Happy to bathe

Being new parents is exhilarating and needs a lot of patience to deal with the needs of the baby. Parents generally panic and are hassled all the time due to the constant demands of the baby resulting in lack of sleep and privacy. Baby care requires time and patience along with the necessary supplies for the baby’s comfort. But taking a few measures can help you take good care of your baby. Read on to find out more.

Here are a few ways to deal with the pressure of being new parents and keen on nurturing your baby well.

Diapers

Choose a diaper brand that you think will be comfortable for the baby. It should fit the infant such that the movement of the legs should not be obstructed. There are various types of diapers available in the market that are easy to use. Changing diapers whenever required is the most essential task required to keep the baby clean. Ensure that you have all the required material at hand before you start changing the diaper because if you leave the baby uncovered for a long time till you find the requisite supplies, the baby may get uncomfortable and start bawling. While changing the diapers, hold the infant in a position that gives you access to the area that needs to be cleaned before putting on a new diaper. Do not put diapers directly unless you have cleaned the area. Also apply ointments or other medicines as per the instructions of the doctor. Lift the infant gently by holding the ankles firmly in one hand while you clean and subsequently change the diaper. Once the baby is cleaned and laid in the crib again, wash your hands well with a disinfectant before touching the infant or the supplies.

Bathing

Bathing is one of the most important activities as it cleans the baby thoroughly and also gives you an opportunity to bond with your child. This is the best time to make your baby feel secured and loved. Ensure you have all the supplies like baby soap, oil and a soft, fluffy towel before you start bathing the child. Let the water be warm, neither very hot nor cold. If you are bathing the baby in a tub, then do not leave the child unattended while the tub is being filled with water. Always close the windows of the bathroom so that cold air will not make your child uncomfortable. Undress the baby slowly and take care not to let any hard object poke at your child’s skin. Wet the child slowly to make sure that the experience is accepted and then apply baby soap gently. Do not rub the soap in to the skin to clean; this will surely make your child cry. Once done, wrap the towel warmly around the child and dry thoroughly. Applying baby oil/ lotion along with baby powder for a fresh feel is a good idea. But before doing that, ensure that your child does not suffer from any allergies or skin infections. Another way to bathe your baby is to take him/ her into the bath with you and bathe while in your lap. This is suggested when the child has not bonded well with his/ her mother.

Feeding

This activity can be a great bonding time for you and your baby. If you breast feed your child, then ensure that you hold the child in a comfortable position so that he/ she can suckle easily. Pull the infant closer and cradle it so that it feels protected and concentrates on being fed. If you are bottle feeding your child, then clean the bottle and fill it with milk warmed at a temperature that your child prefers. Here again pull the baby closer and switch sides whenever required. Do not hold the baby too far from your body, this will increase the time required for feeding and will also cause strain in the muscles of the child.

How to hold your baby?

Babies love to be held and cared for, making them feel loved and protected. It is a natural requirement and should be met with care. There are various ways in which you can hold your child.

• Cradling

This is a good way to put your baby to sleep. Hold the head of the child in the cradle of one your arms and wrap the other arm warmly and firmly around the body. This forms a protective shell around the infant which makes for comfortable nursing and sleeping.

• Belly holding

You can hold the child against your chest and wrap the other arm around the back of the baby. This leaves the child’s legs free to move; generally preferred when the child is a little older.

• Hip holding

This technique can be used once your child’s neck becomes firm enough and does not require external support. Curve the child on your hip bone and hold the baby on the same side. This leaves your other hand free for other activities.

• Sling holding

This keeps your hands free while you carry the baby safely. It is also called the kangaroo hold as the sling enables you to carry the infant in the front. The baby can turn around to look at its surroundings freely. This is usually preferred while shopping or any other outdoor activity.

It is advisable to carry out all these preliminary baby care activities by yourself because it leads to the development of a close and intimate relationship between you and your child at a very early stage. This is also the time when the child craves for attention and care, and who can provide that better than you! Happy parenting!!!