Baby Care Tips For You And For Baby

What baby care tips are essential for you and your newborn?

The mother of a baby is the busiest person on earth, and these baby care tips are designed to put a little order and routine back into your day to day routine. In no time at all, these baby care tips will become second nature for you and your baby helping you to get back to a somewhat 'normal' life.

Breastfeeding Baby Care

There is, has and always will be a lot of controversy on breastfeeding depending on where you live in the world. In some countries it's the norm and most people would not bat an eyelid if they saw a mother sit down in a restaurant and start to breastfeed her baby. In other countries such as the UK and the US, surprisingly and quite sadly, breastfeeding is frowned upon by many. I personally breastfed both my children and though I made a point of being discreet, I valued my right to feed my child where, when and how I chose to.

However, I also appreciated the fact that I was lucky to be able to breastfeed as I know many mothers want to but can't for whatever reason. Even those that choose not to breast feed should not be maligned. The majority of us live in a society where we have a freedom of choice and whatever our feelings or opinions on a matter, we should allow everyone the right to choose what is best for them and their baby.

That said it is common knowledge that there are huge health benefits to breastfeeding for both mom and baby so that's why this is key to baby care. Baby's first drink of breast milk is colostrum which is full of antibodies which help babies immune system and is full of fat and protein to help baby put on weight in their first few days. Breastfeeding also helps mom's uterus to contract more quickly. A weird sensation when it happens but utterly amazing when you think about it.

Then consider the other positives of breastfeeding to baby care. Milk is on tap, ready to go at the right temperature whatever the time of day and if baby emptied one 'bottle' or boob, there was another ready and waiting to go. I did co-sleeping with my second baby as I was concerned about waking the house up in the middle of the night for feeds which worked out well for all as most times throughout the night, she would latch on herself and feed without me being barely aware. Baby care doesn't really get any easier than that.

I did express so that my husband could also be involved and there were times that he did the night feeds with both children so that I could get a complete nights rest.

Bottle Feeding Baby Care

If you are bottle-feeding your baby then make sure that the bottles are well sterilized and clean. There are many makes of bottle sterilizers that are available. There are some that you can put in the microwave and some that will continually sterilize throughout the day so that you always have clean bottles and teats available to go when you need them.

Also consider your formula well. Check the ingredients and look for those that have the friendly bacteria for the gut. Make sure that you buy the formula appropriate for your baby's age. To rich and it may cause constipation, too thin and lacking in vitamins etc, and your baby may not gain weight as they should.

Baby Sleeping Baby Care

With your first child, you will have probably read numerous books about how to put your baby to bed and have bought a moses basket, then a cot or cot bed. Come your subsequent children, you then realise though nice to have, the most important thing is whether your baby is comfortable, safe and warm or cool enough. My first child went into his own cot bed when he was 3 weeks old as we couldn't stand anymore of his warthog snoring. He was also in a baby sleeping bag. Our daughter slept with me in our bed until she slept through most of the night before moving to her own bed. Especially as I was breast feeding both, I made sure that I didn't drink a lot (the odd glass of wine at a weekend is fine), I don't do drugs, they weren't too hot or cold and the room was well ventilated. Use your common sense here regarding baby care and use and do what's best for you.

Clothing Baby Care

Summer clothes should be light cotton ones. When baby is taken out, make sure that his head does not get the direct sun. Make the most of parasols or stroller sun covers. The covers in particular also help against wasps. An important baby care tip to remember for all - sun cream is essential even if your baby is dark skinned. My children are mixed race and even with factor 50, they still tan.

In winter, there may be sweaters, trousers and other woollens. Just bear in mind that if they are in nappies or diapers still, you need quick and easy access to change them especially when you are out and about. Some changing facilities are tiny or cramped and you don't really want to spend more time there than you should. Remember a change of clothes too. My son was the worst but they both had explosive poos the force of which sent their poo right up their backs and it was far easier to take the whole lot off than to try and clean around it!

Changing Baby Care

Changing of nappies or diapers whether disposable or not should take place regularly. Sometimes babies will let you know in their own particular way but it's best to get into the habit of checking their bottoms at least every 3 hours. That way you'll soon get to know baby's toilet habits and can adjust it accordingly.

Bathing Baby Care

I hope that I don't sound too patronising but the best advice here is common sense. Make sure that you have everything that you need BEFORE you start bathing. Have baby's towel ready on his changing mat, his nappy and night clothes all in place before you start.

