ভালোই ঠান্ডা পড়েছে, এই সময়ে আপনার ছোট্ট সোনার যত্ন নেবেন কীভাবে?

বড়রা শীতে যেভাবে নিজেদের যত্ন নিতে পারে, ছোটরা তা পারে না। তার চেয়েও বড় কথা, একেবারে ছোটদের শীত থেকে রক্ষা করার পদ্ধতিটাই বড়দের ঠান্ডা থেকে বাঁচার পদ্ধতির চেয়ে আলাদা। কী রে সদ্যজাতর যত্ন নেবেন এই ঠান্ডায়? কী বলছেন চিকিৎসকরা?

জাঁকিয়ে শীত পড়েছে। বড়দেরই তাতে রীতিমতো বেগ পেতে হচ্ছে। কোন গরম জামার ওপর কোন গরম জামা চাপাবেন, তা নিয়েই হিমসিম অনেকে। সেখানে ছোটদের তো কথাই নেই। আর একদম ছোট যারা, মানে সদ্যজাতরা তো বলতেই পারে না, তাদের ঠান্ডা লাগছে, নাকি আরাম হচ্ছে।

তাই এই সময়ে সদ্যজাতদের দরকার বিশেষ যত্নের। কীভাবে এই শীতে আপনার ছোট্ট সোনার যত্ন নেবেন? এ বিষয়ে হিন্দুস্তান টাইমসকে পরামর্শ দিচ্ছেন শিশুরোগ বিশেষজ্ঞ চিকিৎসক সুষমা তোমার।

বিকেলের পর বাইরে নয়:

সদ্যজাতকে রোদে নিয়ে যেতেই পারেন। এই সময়ে সেটা ওর জন্য ভালোই হবে। কিন্তু রোদ ওঠার আগে বা বিকেলের পরে একেবারেই বাইরে নিয়ে যাওয়া ঠিক হবে না। যখনই বাইরে নিয়ে যাবেন, সদ্যজাতকে নিজের শরীরের মধ্যে রাখুন। তাতে ওর গায়ের তাপমাত্রা ঠিকঠাক থাকবে। পরামর্শ চিকিৎসকের।

ঘরে যেন বাতাস চলাচল করে:

শীত মানেই শিশুর ঘরের দরজা-জানলা বন্ধ করে বাতাস চলাচলের সব পথ আটকে দেবেন না। ওর ঘরে যেন বাতাস চলাচল করে। আর দিনের আলোও যেন ঢোকে।

একগাদা গরম জামা নয়:

ওকে কতগুলো গরম জামা পরাবেন, তা চিকিৎসকের থেকে ভালো করে জেনে নিন। প্রয়োজনের চেয়ে বেশি গরম জামা পরালে হিতে বিপরীত হতে পারে। পেট গরম হয়ে যেতে পারে।

তেল মালিশ করতে পারেন:

শীতকালে শিশুকে তেল মালিশ করানোর পরামর্শ দিচ্ছেন চিকিৎসক। হাল্কা উষ্ণ সরষের তেল, অলিভ অয়েল বা অলিভ অয়েল এবং আমন্ড অয়েলের মিশ্রণ দিয়ে মালিশ করতে পারেন। তাতে ওর ভিটামিনের ঘাটতি হবে না। শীতে আরামও লাগবে।

মায়ের দুধের বিকল্প নেই:

চিকিৎসকের থেকে ভালো করে জেনে নিন, এই সময়ে ওকে কী কী খাওয়াবেন। কিন্তু তার বাইরেও সদ্যজাতর জন্য মায়ের দুধের কোনও বিকল্প নেই। ফলে ওকে প্রয়োজন মতো দুধ খাওয়ান। শীতে রোগ প্রতিরোধ শক্তি বাড়বে।

পরিষ্কার পরিচ্ছন্ন রাখুন:

শীতে শিশুকে পরিষ্কার-পরিচ্ছন্ন রাখাটা খুব দরকারি। নোংরা গরম জামা, নোংরা ঢাকা থেকে এই সময়ে ত্বকের তো বটেই গোটা শরীরেই নানা ক্ষতি হয়। ফলে সেদিকে খেয়াল রাখুন।

Life has changed now that your baby is here, and you might have lots of questions about what to do. These tips can help first-time parents feel confident about caring for a newborn in no time.

How Do I Get Help After My Baby Comes Home?

An important part of caring for a newborn is to also take care of yourself. Consider getting help during this time, which can feel hectic and a bit overwhelming.

Relatives and friends might want to help. Even if you disagree on some things, their own experiences might be helpful.

