Being a new parent is one of the most challenging things you will ever go through, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. Bringing new life into the world and raising your little one into an incredible child, teen, and eventually adult is such a gift.
The journey into parenthood is filled with lessons, challenges, ups and downs, and roundabouts. It brings about a range of emotions, financial strain, and questions that can leave you feeling lonely, confused, and inadequate as a new mother or father.
Researching during your pregnancy and shortly after your baby is born can ease your nerves and make the transition into parenthood smoother. There are lots of helpful online resources, and you could also search for local antenatal and new-parent classes in your area for expert guidance.
We’ve put together a helpful newborn guide in this article that will teach you all of the basics that you need to know as a parent. Hopefully, after reading through this guide, you will feel more confident in yourself and your abilities as a parent.
Newborns and Sleep
Being a new parent is synonymous with sleepless nights. Newborn sleep patterns can be erratic, and many parents are desperate for effective sleep training strategies so they can improve their and their baby’s sleep.
Generally, newborns wake up every two to three hours to feed, and babies won’t start sleeping through the entire night until they are around six months old.
You should always place your baby on their back to sleep. Sleeping on their side can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Keep their head uncovered and place their feet at the bottom of the cot or crib so they can’t wriggle down and accidentally cover their face or mouth with a blanket.
Consider swaddling your newborn using a thin blanket so they can’t fidget too much while they’re asleep. You’ll need to make sure your baby doesn’t overheat if you plan on swaddling them. Check their temperature regularly throughout the night if you’re worried.
Feeding Your Newborn
Many parents worry about feeding their baby the right amount of milk in their first few months. The exact frequency of feeds that your baby needs depends on whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding. And if you’re seeking methods to boost milk production and lactation, this resource can assist you here.
Breastfeeding
Generally, breastfeeding newborns need feeding every two to three hours, which equates to eight to 12 feeds in a 24-hour period. Being able to successfully breastfeed is one of the most common worries among new moms. Although a small number of moms are unable to breastfeed their babies due to poor latching or inadequate milk production, the majority can do so successfully.
Here is a step-by-step on how to breastfeed a newborn:
- Sit down in a comfortable position with your lower back supported by a pillow. Hold your baby by your chest, skin-to-skin, with their head facing yours. Support their head and neck with one hand.
- With your other hand, gently hold your nipple by your baby’s mouth until they open their mouth wide.
- Aid your baby in latching onto your nipple, with their mouth covering around one inch of the surrounding breast tissue.
- Allow your baby to feed until they are full (a feed can range from five to 40 minutes, depending on the baby’s individual needs).
- Carefully remove your baby from your breast by sweeping your little finger around their mouth to remove the suction and free your nipple.
Bottle Feeding
Bottle-fed babies can go three to four hours in between feeds (between six and eight times in a 24-hour period). To bottle feed your baby, sit in a comfortable position, holding your baby close in an upright position.
Support their head with one hand as you hold the bottle to your baby’s lips. They should open their mouth wide to accept the bottle. Allow your baby to feed for as long as they need to and keep the bottle at a slightly tipped angle throughout.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to baby bottles. You may need to try a few different types of bottles and teat shapes to see which your baby prefers. Always sterilize the baby bottles and teats after use until your little one is at least one year old.
Toilet Habits and Changing Diapers
As a general rule of thumb, newborns pee and poo as many times a day as they are days old for the first week of their lives. Between one and six weeks, they wet or soil their diapers an average of six times, and post six weeks old, you can expect around five pees and between one and seven poos a week.
Don’t worry too much about whether your newborn is peeing or pooing enough. Every newborn is different, and although there are averages, there is no ‘perfect’ number of toilet trips for your baby in their first few months of life.
Check your baby’s diaper regularly to see if it’s wet or soiled. If so, you’ll need to change it. Be aware that a newborn’s poo can be explosive and may leak onto their clothing. It’s a good idea to keep clean onesies and cozy baby sleepers in your diaper-changing station so you can quickly change their outfit if this happens.
Here’s a simple step-by-step for changing a diaper:
- Wash your hands and gather your supplies. You’ll need everything within arm’s reach, so you don’t need to leave your baby on their own while exposed.
- Lie your baby flat on their changing mat and unfasten the dirty diaper. Hold your baby’s ankles to lift their bottom off the map.
- Use the dirty diaper to wipe away excess poo before carefully sliding it out from underneath your baby.
- Use baby wipes or cotton balls soaked in warm water to wipe your baby. For girls, always wipe front to back to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Grab a clean diaper and slide it underneath your baby’s bottom. Fasten the tabs on the side, making sure it’s secure, but your baby has enough room to breathe and fidget.
- If your baby has a rash on their skin, apply barrier cream to these areas before applying the clean diaper.