Please ensure that the bath water is not too hot and not too cold - 9of or 32c is ideal. It should only be a couple of inches deep if it is in a family bath. At this age baby doesn't need bubble bath, just gentle no-tears formula soap should suffice.

Ensure that you support baby's head safely. Once washed and dried, massage a little moisturizing cream into baby's skin and get him dressed for bed.

Immunisation Baby Care

The baby should be immunized against Small Pox & Measles with BCG within 3 months of its age. The first DPT (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Psertussis, Polio, HIB, Meningitis C) is due within the first 2 months followed by the 2nd and the 3rd one at one month intervals. The MMR vaccination against Measles, Mumps and Rubella should be done within 1 years of age. The boosters should be taken after the baby is 4 years old.

Training and Education Baby Care

Babies learn by watching and listening. Yes I babble baby talk to my two but I also talked sensibly to them like an adult. When getting them dressed I would put their left arm in its sleeve and say to them, 'let's put your left arm in your sleeve'. By 18 months both children knew their right from their left, could say things like open door, shut door, roof, bus, sky drink, biscuit etc because I constantly read or pointed things like this out to them. Learning can and at this age, should be fun.

The most important baby care tip of all

The parents should find enough time to spend quality with the baby but also together and by themselves. Find time for baby time, couple time and me time!

Erin Costello was an industry executive but is now a mother of two.

She researches and writes from personal experience as well as on topics and issues that affect women such as breast, ovarian and cervical cancer, pregnancy and baby care, women's health and beauty, relationships amongst others.

Vision Of Babies

More longing for days gone by.

When many of us moms (and dads, I suppose) first became conscious of wanting to have children and become parents, we often had very concrete images in our minds.  We still return to those images even as the years pass.

For some, these images are focused on playing a game of catch or kicking a soccer ball around in the backyard. For others, it’s about the inviolable bonds of unconditional love that flow from parent to child and from child to parent. Some look forward to guiding their children through new experiences, including travel to enriching and/or exciting places. For many of us, it’s about sharing the best aspects of our own childhood (places we loved to visit, books that changed our lives, etc.) and sheltering our kids from the worst that we were dealt, understanding though that “into each life a little rain must fall.”

For me, the desire to start a family was based on images of tenderly caring for an infant or small child. In this way, and in the early years, parenting did not disappoint. Taking care of babies was something that came naturally to me.  From a young age, I was drawn toward infants.

With my own wee ones, I derived real and intense pleasure from all of the nurturing that is involved. Holding, bathing, clothing, feeding, comforting – these activities served as a worthy alternative to sleep for many years. This was the stuff that fed my soul.

I remember well that amazing feeling of approaching a crib while the still-sleepy baby, nestled in blankets, slowly awakened and became aware of my presence standing there. Or the toddler that took a tumble and sought refuge in Mommy’s arms for solace and care. I recall fondly the lifting of a warm, clean, and happy baby out of a soapy tub, wrapping him/her in a fluffy towel, and then in jammies, followed by stories, songs, and pre-bed cuddling.

This isn’t to say that parenting in the early days was easy or effortless. On the contrary, it is often relentlessly daunting to care for little ones. Let’s face it:  these “wee ones” are usually needy, demanding, solipsistic, and language challenged. At least in the first year or two. Or three.

But here’s the thing about those days. I never yelled back then. Not ever, not once. My little ones did not intentionally provoke my wrath, or each other’s, for that matter. My kids were verbal, yet no one talked back. In certain ways, it actually demanded less of me as a parent. 

My youngest is about to turn nine, the eldest 14, and there’s one in the middle, and I find myself missing those early days. It’s not that there’s no joy in parenting anymore. There’s plenty of the good stuff; it’s just ... different. The source of the good stuff no longer consists of that day-to-day caretaking that I so deeply relish.

Someone once said there’s a reason nature starts us off with babies, not teens. I know many parents, who like me, got into this business for the love of all things baby.

But there are just as many who breathed a palpable sigh of relief when the highchair, bassinette, stroller, diapers, and sippy cups went away. I’ve heard those parents say they couldn’t wait for the “custodial” phase to be over and for the real engagement with their children to begin. I understand this perspective.  I just don’t happen to share it. Not today anyway.

My mother, by the way, loved the phase of parenting I am currently in.  She called it “The Three Ds”: no one in diapers, but no one yet driving or dating.  These are the best years of parenting, she said, before the real worrying starts.

