain for no apparent reason. These could be signs of an ear infection.

If your baby is wheezing or has trouble breathing. These could be a sign of a respiratory problem that could be based on an allergy or viral or bacterial infection.

Your baby is younger than three months and has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or more, or is younger than six months with a temperature of 102.2 degrees F or more.

Source - Babycenter

New Born Baby care tips for every new mum

Infants are so superb right? With those little laughs is taken after boisterous snarling! Serene rest for the infant is another restless night for the mother. Not any longer! Healers are home are here with wonderful tips and traps so you can strike the correct harmony amongst child's and your timetables. 

Feeding tips:

Infants don't learn things inside a womb. Notwithstanding nourishing should be instructed. Encourage your newborn child like a brother with these tips: 

Endeavor to nourish the child while you can rest. Lie in a level position and afterward lock the infant to your areola. 

When you have bosom encouraged your infant, it is imperative to burp the newborn child. A perfect strategy for burping is the place you hold your infant against your chest and gesture of congratulations tenderly. 

Sustain your child at regular intervals for the initial 12 weeks. 

You will realize that the child is full once the infant moves in the opposite direction of your areola. 

Improvement tips: 

Infant's advancement starts path before the baby is conceived. Adept care should be taken to support the improvement after birth. 

Talking, singing or fundamentally captivating with your infant is the most importantly venture towards improvement. 

As the infant develops, let them investigate their faculties by giving them a chance to play with more bright toys or take a stab at rubbing delicate/unpleasant/chilly/hot things in her grasp to advance little child's engine abilities. 

Abstain from sitting in front of the TV or appearing around cell phones to the infant until the point when they turn 1. 

Infants clearly are adorable however they don't accompany a client manual! We at Healers at Home, as a component of our mom and youngster mind, mean to give reasonable and thorough administrations appropriate from pre-birth counseling to baby blues supporting for the little child and novice mother. Give us a chance to be the managing light for each phase of child rearing. Pick us to beat the parenthood blues! 

Sleeping tips:

Dozing is a standout amongst the most dull undertakings while raising a child. In any case, as moms you should know rest for your baby=sleep for you. Put your newborn child to rest with no issue with the underneath strategies: 

How irritating it will be the point at which you attempt to rest and the infant gets up! To turn away this, fantasy nourish the child. Fill the little child's tummy just before you put them to rest. 

In the event that you want a serene night rest, restrain the daytime snoozes. On the off chance that the infant snoozes for over 2 hours each time, wake them up and play with them. 

Keep in mind the way you put the infant to rest amid the initial 2 months will make a rest relationship with the little child. In the event that you make a to a great degree quiet and diminish condition with steady influencing and singing, they will anticipate comparative activity each time you need to put them to rest. Adhere to the rudiments and treat them like adult children keeping away from any additional items.

How to improve newborn baby weight

What is the average weight of a newborn baby

In the first place, it's critical to decide whether infant is having a certified issue with weight pick up. Investigate Normal Growth of Breastfed Babies for additional regarding this matter. 

Taking after is a brisk outline of a few things to investigate when child is not increasing great. This is in no way, shape or form finish. 

• Poor breastfeeding administration is the most widely recognized reason for low weight pick up –.is infant taking in enough calories? 

Is child having enough wet and filthy diapers? This is a pointer of how much drain child is taking in. 

What is infant's nursing design? Is child nursing habitually enough? A few things on infant's side that may meddle with nursing recurrence incorporate jaundice, lethargic infant, diversion and pacifier utilize. 

• Is mother giving infant a chance to decide when to switch sides, or would she say she is exchanging after a set time? 

• Is child locking admirably and exchanging milk enough? 

• Is mother's drain supply sufficient? (Keep in mind that pumping yield is not a helpful marker of drain supply.) 

• It is not important to pump and container bolster or to offer recipe to decide if child is getting enough calories. There is a particular scale (regularly accessible for lease from your lactation advisor or healing center) that can be utilized for pre-and post-nourish weights to decide if infant is taking in enough drain. There is an uncommon system that is utilized for getting these weights – ensure the individual doing the weighing knows about it. 

• See Is child getting enough drain? for more data. 

• Assess child for medicinal issues that may meddle with weight pick up. 

• Babies who are debilitated (with even a minor sickness) regularly moderate weight put on or even get in shape. 

• A couple of regular things that can influence weight pick up are ear disease, thrush, reflux, weakness, sensitivities, tongue-tie, and urinary tract contaminations.

