First-Time Parents and Baby Blues

Brace yourself with all the knowledge that you can gather and don’t let the spirits go sour when your bundle of joy starts to show his “baby blues”.

Handling a Newborn
Handling a newborn can make parents very nervous initially. Infants are delicate and have no control over their head and neck. If not carried in the right manner, their head goes flip-flop from side to side.

To ensure proper support, always put a hand behind his head while holding him upright or when you lay him down.

Excessive Crying
As crying is their only mode of communication in early days, they make use of it all the time. But sometimes it goes beyond the normal limits and parents begin to panic.

Remain composed and try to look for the reason. Check the basics; hunger, dirty diaper, hot, cold, or sleep. If all comforts are met and still the baby is uneasy and cranky, it could be because of colic (abdominal pain) or indigestion.

Make him burp by patting lightly over his back. Always keep some anti-spasmodic medicines ready (strictly after consulting your doctor).

Diaper Woes
Contrary to old belief, if used properly, readymade disposable diapers are a boon for parents. They are any day more comfortable and convenient than age-old cloth nappies.

Initially you would need at least seven to eight diapers a day. So keep them well stocked.

Don’t compromise on the quality of the diaper, even if they pinch your pocket a little hard; after all it’s the matter of your little one’s comfort.

Every time you change the diaper, wash or wipe the area with lukewarm water (you can also use wet wipes), pat dry, and dust some baby power over it.

If the baby develops rashes, which shouldn’t happen if you keep the area clean and dry and change the soiled diaper immediately, apply some “nappy rash cream” (available in baby stores) over the area. Let the baby not wear anything for a while.

Also, make sure you don’t fasten the diaper too tight or too loose. Both will not serve the purpose right.

Bathing Basics
Ideally, newborn babies should be bathed only two to three times a week. Too much or frequent bathing will dry out his skin.

In the first three to four weeks, baby should only be sponged rather than bathed. Reason being, his umbilical stump is still intact or in cases of circumcision, the area might not have healed completely.

Whether it is a sponge bath or a tub bath, keep some basic things in mind.

Make sure the temperature of the place where you are giving the bath is not too cold. Water should be pleasantly warm, not hot. Always check it on the back of your hand first before bringing it in contact with the baby.

Shampoos and soaps used for the baby should be very mild and unscented. Keep a set of fresh clothes and diaper ready for use after the bath, so that you don’t have to run for it later on.

Never ever leave the baby alone during bath. Even if you have the utmost emergency, wrap him in the towel and take him along.

Indigestion or Colic
During the second to third week of infancy, most of the babies get cranky and start crying towards the evening. The reason could be colic.

Some typical symptoms of a colicky pain are inconsolable crying (may last for three to four hours), legs tensed and drawn close to the abdomen, and no matter what you do to soothe him, the crying doesn’t stop. Thankfully only 10 percent of infants suffer from this and it usually goes away by the age of three months.

Not always a fussy spell means colic. Learn to differentiate between illness and colic. Colicky child have a good sucking reflex and appetite, which is not present in an ill baby.

If the baby is crying due to some other illness, he won’t feel comfortable when anyone touches him or tries to soothe, where as colicky babies like to be cuddled and held close.

To be on the safer side, check with your doctor if the crying exceeds what you consider normal crying.

Teething
Normally all babies are born with a set of primary teeth hidden in their gums right from the beginning. They start to erupt at the age of three months to seven months in usual cases.

There could be some variations as well. Some babies take over a year to bring out their first teeth, and in other cases, few are known to be born with a couple of them. So it is normal.

Hallmarks of teething are drooling and urge to bite on anything around. During this time they love to chew and put everything in their mouth; if nothing else, then their own fingers. They become irritable and eat less. You will notice the gums swell a little bit.

Commonest problems faced during this period are frequent diarrhea or mild fever. Both have nothing to do with the physiological process of teething.

They occur because due to irritation in gums, most of the time either their fingers or something else is in their mouth, which leads to infection.

Best ways to soothe the discomfort during this time are to keep wiping his face with a soft cloth, rub your finger lightly over gums, and give him something firm and cold (absolutely clean) to chew on.

If you find him in severe pain, consult a doctor for some mild pain killers.

Though you might feel anxious and nervous about handling your new born initially, once you get used to the situation and have spent some time with him, you will gain confidence and become expert in managing such situations effortlessly.