Newborn babies: everything you need to know

Becoming parents implies a very big life change. And it is that although this stage is loaded with thousands of special and beautiful moments, it also comes with other somewhat disconcerting and worrying moments, especially during the first months of the baby’s life. Newborn baby behavior can be strange to new parents .

During the first hours of the baby, his body can be curious because his head has a strange shape due to childbirth and having passed through the mother’s canal. In addition, it will be covered with a kind of fluff that is not exactly hair. It is common that they cannot open their eyes wide and have them sticky. Don’t worry, don’t worry if you have doubts and don’t know how to act on certain occasions . Next, we will tell you everything there is to know about newborn babies so that you only have to worry about what is important, that is, to enjoy your baby:

UMBILICAL CORD

Regarding the umbilical cord, it is important to know that it is normally detached between 3 and 12 days of life in newborn babies . Give the little one a daily bath with the baby sponge, with soap and water so that the umbilical cord falls off. In addition, it is good to keep it dry so that it falls off faster, so dry it well after the shower with a sterile gauze to which you should add 70º alcohol. The gauze should be changed every time it is necessary, although if it poops or gets urine stained, the entire cleaning process will have to be repeated.

Once the umbilical cord has fallen off, do not panic if it bleeds a little because it is like a normal wound and nothing happens, unless it is a large amount of blood. It is important to continue treating the umbilical scar in the same way until the gauze pads are completely clean , something that usually happens 4 or 5 days after detachment.

For the care of the umbilical cord, antibiotic powders or iodinated antiseptics should not be used , the latter due to the risk of inducing hypothyroidism. Neither should bandages or girdles that surround the abdomen be used. It is essential to monitor the smell and appearance of the umbilical cord. If you notice redness, discharge or a bad smell, you should consult your pediatrician .

FEEDING

Regardless of whether you breastfeed or bottle feed, it’s amazing how often you need to do it. A very frequent question in new mothers is to know if the baby is getting enough milk. However, the baby has its own mechanisms to tell if it is eating enough to the weight it is gaining as the days go by. If you eat too much, you are overeating; if he catches little, he needs more food. Even so, the baby will give signs that he is hungry by crying, putting his fingers in his mouth, or making sucking sounds .

Newborn babies need to be fed every 2 to 3 hours , although some babies need to be woken every few hours to make sure they get enough to eat. If you need to wake your newborn frequently or if your baby does not seem interested in feeding or sucking, call the doctor.

BATHROOM

A newborn baby must be bathed daily . The water must have a temperature around 36º C to be appropriate and a soap with an acid pH will be used. On the market there are this type of soaps prepared especially for babies. Special care must be taken when cleaning the folds. It is important to maintain hygiene in the diaper area, trying to change the diaper frequently and wash the area to avoid prolonged contact of the child’s skin with urine or feces. After bathing, a protective ointment can be used.

Never leave the baby alone while you are bathing him . If you need to get out of the bathroom, wrap the baby in a towel and take it with you.

BODY CARE

When the nails are long they can be filed or cut to prevent the child from scratching . They must be cut with suitable scissors, that is, with a round tip, and with great care. The cut must be straight to avoid the ingrown toenail. We will take advantage of the moment in which the child is calm and we will hold their fingers well to avoid any damage.

As for the clothes, they must be comfortable and wide to allow the baby to move freely . Cotton is preferable because wool can be irritating. The newborn, especially in the first days, tends to get cold easily, so his clothes must adapt to the ambient temperature, but avoid being overcoated.

On the other hand, it will be normal for the baby’s skin to dry out after having been wet for nine months in the mother’s womb and suddenly come out into the air. Also they are common in the skin of the baby small appearances scuff or dermatitis diaper, and even acne in infants. For this, a baby lotion that is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free is best.

FONTANELLE CARE

The head of the newborn baby is one of its weak points because the bones of the skull have not yet finished forming . These soft spots on the skull are known as fontanelles. The most sensitive areas are the upper part of the head, which takes about 18 months to finish forming, and the back area, which will form at 6 weeks of age.

In addition to allowing the head to grow smoothly, fontanelles play a key role in the birth of the baby. Thanks to them, the head can be compressed at birth , overlapping some bones with others and thus allowing the head to pass through the birth canal without damaging the brain.

SLEEP

Babies usually sleep about 16 hours a day, but not straight, that is, for short periods. This is so because they have had little time to establish a biological rhythm. Newborns often have sleep very light and wake up easily , which can be exhausting for parents, especially if they are first – timers. The only thing you can do is arm yourself with patience and wait for your little one to grow up.

HOW TO SLEEP

It is recommended that the child’s room has good lighting with natural light and is quiet and cozy . The room should be ventilated every day and have a temperature of about 20ºC.

As for the crib, it must have a mattress without pillows or toys inside, in addition to being firm . It is not advisable to have an exaggerated amount of warm clothing inside the crib or to cover the head while the newborn sleeps. In fact, up to 6 months it is advisable for the baby to sleep in the same room as the parents to promote breastfeeding and care during sleep.

The best position for the infant to sleep is on its back , as numerous studies have associated sleeping on the stomach with sudden infant death syndrome. In addition, they should make sure to change the position of the baby’s head overnight (first to the right and then to the left) to prevent the development of a flat area on one side of the head.

TIPS FOR HANDLING A NEWBORN

• • Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before holding the baby : Newborns do not yet have a strong immune system, which makes them more at risk of getting infections . Make sure everyone who touches the baby has clean hands.

• • Always support the baby’s head and neck : When cradling the baby, lifting him upright or laying him down, it is necessary to support his head in a proper way. Keep in mind that a newborn baby is very sensitive.

• • You never shake the newborn , either to play or to vent his frustration. Shaking can lead to bleeding in the brain and even death. If you need to wake the baby, do not shake him; just stroke her feet or cheeks.

• • Remember that the newborn is not ready for rough games , such as rocking him on his knees or throwing him into the air.

• • Walks and sun exposure : It is convenient to take the little one for a walk from seven to ten days if the weather permits. And it is that exposure to the sun is important because it prevents rickets by intervening in the production of vitamin D. In the summer months we must avoid the central hours of the day and direct exposure to the sun.

• Babies usually lose weight : Newborns lose around 7% and 10% of body weight during the first week due to natural physiological processes, something that is not at all strange. You simply have to feed the little one whenever he asks for it with the assurance that he is latching on to the chest. Remember that breastfeeding is an important part of the process, as it will provide the baby with nutrients for its development.