7 basic steps to care for infant

by Cherry Lien Marketer

In the last part, mothers can see the first three steps to care for infant. To know more basic steps, please continue reading part 2!

Umbilical cord care is an often unpleasant but necessary task with newborns. Each time you change a baby's diaper you should use a cotton swab or ball to cleanse around the umbilical cord. Be careful not to pull or tug on the umbilical cord as this could force it to come off before has healed into a belly button. Also, when you are cleaning the umbilical area, be sure to watch for unusual discharge or blood as this may indicate an infection or tear. By the time your baby is two months old, this will fall off and you won't have to worry about it anymore!

Toys are not necessary to newborn infants as they cannot see far and have little interest in anything but people and faces. If you want to buy toys for your infant, pick things that are contrasting, like a soft black and white block with some red on it, as colors are very hard for newborns to make out.

Infant massage and skin to skin time are important bonding times when caring for an infant. As a parent, you want to do all you can to make your baby feel safe, secure, and loved, so take some time out of the day to rub your baby down with lotion or hold him/her up against your bare skin. This contact is reassuring to a newborn, which is used to being inside of mom's belly and hearing and feeling the constant presence of another human being.

Sleep is important for both new parents and new babies. New babies should sleep about 16 hours a day, but they usually sleep in spurts. Don't get frustrated with your infant because they won't sleep, there is probably a reason why. Most babies need to be fed about every 2-4 hours because they have small stomachs. Uncomfortable wetness or dirty diapers can also wake a baby. Sometimes, babies just want to be held or comforted. Develop a strategy with your partner for taking care of an infant when you are both tired. Ensuring that everybody is well rested will make life with an infant much easier.

Thanks for reading!

I’m Cherry from Babeeni team!