Babies touch the world with love

Good Baby Care

New parents have many things to learn. Bringing home a new baby changes everything about the life of a family. A baby adds challenges to balancing work and home responsibilities. New parents need to learn how to get enough sleep and continue making progress in all of the areas of their lives while still making time for their new child. Learning proper baby care is one of the most new but important things that parents need to learn – quickly!

There is more to excellent baby care than just changing diapers or heating bottles, though every experienced parent knows the importance of those things. The true road to becoming knowledgeable and skilled in baby care is much more complex and requires more of a parent.

The process of learning about baby care must begin long before you new baby arrives. One of the best ways that parents-to-be can learn and prepare for their child is to read. Find books, magazines, and online articles on good tips and baby care skills. You can find amazing sources at your library, at bookstores, and at most baby clothing and supply stores. If you have friends that have already begun the task of parenting you can surely borrow good books from them. It doesn’t matter where you find baby care information as much as it matters that you take the time and energy to read and learn as much as you can before baby comes. Many of your questions and concerns can be answered simply by reading advice from doctors and parents about baby care techniques.

Another way to increase your understanding of baby care before your baby even arrives is to talk to other parents. Find other couples who have recently added a baby to their family. Invite them out for dinner and pay for a babysitter for their child. Then spend a couple of hours asking as many baby care questions as you can think of. Or prepare a list of questions in advance and bring them along. New parents and even your own parents are the best resources you have, so utilize their expertise of baby care as much as possible.

Having a new baby is a thing of great joy and also of great responsibility. Take the responsibility of parenting seriously from the start by making an effort to learn about baby care. By the time your child is born you will feel ready and capable for any parenting challenge that comes your way.

The Importance of Touch

The importance of touch – gentle, loving contact when holding your baby, cannot be emphasized enough. Rough handing and harsh jostling, especially with a newborn, can not only frighten your baby, but be life-threatening, as well.

Always be careful to support your newborn’s head and neck when you pick them up, or lay them down. If you need to wake up your newborn, don’t startle them by jostling or shaking them. Instead, gently tickle their feet, softly blow on their cheek, or tenderly rub the side of their head while speaking softly and saying their name.

Relish time with your baby. Gently cradle him or her in your arms, and tenderly rub his or her back using slow, wide circles. Or, caress your baby soothingly as you rock them.

Talk in a low, comforting tone, or quietly sing to them. When eye contact is made smile, even if you aren’t sure whether or not their eyesight has developed enough yet to see clearly.

While it is true the importance of proper baby care (bathing, adequate nutrition, a safe, clean environment, play and nap time, and comfortable, warm clothing) cannot be over emphasized, neither can the healthy-bonding process between parent and child and the importance of touch.
Both vital ingredients that say, “You are loved!”