How-to Tips for First-Time Parents

You become a mother once you deliver a baby into this world, but motherhood is a constant learning process, too. While knowing how to, say, feed your new bundle of joy may be instinctive, it wouldn’t hurt to have an expert teach you the proper techniques. With the help of Florianne Valdes, M.D., pediatrician and director of the Center for Patient Partnership at The Medical City, we give you a step-by-step demo on the five most basic methods in handling a newborn.


How to Carry your Baby

While newborns are tricky to handle because of their fragile state, you can carry a baby safely and with confidence by following these simple steps:

1. Place a burp cloth, a cloth diaper, or a bib on your arm.

 

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2. Lift baby’s arm and gently place your hand under his neck to support his head. “This is very important because newborns don’t have head control yet,” emphasizes Dr. Valdes. Your wrist and arm should support his back once you lift him.

 

3. Slip your other hand under baby’s buttocks and very gently lift his buttocks, while still supporting the head and neck with the other hand. Talk to him as you slowly lift him so he won’t be startled.

 

4. Gently place your baby’s head and neck in the nook or cradle of your arm, with your arm still supporting his spine and your hand cupping his buttocks. You can also use your free arm to add support.
*When putting baby down, always support his head and back as well.

 

If baby is a few months old:
1. Place a cloth diaper on your shoulder.
2. Do steps 2 and 3.
3. Gently place baby over your shoulder, with his head resting on it. Recline your back a little to support baby’s weight. Remember: One hand should always support his head and neck, while the other hand should support his buttocks. Dr. Valdes notes that the baby should not be “sitting” down on your hand, as it can strain his spine.

 

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How to Burp your Baby
One way to burp a baby is to carry him over your shoulder. Gently pat his back until you hear a burping sound. This may be followed by a spit-up so be sure to have a burp cloth ready.

The other way to burp a baby is to turn him over on the bed or on your lap. Dr. Valdes notes that this is only a recommended position for burping and never for sleeping.

1. Lift the baby’s arm and turn his whole body over gently so that he’s lying on his tummy. Make sure you support his head and neck and that his other hand is free - not twisted or under his body.

 

2. Gently pat his back until you hear a burping sound.
3. Tuck the baby’s arm to his body as you gently turn him over to face up, while still supporting his head and neck.

Smart tip: Some babies may take a while to burp so patience is a must. If it’s taking too long for baby to burp, try another burping position. And never leave your baby face-down after burping him.

 

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How to Dress up Baby
Side-tie shirts are best for newborns as these don’t need to pass through the infant’s fragile head.

1. Lay down the side-tie shirt flat and open on the changing area.

 

2. Place baby down so that his back covers the back part of the shirt.

 

3. Slip each arm through the armholes and secure by tying the sides together.

 

Warning! Newborns are discouraged from wearing shirts with buttons for safety purposes. “The buttons may come off and the baby might swallow them,” warns Dr. Valdes. Regular baby shirts can be used after three months when he has gained head control.

 

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How to Give Baby a Bath
“Newborns can only have a full tub bath once the umbilical cord has fallen off, and it usually falls off on the 10th day,” says Dr. Valdes. Before that happens, give him only a sponge bath, carefully avoiding the navel area so it doesn’t get wet. If baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off, here’s how to bathe your baby:    

1. Make sure all paraphernalia are in place: a small amount of warm water, a tub, non-slip rubber mat under the tub, and on the tub floor, mild soap, cotton buds and cotton balls, a soft wash cloth, and towel for drying.
2. After taking your baby’s clothes off, place the base of your hand under his neck as your palm cups his head. Use your thumb and middle finger to close his ears to avoid getting water in them while you gently wash his hair.
3. Using your free hand, bathe the rest of his body with the help of a wash cloth and mild soap. Use water and cotton balls to gently wipe and clean your baby’s eyes, and cotton buds to clean (only) the outer part of his ears.
4. Make sure there’s a hooded towel within your reach to dry him off and keep him warm once you’re finished.

 

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How to Bottle-feed Baby

Baby should be at a 45-degree angle to the bottle to minimize air swallowing and choking. “And that bottle should only contain pumped breast milk,” stresses Dr. Valdes. Breastfeeding is best for babies, especially for the first six months of infancy. “And for the first three months of life, never ever bottle-feed your breast milk to a newborn lying down,” Dr. Valdes cautions.



Photography by Louie Aguinaldo