Frequently Asked Questions From First Time Moms
It is a huge challenge to care for a newborn baby, especially if you are a first time mom. This is why we gathered some common parenting questions for those who have limited to zero experience. Read on to learn more about what first-time parents usually ask.
First Time Mom: 7 Common Questions Every New Parent Asks
1. How Long Should I Breastfeed?
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It is recommended to breastfeed babies for the first six months. This helps avoid food intolerances and protect your baby from any infections. After that, you can still breastfeed and gradually introduce other food. The longer you breastfeed, the longer you and your baby can benefit from its health effects.
2. How Often Should I Sterilize Bottles and Pacifiers?
Keeping your baby safe is a top priority, so it is important to regularly sterilize bottles and pacifiers. It is recommended to sanitize them before their first use and frequently afterward. However, it is not necessary to do this after every use. You can wash them on a daily basis and dry on the top rack of the dishwasher to ensure they don’t fall through the bottom.
3. Is Green Poop Normal?
It is normal for your newborn to excrete green poop (or meconium). Since it is composed of materials ingested inside the uterus, it is going to come out viscous and sticky, albeit odorless. From being a dark olive green, it will eventually become lighter in shade. When breastfeeding, your baby’s poop will look either yellow or green.
4. How Do I Clean My Baby’s Umbilical Cord?
It will take around 1-2 weeks before the umbilical cord dries up and falls off. In the meantime, it will need proper care to avoid irritation and infection. You can consult your pediatrician on how to properly and safely clean it. The general rules, however, are to keep the area clean and dry and to let it heal naturally.
5. Should I Wake a Sleeping Baby to Feed Him?
Several factors affect whether you should wake a sleeping baby for feeding, including age, weight, and overall health. It is important to feed your baby frequently during the first few weeks to help regain the weight lost from birth. This means you will have to occasionally wake your baby for feeding. You can stop doing this once your baby develops a pattern of weight gain.
6. When Can I Take My Newborn Out in Public?
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to taking your newborn out in public. While some doctors and parents wait until their babies are a few months old, you can still take your newborn outside for a walk or for fresh air. However, it is best to avoid crowded places, which can expose your baby to diseases. Also, make sure your baby’s vaccines are up-to-date.
7. What is the Proper Way to Dress a Newborn?
It is important to keep newborn babies warm so it is best to dress them in layers. However, you also have to make sure they’re still comfortable so avoid wrapping them in heavy blankets.
Babies also grow fast so it is more practical to invest in simple yet affordable clothes. It is not really ideal to buy expensive clothes for a newborn since they will outgrow them very quickly anyway. Just get clothes that are soft, comfortable, and for your sake, easy to take care of. It won’t hurt if they look adorable, too, like this super cute onesie!
Are you a first time mom planning to take your newborn for a walk? Check out BubbaBe’s cozy infant carrier cover to secure your baby’s safety when you do:
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Parenting includes knowing about the basics of taking care of a newborn. We know that even the most topical things like the color of your baby’s poop to how to clean the umbilical cord, can be daunting for new mommies. While some questions may come off a bit silly, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What are some tips you’d like to share with a first time mom or dad? Let us know in the comments section below.
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