Parenting Tips For The 1st Year: Check These Basics!

New parents often have a hard time understanding babies, especially in the first time. Wondering if your baby is getting enough breast milk? Why is the baby so irritated all the time? What more can be done to make the infant more comfortable? Well, most parents have these questions in mind, and in this post, we will talk about a few facts that new moms and dads need to know.

• Worrying won’t help. New parents often tend to panic about everything that’s not normal with the baby. You have to understand that no two babies are the same, so what’s absolutely okay about one child might be the thing for other.

• Breastfeeding may require help. For optimal baby development, breast milk is of prime importance. Unfortunately, breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally to all moms, and you may need a bit of help with that. There are various guides on how to latch the baby to the nipple, and if categorically required, talk to your doctor.
• Babies can cry all time. Parents often believe that crying is a symptom of some problem that must be fixed immediately, which isn’t true. Babies can cry for various reasons, and it is often hard to guess why. However, if the baby is crying for more than an hour, has symptoms like swollen belly or fever, call the pediatrician immediately.

• Cleanliness is paramount. Yes, you read that right. You have to ensure cleanliness and hygiene around the baby. Make sure that the room is clean, the toys are sterilized, and anyone who touches the baby in the first six months has washed his hand.

• Check for subtle signs. There are many signs that your baby is hungry. Some infants tend to cry, others can put fingers in the mouth or make weird sounds – signs can vary. Feed your baby when she/he is hungry. Also, if your baby sleeps through the night, there is no reason to wake him up in between to feed.

By the way, babies can burp, which is completely normal. Also, infants sleep a lot, often more than 12 hours a day, so don’t be bothered by it. Patience is the key in the first year of parenting. You may need to deal with many things at the same time, so try and share the load with your partner. New mothers need adequate sleep too, so let parenting be an easy job.