Mandatory rules for caring for a newborn baby. Caring for a newborn boy and girl in the first month of life

Finally, what you have been waiting for 9 months has finally happened - a baby was born in your family. He is so tiny and fragile that it is scary to pick him up. It's scary to swaddle, and even more so to bathe. It seems to weigh almost nothing. To help the baby quickly adapt to a new life, become strong and strong, proper care for a newborn baby will help.

The first day, when the baby was taken from the hospital, is always a test for new parents. The little man at this time is especially vulnerable, he needs help and love. Mom and dad during this period require special care and attention to a helpless child. Organizing proper care for the baby and observing it is the main task of adults.

The importance of proper care in the early days is due to the weak immunity of the baby. From an almost sterile environment, the baby enters a world with many germs and infections. The baby is just forming the process of thermoregulation. The slightest breeze or overheating can make a child sick.

The baby has an open umbilical wound, which requires careful treatment. The navel is one of the main risk factors in the first days of life: with spontaneous movements of the arms, the baby can scratch and infect. The first days, until the baby's daily routine is established, mommy needs to spend as much time as possible with her baby.

Premature babies born underweight have a very weak immune system. Adults should carefully monitor all changes in the behavior of infants, and in case of illness, immediately call a doctor and not self-medicate.

Caring for a newborn child should be based on the desire to help the baby adapt to the outside world, create comfortable living conditions, and help get used to a new life. Start creating coziness by adjusting the lighting in the children's room. Bright lights, loud sounds - all this scares the baby, and are stress factors.

Another significant stress factor is the loss of a sense of security, the lack of clear boundaries. During uterine development, the baby all the time felt a dense, benevolent environment around him. Swaddling helps to cope with the feeling of such fear. It is important for a baby to feel touch with his whole body. Of course, mommy can try to carry the baby around the clock in her arms.

So, your baby is at home. You dimmed the light in his room and the baby fell asleep. While the child is sleeping, do not whisper, speak in a normal voice. The main thing is to avoid screams, scandals so that the baby is not scared. While your baby is sleeping, prepare to wake him up.

Basic principles

When organizing the care of newborn children, it is necessary to follow certain principles that will make life easier for the baby and adults:

• Cleanliness of the baby's body and surrounding things.
• Daily hygiene procedures.
• Daily wet cleaning of the children's room or the room in which the baby is located.
• During walks, be sure to ventilate the children's room.
• Daily change of bed linen and baby clothes: undershirts, bonnets. Wash all children's things with a special baby powder or baby soap. Rinse thoroughly, iron with a hot iron on both sides.
• In the room, the baby should not have things that accumulate dust, such as carpets or soft toys. If there are animals in the house, then for the first months it is necessary to isolate the crumbs from their close presence so as not to cause an allergic reaction.

The first days after discharge from the maternity hospital, you should not gather guests in your home. The baby is too weak and can easily catch an infection from lovers to hold him in his arms.

Care accessories

Even before discharge from the hospital, it is necessary to prepare for the meeting of a new family member. Purchase:

• Crib. The cots are very comfortable, in which you can lower the side, then it can also be used as a changing table.
• Changing table or agree in advance where you will swaddle the baby.
• Children's first aid kit. What should be included in the first aid kit, check with your doctor. The main requirement is compliance with the expiration date. Place the first-aid kit in a conspicuous place so that you do not have to look for it for a long time.
• Hygienic care products: cotton pads, wet wipes, ear sticks, etc.
• Soothers and a few bottles. Even if the baby is breastfed, drinking baby water should always be at hand.
• Disposable, reusable and waterproof diapers.
• Disposable and reusable diapers. Diapers can be used with baby swaddling.
• Baby bath and insert - bath for bathing.
• Rattles.
• Scissors with rounded tips.
• Children's cosmetics. For children's cosmetics, be sure to consult a pediatrician. Abuse of creams, oils can cause allergies.

The list will expand as the baby grows. How exactly to care for a newborn baby, what additional accessories will be needed, a pediatrician can tell.

In modern pediatrics, many works are devoted to the process of caring for babies, where the importance and significance of proper care for babies from the first days of their life is proved from a scientific point of view.

Daily routines

1. Umbilical wound care.

The navel heals in an average of 2 weeks. All morning hygiene procedures must begin with the treatment of the umbilical wound. In no case do not use cotton pads or cotton buds so that fibers do not get into the wound. The procedure itself goes as follows:

• Lay a disposable diaper on the changing table, put another chintz or flannel diaper on top, depending on the weather.
• Undress the baby and place the back on the surface.
• From a round-ended pipette, drop 2 times hydrogen peroxide on the navel. Wait for the peroxide to dry.
• Rinse the pipette. Put 2 drops of brilliant green on the wound. Wait for the greenery to dry.

Until the navel has healed, it is not recommended to bathe the child. You can carry out daily rubbing with warm water. The room should be warm, without drafts. If the navel does not heal, pus comes out from under the crust, you notice redness around the umbilical wound, call a doctor. Do not try to clean the navel yourself, so as not to bring an additional infection.

