New baby advice

Here are some short tips.

Look after yourself

Looking after a new baby is very demanding on your physical strength and mental energy.

	Don’t overdo things when you are on an early high
	Get rest whenever you can
	Share tasks, make sure your partner understands how you feel
	Eat properly
	Be flexible in your ideals

Getting to know your baby

Bonding with your new baby is one of the most enjoyable experiences. Babies can't talk but you will quickly learn to appreciate

	When he/she wants to go to sleep
	When he/she is thirsty
	When he/she is hungry
	When he/she wants a cuddle and attention

Babies respond to attention and those that are neglected do not thrive, so put in the time and effort and you will be richly rewarded. Nothing lasts for ever, and babies grow quickly, so enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Temperature control

Babies cannot control their temperature as well as older children and adults. They are vulnerable to overheating and getting cold.

	Room temperature: if this is comfortable for you in indoor clothes then it is probably just about right. If you feel too hot, your baby will as well, but he/she cannot regulate his temperature easily so don't over wrap. If you feel cold, so does your baby.
	Babies can lose a lot of heat through their heads which are large in proportion to their bodies. If you are going out or the room is cold, be sure to put a cap or balaclava over your baby's head.
	Don't overdress your baby. They cannot cope with too much clothing and will overheat.
	Remember that your baby needs to bathe in water that is just below skin temperature. Check the bath water with your elbow. If it feels warm or hot, it is too hot; it should be just about neutral. Splashing water over your baby's skin will cool it down, so don't leave your baby in the water for too long. Remember never to leave your baby alone in water, they can easily slip or slide under.
	If you are bottle feeding make sure the temperature of the milk is correct. If it feels hot on your skin, it will burn the baby's mouth.

Crying

Crying babies can sap your energy levels. If the crying is unusual for your baby, or your baby is unwell in some other way, persistent crying may be sign of significant illness and if you are worried contact your doctor for advice. If you feel that the crying is due to their usual colic try the following:

	Feed
	Cuddle
	Rhythmic rocking
	Nappy change
	Bath
	Take out for a walk, or a drive in the car (baby seat of course)
	If all else fails......make him safe and leave for a few minutes.

Infantile colic usually settles after three months, so don't despair; if you are feeling stressed, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

Getting out

It is important for you to feel that you are able to leave the house when you need or want too. It can be very frustrating to be stuck at home. Have a bag with baby's nappies, some wipes, and a change of clothes ready in case you have to go out. Take the baby with you. Providing you are sensible about dressing them they will not suffer. Make sure you and your partner get to go out together. It is important that you look after your relationship as well as the baby. Pull in grandparents for baby-sitting duties; they are experienced and usually more than happy to help. If you know other new mums well, you may be able to share baby-sitting with them so that you both benefit. Book a holiday, this will give you and your partner some more time together. If you are going abroad, you may want to wait until your baby has had their initial vaccination course which protects against polio. Similarly, if you would like to take your baby swimming, you might be happier to wait until 4 months when they have completed the initial vaccination course.

Make the most of good advice

	Ask the midwife
	See the health visitor
	Talk to other mums
	Join a National Childbirth Trust group
	Ask the doctor
	Ask Mum

Cot Death—reducing the risks

Put your baby to sleep on his/her back
Don’t smoke
Don’t overheat your baby

Your six week post natal check and baby's vaccinations

This is an opportunity to express anxieties about your baby and yourself to your GP. By this time your bleeding should have stopped, you should feel much more comfortable below. Your doctor will want to make sure that you have thought about contraception (and are using it if necessary!). It may be that you will have started having sex again by now, so bear in mind that your fertility can come back very quickly and that you can get pregnant again without seeing a period in between! Make sure you are using contraception if you are having sex and you wish to spread your family out. Your doctor will offer you a pelvic examination to check that any tears or cuts have healed and to assess the recovery of your pelvic floor muscles. To prevent problems with incontinence later on in life it is very worthwhile to do regular pelvic floor exercises to strengthen up the muscles that hold up your bladder and womb. If you have had problems with high blood pressure or anaemia during pregnancy your doctor will want to check these as well.

Looking after a baby is tiring and saps your energy, physical and mental. If you are feeling the stress or are feeling low and depressed make sure you discuss this with your doctor or Health Visitor. He/she can offer support or treatment if necessary so don't feel that you have to tackle this on your own.

Your doctor will remind you to bring your baby for their eight week check and initial vaccinations at the baby clinic. Discuss the upcoming vaccinations if you are worried.

Schedule of childhood vaccinations

Books to read