A Guide For First-Time Parents
First-time parenting can be a really daunting situation. Most new parents are still trying to figure their own lives out, but that gets put on pause once the child arrives. Getting yourself ready for a newborn baby is stressful, and that’s what I want to ease as much as possible with this post. This blog post will give you some helpful tips around first-time parenthood, from learning how to burp a baby all the way to the best sleeping methods.
How to carefully handle your baby
If you are someone who is inexperienced with handling newborns, they can seem extremely fragile. There are a few fundamentals you should know before handling them. Initially, you should make sure your hands are sanitised, as newborns do not have a strong immune system yet, so they’re at risk of infections. In addition, there’s also a reason why you will have heard “watch the head” if you have held babies before, as it’s important to support their weight. Finally, remember that your newborn is not ready for any rough play, including being shaken or thrown up in the air, as this can have serious repercussions for their health so early on in their development.
Bathing the baby
At the beginning, you should only be giving your baby sponge baths, and not fully submerging them in the tub. During this time, a bath two or three times a week will suffice, as more frequent bathing may be drying to the skin. For a sponge bath, a flat, safe surface in a warm room should be used. Fill a nearby sink or bowl with warm (not hot) water and wrap your baby in towel. Begin to wipe their eyes with a washcloth, going from inner to outer corners. Then continue to wash the nose and ears, with the same level of softness. Using a wet cloth and soap, gently wash the rest of the baby, paying special attention to the most sensitive areas. With time, this becomes routinely simple.
Dealing with baby burps
One aspect often forgotten about raising a baby is all the gas and wind that comes with them. In learning how to feed your child, you shouldn’t forget about the aftermath of properly getting all oftheir gas out. If you’re wondering how to burp a baby it is something that can be done with a few different methods. During the first six months of the baby’s life, the baby should be held in an upright position after feeding, either on your chest, or on your lap or knee, using one hand to support the chest, and the other on the baby’s back, gently patting. If these don’t work, holding the baby belly-side down on your lap, ensure the head is higher than the chest, and gently pat the back until they burp.
Best sleeping methods for the baby (and you!)
As much as dealing with a new child can be tremendously difficult, it is worth noting for as much energy of yours they consume, they are ultimately asleep for around 16 hours a day, sometimes even more. However, they sleep for periods of 2-4 hours, instead of our natural adult rhythm of around ~8 hours a night. So, try to sleep when they sleep – you’ll need as much energy as you can get to look after your little one. Most importantly, always place the baby on their back to sleep as this reduces the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Becoming a parent for the first time is a tough journey, and it will consume most of your day, every day. But with proper forethought, dedication, and care, it is not only doable, but also immensely rewarding.
TTFN
T xx

