Tips For Parents Of A 1
Welcome to your new life as a parent! Youve made it through many weeks of pregnancy and then childbirth and you now have a bundle of joy to show for it.
That also means you may have a host of postpartum symptoms to show for it, too from hemorrhoids, incontinence and vaginal soreness , to constipation, backache and sore nipples .
As your body recovers and your newborn settles into a routine, you will start to feel human again. In the meantime, try to put your aches, pains, fatigue and worries aside and enjoy this wonderful time with your new baby. Gaze into her eyes, stroke her soft skin, smell her sweet scent and know that life will never be the same again for good reason.
Do I Need A Newborn Feeding Schedule
The good news is that this frequent feeding helps initiate and build your milk supply.7 So the more your baby feeds, the more milk youll make. Therefore you shouldnt worry about planning a newborn feeding schedule as this may reduce his opportunities to feed. Just concentrate on breastfeeding when your baby gives you hunger cues,8 such as:
- stirring from his sleep
- turning his head when he feels something on his cheek
- poking his tongue out
- trying to eat his hand
- getting grizzly
- starting to whine
- crying
Crying is a late sign of hunger, so if in doubt offer your baby your breast. It can be harder to breastfeed your baby once he has started crying, especially at this early stage when youre both still learning. As he gets older, hes likely to feed faster and less often, so breastfeeding should start to feel more manageable.
What Do I Do If My Baby Has Cold Symptoms Or A Fever
Testing your baby is similar to testing yourself. Babies can often get PCR tests in the same places where you will be tested, or you can use a rapid antigen test on them.
If you are using a RAT its important to check its for the correct age group, as not all RATs can be used on children. It will say on the packet whether it is suitable. Otherwise ask your pharmacist for the correct test for your childs age.
Its also important to follow the specific instructions for the test you have purchased, as not all will be the same.
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Their Little Fire Hoses
Obviously, boys plumbing is different than girls plumbing. With little baby boys, be careful when diapering or taking them out of the bath, because their little fire hoses can go off whenever . From personal experience, dont bother with those pee pee teepee things. Once your son pees on you for the first time, youll become a diaper changing ninja.
Getting To Know Your New Baby
How do we look after our baby’s umbilical cord? How much can our baby see? Why are their genitals swollen?
Newborn babies do not come with an instruction manual, and you’re bound to have lots of questions about their behaviour and appearance to begin with.
You’ll find some of the answers you need in getting to know your newborn.
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You Will Be Exhausted
You might have already spent the last few days in labour without sleep, and things only get worse. Your little babe is relying on you to do everything for them, and in the first few weeks they dont know what a routine is and you will have to fit in with their needs day or night. Dont be afraid to sleep when they sleep, after all, you need your rest too- so if the house is a mess or the washing needs doing, just leave it for someone else to do. Looking back, I wish I had not put so much pressure on myself to do things when my baby was asleep, and instead used the time for more sleepy cuddles. They really arent small for long so cherish every moment!
What To Expect After Baby Is Born: Your Guide To The First Month
When your baby is born, youre filled with love, joy…and exhaustion. Childbirth is tiring. Afterwards youre faced with the equally exhausting task of caring for your little one. The first month of your childs life is full of amazing moments, but also challenges and new experiences.
So, welcome to the fourth trimester!
Unlike the babies of other mammals, like horses, who can walk hours after birth, human babies are completely helpless. Scientists believe that babies are born after just 9 months in the womb because if they were born any later, their head wouldnt fit through the birth canal. Yet, babies need care and growth as if they were still in the womb for the first few months after birth. This is why many refer to the first months of babys life as the fourth trimester.
What can you expect?
The first few weeks of life with baby are magical, stressful and exhausting. Find out what you can expect in the first month so that youre not surprised by the basics of caring for yourself and baby:
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Coping With Your Baby
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby, and whilst people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood , there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
The greatest challenges that parents commonly experience in their first weeks of parenthood include:
These are common challenges faced by many mothers and fathers, yet often new parents dont seek practical and/or emotional help early, and hence their impact can build up over time, placing you and your partner and baby under even greater stress.
I felt like I was already a failure as breastfeeding was not working well and I didnt want to have to admit to anyone any more failing. I was already feeling little bond with the baby, thinking that I was a horrible, useless mother.
Its important to remember that these issues are common and with help can be mastered, or alternatives found to help you cope and reduce your level of distress.
What To Expect With A Newborn Week By Week
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Hey mom-to-be! Theres a lot you might not know yet about your newborn and what to expect with a newborn week by week and how to survive the newborn stage.
Your body and your baby will go through so many changes in those first few weeks, and its hard to know how to prepare yourself.
In the first week of his life, your baby will be sleepy and less alert. Over the following weeks, hell become more alert to his surroundings, start developing more of a sleep and feeding schedule, and begin gaining muscle strength. He may also start to interact more with sounds and expressions.
But for now, you can focus on just getting through, day-by-day and week-by-week, as you and your baby go through this life-altering, incredible rollercoaster together. Keep reading to find out what you can expect week-by-week with your newborn.
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Make Peace With Your New Normal
You likely wont have the energy to socialize like you did pre-baby, so talk with your partner about which visitors will make the cut. Its okay to make some people wait. Eager pals can help in other ways: Accept their homemade soups, let them walk the dog, and welcome their groceries. They can peek at your baby then.
As far as chores go, you might find you cant get much done. Caring for a baby is time-consuming,says Deborah Ledley, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Becoming a Calm Mom. Feeding alone takes eight hours. Thats a full days work!