During the care of the umbilical wound, it is necessary to ensure free access of air to the navel. You can use diapers that have a special notch for the navel. Use loose swaddling during the day.

Start your morning routine by washing your face. Water should be boiled, room temperature. Wash the baby with a cotton pad: wet the pad and wring it out a little. Water should not flow over the child's face.

1. We rub our eyes.

The mucous membranes of the baby can easily fester, so rubbing the eye should be done daily. A cotton pad soaked in boiled water is gently carried out from the outer to the inner corner of the eye. A separate disc is used for each eye. After rubbing, the eyes are dried in the same way.

1. Nose care.

There are two opinions on how to care for the nose of a newborn baby. Some experts insist on daily cleansing. Others believe that it is necessary to clean the nose only in case of illness, for example, with a runny nose, so as not to injure the nasal mucosa. If the baby breathes freely, then do not once again climb into the spout.

For a cold:

• Make a few flagella from cotton wool. Do not use cotton swabs. If the baby twitches, and in newborns there are frequent cases of spontaneous movements, then the nasal mucosa can be damaged.
• Prepare hydrogen peroxide or saline solution.
• Soak the flagellum in the prepared liquid. Screw the flagellum into the spout and quickly remove it. If necessary, repeat the procedure several times, each time changing the flagella.
• If crusts have accumulated in the spout, lubricate them with sterile oil. Then with a flagellum quickly and carefully remove.

1. We clean our ears.

As for the rules for cleaning the ears, the opinions of experts are also divided. Some suggest brushing daily. Others believe that it is enough to clean the ears once every 3 to 5 days.

• The outer sides of the ears are wiped with cotton pads. Make sure that water does not get inside. To do this, be sure to press the disc.
• Make a flagellum out of cotton wool and moisten lightly with hydrogen peroxide. Without sticking the flagellum deep, clean the ears. Instead of flagella, you can use cotton swabs with limiters that will not allow you to go deep.

We wash the child properly.

1. To understand how to properly care for and wash a newborn baby, it is necessary to take into account the physiological characteristics of boys and girls. When washing a boy, it is not necessary to move the foreskin, this can lead to adhesions. It is necessary to wash the baby every day, and every time after physiological departures.

Since in girls the labia still poorly cover the entrance to the vagina, it should be washed towards the anus so that E. coli does not get on the genitals.

• Place the child on one hand.
• Rinse the baby with baby soap under warm running water.
• Wipe dry with a towel.
• Treat with talc.

In the summer, babies should be washed more often, as babies sweat, and sweat accumulates in the folds.

For skin care we use special baby oils and creams. Be sure to check with your pediatrician. In case of rashes, stop using baby cosmetics and check the child for an allergic reaction.

Bathing

You can bathe the baby only after the umbilical wound has completely healed. So that the baby is not afraid of water, wrap the child in a thin diaper for the first procedures.

Before bathing with the baby, you can play or do light gymnastic exercises. After bathing, a light relaxing massage is useful. If the child is afraid of water, the procedure should be stopped immediately. Repeat only after a few days.

Compliance with the rules of procedures for caring for babies allows you to develop immunity in the crumbs, protect the baby from diseases.

We ran through all 9 months of pregnancy, left behind the pangs of childbirth and in front of you lies a small tender lump of your son or daughter. What to do with him now? How to care for a newborn baby? How to bathe him, wash him and in general how to pick him up. We will try to answer these questions for you.

How to care for the umbilical wound of a newborn.

The baby, while in the womb, is fed through the umbilical cord, which is crossed after childbirth. An umbilical wound is formed, which you will have to take care of at home, because the umbilical wound is a big gateway for infections in your baby's small body.

In the morning and evening after bathing, the umbilical wound should be treated. To do this, you need to prepare hydrogen peroxide 3%, brilliant green, as well as 2 syringes without a needle or 2 pipettes.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap, open the umbilical wound and drip a few drops of hydrogen peroxide.

It will hiss and foam, different crusts come out of the umbilical wound, which you then remove with a sterile cotton swab. After that, draw 2 drops of brilliant green into a pipette or syringe and drip into the umbilical wound, remove the excess with a sterile cotton swab.

Thus, it is necessary to treat the wound until it oozes, sometimes it takes 7 days, sometimes 14, and sometimes the umbilical wound heals after 20 days. If nothing oozes from the umbilical wound, it is completely smooth and dry, then there is no point in processing it.

Then you treat all skin folds with boiled vegetable oil or other special oil for newborns. First wipe behind the ears, under the neck, armpits, elbows and groin, where dust can accumulate. Lastly, treat between the buttocks.

How to care for a newborn baby

How to swaddle a newborn

So your baby is lying in front of you completely naked. What to do with him, how to care for a newborn baby? To swaddle or not to swaddle?

It is better to swaddle some children, as they wake themselves up by waving their hands in a dream, others can not be swaddled. Therefore, every mother must learn her newborn child and decide what is best for her baby.

In the maternity hospital, they offer to swaddle the baby in diapers for the first time, and then as he grows up, you can switch to vests and sliders.

