Bathing, diapering, feeding, doctor appointments and safety precautions constitute a significant amount of time during your baby's first year -- and are all necessary to ensure your baby thrives. Keeping your baby clean reduces the amount of germs on your baby, so he spends less time in the doctor's office with viral and bacterial infections.
Hygiene
Give your baby a sponge bath until the umbilical cord stump falls off and heals. After a few weeks, your baby can start taking baths in a few inches of warm water in a baby bathtub or the kitchen sink. Until your infant is crawling, a bath is only necessary once or twice per week. Apply a gentle lotion to lock moisture into your baby's skin. Moisturizer is especially important if your baby suffers from eczema. Frequently wash your baby's face, hands and the creases of his neck. Infants will have several dirty diapers, so use baby wipes or a water bottle to thoroughly clean the genitals and anal region during each diaper change. Apply a diaper rash cream to prevent a diaper rash, especially at bed time. Ensure your infant's nails are cut to minimize scratches to the face. Once teeth appear, start brushing the teeth with a soft children's toothbrush.
Diet
Breastfeeding is recommended for the first 12 months of your baby's life or for a minimum of six months. Breastfeeding provides nutrients and fatty acids to your baby that plays an important role in brain development. Breastfeeding also encourages bonding between mothers and babies. If your baby stops breastfeeding before 12 months of age, switch to an iron-fortified formula. Cow's milk is not intended for infant's under 12 months of age. Solid foods are introduced at six months, unless your baby's pediatrician tells you to start sooner. Always follow the pediatrician's instructions for starting solid foods. Newborns will eat every two to three hours, but your infant will eat less often as he grows older.
Wellness and Immunizations
During the first year of your child's life, she will have about six wellness checkups to ensure she is thriving. The doctor will check your baby's vitals, measurements and weight. The doctor will also ask several questions about your baby's development. Immunizations typically occur at wellness check-ups, but many doctors prefer to spread out the vaccinations so they're not all given at the same time -- so your baby will need to come in for a quick visit between wellness checkups. During the first year of life, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinations against hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenzae type b, streptococcus pneumonia and polio.
Considerations
The sleeping environment you provide is important to your child's health during the first year because of the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics says to always place your infant on his back and not on his stomach or side while sleeping. Avoid soft, fluffy blankets and stuffed animals in your baby's crib. Inform everyone who puts your baby to sleep of these rules to ensure these conditions are met. Have your baby wear enough clothing that he will be warm while he sleeps, but do not cover him with a blanket. A pacifier can reduce the risk of SIDS. If you're breastfeeding, wait until your baby is one month old until you give a pacifier. Once your baby starts crawling, use baby gates and ensure there are not choking hazards on the ground. Also cover all plug-in outlets.
