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Newborn Care Week 2024: How to Nurture Your Baby with Love and Care

Nov 18 , 2024 | 10 min read

Welcoming a newborn is such a special time—full of joy, excitement, and, yes, a few worries too. During Newborn Care Week, it’s all about focusing on what babies need to stay healthy and happy. Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding another little one to the family, newborn care can feel like a lot to handle. But don’t worry! This guide is here with easy tips, answers to common questions, and reassurance to help you feel confident and ready for this new adventure.

Understanding the Importance of Newborn Care Week

Newborn Care Week, observed from November 15 to 21, aims to raise awareness about the critical aspects of newborn health and well-being. This week emphasises how important it is to give newborns proper attention and care during the first 28 days of their lives, commonly called the "neonatal stage." Infants are most vulnerable to infections and other health challenges during these early weeks. Ensuring proper care can give them a healthy start and build a strong foundation for their future.

The Essentials of Newborn Care

Let's look at some important aspects of newborn care that will help you support your baby's health and development.

Skin-to-Skin Contact: The Power of Touch

Skin-to-skin contact, also known as "kangaroo care," is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to bond with your newborn. Holding your baby close to your chest helps to control their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Studies show that skin-to-skin contact can also improve breastfeeding outcomes and soothe both the baby and parent. For new moms, this contact releases oxytocin, the "love hormone," which promotes bonding and reduces stress.

Tip: Aim for daily skin-to-skin sessions, especially in the first few weeks, to build a deep connection with your baby.

Feeding Your Newborn

Feeding is one of the most frequent and important tasks in newborn care. Breast milk is the best option because it contains nutrients, antibodies, and everything your baby requires to grow strong. Breast milk is known for its ease of digestion, making it an excellent nutritional choice for infants. Breastfed infants are less likely to develop ear infections, respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Breastfeeding also offers many benefits for mothers, including quicker recovery after childbirth and reduced stress levels.

However, when breastfeeding is not feasible due to medical or other reasons; or if medically indicated in your baby, formula milk or supplemental milk may be used after discussing with your paediatrician. In case formula milk is needed, be sure to maintain hygiene while preparing and serving it, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper dilution.

Tips for Feeding:

To ensure the baby receives proper nutrition and gains weight, it's essential to feed them on demand whenever they show signs of hunger, like rooting, sucking on hands, or fussiness; or at least every 2-3 hours. It's recommended to provide a minimum of 8-12 feeds per day, including night feeds.
To ensure proper feeding, make sure your baby has a good latch to ensure comfort and adequate milk intake. Please keep in mind that each breast should be nursed for 15-20 minutes. If your baby is still hungry after that time, offer the other breast. However, it's essential to let one breast empty before switching to the other side.
If your baby is being fed adequately, they should pass urine at least 8 -10 times per day after the third day of life. They should pass stool daily at least once for the first 2-3 weeks. In the early days, breastfed newborns should have at least 3-4 stools per day, which often decreases as they grow but should still be regular. After an initial loss in the first few days, an adequately fed baby should start regaining birth weight by the end of the first week and continue to gain steadily, typically about 150-200 grams per week. After feeding, an adequately fed baby usually seems satisfied and calm rather than excessively fussy or still hungry. An adequately fed newborn will usually be alert during awake times and responsive to stimulation.
To ensure adequate nutrition, some babies, particularly preterm infants, may need paladar feeds with expressed breast milk, along with direct breastfeeding.

Keeping Your Baby free of infections: Hygiene and Immunisation

Newborns have delicate immune systems, so creating a safe and clean environment is essential. You can protect your baby's health by washing your hands before handling them, keeping their environment clean, and avoiding contact with ill people. To lower the risk of infection, minimize your baby's interaction with large groups and individuals with infections. It's advisable to limit visitors for a minimum of the first 6 to 8 weeks.

Vaccinations are another important aspect of newborn care. The immunisations recommended during the first few months protect your baby from serious diseases like Tuberculosis, Polio, Hepatitis B, Diptheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus and other serious invasive infections like pneumonia and brain infections. Your paediatrician will guide you through the vaccination schedule and answer any questions you might have.

Tips for Immunisation

Stay up to date with your baby’s vaccination schedule.
Keep a record of all vaccinations received.
If your baby experiences mild symptoms after a shot, like a slight fever, remember that this is often a normal response as their body builds immunity.

Sleeping and Soothing: Creating a Cozy Rest Environment

Sleep is crucial for your newborn’s growth and development. Newborns typically sleep for 16–18 hours a day, but it can be in short bursts of 2-3 hours at a time. Creating a comfortable and safe sleep environment is key to helping your baby rest peacefully.

Safe Sleep Guidelines

Always place your baby on their back for sleeping, as this reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Use a firm, flat sleep surface, and avoid pillows, blankets, or toys in the crib.
Keep the baby’s head and face uncovered during sleep.
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature to prevent overheating.
Soothing techniques can also be helpful, especially during fussy moments.
Swaddling, rocking, and gentle shushing sounds can help calm your baby and make it feel secure.
Avoid overstimulation before bedtime.
Stay smoke-free during pregnancy and keep the baby’s surroundings smoke-free.
Stay alcohol-free during pregnancy, and make sure anyone caring for the baby is alcohol-free.
Do not shake your baby―ever! Babies have very weak neck muscles that are not yet able to support their heads. If you shake your baby, you can cause damage to his brain and other serious injuries.