How to properly wash a newborn

How to approach our newborn child, and what to do with him when he fulfilled his needs. How to pick it up and wash it properly so that it does not slip out

Place the child on the left arm, bent at the elbow joint, as if on a shoulder blade.

The head lies in the elbow bend. With your left hand, hold the child by the left thigh, and press it to you.

In this position, you bring the baby to a stream of warm water (tested in advance).

The girl must be washed from front to back, so that feces do not fall into the genital gap.

You can use special wet wipes, but as a rule they are designed for special occasions when you do not have warm water at hand, on a trip, in nature, in the country. At all other times, it is better to wash the child with warm running water with baby soap.

How to care for a newborn baby in the morning

Every morning in a newborn, as in an adult, begins with washing. Boiled or mineral water, wipe the face, neck, hands with a cotton swab.

After that, blot with a soft diaper or towel.

Protect your child's eyes from water, wipe them last with a damp cotton swab from the outer edge to the inner. If your eyes are watery or produce yellowish mucus that sticks to your eyelids, see your doctor.

Then soak a cotton swab in sterile oil and clean the nasal passages in a circular motion.

To clean the ears, also soak a cotton swab in boiled water, turn the child's head on its side and clean the ear, not forgetting all the folds of the auricle. Do not go beyond the ear canal. For each ear, as well as for the eyes, use a separate cotton wool. Morning toilet necessarily ends with washing.

What to do with a newborn baby

What did your baby do while in your belly? He beat you with legs and arms, dragged you by the umbilical cord, demanded food.

Now he was born what to do with the newborn? Just swaddle, put in a crib, or unswaddled, put panties on him and let him move?

Each mother should approach this individually and see what her child wants. But being in the crib all the time, the child will receive little information, learn little about the world around him. Unfortunately, such children sometimes cry very loudly, and their mothers try not to disturb them: "Cry and calm down, it's okay."

And unfortunately, such children grow up very nervous and restless. Therefore, while you can take the child in your arms, you need to take him, carry him in your arms, talk to him, communicate.

Usually the baby is carried on the arm, sometimes it can be carried in a column with its head resting on your shoulders. It can be worn on the arm, but with the tummy down, with the hand supporting the child between the legs.

How much and how much should a newborn sleep

So you washed your baby, swaddled, fed, walked with him, and now it's time for him to sleep. Where should a newborn sleep?

Surely he has his own bed in which there is a rather hard mattress. Newborn babies should sleep without a pillow. Change the position of the child daily so that his head is not deformed.

The child can sleep on the left or right side, as well as on the stomach. It is recommended to lay on the baby's stomach immediately after birth. In this position, the newborn has less stomach pain, gases are well discharged, he is less restless, easily gets used to this position and quickly falls asleep.

Children who sleep on their stomachs start walking and talking earlier, moreover, this is a prevention from dysplasia. You do not need to arrange complete silence for the child, light music can play, the TV may not work loudly, you can talk with the baby, you can leave him alone.

As the child gets used to it, he will fall asleep and will give you a quiet rest during the daytime and nighttime sleep. And at night, complete silence should reign, thanks to this the child will get used to the regime: day - night.

How much does a newborn sleep

Many parents think that a newborn baby should sleep a lot, in fact, the need for sleep is very individual. There are children who sleep for 20 hours, others are enough for 15. If your child sleeps very little from birth, this does not mean at all that something is bothering him.

You don't need to worry, as the child himself should decide how much to sleep. It is advisable to accustom the child to the idea that immediately after eating he should sleep.

Some parents feel that it is better for the child to sleep in the same bed with them, so it is easier to keep track of his needs. Others teach a very young child to sleep even in a separate room, although the sleep of both the child and the mother is disturbed. The kid is nervous that no one is around, and parents need to listen all night if their baby is crying, and run to another room at the first cry.

Many people think that a child should sleep in his own crib, but in a room with his parents. Everyone must decide this for himself, but try to get the child to fall asleep without the presence of mom and dad. Otherwise, in the future it will be difficult for you to accustom him to sleep alone.

How to walk with a newborn

The first walk can be done by the end of the first week after discharge from the hospital. Usually, by this time, mother and child have already adapted. They already know when to eat, when to sleep and can choose the best time for a walk. If the weather is very good outside, then the walk can be started from 20 to 30 minutes.

In winter, you can walk with a newborn to a temperature not lower than -10˚ C, if the temperature is lower, then it is better to ventilate the room or walk on the balcony.

Now, dear young mothers, you have learned how to care for a newborn baby. Do not worry and do not be afraid, involve your husband more often in activities with the child, this is also his duty.

Together you will overcome all difficulties.

When the first child appears in the family, newly-made parents have many questions about how to organize proper care for the newborn, because the newly born baby is completely helpless, and his well-being, health and adaptation in the world around him directly depend on the care and attention of relatives. To avoid feelings of panic after being discharged from the hospital, it is better to be clear in advance what kind of care a newborn needs.

Hygiene procedures

All procedures must be performed with clean hands, and it is always necessary to remove moisture from the skin of the crumbs with blotting movements.

