What A Parent Should Know About the First 10 Days
The best part about the first ten days with your newborn is that although it all may seem new and strange it’s actually when your instincts will take over. This is a time for a unique bonding with your baby that will involve the basics of holding, feeding, bathing, cleaning and comforting the new bundle of joy you’ve brought into the world.
The first and most important step is to relax. You, your partner and your baby have already gone through a lot so take a deep breath and congratulate yourself on a major accomplishment. The flood of emotions, endless stream of friends and family and non-stop advice and suggestions from doctors and nurses can be incredibly overwhelming so make sure you have time to turn off the information overload and get back to the basics.
The first ten days are an adjustment period for everyone. Your baby is adjusting to life in the new world, you’re adjusting to being a new mommy and daddy is now feeling the stress of all his responsibilities too. It’s a wonderful and hectic time but a little patience goes a long way so when you feel that things are going a bit too fast don’t hesitate to slow down.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. The impulse today is to rush and accomplish but keep in mind it’s the beginning of a long journey and taking the first steps are the most important. You’ll want to spend most of this time simply holding your baby close to you and learning about him as he learns about his new world. Research has shown when a newborn baby is held for at least 2 hours a day they are less likely to cry. Your baby is fragile and you may feel nervous about handling a body so delicate but with a gentle hold and your natural instincts you’ll do fine.
Try not to schedule too much during the first week. Keep visits from friends and family to a minimum as too much excitement and too many strangers can cause a newborn to fuss and mommy to feel exhausted. Try not to travel or be away from home for long periods at a time as the comforts of familiar surroundings will help in reducing stress and anxiety.
Your intimate bonding will begin from baby’s first breath but bathing a newborn and changing his diaper are also precious moments to learn about your baby. Until the area around the umbilical chord heals pediatricians recommend sponge baths for the first few weeks. A soft sponge, warm water, cotton balls and soft cotton towel for drying are all you’ll need to clean your baby. Be gentle and don’t rub or scrub. Gently pat baby’s skin with the washcloth and use the cotton balls for sensitive areas like the eyes, ears and nose. When finished wrap him up in a hooded, dry towel. The same goes for wiping your baby when changing a diaper. Warm water is best and use a washcloth or non-allergenic baby wipes to clean him. Do not rub the skin vigorously when wiping since this can easily cause a rash. After wiping the genital area clean you may use a protective, clear ointment to protect against wetness and irritants. Apply a fresh, clean diaper, fasten securely and watch how happy he becomes. Always remember to wash your hands before cleaning your baby and pay close attention to any rashes or skin abnormalities that may occur due to the types of soaps, wipes and cloths being used. You’re learning as your baby learns so be patient.