As for us baby-lovers, didn’t we realize that, if we were fortunate, those little bundles of drooling, stubby-fingered joy would one day grow up and become independent? And isn’t that the goal, after all: to guide them safely into adulthood? Indeed. This is how it should be, this is the natural course of things.

So what are these surprising feelings that have me looking backward even as “my babies” are crossing the threshold into the teen years? Because for me, there is still the old longing. I never expected to still be pining to be the mother of little ones. To once again hold, comfort, nurture.

These days when my kids are sad, disappointed, angry, or frustrated, I’m often not capable of making an immediate impact. I can listen, support, advise, offer a hug. But Mommy’s kisses will no longer make it all better.

Oh well. There’s always other people’s babies, to borrow for a little while.

About this column: Lisa Gibalerio is a Belmont mother of three, wife and chronicler of the life around her.

Baby Safe And Healthy

How to keep your baby safe and so healthy

The safest way for your baby to sleep is on the back
Babies who sleep on their backs are safer and healthier. It is not safe for babies to sleep on their fronts or sides. Babies settle more easily on their backs if they have been placed to sleep that way from very first day.

If your baby is less than six months old and you find him asleep on his tummy, gently turn him onto his back. Don’t feel you need to keep getting up all night to check on this. After this age, babies can usually roll onto their backs themselves so leave him to find his own position. Whatever your baby’s age
always place them to sleep on the back.

Premature babies are slept on the front in hospital for special medical reasons. If your baby was born prematurely then make sure you keep her safe by sleeping her on the back when you take her home from hospital unless your doctor advises a different sleep position.

It can be dangerous if your baby’s head gets covered when she sleeps. Place her with her feet to the foot of the cot, with the bedclothes firmly tucked in and no higher than her shoulders, so she can’t wriggle down under the covers. Don’t worry if she wriggles up and gets uncovered. You can also use a baby sleeping bag.


There are dangers in bedsharing
The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first six months is in a crib or cot in a room with you. It’s especially dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you (or your partner):

baby safest sleeping in baby cot

• are a smoker (even if you never smoke in bed or at home)
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• feel very tired; or if your baby:
• was premature (born before 37 weeks)
• was low birth weight (less than 2.5kg or 51/2lb).

Don’t forget, accidents can happen:
• you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby
• your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed
• your baby could roll out of your bed and be injured.

It’s very dangerous to sleep together with a baby on a sofa, armchair or settee and it is also risky to sleep a baby alone in an adult bed.

Breastfeed your baby
Breastfeed your baby and it will help keep him safe.

It’s the natural and best way to feed him and it increases his resistance to infection.


Using a dummy every time you settle your baby to sleep – day and night – can reduce the risk of cot death.

If breastfeeding, do not give a dummy until breastfeeding is well-established. Premature or sick babies in hospital may be given a
dummy before breastfeeding is started and parents should follow doctors’ advice.

Don’t worry if the dummy falls out while your baby is asleep, and don’t force her to take a dummy if she doesn’t want it. Never coat the dummy in anything sweet.

Gradually wean her off a dummy after six months and
before one year.



Babies don't need hot rooms
Babies don’t need especially warm rooms. All-night heating is rarely necessary. Babies should never sleep next to a radiator or in direct sunlight.

To keep an eye on the temperature buy a simple room thermometer, available for £2.75. Please call 020 7802 3200
or go to www.fsid.org.uk to order.


To check if your baby is too hot, look for sweating or feel your baby – don’t worry if his hands or feet are cool; that’s normal. If he’s too hot, remove one or more layers of blankets. Babies who are unwell need fewer – not more – bedclothes.


Choose lightweight blankets or clothing for sleep
If your baby is under a year old:
• don’t use a duvet, quilt or pillow
• don’t use electric blankets or hot water bottles
• use one or more layers of light blankets or use a baby sleeping bag.

There has been one study showing an increased risk of cot
death for swaddled babies. More research is needed but parents
should be cautious. If you decide to swaddle your baby, don’t cover her head and only use thin materials. If you use a sheepskin,
take it away as soon as your baby starts trying to roll on to her tummy.
If you use a baby sleeping bag, it needs to be without a hood, very lightweight and the right size around the neck so your baby won’t slip down inside the bag. Never use with a duvet.


Sleep your baby on a firm, clean, dry mattress.
It is very important that your baby’s mattress is kept clean and dry. Ideally you should buy a new
mattress for each new baby. If you are not able to do this, use the one you have as long as it was made
with a completely waterproof cover (eg: PVC) and has no tears, cracks or holes.