Daily care for a newborn begins with washing the baby's eye with cotton pads dipped in water, or with your hands. In this case, the movements are carried out in the direction from the outer corner to the inner. A separate disk is taken for each eye. When purulent discharge appears, washing with infusion of tea leaves or a few drops of mother's milk effectively helps. If the inflammation does not go away, then the pediatrician should be informed. To wash the cheeks, forehead, nose and chin of the baby, you will need another cotton swab.

Complete care for a newborn necessarily includes cleansing the nose of accumulations of crusts and mucus, which, even in small quantities, can lead to respiratory failure. Cotton flagella soaked in vaseline oil are inserted into each nasal passage with rotational movements and removed in the same way. The baby's ears are cleaned with a damp cloth or cotton swab only from the outside, within sight. It is impossible to penetrate deep into the auricle.

To avoid diaper rash, every day you need to wipe the folds behind the ears, the neck, armpits, groin, bends of the elbows and knees with sterile oil.

The umbilical wound in infants is the most vulnerable place for microbes, therefore the main care of the newborn during the first 10 days is accompanied by its daily treatment until complete healing. To do this, you will need to purchase brilliant green as an antiseptic, a 2-3% hydrogen peroxide solution, a pipette, clean cotton pads and sticks.

The procedure is best performed immediately after bathing. Sequencing:

1. Take a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into a pipette;
2. Drop the solution on the wound;
3. Remove loose crusts with a dry cotton pad;
4. Treat the navel with a cotton swab soaked in brilliant green;
5. Allow the green to dry, and then dress the child.

It should be remembered that caring for a newborn baby requires confident actions from the mother, so everything must be done carefully and calmly. If the wound does not heal for more than 2 weeks, there is redness of the skin around the navel or purulent, bloody discharge, then be sure to consult a doctor.

Changing a diaper and especially washing children of different sexes

When organizing the care of a newborn baby, it is important to decide right away which diapers the mother will use - diapers or gauze analogues. The approximate frequency of changing diapers in the first months is 3-4 hours. Gauze diapers will need to be changed much more often, because. they do not breathe, and prolonged exposure to them can cause diaper dermatitis.

At each diaper change, it is recommended to lubricate the baby's sensitive skin with a special protective diaper cream or baby cream. During the day, be sure to arrange air baths for the child, leaving him naked for a few minutes.

Wash the newborn after each bowel movement and urination under warm running water. When washing away, the rules for caring for a newborn boy and girl are different. To prevent infection from entering the genital area, girls are washed from front to back, placing the baby facing the stream of water. The boys are placed on the forearm, tummy down, holding the thigh. Water is always drawn first into the palm of the hand, and then with stroking movements they wash the ass, legs, bottom of the back, and the baby's perineum.

Bathing is a pleasant and relaxing "ritual" for the baby

The birth of a child and caring for a newborn are responsible, touching and pleasant moments and chores in the life of every family. This also applies to water procedures that train the muscles of the baby, increase appetite and promote sound sleep.

You need to bathe the baby daily and preferably before evening feeding, after warming up the baby's body with light gymnastics or massage. If there are crusts (gneiss) on the baby's head, then 30 minutes before taking a bath, you need to lubricate these places with petroleum jelly.

For water procedures, you will need the following newborn care products:

The optimum water temperature is between 36 and 37 °C. The room temperature must be at least 25 °C. The child should be gently held by the shoulder joint, and the head should be placed on the wrist. The second hand of the mother is free to perform the necessary actions. The duration of the procedure is about 5 minutes. After bathing, the baby should be wrapped in a towel and put on a cap.

If the baby has signs of increased nervous excitability (anxiety, poor sleep and appetite, constant crying), it makes sense to add a decoction of chamomile, lavender or sea salt to the bathing water. Such care for a hyperexcitable newborn will have a calming effect.

What else to remember

Answering the question about what kind of care for a newborn is needed, one cannot fail to note the obligatory washing of things with a special baby powder, regular walks in the fresh air, maintaining cleanliness in the children's room and periodically airing the room.

Due to certain complications for some mothers, caring for a newborn immediately after childbirth can cause some difficulties, therefore, for the provision of any feasible assistance, you should definitely contact relatives and friends.

Caring for a newborn in the first month of life is very important, it is on him that the health and proper development of the baby depends. Mom needs to know the basic rules for caring for a baby and strictly adhere to them.

How to care for a baby in the first month?

A newborn up to a month requires more attention and hygiene. The abundance of original lubricant can irritate delicate skin.

How to care for a baby up to a month? Babies are wiped after birth, but the cleanliness of the genitals remains with the mother. To prevent redness, excess lubricant is removed with a swab, each toilet should include washing. When healing the navel, bathing is done only in boiled water.

The first month of a newborn at home is a period of adaptation to a new environment. When born prematurely, it is worth paying attention to the mental state of the baby. The development and care of a newborn baby in the first month should be comprehensive.

Caring for a newborn baby up to 1 month old requires carefully cleaning the nasal passages from crusts. It is necessary to maintain cleanliness in the room and optimal humidity.

Even during pregnancy, a woman should take care of acquiring suitable clothing and baby care products.

