Tips and tips 35a

Bathing your new born

o Until his umbilical cord has fallen off and his circumcision has healed avoid giving your baby a bath in the basin.

o Start the bathing by wiping his eyes from the inside to the outside using a clean damp soft cloth or a wad of cotton wool without soap.

o Gently scrub his head to remove any dried skin.

o Bathe him and dry him off rather quickly to keep him from getting chilled.

o Never leave your baby alone in the basin! Not even for a second.

Start a baby feed on bottle with no issues

1. At least to wait until your baby is a month old before introducing the bottle. Doing it earlier may result in nipple confusion.

2. At first, have the person doing the feeding offer a little bit of breast milk an hour or so after a regular feeding so that the baby is more open to experimentation, but not so hungry that he gets distressed.

3. It may help to drip breast milk on the baby’s lips or tongue to give an idea of what’s to come.

4. Run the nipple under warm water before giving it to the baby.

5. If ten minutes have passed and he hasn’t fed, stop trying. Better to stop before baby gets really upset and associates the bottle with frustration.

6. If he still refuses after a few attempts, you may have to experiment with different nipples and bottles until you find one he likes. You may want to start with the bottle that is clinically shown to be most like mom.

Bonding with your baby

Bonding is the beautiful process of falling deeper and deeper in love with your baby. It’s an experience that unfolds differently for everyone, with each day offering many opportunities for warm, affectionate connections: The following are tips on how to bond with the child:

Touch: Stroking and caressing your newborn is not only a way to show your love, it is actually beneficial for a baby’s health and development. Provide skin-to-skin contact with gentle massages. Consider “wearing” your baby in a baby sling so she can be warm, cozy and close to your body.

Sound: The sound of your voice will quickly become a source of comfort for your baby. You can cuddle, coo and speak to your baby in soothing tones, but not every conversation has to be completely directed her way. Hold her close as you get caught up with a friend by phone and watch her bask in the rhythm and cadence of your voice.

Sight: Even though an infant’s vision is not fully developed (they generally focus best on objects within 8 to 10 inches of their face) studies have shown that babies are responsive to direct eye contact from birth, and prefer to be looked at directly.
So go ahead and stare into that beautiful face, it’s exactly what your baby wants you to do!

Feeding: Every time you feed your baby, it’s an opportunity to bond. Breastfeeding automatically offers a close connection, but bottle feeding can be an intimate experience as well. Make yourself comfortable. Hold your baby close and gaze into his eyes. Relax and enjoy your time together.

Diapering: Changing time can be wonderful bonding time. As you lean over the changing table, your face is at the ideal distance for making eye contact. You can tell stories, sing silly songs, perhaps plant a few tummy kisses. Having a diaper disposal system you can use with one hand, or better yet, hands-free, let’s you keep one hand on the baby at all times. Great for both bonding and safety.

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