What to Expect?
First of all congratulations on the birth of your newborn. You are a happy parent and your baby is lucky to have you as a parent. Parents very eagerly wait for the whole 9 months of pregnancy to just see a glance of how their baby will look like. A big smile from your heart will automatically appear on your face the moment you see your baby for the first time. You feel like you have achieved something greater than success, fame, and money. Everyone in your family too will be very happy and excited to welcome your baby to this new world.
But very frankly speaking welcoming your newborn and taking care of him in the initial days will take a lot of effort and patience for both the parents and mainly the mother. A lot of mistakes will happen by all the parents in the initial periods mainly if it’s their first baby. Slowly you will get used to everything and you will love the presence of your baby around you. But you have to be strong and ready for everything about your baby. Your day-to-day life will completely turn upside down and you have to pay attention to your baby day and night. There will be times when you have to be awake the whole night and the whole day. You will get exhausted too but support from your family will surely help.
In the first month, your baby will just sleep, drink milk, cry, and poop all the time. They will be staring at you and trying to observe and know the world around you. Here are some useful points that you have to know as a parent:-
- Newborn babies Breastfeed every 2 to 3 hours for half an hour. 15 minutes on one breast and 15 minutes on the other breast. Clean your breast before every feed.
- Formula-fed babies drink 1.5 to 3 ounces of formula milk every 2 to 3 hours. Make sure that you are properly clean and sterile in the feeding bottles every day. If you produce less breastmilk with which the baby is not getting enough milk and his weight is not increasing, then you can do a combo of breastmilk and formula milk after consulting your doctor.
- They see everything in black and white color.
- They recognize your voice and other sounds.
- They move their hands and legs freely.
- They will start to make cool sounds and weird sounds other than crying.
- By the first month, your baby will weigh 9.9 pounds in boys and 9.2 pounds in girls. Babies can be less or more than average weight depending on their shape and size.
- Their height will increase to 2 inches. Check here to know more about your baby’s height and weight chart from 0 to 2 years.
- Your baby can see objects which are 8 to 12 inches away from him.
- Your baby can hear you and other sounds.
- They can smell well too.
- They smile very little.
- Your baby will have her first vaccine right after birth.
- They love to be wrapped up in a towel which makes them feel warm just like when they were in your womb.
- They will demand their feeds or communicate with you by crying.
- They can move their head from side to side.
- They keep their hands in a tight fist.
- They sleep for at least 15 to 16 hours a day. Some babies sleep the whole day and are awake at night and that’s normal. As they grow they will know that the nighttime is to sleep.
- Your doctor will give you vitamin D drops and other drops for your baby. Don’t forget to give it to your baby on time.
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When to call the doctor?
- No sound while crying.
- If your baby has a fever.
- Catches a cold and coughs.
- Not able to move her hands and legs.
- Not feeding properly.
- Cannot hear sounds.
- Don’t see an object or stare at other things.
- Don’t blink in bright light.
- Has Trouble sucking milk from the breast or the bottle.
- Constipated.
- Not able to breathe normally.
- Crying very often.
Important Tips:-
- Change your baby’s diaper every 2 to 3 hours. If he pooped then change it immediately.
- Sterilize and wash your baby’s feeding bottles regularly with a bottle brush and baby bottle wash. I used mee bottle wash and a long bottle brush to wash my baby’s feeding bottle.
- Wash baby clothes separately with mild detergent.
- Massage your baby every day with olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, or baby oil.
- Always keep him wrapped in a towel and make him feel warm.
- When your baby spits up some milk clean it immediately or else it may develop into a rash.
- Clean your baby’s nose and ears with a soft cotton cloth. Don’t use earbuds.
- Keep his head, feet, and ears always covered while taking him out and also inside the home.
- You can use baby soap, baby shampoo, and baby powder. I used Himalaya baby products and Huggies brand for diapers.
- Use a good quality diaper for your baby to prevent diaper rash.
- You can also use disposable diapers but make sure that you wash them properly and maintain good hygiene.
- Use a mosquito net when your baby is asleep to prevent mosquitoes from biting your precious baby.
- If your baby sleeps for more than 3 hours, wake him up and offer milk.
- After every feed burp your baby to prevent gas formation in his stomach.
- Apply baby hair oil or coconut oil to his hair once a day.
