Congratulations on the new addition to your family! New parents have a lot on their plate. There is a lot to adjust to, from learning how to change a diaper to getting up in the middle of the night for feedings. On top of that, you also want to ensure that your newborn is healthy and happy. Fortunately, there are a handful of things you can do to ensure your newborn’s health.
In this blog post, we will share 11 tips for keeping your newborn healthy. From eating healthy during pregnancy to choosing the right pediatrician, these tips will assist you in getting off to a great start.
Get a newborn checkup done immediately after delivery
A doctor or nurse will help deliver your new baby at the hospital. They’ll help you with the birthing, but it is important to have them look over your newborn as soon as possible after delivery. When scheduling a newborn checkup appointment, make sure that you follow all of their instructions (or ask if there are any questions).
The doctor or nurse will want to run some tests on your little one so they can make sure everything is okay and get some baseline measurements for future reference. You may also see an allergist during this visit if there are any concerns about allergies or asthma in your family history. Make sure to look out for any injury which might be caused due to childbirth.
The number of children with birth injuries in the U.S. is about 7 of every 1,000 babies. If you are unsure about what can be classified as a childbirth injury, visit www.childbirthinjuries.com for more information or discuss with your baby’s pediatrician. Closely monitor your baby’s health, especially in the first three months after birth.
Get your doctor’s okay before introducing solid food to your newborn baby
Before you introduce solid food to your baby, make sure that they are physically ready for it. A doctor can help determine when your child is ready. If you’re concerned that your newborn might not be ready yet, talk with their pediatrician about which foods are safe for babies under six months old and how long they can wait before introducing solids. You should also talk with the pediatrician if your baby has had an ear infection or any other illnesses within the past two weeks.
Put your baby to sleep
Sleep is very important for you and your baby. Ensure that the sleeping area for your baby is safe. Remove any pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals from the crib or bassinet. Place your baby to sleep on their back to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it. This will help signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep. Keep the light and noise level low in your baby’s room.
Be careful when bathing your baby
Always use warm water – never hot. Test the water with your elbow before putting your baby in. Second, you’ll want to support your baby’s head and neck at all times while they’re in the water. Third, use a mild, unscented baby soap and avoid getting soap in their eyes. And fourth, be sure to gently pat your baby dry after their bath.
Stay up-to-date on the vaccinations
As a new parent, it’s normal to want to do everything possible to keep your baby healthy. A great way to do this is by ensuring they are up to date on their vaccinations. Vaccinations help protect children from various serious illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and polio.
Make sure your baby gets proper nourishment
Newborns need frequent feedings, usually every 2 to 3 hours or 8 to 12 times a day. They should be allowed to eat as much as they want at each feeding. A newborn’s stomach is very small, about the size of its fist. They can only eat a small amount at each feeding. You may hear your baby’s tummy gurgle or see them squirm and cry when hungry. These are signs that it is time to feed them. It is important not to overfeed them. Overfeeding can lead to problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Make sure your baby is safe
As a new parent, you want to do whatever possible to keep your newborn healthy. Always wash your hands before handling your baby. Never shake a baby, as this can cause serious injury. Keep your home clean and free of hazards. Make sure your baby’s crib is safe and comfortable. Never leave your newborn unattended, even for a moment.
Choose the right formula
The first thing to consider while selecting a baby formula is what kind of milk you give them and how much they will be drinking in a day. If your baby is formula-fed, then it’s important they get their nutrients from breast milk or formula. Make sure that whatever type of food you’re feeding them meets all their nutritional needs without fail—even if it means switching formulas later on down the road!
You also need to consider the cost: Do I want my child to grow up eating healthy foods? How much does this cost? Is there any other way around this expense if I don’t have enough money to buy everything separately right now?
Learn to recognize normal newborn behavior
As you learn to recognize normal newborn behavior, you’ll be able to react appropriately and keep your baby healthy. Babies who are hungry need food and milk. If they don’t get enough fluids after being fed, they may become dehydrated. Newborns have very little energy because they haven’t been able to eat very much yet.
They also spend a lot of time sleeping—a lot! So if your baby seems tired all the time during the day and seems cranky when you pick them up from naptime, it could mean they need more restful sleep at night instead of being awake all day long like most newborns do right now (or sometimes even older kids).
Keep your baby away from smokers
If you’re a smoker, keep your baby away from you. The smoke can harm the baby’s lungs and heart and even cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In addition to that, smoking can cause respiratory problems in babies as well as ear infections. It also elevates the risk of heart disease later on in life for adults who smoke during pregnancy or childhood.
Keep your baby’s hands clean
Clean your baby’s hands with soap and water every time you change his diaper. Use a mild, unscented soap for washing your hands after changing your baby’s diaper. Don’t use hand sanitizer on newborns—it can harm their sensitive skin!
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, you can do many things to ensure your newborn baby is healthy and happy. The key is to take one step at a time and remember that it’s okay if you don’t get everything done right away! Make sure to enjoy this time, as it is both rewarding and hectic. You will cherish these years once they grow up. a