To keep your baby healthy, anyone handling your little one should be up to date on their vaccines and help only if they feel well. But if you don't feel up to having guests or have other concerns, don't feel guilty about limiting visitors.

How Do I Handle My Baby?

If you haven't spent a lot of time around newborns, they may seem very fragile. Here are a few basics to remember:

• Wash your hands (or use a hand sanitizer) before handling your baby. Newborns don't have a strong immune system yet, so they're at risk for infections. Make sure that everyone who handles your baby has clean hands.

• Support your baby's head and neck. Cradle the head when carrying your baby. And support the head when carrying the baby upright or when you lay your baby down.

• Never shake your baby, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking can cause bleeding in the brain and sometimes death. If you need to wake your baby, don't do it by shaking. Instead, tickle your baby's feet or blow gently on a cheek.

• Always fasten your baby securely when using a carrier, stroller, or car seat. Limit any activity that could be too rough or bouncy.

• Avoid rough play with newborns, such as jiggling them on the knee or throwing them in the air.

How Can I Bond With My Baby?

Bonding happens during the first hours and days after birth when parents make a deep connection with their child. Physical closeness can help form an emotional link and help your baby develop in other ways. Another way to think of bonding is "falling in love" with your baby. Kids thrive from having a parent or other adult in their life who loves them unconditionally.

Begin bonding by cradling and gently stroking your baby in different patterns. Another good technique is skin-to-skin contact (also called kangaroo care), where you hold your newborn against your own chest. This helps calm and soothe babies and regulate their heartbeat. It’s a good practice for moms or dads to do.

Here’s how to do skin-to-skin contact with your baby:

• Avoid using scented perfumes or lotions and stay away from cigarette smoke beforehand.

• Find a comfortable seat in a dimly-lit room. Wear a shirt that opens in the front. Lay your baby in just a diaper on your bare chest.

• Sit quietly, talk softly, hum, sing, or read aloud. Your baby may sleep during this time.

How Can Soothe My Baby?

Helping babies relax can help them feel happier and more comfortable. Here are some tips on soothing your baby.

Massage: Infant massage may help babies, especially those who were born early or have medical problems. Some types of massage may enhance bonding and help babies grow and develop. Many books and videos cover infant massage — ask your doctor for recommendations. Be careful, though — babies aren’t as strong as adults, so massage your baby gently.

Sounds: Babies usually love vocal sounds, such as talking, babbling, singing, and cooing. Your baby will probably enjoy listening to soft music. Baby rattles and musical mobiles are other good ways to stimulate your infant's hearing. If your little one is fussy, try singing, reciting poetry and nursery rhymes, or reading aloud as you sway or rock your baby gently in a chair.

Some babies can be unusually sensitive to touch, light, or sound. They might startle and cry easily, sleep less than expected, or turn their faces away when someone speaks or sings to them. If that's the case with your baby, keep noise and light levels low to medium.

Swaddling: Another soothing technique is swaddling, which works well for some babies during their first few weeks. Proper swaddling keeps a baby's arms close to the body while allowing their legs to move a bit. It keeps a baby warm, and it seems to give most newborns a sense of security and comfort. Swaddling also may help limit the startle reflex, which can wake a baby.

Here's how to swaddle your baby:

• Spread out a baby blanket with one corner folded over slightly.

• Lay the baby face-up on the blanket with their head above the folded corner.

• Wrap the left corner over the baby's body and tuck it beneath the back, going under the right arm.

• Bring the bottom corner up over the baby's feet and pull it toward their head, folding the fabric down if it gets close to your baby's face. Don’t wrap too tightly around the hips. The hips and knees should be slightly bent and turned out. Wrapping your baby too tightly may increase their risk for hip dysplasia (dis-PLAY-zhuh).

• Wrap the right corner around your baby, and tuck it under their back on the left side, leaving only the neck and head exposed. To make sure your baby isn’t wrapped too tightly, make sure you can slip a hand between the blanket and your baby's chest. This will allow comfortable breathing. But make sure that the blanket isn’t so loose that it could come undone.

• Stop swaddling when your baby shows signs of starting to roll over. That’s usually around 2 months. At this age, some babies can roll over while swaddled, which puts them at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

How Do I Diaper My Baby?

Whether you use cloth or disposable diapers, your little one will dirty them about 10 times a day, which is about 70 times a week. When diapering your baby:

• Have all the supplies you need within reach.

• Wipe your baby front to back gently using water, cotton balls, and a washcloth or wipes.

• Apply diaper cream if needed to treat diaper rash.

