New mothers- A guide to bringing up baby!
new mothers
Congratulations! You are a new mother! After nine long months, your new bundle has finally arrived. Once you get your new baby home, you are probably wondering what is next. When do I feed the baby? How often do I change the baby? How often should the baby sleep? New mothers will find that there is quite a bit to learn when you become a new parent. Being nervous about being a parent is normal, and having many questions only means you are doing something right.
New Mothers Advice
Accept Help
New mothers often feel pressured to do it all. Do not make this mistake. This is an overwhelming time. Babies require a lot of care, especially the first few weeks. You will be exhausted after waking every few hours to feed and change the baby. Also remember that your body just went through quite a bit of trauma and is trying to heal. If there is a friend or relative who offers to help, be sure to accept the assistance. Whether someone wants to bring over a few meals for the freezer or is offering to watch the baby while you get a shower, it is important to remember that it is ok to accept help.
Comforting Your Baby
Within the first few hours after birth, new mothers should take the opportunity to bond with the baby. Becoming a mother is the most incredible time in your life, and it is important to take that time to fall in love with your new baby. One of the best ways to bond is skin-to-skin contact. Simply hold your baby to your bare chest and take it all in.
You can continue skin-to-skin once you get home to continue the bonding process. Another way to comfort your baby is to swaddle. Swaddling is a process of wrapping the baby snugly with a baby blanket. The hospital staff will show you how to swaddle while you are in the hospital.
Feeding Time
All new mothers nee to know how often and how much to feed a new baby. It is best for babies to feed on demand. This is when they begin showing signs of hunger, such as sucking their fingers or crying. Newborns should be fed every two to four hours. Babies often sleep quite a bit during the day and will need to be awakened to eat. Don’t hesitate to wake the baby for a feeding. Formula fed babies will usually eat two to three ounces at first, and then gradually they will begin to take more. Breast fed babies need to nurse for at least 10 to 15 minutes at each breast. Breast fed babies should have at least six wet diapers and two or three dirty diaper within a 24 hour period.
Babies suck in air when they are feeding, so it is important to burp the baby throughout the feeding. You can either rest the baby’s head against your shoulder and pat their back, or sit the baby facing out on your lap with one hand supporting the baby’s head. Gently pat the back until the baby burps.
Bathing Your Baby
While those precious pictures of babies playing in a tub full of bubbles is something all new mothers look forward to, it will be a few weeks before your baby can actually be submerged in a bathtub. This is because the baby still has the umbilical cord stump. Until the stump falls off, the baby will have to take sponge baths. Some hospitals instruct mothers to wipe the umbilical cord with rubbing alcohol. However, medical professionals now recommend leaving the area alone. If you are unsure of how to treat the cord, ask your pediatrician.
You may feel anxious and nervous at first, but take your time. This is an exciting time in your life! Get into a rhythm, and you will feel like a pro in no time.
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