Things and means for care

Facilities. In order to make it convenient for a young mother to care for a newborn in the first month of life, it is worth equipping an individual place in the room. All the necessary and useful tools will be stored there, with the help of which high-quality care for your child will be made:

• thermometer for measuring body temperature;
• water thermometer;
• room thermometer;
• 3 pipettes;
• scissors;
• warmer;
• enema;
• baby bath;
• soap dish;
• cotton wool;
• bathing bucket;
• green solution;
• herbal collection of chamomile and string;
• baby oil;
• powder.

In the room intended for the baby, there must be a wall clock. With their help, the mother will find out the time for feeding, and take care of the child in a timely manner.

Taking care of things. Items purchased in advance for the baby should be thoroughly washed and ironed on both sides. When washing children's clothes, you can not use synthetic detergents, it is recommended to use a special powder in this case, designed for washing children's clothes. It contains no allergens that pose a threat to newborns.

To wash the clothes of a small child, you need to purchase a new basin and then use it only for this purpose.

The baby's underwear should be stored in the personal compartment of the closet, in no case should you mix baby's undershirts with things of adults by a family member.

Hygiene procedures

Throughout the day, it is very important to carry out hygiene procedures that provide high-quality and proper care for a newborn in the first month of life.

Eyes. In the morning and evening, the child's eyes should be wiped with a cotton ball dipped in boiled water.

For each eye of the baby, you need to apply a new cotton ball, while rubbing from the edge of the face to the nose. This method is the prevention of suppuration and the transfer of infection from one eye to another.

Nose and ears. In some cases, dried crusts form in the nasal openings; heated vaseline oil is excellent for softening them. It is instilled for 15 minutes in both nostrils of the baby.

Care for a 1 month old baby should be done with caution. The nose and ears of newborns are carefully cleaned of contamination with cotton wool twisted into a small tourniquet. In order not to injure the sensitive skin of the child, vaseline oil is also applied to the cotton tourniquet.

Face, neck, arms. To cleanse the face, neck and hands, you can use a cotton ball dipped in warm boiled water.

After getting up in the morning, changing a diaper or bowel movements, it is imperative for newborns to wash their ass and genitals. At the same time, girls can only be washed from front to back, this is done to avoid infections of the genitourinary system.

At the end of hygiene procedures, all folds on the body should be treated with petroleum jelly or baby powder.

When caring for a child in the first month of life, the mother should not forget about her cleanliness. All procedures related to the baby, the woman must carry out with thoroughly washed hands. For the safety of the baby, mom should not wear rings and heavy watches during this period. The skin on the mother's hands should be healthy, and the nails cut short.

In the event of the appearance of various skin diseases in a woman, one of the relatives, for example, the father, is expected to take care of the child. And the mother should urgently deal with the treatment of the disease, because many of them are quickly transmitted to the baby.

Skin care

During the day, the mother needs to examine the skin of the child, it is especially important to pay attention to the armpits, groin, buttocks and folds.

Irritations. If any irritation occurs on the skin, special care must be taken.

If the redness is not too pronounced, then after water procedures this place is treated with chlorophyllipt, and then with baby oil. On areas of the body with pronounced redness, it is better to apply a specialized product for the care of infant skin - Bepanten.

Sweating and diaper rash. Sweating and diaper rash often appear in the inguinal region and on the pope due to prolonged wearing of a diaper. In order to prevent their occurrence, the child should be left completely undressed more often during the waking period. Subject to this rule, special care for the newborn in the first month is not required.

If irritation occurs, the skin is lubricated with zinc paste or treated with a decoction of chamomile. These products dry out and relieve irritation.

Navel. In the first month of a newborn's life, daily treatment of the navel is required. It is best to do this after bathing and immediately before dressing. A couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide are instilled into the child's navel, after a few minutes the crust in the wound softens and is easy to clean with a cotton swab. The navel is then treated with brilliant green.

Seborrheic crusts. Some inexperienced mothers are frightened when milk crusts appear on the baby's scalp. There is nothing to worry about, seborrheic crusts disappear on their own over time. But you can speed up this process with a special shampoo to remove them.

Already in the first month, scalp care can be carried out in folk ways. To remove milk crusts, before evening bathing, any oil is gently rubbed into the child's hair. While the mother washes the baby, the oil softens the crusts on the head.

Then the head must be thoroughly washed, and after drying, comb out the softened crust. To do this, you can take children's combs and brushes, or a regular soft toothbrush. It is necessary to carry out such events many times and over time the milk crusts will disappear.

Bathing a baby

At 1 month of a newborn's life, daily bathing is allowed only after the umbilical process falls off and the wound heals.

In the first month, it is better to fill a baby bath with boiled water, to which you can add a decoction of chamomile or string. In this case, you should pour such an amount of water at which you can safely immerse the child in the bath up to the shoulders. Each time the bath should be washed with soap, and washing accessories (a piece of flannel diaper or a baby washcloth) should be boiled for 20 minutes.

It is very important to observe the temperature regime, both of the water and the room in which the baby is bathed. In the room, it is desirable to maintain the air temperature around 22-23 degrees, and the water should not exceed 37.2 degrees.