• Wash your hands after changing the diaper.

When Should I Bathe My Baby?

For the first few weeks, babies get sponge baths. Then, after the umbilical cord stump falls off and the circumcision heals (if your baby was circumcised), babies can have baths in a sink or small plastic infant tub.

When your baby is ready for tub baths, the first ones should be gentle and brief. If your baby gets upset, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the tub bath again. A bath two or three times a week in the first year is fine. More frequent bathing may be drying to the baby's skin.

How Do I Care for the Umbilical Cord and Circumcision Area?

• Umbilical cord care: Clean around the cord stump with plain water and blot dry until the stump dries up and falls off, usually in 10 days to 3 weeks. Don’t let the belly button area soak in water until the stump falls off and the area heals. Before the cord stump falls off, it will change color from yellow to brown or black — this is normal. Call your doctor if the area looks red, has a bad odor, or has discharge.

• Circumcision care: After a circumcision, doctors usually put petroleum jelly on the tip of the baby's penis and cover it with gauze to keep the wound from sticking to the diaper. At each diaper change, gently wipe the tip clean with warm water (not a baby wipe), then apply petroleum jelly and gauze. Penis redness or irritation should heal within a few days to a week. But call your baby's doctor right away if it gets worse or if pus-filled blisters form. These can be signs of an infection.

How Often Should I Feed My Baby?

Whether feeding your newborn by breast or a bottle, you may wonder how often to do so. Generally, it's recommended that babies be fed on demand — that is, whenever they seem hungry. Your baby may show you they're hungry by crying, putting fingers in their mouth, or making sucking noises. A newborn baby needs to be fed every 2–3 hours. 

Breastfed babies are probably getting enough to eat if they: 

• seem satisfied

• have about 6 wet diapers and several poops a day

• sleep well

• gain weight regularly

Another good way to tell if a breastfed baby is getting milk is to notice if your breasts feel full before feeding your baby and less full after feeding. If you're formula-feeding, you can easily see if your baby is getting enough to eat. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about your baby's growth or feeding schedule.

Babies often swallow air during feedings, which can make them fussy. To help prevent this, burp your baby often.

What Should I Know About My Baby’s Sleep?

You may be surprised to learn that newborns sleep about 16 hours or more. They typically sleep for periods of 2–4 hours. Many babies sleep through the night (between 6–8 hours) at 3 months of age, but if yours doesn't, it's not a cause for concern. Like adults, babies develop their own sleep patterns and cycles.

Always place babies on their back to sleep to lower their risk of SIDS. Other safe sleeping practices include:

• not using blankets, quilts, sheepskins, bumpers, stuffed animals, or pillows in the crib or bassinet because they can suffocate a baby

• parents sharing a bedroom (but not a bed) with the baby for the first 6 months to 1 year

Change the position of your baby's head from night to night (first right, then left, and so on). This helps prevent a flat spot from developing on one side of the head.

Before long, you'll have a routine and be parenting like a pro. If you have questions or concerns, talk with your doctor. They can recommend resources that can help.

Medically reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD

Date reviewed: May 2023

MORE ON THIS TOPIC FOR:

• Parents

• What to Do When Babies Cry

• Feeding Your Newborn

• Getting to Know Your Newborn

• Burping Your Baby

• Sleep and Your Newborn

View more

Share:

It's been six weeks since our daughter, Clementine, was born. She's finally sleeping better and going longer between feedings. She's also becoming more alert when she's awake. My husband and I, on the other hand, feel like we've been hit by a truck. I'm amazed that we've muddled through. Newborn care for the first month may not be rocket science, but babies require a lot of around-the-clock hands-on care.

Here are the best tips for newborn baby care during the first month of nursing, soothing, sleeping, getting your partner involved, going out, and staying sane. Remember, you and your baby are both new at this. With some practice and time, you'll both find your groove. We talked to seasoned parents and baby experts to make your first month with your newborn easier. Here is what they shared.

 What the First Week With a Newborn Is Really Like

Getting Started With Nursing

Babies eat and eat and eat. From sore nipples to tough latch-ons, breastfeeding and chestfeeding can feel overwhelming. Here is some advice on getting the lactation support you need if you plan to nurse.

1. Get lactation support

Research shows that nursing parents who seek help have a higher success rate with breastfeeding and may even breastfeed for longer.1 "Think of ways to ensure success before you even give birth," suggests Stacey Brosnan, CNM, IBCLC, a nurse-midwife and board-certified lactation consultant in New York City. Talk with friends who have had a good nursing experience, ask your baby's pediatrician for a referral for a lactation consultant, or attend a local or virtual breastfeeding support group.

