TAKING CARE OF YOUR NEWBORN BABY
Going home with your newborn is the most exciting thing ever, however, if you are a new mom you can have some concerns about what are your baby needs and changes during their first year of life.
As a matter of fact, even if it is not your first one like in my case, you never know it all and you will want to keep improving your mom skills and give your best yet.
How To Take Care Of Your Baby?
The care of your baby includes keeping him/her safe, satisfied, clean, and comfortable. Your baby will cry, make noises or even move in specific ways to let you know when he/she needs something. As you observe and take care of your baby, you will learn to detect what are his/her needs by example putting his/her fists in the mouth when it is hungry.
How To Feed Your Baby?
Breastmilk is the only food your baby will need during his/her first six months of life. Breastmilk has proteins, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, antibodies, and a whole number of nutrients that will help your baby to grow strong and healthy.
After he/she is six months old you should mix breastmilk with solid foods until at least he/she is two years old.
If you can't breastfeed your baby you can give him/her formula in a bottle and never ever add cereal to either of their milk.
How Much Milk Will My Baby Need?
You should feed your baby every time he/she is hungry. If you are breastfeeding it could be about 8 to 12 times per day. As you keep feeding your baby, your milk production will grow to the point of satisfying your baby's needs.
If you are giving formula then the baby may want different amounts during the day. The normal needs of milk are:
Newborn till 2 months = 2 to 4 oz
2 to 6 months = 4 to 6 oz
6 to 12 months = 8 oz
If your newborn sleeps more than 5 hours you should wake him/her up and feed him/her. Do NOT overfeed your baby, this could end up having your baby overweight very quickly.
Your Babys Abilities
From the moment your baby is born till he/she is five years old, he/she will develop abilities that he/she will use for her entire life. Proper healthy growth in your kid will include these areas:
Motor = Control their head, sit down and walk, hold a spoon and hold objects with their fingers.
Sensorial abilities + See, hear, taste, touch and smell.
Lenguaje development = Babble, speak, say phrases and sentences that others can understand.
Social abilities = Play and interact. Not all kids develop the same way and speed, but, it can still be cataloged as normal and it could also be advanced in some areas while behind others.
Taking Care Of The Umbilical Cord
The umbilical cord protuberance can last from 5 to 15 days.
You should not shower the baby in deep water while it is there.
Shower your baby using washcloths always keeping the area clean and dry.
Let the protuberance fall down on its own and do not try to pull it, not even if it hangs by a thread.
When To Visit His/Her Doctor
Check with your baby Dr when are their routine schedule. Usually, you should take him/her:
2 days after getting out of the hospital
1 month old
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
9 months old
12 months old
18 months old
24 months old