When you have a new baby, things can feel overwhelming to start with. Whether this is your first child or not, your life and priorities have changed dramatically. You suddenly have a completely helpless little life that depends on you for everything, and that includes their health.
Here are a few ways to ensure that your baby is as healthy as possible, so you can rest assured they will grow up okay.
Before the Birth
You start caring for your baby as soon as you’re pregnant. Once you’re carrying a baby, your body will shift gears to protect the baby and give it everything it needs to grow. Your hormones will change, your appetite will change, and you might experience symptoms of pregnancy.
If you try to have a healthy lifestyle while pregnant, you’re giving your body everything it needs to make sure your baby will stay healthy. This is also much better for you.
Pregnancy puts a massive amount of strain on your body, and an unhealthy lifestyle can make that strain even worse. You might also increase the risk of certain health conditions linked with pregnancy, which can make things riskier for you and your baby.
If you are fit and healthy before pregnancy, do what you can to stay active and healthy during pregnancy. However, it’s good to speak to your doctor and to have realistic expectations. Different people have different experiences with pregnancy. Some people are very sick, while other people feel that glow. Some people gain weight everywhere while others barely look pregnant until just before birth.
Postnatal Care
You might be familiar with regular doctor’s appointments while pregnant, and this doesn’t end once your little bundle of joy is out in the world. You should still make regular appointments for your baby to make sure they are healthy and developing properly.
The doctor or nurse will ask you questions about your health and your baby’s health. They will weigh the baby and check how well they are growing. They might also have suggestions to help you look after yourself and your baby.
You should also take your baby to the doctor or ring the doctor if you have any concerns. Yes, sometimes a cough is just a cough. But it can be helpful to relieve your concerns and double check that your baby is okay.
Skin and Hair Care
Babies have incredibly delicate skin and hair. Most babies are bald because their hair simply rubs off before it can grow properly, then as they get older it will grow in better. If your baby does have hair, only use a very gentle cleanser on it.
The same applies to washing your baby’s skin. When you bathe your baby, make sure the water is just warm, not too hot or cold. Be gentle when washing your baby, then dry them with super soft towels that won’t rub on baby’s skin.
Keeping your baby clean is a good way to keep their skin healthy. Babies can have rolls of skin, and it’s important to clean these so dirt and bacteria don’t get trapped. It’s especially important to properly clean your baby when changing their diapers.
Change diapers regularly. Letting a baby sit in a dirty diaper can lead to rashes and even serious skin infections.
If your baby does have dry skin on face or anywhere else, you can use some gentle moisturizing products designed for babies.
Healthy Development
As well as looking after your baby’s physical health, you need to help them grow and learn and develop as they should. An infant mostly learns through watching and experiencing. As they get older, their eyesight improves and they can take in more of the world.
At this age, the most important thing is to interact with your child. Play with them, talk to them, cuddle them and comfort them. Even if they’re too young to understand, they hear your speech and they learn from it constantly.
It’s been found that physical contact isn’t just nice for babies, but it also helps them thrive. Holding your baby also helps you bond with them.
Fed is Best
You might have heard the saying “breast is best”. Breast milk has everything your baby needs to survive and thrive. It also contains antibodies from the mother, which can provide more protection. In some parts of the world breast milk is the only reliable and safe way to feed a newborn.
However, breastfeeding isn’t always the best option for every household. A mother might not be able to breastfeed, or they might find it difficult or painful to breastfeed. Or she might simply prefer another option. Or, in some cases, the mother isn’t present to feed her child.
Another way to put this is “fed is best”. There is no need to feel guilt for bottle feeding a baby. Formula milk is designed to have everything your baby needs and, with hot water and sterilizing equipment, it’s also safe to give to your baby.
Bottle feeding also allows other family members to bond with their children. A dad can’t breastfeed his baby, but he can feed them from the bottle.
Some families use the bottle to supplement their breast milk, others use formula instead of breast milk, and some feed only using breast milk but still might keep formula around for emergencies. The important thing is that the baby gets the food they need.
Looking After Yourself
Finally, it’s important to look after your health as well as your baby’s. When you go for regular doctor’s visits, there’s a reason why the doctor or nurse will ask about your concerns and your health problems.
Your physical and mental health might suffer for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of sleep or an increase in pressure. Some people experience depression after birth, which can make things even harder.
Pay attention to your health and, if necessary, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
