Tips for caring for a newborn: 5 things not to do to a newborn

Your chest may be heaving with happiness at the thought of your newborn baby, but you’re sure to have a million doubts and questions about how to take care of your baby, especially if it’s your first time. But don’t worry! By being aware of some newborn care tips and some mistakes to avoid, you can be great at parenting!

A newborn she is a sensitive little thing who needs a lot of love and care and is solely dependent on her parents for this. The responsibility can be scary, but with the right guidance and knowledge, you’ll know what to do and what not to do.

Perfect Fit Mommies, an educational channel featuring postpartum experts, shared a reel on their Instagram page sharing 5 things you should not do with your newborn. Let’s see what they are.

What not to do with a newborn

1. Avoid feeding cow’s milk

A newborn baby should be fed alone mother’s breast milk at least 12 months. According to guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, feeding cow’s milk to a newborn can increase the risk of intestinal bleeding. In addition, cow’s milk has too much protein and minerals for the baby’s body to handle and lacks the right nutrients needed for baby’s development.

2. Do not bathe until the umbilical cord falls off

It can be difficult to learn how to bathe a newborn however, many doctors have clearly defined when to bathe. The baby should not be bathed for the first time until the umbilical cord falls off the navel and the area is completely healed, otherwise there is a risk of infection.

3. Do not give water before 6 months

According to the Unicef ​​guidelines for child development, the baby does not need water for the first 6 months, as it provides its nutritional needs for water only with breast milk. In addition, their digestive system is not strong enough to process that much liquid.

4. Do not give solid food before 6 months

Unicef ​​guidelines say that introducing food or liquids other than breast milk to your baby before he is 6 months old can increase the risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, which can make him thin and weak and even life-threatening. Your baby may also breastfeed less often, so your supply of milk, his most important food, may decrease. Breast milk is the safest and healthiest food in the first 6 months of life for all babies everywhere.

5. Do not stimulate their bowel movements

Do not insert anything into their anus to help them poop, even if they are constipated. Babies are often constipated, but doctors strongly advise against inserting anything into their anus to stimulate bowel movements, as this can harm them. Take them to a doctor or try other home remedies, such as bending your knees toward your chest.