11 Best Baby Care Tips for New Moms: What Every Mum Should Know

You are probably wondering about the next step to take after the delivery of your newborn baby. The ups and downs of pregnancy such as mood swings, heartburns, and backaches are all over. Also, the excruciating labor pains and successful delivery either naturally or via c-section have finally ended. Now is the time for you to go home with your bundle of joy all wrapped up delicately with his cuddly and tiny hands and feet.

The doctors and nurses have done their part in ensuring you scaled through the rigors of childbirth from conception. Don’t be apprehensive about how you will care for your infant as a new mom. Being an experienced mom and after collating views from other moms, you need not panic anymore. The guidelines you need to know from day one of delivery, till your baby starts walking have been revealed by veteran moms.

I guess you are searching online for ideas on how to give your baby the best care in the world. You have done the right thing because I have put together 11 baby care tips for new moms like you in this article. Be sure to adhere to these suggestions for a successful caregiving routine.

Here are the tips:

1. Encourage Proper Latching

If you plan to breastfeed your baby instead of placing him on formula, you must know how to latch him on your nipple properly. During the first month of birth, some babies may find it difficult to latch-on to your breast probably because of the shape or size of your nipples.

Try using breast shields to support your nipples until your baby gets used to sucking without them. Formula-fed babies do not need to be trained on how to latch-on but you should be aware that breastfeeding has greater benefits than bottle feeding.

2. Maintain Your Noise Level

Do not train your newborn to get used to sleeping only in a quiet environment. Remember they are already used to the noise level inside your womb during gestation. The womb is noisy with all the squishy squashy sounds of the amniotic fluid plus loud activities going on the outside.

Use the dishwasher, vacuum cleaner and play your favorite music or videos normally as you would in your infant’s absence. This will get them accustomed to sleeping peacefully with or without noise. Among the tips for taking care of a baby, this suggestion allows you to still perform house chores at your convenience without trying to create an environment similar to a graveyard.

3. Pamper Your Crying Baby

Babies generally have one reason or another to cry. This may be a sign of hunger or just a lack of feeling your warmth through cuddling. You mustn’t panic! Pick him up gently and try to feed him. If feeding doesn’t calm him down, try another trick.

Straddle him across your thighs or shoulder and pat him slowly in a rhythmic fashion like you will do when you want to make him burp after feeding. You can also swing him from side to side while cuddling him in your arms in a similar way a rocking chair moves. Sing songs to him in a calm tone or take him outside to breathe in the fresh air. One of these tricks is bound to work in calming him down.

4. Dedicate Time for Yourself and Your Baby

One basic rule on how to take care of an infant that gives room for yourself is the way you plan your time. From week 4 of birthing your bundle of joy, you can easily predict his sleeping pattern. It is the period for you to take advantage of attending to your personal needs and growth. It also gives you time to prepare for his next feeding before he wakes up.

During the daytime when he is asleep, keep your body in shape by working out or take out time to respond to emails, text messages, and missed calls. Prepare a healthy meal for yourself, especially if you are breastfeeding. Do your laundry and your infant’s too, and tidy up the house. You may as well take a nap before he awakes.

5. Encourage Father and Child Bond

Most new moms get so attached to their babies that they hardly want to leave them with another family member or friend for just a few minutes. Daddy’s touch and voice can go a long way in reassuring your infant of another source of love and affection around him.

Allow your spouse to cuddle and bond with his child while you seize that opportunity to get other things done around the house or quickly get groceries from a nearby shop. Babies who are nursed by both parents without a fuss tend to permit a babysitter or your grandparents to care for them when you need to resume work or get busy with business.

6. Avoid Keeping Long Nails

Both mother and baby must keep trimmed nails to prevent any unwanted accidents for the baby. Ensure you file your infant’s nails if you are afraid of using a nail clipper to cut them. After bathing your baby, their nails become softer to trim, so do that after bath time. You can also plan to trim their nails while asleep but do not try this tip until they are above 15 months old.

On your part, don’t wear nail extensions nor keep your nails long. You may scratch or injure your baby unknowingly, and you know how delicate their skin is. Your nails should be trimmed short at all times no matter how fashion conscious you may be.

7. Wear Your Baby Comfortable Clothes

Breathable clothing like cotton or wool is usually the best for infants. You can be fashionable and at the same time keep them warm and comfortable.

Buy clothes that will fit your baby even after he clocks 6months to save money for other needs. Remember to keep cloth tags if you end up with a bigger or smaller baby. You can return the clothes for a swap at the mother care shop with the tags intact.

8. Change Diaper Without Delay

Infant poop is usually loose and seedy with mustard-like seeds in them. They can come in varying colors ranging from yellow to green, depending on their ages.

Expect a “blow out” anytime, especially when your baby has stomach upset. The poop may splash on you while trying to change his diaper or on the wall. It isn’t a problem at all as is expected. However, if it becomes persistent or bloody, call your pediatrician immediately.

9. Accept Helping Hands

There are a million ways regarding how to take care of an infant, depending on culture and race. For example, Africans bathe their babies from day one of birth. It is not the norm in other countries and may be due to their weather or beliefs.

If you are lucky to have a friend who is willing to help you care for your baby, do not hesitate to accept the offer. It will give you ample time to engage in other activities or catch up on your sleepless nights by taking a nap. Accept the kind gesture regardless of your friend’s tradition, as long as you are sure of how dependable she is, especially if she is an experienced mother.

10. Feed Your Baby at Regular Intervals

Babies tend to eat at short intervals, and this is normal. If you are breastfeeding your baby, try to empty both breasts during each feeding episode. It will reassure you that your infant is satisfied, and you can prepare for the next feed in another 2 hours.

Eat nourishing foods and more liquid or soups to give you more breastmilk. Your food intake will tell how healthy your baby will look. Also, feed formula babies in the space of 2-hour intervals for healthy growth.

11. Care for the Umbilical Cord

The umbilical cord comes off after at least 3weeks of birth. Keep the surface dry at all times. It is the reason why most people don’t bathe their newborn until the cord falls off. Clean the surface all around with a methylated spirit to speed up the healing process.

During your baby’s first bathe after the cord is off, place a warm washcloth over his stomach to relieve the pain. Use warm water for cleaning him and keep the room temperature warm for an enjoyable bath time.

Bottom Line

With the eating, bathing, bonding, and sleeping patterns of your baby, you sure have learned a lot from the tips for taking care of a baby discussed in this article.

You can follow the guidelines to achieve the best caregiving performance. The outcome will be pleasant, and anyone can tell from the outlook on yourself and your baby.