A new-born always receives a royal welcome into the family. However, after the initial rush comes a volley of questions, doubts and dilemmas, on the do’s and don’ts of nurturing this newcomer. Let’s look at all the possible queries that might arise while taking care of the new-born.
1. To feed or not to breast feed the baby?
This is the question which every new mother unfailingly asks. Read on to assess for yourself the pros and cons of breast feeding.
Advantages of breastfeeding
a. Breast milk is the most complete source of naturally balanced nutrition available for your baby. The only food an infant needs during the first six months of life is breast milk.
b. It contains antibodies that protect your baby from illness. Breastfed babies tend to have fewer allergies than bottle-fed babies.
c. Breast milk is less expensive and easier for babies to digest than formula.
d. Breastfeeding can be both relaxing and convenient. There are no bottles to wash, sterilize, or prepare.
e. Breastfeeding can help your uterus return to normal size more quickly after delivery because of the release of the hormone oxytocin.
f. Breastfeeding can also help you lose weight.
g. Mothers who breastfed their babies have fewer chances of contriving Type-2 Diabetes
Points to note while breastfeeding
a. Women who breastfeed must be available to feed their babies 6 to 8 times each day.
b. The foods you eat and the medications you take while breastfeeding can enter your baby’s system through your milk. Therefore, women often have to avoid certain foods, drinks and medications that might have a negative effect on the baby, throughout the entire period of breastfeeding.
c. Since most of the milk oozes out in the first 5 minutes, so transfer the baby to the other breast after 15 minutes.
d. Breast-feeding may cause achy, sore or cracked nipples. So dry your nipples after feeding and apply lanolin cream.
e. Always use cotton lingerie.
These minor discomforts are nothing compared to the nectar you are nourishing your baby with.
2. Which is the Best formula for baby?
For infants who are not breast-fed, infant formula is the best. Any infant formula must be fortified with iron and nutrients, easily digestible, hygienically-prepared and must enhance the child’s immunity.
a. Cow’s milk isn’t a recommended food for infants below 12 months, because some newborns are lactose intolerant. However, there are some cow-milk formulas that may not cause trouble as they are intended to emulate breast milk as much as possible. So infant formulas based on cow’s milk should be carefully given to the baby only after administering a test dose.
b.Soy-based formula is a wholesome choice. They’re valuable chiefly for those babies who miss the enzyme to properly break up lactose, the natural sugar in cow’s milk.
c. The other best baby formula is a special one called protein hydrolysate, an option for those who have some types of milk allergic reaction. The proteins in the formula are already broken up to products that would result from natural digestion. For those uncommon but unfortunate few babies who are born with a family history of milk allergies, it can be a lifesaver.
d. Enhanced Infant formula using DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) may be given as they are harmless. These are omega-3 fatty acids found in natural human breast milk.
e. Other choices include powdered formula, ready-to-use formula, undiluted liquid formula et al
Whatever formula you choose, prepare the feed with clean utensils and hands, in the right proportion and quantity and feed at correct intervals as advised by your physician.
3. Is the baby losing weight?
Every new mother is anxious and even paranoid about her baby’s weight gain. Do not become overworked about your baby’s weight by knowing these simple facts.
a. Every new-born loses 10% of its weight within the first few days and start gaining as much as an ounce thereafter. By six months, your baby’s weight ought to have doubled and by a year, tripled.
b. Any baby weighing less than 2.5 kg when born is a low-birth weight baby and must be constantly breast feed to improve its weight.
c. So be patient and wait for your baby to gain weight. Till then feed well.
4. When is the baby hungry?
Just read on the following facts and be clear about all the doubts concerning the baby feeding time.
a. Feed your new-born every 2-4 hours for the first few days.
b. Breast -fed babies feed 8-12 times a day. They may feed up to 15 minutes on each breast
c. Bottle-fed babies feed 6-10 times a day.
d. Feed your baby at the right time before it cries and hollers for its feed.
e. Symptoms of hunger include putting finger/ toe in the mouth, stirring from sleep, suckling movements.
f. Over-feed usually comes out. So don’t worry if your baby spits.
g. A healthy baby must have 3 dirty and 6 wet diapers a day. If not, it is not well-fed.
5. My baby spits- is it normal?
Spiting is normal among babies
a. Almost after every feed, a newborn is prone to spit. Spitting may be due to reflux or overfeeding.
b. Reflux occurs if valve at the end of the food-pipe is relaxed or weak, causing food to throw up. This condition gets resolved within a year.There is no cause for worry if your baby feeds and gains weight.
c. Spitting can be averted by giving smaller feeds and keeping the baby upright for at least 15 minutes after every feed.
d. Causes of worry include greenish spit, blood in spit, spit with intense convulsions, forceful spit et al.
6. My baby is newborn- Is it normal?
New born- babies are prone to jaundice within the first few days, which, if mild is harmless. Everyone’s blood contains bilirubin, which is removed by the liver. Before birth, the mother’s liver does this for the baby. Most babies develop jaundice in the first few days after birth because it takes a few days for the baby’s liver to get better at removing bilirubin. A jaundiced baby looks yellow. A blood test will assess the level of jaundice and help to treat high levels.
Jaundice is more common in babies who are breast-fed that babies who are formula-fed, but this occurs only in infants who are not nursing well. If you are breastfeeding, you should nurse your baby at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first few days. This will help you produce enough milk and will help to keep the baby’s bilirubin level down.
7. Is the color of my baby’s poop different from others?
A baby’s poop is an important indicator of its good health. New born babies may pass blackish stools due to presence of meconium. The baby’s poop comes out as brown, green or yellow in the next few days. Formula fed babies often pass thick and harder stools.
8. Is baby suffering from diaper-rash?
Diaper-rash is the most acute irritant for a baby. It turns the soft baby bottom red, swollen and full of welts due to wetness. Diaper rash symptoms include: Dryness or peeling/scaling of the skin; Pinkness or redness over a small or large area, wherever the diaper touches; Dry raised bumps (papules); Fluid-filled raised bumps (pustules); Edema, or swelling; Affected areas may be warm to the touch
Applying baby lotion or cream may help a bit but creams with zinc oxide help better. Vaseline gives temporary relief.
9. How much should newborn sleep?
A healthy newborn baby should sleep soundly for 14-18 hours a day in the first week and 10-12 hrs per day thereafter. It wakes once every 3 hours if it is breast-fed. But most babies don’t sleep beyond 2 hrs at a stretch. Baby sleep consists more of REM-rapid eye movements. So, ensure that your baby sleeps cozily with less noise and disturbance. After 6-8 weeks, babies switch over to more of night sleep. Hug your baby softly and lull it to sleep.
10. Is my baby sick?
Your baby is not sick if it feeds, sleeps and pisses and passes stool well. Signs of sickness are vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, convulsions, blueness of skin, profuse wetting of diapers, and high temperatures beyond 100.8 degree Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.
