New Baby Care Tips You Need To Know

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Becoming a parent is a scary and exciting business simultaneously and it is the biggest challenge you will ever face in life.  

There are a lot of things we need to learn when it comes to becoming a new parent, such as how to change a nappy, how to tell if the baby is sick, and how can I tell if my baby has heat rash?

Today we want to try and make motherhood a little less stressful for you and offer some helpful tips and tricks to make your life easier. 

1. Ask for help 

The best tip we can give when it comes to parenthood is always be open to advice and help. And by this we don’t mean listening to every random person who tries to give you advice about your baby. We are talking about asking your doctor and professionals for help. 

2. Use hospital resources

In those first few days after childbirth you might be itching to get home, but it is worth staying to get some rest and also getting some advice about things like breastfeeding. Always use your hospitals resources where you can! 

4. Warm compress

When you start to breastfeed after having a baby, your breasts will quickly become engorged and sometimes they will feel blocked up. To save you the pain and discomfort, use a warm compress and massage the breast a little to loosen things up. It will feel so much better. 

5. Cold pack 

On the other hand, if you start feeling like your breasts are swollen and painful, an ice pack can be the best option for you. It will reduce swelling and it will numb the feeling for a while to give you some peace. 

6. Introduce the bottle early 

If you are breastfeeding but you know you want to transition to the bottle eventually, be sure to introduce the idea of a bottle before they reach 3 months old. This is a good way to ensure that the baby is open to change. 

7. Don’t think about how tired you are 

Yes, you will be tired. No, you won’t get much sleep. But the worst thing you can do for yourself mentally is think about this. Only think about caring for your baby and living your life and even when you are tired your mood will be better. 

8. Take shifts

It is important for parents to take turns when looking after the baby, and as parents you are a team. Take turns to get up in the night for the baby and make sure that you are both putting in the work to look after them. 

9. Sleep when baby sleeps 

Honestly when you become a mum the best thing you can do is get as much sleep as you possibly can. When your baby becomes tired and falls asleep, this is golden time for you to get a quick nap too. 

11. Mimic the womb 

Swinging the baby and swaddling them in a blanket is a way to mimic the conditions a baby experienced in the womb and it is something you should always try to do when baby is fussy. 

12. Play music 

Music is good for the soul and it can be great for both you and your baby. Play some music when your baby is awake and fussing, and it might actually help them to relax and fall asleep. 

13. Use warm wipes 

Warm wipes can be created with paper towels and a thermos; and when changing your baby’s nappy it is much better to use this to stop baby crying. You can also get an electric wipe warmer that will ensure anything going on your baby’s bum is nice and toasty. 

14. Do yoga 

Mum and baby yoga is underrated and it can be a great way to gain some relaxation for yourself as well as make your baby relaxed too. 

15. Soak

A bath together as mum and baby can be a relaxing thing for both of you. If you have had a stressful day and your baby has been very fussy, take a warm bath and hold your baby close. Again this will make them feel like they are in the womb and should soothe them. 

16. Don’t criticise dad 

New dads are struggling just as much as you, if not more, and the worst thing you can do is critique him when he tries to help. Let him do this thing the way he knows how and he will soon become more confident and will want to look after the baby more. 

17. Get dad home 

Maternity leave is an amazing thing and gives mum and baby time to bond after birth, but what about dad? Paternity leave is becoming more common and you should make sure that dad stays home with you both so you can get to know each other as a whole family. 

18. Work as a team

We already mentioned earlier that you should take turns getting up in the night to calm the baby, and you should also take turns with everything else. Take turns cooking dinner, washing up, cleaning the house, and everything else. Divvying up the duties in an even way is the fairest is and will ensure that both parents are balancing the stress together instead of everything being piled on mum. 

19. Relax 

The concept of looking after another living thing is scary, and you may think in those first few weeks that you must stick to the rule book all the time. This isn’t how parenthood works. Don’t panic about the little things! Motherhood is hard but it is something that will come naturally over time. Let yourself get to know your baby and their needs and don’t worry what anyone else thinks. You can do this! 

We hope these tips will help you become a happier and more relaxed parent this year. Take these tips and be an amazing mum!