3 Important Newborn Care Tips

Parents who have just had their first child are often nervous about how to care for their child. It can be an exciting, but also an overwhelming experience. If you are unprepared, it can also be a dangerous situation. Many parents, therefore, rightly want to get as much knowledge about the proper handling of newborns as possible. This way, you will have the exact understanding of how to care for a newborn as possible. Here are three particular areas that you need to be aware of.

Proper Nutrition

Newborns need to have proper nutrition, which can be difficult if you don't have any experience with feeding infants. The difficulty lies in the fact that you won't be able to rely on solid food. You have to rely on a liquid based food, or perhaps a pureed food that has been specifically designed for newborns. You want to make sure that these foods have all been properly designed with the correct amount of vitamins and minerals. Most parents should look into the different doctor approved formulas which are perfect. They are easy to put into the bottle and will provide your newborn with the nutrients that they need.

Safety First: Crib, Car Seat, and Stroller

A huge issue when dealing with a newborn is safety. You don't want to put them in harms way while they are in the car, the stroller, or even while they are sleeping. There are lots of things you can do to prevent this and here are a few suggestions. First, make sure that you don't place them in a crib to sleep unless the crib has been approved for newborns. This means that the crib won't allow them to fall out onto the floor, of get their hands or head stuck in the bars. Next, get a stroller and car seat that have been designed to secure your newborn. You don't want the newborn to be jostled around while they are in the car seat or in the stroller. So, safety restraints such as tiny soft seat belts are super important.

Diaper Changing and Rash Problems

Finally, you need to make sure that you have enough diapers on hand and also creams to prevent diaper rash. It's not just an issue of comfort, it can lead to infections and illness if you don't take care to prevent any issues. What you want to do is make sure that you always change a dirty diaper, clean the baby, and make sure they are dry. Use creams and ointments to soothe any potential problem areas before it gets out of hand.

Contact a clinic, like Willow Oak Pediatrics, for more help.