Topic 3: Baby Care
Safe Sleeping
You, and everyone else it seems, will be preoccupied with how much sleep your baby is getting and how little sleep you are getting. It could consume your life if you let it. Do some reading and listen to advice, but take note of the few snippets of information that sound worth trying and discard the rest – or you will be kept awake at night pondering all the options.
• Learn and recognise tired signs;
• Have bedtime rituals;
• Encourage night sleep by discouraging any form of play of interaction;
• Warm bath;
• Motion (rocking chair);
• Baby massage;
• Try a top-up feed before bed;
• Eliminate caffeine if you are breastfeeding.
• Have bedtime rituals;
• Encourage night sleep by discouraging any form of play of interaction;
• Warm bath;
• Motion (rocking chair);
• Baby massage;
• Try a top-up feed before bed;
• Eliminate caffeine if you are breastfeeding.
• Put your baby to sleep on his or her back;
• Put your baby’s feet at the end of the cot so that he or she does not work himself or herself under the covers;
• Make sure the baby sleeps in a smoke-free environment;
• The cot should be free from quilts, pillows, cushions and soft toys;
• Breastfeed for as long as possible.
• Put your baby’s feet at the end of the cot so that he or she does not work himself or herself under the covers;
• Make sure the baby sleeps in a smoke-free environment;
• The cot should be free from quilts, pillows, cushions and soft toys;
• Breastfeed for as long as possible.
Nappy Change
You will spend a lot of time changing nappies, so it is wise to create a comfortable environment for you and the baby, where everything is easily accessible.
• Gather everything you need and place it easily within reach;
• Always keep one hand on baby;
• If using powder, put onto your hands first and then apply, to reduce the risk of your baby breathing in powder;
• Always wipe a baby girl from front to back to prevent any cross infection;
• Avoid being ‘sprayed’ by boys by covering with a cloth when without a nappy;
• Keep lotions, pins, creams and bags within your reach but outside of the baby’s reach;
• NEVER, for any reason, leave your child unattended on a change table.
• Always keep one hand on baby;
• If using powder, put onto your hands first and then apply, to reduce the risk of your baby breathing in powder;
• Always wipe a baby girl from front to back to prevent any cross infection;
• Avoid being ‘sprayed’ by boys by covering with a cloth when without a nappy;
• Keep lotions, pins, creams and bags within your reach but outside of the baby’s reach;
• NEVER, for any reason, leave your child unattended on a change table.
• Change wet or soiled nappies immediately;
• Ensure the baby’s bottom is washed with a soft cloth at each nappy change;
• Pat dry and leave uncovered until completely dry;
• Apply a barrier cream
• Ensure the baby’s bottom is washed with a soft cloth at each nappy change;
• Pat dry and leave uncovered until completely dry;
• Apply a barrier cream
In the Bath
Bathing is one of the more fun jobs of caring for a new baby. Your nerves will soon dissipate and bath time will become a favourite part of your routine. As your baby grows, you will find how best to hold and wash him or her.
• Fill the bath—put cold water in first and top with warm water until 37 – 38°C, test temperature with the inside of your wrist;
• If the umbilical cord is still attached, clean carefully with cotton wool;
• Remove nappy—if wet or soiled, wash baby’s bottom in separate water;
• Gently wash baby’s face with a face cloth;
• Clean eyes with separate cotton balls—wipe from the inside out and pat dry;
• Wash baby’s hair by placing one hand at the back of the head ensuring your baby’s body is supported by your forearm. Hold baby’s head over the bath and wet the hair with a cloth;
• Carefully lower baby into the water;
• Support baby at all times and wash baby’s body with a separate cloth;
• Make sure soap is rinsed off before lifting baby out of the water and placing baby on the towel;
• Pat baby dry as quickly and gently as you can. Dry well between folds of skin, the neck, groin, behind the ears and between fingers and toes.
• NEVER leave baby unattended in the bath.
• If the umbilical cord is still attached, clean carefully with cotton wool;
• Remove nappy—if wet or soiled, wash baby’s bottom in separate water;
• Gently wash baby’s face with a face cloth;
• Clean eyes with separate cotton balls—wipe from the inside out and pat dry;
• Wash baby’s hair by placing one hand at the back of the head ensuring your baby’s body is supported by your forearm. Hold baby’s head over the bath and wet the hair with a cloth;
• Carefully lower baby into the water;
• Support baby at all times and wash baby’s body with a separate cloth;
• Make sure soap is rinsed off before lifting baby out of the water and placing baby on the towel;
• Pat baby dry as quickly and gently as you can. Dry well between folds of skin, the neck, groin, behind the ears and between fingers and toes.
• NEVER leave baby unattended in the bath.
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