Baby Care Magazine

My baby

Fatherhood is a life-changing and challenging experience that most definitely brings loads of happiness along with huge responsibilities. There are no set rules for tackling fatherhood, you learn as you go through the process of nurturing your child. Parenthood is not the responsibility of just the mother; it is also for fathers actively participate in the most important years of the child’s growth.

The first most important aspect of fatherhood that men need to understand is that both pre natal and post natal periods are crucial from the point of view of the child and your partner. You need to understand that your partner will be irritable at times and may have several mood swings. Always be encouraging whether it is during feeding the baby or changing the diapers along with trying to help as much as possible. Also participate in holding the baby so that your partner can relax in between. In case the birth is a caesarean section, then you need to be more careful with both the child and your partner.

Getting help whenever possible is also a good idea to ease your pressures of handling the baby. Ensure that you have all the supplies that the baby and the mother will require during this period. In case you have visitors, ask them to help with the food or fetching material on their way to your place. This way you will be able to cut down on your already huge to-do list. Participate in changing diapers, holding the baby while putting it to sleep, taking it out for fresh air, either on your terrace or in your garden, bathing the child or simply keeping an eye while your partner sleeps or relaxes on her own.

The most endearing prospect of fatherhood is the opportunity to bond with your baby. Your partner having given birth to your child and breast feeding it will anyway share a bond with the little one. But you as a father will have to develop the relationship and make sure that your baby recognizes your voice and feels comfortable when you hold him/ her.

It is also true that fathers are worried with planning for the future as soon as the child is born. The financial arrangements of raising a child can overwhelm you but do not get burdened by everything at one time. Take each day as it comes and plan accordingly. Avoid making very long term plans when the baby is yet too young. Plan for the short-term and slowly once the first few months are over and your partner is fit to join in, you can consult her and start with the long-term plans. In case you feel that you can not cope with the pressures of fatherhood, you can go in for counseling till all is well and you feel settled to take on the further responsibilities.

Whenever you feel down or depressed due to the lack of time or lack of attention from your partner, simply remember that it is your child that is being taken care of and will surely bring you happiness in the future. The feeling of being a family will help you combat negative feelings. Wish all you new fathers a satisfying parenting!

Closet full of baby clothes

Making plans for the arrival of your baby can be very exciting and one of the most interesting aspects of this planning is choosing clothes for your little one. As thrilling as this activity seems, it needs to be painstakingly done. There are a good number of things that you need to consider while selecting your baby’s clothing. This becomes all the more important if you are shopping for a new-born. Also there are a few simple rules that you need to follow while choosing your baby’s clothing with respect to the age and the growth of the kid. For example, do not spend too much on buying clothes for the time-being, because babies grow fast and your kid will need new clothes every few months. Buy clothes that are a tad bigger so that they can be used for a while longer. In case you are inclined towards buying designer baby wear then it is good to wait till your baby reaches a certain age and his/her height and weight will remain constant for some time at least.

What do you need to consider while buying baby clothes?

• Choose a comfortable fabric

Babies require clothes that will keep them warm and comfortable since they sleep most of the time, be it day or night. It is better to get cotton nightshirts, baby socks, caps, scarves for girls, bibs, gowns and sweaters. Clothes required for a jaunt outside can be limited to a few good outfits. Always remember that for a baby comfort is more important than outward appearance. It is advisable to buy light cotton clothing that will suit the baby’s tender skin. Also consider any allergies that your baby may have due to a certain kind of fabric.

• Selecting sizes

Babies grow rapidly and thus need new clothes every few months. Thus buying frequently is inevitable. Select comfortable sizes as per the brand and the requirement of your baby. It is better to choose clothes that have a wider neck and stretch well even if the baby pulls at his/her clothing.

• Choosing hassle-free clothes

Your baby will not feel comfortable if there are too many pins or elastic bands attached to the clothing. Buy clothes that provide for unobstructed movement of arms and legs so that your baby can play freely.

• Organic clothing

You can also buy clothes made form organic cotton although they are expensive. Organic cotton is grown in areas where pesticides and other chemical supplements are not used during the process of growing cotton.

The season in which you will be using the clothes to cover the baby is also important in selecting the right kind of clothes. In a humid atmosphere, your baby will feel comfortable wearing clothes that provide for ventilation and keep the skin cool. This will help avoid rashes that are a result of extreme sweat. Similarly choose warm clothes like woolen booties, scarves, gloves and sweaters for winters. In case you find that the baby is irritable or develops rashes, check with the pediatrician if the kind of fabric you have bought suits your baby’s skin. Clothes may seem like a trivial matter but can cause harm to the delicate skin of your little one. Choosing appropriate clothing is the only solution to avoid such unnecessary troubles. Happy parenting!!!