When a mother welcomes a newborn, congratulations and gifts usher in a new phase of life. The thrill of having a bundle of joy might soon be replaced with self-doubt and confusion. Therefore, parents should be ready for highs and lows and adjust their lifestyle accordingly.
The baby sometimes cries uncontrollably or refuses to eat or sleep, making parents wonder if they have done everything right to keep the baby comfortable. This could happen for many reasons besides health issues, explaining why parents need to learn a few parenting tips. This article will share a few insights to make the parenting journey smoother.
Prioritize Safe Sleep Practices
Babies spend most of their time sleeping, which means discomfort could lead to safety and health issues. Therefore, parents should buy a baby bassinet and quality bending to keep the baby warm and comfortable. The baby should lie on their back or turn slightly to the left or right.
Infants need a relatively firm mattress with a well-fitted sheet and quality bedding. However, parents should avoid sharing beds with the newborn for safety reasons. The kid’s bed must be free from stuffed animals, pillows, loose bending, or toys that could lead to discomfort or other issues.
Use the Right Feeding Methods
Some parents choose to breastfeed, while others prefer using bottle feed. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of infection, but bottle feeding is as effective when done right. Parents who experience challenges breastfeeding can consult a lactation consultant for advice and personalized attention.
Some parents have less breast milk supply due to hormonal issues or psychological problems that the lactation specialist can address. If the mother is into bottle feeding, the specialist will recommend following guidelines to prevent contamination and infection. Parents should be keen to identify hunger cues, such as rooting or sucking fingers to feed the baby on time.
Pay Attention to the Infant’s Health
Newborn babies require regular monitoring, checkups, and vaccination to prevent diseases. Besides general health, parents must pay attention to the umbilical cord stump, keep it dry, and clean it with disinfectant to prevent infections.
In addition, parents should learn the early signs of illnesses such as fever and know what to do before visiting a pediatrician. Parents who know how their baby reacts to situations will quickly know when something is wrong and seek help.
Create a Safe Environment for the Baby
As babies grow, they start crawling, exposing themselves to the risk of falling or touching hot items or frayed wires. Parents can reduce the risk by removing things that might fall on the baby or cause harm in any way.
Parents should remove heavy furniture, glass kitchenware, or decorations, install safety gates, and secure electrical outlets and open wires. Modifying the house to reduce safety hazards will give parents peace of mind when curiosity leads the baby into trying all sorts of things in the house.
Do Not Neglect Self-care
Some parents are overwhelmed by parenting roles to the extent of forgetting about self-care practices. Since self-care is as important as taking good care of the kids, parents should eat and sleep well.
In addition, they should engage in physical activities or workouts and stay hydrated to build energy and take good care of the infant. Mothers should also seek help from their partners, friends, family members, and professionals to practice self-care without feeling guilty.
Being a parent comes with positive emotions and a few negative experiences. However, parents can adjust their lifestyle to enjoy every step of the journey. These tips can help minimize bad experiences and keep the baby safe and healthy.
