Being a parent is a full-time job which implies endless hours of constant care while being sleep-deprived for days. However, when you get your “paycheck” from time to time, consisting of millions of smiles and love, you feel refreshed. The toughest thing is that no one can train you for this and you face numerous challenges every day, seeing your little one growing up.
Learning how to take care of your baby is one of the most important steps in becoming a good parent. That’s why MomCrib is here to help you with some tips and tricks. At times, you may get confused when it comes to your little angel’s development. Your newborn baby needs frequent feeding and it may have different sleeping patterns than you would expect.
Feeding Habits
Your one-month-old baby needs to be fed several times during the day and they may also wake you up in the middle of the night. Specialists argue that mothers should consider feeding their babies six times per day. Nevertheless, if you choose to breastfeed your baby, you may need to do it about 12 times a day.
Breastfeeding your baby for the first time will not be easy. At first, your newborn child might reject your breast and the feeding job might become harder than you think. You might experience sore nipples and you may need a warm washcloth when you experience blocked ducts. The heat will help the milk flow. However, if you experience this, you should use a cold pack.
Holding Your Baby
When you see your baby for the first time, you will surely be nervous and excited, and your hands might get all shaky. The most important thing when holding your newborn is to support their head. When picking him or her up, make sure you hold firmly the neck and the head. In these areas, babies have little muscle development and that is why it is extremely important to support the area when lifting them.
If you do not follow the steps mentioned above, the baby may get injured. Pick them up delicately and cradle their head when lifting. You will also notice that a baby’s skull will not completely close until they are about two years old. Hence, you will notice soft spots on the baby’s head. You should not worry about it since the membrane covering them is pretty strong.
Diaper Changing
This may be the easy part since you will immediately know when it’s time to change your baby’s diaper. A full diaper may irritate your baby’s skin if you leave it on for too long. You need to make sure that you check the baby’s diaper every two hours. Lots of problems may occur if you do not change the diaper properly. An improperly placed diaper can cause pinching, chafing, and leaks.
When changing your baby, place them flat on their back and do not leave them unattended because they may roll away. Open the diaper and use a wet washcloth or wet baby wipes to clean your baby, place it in the diaper and them slide it out from under them. You will become so good at it that you will be able to do it in your sleep.
Soothing
A baby’s cry can mean a lot of things and it may be hard to decipher. However, you will learn it all by trial or error. When trying to soothe your crying baby, you have to mimic the womb. You should hold the baby on their sides while swinging, shushing and swaddling them. All these can generate a calming reflex.
Another method you could use to soothe your baby is by playing some music. Make sure you choose soft, calming music. You may also need to try tricks like lunges or knee bends while holding your baby. If none of these methods works, prepare a warm bath for your little angel.
Exploring the World
When preparing the stroller and the nursery bag, make sure you are well-equipped for any situation. A walk in the park would be perfect, but if you want to reach public places, choose a spot that is more likely to welcome a baby. You should try a bookstore or a library. Before stepping outside, make sure you have plenty of diapers.
Besides baby clothes and all the needed accessories, you should also consider getting some changes for yourself. No one would like to walk around wearing a T-shirt with plenty of stains. Do not try to stick to a plan, just go with the flow and fully enjoy motherhood.
No one could say that they are fully prepared to become a parent. If someone says so, they do not know what challenges it could bring. Surprisingly, your newborn baby will teach you a lot of things. Even if motherhood might become overwhelming, try to see the bright side.
You will learn how to become a better parent along the way, by experiencing difficult situations and reading numerous tips and tricks. Keep in mind the fact that no matter how difficult your days may be, your baby’s smiles are the greatest reward you could get.
