Ways Nurses Can Help New Mothers Care For Their Babies?

A caring and professional nurse can play a vital role in helping a new mother to care for her baby. Nurses provide information on infant development and behavior, instruct parents on basic infant care and help them to prepare for what comes next.

Understanding Newborn Behavior

A newborn's only way to communicate is by crying. New mothers are often fearful and unsure of how to respond to a baby's cries. A nurse can help mothers to understand normal infant behavior patterns so that they can learn how to best support and comfort the baby. Nurses also teach parents how to take the baby's temperature and how to check for signs of illness.

Breastfeeding

On the surface, breastfeeding would seem to be a natural thing for mothers and newborns. In truth, successful breastfeeding can sometimes be difficult for both parties. Nurses can assist new mothers with proper breastfeeding techniques including how to hold the baby, get him to feed and tell when he's had enough. Additionally, nurses help new mothers with how to use a breast pump and how to store milk.

Establishing a Routine

Having a baby is both emotionally and physically taxing. New mothers often have to push past their own fatigue to manage nighttime feedings. Nurses are instrumental in teaching new mothers how to schedule their babies' feedings so that babies get sufficient nutrition and mothers get the rest they need. Additionally, the nurse can provide details on normal sleep patterns, how often to change diapers and other important information that helps a new mother to transition from pregnancy to parenthood.

General Infant Care

Babies are slippery when wet! A nurse can instruct new mothers about how to safely hold newborns during bathing and recommend baby-safe products. Nurses also provide general information on various subjects such as vaccination scheduling, how to take care of the umbilical cord, and how to dress the infant. Nurses can also recognize signs of postpartum depression in new mothers and make referrals to other health providers if needed.