It is only after having a baby that life truly changes. From being a woman you become a mother and believe me, it is the highest designation for any woman. The moment you see your little one, you forget all the pain. The minute you hold that tiny pink bundle of joy in your arms, a maternal instinct kicks in. Nurturing a child is genetically programmed in all of us and somehow we all get that boost of confidence only after we hold our child. And we get ready for the biggest journey of our lives, motherhood!
My son was born in December and like every new mother winter chills scared me. Here are a few tips I learnt along the way which make taking care of new born in winter easier:
Use diapers : For first few days my in-laws asked me to keep him diaper free but the doctor insisted us to go for diapers as it’s not safe to keep the kid wet for long. I picked up Huggies ultra soft for my new born because it has a wetness indicator which absorbs runny poo too. The indicator made it easier for me to know when to change the diaper. I was pretty satisfied with them so I continued using them as they were soft and never gave him any rashes.
Massage and Bath: You can pick any oil for massage but I preferred using organic almond oil as it is naturally rich in emollients and pure enough for sensitive baby skin. Stay away from all the gimmicky advertisements. Just maintain a balance between the bathroom and bedroom temperature during and post-bath. Personally this was difficult for me and I would bathe him in the room in the tub. Yes it was messy but I would avoid the temperature change making it easier for the kid to maintain his body temperature.
The right clothing: There is always an argument on how many layers a new born should wear. The rule I followed was simple, add one extra layer for your munchkin than you wear. Choose breathable fabrics like cotton and muslin so you can take clothes on and off as needed. Make them wear mittens and socks to make them feel cozy.
Breastfeed: Every new mother is told about the importance of breastfeeding. Your feed has the best immunity boosters for your baby and it helps keep the cold and infections at bay. Try to only breastfeed your little one for the first six months. Breastfeeding is great but in case the baby has latching issues or you have low supply, do visit a Lactation Consultant. I switched to formula after three months of serious breastfeeding efforts but my child couldn’t latch. Just remember well fed babies are the best.
Avoid using too many products: Your new born has a sensitive skin, therefore, avoid over-using products like baby soaps, shampoos, and body washes. If required as the doctor for the medicated ones instead of regular drugstore brands.
Keep them safe: Winters mean infections and many common viruses are quite common. Avoid letting the baby come in contact with an infected person as infants catch flu easily. You can also invest in an air purifier to keep the air healthy for your baby.
While it is easy to say ‘do this and not that’ please understand that every kid is unique and most parents find the right way to take care of their precious little one after a bit of trial and error. Don’t be scared to try new things. But always look for scientific validations over old wives tales. Happy Parenting!
