For new parents, the arrival of a baby not only brings happiness but also maybe worry. Many couples who have just had children feel confused about caring for newborns.

In addition to preparing all the equipment to welcome your little one, you and your partner must also equip yourself with skills in caring for newborns. These knowledge and skills will make it easier for you to carry out your role as a new parent.



 

Some Things Related to Newborns

Newborns are still vulnerable, so they need to be treated with care. For this reason, there are several important things that must be considered when caring for newborns, including:

1. Keep the baby clean and safe

Make sure you wash your hands before handling or holding the baby. Newborns' immune systems are still weak, so they are vulnerable to germs and viruses that may attach to them when your hands are not clean.

Be careful when holding a newborn, especially how you hold the baby's head and neck. Never shake a baby when waking or calming him, because it can cause bleeding in the brain.

Be careful when playing with your little one. Don't play dangerous games, such as hurling with hard toys, throwing them in the air, or shaking them on your knees.

2. Bathing the baby

Don't bathe your little one before the umbilical cord is dislodged and the navel area is dry. Just wipe with a washcloth dampened in warm water. After the umbilical cord is dislodged, bathe the baby with unscented shampoo and soap, or one specially formulated for newborns.

If you don't dare to bathe your little one in the bathtub, ask someone else to hold your little one while you wash them with water.

3. Changing diapers

One of the newborn care that is considered quite troublesome is changing diapers. Newborns may need to change their diapers up to 6-10 times a day, depending on the food the baby receives.

Generally, babies who are fed formula milk from birth will urinate and defecate more often than babies who are breastfed.

Babies have their first bowel movements after a day or two of birth. Good newborn poop is in the form of black meconium. Meconium is made up of mucus, amniotic fluid, and anything else a baby swallowed while in the womb.

4. Breastfeeding

Generally, babies need to be breastfed 8–15 times a day. This is because the baby's stomach capacity is still very small.

Breastfeed your little one as often as possible without having to wait for him to cry or scream first. When crying, it is more difficult for babies to swallow milk because their tongue is not in the right attachment position.

It may be difficult to breastfeed at first. But over time, you and your baby will get better at this process.

Important Advice for Parents

Taking care of a newborn can seem tiring. Not infrequently, many parents feel stressed, especially when they have just had their first child.

Often because of busy caring for newborns, parents forget to pay attention to themselves. In order for you to give your best in caring for your little one, of course you also need to pay attention to your own physical and emotional health.

The following things can be applied to manage pressure when caring for newborns:

1. Maintain physical condition

In the early weeks after birth, you may be sleep deprived. To work around this, sleep at the same time as your little one's bedtime. If your little one wakes up because he wants to suckle, try a breastfeeding position while lying on his side, so you can still rest.

If your little one is fussy, ask your partner to take turns watching over and calming him down at night. To keep your body fit despite lack of sleep, eat healthy foods, meet your fluid needs, do light exercise, and avoid caffeine.

2. There is no need to be afraid

Seeing the tiny and vulnerable newborns, might make you feel worried that you won't be able to take good care of them. You may also feel panicked, especially if your little one keeps crying.

But anxiety will be reduced if you and your partner equip yourself with knowledge and skills about baby care. Over time, you will become more flexible and understand how to handle your little one.

3. Postpone other work first

Don't push yourself too hard to do activities that were usually done before the birth of your little one. Homework, such as washing, mopping, and cleaning the house can be postponed so you don't get too tired.

You can buy ready-to-eat side dishes or cook menus that are easy to process but still nutritious.

4. Don't lock yourself up

A baby who is fussy at home might be cheerful when asked to leave the house for a walk to breathe fresh air. Having a baby also doesn't mean limiting relationships with your friends and family.

Occasionally, let them help raise your baby. This help can save your energy.

5. Know when to ask for help

If you encounter a problem that is stressing you out, don't hesitate to ask for help from an expert. For example, if you are having trouble breastfeeding, consult your doctor or lactation counselor.

If the stress you feel is already disturbing your daily life, there's nothing wrong with consulting a psychologist.

Currently, there are many clinics and hospitals that provide classes for couples who want to learn to care for newborns. Apart from taking classes, you can also study online or read articles or books that discuss how to care for newborns.

By equipping yourself, it is hoped that you and your partner will be better prepared and not surprised by your new duties as parents. If you still have questions about caring for newborns, don't hesitate to consult a pediatrician for the best advice.