Welcome to the journey of parenthood! The first four weeks with a newborn will leave you sleepy, a little weepy, and sore. While the period is blissful, it’s ridden with anxiety. That’s because newborns demand a lot of around-the-clock, hands-on care.
Some women experience baby blues right after giving birth, but many fall into the pit of postpartum depression. In the sleep-deprived, postpartum depression landmine, maintaining a balanced perspective and accepting common infant health concerns as a passing condition isn’t easy.
Feeling out of sorts is common among mothers for the first few weeks of motherhood. Remember, your baby and you are new on this journey. With time and lots of practice, you’ll find your groove.
Whether you’re preparing to welcome your baby into the world or already have them in your arms, here are some of the best tips that will help you care for them during the first 30 days:
1. Brace Yourself for Breastfeeding
Newborns require frequent feeding within 24 hours to 48 hours of coming into the world, so do not get alarmed by how hungry your baby is after giving birth.
As you near the end of pregnancy, prepare yourself for breastfeeding. Think of ways to breastfeed your baby before birth to ensure success. Talk to friends who have had a good nursing experience, or get in touch with a lactation consultant for advice.
Remember that newborns that aren’t breastfed during the first hour of life are at high risk of death and disease.
In this regard, the Enfamil and Similac lawsuit deserves mention because it entails that milk fortifier products and cow milk-based formula lead to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. NEC is a gastrointestinal disease in which the intestinal tissue gets inflamed, dies, and sloughs off. Premature infants who don’t receive breast milk are at an increased risk of NEC.
Hence, in the first 30 days, make sure your baby is exclusively fed breast milk so that it gets all the nutrients it needs for growth. Important note: If you produce more breast milk than your baby needs, don’t throw it away! Rather consider freeze drying any extra breast milk you produce for safe storage through Milkify.
2. Practice Kangaroo Mother Care
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo mother care, is highly effective in developing a bond between the baby and the mother.
Practicing kangaroo mother care right after birth increases a low birthweight or premature baby’s chances of survival. The World Health Organization says starting kangaroo mother care can save more than 100,000 lives each year.
Hold your baby close to your chest for a few hours to build that special bond between you two. Besides bonding, kangaroo mother care is medically beneficial for your newborn. Kangaroo mother care will stabilize your baby’s heart rate, decrease crying, improve oxygen saturation levels, and breastfeed successfully.
3. Soothe Fussy Infants by Mimicking the Womb
All babies cry- either they are cold, lonely, hungry, or in pain. But sometimes, infants become fussy, and calming them seems like an uphill battle. The solution? Swaddle them.
Swaddling, an age-old art, is a cornerstone of calming. Wrap your baby like a mini burrito in a lightweight, thin blanket with their arms across their chest. This recreates the experience your baby had when they were in your womb, making them feel secure. No surprise, it creates a wonderful calming effect on the baby.
Oh, and not to forget, swaddled babies sleep soundly and for prolonged hours, so it’s a must-try for every mother.
4. Stock on Pee Pads
When ordering essential stuff for your baby, don’t forget pee pads. We suggest so because diaper rashes are quite common in babies. Diaper rashes can make your baby’s skin tender, scaly, red, and sore.
Having pee pads handy can give them some diaper-free kick time. Of course, leaving them without diapers for long hours is a big no-no because exposure to air will cause them to pee.
You can give your baby some diaper-free kick time by using pee pads for half an hour pre and post-bath.
5. Keep Nasal Aspirators Handy
Bet no one would have told you this before- nasal aspirators are a blessing for mothers. Just like us, newborns’ noses get congested, because of which they may not be able to breathe properly.
This fantastic tool will help you clear your newborn’s blocked nasal passages. Cleaning your newborn’s stuffy nose will not only help them breathe properly, but they will also be able to latch better. After all, a well-fed baby is a happy baby.
Worry Not; You’ll Adjust to a New Normal With Time
We’d be honest, the first few weeks of becoming a mother is like sailing through rough seas. During the first 30 days of motherhood, a lot happens. You’ll make mistakes, learn a lot, and even get exhausted. But in the end, everything will be worth it.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Every new mother goes through this phase, and, like everyone, you’ll make it through. Anytime you feel overwhelmed, cuddle with your little one, for it works like magic.