Clean it thoroughly and dry it. Check that the mattress:
• is in good condition
• fits the cot without any gaps
• is firm, not soft
• doesn’t sag.

‘Ventilated’ mattresses (with holes) are not recommended as it is not possible to keep the inside clean.

Never sleep your baby on a pillow, cushion, beanbag, or waterbed. Never sleep together with your baby on a sofa. Make sure the cot is in good condition particularly if it’s second hand or old. Check the gaps between the bars are less than 6.5cm, and the space between the mattress and cot is no more than 3cm. If you use a Moses basket, it should have only a thin lining.

What if your baby keeps crying?

Some babies cry more than others. If crying continues, check that it is not due to the usual things – hunger, thirst, wet nappy, being too hot or too cold – and then if
rocking or cuddling doesn’t settle your baby, talk to your health visitor or doctor.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, family or your
health visitor if it all gets too much.

*Never shake your baby or put anything over his mouth.


Don't let anyone smoke in your home.
Babies are healthier if they are kept smoke-free. Cut smoking in
pregnancy – dad too. The only way to keep babies smoke free is never to smoke in the home. Your baby is still at risk if you open windows, smoke in a different room, or use a fan, vaporiser or ioniser. Ask visitors to smoke outside. Don’t take your baby into smoky places. If your friends or relatives object, show them this booklet!

Take baby for regular check ups

Take care of your baby's health.
Have your baby immunised and go for checkups. Babies often have minor illnesses. If your baby is unwell, make sure he is not too hot and drinks plenty of fluids – wake him for regular drinks if necessary.
Don’t let people with colds get too near your baby and if you are unwell wash your hands before you pick him up. If you are worried, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your health visitor or doctor (see the back cover for a list of signs of serious illness).

always stay at your baby when they are eat

Keep an eye on your baby when they are eating and drinking.
Breastfeed your baby. It’s the natural and best way to feed her and increases her resistance to infection.

Wash your hands before feeding your baby and, if you are bottle-feeding your baby, make sure the bottle and teats are properly sterilised. Always test the heat of food or drink before giving it to your baby to make sure it’s not too hot.
Don’t heat your baby’s food or milk in a microwave.

When feeding from a spoon, either sit your baby up on your lap or put her in a highchair with a harness if she is big enough. Place highchairs out of reach of objects on the table or kitchen counter which she could pull over and hurt herself with. Make sure your baby can’t reach hot drinks or pan handles that she could pull down. Don’t hold a baby when you’ve got a hot drink in your hand.


Without a smoke alarm you could get stuck inside.

Smoke alarms save lives.
If a fire breaks out an extra few seconds can make a real difference. It’s best to have at least two smoke alarms.

Plan the way you would escape a fire with your baby.
Don’t let children play with matches or lighters.
Contact your local fire brigade for information on fire prevention.
Keep your baby away from fires and heaters, hot water pipes and radiators. Use fireguards.

Keep the water thermostat on a low setting. Keep the iron out of your baby’s reach, including when it is cooling down.


Keep your baby from water and direct sunlight.

Always use a properly fitted baby car seat that is the right size for your baby. Never put your baby in front of car with passenger air bags. Do not use a second hand car

seat as you cannot be sure it was not damaged in an accident with the previous owner. Do not let your baby sleep in his car seat in your home.

Never leave your baby alone in a car. Make sure your baby isn’t in direct sunlight and doesn’t get too hot. Don’t smoke in the car. Use a harness for your baby in push chairs and baby

buggies. Don’t put shopping bags on the handles.

Even a few centimetres of water are dangerous to babies so make sure your baby can’t roll or crawl to any ponds, puddles, buckets or garden pots that fill with rainwater. Constantly supervise small children near water.

In cold weather remove hats and extra layers of clothing from your baby when you come in from outdoors, or go into warm places such as a car, bus, train or shop.

give your baby lots of attention

Give safe baby toys for your baby.
Babies should have plenty of opportunity to play on their front, so their muscles develop properly and to avoid misshapen heads. Keep an eye on them at all times.

It’s lovely to have your baby in bed with you for a cuddle or a feed, or to play. But put her back in her own cot before you go to sleep.

Only let your baby play with toys intended for their age. Even a bright baby can get into difficulties with the wrong type of toy.

Make sure that heavy objects are on a solid surface and can’t be pulled over. Keep small objects like buttons, peanuts and pills out of your baby’s reach in case she chokes on them.

