Caring for Your Baby at Home

Once you bring your baby home, you should limit the number of people that visit. This is a special time for you to bond with your new family. Family and friends can help you by running errands and doing household chores but this is your special time to get to know your new baby. Be sure that visitors and siblings wash their hands before holding your baby. If they have a cold or have been exposed to illness, they should not visit. It is normal for your baby to lose weight in the first few days before starting to gain weight. Most babies regain their birth weight a couple of weeks after he or she was born, then double it by six months and triple it in one year.

Sleeping

Always place your newborn on his or her back when putting your baby to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that sleeping on his or her back is the safest position for your newborn to sleep. Sleeping in this position has been proven to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Do not place pillows, stuffed animals, toys, a heavy comforter, or anything else in the crib with your baby. These items could suffocate or choke your newborn.

Using bumper pads in the crib is not recommended. When putting your baby to sleep, it is important that your baby stays warm, but do not overdress him or her. Sleeping patterns may not become well established for some months, which is why it is so important to sleep as much as you can. Nap when your baby naps. You will soon develop a bedtime and nap routine for your baby. Some babies like to be bathed or massaged before bedtime. This may be a perfect time for you or your partner to spend with the baby.


“Tummy time” is also important for the development and strengthening of the baby’s shoulders and arms. While your baby is awake and well attended, position the baby on his or her stomach. However, remember to always place your baby on his or her back for sleep.


Crying

Crying is your baby’s way of communicating with you. For many babies, there is a different cry for “I’m hungry,” “I need my diaper changed,” “Pick me up,” and “I want a hug.” You will soon learn your baby’s cry. You will get to know what position and activities your baby likes for comforting. Babies love it when you speak and sing to them. You will learn to tell when your baby has “had enough.” Getting to know your baby is a very exciting experience. Many parents notice their baby has a fussy period in the evening. This is not uncommon. Some think it is the baby “blowing off steam” (releasing excess energy after experiencing all the excitement of the day). Check to be sure that she or he is not hungry, does not have a wet diaper, and is not in pain. You may find that holding your baby or taking him or her for rides in the car helps to settle the baby. Infant massage can sometimes calm a fussy baby.
Bathing

You may be nervous or anxious about giving your baby a bath. The first bath may seem intimidating but it could also be full of laughter. As with most anything else, bathing your baby gets easier with practice. Many babies love bath time and it may become a relaxing ritual before bedtime. Be sure the area is free of drafts and choose a time when you are not hurried. Have all your supplies ready ahead of time, such as cotton balls a soft washcloth clean, warm water in a tub or sink mild soap and a towel. When bathing your baby, you can place him or her in a tub by supporting the baby’s head and bottom. Begin washing your baby from top to bottom.

Gently wipe with clean water from the inside to the outside corner of each eye with a clean washcloth or cotton balls.

Wipe his or her face with a washcloth.
Dampen your baby’s hair/scalp with water and gently rub in baby shampoo. Rinse by pouring water over the baby’s head while avoiding the eyes.

Support your baby’s head and neck with your hand under the chin and gently lean him or her forward to wash the back. Rinse with clean water.

Wash from top to bottom, bathing the diaper area last.

Be sure to clean well between the skin folds. For girls, be sure to wipe from front to back. For circumcised boys, clean the healed penis the same way as the rest of the body. For uncircumcised boys, do not retract the foreskin. Bathe the area and rinse.

When finished, lay your baby on a clean towel and quickly dry off before diapering and dressing.

NOTE: Never leave your baby unattended during bath time.

Diapering

Gather your supplies including a clean diaper, baby wipes, a diaper pail and petroleum jelly or diaper rash ointment. Lay your baby on the changing table and unfasten the tabs. Place a cloth under the baby so he or she will not soil the surface. Gently grasp your baby’s ankles and elevate as you take off the diaper.

If your baby has a full portion of the diaper to clean the area before you wrap the used diaper into a bundle for disposal. Clean the area with wipes or a damp washcloth. Always wipe from front to back and be sure to clean between the folds of skin. Apply petroleum jelly or diaper rash ointment to your baby’s bottom. To put on a clean diaper, hold your baby’s ankles lifting his or her bottom and slide the back of the clean diaper under your baby’s bottom, lowering the legs. Pull the front of the diaper up between the legs and attach the tabs to each side. Redress your baby and wash your hands.

Cutting Your Baby’s Nails

Trimming your baby’s nails may seem scary at first. Try filing your baby’s nails with a nail file during the first few weeks when the nails are tiny and soft. After that, you can use nail clippers or roundtipped scissors. This is best accomplished when your baby is soundly sleeping.

Taking Your Baby’s Temperature

It is not necessary to take your baby’s temperature regularly. If your baby is not acting like himself or herself or feels very warm to touch, you may want to take the temperature before calling your pediatric care provider. The two ways to measure the temperature are axillary (under the arm) and rectally.
Measure the temperature using the axillary method first. Place the thermometer under the arm and hold the arm in place. If his or her temperature is higher than 100.3 degrees, your pediatric care provider may want you to take a rectal measurement. Do not use a mercury thermometer to check your baby’s temperature - always use a digital thermometer.
To measure a rectal temperature, wash your hands and the thermometer and then dab a little petroleum jelly (Vaseline®) on the end and press the “on” button. Lay your baby on his or her back on a firm surface, lift his or her legs and gently spread the cheeks. Use both hands, one for the thermometer and the other to hold your baby securely. Gently insert the tip about one half inch into the baby’s rectum. Hold it in place until it beeps, then slowly withdraw and read it. Notify your pediatric care provider of a rectal temperature over 100.3 degrees.
Poonam replied. Hi pooja
thank you so much for the information :)