Important things to know about your newborn baby

Expecting a new baby in the family is a journey of thoughts and feelings. As a parent, you dream about your baby for months. Wondering what he or she will look like, whether he or she will be like his dad or more like the mother. But chances are, if it’s your first child, you don’t know much about taking care of a newborn.

Here is some helpful advice and important things you need to know to care of for your baby in those exciting but often frustrating first weeks.

Most parents are practical and believe that newborn gifts and baby clothing have to convey a sense of style and taste too while offering the baby the best standards and care. A cute going-home outfit is irresistible but that babies cannot regulate their body temperature until they’re about 6 months old. Dress your newborn carefully. Generally, he should wear the same amount of clothing as you, indoors or outdoors. Don’t overbundle him—sweating can cause him to become chilled. Layers are a safe way to go.

Swaddling, which works well for some babies during their first few weeks, is another soothing technique first-time parents should learn. Proper swaddling keeps a baby’s arms close to the body while allowing for some movement of the legs. Not only does swaddling keep a baby warm, but it seems to give most newborns a sense of security and comfort. Swaddling also may help limit the startle reflex, which can wake up a baby. Your aim should be to help your baby feel calm, fall asleep faster & stay asleep longer, so that your whole family can get the sound sleep they deserve! Wrapping your little one also can reduce the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The main features you would need to consider are the material, swaddling options and size.

Depending on the swaddling type, it can be stretchy or muslin. Any of these options would be great for newborns in general. Why should you consider “muslin”? It simply refers to a looser style of weaving compared to the common method, and the final product is more breathable. This is especially important because it helps to lower the risk of SIDS.

Here’s how to swaddle a baby:

• Spread out the receiving blanket, with one corner folded over slightly.
• Lay the baby face-up on the blanket with his or her head above the folded corner.
• Wrap the left corner over the body and tuck it beneath the back of the baby, going under the right arm.
• Bring the bottom corner up over the baby’s feet and pull it towards the head, folding the fabric down if it gets close to the face. Be sure not to wrap too tightly around the hips. Hips and knees should be slightly bent and turned out. Wrapping your baby too tightly may increase the chances of hip dysplasia.
• Wrap the right corner around the baby and tuck it under the baby’s back on the left side, leaving only the neck and head exposed. To make sure your baby is not wrapped too tightly, make sure you can slip a hand between the blanket and your baby’s chest, which will allow comfortable breathing. Make sure, however, that the blanket is not so loose that it could become undone.
• Babies should not be swaddled after they’re 2 months old. At this age, some babies can roll over while swaddled, which increases their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

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