Keep your baby’s seat or bouncer on the floor so your baby can’t bounce her way off a high surface.

It’s best to change your baby’s nappy on the floor. If you use a raised surface, get everything ready from the start and don’t leave your baby for a moment.


Make sure the place where your baby play is safe.

As soon as your baby can crawl, use stair gates at the top and bottom of staircases.

Do not use a baby walker as they lead to accidents.

Make sure your baby cannot reach cords on curtains or window blinds. Don’t let your baby get into contact with any type of ribbons or string which could strangle him. Don’t tie a dummy around your
baby’s neck.

Move furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs away from windows to prevent babies from climbing up and falling

*Babywalkers not are good for baby

Let the phone ring.

Never leave your baby alone in a bath – not even for a second. Don’t leave an older child to look after her. If the phone rings, ignore it or take your baby with you to answer it.

If you use a bath seat or support you still need to be with your baby at all times. Avoid burns and scalds by:
• keeping the hot water thermostat turned down
• running cold water first into the bath
• using a bath thermometer or testing the water temperature with your arm.

Basic Newborn Resuscitation.

A short summary of the guideline

The practical guideline “Basic newborn resuscitation: a practical guide” was published by World Health Organization in 1998. The indications and principles of newborn resuscitation are reviewed here. The main and basic idea of this guideline is to give recommendations to all health care providers who are involved in the delivery of newborns. Newborn resuscitation skills are essential for all birth attendants.

This guide focuses on management of baby with birth asphyxia. Birth asphyxia occurs when a baby doesn’t receive enough oxygen before, during or just after birth. Prompt treatment is important to minimize the damage effects of decreased oxygen to the baby and to prevent permanent brain damage. It has been estimated that birth asphyxia accounts for 19 % of newborn deaths, suggesting that the outcome might be improved through implementation of simple and safe resuscitative techniques.

Resuscitation of newborn presents a different set of challenges than resuscitation of the adult or even the older infant or child. The transition from dependence on placental gas exchange in a liquid-filled intrauterine environment to spontaneous breathing of air presents dramatic physiologic challenges to the infant within the first minutes to hours after birth. Approximately 5% to 10% of newborns require some assistance to begin breathing at birth. Approximately 1% require extensive resuscitative measures.

This practical guide very clearly carried out the steps of basic resuscitation (A- airway, Bbreathing, C-circulation) with concentration mainly on the method of resuscitation. It is applicable even in conditions with lack of equipment or where one birth attendant present at the birth. According to this guideline the initial steps of basic resuscitation are: thermal management, positioning, suctioning and tactile stimulation. Critical for the success of resuscitation are anticipation, adequate preparation, timely recognition and quick and correct action. 1Advanced resuscitation includes: endotracheal intubation, oxygen, chest compressions and drugs. 2,3Care after successful resuscitation includes put newborn skin-to-skin with mother, encourage breastfeeding within one hour of birth and observe suckling.

The document covers some ethical questions like when to start or to stop resuscitation. 4Answers of these questions are left to the person caring for the newborn and depend on conditions of health organization needed for adequate care of malformed or very preterm newborns. Sometimes, decision-making is based on concept “cost-effectiveness” to critical-care. 5Thanks to the modern technology, very preterm infants, malformed newborns and newborns with very low birth weight have more chance for surviving. 6Care of infants like these is an exclusive domain of specialized units in hospitals. But, even there it is still hard to make a decision. 7My opinion is that in situations like these parents must be included.

This guideline is based on the consensus of assembled international experts and studies. Implementation of this guideline contributes in decreasing perinatal deaths which are over 6.3 million every year according to WHO estimates. 8Also, it is a basis for developing national standards and protocols for improving health care during pregnancy, delivery and after birth.

Republic of Macedonia is low-income country successful in reducing perinatal mortality rate through the period of last ten years according to data from State Statistics. But, compared to other European countries, it still remains high. Reduction of perinatal mortality rate is result of government efforts through past period and training and education of neonatologists abroad 4 (Royal Prince Hospital, Australia, 2001). Our general hospitals which provide secondary level of newborn care don’t have units for intensive care. Newborns from risk pregnancy are transported in-utero to tertiary level of health care (University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics) or short after births to Unit for Intensive Care at University Children’s Hospital.

As our hospitals became Baby Friendly Hospitals with rooming-in, we applied all suggestions by this guideline for newborn care after birth or after resuscitation.

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