Infant care is a comprehensive task that involves meeting the baby's basic needs, such as feeding, sleeping, safety, and emotional connection, while also paying attention to the baby's health and development. Here are some detailed guidelines for how to care for babies:
Infant feeding is one of the most basic nursing tasks. Breastfeeding is the most ideal option for newborns, as breast milk provides immunity and complete nutrition. If breastfeeding is not feasible, you can choose a formula that is suitable for the baby.
Breastfeeding: Make sure you find a comfortable feeding position, keep your breasts clean, and burp your baby after each feeding to help expel swallowed air.
Formula feeding: Choose the formula recommended by your pediatrician, prepare the formula according to the instructions, and make sure the bottles and nipples are clean and disinfected.
Feeding time and amountNewborns usually need to be fed every 2 to 3 hours, and as they grow, the feeding interval increases and the amount of feedings increases.
Newborns need long hours of sleep a day, about 16 to 20 hours. Make sure your baby has a safe and comfortable sleeping environment:
A safe sleeping environment: Babies should lie flat on a firm mattress and avoid using a mattress that is too soft or placing any toys and fluffy bedding to prevent the risk of choking.
Sleep regularity: Try to regularize your baby's sleep schedule, keep the environment quiet at night, and maintain brightness and noise levels as much as possible during daytime activities.
Sleep together: While bed-sharing with your baby may help with nighttime feeding and soothing your baby, there are also safety risks. It is recommended to use a crib or co-sleeping apparatus so that the baby sleeps next to the parent's bed but in a separate space.
Baby's ** is very sensitive and requires gentle and delicate care:
Bathing frequency: Newborns do not need to be bathed every day, 2 to 3 times a week. The baby's face, neck, and arms can be wiped with a warm, damp towel.
Bath water temperature: Bathe the baby with lukewarm water at about 37 to 38 degrees Celsius, and test the water temperature with your elbow to make sure you don't burn the baby.
Toiletries: Choose a baby bath product with a tear-free formula and avoid bath products that may irritate the baby.
Babies need to grow up in a safe environment:
Monitoring: Always be alert around the baby and do not leave the baby alone in a high place, such as a changing table or bed.
Use safety equipment: Make sure to use equipment such as baby cots, car seats, strollers, etc., that meet safety standards, and use them correctly according to the instructions.
Prevent accidental falls: As the baby begins to crawl and walk, appropriate infant protection should be implemented in the home, such as installing guardrails, angle covers, and socket covers.
Emotional connection is essential for a baby's development:
Skin-to-skin contact: Establish skin-to-skin contact with the baby through hugging, touching and kissing, which helps to build a deep bond between parents and children.
Parent-child interaction: Making eye contact, smiling, and talking with your baby, even if they don't understand speech yet, can help them develop socially and emotionally.
It is very important to pay attention to the health of your baby:
Medical check-ups and vaccinations: Regular medical check-ups and vaccinations as directed by a pediatrician, which are an important part of disease prevention and monitoring development.
Observation of pathology: Know about common infant pathologies such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, etc., and know when to seek medical help.
Stimulating a baby's physical and brain development is essential for their growth:
games: Provide toys suitable for the baby's developmental stage, such as bell toys, brightly colored hanging accessories, and plush toys that stimulate the sense of touch.
Reading and language: Even if the baby is still very young, read and talk to them often. This promotes the development of language skills and enhances auditory and visual stimulation.
Infant care is not just about meeting your child's basic physical needs, it is about providing a loving, stimulating and safe environment for your child to grow up in. Parents need patience and attention, continuous learning and adaptation to meet the changing needs of their babies. Parental intuition and professional advice from the baby's doctor are valuable resources throughout the care process. Remember, every baby is unique and requires individualized care and care.