Be realistic. You might set one non-baby-related goal everyday, like doing a load of laundry or writing two thank-you cards. If your baby doesnt want to be put down, use a swing or wear him in a carrier as you check off your to-do list. If you cant manage to keep your home tidy, let yourself off the hook.
Managing household chores has been the most stressful part since our second child was born, says Drea Dalzell, of Sartell, Minnesota. I remember to ask for help and rely on my in-laws for that extra bit of sanity. I may be less focused on cleaning, but Id rather spend time with my girls.”
What To Expect From A Newborn
what to expect from a newborn? Your newborn will sleep most of the time, waking up every few hours to feed. Newborns cant sleep through the night. They have tiny tummies, so they need to wake and feed often. Most newborns feed every 2-4 hours, and they have around 8-12 feeds every 24 hours.
Is cup feeding good for baby?Cup feeding can be used from birth. It is suitable for both expressed breastmilk and infant formula. You can use any clean, open cup with a smooth surface. Cup feeding has no notable difference to bottles for average time per feed.
Why cup feeding is recommended? Cup Feeding Prevents Misalignment of Teeth and Abnormal Development of the Jaws. Feeding bottles are known to alter the way teeth and jaws develop in babies. The different sucking mechanism from artificial teats can cause misalignment of the teeth as the babies grow.
When is cup feeding appropriate? Its appropriate for the youngest babies. In lower-resource countries cup feeding is often used with babies born prematurely, as early as 29 weeks gestation. This method may also helpful for babies who have low birth weight or have certain medical issues, like a cleft palate.
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Why Is There Hair On My Babys Back And Shoulders
Some babies are born without eyebrows or eyelashes and with barely any hair on their head. Hair follicles develop at different rates, so it may take a month or two for them to grow in.
Other babies are born with a lot of hair all over their body, especially their shoulders and back. This is called lanugo it forms within the womb to protect a babys skin and regulate body temperature. The excess hair typically sheds within the first week or two. If your baby was born prematurely, it might hang on a little longer.
What Kind Of Tests Will My Newborn Baby Get
The newborn screenings your baby will most likely undergo include:
- A rating on the Apgar scale: This simple and essential assessment of babys condition is done between one and five minutes after birth.
- A congenital heart disease screening: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends, and some states require, screening tests soon after birth for congenital heart defects. This condition, which affects 1 in 100 babies, can lead to disability or death if not caught and treated in time. Happily, when a baby gets a diagnosis and treatment early, those risks are reduced significantly and, in most cases, completely.
- 21 types of blood screens: A single blood test looks for at least 21 serious genetic, metabolic, hormonal and functional disorders, including PKU, hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, biotinidase deficiency, maple syrup urine disease, galactosemia, homocystinuria, medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, and sickle cell anemia. Although most of these conditions are very rare, they can be life-threatening if they go undetected and untreated.
- A hearing test: For 2 to 4 out of every 1,000 babies born each year in the U.S., the sense of hearing, so integral to the development of speech and language, is impaired. Since a deficit can affect so many aspects of a childs development, early diagnosis and treatment are key, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses the test for all newborn babies.
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Caring For Your Newborn Step Three Cuddling
There are many ways to comfort a baby, and none of them are correct. Try as many ways as you can and see what works. But remember, the technique that works on Monday may not work on Tuesday. And the technique that works from weeks 1-3, may not work in week 4.
When your newborn is unsettled, try to cuddle them in different ways on their tummies, on your shoulders, curled in your arms or on their backs.
Swaddling is a great way to make them feel secure and encourage sleep. But not all babies will like this.
Singing or using white noise machines can also be helpful.
Some, in the early weeks, just need to be held for most of the time, and that is ok too.
Why Does Mama Cat Keep Leaving Her Kittens
Even though they wont be ready to leave their mom for a few more weeks, its the beginning of their adult diet. So, if she leaves around this marker, its because she knows the kittens are just fine. Remember, your mother cat has just been tirelessly raising a litterand shes probably enjoying her lengthy breaks.
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Circumcision And Umbilical Cord Care
Immediately after circumcision, the tip of the penis is usually covered with gauze coated with petroleum jelly to keep the wound from sticking to the diaper. Gently wipe the tip clean with warm water after a diaper change, then apply petroleum jelly to the tip so it doesn’t stick to the diaper. Redness or irritation of the penis should heal within a few days, but if the redness or swelling increases or if pus-filled blisters form, infection may be present and you should call your baby’s doctor immediately.
Umbilical cord care in newborns is also important. Some doctors suggest swabbing the area with rubbing alcohol until the cord stump dries up and falls off, usually in 10 days to 3 weeks, but others recommend leaving the area alone. Talk to your child’s doctor to see what he or she prefers.
An infant’s navel area shouldn’t be submerged in water until the cord stump falls off and the area is healed. Until it falls off, the cord stump will change color from yellow to brown or black this is normal. Call your doctor if the navel area looks red or if a foul odor or discharge develops.
Getting Help After The Birth
Consider getting help during this time, which can be very hectic and overwhelming. While in the hospital, talk to the experts around you. Many hospitals have feeding specialists or lactation consultants who can help you get started nursing or bottle-feeding. Nurses also are a great resource to show you how to hold, burp, change, and care for your baby.
For in-home help, you might want to hire a baby nurse, postpartum doula, or a responsible neighborhood teen to help you for a short time after the birth. Your doctor or the hospital can help you find information about in-home help, and might make a referral to home health agencies.
Relatives and friends often want to help too. Even if you disagree on certain things, don’t dismiss their experience. But if you don’t feel up to having guests or you have other concerns, don’t feel guilty about placing restrictions on visitors.
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