Newborn and Infant Care: Tips for New Parents

Bringing home a newborn is a time filled with joy, love, and (let’s be honest) lots of questions and worries. How in the world do you soothe a crying baby? What’s the best way to establish a sleep routine? WILL they ever sleep? How often should you feed your newborn? When should you call the pediatrician? If you’re a new parent looking for trusted advice, you have come to the right place.

Kansas City Newborn Care offers overnight and daytime support to new families in the Kansas City area. We want to ensure that your postpartum experience is supported with the education that your family desires as you learn and grow as a new family.

Essential Tips for New Parents

Feeding Your Newborn, Breastfeeding and Formula Tips

Breastfeeding Basics

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), breast milk is the best source of nutrition for newborns. It contains essential nutrients, antibodies and enzymes that promote healthy growth.

• Feed on demand, typically every 2–3 hours.
• Ensure a proper latch to avoid soreness and ensure efficient feeding. Refer to this checklist from AAP regarding signs of correct and incorrect nursing. 
• Stay hydrated to support milk production.
• Get in touch with trusted professionals if any problems arise. Reference this post for important information and referrals for people who can help navigate breastfeeding issues for mom and baby.  

Formula Feeding Tips

If breastfeeding isn’t working, or it poses too much stress for mom or baby, formula is also a perfectly acceptable way to nourish your little one. The FDA has strict regulations on baby formula to ensure it nourishes safely while providing important nutrients for development. 

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and serving.
• You will either choose a non-concentrated, ready-to-feed formula that requires no mixing, or a concentrated powder or liquid that will need water added. 
• Never dilute formula. Use as package indicates.
• Test warmed bottle water by shaking a few drops on the inside of your wrist.
• Hold your baby in an upright position while feeding.
• Never prop the bottle, as it can lead to choking.
• Opt for a bottle with the following features: slow-flow nipple option, a design that helps mimic the breast, as well as phthalate and BPA-free nipples.

Experienced Parents’ Favorite Products for Feeding

Favorite Overall Bottle: Nuk Simply Natural Baby Bottles

Favorite Bottle for Infants Who Refuse Bottles: Lansinoh Feeding Bottles with Natural Wave Nipple

Favorite Bottle for Breastmilk: Comotomo Baby Bottles

Favorite Bottle for Babies Who Having a Hard Time Latching: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ Bottle

t’s always a great idea to buy a few different kinds of bottles at first, and use the one your baby likes the most after a few trials. 

Establishing a Safe Sleep Routine

While newborns sleep about 16 to 17 hours per day, they may only sleep one or two hours at a time. AAP recommends newborns sleep on their backs on a firm mattress with no loose blankets, pillows or stuffed animals. Here’s how you can help your baby sleep safely and soundly.

• Swaddle your baby to create a womb-like feeling.
• Use a white noise machine to mimic comforting sounds.
• Establish a bedtime routine to provide cues to the baby when it is time to rest. Administer a warm bath, feed, swaddle, turn lights down and sound machine on. Use the same routine every night. 

Experienced Parents’ Favorite Products for Swaddling

These products are recommended because they are safe (most important feature), durable, easy to wash, easy to use (essential for new parents) and are made with comfortable materials. 

Best Overall Pick: Halo SleepSack Swaddle Cotton

Best Variety Pack: Babylist Swaddle Box (Provides different options to see which your baby prefers over time)

For Babies Who Want to Be Swaddled with Arms Out: Love to Dream Swaddle Up Original 1.0

Most Snug Swaddle for Babies Who Wiggle Out of Others: Happiest Baby Sleepea

Soothing a Fussy Baby

Newborns cry for what seems like a million different reasons. It could be hunger, discomfort, needing mom, gas, the list goes on and on. Since they cannot tell us what they need, try these soothing techniques when you’ve tried to calm or rock with little to no success. 

• Use The 5 S’s Method (developed by Dr. Harvey Karp). Swaddling, Side or Stomach Position (only while awake) in your arms, Shushing, Swinging and Sucking (pacifier or nursing).
• If you suspect it is gas or stomach issues, hold baby in your arms and place their body on their left side to help digestion.
• Walk baby in a body carrier or rock them. Calming motions remind babies of movements they felt in the womb.
• Skin to skin contact can help regulate your baby’s body temperature and heart rate, calming their nervous system.
• Administer a warm bath.

It never hurts to keep a diary of when your baby is awake, asleep, eating and crying. If problems or concerns arise, talk with your child’s doctor about these behaviors to see if their crying is related to sleeping, eating or another unknown factor.

Diapering and Hygiene Tips

Expect to change eight to twelve diapers a day! Keep these diapering essentials in mind:

• Use fragrance free wipes and creams to prevent diaper rash.
• Keep the area clean and dry. 
• Let your baby’s skin air out for a few minutes between diaper changes.
• Always wipe from front to back to prevent infections, especially important for girls! 
• Contact your pediatrician if diaper rash is persistent, baby develops sores, bleeds or the rash spreads beyond the diaper area. 

Monitoring Baby’s Health and Development

Regular pediatric checkups are essential to monitor your baby’s growth and development. 

When to Call the Doctor: If your baby has a fever above 100.4°F, shows signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers) or has difficulty breathing an immediate call to the pediatrician is warranted. 

With all of this said, trust your instincts, lean on expert advice, and don’t hesitate to seek help from family, friends and pediatricians. Remember, every baby is unique and what works for one may not work for another. Enjoy the precious moments, and know that you are doing a great job!