Young Mothers Must Watch! Taking Care of Newborn Babies!
16 Aug 2023 16:58 by Rizki Aprilia
Becoming a new parent is indeed a significant aspiration. It also presents a challenge. Why is that? Parents are obligated to provide proper care for newborns. This requirement applies not only to new parents but also to all mothers who have recently given birth.
However, there's no need to worry any longer. Umianita Risca Wulandari SST MPH, a lecturer in the D3 Midwifery program at IIK Bhakti's Faculty of Health, provides key points to consider when caring for a newborn baby. What are they? Here's a rundown:
1. Regular Breastfeeding
"It's important to know that babies should be breastfed as often as possible," says Umianita. Mothers should breastfeed their babies every 2 hours. A newborn baby's stomach capacity is about the size of a marble. It increases to about the size of a ping pong ball when the baby is one week old.
As a result, babies get hungry easily. Therefore, mothers should provide breast milk, the easiest food for a newborn to digest.
2. Maintaining Baby's Warmth
Parents must pay attention to the room temperature around the baby. It shouldn't be too cold or too hot. A room that's too cold can lead to serious issues, such as the baby becoming cold or experiencing hypothermia.
To prevent this, parents should dress the baby in long-sleeved clothing and consider using a baby swaddle. However, swaddling should be done carefully. "Don't swaddle too tightly, so the baby can breathe comfortably and reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome," she explains.
3. Normal Spit-Up
Spit-up refers to the release of fluid, milk, or recently ingested food. Mothers often panic upon seeing their babies spit up, especially if they're new mothers.
In reality, spitting up is normal for babies, especially those under 1 year old. This is because the valve between the baby's stomach and esophagus is not fully developed yet. This condition makes it easy for babies to spit up. Additionally, excessive spit-up can be triggered by overfeeding with breast milk, which the baby can't burp out.
Spit-up becomes abnormal if it occurs too frequently, more than 7 times a day. Moreover, if the baby is showing signs of dehydration, like avoiding nursing, urinating less, and not producing tears when crying, it's important to take the baby to a doctor.
4. Frequency of Bowel Movements
Babies will frequently have bowel movements (BM). They can have up to 6-8 BMs per day or even more. As long as there are no solids in the BM, no blood, and no signs of dehydration, parents don't need to worry. However, if any of these signs are present, it's best to consult a doctor.
5. Jaundice in Babies
It's normal for a baby's skin to turn yellow for the first 24 hours to 2 weeks after birth. "This is normal or physiological," explains Umianita. During this time, mothers should continue to breastfeed their babies frequently. Additionally, mothers are advised to expose their babies to sunlight for 15-30 minutes in the morning before 9 AM, with the baby lying on their stomach and eyes closed.
Parents need to be cautious if the baby's yellowing persists. The situation is more concerning if the baby becomes lethargic and unwilling to nurse. If these signs occur, don't delay in seeking medical attention, as persistent jaundice may indicate a pathological condition.
6. Caring for the Umbilical Cord Stump
Maintaining cleanliness around the umbilical cord stump is crucial. Mothers should change the gauze around the stump after bathing or whenever it becomes wet. "Just replace the dry gauze," she clarifies.
7. Routine Immunizations
An important aspect of caring for a newborn is ensuring routine immunizations at the nearest healthcare center. Mandatory immunizations help protect babies from several dangerous diseases.
Isn't it manageable to be a new mother? By following the points and tips outlined above, mothers can effectively care for their precious infants' well-being. Further details can be found on IIK Bhakta's official YouTube channel.
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