What can I do to increase my baby’s weight gain?

• Stop or reduction strong sustenances, especially if child is more youthful than 6 months. Most solids sustenances have less calories and supplements than breastmilk, in addition to they have a tendency to supplant (as opposed to add to) the higher-calorie, more nutritious breastmilk. 

• Rest near your child (this builds prolactin and recurrence of nursing). 

• Learn child rub — this has been demonstrated to enhance assimilation and weight pick up. 

• Convey child for the duration of the day in an infant transporter; get as much skin to skin contact as you can. Both of these things have been appeared to enhance weight pick up. 

• Nurture regularly – no less than like clockwork amid the day and in any event once during the evening. Visit nursing expands infant's drain admission. 

• Ensure you're permitting your infant to totally complete one side before you offer the other by holding up upon her signals that she is done; i.e. pulling off herself and looking fulfilled, going to rest, transforming from a dynamic suck/swallow to all the more a pacifier suck, and so forth. Continuously OFFER the second side, yet don't stress on the off chance that she doesn't appear to need it. It's a great deal more imperative that she be permitted to totally complete one side than that she nurture both sides. By doing as such she will be guaranteed of achieving enough of the wealthier, more caloric hindmilk that helps her to go longer between feedings. 

• Utilize bosom back rub and bosom pressure amid breastfeeding. In case you're pumping, utilize hands on pumping procedures. 

• Pump or hand express for a few minutes before nursing. This will expel a portion of the foremilk so that your child gets a greater amount of the wealthier, higher calorie hindmilk. 

• On the off chance that supplements are therapeutically shown, breastmilk is favored over equation as a supplement (special cases to this are uncommon), and the normal fat/calorie substance of mother's drain is higher than that of recipe. Mother can pump for 5-10 minutes in the wake of nursing (don't hinder or abbreviate the nursing session to do this), and offer this higher-fat hindmilk to child as required. This is additionally a possibility for mothers who regularly offer communicated drain when they are isolated from child.

Source - kellymom

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How to take care 24 hours New born baby

You've presumably heard that every one of the an infant does is eat, crap, cry, and rest. Sounds basic, isn't that so? It might end up plainly straightforward, however chances are it won't appear that route at first. Comprehending what's in store from your infant will make your first days home together somewhat less overwhelmingvide. 

To help outline what's in store after the huge homecoming, we swung to pediatricians and moms Laura Jana and Jennifer Shu, who truly composed the book on the point. The third version of their book Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality was discharged in May 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

What's in store: Newborn bolstering 

Since their stomachs are so modest, infants need to eat little sums – around 1 to 3 ounces – as often as possible. Some need to nurture or have a container each a few hours, while others will be ravenous much more frequently. 

While a few children report their craving with solid cries, others will give more unpretentious prompts, for example, sucking staring them in the face, smacking their lips, or establishing, which is the point at which an infant presses together her lips and turns her make a beeline for the bosom or container. 

In their initial few days, babies commonly lose around 7 percent of their body weight. While this is ordinary, you'll need to nourish your child at regular intervals or so until she's back at her introduction to the world weight. 

Babies are tired, so you may need to wake your child up to sustain and give her tender consolation to remain conscious while eating. Have a go at stripping your child down to the diaper, rubbing her head or back, or conversing with her. The objective is for your infant to have returned to her introduction to the world weight at her 2-week checkup. 

What's in store: Newborn burps, hiccups, and spit-ups 

A few infants should be burped habitually, while others burp all alone and need next to no help from you. In the event that your infant is fastidious or awkward amid or after a nourishing, that is a prompt to burp her. 

You can likewise take a stab at burping your child when you switch bosoms, after each 2 or 3 ounces, each 10 to 15 minutes of nourishing, or when your infant's done eating. Following a day or two of feedings, you'll discover an example that works for your little one. 

No compelling reason to blast your child's back like a bongo – a tender roundabout movement or delicate praises will raise the air pockets. There are a few burping positions to take a stab at, incorporating holding your child with her head laying on your shoulder, sitting her upright on your lap with the fingers of one hand supporting her trunk and jaw, or laying your infant tummy-down over your lap. 

Try not to be frightened by hiccups or spit-up. Hiccups are typical for new infants and don't bring about them inconvenience. Moreover, spitting up amid and after feedings – in little sums or what may appear like the whole nourishing – is truly typical. 

