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Infant care and newborns

The pregnancy that you thought would never end is finally over and your nine-month ordeal has rewarded you with a new member of your family. Yet you wonder as you drive home from the hospital if you are really well versed and prepared for infant care and newborns.

Caring for infants, and newborns in particular is really not that hard. A lot of infant care and newborns is just common sense. However, there are a couple of items that need your special attention when providing infant care and newborns.

For example, the umbilical cord must be handled with care. Make sure the diaper fold is below the umbilical cord and not rubbing against it. When you change your newborn's diaper wash the area around the umbilical cord with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Make sure the umbilical cord stays dry at all times, and watch for any sign of pus or redness around it. The umbilical cord stump should dry up and fall off within a couple of weeks.

Next, make sure you always support your newborn's head when you are holding the baby or lifting the baby up. Newborn's neck muscles are not yet fully developed and their heads need to be supported.
Whenever you place your newborn or infant in a car seat, baby carrier, stroller, etc. make sure the baby is securely fastened, that all belts are securely belted etc. and never leave your newborn or infant unattended when placed in one of these devices.

Finally, do not bath your newborn until the umbilical cord has dried up and fallen off. If you newborn is a circumcised boy, do not bath him until his circumcision has healed.

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