How to Take Care of Newborn Baby?

By Aparna | Updated: 02/09/2024

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arti Sharma (Paediatrician)

The first few months with your newborn can be chaotic and overwhelming for first-time parents. You will get all kinds of contradicting advice from everyone about newborn baby care after birth. Deciding what advice to follow in regard to newborn care can be confusing. Caring for a newborn is exhausting and challenging, but it is also one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of your life. Understanding how to take care of a newborn baby involves learning about feeding, sleeping, and bonding. New parents need to develop a routine that works best for them and their baby while ensuring the baby’s needs are met with love and patience.

Tips to Take Care of Newborn Baby

Taking care of a newborn is obviously a challenge when it is your first time. So, here are eleven ways that will assist you in taking care of a newborn baby:

1. Feeding

Newborn infant care especially in the first month is crucial in terms of feeding:

Frequency of Feeding

Feed the baby every 2 to 3 hours: Newborns have small stomachs, and they digest breast milk or formula quickly. This frequent feeding schedule ensures they receive adequate nutrition for their rapid growth and development. This should be done till baby regains birth weight. After that, feeding should be done on demand. i.e. watch for baby’s hunger cues and feed whenever they want.

Breastfeeding

Feed only breast milk for the first 6 months: Breast milk is the optimal source of nutrition for newborns. It contains the right balance of nutrients essential for a baby’s growth, immune system development, and overall health.
Breast milk contains vital nutrients and antibodies: The antibodies in breast milk help protect newborns from infections and diseases, giving them a strong start in life.
Ensure the baby latches on firmly without causing pain: A correct latch is crucial for effective breastfeeding. If the latch is painful, it might indicate an improper attachment, which can lead to nipple soreness and insufficient milk intake for the baby.
The breast should feel less full after feeding: This indicates that the baby is effectively emptying the breast, ensuring they are getting enough milk and helping to maintain milk production.

Formula Feeding

Use a doctor-recommended formula if breastfeeding is not an option: Formula can be a healthy alternative for babies who cannot be breastfed. It is designed to mimic breast milk and provide essential nutrients.
Feed the baby 60 to 90 ml of formula per feeding: This amount is appropriate for newborns and ensures they receive adequate nutrition to support their growth and development.

2. Burping

Once the baby is fed, she needs to be burped. Babies swallow air while feeding, which causes gas and colic in their tummies. Burping expels this excess air, thus aiding in digestion and preventing spit-ups and stomach colic. Gently hold the baby against your chest with one hand. Her chin should rest on your shoulder. Pat or stroke her back very gently with your other hand until she burps.

3. How to Hold Your Newborn

It is very important to ensure that you are supporting your baby’s head and neck with one hand while holding her. This is because her neck muscles are not yet strong enough to hold up the head independently. The backbone is also still growing and becoming stronger. The neck will be able to support the head on its own only after 3 months of age. So pay attention to supporting your baby’s head and neck while taking care of a newborn baby.

4. Umbilical Cord Stump Care

An important aspect of newborn baby care in the 1^st month is caring for the umbilical cord stump. Give bath 2-6 hours after birth with lukewarm water in a healthy newborn. Keep the navel area clean and dry. Keep the baby’s diaper folded down so that the stump can dry. Disinfect your hands before handling the navel area. To clean, use a damp cloth and dry with a clean, absorbent cloth. Look out for signs of infection in the cord-stump area. If there is redness, swelling, smelly discharge or pus, and bleeding in the navel area, take the baby to a paediatrician.

5. Diapering

Changing diapers frequently is an important aspect when taking care of a newborn baby after delivery. If your baby is getting sufficient breast milk or formula, she will wet at least 6 to 8 diapers in a day, along with regular bowel movements. Change her diaper frequently, as soon as it feels full. You may even have to change it at least 10 times a day. To change a dirty diaper, you will need a changing sheet, gentle diaper wipes, diaper rash cream or baby powder and fresh diapers. In order to prevent UTI, wipe your baby girl from front to back rather than back to front. And let your baby remain without a diaper for a few hours each day.

6. Bathing

Wondering how to take care of a newborn in terms of bathing them? Bathing a newborn is a delicate task. The bath is usually given 2-6 hours after birth in a healthy term baby weighing more than 2500 g. However, bathing can be delayed in certain situations such as winter. In a low birth weight infant, bathing should be delayed until the cord has fallen off. You should start bathing the baby 2 to 3 times a week after the cord stump dries and falls off. Make sure you have all the bathing and changing supplies ready before you take the baby for a bath. Bath time just before bedtime helps babies sleep more soundly. You will need an infant bathtub, lukewarm water, mild baby soap or body wash, a washcloth, soft towel, baby lotion or cream, new diaper, and fresh baby clothes. Get your partner or a family member to help, so that one person can hold the baby’s neck and head above the water while the other bathes the baby. Use soap sparingly. Clean the baby’s genitals, scalp, hair, neck, face, and any dried mucous that has collected around the nose with the washcloth. Rinse your baby’s body with lukewarm water. Once this is done, dry the baby’s body with a soft towel, apply lotion and put on a fresh diaper and baby clothes.

