A comfy newborn depends on many things, including avoiding some of the most common new-parent mistakes. Don’t panic if you are unsure about anything, as no one really tells you how to handle a newborn, and there is no official guidebook that works for everyone. However, there are some tips from other parents that can help, and some universal guidance. From supporting a newborn’s neck to avoiding chemicals, here are some that might help.
Overdressing the Baby
It’s all too easy to overdress a baby, as you want to see them in cute little garments and ensure they are warm. However, while they need comfort, they don’t need stifling heat. Of course, it is understandable to want to wrap your baby in onesies, cardigans, and blankets, but it can be too much, which is bad because newborns can’t regulate body heat. Check these tips for keeping your baby cool at night to ensure they only wear what they need and stay adequately warm.
A Comfy Newborn Needs Neck Support
You already know that the baby’s neck can’t support the head, and the muscles for this take 4 months to develop. As such, improper handling of the newborn’s head and neck can cause severe damage, and they must be supported at all times to avoid permanent problems:
- Always support the baby’s head when lifting them and holding them in your arms.
- To do this, place one hand under the head and neck and the other under the butt.
- You can also rest the baby’s chest on your shoulder while holding the head and neck.
Ignoring Tummy Time
Babies need support all the time, and most parents prefer to keep them in a car seat, swing, or bouncy chair. These are all excellent tools that can help keep a baby safe and supported, especially when you need four arms and eyes at the back of your head. However, they can actually cause physical developmental issues when overused. It helps to use these sparingly and promote more tummy time so the baby can rest and avoid problems like “flat head”.
Too Many Baby Baths
Hygiene is incredibly important for babies since they have a much weaker immune system, especially right after birth. And of course, any good parent will want to keep the baby clean. However, over-bathing a newborn, much like overwashing your hair and skin, can strip them of the protective natural oils they need. Most baby experts agree that a newborn should be bathed with warm water only two to three times per week, using soap only for cleaning the bottom.
A Comfy Newborn Shouldn’t Be Handled Too Much
Becoming a new parent is a life-changing moment, and 1 in 6 parents (16%) find that the social aspects of a newborn impact mental health. However, family and friends will want to at least see the baby, and may even come with gifts like Montessori-friendly toys, stuffed animals, and night lights. Yet newborns have weak immune systems, so handling them can be harmful.
Washing their hands
Absolutely, anyone who wants to hold your baby should be asked to wash their hands and sanitize. This will help prevent contact bacteria from moving from them to your newborn baby.
No kissing babies!
It’s hard not to kiss a newborn you love, but the human mouth is like an open sewer. With a newborn’s immune system not being able to fight bacteria, this is an absolute no-no for visitors.
Keep it sweet but short
Newborns are sensory sponges, and everything around them is taken in before they even know what they are experiencing. It is best to keep visitation times to less than 60 minutes per day.
Not Learning Crying Cues
Babies cry! As you are probably well aware, little lungs can be pretty loud, and newborns can cry for all kinds of reasons, not always because they are hungry. Newborns can cry when they are uncomfortable, stressed by noise, or even when they want some attention from their mother. Learning what they are crying for, and sometimes when they will do it, is a great way to assess indication, and healthier, as overfeeding will cause gas and discomfort for the baby.
Swaddling Too Tightly
It is well known that babies love to feel secure and comfy when wrapped up tight in a cute little bundle. However, while swaddling has its place, it can be overused, and some parents wrap the baby too tightly. This can be dangerous for the baby and can cause issues with breathing. If you aren’t sure, a swaddle should be snugly wrapped but not tight. If you can’t get your fingers in the layers, then the swaddle is much too tight and will restrict breathing and even hip development.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals for a Comfy Newborn
It is recommended that you stay clean when handling your baby, but it helps to stay away from scented soaps and lotions. These can contain harsh chemicals that are okay for adults but cause havoc, such as irritation, to newborn babies, so try to stick to these simple rules:
- Buy soap and lotion products that are free from parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.
- Look for products that are either pH-neutral or mildly acidic to match healthy skin.
- Use soap sparingly to cleanse bacterial areas of the baby, such as the bottom.
Not Creating a Sleep-Friendly Space
It may not seem like it at first, but newborns do sleep. And like adults, they love a sleep space that is comfortable at a temperature of between 61°F and 68°F, dark but with a night light, and as quiet as humanly possible. When you get these right, newborn baby sleep in the nursery becomes more of a legitimate enjoyment than a bi-hourly battle of wills. Of course, it also helps to try to sync your sleep routine with the baby to reduce how tired you feel as a parent.
Summary
Overdressing the baby is one of the biggest mistakes that new parents make, which makes caring for a comfy newborn almost impossible. It also helps if anyone holding the baby pays attention to hygiene, and newborns also need a comfortable environment for sleep.
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