10 Newborn Care Tips
The arrival of the baby brings a lot of news and changes for a family. With this, doubts and insecurities also become part of the daily lives of parents and caregivers of the newborn. Therefore, it is important to consult a pediatrician in the first days of the newborn’s life. But to give you a hand, we’ve put together some valuable tips for caring for the youngest member of the family.
- Neonatal exams and first vaccinations are the starting point
In the first days of life, the newborn needs to undergo tests called neonatal screening . These tests are able to check for congenital disease (disease from birth or before birth), syndrome or any other threat to the baby’s health and allow treatment to be done earlier.
Among these tests are the little foot test , the little ear test , the little heart test and the tongue test, many are carried out in the maternity ward, some are offered by the SUS and others only in private clinics.
In addition to newborn screening tests, newborn vaccines, BCG and Hepatitis B, should be at the top of the family’s priority list.
- Breastfeeding is more than food
Breast milk is a source of nutrients and protection for the newborn. However, breastfeeding is also a source of attachment and security for the baby. Furthermore, breastfeeding greatly contributes to the bond between mother and baby.
Ideally, breastfeeding takes place minutes after delivery, in the so-called Golden Hour.
Therefore, it is important that the first contact between the baby and the mother’s breast takes place, preferably, in the delivery room. And even if breastfeeding does not take place effectively at this time , it is essential to encourage skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby because this facilitates breastfeeding.
- At home, avoid receiving visitors
Doctors generally do not recommend visits within the first month of a baby’s life. This is because the baby has a still fragile immune system and may be more susceptible to illness. Added to this, the COVID-19 pandemic intensified this restriction of visits to newborns. Therefore, recommend to family and friends that they wait for the most opportune time to visit the baby. - The first bath at home
A baby’s first bath can leave the family insecure. But here’s a step by step so you don’t have any doubts. First, keep everything you’ll need nearby – soap, towel, diaper and baby clothes. When preparing the bath, leave the water warm, 36 degrees is a comfortable temperature.
Some experts recommend for first baths that the baby’s body be wrapped in a towel or cloth diaper so that the head is washed first. Then dry the newborn’s head and wash the body gently. In addition, it is worth remembering that the baby should not receive the first bath right after birth, as the vernix caseosa is an important protective barrier against diseases.
- Care of the baby’s belly button
The newborn’s navel should be cleaned at each diaper change.
In general, the remnant of the umbilical cord (umbilical stump ) falls by the 15th day after the baby is born. Until then, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the base of the baby, which is closer to the skin, with each diaper change. For cleaning, use a flexible swab with a cotton tip soaked in 70% alcohol. It’s natural to notice a little blood coming out. - Baby is yellow, is this normal?
It is common for some babies to have jaundice in the first few days of life. Jaundice happens because of the immaturity of the baby’s liver, causing an accumulation of bilirubin that peaks around the 7th day of life.
After that, the baby’s skin and mucous membranes gradually return to normal. Therefore, if the yellow skin color remains, it is important to take the baby to the pediatrician to check the causes of jaundice.
- Colic and gas can arise
The cramps are part of the natural process of intestinal adaptation baby. In general, they start from the third week after the birth of the newborn. Despite being normal, colic bothers the baby a lot and this causes a lot of concern for families.
However, it is possible to alleviate the discomfort of cramps with massage, warm compresses and medications that should be prescribed by a pediatrician. It is important to remember that warm compresses should never be placed directly on the baby’s skin.
- Safe sleep
The newborn’s sleep will, over time, undergo many changes.
The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep with their parents throughout the first year of life. For this, the family can choose to place the baby’s crib in the same room or make a shared bed, as long as it is safe and with the proper guidelines of the pediatrician.
Added to this, it is interesting that the family starts to perform a routine before the baby sleeps. Even if the baby sleeps for long periods in the first weeks of life, it is beneficial that sleep hygiene takes place before nighttime sleep. Remember that sleep hygiene is not the same as sleep training and this second is not recommended.
- Cut baby’s nails!
Currently, pediatricians do not recommend the use of gloves for newborns. That’s because the gloves prevent the baby from moving around and exploring the environment in a true way. Therefore, it is important that the baby’s nails are trimmed weekly, as they can end up hurting the newborn’s little face. - Caregivers also need care
The arrival of the baby brings many changes to the routine at home. It is a time of challenges and fatigue for parents, especially for the mother, who breastfeeds and is often overwhelmed. In addition, in the puerperium, women go through hormonal, psychological and physical changes that need to be welcomed and respected by everyone around them.
Therefore, a woman who has just given birth needs time to rest, take a shower, nap and eat in a peaceful way. So, the father and the family need to actively participate in the care of the newborn and in the organization of the home. So Mom, ask for help and understand that you don’t have to handle everything alone!