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Parenting is a beautiful experience and is one of the most significant accomplishments a person can achieve. However, There can be some issues parents face after having their first child, and they might need help in raising their first child.
You have gone through a hard time during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. When you are finally home with your baby, you might not have any idea what you will do!
The following tips can help first-time parents feel confident about caring for their newborn baby.
After-birth Care:
Consider getting help during this stressful and overwhelming period. Talk to the specialists in the hospital. Many hospitals offer feeding specialists and consultation that can be very helpful in breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Nurses can also help you hold, burp, change and care for your baby. This is one of the most common issues parents face after having their first child and should be done with utmost care.
Hire a baby nurse, postpartum doula, or a responsible neighborhood teen to aid you for a few hours following the birth. Your doctor or hospital can direct you to home health services or provide information about in-home care.
Family and friends often want to help. Even if you disagree on some points, respect their experience. If you’re not ready for guests or have other worries, don’t feel bad about limiting their visits.
Handling a newborn:
As this is your very first experience in raising a newborn, their feebleness can be very intimidating. It would help if you remember the following basics:
- Please wash your hands thoroughly: Newborns don’t have a robust immune system, so they are at greater risk of infection. So, make sure everyone who is handling the baby has clean hands.
- Never shake your newborns: If you want to wake your baby, do it by tickling them or blowing gently on a cheek. Never shake them because shaking can cause bleeding in the brain and raise complications.
- Remember that your baby is not old enough for rough play, like being thrown in the air or jiggled around.
Bonding with baby:
Bonding, arguably one of the most enjoyable aspects of newborn care, occurs during the critical first hours and days following birth when parents form a close bond with their child. Closeness can help in promoting an emotional bond.
Attachment helps children develop emotionally, which impacts their development in other areas, such as physical growth. Bonding can also be described as “falling in love” with your child. Children benefit from having a parent or other adult in their lives who unconditionally loves them.
Begin bonding with your infant by cradling them and gently stroking them in various ways. You and your partner can also be “skin-to-skin” by holding your infant against your skin when nursing or caressing them.
Diapering your baby:
Always keep in mind that whether you decide diaper or clothes for your baby, they will dirty their diapers about 10 times a day or 70 times a week.
Lay your baby on their back after each bowel movement or if the diaper is damp, and remove the dirty diaper. Wipe your baby’s genital area clean with water, cotton balls, and a washcloth or wipes.
Carefully remove a boy’s diaper because exposure to the air may induce him to urinate. To avoid a urinary tract infection, clean a girl’s bottom from front to back when wiping her (UTI). Apply ointment to a rash to prevent or treat it. After changing a diaper, make sure to wash your hands properly.
Bathing basics:
Give your baby sponge baths until their umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals completely. They might also need sponge baths until their circumcision heals.
Sponge baths:
Choose a warm, flat surface (such as a changing table, floor, or counter) for a sponge wash. Prepare a warm (not hot!) sink or bowl. Undress your infant and towel them. Start with one eye and wipe it from the inner corner to the outer corner with a damp towel (or a clean cotton ball). Wash the opposite eye with a clean washcloth corner or a cotton ball. Wash your baby’s nose and ears. Then re-wet the cloth and gently wash and dry their face.
Next, lather up baby shampoo and gently wash your baby’s head. Wash the baby’s rest with a moist cloth and soap, focusing on creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and the genital area; after washing and drying such areas, diaper and clothe your infant.
Even if you’re nervous about handling a newborn, you’ll create a routine and be parenting like an expert in a matter of weeks! If you have any questions or concerns, consult top pediatricians in Karachi for options that might assist you and your baby grow together.
Feeding your baby:
A newborn baby needs to be fed 2-3 times a day. Your baby will cue you by crying, putting their hands in their mouth, or making sucking noises. Always keep in mind that they need to be fed on demand.
A newborn may need to be fed 2-3 times a day. If you are nursing, give the baby 10-15 minutes on each breast. And if you are formula feeding your baby, they will take about 60-90 mililiters at each feeding.
Burping your baby:
If your baby tends to be fussy as they swallow air during feeding, burp your baby after every 2-3 ounces of feeding.
- Hold your infant upright on your shoulder. With one hand, gently support your baby’s head and back.
- Hold your baby. Support your baby’s chest and head with one hand by cradling his chin in your palm and resting his heel on his chest (be cautious about grabbing his chin, not his throat). With your other hand, pat your baby’s back.
- Place your infant on your lap. Pat or rub your baby’s back while supporting their head higher than their chest.
FAQs
What do first-time parents struggle with the most?
Sleep deprivation, insufficient or no romance, and disagreement over shifting new roles are just a few of the relationship difficulties that new parents face.
What are the new challenges parents face after having their first child?
- Not enough sleep.
- Sleeping and settling.
- Feeding the baby.
- Recovering from childbirth.
- Coping with the ongoing care of other children.
What are the issues that affect parenting?
Striking a balance between family and profession, Fear of saying ‘NO,’ and a blaming culture are parenting issues that you may face in parenting.
What is depleted mother syndrome?
When a mother’s demands increase while her resources decrease, Depleted Mother Syndrome (DMS) occurs. As a result, both internal and external factors increase the mother’s sensitivity.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with top pediatricians in Karachi through Marham by calling at Marham helpline: 0311-1222398 or by an online appointment booking facility through the website or Marham mobile app.
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