How to Handle Your Newborn Baby

Baby is a precious creation- you must handle him/her with utmost care. Your baby lacks muscle control, so you have to take extra precautions while holding, bathing, feeding, and dressing the baby. Lift the baby slowly and don’t rush when you carry her/him. Newborns are completely dependent on you.

If this is your first baby and have never handled any baby before, baby’s fragility may be overwhelming for you. For many parents, just holding the tiny baby is nerve-wracking.  Below are few guidelines to follow and within a couple of days, you can become an expert.

1. Holding the baby carefully-For a new parent, who has no experience with infants, simply picking up and holding the little one is scary. Take suggestion from older member in the family and friends. Your baby’s head is big and heavy compared to other parts of the baby. Therefore, it is very important to support your baby’s head and neck when you carry the baby up and lay down. A good way to pick the baby up and put him/her down is with your whole arm, which supports spine, neck and head at the same time. When you are going to wake up your baby, don’t shake him/her, just tickle in the feet and the baby will be up. Some parents like to wrap their baby’s legs and hands in a blanket until they are used to it.

1.  Feeding the baby- Feeding the newborn is something that every new parent worries about at first. At this period, babies drink either breast milk or formula. If the mother is breastfeeding, then feeding will most likely occur in every few hours and if the baby is bottle fed, then the gap between feedings may go up to two to three hours. Don’t forget to burp the baby after each feeding.

1. Diapering the baby-Everybody knows how to change a diaper, but when you have to do it yourself, it may get messy. You may feel awkward in first few times, but slowly with little practice, you will handle the newborn with ease. While changing diapers, use a waist-high table with safety straps. Lay the baby on the diaper, fold the front half of the diaper over the baby and tighten it with attached tapes. Check the diaper in 5 to 10 minutes to see whether it is wet or not.  Do not allow the baby to be in wet diaper for a longer period, which may lead to skin infection.

1. Dressing the baby-Excited parents spend enough money to buy good clothes for their newborn baby. Whichever clothing you prefer, look for garments that are easy for you to put on and takeoff the baby like large necklines are easy to slip baby’s head. While dressing, support your baby’s head in one hand until he/she is 3 months old.

1. Bathing your baby- Bath time can be enjoyable if you know how to handle the baby while bathing. Until 10 to 15 days after birth, the baby is generally given a sponge bath and after that a daily bath. While bathing in tub, make sure to hold the baby in one hand tightly, otherwise the baby may slip. Right after the bath, wrap your baby in a towel and cover the head.

1. Make yourself sure to fasten the car seat or stroller every time when you are going out. Avoid bouncy or rough roads as this may upset your baby’s stomach.

 It is better to ask for your family and friends to get through this time, which can be disturbing. Nurses can also show you how to hold, bath, change, and burp your baby. Though you may feel worried about handling a baby, within 2 to 3 months, you will get used to a daily routine and turn into a professional parent.