Babies are helpless, and this is why taking care of them for the first five years of their lives can take a huge toll on a mother, But that should not always be the case. When it comes to the health of your baby, prevention is better than cure. There are some tips and tricks for keeping your baby healthy that every mother would benefit from in their parenting journey. They include the following.
Ensure Hygiene
It is the simple things like maintaining cleanliness around the house that will be the difference between having a healthy baby and numerous visits to the doctor. A baby’s immune system is weak, and any slight introduction of unclean objects and food into their space can wreak havoc in their tiny bodies. Clean their food containers, their sleeping area, and sanitize your hands before feeding or hiding them, at least until they are able to fight off minor infections on their own.
Keep Track of Their Vitals
Always be on the lookout for any tell-tale signs of health issues. Rashes on the skin, constant crying, discolored poop, all these are signs of an underlying health issue and should never be ignored. You should also have a thermometer nearby and a Raycome medical BP monitor kit to be on the safe side. It never hurts to be prepared for anything when it comes to your baby’s health.
Feed Them Properly
Babies have erratic feeding schedules; they feed when they want, not when it is convenient for you. Therefore, as a mother, you will need a lot of patience, which will probably come at the cost of your sleep. But feeding the baby sufficiently is important. They need food for their growth spurts and for building their immunity. Breastfeeding is recommended in the early months of their lives as it contains everything they need.
Bathe and Change them Regularly
There are dangers associated with rushing your newborn’s first bath. They are too fragile at that point and maybe hit by severe cases of hypothermia. However, once it is safe to give them baths, do it as regularly as you, maybe space it out to once every two days if the weather permits it. A bath helps the baby shed off the skin they are born with much faster, which is good for their development.
Burp them Right
You should never let your baby go to sleep without burying after a meal. All that milk may come rushing back, and if they happen to be sleeping, it may choke them. Fortunately for many parents, burping is not hard; you just have to help them do it. Once they have fed, hold them upright with their head resting slightly over your shoulder. Gently tap the back of the upper shoulders, and they will burp immediately.
Dress them Warm
Babies are susceptible to cold more than adults; therefore, no matter the weather and the time, dress them for warmth. You may feel hot at certain times of the day, but you should not assume that the baby feels the same way. At the same time, do not overdress them, excessive swaddling can lead to hyperthermia, and that is equally dangerous. Find a balance that works best.
Watch What You Eat
What you eat affects the baby as they are feeding off you. A baby is as healthy as the mother; if you fall sick, that is going to affect the baby negatively. To avoid such scenarios, you have to keep an eye on what you consume on a daily basis. Some of the foods you should avoid while breastfeeding includes coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolates, just to mention a few. All these foods may not be harmful to you, but they contain compounds not good for the baby.
Proper Sleep
A newborn sleeps for a total of 16 hours in a day. This is never continuous, but it is achieved in short sessions spread out throughout the day. Always create the right conditions for the baby to sleep, especially after feeding. The more they sleep without any interruption, the healthier it is for them. While at it, also take that opportunity as a mother to also sneak in some hours of sleep so that by the time they wake up, you have also recharged a little.
Regular Checkups
Always try to find time to go for random checkups even when the baby is doing okay. There are things that the doctor can catch, and it would serve you better if any serious underlying condition is caught early. A visit to the pediatrician once a month is normal for most children under 5.
Conclusion
Motherhood is a beautiful phase in life, and it should be enjoyed without the complications of diseases. Fortunately for new mothers, it does not take too much to keep your baby healthy; it is the little things like cleanliness and eating right that do the bulk of the work. However, do not do it alone, have some help to see you through it as it can be overwhelming.