It is better to carry out evening water sessions before the penultimate meal, while the child should not be in the water for more than 5 minutes. Before bathing, it is worth preparing the necessary things for the baby, it is better to warm them up with a special heating pad.

A flannel diaper folded in several layers is laid at the bottom of the baby bath. When bathing a small child, it is important to ensure that water and soap do not get into his eyes, mouth, nose and ears. It is necessary to pour a solution of potassium permanganate into the baby bath in case of any skin diseases in the child.

For the first time, it is better to bathe the baby with one of the relatives who will control the temperature of the water and give the mother the necessary funds. So caring for a child at 1 month of age will be a pleasant procedure for parents and the baby.

The child is lowered into the bath, in such a way that his butt is placed in the palm of his mother, the back is located along the length of the arm, and the head is supported by the shoulder. With her free hand, a woman carefully cleans the baby's skin using a special baby mitten or a piece of flannel diaper.

It is necessary to carefully wash all the folds on the baby's body, remove the remnants of powder and baby oil from the buttocks and perineum.

Once a week you need to bathe the child with baby soap. While the mother pours warm water over the baby, the assistant lathers the glove. Then the mother, one by one, removes the baby's body parts from the water and lathers them.

The child’s head is washed last, while lathering should occur from the forehead to the back of the head. After that, turn the tummy down and pour clean and warm water from the ladle. At the end of the water session, it is wrapped in a towel with a corner for the head, wiped from moisture and dressed in children's clothes.

Schedule

Caring for a newborn child in the first month of life provides for a certain daily routine, adhering to which it becomes possible for the mother to allocate time for her rest.

Feeding the child should take place at certain hours, due to this, the stable functioning of the digestive and nervous systems is ensured. In case of non-compliance with the feeding regimen, children often experience loss of appetite and sleep disturbances, and the nervous system reacts with irritability. At the same time, a woman feels tired from constant lack of sleep and the inability to fully relax.

In a sleeping state, newborns should not be constantly in one position. A newborn in the first month must be periodically shifted to the other side or back.

With the right daily routine, the child will sleep peacefully without needing night feeding. In this case, morning attachment to the breast will be carried out at 6.30, and evening - at 23.30. The intervals between feedings should be observed for about 3 hours. After feeding, the baby is laid on its side in the crib so that possible regurgitation does not interfere with breathing. It would be better if the baby is awake for 40 minutes after feeding.

Some women prefer to put the baby to sleep in their bed, believing that this way they will have a better rest. But at the same time, children's safety is in question (an accident cannot be completely ruled out), and the baby himself, being with his mother, is more likely to look for the breast, which leads to disruption of sleep and the entire daily routine. As a result, the baby becomes capricious and restless, and the mother is tired and irritable. Sleep disturbance also often occurs due to a stuffy room; daily airing ensures a strong and long sleep for the crumbs.

In winter, walks begin after the second week of a baby's life, and the air temperature outside cannot exceed -5 degrees. In the first days, you should not walk with your baby for more than 15-20 minutes. In subsequent times, the duration of the walk should be gradually increased to 2 hours.

In the cold season, the child should be warmly dressed, and the stroller should be covered with a warm blanket. At the same time, you can not overdo it in warming, the child will easily overheat. When the air temperature drops below -5 degrees with additional uncomfortable conditions in the form of a strong wind, a walk with a child should be postponed. You can dress the child as if for a walk, put it in a stroller and leave it for a while near an open window.

Massage treatments

With various skin diseases, it is better to refuse massage procedures so as not to worsen their course. More complex massage and gymnastics can only be carried out by a specialist in a children's clinic.

Newborn care in the first month video:

Step-by-step instructions for caring for a newborn will help the mother quickly cope with difficult tasks and keep the baby healthy.

So, you brought home your bundle of joy - now what? While caring for a newborn is one of the most special and rewarding experiences in your life, you may feel overwhelmed with what to do and the need to give your child constant attention and care. To take care of a newborn, what you need to know is how to provide your child with rest, care and attention, as well as a healthy dose of love and affection.

Steps

Part 1

1. Help the newborn get enough rest. Newborns need plenty of rest to grow up healthy and strong – some babies sleep up to 16 hours a night. As soon as your baby is three months old, he can sleep for 6-8 hours, at an earlier age, children sleep 2-3 hours at a time. The child must be awakened after this time if he has not eaten for 4 hours.

   • Newborns often do not understand whether it is day or night. If your child is more active at night, try to limit nighttime stimulation, dim the lights, and keep your voice down. Be patient until your baby starts a normal cycle.
   • Make sure the child is on their back to reduce the risk of SIDS.
   • You should alternate the position of the baby's head when he sleeps to avoid fontanelles on his face if he sleeps in the same position all the time.

