Tips on Baby Basics

/in /by
  • Be attuned and responsive to the needs of your infant by watching, touching and listening.
  • Always provide love, attention and affection to your infant.
  • Breastfeeding through one year of age is always best. Longer is better.
  • Breast feed your new infant every 1-2 hours until your milk comes in.
  • If your infant is urinating 6 times a day and the urine is clear and copious your infant is not dehydrated.
  • A double electric breast pump that is adjustable provides speed and efficiency benefits.
  • Breast milk can be kept in the fridge for four days and in the freezer for 3-6 months.
  • Always thaw breast milk overnight in the fridge or by immersing in tepid water.
  • Keep visitors to a minimum during the first few weeks of life.
  • Safety at home, in the car and out of the home is very important.
  • Dress your infant in layers to help with temperature regulation.
  • Always follow the “Back to Sleep” rules to decrease your infant’s risk of SIDS.
  • The use of a lubricant such as petroleum jelly in the diaper area after every diaper change prevents diaper rashes.
  • Consider giving your infant a soft full body massage with olive oil, coconut or Neutrogena bath oil twice a day to prevent skin dryness.
  • Infants startle due to sudden noises or an unexpected touch or body movement. This is normal.
  • Infants under 6 months of age cannot be spoiled.
  • The use of a body carrier helps both mother and baby.
  • Co-sleeping does have risks associated with it.
  • The best ways to calm a baby include walking or swaying, sucking on a finger or pacifier, upper body swaddling and making sushing sounds.
  • Watch a You Tube video about how to swaddle your infant. Leave the legs loosely wrapped but supported. This helps to prevent hip problems.
  • Infants who swallow excess air often feed less well
  • Three burping positions are the throne and shoulder positions, the belly flop on lap position and the walking strut with baby facing away.
  • Diaper changing stations need proper safety, set-up and hygiene.
  • Chewing, rubbing, cold and rare pain medications are the best ways to decrease teething pain.
  • Avoid cereal and pureed baby food before 4-6 months of age.
  • Never leave an infant alone in a tub and always check the water temperature.
  • Baths 1-2 times a week are often enough.
  • Tummy time can become fun time but it often takes practice and patience.
  • Always look for snooze clues such as eye rubbing and cranky behavior.
  • Sleep schedules are often irregular through 4-6 months of age.
  • After 4-6 months most infants benefit from scheduled naps twice a day.