Infant and Newborn Care
Caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Use these common-sense strategies to keep stress under control.
A newborn will bring a whirlwind of activity and excitement to your home — and plenty of stress and fatigue as well. Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned veteran, newborn infant care can be overwhelming. Use simple stress strategies to keep your stress under control.
Adjusting to life with a newborn care
Round-the-clock baby care can turn your life upside down. Appreciate the joy your newborn brings to your life — and cope with the rest one day at a time. Consider these practical tips:
- Take care of yourself. Resist the urge to count caffeine as a major food group. Instead, eat healthy foods, drink plenty of water and get some fresh air. Do something you enjoy every day, either with your baby or on your own. Good habits will help you maintain the energy you need for newborn baby care.
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep is at a premium right now. Grab it when you can! Sleep when your baby sleeps. Work out a nighttime schedule with your partner that allows both of you to rest and care for the baby.
- Establish visiting hours. Friends and loved ones may come out of the woodwork to admire your newborn. Let them know what time works best — and ask anyone who's ill to stay home. When you have visitors, don't be afraid to set aside your social graces. Let them care for the baby while you get some much needed rest.
- Go with the flow. It's never too early to establish a routine, but let your baby set the pace. Allow plenty of time each day for nursing sessions, naps and crying spells. Keep scheduled activities to a minimum. When you need to head out, give yourself extra time to pack your supplies and change the inevitable out-the-door dirty diaper.
- Expect a roller coaster of emotions. You may go from adoring your newborn and marveling at tiny fingers and toes to grieving your loss of independence and worrying about your ability to care for a newborn — all in the space of a single diaper change.
- Share your feelings. Chances are, you and your partner are both tired and anxious. Talking about what's bothering you — such as a strained budget or difficulty soothing the baby — can help you stay connected. A shared laugh may help lighten the mood.
- Accept a helping hand. When friends and loved ones offer to help, take them up on it. Suggest holding the baby, folding the laundry, running a few errands — whatever would help you the most.
- Relax your standards. Hide the broom and leave dust bunnies where they lie. Store clean clothes in the laundry basket until you need them — or in piles on the floor, for that matter. Clean the bathroom with a fresh diaper wipe. And yes, cold cereal is acceptable dinner fare.
- Get out of the house. If you're going stir-crazy with a fussy newborn, take the baby out for a walk. If you can, let someone else take over for a while.
- Nurture other relationships. Your newborn needs your love and attention, but you won't let your baby down by spending time with others. Set aside one-on-one time with your other children. Schedule dates with your partner. Meet a friend for lunch or a movie.
- Keep your perspective. The newborn days won't last long. Step back and appreciate the moment — even amid the chaos.
Parenting is a challenge — even on a good day. If you're depressed or you're having trouble adjusting to life with a newborn child care, consult your health care provider or a mental health professional. Learning to handle the new stress in your life can help you enjoy the priceless riches parenting has to offer.
How you feed your newborn is the first nutrition decision you will make for your child. Take a closer look at these guidelines for breastfeeding and bottle-feeding so you can make an informed decision.
Breast or Bottle?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other professional groups concerned with the care of newborns advocate breastfeeding as best for your baby. Specifically, the AAP recommends that babies be breastfed exclusively for about the first 6 months. Following the introduction of solid foods, breastfeeding should continue through the first year of life and beyond, if desired.
Breastfeeding may not be possible or preferable for all women. Deciding to breastfeed or bottle-feed a baby is usually based on the mother's comfort level with breastfeeding as well as her lifestyle, but breastfeeding may not be recommended for some mothers and babies. If you have any questions about whether to breastfeed your child, talk to your pediatrician.
Remember, your baby's nutritional and emotional needs will be met whether you choose to breastfeed or formula-feed.
Breastfeeding Advantages
Breastfeeding your newborn has many advantages. Perhaps most important, breast milk is the perfect food for a human baby's digestive system. It contains the vitamins and minerals that a newborn requires, and all of its components — lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat — are easily digested by a newborn's immature system. Commercial formulas try to imitate breast milk, and come close, but the exact composition cannot be duplicated.
Also, breast milk contains antibodies that help protect infants from a wide variety of infectious diseases, including diarrhea. Studies suggest that breastfed babies are less likely to develop certain medical problems, including diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, and allergies. Breastfeeding may also decrease the chances that the child will become overweight or obese.
Breastfeeding is great for moms, too. It burns calories and helps shrink the uterus, so nursing moms get back into shape quicker. Breastfeeding may also protect mom from breast and ovarian cancer.
Some moms find breastfeeding easier and quicker than formula-feeding; it needs no preparation, and you don't run out of breast milk in the middle of the night. Also, breastfeeding costs little. Nursing mothers do need to eat more and may want to buy nursing bras and pads, a breast pump, or other equipment. But these expenses are generally less than the cost of formula.
Breastfeeding meets a variety of emotional needs for both moms and babies — the skin-to-skin contact can enhance the emotional connection, and providing complete nourishment can help a new mother feel confident in her ability to care for her newborn.
Information Obtained From National Institute Of Health