Until your baby is born, it’s hard to know how you’ll adapt to being a new parent. From ticking off your checklist for baby essentials to swaddling like a pro, in time, every new parent finds a way. However, it would be great if you could find a few tips for taking care of your first child. Here are important tips for new parents.

Welcome Your Visitors when Ready

Family and friends will want to visit once they get the good news, but you can choose to welcome them when you feel ready. A newborn is usually perceptive and alert after birth, and this is a perfect time to bond. Your baby knows your voice from spending some time in your womb throughout the pregnancy period, and he or she will find it soothing. So, inform visitors of the right time to visit.

Choose Your Newborn’s Clothing Carefully

While a cute going-home outfit may be a must-have for most new parents, babies can’t regulate body temperature until they’re six months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends an extra layer of clothing (than adults) for newborns to feel comfortable.

It’s recommended to choose clothes that are easy to put on or take off. Don’t forget socks and booties for your baby, depending on the local weather forecast. Also, consider buying a good blanket to avoid the standard ones provided in the hospital.

Feeding Your Newborn

Regardless of how you choose to feed your baby, you must remember the following tips for new parents.

Breastfeeding

Nursing a newborn is a natural phenomenon, but it can be challenging for a new parent at first. Here are helpful breastfeeding tips;

• Nurse within an hour of delivery when your newborn is most alert
• Nurse on demand to help your baby practice sucking and swallowing
• Frequent breastfeeding can help increase your milk supply
• Get a proper latch to prevent sore nipples
• Seek help from a hospital lactation consultant for guidance on proper latching
• Create a safe nursing nest, such as a comfy chair with pillows and a footstool

During the breastfeeding period, you’ll need 300-400 extra calories per day. Therefore, you should eat and drink enough fluids. If you choose to express breast milk or formula feed your baby, talk to a specialist for professional guidance.

Other Tips for New Parents

A newborn’s body is way smaller than yours. Therefore, your baby needs special care for their face, eyes, scalp, nose, nails, skin, umbilical stump, bottom, genitals, legs, and feet. Talk to a specialist about the right care for your baby’s body. The specialist can also share more tips about sleep training, calming a crying baby, and more.