How to Take Care of a Newborn Baby: Basic Tips

Caring for a newborn baby is among the most rewarding yet also frightening things in the world. These little bundles of joy are so small and delicate that it’s only natural to feel nervous about hurting them by making a mistake. 

Fortunately, we have literal millennia of wisdom about newborn care by now, passed down from generation to generation. Today, we’ll mine this cache of information for some of the best tips for infant care in Singapore.

Tip 1: Feed the baby every 1 to 3 hours.

The rule of thumb is to feed your newborn baby often, with the minimum number of feedings per 24 hours being 8. 

That may sound like a lot, but remember: your baby’s little stomach can’t actually hold that much food in it yet. And your baby actually does need quite a bit of nutrition, because babies tend to lose a bit of weight after birth.

This particular rule applies whether you’re breastfeeding or using formula, by the way. If you’re doing the latter, aim for about 30 to 60 millilitres per feeding.

Tip 2: Keep the baby (and everyone nearby) clean.

As far as your baby goes, this means you should bathe your baby enough to keep him clean but not enough to harm his skin. Generally, that translates to about 1 to 2 times a week.

Stick to sponge baths before the umbilical falls off, though. After that, feel free to use a basin, but bear in mind that spot-cleaning and wiping is also viable for most situations.

In line with keeping your little one clean, of course, you want to make sure everyone who has contact with him is similarly hygienic. This is especially important for newborns, whose immune systems are still developing.

Set clear ground rules for anyone who wants to hold or approach the baby. They have to be clean, should wash their hands and faces first, and so on. At the moment, you may even want to specify facemasks, for safety.

Naturally, if they feel at all under the weather, ask them to stay away for now. It’s best not to risk anything and they should understand.

Tip 3: Try to mimic the womb to soothe a fussing infant.

We’ve already seen that a lot of babies tend to calm down when being held, rocked gently, or even kept (comfortably) warm. This may be because these sensations simulate ones they experienced in the womb.

Feel free to try things like these, along with swaddling and humming, to soothe your infant when he’s being a little testy. It may well soothe his nerves (as well as yours!).

Tip 4: Don’t give your baby toys, pillows, or any type of loose bedding when he sleeps.

All of the above are actually hazards for newborns. This is one of the most important tips to remember when talking about infant care in Singapore because it can have a direct impact on your baby’s health.

Items like the ones we mentioned are best used when a baby is old enough to not be at risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Generally, it’s best to wait until your baby is around 1 year old or more.

Tip 5: Learn to take care of yourself in new ways.

You’ll have to adopt a new routine with an infant in the house, of course. Between the feedings every 1-3 hours and the need for regular diaper changes, new parents can easily find themselves exhausted and overwhelmed.

That’s why it’s vital to learn how to care for yourself as a parent in your new routine. That means doing things like learning to sleep (or nap) when your baby sleeps. Work out a schedule where you and your partner can take turns caring for the baby and resting.

Keep yourself fuelled with nutritious food and water so you can better weather the demands of this stage of parenthood. Ask for support when you think you need it – and feel free to talk to someone if you need emotional relief.

All of these things can help you better adjust to life caring for an infant. If you can care for yourself properly, after all, you’ll be better-able to care for your little one.