5 tips for safe care for a newborn baby

When a baby is born, it is fragile and delicate. Many parents fear that they will be hurt by mishandling. What to watch out for when carrying out everyday activities to keep him safe? Here are some simple tips.

Despite the fact that your newborn is tiny and seemingly very delicate, they are a little tougher than you may think.  So do not have the constant fear that you may do something wrong. 

Feeding, changing, carrying baby, and putting her to sleep: these are activities that may be difficult for novice mothers. It will take some time to learn and practice. Here are some tips for safe care of your little one:-)  

Are you afraid that your baby may choke on milk while feeding? Provide him with a safe, comfortable feeding position. Then it will be safe to suck milk from the breast or bottle. If you are breastfeeding, the baby's head should be level with the breast, parallel to the spine, never tilted back. The baby's mouth should deeply grasp the nipple and areola. When you bottle-feed, don't leave your baby alone. If he is already taking food from a bottle or nearby, watch him in case he chokes. Do not let your baby drink the milk from the bottle while lying down. When giving the bottle, make sure that the teat is filled with milk (this will reduce the risk of stomach pain after feeding). Do not enlarge the nipple hole. Feeding too quickly can make your baby choke. If the baby chokes, place him on his lap so that his head is lower than the rest of the body. Pat him gently on the back with the palm of the boat facing downwards towards the head. 

Spitting up and dribbling milk with burps or after feedings is fairly common in newborns. This is because the sphincter muscle between the stomach and the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to stomach) is not as strong as it will eventually become as the baby matures. There is no need to worry when your little one is gaining weight properly.  But what happens when baby tries to breathe when they still have milk or vomit in their mouth?  Babies have a natural reflex that closes off their airway, but should this not happen for whatever reason (including medical conditions), this may pose a risk of aspiration pneumonia. Hold your little one so that her head and arms are resting on your shoulder; and massage baby's back until the liquid rebounds. On the other hand, if your baby is not getting back to normal quickly — for example, if their breathing continues to be difficult or if their cough doesn’t go away — that could be cause for concern. And if your baby continues to struggle with their breathing, you should seek a medical assistance.

When picking up your baby, remember to always support his head. Put one hand between your legs under the shoulder and support the head with the other hand. Make your movements slowly and delicately so that he doesn't get scared. After picking up, hug him to make him feel safe.

Some parents sleep with the baby. It is then more convenient for the mother to breastfeed. However, it is safer to put your toddler in his crib. Then you can be sure that you will not crush him. You can put his crib next to yours, it will be easier for you to take it out for feeding. There should be no pillows in the cot, only a blanket / thin duvet to cover. Sleepwear should be loose and comfortable. Remember to ventilate the bedroom before going to bed and keep the temperature in it around 18-20 degrees - so as to not overheat the body. Put your baby on his back to sleep, never on his tummy. The tummy time is reserved for times when your baby is awake and you are around and watching him. Make sure that there are no stuffed animals in the crib, which can cause the baby to have difficulty breathing when snuggled into it. Also remember not to leave any small items close to him.

When your baby cries, check why. Perhaps he is uncomfortable, has a wet diaper or is hungry. Or, she may just need closeness in her mother's warm arms. Don't follow the "I'll let him cry" rule. A newborn baby needs a lot of affection from the first moments of life. Take him in your arms, rock him and sing lullabies. If you feel that the constantly crying baby is upsetting you, ask your partner for support. Let them hug your toddler while you give yourself a moment to breathe. Never shake your baby, you can hurt him. It is very dangerous!!! Shaking may damage blood vessels and cause blood to bleed into the brain.