You have spent the last nine months or so anticipating the arrival of your little bundle of joy. Now that she is here, you my feel a little overwhelmed with your new responsibility. At this stage of parenting, your number 1 job is to meet your baby's basic needs, including food, warmth, love and first aid when needed, such as umbilical stump care. Providing your infant with sound nutrition and a safe place to learn, grow and explore are the first steps toward becoming a great parent, now and in the years to come.
Step 1
Breast-feed your baby. Breast milk provides the perfect amount of calories and protein that your baby needs. Breast milk also contains important immunological factors that cannot be reproduced in formula. To get breast-feeding off to a good start, nurse your baby within an hour or two of delivery if possible and feed on demand, at least eight to 12 times per 24 hours. Your breasts need frequent stimulation from your baby in the early weeks of breastfeeding to establish a good milk supply.
Step 2
Feed your baby with a bottle, if necessary. If breast-feeding has not worked for you, and you have consulted a lactation consultant with no success or your child's pediatrician insists that formula should be your baby's source of nutrition for the first year, then formula will meet your baby's nutritional needs. Always follow the directions on the package when mixing formula to be sure that you have not overdiluted the bottle. Babies are sensitive to water. Too much can cause serious health complications for your her.
Step 3
Begin feeding solid foods ideally when your baby is 6 months old and no sooner than 4 months. Babies are less likely to develop food allergies when solids are started around 6 months, but some babies are developmentally ready closer to 4 months. If your 4- to 6-month old child is reaching for your plate or otherwise seems interested in other foods, it may be time to start solids. Begin with purees or soft, easy-to-manage finger foods and supervise your child at all times. Good starter foods include bananas, sweet potato, rice cereal and avocado.
Step 4
Make your baby comfortable to encourage healthy sleep patterns. Your baby, especially while a newborn, is not able to regulate body temperature as well as an older child. Dress your baby in appropriate clothing for the weather. Give her plenty of skin-to-skin time with Mom and Dad. Try swaddling your baby and rocking her to sleep. Never attempt to crib train your baby until she is at least 3 months old. Until she reaches at least 3 months, you should always be responsive to her cries and signals for food or love.
Step 5
Provide basic first aid and health care for your baby. While the umbilical cord is healing, you will need to keep it dry, which means that you will need to sponge bathe her instead of placing her in the tub for now. Some professionals suggest you keep the area clean by wiping it with alcohol swabs; others say to just leave it alone. Find out what your pediatrician want you to do. Examine the umbilical cord regularly for signs of irritation. Other common health concerns for infants include reflux, colic and gas. Be sure to burp your baby midway through every feeding and again when she finishes eating. If she is fussy or cries for hours, call your doctor's office.
