Baby Care
Welcoming a new baby in to your family is a super busy time. Here are a few tips on the basics of baby care, if it’s your first or a new sibling lets talk about some of the small things you can do to make it a little sweeter.
1. Sleep
Sleeping has such a big impact on all aspects of life for you and your little one. Your baby’s sleep schedule will fluctuate as they grow, as they grow they start to sleeping for longer stretches. Try to get a nap in when your baby is napping its ok to ask for help if you feel overly tired or frustrated, HopkinsMedicine suggests you avoid caffeine and not use electronics before bed, take an hour or two before bed to start your nightly routine and try to stay on somewhat of a schedule. We know easier said than done but take little steps to improve your sleep it will make a difference in your overall mental and physical health. We as well as many others recommend sleep sacks not blankets and pillows and always back to sleep.
2. Feeding
Feedings might take over your whole day, try to remember this is a time to bond with your baby they are only small for a moment. Enjoy their tiny hands and toes and the quiet time with them. If you are breastfeeding remember to position you and your baby in a comfortable position for both of you. Burp your baby after every feeding until 4-6 months of age. There are so many tools that can help in the feeding process Nursing Pillows, Nursing Bras, Breast Pumps, Bottles, Nipple Shields, Nipple Ointment, Lactation Supply Boosters. Check out our Top 7 Breastfeeding Tools Article to give you a little more information on these tools. Basics of it all babies will eat about every two hours and They will show signs if they are getting enough at each feeding by the wet and poopy diapers they have and their weight gain. If you are having trouble dont hesitate to reach out to your Health Care Provider.
3. Diaper Time
Using cloth or disposable? The basics of diapers are the Absorption, Leakage, Comfort, Durability and Cost, along with that comes the diaper rash cream and wipes. Most newborns hate cold wipes and are very vocal about it. There are many wipe warmers to choose from we have a list of those along with the top diapers. Diaper rash can occur at anytime so be prepared with your choice of diaper rash cream. check out our article on top diaper rash creams. A little note for new moms be ready with the new diaper and new clothing newborns usually pee randomly and boys pee like a sprinkler and it gets everywhere so as soon as you undo the diaper cover them up with another or a peepee teepee.
4. Clothing
In the first months you will use many sets of clothing due to spit up blow outs and other unforeseen incidents. The cute outfits will get too small too fast use them and if someone asks why your baby is all dressed up to go to the grocery store just say life is an adventure and we are ready for it, but really it’s no ones business. Never feel like you need to impress anyone make sure you and your baby are comfortable and dressed appropriate for the weather.
5. Shoes and Socks
Shoes are cute, do you need them? No but if you have them just remember small feet rarely keep shoes or socks on them so sport them if you got them but you don’t need to run out and buy them.
6. Blankets
Baby blankets we love them they are soft and seem like the perfect thing for naqapping always use caution when using blankets and soft snuggly things for sleep.
7. Diaper Bag
Always have your diaper bag packed with diapers of course wipes daiper cream extra socks extra onesie (the clothing will change as they grow), extra pacifier if you use one toys (we suggest toys that are saved only for outings), snacks including formula or breastmilk and a snack for yourself, water Bottles tablet check out our other post on diaper bag alternatives and diaper bags for different ages.
8. Advice
Many moms love to share their stories and love to hear stories from other moms, so listen and share your story may a help a mom who feels all alone. as fun as it is to share we have to be respectful of our boundaries as well as the boundaries of others. To all our readers we send love and health.
Welcome Again
Welcome to a journey that grows everyday and teaches things we thought we knew and has us saying things we never thought we would. To many this journey is all they ever dreamed of to others its a sweet surprise no matter how you came to this journey we welcome you with open minds and open hearts.
