Motherhood and sleep do not really mix well when you have a baby or toddler at home. And things can get difficult when both of your kids are not sleeping well. I have two kids, Aangad, now 3 years old, and Priya, 5 years old. Lately, I have been sleeping a little better than I used to. Come to think of it, those days were difficult and exhausting. Everyone told me that sleeping with toddlers is quite difficult, and it is. You must get up every now and then to feed the baby, the baby may not fall asleep, and other times you and the baby get a visit from a friend or family member. You will be tired and frustrated, but you need to focus on keeping your baby healthy and safe.
As much as you want your baby to be safe and healthy, you will not succeed at everything instinctively. You may need some tips to help you get through at least the first few days after your newborn arrives. During my pregnancy, the app Mylo Pregnancy and Parenthood helped me a lot. The app is beautifully designed and gave me insight into when I was pregnant and became a mom, and after. The app is great and free. All the tips I have shared here are my experiences as a mother and all the advice I got from the Mylo app.
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Hold
Hold your baby by the head and support the neck. Second-time moms do not need much practice when it comes to holding their babies. However, new mothers may need a few days to get used to holding their babies. If you feel that your baby is uncomfortable being carried, do not worry. It will take a few days to learn how to hold your baby perfectly. The most important thing when holding a baby is to secure an extremely sensitive neck and head. So always support the neck and the head when you carry the baby in your arms or put him on the mat.
The first few days after birth are a sensitive time for bonding between mother and baby. Carrying your baby skin-to-skin allows you to build that bond over time. Closeness helps build an emotional bond for both the baby and the parents.
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Feed
It’s not until you start breastfeeding your baby that you realize how hungry he is and how often he’s hungry. Most doctors recommend feeding the baby every time he or she asks for it. Be sure to wash your hands before holding your baby. If you feel that your milk ducts are clogged, try a warm compress. On the other hand, if you feel that your breasts hurt, try a cold pack to get relief.
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Burb
Once your baby’s belly is full and he or she stops drinking, you should make sure that he or she burps. In fact, many experts believe that babies should burp every five minutes. To get your baby to burp, you can place him on your lap with his back to you. Make sure you are supporting his head and that his head is higher than your chest. Another way to make the baby burp is to hold him upright on your shoulder while supporting his head. In both cases, you will need to gently tap the back until you hear the baby burp.
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Umbilical cord
You should pay special attention to this section because it is one of the most important baby care tips. The umbilical cord is very delicate and should not be immersed in water. Normally, the umbilical cord turns from yellow to brown and then black before it finally falls off.
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Bath
Since you cannot immerse the baby’s umbilical cord, you will need to sponge bathe your baby until the cord falls off. Once it does, you can gently bathe it in the tub.
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Diapers
Stock up on baby items like diapers before the baby arrives and be prepared to change about 5-7 diapers a day! When you change the diaper, make sure your baby is on a comfortable surface. Carefully remove the diaper and wash baby’s genital area with wipes or a washcloth and warm water.
For boys, be careful when removing the diaper because the baby may urinate into the air. For girls, wipe the bottom from front to back to prevent infection UTI. Apply a diaper ointment before letting your baby wear the new diaper. Diaper rashes are common, so do not worry about them. Just give your baby more time to air out and apply the ointment, and it should be gone in a few days. Try using a cloth diaper instead of a disposable diaper. This will prevent rashes and reduce the amount of waste you produce. If the rash does not go away, you should see a doctor.
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Sleep
Newborn babies sleep almost 16 hours a day. Throughout the day, they are either sleeping or being fed. Place your baby in a comfortable crib and let him sleep alternately on his left and right sides. Make sure there are no heavy blankets or toys around the baby that they can choke on. Babies also develop a sleep cycle like adults over time. This takes time and some help from you. You can limit playtime to daytime and avoid waking your baby at night unless you want him to sleep.
The sleepless nights will be over in a few months, but do not forget to admire and cuddle with your tiny baby before he grows up! And make sure that dad takes one of the two shifts during the day to take care of the baby. This way, you too will get the rest you need. So, download the Mylo Family android app for free and subscribe to it. This app and its features are free and allow you to connect with a great, friendly community of moms that I think is just awesome. Thank you so much Mylo!
