As you go through pregnancy, labor, and delivery, finally, your baby is here. Now you`re ready to start life with your baby and enjoy motherhood. Every day brings new and exciting adventures that make your child becomes more alert and flexible. Every experience will help your child learn more about the world. A baby`s developmental stages include rolling, clapping, and babbling. As they grow, your baby becomes more aware of its surroundings.
Here are a few insights we have created through our experience that might help you. Even the most anxious and new parents feel confident caring for their newborn.
Getting Help After Childbirth
Talk to our gynecologist about any concerns for baby care and problems after giving birth. Our hospital has a nutritionist or lactation consultant who can help you start breastfeeding or formula feeding. Our nurses will guide you on holding, burping, changing, and caring for your baby.
When you need help at home, you must appoint a pediatric nurse or a responsible person to help you shortly after your birth. Our doctor or hospital can help you find home help information and refer you to a home health agency.
Handling a newborn
It would help if you spent a lot of time with your Newborn; their vulnerability can be frightening. Here are some basics to remember:
- Practice good hygiene before holding your baby. Newborns do not have a robust immune system, so they are at high risk of infection.
- Support your child`s head and neck while holding.
- Never shake your Newborn, either during play or in frustration. Tremors can lead to brain hemorrhage and even death.
- Ensure your child is securely fastened to the carrier, stroller, or car seat. Limit any activity that might be jerky or stretchy.
Remember, your newborn isn`t that strong and ready for rough play.
Developments in six months
Your child will grow and develop day by day. As your child`s strengths and preferences emerge, keep in mind these general milestones of your child`s development.
Develop motor skills.
As your baby grows, you will soon notice your baby`s movements. As your baby gains muscle strength, they will better control his head. Most babies this age hold their heads up when lying on their stomachs. They may even try to lift themselves or add weight to their legs. Around six months, many babies start to sit up independently after being helped up.
Improve hand-eye coordination.
Your baby may grab your fingers, rattle, or other soft objects. Anything within reach can end up in a child`s mouth. You may notice your baby pulling on things with their hands to get closer.
A clearer view. Your baby is beginning to be able to distinguish between colors and objects. More complex patterns and shapes can be enjoyed. You may notice your child is concentrating on a toy or staring at his reflection.
Rave and other new sounds. Babies at this age often start chattering with strings of consonants. Your baby can respond to sounds by making sounds and expressing joy in their voice. He can also discern emotions by tone of voice and begins to respond with "no." Your child may even recognize your name.
Mental development
At this age, learning and play are inseparable. However, it doesn`t take expensive educational toys or a lot of effort to get your child`s attention.
Health and Development Check
Your baby may reach some developmental milestones earlier or a little later than others; this is normal. However, you need to know some signs or symptoms of a problem. See your child`s doctor if you are concerned about your or your child`s development:
- Stiff or tense muscles.
- Floppy
- Reach with one hand
- No head control
- Not responding to sounds, such as being startled by a sudden loud noise
- Do not put things in your mouth or bring things into your mouth
- Do not try to roll over or sit down
- Having one or more eyes that keep turning in or out
- Don`t chatter
- Don’t like to be around people or smile spontaneously.
Trust your intuition. The sooner a problem is identified, the faster it can be resolved. Most importantly, be happy with your child`s discoveries and abilities.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is essential for your babies’ health. Immunization is the best way to protect your baby against diseases like measles, rubella, tetanus, and meningitis. Your baby needs to be vaccinated at eight weeks, then 12 weeks, 16 weeks, and one year. Vaccinations are offered free of charge. Just book your appointments. Remember, protect your baby; you`re also protecting other babies and children by preventing the spread of disease.
Newborn screening tests
We offer newborn screening tests for your baby soon after they are born. Doctors recommend these screening tests. This is because these tests can help ensure that your baby is given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible if needed. It is essential to think carefully about whether you want to have these screening tests. However, your decisions always will be respected; professionals will support you or ask our gynecologist for more information about newborn screening tests.
Mothers and Newborn Care Basics;
Bonding and soothing
Intimacy is perhaps one of the most enjoyable parts of baby care. Physical intimacy can enhance emotional connection. For babies, attachment helps their physical and emotional development. Gentle strokes and kisses can help your child feel safe, secure, and loved. Whisper or sing soothing songs as you hold your baby.
Circumcision and Cord Care
After birth, circumcision is a painful thing for boys. Once done, the area is usually covered with petroleum jelly to prevent the wound from becoming infected. The redness or inflammation of the site should clear up within a few days, but if the redness or swelling increases or develops pus-filled blisters, it may be an infection. Contact our child`s specialist right away.
It is also essential to take care of your newborn`s umbilical cord. Our doctors recommend the area should clean with spirit until the umbilical cord stump dries and falls off, usually within ten days to 3 weeks, but others recommend not touching the area.
Call our doctor if the belly button area is red or if there is a foul odor or discharge.
Feeding and burping
Newborn babies need to be breastfed after every two to three hours. Some Newborns may need to get up every few hours to ensure they have enough food. Babies often swallow air while feeding, which can make them anxious. To help prevent this, burp your baby frequently. If your baby is prone to gas, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or appears fussy at feedings, try burping every ounce when bottle feeding or every 5 minutes when breastfeeding.
Hiccup tricks:
- Hold your baby with its head on your shoulder. Support your baby`s head and back while gently patting his back with your other hand.
- Have your baby sit on your lap.
- Lay your child face down on your lap. Support your baby`s head, ensure it`s higher than your chest, and gently pat or rub his back.
If your baby doesn`t burp after a few minutes, change your baby`s position and try burping for a few more minutes before feeding again. After providing, be sure to burp your baby and keep him upright for at least 10 to 15 minutes to prevent him from spitting up.
Sleep basics
For new parents, a newborn needs you all the time but sleeps about 16 hours or more:
Newborn babies usually sleep 2 to 4 hours. Don`t expect your baby to sleep throughout the whole night: your baby`s digestive system is so tiny that they need food every few hours.
Many babies sleep through the night (6 to 8 hours) at three months, but if yours isn`t, you don`t need to worry.
Just like adults, babies need to develop their sleep patterns and cycles, so if your newborn is gaining weight and looking healthy, don`t despair if he hasn`t slept through the night for three months.
It is always important to put babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Many newborns are "disoriented" day and night. They tend to be more awake and alert at night and sleepy during the day.
See Medical Help immediately when:
If your baby`s temperature is higher than 100.4 (always take your baby`s temperature with a rectal thermometer), seek medical attention immediately, as a newborn fever can be a sign of a severe infection.
If your child is not eating well or crying a lot, it is best to contact your pediatrician.
Also, talk to your doctor if you notice signs of worsening jaundice, a condition with too much bilirubin, a yellow pigment produced by red blood cells in your blood.
Signs of worsening jaundice include yellowing of your child`s skin (especially the face, stomach, arms, or legs) or yellowing of the whites of the eyes.