Being a new parent can be the most exciting time in your life yet the most frightening at the same time. With a new baby comes new responsibilities. Babies require lots of attention and care with their needs to be fed, changed, cuddled, and kept warm. At first, this can be an overwhelming job but the more you do it, the easier it will become. Here are a few tips to help make this new job a little less challenging.

DIAPERING

One of the biggest decisions new parents must make is which type of diaper they will use. Cloth diapers are environmentally friendly since they can be washed and reused rather than thrown away causing unnecessary trash to fill up the landfills, but for some parents, this is not a good choice due to the inconvenience these can be. A more convenient option for the on-the-go parent is the disposable diaper. These can be packed and taken on outings, daycare, or anywhere else baby may go. No matter which choice you make, it is important to change baby frequently to make sure wetness is not left to irritate their skin. Babies will generally go through 8-10 diapers a day. If you find your baby is not using at least 6 diapers a day, let your doctor know to be sure baby is not dehydrated.

DRESSING AND BATHING

Babies should be bathed at least every 2-3 days with a mild soap and baby shampoo. At first babies need to only have sponge baths until the umbilical area has healed. Wiping the umbilical cord with alcohol after each bath and diaper change will help it to heal faster and prevent infection. Once the cord has healed, tub baths can be given. Always keep a warm soft towel close at hand to wrap baby in immediately following the bath.

Since babies can’t add or remove clothing themselves, you must dress them appropriate for the environment they will be in. Since temperatures can sometimes fluctuate, layer clothes so that as the temperature changes, clothing can be removed or added easily. Babies lose a lot of heat through their heads so hats are good when they are very little.

FEEDING

Another major choice new parent’s must make is whether or not to breastfeed. Studies have found that breastfeeding is great for both mother and for baby. When babies breastfeed, they are getting additional nutrients and immunities from the mother’s milk that can help prevent them from illnesses. Not all mothers feel comfortable nursing or find that it is too inconvenient as they return to work after baby is born. Many find they prefer to bottle feed as this allows the father, siblings, or other family members to be more involved in baby’s care. Please always be comfortable with whichever method you choose. The important thing to remember is that baby will need to be fed every 1-2 hours at first as their stomachs are still small and will not hold much. As baby grows and their stomachs mature, they will need less frequent feedings.

Newborn babies are small and fragile but with basic daily care, lots of cuddles, and tons of love, your newborn baby will grow big and strong. If in doubt on caring for your infant, feel free to contact your pediatrician. They will be happy to give you addition tips on ensuring your baby stays healthy.