2. Use hospital resources

Kira Sexton, a Brooklyn, New York, mom, says, "I learned everything I could about breastfeeding before I left the hospital." Ask if there's a nursing class or a lactation consultant on staff. Push the nurse-call button each time you're ready to feed the baby, and ask a nurse to spot you and offer advice.

3. Don't forget to think about yourself

At home, you'll want to drop everything to feed the baby the moment they cry for you. But Heather O'Donnell, a mom in New York City, suggests taking care of yourself first. "Get a glass of water and a book or magazine to read." And, because breastfeeding can take a while, she says, "pee first!"

4. Try a warm compress

If your breasts are engorged or you have blocked ducts, a warm compress can help. A heating pad or a warm, wet washcloth works, but a flax pillow (often sold with natural beauty products) is even better. "Heat it in the microwave, and conform it to your breast," says Laura Kriska, a mom in Brooklyn, New York.

5. Use a cold pack for sore breasts and nipples

Heat helps the milk flow, but if your breasts are sore after nursing, try a cold pack. Amy Hooker, a San Diego mom, says, "A bag of frozen peas worked really well for me."

6. Get your baby used to a bottle while nursing

If you want your baby to eventually take a bottle, introduce it after breastfeeding is established but before the 3-month mark. Many experts say 6 to 8 weeks is good, but "we started each of our kids on one bottle a day at 3 weeks," says Jill Sizemore, a mom in Pendleton, Indiana.

Helping Your Baby Sleep

If your infant isn't eating, they're probably sleeping. Newborns log as many as 16 hours of sleep a day but only in short bursts. The result: You'll feel on constant alert and more exhausted than you ever thought possible. Even the best of us can come to resent the severe sleep deprivation.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, how much sleep a new parent gets plays a significant role in mental health and life satisfaction.2 Here are some tips to help you get those hard-won z's.

7. Stop obsessing about being tired

There's only one goal right now: Care for your baby. "You're not going to get a full night's sleep, so you can either be tired and angry or just tired," says Vicki Lansky, author of Getting Your Child to Sleep…and Back to Sleep. "Just tired is easier."

8. Take shifts

One night, it's your turn to rock the cranky baby; the next, it's your partner's turn. Amy Reichardt and her husband, Richard, parents in Denver, worked out a system for the weekends when Richard was off from work. "I'd be up with the baby at night but got to sleep in. Richard did all the morning care, then got to nap later."

9. Sleep when the baby sleeps

Yes, really. The old adage "sleep when your baby sleeps" really is the best advice. There will always be housework to catch up on, but sometimes, taking a nap is the most productive thing you can do as the parent of a newborn. "Take naps together and go to bed early," says Sarah Clark, a mom in Washington, D.C.

10. Go ahead and rock your baby to sleep

What if your infant has trouble sleeping? Do whatever it takes: Nurse or rock your baby to sleep; let your newborn fall asleep on your chest or in the car seat (just be sure to transfer them to a safe sleep surface as soon as you can). "Don't worry about bad habits yet. It's about survival—yours!" says Jean Farnham, a Los Angeles mom.

Soothing Your Baby

It's often hard to decipher exactly what your newborn wants in the first murky weeks. You'll learn, of course, by trial and error.

11. Mimic the womb

"The key to soothing fussy infants is to mimic the womb. Swaddling, shushing, and swinging, as well as allowing babies to suck and holding them on their sides, may trigger a calming reflex," says Harvey Karp, MD, creator of The Happiest Baby on the Block books, videos, and DVDs.

Studies have shown that mimicking the womb can help calm babies—even preterm babies.3 So, hold your baby close, sway to and fro, and quietly sing your favorite lullaby; you might be surprised at how magical your presence can be.

12. Play tunes

Forget the dubious theory that music makes a baby smarter, and concentrate on the fact that it's likely to calm them. "The Baby Einstein tapes saved us," says Kim Rich, a mom in Anchorage, Alaska.

13. Warm things up

Alexandra Komisaruk, a mom in Los Angeles, found that diaper changes triggered a meltdown. "I made warm wipes using paper towels and a pumpable thermos of warm water," she says. You can also buy an electric wipe warmer or try warming wipes up in your hands first to take the edge off the chill.

14. Find what works for you

What works for one baby doesn't necessarily work for another. Part of getting to know your baby is figuring out what works for them. "Doing deep knee bends and lunges while holding my daughter calmed her down," says Emily Earle, a mom in Brooklyn, New York. "And the upside was, I got my legs back in shape!"

