How to Care for a New Born

Caring for a newborn baby brings a number of challenges and a jumble of emotions. Infants rely on you to feed, change, shelter and comfort them. Since their internal clocks are not set yet, they need you to be available at all times of the day and night. Most newborns sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, and they need to be fed every 3 to 4 hours. They cry to communicate and it is up to you to meet their needs. While newborns can thrive with the same general care, each baby is different, requiring adults to adjust to accommodate their needs.

Instructions

1

Breastfeed your newborn, if possible. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, human milk is superior for infants and should be used for at least 6 months and preferably up to 12 months. Breast milk has the necessary vitamins and minerals to improve a baby's health and development, as well as antibodies that lower the risk for many chronic diseases. If breastfeeding is impossible and breast milk is not available, you can use many formulas on the market. Ask your doctor to recommend the best formula for your newborn and watch for adverse effects, so you can switch to a more suitable formula.

2

Place your child in the back seat of your car in a rear-facing safety-approved infant carseat that supports the infant's neck, back and spine. Placing the seat in the front of a car with a passenger side airbag is dangerous for babies, as it puts their heads too close to the airbag. Never leave your newborn or any child in a car alone, even for a few minutes. Hyperthermia on warm days can endanger children in a very short time, another car could crash into yours or someone could take your baby.

3

Put newborns on their backs to sleep in a crib or bassinette. Babies who sleep on their backs are less likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome. Wake infants up every 3 to 4 hours for feeding, if they do not wake up on their own.

4

Clean the stump left by the umbilical cord with alcohol when you change your newborn's diaper, taking care not to cover it with the diaper. It should dry up and fall off in 3 weeks. Give your baby sponge baths until the cord falls off.

5

Hold, rock, sing and talk to your newborn when it seems all needs are met but crying continues. While babies need a little crying time for exercise and to communicate, they also need nurturing and closeness to other human beings.