The birth of a child is a long-awaited and joyful event. How a new person grows up depends largely on how they are treated in the first weeks of life. It just seems that the baby is mostly asleep. In fact, the newborn gradually adapts to a new environment for him, masters the environment and the methods of studying it.
It is necessary
- - a complete set of baby clothes;
- - first aid kit with newborn care products;
- - personal hygiene products;
- - bath;
- - plastic and rubber toys;
- - cot;
- - a stroller.
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare for the arrival of the newborn before he and his mother are discharged from the hospital. In the first few days, the baby, of course, can sleep in a stroller or even a basket. But it is better to start accustoming him to the crib right away. Choose a mattress that is flat and moderately firm. The height of the walls should be such that the mother can easily take the baby out of the crib.
Step 2
Make sure your baby has enough underwear. Usually in the antenatal clinic and in the maternity hospital there is a list of what a newborn will need in the first weeks of life. Nothing bad will happen if there are more diapers and undershirts. You will have to wash them often, so you should always have a stock on hand. Check with your pediatrician about what should be in your home medicine cabinet. Try to avoid surprises when, at the most inopportune moment, it suddenly turns out that you do not have a thermometer or baby cream.
Step 3
In the first days of life, a baby experiences several stressful situations in a row. First, he gets out of the warm and comfortable body of his mother into a world unfamiliar to him, in which conditions are constantly changing. Not having time to get used to the hospital, he goes home, that is, again, in a new environment. Try to arrange so that the child feels confident and calm in the new world for him.
Step 4
Learn to handle your baby correctly. He still has rather soft bones, and his muscles are poorly developed. When you pick him up, your palm should be holding his shoulders, neck and the back of his head. You cannot squeeze his breast and generally squeeze strongly. During the neonatal period, which lasts up to a month, the baby is predominantly in a horizontal position. It should not be placed in an armchair or pillows.
Step 5
Even a man who has just been born should be able to move. So far, he only moves his arms and legs, but he does it quite intensively. If you do decide to swaddle it even at home, do not wrap it too tight. A child who has received freedom of movement develops faster.
Step 6
Talk to your newborn from the earliest days. He will remember your voice, which is associated with comfort and protection. Speak in a calm, affectionate tone when changing diapers, feeding, or bathing. Sing songs even if you think you can't sing. Remember that you are holding the most grateful listener in the world.
Step 7
Even with a child a few days old, you can play a little. The periods of wakefulness are still very short, but take a few seconds and hold a bright rattle in front of your baby's eyes. He gradually learns to respond to new subjects for him, this expands his horizons and life experience, which is still very small.
Step 8
Bathing is one of the most enjoyable procedures. It is best to consult your local pediatrician regarding the first bath, who will probably come to visit you on the first day after discharge. At first, it is better to bathe the baby in boiled water, since the umbilical cord has not yet grown. Remember to control the temperature. The child should not have any negative emotions.
Step 9
Even at such a young age, the child is able to decide some things for himself. You will have to take his opinion into account. For example, he himself knows how much to sleep and eat. In the medical and pedagogical literature, averages are given. Of course, they must be taken into account. But do not be alarmed if it is your child who needs to sleep a little more or a little less than his average peer. Observe its life rhythm and try to follow it.
