You conceived, endured every step of pregnancy and finally delivered your baby. This may all be natural for the most part, but when it comes to taking care of an infant, a lot comes into play.
There are quite a number of things you should know, especially if you are a first-time mother.
For example, with feeding, Dr Iba Mayele, an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at Clinic Galien- Kimironko advises to let your baby determine how often and how long to nurse.
Mayele also says that you ought to be comfortable when feeding the child. Get comfortable while nursing: you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time holding your baby to your breast while they feed.
According to Very well family, feeding your baby is more than just a matter of nutrition, it’s also about nurturing and comfort. Using feeding time to make eye contact and hold your baby are great ways to increase that bonding time. It’s also a great time to talk to your little one.
Mayele encourages helping your baby find the right position throughout the course of breastfeeding, though your baby will likely find the position that’s best for them. You can choose any position you wish to nurse in, whether that be a seated or laying down position.
"Your baby should be positioned so that their mouth is in level with your nipple. They should not have to turn their head much if at all. Their head should be tilted backward slightly. Take care of the skin of your breast for proper hygiene,” he says.
Experts say that when it comes to showering new-borns, they don’t need a bath every day. They rarely sweat or get dirty enough to need a full bath that often. They recommend three baths per week during the baby’s first year. Bathing more frequently can dry out your baby’s skin.
Doctors advise only to give your new-born sponge baths until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, which usually happens by about one or two weeks of age. If it remains beyond that time, there may be other issues at play. They urge seeing the baby’s doctor if the cord has not dried up and fallen off by the time the baby is two months old.
According to Raising Children Network, it’s safest for your baby to share a room with you, sleeping in a cot next to your bed, for the first year of life or at least for the first six months. Co-sleeping, which is when parents bring their babies into bed with them to sleep, is not recommendable.
Co-sleeping is associated with an increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents in some circumstances, according to the network.
But parents choose to have their babies in bed with them for several reasons. For example, some parents who co-sleep with their babies believe that it helps their babies feel safe and secure. They like the close body contact, feel that it’s rewarding and satisfying, and believe it’s good for their relationships with their babies.
Read signs
Mayele notes that as a mother, you need to anticipate your baby’s desires. He also notes to check for any irregularities; Turn or raise their head repeatedly, open and close their mouth, stick out their tongue.
Babies have different cries to express diverse needs and emotions. Through their cries, they can communicate or give you a clue on what is wrong or what they need.
The medic says that a gruff, recurring cry, combined with other signals such as, a sucking motion with the tongue or inserting fingers in the mouth is an indicator that the baby is hungry.
He also states that sometimes babies cry when bored if you don’t give them attention. In such an incident, get the baby up and play with them until they stop crying.
Mayele adds that forceful screams or yells accompanied by agitating movements can indicate that the baby is disturbed by colic. Colic often occurs in the late afternoon or evening, and the episodes can last for hours. It can last around six weeks after birth and goes away by the time the baby is three to four months old.
When this happens, you can lay the baby down on her tummy across your knees, supporting her head and rubbing her back. Alternatively, you can put her down on her back and gradually push her knees up to her stomach for about 10 seconds, then release and repeat, it may help get the gas out of her.
Soft cries as if the baby doesn’t have energy, may show that the baby is sick. But check for other signs such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and rashes, and talk to a doctor immediately, he adds.