In the event that your child's spitting-up appears to be unreasonable or is joined by her angling her back or crying, read more about the distinction between reflux, which is ordinary and enhances with your infant's head control, and gastroesophageal reflux illness, or GERD, which requires treatment. Whatever's bringing about it, if your infant's a spitter-upper, you'll need to keep a burp fabric helpful. 

What's in store: Newborn pee and crap 

A breastfed infant will have no less than five wet diapers a day. A recipe nourished child may have much more than that – up to ten every day. 

There's an expansive range for what's a "typical" number of solid discharges, as well. Breastfed babies keep an eye on crap more than recipe bolstered ones, since equation takes somewhat longer to process. Be that as it may, breastfed babies shift broadly, going as from time to time as once every at least four days to as frequently as once per sustaining. Equation nourished children normally crap a couple times each day, yet it can extend from one crap each other day to a few craps for each day. 

You'll need to monitor your infant's pee and crap plan, as the specialist may get some information about her pee and solid discharges at the primary checkup. 

The main solid discharges – for the most part happening amid the primary day or two, frequently when you're still at the healing facility – are called meconium. These first craps have a dark, nearly tar-like consistency. The ones that take after won't look much like developed into crap, either. Be set up for greenish, light dark colored, or undesirable, mustard-yellow craps from a breastfed infant. An equation nourished infant's crap has a tendency to be pastier and differ in shading. Call the doc if your infant's stool contains whitish bodily fluid or streaks or bits of red, which can demonstrate an issue. (Red is an indication of blood in the stool.) 

Ordinary crap consistency likewise runs from delicate to watery, with breastfed babies having looser crap. This can without much of a stretch be mistaken for the runs. Essentially you need to watch out for a transform from your infant's typical example or consistency – which is truly hard when your child is first making an example. If all else fails, check with your specialist. 

"In case you're confounded, simply recall this," says Jennifer Shu. "Regardless of whether we're looking at crapping, eating, resting, or crying, each child is distinctive. Ordinary is really a major range. What makes a difference most are sudden changes – and that is the point at which you ought to contact your specialist."

How to Take Care of a Newborn

So you've brought home your little bundle of joy -- now what? Though taking care of your newborn can be one of the most special and rewarding experiences of your life, you may feel at a loss for what to do and will need to give your child constant attention and care. To take care of a newborn, you need to know how to give your baby the rest, sustenance and care that s/he needs -- as well as a healthy dose of love and affection.

Part1

Mastering the Basics

1. 
   1
   Help your newborn get plenty of rest. Newborns need to get lots of rest to continue growing healthy and strong -- some can rest up to 16 hours a day. Though once your baby is three months or so old, he may be able to sleep for 6-8 hours at a time, in the beginning, your baby may only sleep for 2-3 hours at a time and should be woken up if he or she hasn't been fed for 4 hours.

   • Some babies have their days and nights confused when they are born. If your baby is more alert at night, try to limit nighttime stimulation by keeping the lights dim and your talking low, and be patient until your baby begins a normal sleeping cycle.
   • Make sure you place your baby on his back to lower the risk of SIDS.
   • You should alternate the position of your baby's head -- whether it's leaning to the left or the right -- to eliminate the "soft spot" that can appear on a baby's face if he spends too much time sleeping with his head in one position.
   
   
2. 
   2
   Consider breastfeeding your newborn. If you want to breastfeed your baby, then feeding your baby the first time you hold her after she is delivered is a great place to start. You should turn your baby's body toward you, so you are holding her chest toward yours. Touch her upper lip with your nipple and pull her to your breast when she opens her mouth wide. Once she does this, her mouth should cover your nipple and as much of the areola as possible. Here are some things you should know about breastfeeding your baby:^[1]

   • If the baby is getting enough food, it will produce 6-8 wet diapers a day, along with steady bowel movements, be alert when it's awake, and will steadily gain weight.
   • Don't stress if your baby has a hard time feeding at first; it takes patience and practice. You can get help from a nurse or even a lactation consultant (who can be helpful before birth).
   • Know that nursing shouldn't hurt. If the latch-on hurts, break the suction by placing your pinkie finger between your baby's gums and your breast and repeat the process.
   • You should nurse about 8-12 times during the first 24 hours of baby's birth. You don't have to stick to a strict schedule, but should nurse whenever your baby shows signs of hunger, from increased mouthing and activity to looking for your nipple. You should nurse at least every four hours, even gently waking your baby to feed her if necessary.
   • Make sure to get comfortable. Feedings can take up to 40 minutes, so pick a cozy spot that can give you back support when you're nursing.
   • Eat a healthy and well-balanced diet. Stay hydrated and be prepared to feel more hunger than normal and follow it. Limit your use of alcohol or caffeine because it will enter your breast milk.
3. 
   3
   Consider formula feeding your newborn. Choosing whether to formula feed or breastfeed your baby is a personal decision. While some studies show that breastfeeding may be healthier for your baby, you also have to consider your own health and convenience and a variety of other factors before making this decision. Formula feeding can make it easier to know how much you've fed your baby, to limit the amount of feedings, and to not have to restrict your own diet. If you do choose to formula feed your baby, here are some things you need to know:^[2]

