Experienced parents will tell you: the anticipation of having a newborn in the house is far more daunting than the actual care of the baby. Why? Because babies really need very little. The magazines and stores may have you believing otherwise (perhaps I'll do a segment on baby gear and registry items next...), but other than unconditional love and attention and tenderness, all your baby NEEDS is milk, clean diapers, and comfort to be happy and healthy. Here are the basic newborn needs (other than feeding) that you'll have to address and some of my favorite tips for keeping newborns happy:
BASICS OF NEWBORN CARE
1) Bathing routine. Well, the advice actually differs depending on who you talk to and what book you read. Some people still say to wait until the umbilical cord falls off before giving a submerged bath (as opposed to a sponge bath). Some people say it doesn't matter. Some people bathe their babies every day. Some only do it every 2-3 days. Personally, I don't think there is one right answer, so just do whatever works for you (and your baby). Some babies love their baths, and some HATE them. And that can change at any time, and may go back and forth. Some have extra sensitive skin and shouldn't be bathed every day (because it dries out the skin, and lotions aren't really great for babies). Some need a nightly bath as part of their bedtime routine to actually get INTO a routine and realize it's bedtime.
Regardless of when and how often you do it, all you need for giving an infant bath are a few simple tools: an infant tub, baby shampoo/wash, and a thin washcloth. Your tub can be fancy, with a thermometer, constantly running water to wash away the urine and whatnot, and/or a hammock for those itty-bitty newborn days (makes it easier because you don't have to worry about floppy baby heads), or it can be simple. Baby shampoo/wash comes in all brands and types. My advice is to use something VERY basic. Many infants have sensitive skin, so it's better to leave out the additives, especially in the beginning. In fact, our pediatrician has always recommended using plain ol' DOVE soap. Just don't get it in their eyes. And the reason I suggest thin (baby) washcloths is because regular ones are just way too bulky to clean their tiny little bodies and many nooks and crannies. Once baby is a little older, use 2 washcloths: one for you to use for washing, the other for baby to hold onto and play with. They have always been our kids' favorite bathtime "toys".
Now for the tips... Get everything you need (including a hooded towel, clean diaper, and change of clothes) ready BEFORE you even turn the water on, and definitely before you undress baby and put them in the tub. Lay it all out so it is convenient for you. Turn the water on and test the temperature (either with your wrist or with a floating thermometer). No boiling the baby (they take baths at much cooler temperatures than us adults do). You'll need both hands while baby is tiny. One to hold their head and one to wash their body (so get your partner to take the photos of that first bath, because your hands will be busy). Yes, it's nerve-wracking to bathe a tiny infant. They are floppy-headed and little and they get so slippery in the tub. But I promise you, they aren't as fragile as they seem. Just get a good hold (gently cradle their head and hold them under one arm), scrub 'em down with your free hand (be sure to get in between all those adorable little chub rolls - skin breakdown is very common in newborns and needs to be cleared out, otherwise you will have a stinky baby), and get 'em out (unless they're the water-loving type, then let them soak and play for a bit after they are clean - no rush to pull them out). Hold them under both arms when you take them out of the tub and place them immediately on your belly. If you wave them through the air to take them from the tub to their towel (if you've laid it out on the counter beforehand), they will likely cry. It scares them, and it's cold. Remember, their skin (and body temperatures) are super sensitive when they're itty-bitty. And they might pee, since having their bare bottom exposed to a cool breeze tends to do that. Once on your belly, wrap them in their towel, dry their hair (if they have any...) and rock them a bit before you lay them down to get them dressed. Other ways to make bathtime more enjoyable for bitty babies is to keep the room temp a little warmer (to prevent chills), sing to them (or play some music), and give them a little massage (either in the tub while they're all soapy or after they are dry and warm with a clean diaper on). There is nothing better than a clean, sweet-smelling baby.
