The birth of a child brings enormous joy to the parents’ lives, but it also carries with it a new set of duties. This article will walk you through some of the most crucial components of newborn baby care.

Important Note: To avoid infection, always use good personal and hand hygiene while dealing with babies, particularly when holding, nursing, changing nappies, or clothing them.

Holding a newborn baby feels delicate and vulnerable. Holding a baby, on the other hand, promotes bonding and lowers crying. Because a baby’s muscles are fragile, always support their head and neck whenever you hold them. If you need to hold a baby for an extended period of time, you can rest the infant’s head on your shoulder.

In the first six months of an infant’s life, breast milk is the best source of nutrients. It provides all of the essential nutrients for a baby’s growth and development. While feeding, the infant should always be cradled in the arms or on the lap. This aids in the development of a strong and loving attachment between the mother and her child.

If the mother is sick or unable to breastfeed her baby, she should seek advice from a doctor about a suitable alternative source of nutrition for her child.

Newborns should be administered important vaccines according to their age to guard against infections and boost their immunity. These include:

Hepatitis B vaccine: The first dose is ideally given within 24 hours of birth. The second dose is given 1 to 2 months after the first dose.

These vaccines are given at 2, 4 and 6 months:

• Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type-b vaccine
• DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine
• PCV: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
• RV: Rotavirus vaccine
• IPV: Inactivated poliovirus vaccine

The exception to the above is that polio vaccine is not given in the 6th month.

The flu vaccine for influenza is administered for babies aged 6 months and above at regular intervals.

Summary

You need not worry about doing things perfectly. Just enjoy the moments. Concentrate on spending quality time with your newborn as much as possible. If you notice any unusual habits or would like to know more about vaccination, visit your nearest paediatrician today.