Tips to care for your newborn

For most new parents having a baby is a beautiful, magical – and totally intimidating time. But the irony is once the labour is over the real work begins, and this reality can leave many first time parents feeling unsure and daunted by the prospect of caring for their new arrival. 

Fortunately every parent in history has been, to a greater or lesser extent, through this very same experience, which is why there’s a set of established and proven parenting tips to help couples with a newborn.

Don’t be afraid of crying – for help!

The first tip is not to be afraid to ask for help, whether that’s from family and friends or from recognised baby specialists or feeding consultants. A word of warning, though – if you are going the family and friends route, be sure to place limits on visiting time: after all, the new parents need downtime almost as much as their baby, so don't feel guilty about showing excess visitors your new bundle of joy – and then the door!

Routine – dull, boring, beautiful routine

Getting baby into a bedtime routine as soon as possible is recommended. The easiest way, obviously, is to try and stick to the same bedtime each night.

Of course you can't force a bedtime on a baby in the first few months, but as most newborns sleep for around 16 hours a day the first month anyway, this shouldn’t be an issue. However, at about two months you can start practising a regular bedtime routine simply by keeping the house dim and quiet at before bedtime, and limiting talk or stimulation for baby during night feeds.

Breastfeeding – the challenges

Establishing breastfeeding can be a challenge. There is so much conflicting advice on whether to feed on demand or try to establish a routine, but the good news is that a consultation with a professional can clear up many questions.

One issue with the term ‘feeding on demand’ is that many newborns do not always demand to be fed during the day, what with all the excitement and distractions of the new world around them, and so may wake more often to feed in the night, resulting in tears and exhaustion for both mum and bub.

An antidote to this could be to offer a newborn baby a feed every three hours. If the baby is not going more than a couple of hours between feeds then it could mean the baby isn’t getting all the milk that they desire in one feed.

Signs that your baby is getting enough milk

• Sucking action – slow and rhythmical after the initial fast sucking burst.
• Breast sensations – your breasts will feel less full and tight after a feed.
• Body language – your baby becomes still and peaceful, and may even appear “milk drunk” after a wonderfully satisfying feed.

You’ll do anything to ensure your newborn’s well-being

but what about ensuring their financial future?

Being new parents is a wonderful, thrilling time in any couple’s life. But amidst all the joy there is a sobering reality that every parent needs to make sure that their baby’s future is secured financially if something unfortunate happens.

With a child comes added responsibilities, and ensuring your newborn’s financial future with the right life insurance policy for yourself is a great way to deal with those responsibilities. Find out why every parent needs to think about life insurance and learn more about your options.