   • Make sure to follow the directions on the label of the formula when you prepare it.
   • Sterilize new bottles.
   • Feed your baby every two or three hours, or whenever he seems hungry.
   • Discard any formula left out of the fridge for over an hour or any left unfinished by the baby.
   • Store formula in the fridge no longer than 24 hours. You can carefully warm it because many babies prefer it that way, but it's not necessary.
   • Hold your baby at a 45-degree angle to help him take in less air. Cradle him in a semi-upright position, offering plenty of head support. Tilt the bottle so the nipple and neck are filled with formula. Never prop it, which can cause the baby to choke.
4. 
   4
   Diaper your newborn. Whether you're using cloth or disposable diapers, if you plan on taking care of your newborn, you'll have to be a diaper-changing expert, and fast. Whatever method you use -- and you should decide before you bring home your baby -- you should be prepared to change your baby's diaper around 10 times a day. Here what you have to do:

   • Get your supplies ready. You'll need a clean diaper, fasteners (if you use cloth diapers), diaper ointment (for rashes), a container of warm water, a clean washcloth, and some cotton balls or diaper wipes.
   • Remove your baby's dirty diaper. If it's wet, place your baby on his back and remove the diaper and use the water and washcloth to wipe your baby's genital area. Wipe girls from front to back to avoid UTIs. If you see a rash, place some ointment on it.
   • Open the new diaper and slide it under your baby, gently lifting your baby's legs and feet. Move the front of the diaper up between your baby's legs, over the belly. Then, bring the adhesive strips around and snugly fasten them so the diaper is nice and secure.
   • To avoid diaper rash, change your baby's diaper as soon as possible after a bowel movement, using soap and water to wipe your baby. Let your baby go undiapered for a few hours each day to let your baby's bottom air out a bit.
5. 
   5
   Bathe your newborn. During the first week, you should carefully give your baby a sponge bath. Once the umbilical cord falls off, you can start bathing your baby regularly, around two to three times a week. To do this the right way, you should gather your supplies, such as towels, soap, a clean diaper, etc, in advance, so that your baby isn't fussing around. Fill the tub or baby tub with about three inches of warm water before you begin the bath. Here's what you should do next:

   • See if you can get help. You may feel a little scared or uncertain when you bathe your baby for the first time. If so, see if you can get your partner or a family member involved. That way, one person can hold the baby in the water while the other person bathes the baby.
   • Undress your baby carefully. Then, slip your baby into the tub feet first, while using one of your hands to support the baby's neck and hands. Continue to pour warm cupfuls of water into the bath so your baby doesn't get cold.
   • Use mild soap and use it sparingly so you don't get it into your baby's eyes. Wash your baby with your hand or with a washcloth, making sure to gently wash your baby from top to bottom and from front to back. Clean your baby's body, genitals, scalp, hair, and any dried mucus that has collected on your baby's face.
   • Rinse your baby with cupfuls of warm water. Wipe your baby clean with a washcloth. Lift the baby out of the tub, continuing to use one hand to support her neck and head. Be careful -- babies are slippery when wet.
   • Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and pat your baby dry. After that, put a diaper and dress on your baby and kiss him so he has positive associations with being bathed.
6. 
   6
   Know how to handle your newborn. You may be intimidated by how tiny and fragile your newborn seems, but with a few basic techniques, you should feel more confident about handling your baby in no time. Here are some things you should do:

   • Wash or sanitize your hands before you handle your baby. Newborn babies are susceptible to infection because their immune systems aren't quite so strong yet. Make sure that your hands -- and the hands of anyone else who handles the baby -- are clean before you make contact.
   • Support your baby's head and neck. To hold your baby, cradle his head whenever you carry him and support it when you're holding the baby upright or putting him down. Babies can't hold up their own heads yet, so don't ever let a baby's head flop around.
   • Avoid shaking your baby, whether you're playing or angry. This can cause bleeding in the brain, which can lead to death. Don't try to wake up your baby by shaking it, either -- instead, tickle its feet or give it another gentle touch.
   • Learn to swaddle your baby. This is a great way to keep your baby feeling secure before he reaches the two month mark.
7. 
   7
   Hold your newborn. You have to make sure to give your baby as much head and neck support as possible when you hold it. You should let the baby's head rest inside your inner elbow, with the length of his body resting on your forearm. His outer hip and upper legs should rest with your hand, with its inside arm resting over his chest and abdomen. Hold the baby snugly and give your baby all of your attention.^[3]

   • You can also hold the baby by pacing his tummy on your upper chest, while using the same side hand to hold his body, while using the opposite hang to support the baby's head from the back.
   • If your baby has younger siblings or cousins or is around people unfamiliar with holding babies, carefully instruct them on how to hold the baby and make sure they are sitting down with a knowing adult nearby to keep the baby safe.
   
   

Part2

Keeping Your Newborn Healthy

1. 
   1
   Give your baby "tummy time" every day. Since your baby spends so much of its time on its back, it's important to also give your baby time to stay on his tummy so that he develops both mentally and physically and strengthens his arms, head, and neck. Some doctors say babies should get 15-20 minutes of tummy time a day, while others say that you should just place your baby on his tummy for 5 minutes during different parts of the day as he develops.

   • You can start with tummy time as soon as a week after the baby is born, once the umbilical chord falls off.
   • To make tummy time fun, get level with your baby. Make eye contact, tickle your baby, and play around.
   • Tummy time is hard work, and some babies will be resistant to it. Don't be surprised -- or give in -- if this happens.
2. 
   2
   Care for your newborn's umbilical cord stump. Your baby's umbilical cord stump should fall off within the first two weeks of its life. It will change in color from a yellowish green to brown and black as it dries and falls off on its own. It's important to care for it properly before it falls off to avoid infection. Here's what you should do:^[4]

   • Keep it clean. Clean it with plain water and dry it with a clean and absorbent cloth. Make sure to wash your hands before you handle it. Stick to giving your baby sponge baths until it falls off.
   • Keep it dry. Expose it to air so the base dries out, keeping the front of your baby's diaper folded down so it is uncovered.
   • Resist the urge to pull it off. Let the stump fall off at its own pace.
   • Keep an eye out for signs of infection. It's natural to see a bit of dried blood or a little bit of crust near the stump; however, you should see a doctor immediately if the stump produces a smelly discharge or yellowish pus, continues to bleed, or is swollen and red.
3. 
   3
   Learn to soothe a crying newborn. If your baby is upset, it's not always easy to find the reason right away, through there are a few tricks you can try. Check for a wet diaper. Try feeding them. If that doesn't work, try adding a layer of clothing if it's cold out or removing a layer if it's hot. Sometimes, your baby just wants to be held, or is experiencing too much stimulation. As you get to know your newborn, you'll become better at finding what's wrong.^[5]

   • Your baby also may just need to be burped.
   • Rocking them gently and singing or humming a lullaby to them will help. Give them a pacifier if that doesn't work. They might just be tired so lay them down. Sometimes, babies just cry and you have to let them until they fall asleep.
4. 
   4
   Interact with your newborn. You can't play with the child just yet, but they do get bored like we do. Try taking them for a walk to the park once a day, talking to them, putting pictures in the room where they spend most of their time, listening to music, or taking them in the car. Remember that your baby is just a baby and is not ready for rough play; do not roughhouse or shake your baby and be as gentle as possible instead.

   • In the beginning, the most important thing you can do is to bond with your baby. This means you should stroke your baby, cradle your baby, give the baby some skin-to-skin contact, or even consider giving your baby an infant massage.
   • Babies love vocal sounds, and it's never too early to start talking, babbling, singing, or cooing with your baby. Play some music for the baby while you're bonding, or play with toys that make noise, such as rattles or mobiles.
   • Some babies are more sensitive to touch and light than others, so if your baby doesn't seem to be responding well to your attempts at bonding, then you can take it easier with the noise and lights until your baby gets used to it.
5. 
   5
   Take your newborn to the doctor regularly. Your baby will pay frequent visits to the doctor during its first year, for scheduled check-ups and shots. Many first newborn visits occur just 1-3 days after you and your baby are discharged from the hospital. After that, each doctor's program will vary slightly, but you should generally take your newborn to the doctor at least two weeks to a month after birth, after the second month, and then every other month or so. ^[6] It's important to schedule regular visits with your baby to make sure that your baby is growing normally and receiving the necessary care.^[7]