2. Consider breastfeeding your newborn. If you want to breastfeed your baby, the best time to start is when the baby is first brought to you. You should turn the baby towards you so that your chest is directly in front of him. Touch the upper lip and point it towards the nipple, then when the baby opens its mouth, move it towards the breast. After you do this, the mouth should wrap around the nipple as much as possible. Here are some things you should know about breastfeeding your baby:

   • If the baby is getting enough food, he will use 6-8 diapers a day. Be on the lookout for when the baby wakes up and starts gaining weight rapidly.
   • Don't panic if you have trouble with your first feeding, it takes patience and practice. A nurse and another woman who is experienced in breastfeeding can help you.
   • Remember that breastfeeding should not be painful. If it hurts when grasping the nipple with the baby's mouth, place your little finger between the breast and the newborn's mouth and repeat the whole procedure from the beginning.
   • The first day of a child's life, you should feed him 8-12 times. You don't have to follow a strict schedule, but you should always feed your baby when he shows signs of hunger, from open mouth to peeking at the nipple. You must feed your baby at least every 4 hours. Even if it means gently waking him up.
   • Get comfortable. Feeding can sometimes take up to 40 minutes, so find a comfortable spot with a back support to support your back.
   • Eat healthy and balanced foods. Drink plenty of fluids and remember that you will feel more hungry than usual. Limit your intake of alcohol and coffee as they negatively affect breast milk.

3. Consider formula feeding. It is your personal decision whether to breastfeed or formula feed your baby. While some research suggests that breastfeeding may be healthier for your baby, you should also consider your own health and comfort, as well as a host of other factors, before making this decision. With bottle feeding, it will be easier for you to remember how many times you have fed your baby to limit the number of feedings, and you will not have to limit your own diet. If you choose to formula feed your baby, here are some things you need to know:

   • Always follow the directions on the mixture label.
   • Sterilize new bottles.
   • Feed your baby every two to three hours or when he looks hungry.
   • Throw away any leftover formula from the refrigerator or leftovers from feeding your baby.
   • Do not store mixtures in the refrigerator for more than 24 hours. You can warm them up gently, as many kids like it this way, but it's not necessary.
   • Hold your baby at a 45 degree angle so he doesn't swallow a lot of air. Rock him in a diagonal position, supporting his head. Tilt the bottle like a nipple and give it to your baby. Never support a child's neck, as he may begin to choke.

4. Change your newborn's diapers. Whether you're using cloth or disposable diapers, you'll have to quickly learn to become an expert diaper changer. Whichever method you choose, you should be prepared to change diapers 10 times a day. Here is what you need to do:

   • Prepare everything you need. You will need a clean diaper, a fastener (if it is a cloth diaper), powder (for rashes), a container of warm water, a clean washcloth, and a few cotton pads and wipes.
   • Remove the dirty diaper from the baby. If it is wet, put the baby on his back and remove the diaper. Use water and a towel to dry your child's genital area. For girls, wipe from front to back to avoid urinary tract infections. If you see a rash, treat it with an ointment or powder.
   • Open the new diaper and place it under the baby, gently lifting the baby's legs. Move the front of the diaper between your baby's legs, over the belly. Then stick the adhesive strips together and fasten them tightly so that the diaper fits snugly and securely.
   • To prevent your baby's skin from breaking out, try to change the diaper as soon as possible after a bowel movement. Wash your skin using soap and water. Let the baby go without diapers for part of the day to avoid diaper rash.

5. Bathe the newborn. During the first week, you should thoroughly wash your baby with a sponge. After the umbilical cord falls off, you can bathe your baby regularly, 2-3 times a week. You must do everything right, prepare the necessary items: a towel, soap, a clean diaper, etc. Prepare everything in advance so as not to fuss with the child later. Fill the bathtub or baby bath about 8cm full of warm water before you begin. And here's what you should do next:

   • See if someone can help you. You may feel insecure the first time you bathe your baby. So try to involve a member of your family in the process. One person can hold the baby while bathing, and the second person can directly bathe him.
   • Undress your child carefully. Then place the baby in the bath with your feet, supporting his neck and head. Pour cups of warm water into the tub to keep your baby warm.
   • Use a mild soap and use it sparingly so as not to get in your baby's eyes. Wash your baby with your hand or with a washcloth, making sure to gently wash your baby from top to bottom and front to back. Wash the child's body, genitals, scalp, hair, and any dried mucus that is left on the child's face.
   • Rinse off the soap with warm water while pouring cups over the baby. Pat the baby dry with a clean towel. Remove the child from the bath, remembering to hold the head and neck. Be careful, a wet child can easily slip out of your hands.
   • Wrap the baby in a towel and dry it. After that, dress him in a diaper, clothes and kiss the baby so that he has pleasant associations with the bath.

6. Know how to handle a child. You may be afraid of how small and fragile your baby is. But you have to learn to feel confident in no time at some points. Here are some things you should be doing:

   • Wash or sanitize your hands before picking up your child. Newborns are more susceptible to germs because their immune system has not yet been formed. Make sure your hands and the hands of those who touch the baby are clean.
   • Support the baby's head and neck. To hold your baby, always support his head, no matter what you do. The baby does not know how to hold his head, so do not let it hang.
   • Don't shake your baby when you play with him or get angry. This can lead to hemorrhage, and this leads to death. Don't try to wake your baby up by shaking him. Better tickle his heels or gently touch.
   • Learn to swaddle your baby. This is a great way to make your baby feel safe for up to two months.