2) Diaper duty. What you need: 2 clean diapers, a container of wipes, a small dry towel (or thick washcloth), a change of clothes (for the baby), and a clean, safe place to do the change. And a toy, if your baby is old enough to hold onto one (distraction is a good thing). If you are using disposable diapers, you will likely also need some type of diaper cream. Just like at bathtime, get everything together BEFORE you lay the baby down for changing. And just like bathtime, babies don't like to be cold, so remove the minimum amount of clothing necessary to complete the change (i.e. lift the gown, unbutton only the legs and waist of the sleeper, or remove the pants only). Open the diaper and inspect. If it's wet-only (and baby's bottom is clean), you can slip it off and snap a new one on without so much as a wipe (not that you can't wipe, if you want, but be warmed that babies have sensitive skin, so less wiping is better, and urine is sterile, not to mention their bums are likely dry anyway, as most diapers wick away moisture). If it's dirty, go ahead and get out 1-3 wipes (depending on the severity of the mess) BEFORE you take the diaper off. Then open the diaper, use the front of it to wipe in a backwards motion (NEVER wipe from back to front, girl OR boy) to grab the bulk of the mess, then roll the top in and tuck the diaper underneath baby so that their bottom is now sitting on TOP of the diaper. Clean with wipes as needed (again, wiping ONLY from front to back). Side note: if you have a boy and have not circumcised him, do NOT lift or retract the foreskin. Only clean what is seen (wipe it like you would a finger). Tuck those dirty wipes into the top of the diaper and roll it up, securing it shut. If you're using disposables, you can then seal it with the velcro and chuck the whole thing in the trash. Once your baby is a bit older and eating solid foods, their bowel movements will also be more solid, and at that point you SHOULD dump the solid waste into your toilet before sealing the diaper and throwing it out. If you are using cloth, you can throw it straight into your wetbag without dumping or rinsing (as long as you are exclusively breastfeeding, since those bowel movements wash out like yogurt), especially if you're also using cloth wipes (everything gets washed together). Once baby is on solids, you'll need to dump the bowel movements out of your cloth diapers into the toilet before placing them in your wetbag, and you may also need to scrape or rinse them (depending on consistency). If you're using disposables, you may be tempted to get a 'diaper genie' or other such receptacle. Please don't. Those things use TONS of plastic, adding even more junk to our landfills. Just put them in a small, lidded trash can, and empty it to your outside trash once every day or so. If you use cloth, invest in a hanging wetbag with a zipper and you won't have much, if any, smell at all, as long as you wash your diapers (and wipes) every other day. And by the way, that extra diaper is a backup, because sometimes babies like to dirty brand new diapers right away, or even as you're changing them. And the dry towel/washcloth is to clean up urine messes (if baby surprises you and starts to pee while you're switching diapers). Oh yeah, and one more thing, if you're going to change your baby on your cloth couch or bedspread, make sure you have a large waterproof pad underneath their bottom...
3) Swaddling. Invest in a swaddler (or two, since babies can leak from one end or the other at some point overnight, meaning you'll have to change crib sheets, baby clothes, and the swaddler)! My personal favorite was the Miracle Blanket. Honestly, it was the easiest to use and lasted the longest (size and age-wise). Plus, it doesn't have any velcro (which can be LOUD in the middle of the night and wake/bother the baby if you have to unwrap for a diaper change). There are other options (for example, Kiddopatamus - with the velcro, and Woombie - which zipper up like a sleeping bag), as well as your traditional swaddling blankets (muslin wraps work great, as do other lightweight receiving blankets). Use the swaddling blanket every night, all night long, for as long as your baby will tolerate it. Some LOVE to be swaddled (Cora lasted for over 5 months, and I know babies that slept half-swaddled until they were 9 months), and some hate it (James was OVER IT within his first week). If you get to use the swaddler long-term, try to use it only for bedtime if you can (after the first month or two), so that it can become part of baby's bedtime routine, and a good signal for them that it's time to SLEEP!
4) Soothing with the five "S's"! The 5 S's are from Harvy Karp's "Happiest Baby on the Block", a book that I swear by. All you need to know is that swaddling, side-lying, swinging, sucking, and shooshing, when combined, will almost always quickly soothe your newborn. Guaranteed! Practice these methods ahead of time so you are ready to go when your bring baby home. Of course, be warned that most babies are easy-peasy for their first 2 weeks or so. Then they "wake up" to the world. Or maybe they are easy for their first 6 weeks, then colic can kick in (don't worry, it's usually over by the 3 month mark, and not all babies get colic). Some newborns are just easy though, end of story (I know quite a few, actually. None of whom lived in OUR house), and you might get lucky. But just in case, it's better to be prepared!
As for the specifics... 1. Swaddle them TIGHTLY. 2. Turn them onto their side. 3. Swing them gently in your arms while walking around, place them in a swing, rock them virgorously in your glider, or do Dr. Karp's patented side-laying lengthwise across your lap while wiggling your knees quickly from side-to-side (like a little jostle). 4. Give them a pacifier (or your pinky finger) to suck on. 5. Make a shooshing noise in their ear (lean in close and be loud - I know it sounds crazy, but it WORKS!) If it doesn't work, check your technique. Swaddle them tighter, swing them faster, and shoosh louder.
5) Baby's first aid/health care/grooming kit. I suggest skipping the kits they sell in the stores. They have lots of things in them that you won't ever use, and the useful stuff they come with is sometimes inferior quality. (However, it's not a bad idea to get one to keep at grandma's house or in the car, just in case.)
Here is what you need to make your "kit":
- two thermometers (one short, for rectal temps - the only reliable temperature reading for bitty babies, and one long, for underarm temps - those fancy ear thermometers are awesome, but they aren't recommended for use on babies under 6-months-old - and be sure you never use the long thermometer for rectal temps, and vice versa, simply for sanitary reasons)
- a pair of toe/nail clippers (the little Safety First clippers with the magnifying glass attached are my favorite)
- a soft-bristled baby brush (even if your baby has no hair, it can be good for gently scrubbing cradle cap)
- infant acetaminophen and gas relief drops (we always buy the dye-free kind to avoid stains on clothes, since babies tend to spit-up, or at least spit...)
- one of the big medicine syringes with the bite-tip on the end (honestly, these are SO much better than the little droppers or syringes you'll get with prescriptions, especially for infants, and the pacifier-dispensers aren't great either because if you are giving medicine, you need to be absolutely sure that your baby is getting the full and correct dose)
- an electric nose aspirator (forget the bulb syringe - the electric version is faster, more effective, and it plays music!)
- infant toothpaste and "finger brush" (and maybe even a toddler toothbrush, just to have on hand)
