If you are a first-time mum or dad, handling a newborn who is just a few hours or days old may be overwhelming. To help you navigate this new journey, we curated 10 essential parenting tips so you can learn the dos and don’ts in caring for your infant at home.
01 Always Wash Your Hands Before Handling Your Baby
It’s important to remember that newborns don’t have a strong immune system yet. As such. they are susceptible to infection. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that anyone who handles your baby has clean hands by washing with soap and water or using a hand sanitiser.
02 Support Your Baby’s Head and Neck
When holding your baby, our care tip for new moms and dads is to support their head and neck. Cradle their head and provide gentle support when holding them upright or laying them down to ensure their safety and comfort.
03 Never Shake Your Baby
Never shake your newborn, whether in play or frustration, as it can cause serious injuries. Instead, if you need to wake your infant, gently call their name or move their arms or legs.
04 Secure Your Baby in a Carrier, Stroller, or Car Seat
Your baby should be securely fastened into the carrier, stroller, or car seat. Additionally, ensure to limit any activity that could be too rough or bouncy.
05 Avoid Rough Play
It’s important to note that newborns are not ready for rough play. Therefore, you should avoid having them jiggled on the knee or thrown in the air.
06 Bathe Your Baby Safely
A bath two or three times a week in the first year is fine. Until the umbilical cord falls off and the navel fully heals (typically within 1-4 weeks), stick to gentle sponge baths.
Never leave your baby unattended during bath time—if you need to step away, wrap them in a towel and take them with you.
07 Try Infant Massage for Comfort and Bonding
Infant massage can be beneficial for all babies, especially premature infants and those with medical conditions. Certain types of massage may improve bonding and help with infant growth and development.
08 Follow a Feeding Schedule
Ideally, babies should be fed on demand, as newborns should be fed every 2 to 3 hours. For breastfeeding mums, allow your baby to nurse for about 10 to 15 minutes with each breast. If you’re formula-feeding, your baby will most likely require about 2-3 ounces (60-90 millilitres) at each feeding.
09 Swaddle Your Baby for Comfort
One essential parenting tip we recommend is to learn how to swaddle, as it helps newborns feel secure and promotes better sleep. Make sure to swaddle your baby correctly, with the blanket snug but not too tight.
10 Don’t Expect Full Nights of Sleep Yet
Don’t expect your baby to sleep through the night — their digestive system is so small that they require nourishment every few hours and should be awakened if they haven’t been fed for 4 hours.
Want to Gain More Parenting Tips for Newborn Care?
At Inspire Mum & Baby, we offer practical baby care tips and techniques to support you on your parenting journey. Our workshops are designed to promote both your well-being and your baby’s development, covering essential topics like newborn care, breastfeeding, and postnatal recovery.
Looking for more helpful advice? Check out our insights into the benefits of baby yoga and how to help your toddler overcome their fear of swimming.