7. Hold the newborn. You must ensure that you always hold the baby's head and neck. Sometimes you have to let the child rest with his head resting on the inside of his elbow and his body resting on his other arm. His outer thigh and leg should be resting along with your hand resting on his chest and tummy. Hold your baby firmly and give him your full attention.

   • You can also hold the baby by placing his tummy on your chest, using your hand to hold him. Use your other hand to support the baby's head.
   • If there are children or teenagers in your family who do not know how to handle a newborn, you should show them how to behave around the baby or make sure that adults are always around.

   Part 2

   Maintaining the health of the newborn

   1. Let the child lie on his stomach. After your child has spent most of the time on his back, it is important to let him lie on his tummy as well. In this way, he can begin to develop physically and mentally, as well as develop the muscles in his arms and neck. Some doctors advise lying on your tummy for 15-20 minutes every day, while others say it's best to lie on your stomach for 5 minutes several times a day.

      • You can put it on your tummy as soon as the navel falls off.
      • To make lying on your stomach fun, look at your baby, play with him or tickle him.
      • It's hard work, some kids resist turning over. If this happens, don't get discouraged and don't give up.

   2. Take care of your baby's umbilical cord. The baby's umbilical cord stump will fall off in about two weeks. It will change color from greenish yellow to brown and then fall off on its own. It is important to take care of it before it falls off to avoid infections. Here is what you should do:

      • Keep your belly button clean. Clean it with plain water and dry with a clean, highly absorbent cloth. Make sure you wash your hands before handling the stump. Wash the baby in the bath with a sponge until it falls off.
      • Keep your belly button dry. Let the skin breathe by opening the top of the baby's diaper.
      • Overcome the urge to tear it off yourself. Let the stump fall off on its own.
      • Watch for signs of infection. It is natural if you see some gore or a small crust near the stump; however, you should see a doctor immediately if it smells bad or has yellowish pus, if it continues to bleed, or if it looks swollen and red.

   3. Learn to soothe a crying newborn. If your baby is crying, it's not always easy to find the cause. But there are a few tricks you can try. Check the diaper. Try to feed your baby. If that doesn't work, try removing the extra layer of clothing if he's hot, or wrapping him up tighter if he's cold. Sometimes your child just wants to be held or expresses his emotions in this way. When you get to know your child better, you will begin to understand him well.

      • Sometimes your baby just needs to burp.
      • Gently rock it or sing a lullaby. This can help. Give your baby a pacifier if that doesn't help. Maybe he's tired, so put him down. Sometimes babies just cry, so wait until he falls asleep.

   4. Communicate with the newborn. You can't play with your child yet, but they might get bored. Try taking him for a walk in the park, talking to him, hanging pictures in his room, playing music for him, or taking him in the car. Remember that he is still a child and is not ready for serious games. Do not shake the baby, try to be more gentle.

      • The first step is to connect with the child. This means petting your baby, rocking him, touching him, or even giving him a baby massage.
      • Children love to hear voices. Therefore, it will never be bad if you talk to him, babble, coo or sing to a child. Play music or use toys that make sounds.
      • Some children are less receptive to touch. If your baby is not very responsive to touch, try to connect with him through sounds or lights until he gets used to it.

   5. Visit the doctor regularly with your child. During the first year, your baby will need to see the doctor often for routine checkups. Many newborns visit a doctor already 1-3 days after discharge from the hospital. Each visit to the doctor will be about the same, but you should definitely bring the baby to the hospital two weeks or a month after birth, after the second month, and then every month. It's important to schedule visits to the doctor to make sure your child grows up healthy and gets the care they need.

      • It is very important to see a doctor right away if you notice anything strange. Even if you're not sure if it's something abnormal, it's always best to call your doctor to be on the safe side.
      • Some symptoms you should look out for:
        • Dehydration: less than three diapers a day, excessive sleepiness, dry mouth
        • Bowel problems: no stool for the first two days, white mucus in the stool, patches or streaks of red in the stool, excessively high or low temperature
        • Breathing problems: grunting, flaring nostrils, fast or noisy breathing, chest retraction
        • Problems with the stump of the umbilical cord: pus, bad smell or bleeding
        • Jaundice: yellowish color of the chest, body, or eyes
        • Prolonged crying: the baby cries non-stop for more than thirty minutes
        • Other illnesses: persistent cough, diarrhea, pallor, severe vomiting for more than two consecutive feedings, less than 6 feedings per day

   6. Prepare your child to ride in the car. You should be prepared for this before the baby is born, because you will need to drive him home from the hospital. You need to purchase a special seat for newborns and make sure it is safe. You may not have to spend much time with your child in the car. Some mothers find that traveling in a car calms the baby down and makes it easier for them to fall asleep.

      • You should also purchase a child seat that will help your child sit. In this type of seat, the base must be non-slip and wider than the seat itself. It should also have a secure locking mechanism, along with a washable fabric. Never place the child in the seat on elevated surfaces from which the child may fall.
      • Make sure the seat meets all safety requirements and is suitable for your child. The baby should not ride in a car without a seat until the age of two.