   • It's also important to pay a visit to your doctor in case you notice anything abnormal; even if you're not sure that what is happening is abnormal, you should always call the doctor's office to check.
   • Some symptoms you should look out for include:
     • Dehydration: less than three wet diapers per day, excessive sleepiness, dry mouth
     • Bowel movement problems: no movement during the first two days, white mucus in stool, flecks or streaks of red in the stool, overly high or low temperature
     • Respiratory problems: grunting, flaring of nostrils, fast or noisy breathing, chest retractions
     • Umbilical cord stump problems: pus, odor, or bleeding from stump
     • Jaundice: yellow color in the chest, body, or eyes
     • Prolonged crying: crying for over thirty minutes
     • Other illness: persistent coughing, diarrhea, paleness, forceful vomiting for more than two consecutive feedings, fewer feedings than 6 per day
6. 
   6
   Prepare to take your baby on car rides. You'll need to be prepared to take your baby on car rides before the baby is born since you'll need a way to get the baby home from the hospital. You'll need to get a car seat that is appropriate for newborns and to make sure that it is secure and safe for your baby. Though you may not need to spend a lot of time in the car with your newborn, some mothers find that taking the baby for a ride can actually help put him or her to sleep.

   • You should also get an infant seat for your baby. These seats are there to help your young baby sit up, not to help your baby be secured in a car. In this kind of seat, the base should have nonskid surfacing and should be wider than the seat, and it should have a secure locking mechanism, along with washable fabric. Never place your baby in the seat on an elevated surface that the baby can fall from.
   • As for child safety seats, make sure the seat meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard 213 and that it actually fits your child. Infants and toddles should sit in a rear-facing seat until they are at least 2 years old.

Part 3 Minimizing Stress as a New Parent

1. 
   

1. 
   1
   Get as much help as you can. If you're raising a baby solo, then you will need as much mental and emotional strength as possible. If you're lucky enough to have a spouse or a caring parent or parent-in-law, then it's important to arrange for some extra help to be there when your baby is born. If you can hire a nurse, great, but if not, just see if you can get some extra help, preferably from people who know what they're doing.

   • Even if your baby spends most of his time sleeping, you will be feeling a bit overwhelmed, and the more help you have, the more confident you'll feel about handling your baby.
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   2
   Have a strong support system. You need a good support system for your family and you. It may be a husband, boyfriend, or your own mom and dad. You need someone always there for you and your child throughout their childhood. If you're trying to raise your baby completely alone, you will be likely to run into trouble or to feel exhausted.

   • That being said, you should also establish visiting hours and rules. Having too many friends and family members show up for unexpected visits to see the baby can actually lead to more stress.
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   3
   Take care of yourself. Though it's important that you be there to take care of your baby, this does not mean that you should neglect caring for yourself. Make sure to bathe regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and to get as much sleep as you can. You and your spouse can work out a system where both of you have at least some time to take care of yourself. ^[8]

   • While this probably won't be the time for you to take up a new hobby or to start writing a memoir, you should make sure to get some exercise, see your friends at least a little bit, and just to have some "me time" when you can get it.
   • Don't think that you're being selfish by wanting a bit of time to yourself after your baby has just been born. If you take even a little bit of time to take care of yourself, you'll be a better caretaker for your baby.
   • Be easy on yourself. This is not the time to clean the whole house or lose 10 pounds.
4. 
   4
   Clear your schedule. Anything can happen, especially during the first month of your baby's life. Make sure you haven't made too many plans and that you're prepared to give your baby the time it needs. Eliminate your stress in advance by letting people know that you'll be very busy with your baby, and don't force yourself to socialize too much or to make appearances with your baby unless that's something you really want.

   • Though you should give your baby the time it needs, that doesn't mean you should be holed up in your house with your baby. Get out of the house as much as you can -- it'll be better for you and your baby. ^[9]
5. 
   5
   Get ready for the ride. Even if you feel that one day with your newborn baby is 100 hours long, you'll soon see that your baby will be over the newborn stage before you know it (people debate whether babies stop being newborns after 28 days or up to 3 months). So, be prepared for all of the emotions you will feel: intense joy at seeing your baby, a fear that you may not be doing everything right, a panic that you have lost your independence, an isolation from your childless friends. ^[10]

   • All of these feelings are perfectly natural, and any hesitations or fears you have will fade to the background as you embark on a new life with your baby.