HEALTH CARE TIPS FOR CARING A NEWBORN BABY
Caring and handling a newborn baby is a bit dif
ficult for a mother but the mothers should have knowledge about how to take care of the baby and the basic requirements of a baby. In simple words, the caring word implies to prevent the baby from the illness and to help in the proper growth and development of the baby.
The mothers should be prepared for the required and effective new born baby care before the delivery. This article mainly focuses on the basic requirements of a baby and can help the mothers in providing basic care to their babies by using the medical health care tips provided in this article.
ficult for a mother but the mothers should have knowledge about how to take care of the baby and the basic requirements of a baby. In simple words, the caring word implies to prevent the baby from the illness and to help in the proper growth and development of the baby. The mothers should be prepared for the required and effective new born baby care before the delivery. This article mainly focuses on the basic requirements of a baby and can help the mothers in providing basic care to their babies by using the medical health care tips provided in this article.
DAILY ROUTINE HEALTH CARE TIPS THAT A MOTHER SHOULD IMPLEMENT IN DAILY LIFE TO MAKE HER BAY HEALTHY AND FIT:
1). PROVIDING WARMTH TO THE BABY: Providing warmth to the baby is very necessary as the baby comes to a new environment and the temperature of this new environment is less as compared to the mother’s uterus so extra warmth should be provided to the baby to prevent the hypothermia (low body temperature) as the low temperature can lead to many problems. These health care tips can help in preventing the low temperature of the baby:
A). Always keep the baby dry by changing the diaper as soon as baby urinates.B). Always keep the baby wrapped with two layered adequate clothing according to the season.C). Keep baby’s head & extremities well covered by cap & socks.D). Keep the baby close to the mother or baby can be kept is skin to skin contact with the mother.
2). PROPER BREASTFEEDING: A mother should know how to feed her baby properly. Below we post some important points that a mother should know about breastfeeding:
3). BABY BATH & SKINCARE: A mother should know “How to gave a proper bath to her baby”. Read the important points below regarding the skin care of the baby:A). Breast feeding should be started within half an hour of delivery.B). Breast feeding should be done by appropriate technique for this you can refer to our previous article that is on breast feeding techniques.C). First breast feed (milk) called COLOSTRUM should be given to baby, this should not be discarded.D). Breast feed should be given every two hourly or according to the demand of the baby.E). After each breast feed burping should be done.F). Only breast feed should be given to baby for the first six months of age nothing else such as ghutti, honey, cow milk should be given to baby.
4). BABY CARE OF THE UMBLICAL CORD:A). During first or second day of birth usually baby should not be bathed; sponging should be done gently.B). Vigorous attempts should be avoided to clean the baby’s skin from vernix caseosa (white layering of skin), it generally shed off with time.C). Baby bath should be given by using warm water in a warm room gently & quickly.D). Fans, windows& doors should be closed during baby bath.E). Baby’s head should be dried immediately as most of the heat loss occurs from the head because the surface area of the head is more as compared to other body parts of the baby.F). Baby should be dried quickly &should be wrapped in a dry warm towel or clothing.G). Unnecessary exposure to the baby should be avoided.H). During the winter session sponging is preferred than bathing.I). Oil massage should be done before baby bath as massaging increases the circulation, provides insulation against heat & prevents insensible heat loss. Massage should be done by using baby oil, olive oil or coconut oil. Mustard oil should be avoided as it causes irritation to the baby’s skin.
5). BABY CARE OF EYES: Baby Health care tips to take care baby eyes:A). Cord should be observed continuously for the bleeding or the loosening of the cord stump.B). Nothing like oil, ghee etc. should be applied to the cord.C). Cord should be kept dry & open always.D). Normally it falls off after 5 to 10 days but may take more time if it is infected.
6). PROPER CLOTHING OF THE BABY:A). Eyes should be cleaned daily by using the cotton swabs soaked in boiled water, these should be squeezed nicely.B). Each eye should be cleaned by using a single swab.C). Eyes should be cleaned from inner to outer part of the eye to prevent the infection to other eye if occur.D). Kajal should not be applied to the eyes to prevent the infection or the lead poisoning to the eyes.E). Eyes should be observed daily for the redness, sticky discharge or yellowness as in the jaundice the sclera of the eyes becomes yellow.
7). IMMUNIZATION:A). Baby’s cloths should be loose, soft &open from front & of cotton. These should be open from the front side for easy wearing.B). A triangle of square piece of thick, soft absorbent cloth should be used as a napkin.C). Cloths should not be tight especially around the neck or abdomen.D). Baby’s cloths should be washed daily & should be dried well in the sunlight or by ironing the clothes as this will help in killing the microbes.E). There should be separate clothing especially the towel of the baby & should be washed by using mild detergent that should be washed & sun dried properly to prevent skin irritation.
8). GENERAL BABY CARE & FOLLOW UP: Below are some more general baby care tips that a mother should know to take care of her baby properly:A). Mother should be aware about the immunization schedule for the baby.B). Immunization card of the baby should be up to date according to the National Immunization Schedule.C). Mother should get immunized the baby according to the National Immunization Schedule.D). Mother should be aware about the side effects of the immunization & to consult the doctor if these aggravate.E). Mother should have knowledge about the importance of the immunization.
A). Mother & baby should be kept in one room.B). Hands should be washed properly before touching the baby.C). No infected or diseased person should take care of baby.D). Baby’s hygiene should be maintained regularly.E). Baby’s environment should be kept clean by regular cleaning & mopping.F). Wet nappies should be changed immediately.G). Weight monitoring should be done regularly.H). Each baby should be followed up, at least once every month for first three months & subsequently 3 months interval till one year of age.I). Don’t give unhygienically prepared herbal preparations such as ghutti, gripe water to baby.
By using these all Baby health care tips a mother can care her baby effectively & can promote the well being of her baby by reducing the chances of infections & diseases.