A newborn is completely dependent on others for his care. He needs lots of love, and too much attention will not spoil him at this age. Child-proofing your home and arranging a safe place for him to sleep are just some of the steps you can take before the birth. Prepare for the drive home from the hospital and properly install a child safety seat in your vehicle before the due date.
Handling
Newborn babies need careful handling. Kids Health advises asking everyone who holds your baby to wash his hands or apply hand sanitizer, because newborns do not have strong immune systems. Cradle and support her head while carrying the baby, even when she is upright. Do not shake your baby. A shaking motion that occurs during play or moments of irritation can lead to bleeding in the brain and death.
Feeding
Newborns need to be bottle or breastfed. The "Journal of the American Medical Association" says breast milk offers the best nutrition and may be continued as the exclusive source of food for the first six months. Newborns do not need water, juice or other fluids, according to the Mayo Clinic. Newborns who are given formula will need to eat less frequently than breastfed infants. Feed the baby when he's hungry. Newborns need a 10- to 20-minute feeding about every two to three hours during the first month. This adds up to about 10 feedings daily.
Clean Diapers
Change your newborn's diaper when it contains urine or a bowel movement. Diaper changing requires basic supplies, including clean diapers, fasteners for cloth diapers, diaper ointment, a small container of warm water and a clean washcloth or diaper wipes. To change her diaper, lay her gently on her back and remove the soiled diaper. Clean the genital area and apply ointment to treat and prevent irritation. Girls need to be wiped front to back to avoid infection, cautions Kids Health.
Baths
Bathe your newborn two or three times a week, as recommended by the "Journal of the American Medical Association." Use sponge bathing techniques until the umbilical cord falls off. Support her head and never leave her unattended at any stage of the bathing process under any circumstance.
Bonding
Proper physical bonding with your newborn supports his emotional and physical growth. Premature babies and newborns with medical problems especially benefit from bonding through infant massage. Kids Health suggests that parents cradle the newborn and stroke gently him in various patterns. Skin-to-skin contact is recommended.
