You have put all your energy into going through the pregnancy and delivery of your baby. You are all set to start a life with a new human being whom you love to the moon and back for no specific reason. You could have read many books on parenting and taking care of a newborn’s needs but right after you come home with the baby, you are clueless and lethargic. It is okay to be in that state. However, to keep you on track, here is a list of every important tip to effectively cater to your baby’s needs:

1. Holding the baby right 

First things first, you need to know how to hold a baby properly. A newborn is fragile so you cannot hold it any way you want. You have to make sure that the back of the baby and the head must have support. Otherwise, your baby can suffer from serious injury. Whenever you are picking up your baby, put one arm under the back supporting the whole body. The other hand should go under your baby’s head. A great way for dads to safely carry and bond with their baby for extended periods of time is to use a baby sling, which also has the major advantage of keeping your hands free.

Also, make sure your hands are clean whenever you are touching or holding the baby. Since babies have a weaker immune system, they are prone to infections. Ask other people to wash hands too if they want to touch your baby. Moreover, avoid shaking the baby even gently. Instead try tickling, caressing, or blowing if you want to wake the baby up.

2. Baby’s skincare 

Babies have very fragile skin. Thus, it is of crucial importance to use the right products in the right way to nourish your baby’s skin. The best option out there is to use organic baby skincare products. The basic skincare includes moisturizer, body lotion, body wash, and shampoo. The most important thing is to make sure your baby is clean all the time and is moisturized well. So, you should never go out of at least body wash and lotion. Make sure you are not using anything with pungent fragrance because it can be irritating. You also must not use any adult products on your baby. Try to listen to your baby’s body and act accordingly.

3. Bonding 

Bonding is the greatest part of parenting. It happens right after the mother gives birth. The baby is put at the mother’s breast for a while before it is taken away for cleaning and care. This bonding should continue for a few months after the baby is born. Keeping the baby close to your skin is important, and using a good baby wrap is a great way for dads to bond skin-to-skin. There are various ways to bond with your child. It helps to build a strong connection between your kid and you. Also, it helps a kid grow mentally and even physically. Kids are receptive to sound too so talking to them while holding them skin-to-skin can put a great effect on them.

4. Diapering properly 

It is your choice if you want to use clothes or diapers for your newborn. The cloth is a better option for a newborn because the baby’s skin is way too sensitive. However, now we have amazing disposable diapers that work great for newborns. You can opt for disposable diapers too if you are more comfortable with that. However, the more important thing is that you clean the genitals of your kids appropriately. Clean them with soft wipes and then use cotton balls. Also, use an ointment to prevent any rashes or infections.

5. Bathing your baby 

Do not bathe the baby until the umbilical cord and circumcision have healed completely. Till then, wash your baby up with a wet cloth. Use fragrance-free soap and shampoo to wash the body but clean that off with a wet cloth. Make sure you are gentle on your kid’s body. They do not require any sponges. However, there are soft ones in the market for your baby. So, you can opt for them if they are super soft. Also, whenever you start bathing them in the tub or the sink, it is better to do it with lukewarm water.

6. Dressing your baby 

It is normal for you to dress your baby in beautiful clothes. However, only dress your baby in soft and weather-appropriate clothes. Also, make sure they are wearing the right size so that they can be comfortable. Remember, your newborns can easily get cold because their bodies are so fragile. So, make sure you are listening to their bodies and understanding their signs all the time.

7. About feeding and burping 

It is important to decide if you would breastfeed your baby or go with formula feeding. It is your choice to make as a mother and there is no shame in opting out of breastfeeding if you are not comfortable with that option. Feeding your baby can be tricky. You should just listen to their cues of hunger and feed them accordingly. Once you have fed them, make sure to burp them because it is extremely important.

8. Caring for umbilical cord and circumcision 

The umbilical cord has to be taken care of until that stump dries off and falls. It takes around 2-3 weeks to heal. So is the case with circumcision. You have to make sure that you keep the naval and penis away from water so that it can heal properly and immediately. Your doctor will give you advice on how to take care of both these wounds. Follow those instructions carefully and your baby will be fine in no time.  

9. Sleeping   

Your newborn sleeps for around 15 hours. However, since they eat almost every 3-4 hours, they wake up whenever they feel hungry. This is the reason which makes you think that they do not sleep at all. Just make sure the lights are dim and there is no noise when they are sleeping. Also, it is important for you as parents to sleep properly. The best way to do so is by aligning your sleep cycle with your kids.

Conclusion

Taking care of the newborn and managing your sleep can be exhausting but it will eventually become easier in a few weeks. Do not panic at every situation and try to observe your child as much as possible to be able to cater to his/her needs. Go with the flow. Your baby will do okay. Happy Parenting!