NEWBORNS | allthesinglefathers

Newborns (1 day to 2 weeks)

Nutrition

Sleep and hygiene

Safety

Health and Sickness

It is important that all newborns eat every 2 to 3 hours. If they do not wake up in the middle of the night, you must be sure to wake them up and try to feed them, or they could starve! But what do you feed them?

All about baby formula!

Lets start with what you don't feed them. Never give you newborn water or regular cows milk. Their body's are very sensitive. If you give them water it can damage their kidneys.

So this formula stuff?

There are many different types, but they fall into these 3 categories:

Powder: Usually the cheapest and it is easy to carry with you. You will waste less using a powder based formula, because you can prepare as much as you need. The cons...It takes more time to prepare the formula.
Liquid Concentrate: This type is more expensive than the powder, but it is a little easier to prepare. Like the powder, you can prepare as much as you need so you are wasting less.
Ready to Use: This is the most convenient method; however, it costs the most. Also you can not prepare only the amount you need, so you might end up wasting some.

Usually formula is cow milk-based, but there are other types like soy based.

How to prepare the formula...

Always follow the directions specified on the container. If the formula is too diluted, it could damage the child's kidneys. If it is too concentrated it can damage the kidneys and digestive system. Not every formula or brand is the same, But here are some general tips:

Don't warm it up in the microwave, this can leave dangerous hotspots which can burn your child's mouth. It is suggested you but the bottle in a pot of water that is body temperature. Make sure you shake the bottle to remove any hot spots.
Always use refrigerated bottles within 24 hours. If you used a liquid concentrate, sit can be left refrigerated for 48 hours.

Should you buy lots of formula before the baby is born?

No! Some baby's prefer certain types of formula over others. Also some babies might be intolerant to certain ingredients in a specific formula. For more information about intolerance, see the health section.

Here you can learn about common ailments for newborns and what to do!

Formula Intolerance:

Some babies may be allergic to some types of formula. If so, it is important to talk to your psyching to make sure this isn't a more serious problem and ask which formulas he/she recommends. Symptoms include... gas, discomfort after eating, rash, excessive vomiting, bloody stools, and diarrhea. If you are unsure if this is a formula intolerance, always consult your physician.

The Umbilical Chord:

When a newborn comes home, a part of the umbilical chord will still be attached to your baby. The must stay their until it dries up and falls off. It is important that the umbilical chord does not get wet and it is kept clean! It is recommended that you give your baby a sponge bath until it falls off. For a video on how to give you child a sponge bath, see the "How To's" section on the Father Forum!

Holding your baby's head up:

Your baby is not yet stron genough to support his own head! you must support your baby's neck at all time to prevent their head from falling back.

SIDS

As tragic as this is, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unpredictable death of an infant. There are no warning signs and it is still unclear what causes this. One thing researchers found is that placing a baby on their back to sleep greatly reduces the chances of SIDS. ALWAYS PLACE A CHILD ON THEIR BACK TO SLEEP!

Cramps or Gas Pains:

This will be apart of your child's life, but Gripe Water can help alleviate stomach upset. It's normally made with all natural ingredients and is drug free.

Should I take my newborn out in public?

Your newborn is still very week and developing their immune system. If you take them out to a public place with lots of people, your child will become sick, because their immune system isn't developed. It is ok to take them out for only short periods of time to a place that's wide open and where there is few people. Your baby's skin and eyes (especially babies with blue eyes) are extremely sensitive to the sunlight and temperature, so don't have them in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. Dress your child accordingly.

Newborns are asleep the majority of the time and only stay awake for a couple hours at a time. Your baby's sleep schedule will be very irregular. You essentially will be on your baby's schedule. While your baby is asleep, that is a good time to do the things you need to do, but don't stray far away from your child.

Can I sleep with my baby in my bed together?

Absolutely not!!! This is very dangerous for both newborns and infants! You could accidentally smother your infant or push them off the bed. Many accidents could occur. Always put the baby back into their own crib. Room sharing, however, is ok to do. Your baby must also sleep on their backs!! This greatly reduces the chance of SIDS (see newborn Health and Sickness section). Your child will need tummy time (time to lay on their stomach) to help them learn to roll over onto their backs.

All about car safety:

In a car crash, babies are more susceptible to injury, because their bodies are still developing. All car seats must be specifically for your child's age and height. The seat must also be placed in the middle back seat. the seat must face backwards until the child is 2 years of age. Also, don't dress your child in bulky clothing or put a blanket under the seats straps. This can affect the tightness of the straps, posing a hazard to your child. Instead, put a blanket over the seat if your child is cold.

There are 3 main types of car seats:

Rear-facing Car Seats: These seats face the rear of your car and provides ultimate protection for your child. Your child must face the rear of the car for at least 2 years. There are 3 types of these seats:
Forward-Facing Car Seat: This seat faces forward and are meant for children who are a little older. There are 3 types of these seats:
Booster Seat: These are for children who don't need a traditional car seat, but who are not tall enough or weigh enough to sit without one. There are 4 main types of these seats:

Note: Children should use the car seat for as long as the seat for as long as the seat itself specifies. If a child quickly out grows their seat, you should consider getting a seat that accommodates larger children.

For more information about car seats, check our this website: Click Here!

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