After the experience of birthing, different mothers go through different emotions. Nivedita felt like a warrior - she felt if she could handle all the pain during her labour and delivery, nothing could stop her from being a hands-on mother. It’s true that mothers instinctively know what’s best for the babies, yet having a new-born can throw all the planning and confidence off gear.
But then, there’s not a thing to worry about. Mothers generally pick up quickly, learning how to handle their newborn babies with equal parts care and equal parts love. If you have just had a baby and you are wondering how your next few months (or the next 18 years) will be, we can guide you with the first few months at least!
When Nivedita gave birth, she was exhausted, obviously. A long labor and natural birth left her with little energy. She was anxious and nervous too, so much, that she was unable to understand the instructions that were given to her on how to hold the baby. With all the exhaustion and frustration of not getting the instructions right, Nivedita broke down.
She is not alone. Holding a newborn needs a bit of getting used to and some mothers aren’t able to do that correctly in the beginning. Part of it comes from the fear of hurting the baby too. The only thing you need to remember while holding your newborn is that his or her head and neck require support. Cradle their heads and necks between your arms while supporting the rest of their little body with your other hand. Do it a couple of times and you’ll be a pro!
One thing your baby will need immediately after birth, apart from your love, of course, is food. Newborns only have milk, so there you go. Even though breastfeeding is the most preferred mode of nutrition for your baby, in case they are not able to latch or you are not able to feed, don’t feel guilty. Opt for formula milk.
Take cues on the hunger pattern. Most newborns will cry when they are hungry, but some will put their fingers in their mouths or make suckling noises.
If you are breast-feeding, let your baby be on one breast for 10-15 minutes. Then, burp them. That’s important. Newborns might swallow air while they are being fed which in turn could make them gassy and annoyed. Hold them against your shoulder and pat on their backs, or support their heads with one hand while they ‘sit’ as you pat their backs. That’s when you can put them on the other breast and repeat the burping process.
If you are formula feeding, you could take instructions from lactation experts to understand the quantity that would be adequate for your baby. The burping process will remain the same.
If your baby is being fed every two-three hours and has around 10 dirty diapers a day, you are good to go. Observe your breasts too, if you are breastfeeding. If your breasts feel emptier compared to how they were before the feed, you are good to go again.
In case your child doesn’t give you signals of hunger, it’s best to feed them at four hours. However, each baby is different and you should check with your doctor.
As soon as you get back home with your new arrival, the one question that will get asked is - are you getting any sleep? The first few months can be tricky as both you and the baby are settling in. Considering they have small tummies and limited culinary options, they’ll be hungry very often and this includes nights too.
So, you can expect fragmented sleep. As they cross the three-month milestone, they will have a regular sleep pattern and the frequency of food delivery to them will also come down.
There are a few things about their sleep that you should remember.
Your babies need to be clean so bathing them is important. For the first few days, give them a sponge bath using safe products. However, wait for proper baths till the umbilical cord stub falls out.
While changing their diapers, use soft cotton balls dampened with water to clean their genitals. For little girls, wipe from front to back to avoid urinary tract infections. It’s best to leave newborns un-diapered for some part of the day to help the skin breathe. In the case of nappy rashes, use a doctor-prescribed ointment.
There are many other things like swaddling and clothing your baby. If you think it’s overwhelming, it’s wise to ask for help. At the Birthplace, we provide very well-trained nurses to help you with newborn care. You can learn from them while they show you the ropes and take it from there.
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