Skin Care: Bathing Basics and Routine Skin Care

Sponge baths may be given for the first few days till the baby’s umbilical cord falls off, albeit bathing may begin before the umbilical cord has fallen off. To ensure that the stump of the umbilical cord heals quickly, it's important to keep the area dry and avoid applying anything over the cord. Bath should be in a safe place. The water temperature should be lukewarm. The depth of water should be to the infant's hips (∼ 5 cm). To avoid hypothermia, it's recommended to complete the bathing or sponging process within 5-10 minutes. Babies should be immediately covered with a towel and patted dry.

Tips for Bathing and skin care:

Have everything you need within reach before starting the bath.
Use one hand to support your baby’s head and neck.
Baby skin may be cleansed with water alone or by using an appropriately formulated cleanser/ soap with a skin-friendly pH. However, excessive soap use can be harmful to your baby’s skin. Therefore, it's recommended to use soap no more than twice a week. Bathing should be conducted at least two to three times a week.
Coconut oil can be applied all over the body. Avoid mustard or olive oil, and avoid oils or lotions with added fragrances.
During the initial few months, it is advisable to refrain from using creams, lotions, shampoos, and talcum powder.
Avoid using kajal on the baby’s eyes.

Diapering: Keeping Your Baby Clean and Comfortable

Diaper changes are a regular part of newborn care, and keeping your baby’s diaper area clean and dry helps prevent rashes. Newborns typically go through 8-12 diapers a day, so be prepared for frequent changes.

Diapering Tips

Proper diaper changing is essential to keep your baby clean and comfortable.
Change the diaper every three hours and whenever it is soiled.
During each diaper change, expose the perianal area to air for several minutes. Apply a layer of coconut oil before putting on a new diaper.
To prevent cord infection, always tie the diaper below the umbilical cord.
Refrain from using alcohol-based products and fragranced wipes to clean your baby. Instead, use a soft cotton cloth with water for cleaning and gentle wiping.
Apply a diaper rash cream if you notice any redness or irritation.

Bonding Through Communication: Talking, Singing, and Eye Contact

Your voice and touch are incredibly comforting to your newborn. Talking, singing, and making eye contact are simple ways to bond with your baby and support their early development. Newborns can recognise their parents' voices and respond positively to soothing sounds, so don’t hesitate to talk to your baby as you go about your day.

Danger Signs

Several signs may indicate a problem with your baby, and it is important to be aware of these danger signs. Some of the most common danger signs in newborns include:

Difficulty breathing, fast breathing
Decreased interest in feeding
Not passing urine for more than 6-8 hours
Increased sleepiness for more than 6 hours.
Fever
Hands and feet feel cold to touch despite wrapping well for 15 minutes
Vomiting yellow and abdominal distension
Abnormal movements that may be seizures
Colour change to dusky/bluish
Yellow palm and soles
Bleeding from any site

If you notice any of these danger signs in your baby, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Tips for New Parents: Taking Care of Yourself

Caring for a newborn requires time, patience, and a lot of energy, so taking care of yourself is equally important. Here are some simple ways to stay healthy and recharge:

Rest when you can: Try to nap when your baby sleeps, even if it’s only for a short time.
Stay hydrated and eat nutritious foods: A balanced diet keeps your energy up and supports breastfeeding if you’re nursing.
Ask for help: It’s perfectly okay to seek support from family and friends if needed.
Take breaks when possible: A few minutes of alone can help you recharge and reduce stress.

Celebrating Newborn Care Week together

Newborn Care Week is more than just an awareness campaign; it’s a time to celebrate the joys of parenthood, acknowledge the challenges, and support each other on this journey. By following these newborn care basics, you’re giving your baby the best possible start in life. And remember, each baby is unique—so trust your instincts, be patient, and cherish every moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I trim my newborn’s nails?

Newborn nails proliferate and can be quite sharp, so trimming once a week is usually sufficient. Use baby nail clippers or an emery board, and try to do it while they’re asleep to avoid sudden movements.

When can I start tummy time with my newborn?

You can start tummy time as early as the first week, but only for a minute or two at a time. Tummy time should be done only when the baby is awake. Gradually increase the duration as your baby gets stronger. Tummy time helps develop neck and shoulder muscles and supports motor skills.

How do I keep my baby warm, and how can I tell if my newborn is warm enough?

The best way to check your baby’s temperature is by touching the baby’s hands and feet. They should feel as warm as the abdomen. If the baby’s hands and feet are cold to touch, that means the baby is under cold stress and needs an additional layer of clothes or wrap for warming. To keep your baby comfortable and cosy, dress them in layers that can be easily adjusted according to the room temperature. Remember, babies generally need one extra layer of clothing than adults to stay warm and comfortable. Don't forget to add a cap, socks, and mittens to keep your little one warm. The optimal room temperature range is between 26-28 degrees Celsius. Keep the baby away from direct fan or cooler contact.

When should I take my baby for the first paediatric check-up?

Most paediatricians recommend a check-up within the first few days after birth for jaundice, feeding and weight assessment. From there, your paediatrician will guide you on the timing of future visits.

Are there signs that indicate my baby might have a food sensitivity or allergy?

Yes, some signs include unusual fussiness after feedings, skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhoea, or blood in their stool. If you notice these symptoms, consult your paediatrician to determine if a food sensitivity or allergy is present.