15. Soak to soothe

If all else fails, try a warm bath together. "You'll relax, too, and a relaxed mommy can calm a baby," says Emily Franklin, a Boston mom. Just be sure that the umbilical cord has fallen off first. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the umbilical cord needs to stay clean and dry before it shrivels up and falls off.4

Getting Partners Involved

If you are bringing up your baby in a two-parent household, it's important to share the mental load and give both parents a chance to learn what needs to be done to help your baby thrive.

 5 Ways to Help Your Partner Understand How You’re Feeling

16. Let them be

Many first-time parents hesitate to get involved for fear of doing something wrong. "Moms need to allow their husbands to make mistakes without criticizing them," says Armin Brott, author of The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year.

17. Take time off from work

If partners don't get the option of parental leave through work, see if they can use vacation or sick days to take some time off. That's what Thad Calabrese of Brooklyn, New York, did after all the visiting relatives left. "There was more for me to do, and I got some alone time with my son."

18. Divvy up duties

Mark DiStefano, a dad in Los Angeles, took over the cleaning and grocery shopping. "I also took Ben for a bit each afternoon so my wife could have a little time to herself."

19. Encourage your partner to bond

Skin-to-skin contact with caregivers is hugely beneficial for newborns—and their caregivers. In fact, one study looking specifically at fathers showed that fathers who held their newborns with skin-to-skin contact experienced a significant reduction in stress responses.5

"I used to take my shirt off and put the baby on my chest while we napped," says Bob Vonnegut, a dad in Islamorada, Florida. "I loved the rhythm of our hearts beating together."

Staying Sane

No matter how excited you are to be a parent, the constant care an infant demands can drain you. Find ways to take care of yourself by lowering your expectations and stealing short breaks.

20. Ignore unwanted or confusing advice

"In the end, you're the parents, so you decide what's best," says Julie Balis, a mom in Frankfort, Illinois.

21. Housework comes second

"Forget about housework for the first couple of months," says Alison Mackonochie, author of 100 Tips for a Happy Baby. "Concentrate on getting to know your baby. If anyone has anything to say about the dust piling up or the unwashed dishes, smile and hand them a duster or the dish detergent!"

22. Say yes when someone offers a hand

Accept help from anyone who is nice—or naive—enough to offer. "If a neighbor wants to hold the baby while you shower, say yes!" says Jeanne Anzalone, a mom in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

23. Ask for the help you need

Got lots of people who want to help but don't know how? "Don't be afraid to tell people exactly what you need," says Abby Moskowitz, a Brooklyn mom. It's one of the few times in your life when you'll be able to order everyone around!

24. Give other people the bigger jobs

"Changing a diaper takes two minutes. You'll need others to do time-consuming work like cooking, sweeping floors, and buying diapers," says Catherine Park, a Cleveland mom.

25. Reconnect

To keep yourself from feeling detached from the world, Jacqueline Kelly, a mom in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, suggests: "Get outside on your own, even for five minutes." Researchers have found that up to 80% of first-time parents experience postpartum distress and that having a social network can ease some of those feelings and provide support.6

 Science Proves You Can't Hold Your Baby Too Much

Out and About With Your Baby

Newborn baby care in the first month is all about learning everything your child needs to be safe, healthy, and happy—and that includes how to prepare for taking them on their first big adventure outside, even if it's just to the store for more diapers.

26. Enlist backup

Make your first journey to a big, public place with a veteran parent. "Having my sister with me for support kept me from becoming flustered the first time I went shopping with my newborn," says Suzanne Zook, a mom in Denver.

27. Go somewhere family-friendly

If you're on your own, "stick to places likely to welcome a baby, such as story hour at a library or bookstore," suggests Christin Gauss, a mom in Fishers, Indiana.

28. Keep your diaper bag stocked

"Keep your diaper bag packed," says Fran Bowen, a mom in Brooklyn. There's nothing worse than finally getting the baby ready, only to find that you're not.

29. Stash a spare for yourself, too

Holland Brown, a mom in Long Beach, California, always keeps a change of adult clothes in her diaper bag. "You don't want to get stuck walking around with an adorable baby but mustard-colored poop all over you."

30. Embrace the chaos

The most helpful virtue for a new parent: flexibility. "Keep your plans simple and be prepared to abandon them at any time," says Margi Weeks, a mom in Tarrytown, New York. If nothing else, remember that everyone makes it through, and so will you. Soon enough, you'll be rewarded with your baby's first smile, and that will help make up for all the initial craziness.