7. Massaging

Massaging is a great way to bond with your baby. It also helps in soothing the baby to sleep and in improving blood circulation and digestion. Spread a small quantity of baby oil or lotion on your hands. Next, gently and rhythmically stroke her body. Maintain eye contact with the baby and talk to her when massaging her body. A good time to massage the baby is before her bath.

8. Handling Your Newborn

There are a few things to keep in mind when playing with your baby. Never shake your baby as her internal organs are delicate and can be damaged by vigorous shaking. Do not throw the baby up into the air, as this can be dangerous. Always disinfect or wash your hands before handling the baby, as their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are vulnerable to infections. Ensure that your baby is fastened securely in a stroller, car seat, or baby carrier if you are taking her out. Make your baby lie on her tummy every day for a short while. This will make her neck and back muscles stronger. It will also improve her vision, as she will need to look up and sideways to see.

9. Sleeping

Here’s what you should keep in mind regarding your baby’s sleep.

Newborn Sleep Pattern

Newborns need about 16 hours of sleep per day: Sleep is crucial for a newborn’s brain development and overall growth. During sleep, the brain processes new information and the body grows.
They take naps lasting 2 to 4 hours: Newborns do not have a regular sleep cycle like adults. Their sleep is spread throughout the day and night, often waking up for feedings.
Wake the baby for feeding every 3 hours: Since newborns need to eat frequently, it is important to wake them if they sleep too long to ensure they get the necessary nutrition. Do this only till baby regains birth weight.

Sleep Positions

Alternate the baby’s head position to prevent flat spots: Changing the baby’s head position during sleep helps prevent positional plagiocephaly, a condition where flat spots develop on the baby’s head due to prolonged pressure on one area.
Put the baby to sleep on her back to avoid suffocation: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Tips for Parents

Take naps when the baby is sleeping: Newborn care can be exhausting, and parents need rest too. Taking naps when the baby sleeps helps parents recover and maintain their energy levels.
Use the baby’s nap time to take a bath or eat a meal: Parents can use this time to take care of their own needs, ensuring they stay healthy and refreshed, which is important for providing the best care for their baby.

10. Trimming Nails

Newborn nails grow very fast. The baby may scratch her own face or body with her hand movements. Hence, it is important to keep the baby’s nails trimmed. As the nails of a baby are soft, so use baby nail clippers. Try and trim the nails gently when the baby is asleep. Do not trim it too deeply as the nails are very tender and it could be painful for the baby. Do not trim the edges of the nails as this will cause ingrown nails.

11. Clothing

When selecting clothes for your newborn, focus on comfort, softness, and ease of care. Opt for stretchy jumpsuits that fasten in the front and tops with envelope necks, as these designs make dressing simpler. Cotton clothing is highly recommended because it keeps your baby cooler in hot weather compared to synthetic fabrics, washes well, and is gentle on delicate skin. To keep newborns warm, especially in colder weather, dressing them in layers is often the best approach. Layers can be easily added or removed as needed, such as when you move from a cold outdoor environment to a warm indoor setting. A helpful guideline is to dress your baby in the same number of layers you are wearing, plus one additional layer for extra warmth. It is also important to prevent your baby from overheating, particularly during sleep. While ensuring your newborn stays warm, be mindful of their temperature and adjust their clothing to maintain a comfortable balance.

FAQs

1. How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk?

To ensure your baby is getting enough milk, monitor their weight gain, diaper output, and feeding cues. Typically, a well-fed baby will have six or more wet diapers and three or more bowel movements a day. Additionally, regular weight checks with your pediatrician will help confirm that your baby is growing appropriately.

2. What should I do if my newborn has a diaper rash?

If your newborn develops a diaper rash, keep the area clean and dry. Change diapers frequently and use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser or plain water during diaper changes. Apply a thick layer of diaper rash cream containing zinc oxide to protect the skin. Allow your baby to go without a diaper for short periods to let the skin air out and heal.

3. How can I soothe my baby’s colic?

To soothe a baby with colic, try holding them in different positions, such as on their stomach across your forearm or upright against your chest. Gently rock, sway, or walk with your baby to provide comfort. White noise, such as from a fan or a white noise machine, can also be calming. Ensure your baby is not hungry, too hot, or too cold, and check with your pediatrician for other potential remedies.

New parents should seek help from family or friends so that they can rest and take care of themselves, too. First-time parents of a newborn can be quite perplexed about several aspects of newborn baby care. This article will help new moms care for their newborns with confidence.