21 Key Baby Tips Every New Parent Should Know

Bringing your newborn home is daunting, but rest assured, you’ll adapt. Seek advice from fellow parents and online resources for help with caring for your little one—there’s a wealth of tips on soothing, sleeping, and more.

Improve sleep with a Velcro swaddle

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Velcro swaddles are fantastic for securely wrapping your baby in their crib. Customize by leaving their arms in or out based on their comfort. However, remember not to use them once your baby shows signs of rolling over.

And that’s just the start! Keep reading for more tips covering sleep promotion, administering medicine to babies, managing cradle cap, and more.

Buy a nursery projector

Getting a newborn to sleep can be challenging, especially as they adjust to the crib or bassinet. A nursery projector can offer a soothing focal point to help them relax and eventually doze off.

Put the new diaper under the old one

When you’re about to change a diaper, the contents can be unpredictable. Avoid the frustration of searching for a diaper while your baby squirms by placing a fresh one underneath them beforehand.

Embrace the one-size-up rule

Does your baby frequently wake up at night due to soaked diapers? Minimize nighttime leaks and unnecessary wake-ups by using diapers that are one size larger than what they typically wear.

Use those ugly onesies as backups

Received a onesie you’re not particularly fond of? Keep it in your diaper bag as a backup. It won’t go to waste, and you’ll have it handy in case of a diaper blowout emergency.

Don’t get peed on

Your adorable baby boy might surprise you with a few unexpected peeing incidents. Try placing a cold wipe on his belly before opening the diaper—it can prompt him to shiver and often encourage him to release his bladder into the diaper rather than on you.

Use open sleepers

Many sleepers are designed with open bottoms, resembling nightgowns. These are convenient for changing diapers at night without fully undressing the baby.

Avoid middle-of-the-night interaction

During daytime feedings, cuddling and cooing with your baby is natural and encouraged. However, during the night, it’s best to keep interactions with your baby business-like. Limit eye contact and engagement to avoid stimulating them and disrupting their sleep routine.

Keep the baby’s room cooler

Babies tend to sleep better in cooler environments, ideally between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the room comfortably cool and dress your baby in warm clothing rather than overdressing them. It’s important to note that overheating is associated with a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Do zips, not snaps

When choosing baby pajamas, prioritize footed ones that zip instead of snap. This saves you the frustration of fumbling with snaps in the dark, especially when your baby’s patience is running low.

Buy gender neutral

For future use or passing clothes down to friends, consider opting for gender-neutral clothing whenever possible. This extends the lifespan of the clothes and makes them easier to reuse across different children.

Wash socks in a mesh bag

Baby socks are adorable but can easily get lost in the laundry. Keep them together by washing and drying them in a mesh bag. This helps prevent them from getting separated and lost.

Use those onesie shoulder flaps

Many people are unaware of the purpose of the shoulder flaps on onesies. They allow you to pull baby clothes down over the body in the event of a diaper blowout, instead of having to pull them up over the head, making cleanup easier and less messy.

Pack an extra outfit…for yourself

Ask any parent, and they’ll likely recall a time when their baby had an unexpected accident in public, leaving them soaked without spare clothes. When packing an extra outfit for your baby in the diaper bag, don’t forget to include a spare outfit for yourself as well!

Use lotion during bath time for cradle cap

Cradle cap may not be harmful, but it can look unusual. To address it, apply lotion to your baby’s head during bath time to moisturize the skin. Afterward, gently dry with a towel, allowing the texture to help remove the dead skin.

Wait 20 minutes to cut their fingernails

If your baby becomes tense or flails while you’re attempting to cut their nails, wait until they’ve been asleep for about 20 minutes. This allows them to enter the deeper part of their sleep cycle, making it easier for you to trim their nails without any fuss.

Fight newborn congestion

Newborns often experience congestion, whether from mucus or remnants of amniotic fluid, in their sinuses. Ensure you have a nasal aspirator on hand to assist them in breathing more comfortably.

Put the medicine on a pacifier

Newborns typically cannot have most medications unless approved by a pediatrician. However, administering medication with a syringe or dropper can be challenging when they’re so small. Instead, try dipping a pacifier in the medicine or squirting it into the pacifier nipple and allow the baby to suck until it’s consumed.

Do bicycle legs

Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, it’s common for babies to experience digestive issues as their tummies adjust to food. To alleviate painful gas, try gently moving their legs in a bicycling motion. This technique can be a lifesaver in providing relief for your little one.

Nurse like this

Most often, mothers are shown holding their baby with the hand closest to their baby’s head while supporting their breast with the opposite arm. While this is acceptable, it’s typically recommended for older children. With newborns, it’s better to do the opposite. This allows the mother’s free hand to move the baby’s head, making it easier to switch sides and adjust the head during breastfeeding.

Help your baby take a pacifier

There’s nothing wrong with using pacifiers, and there’s no evidence to suggest that they cause feeding confusion. In fact, pacifiers have been associated with a reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To help your baby take a pacifier, gently tap the back of it or rub it along the roof of their mouth to encourage them to suck.

Article Sources:

Mommy Enlightened

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