Babies are a blessing. Always have been, always will be.
Some of us may even say that it’s a miracle when a little baby is brought into the world.
And it is a miracle – a new life! But there’s another reason why babies are miraculous: they make all of us want to be better people.
With a baby on the way, you may be feeling excited and anxious at the same time.
What if something goes wrong? It’s normal to worry about safety, but there are plenty of things that will help ease your mind, so you can focus on being a new mom.
That’s why we put together this list of first-time parent care tips every expecting dad or mom should know by heart!
Bathe Your Baby Safely
It’s difficult to resist your baby after you’ve felt her soft, smooth skin.
But it’s important for first-time parents not to bathe their little ones too much because it increases the risk of overhydration, which can lead to seizures and even death in severe cases.
Be mindful of the kind of products you use when bathing your baby or washing their stuff.
Look for just the right washing powder for a baby, as you shouldn’t be using just any kind of detergent to wash their clothing.
Make sure they are labeled as hypoallergenic, so you won’t have to worry about allergic reactions.
Also, it is not recommended that you give your baby a bath right after or before feeding her because she might swallow water while drinking.
Keep Your Baby’s Hair Clean
Even the most diligent of moms tend to forget that babies have hair, too – and it needs cleaning. Their head is no exception, so make sure you wash it with a gentle shampoo every now and then.
This applies to their eyebrows and above the eyes, too – it’s normal for babies to have sweaty and oily foreheads, and this can lead to acne if you don’t take care of it.
If your baby tends to play with his or her hair, try tying it back so he or she can’t get dirt or oil on it.
This is especially important if you notice some dandruff. Wash the baby’s hair every other day and use a bit of moisturizer after each bath – just like their skin!
Change Your Baby’s Diapers Often
Babies have sensitive skin, just like us. It’s important to keep it clean and moisturized with a mild soap or baby shampoo for washing hands.
If your baby has diarrhea, then change his or her diapers every three hours – this is especially important if they’re wearing a diaper overnight!
If your baby suffers from constipation, then you’ll need to change their diaper more often.
If this is the case, try mixing a little bit of prune juice with his or her milk formula. This will help them have a bowel movement without hurting them.
They Need Sleep, Too
Even babies need sleep. When they’re still babies, try your best to make sure they get at least twelve hours of sleep every day – more if you can manage it!
A growing baby needs lots of energy for development, and not getting enough rest can make them fussy, too!
A good way to help with this is to make them wear a sleepsuit or pajamas that’ll help them feel comfy and cozy when they’re in bed.
Also, it’s important to keep your baby’s room dark – the darker, the better!
If you have a night light, turn it off before going to sleep yourself – if you don’t, he or she will keep waking up and trying to make their way to the light.
You Should Sleep When They Sleep
As soon as your little one falls asleep, make sure you get some rest yourself!
Yes, it’s important to keep watch, so there are no accidents in the crib but don’t stay up all night watching your baby sleep.
You need that energy more than they do – they’ll get more out of 12 of sleep than you will from staying up for 24!
As soon as they’re born, get into a schedule and make sure you stick to it as much as possible. This means feeding them at the same times every day – and not eating yourself!
Make sure they’re getting enough food by giving them bottles or breast milk, or whatever it is that their pediatrician recommends.
Bonding is Important
It’s hard work taking care of a baby – and it can get lonely, too. That’s why you need to make sure you’re bonding with your baby as much as possible.
Not only will this help them recognize your face, but it’ll also build a strong emotional connection that’ll last for many years to come!
You can do this by singing lullabies or reading books to him or her every day.
Play games like peek-a-boo and clap your hands. Once they get a bit older, ask them to say your name or try counting – anything that’ll help you start to understand how their minds work!
Never be Ashamed To Ask For Support
First-time parents often worry about how to take care of a baby, despite all the information they’ve been given.
If you’re ever unsure about what to do, don’t hesitate to ask for help! Most hospitals and pediatricians will be more than happy to offer guidance on baby care.
You can also seek out friends or family members who’ve had children of their own and ask them for advice – it’s always better to get more than one opinion before you make any big decisions.
Feed Your Baby Regularly
When it comes to feeding your baby, consistency is key.
Make sure you’re feeding them every two and a half to three hours for the first few months of their lives – this means you need to watch the clock more than you watch t.v., but it’ll be worth it!
If your baby wakes up in the night, don’t panic too much – just feed them! They may cry or whine for a few minutes after they eat, but that’s okay.
You can always rock them until they fall asleep again if you want to do something else with your hands.
A lot of things seem scary when you’re a new parent, but if you keep these baby care tips in mind, they’ll help make your job a whole lot easier.
Sure, it’s a little scary, but it would certainly get better as the days go by.