A newborn is like a blank sheet of paper, with basic needs for eating, sucking, sleeping, urinating, and defecating. They don’t have a need for rocking, lullabies, or being carried around. These are habits that adults often interpret and create for the child.
Newborns go through a “honeymoon phase” (2-4 weeks). As the name suggests, during this period, babies mainly eat and sleep, with hardly any awake time, making mothers think they are very well-behaved until the honeymoon ends. Many babies will end this phase around the 3rd or 4th week, with night and day confusion (sleeping heavily during the day and waking every 15-20 minutes at night), followed by the “wonder week” (a phase of developmental and skill improvement) at the 5th week, often thought of as a fussy phase by grandparents.
Newborns are entirely capable of self-soothing to sleep without needing to be rocked for hours. Parents only need to choose the right approach that suits their child.
Babies over 6 kg can accumulate enough energy to sleep through the night without needing to eat. Long nighttime sleep is crucial for brain development and height growth, as eating alone is not enough. A newborn’s need for nighttime sleep is around 11-12 hours.
Newborns have various types of cries: hunger cries, needing comfort, being too hot or cold, tiredness, and dirty diaper cries, among others. Each cry has a different tone and intensity, so not every cry means hunger or the need to feed, as traditional beliefs suggest. With a steady routine, distinguishing between cries becomes easier.
When a baby needs soothing, sucking is enough; there’s no need to feed. This is why pacifiers exist. Babies always have a natural pacifier, their thumb, so never discourage thumb-sucking; just keep their hands clean.
Elders discourage upright carrying, fearing it might strain the baby’s back, yet they often insist on rocking them in cradles. However, these methods, including cradle wraps, can harm a baby’s spine over time.
Slouching
Leading to poor posture and uneven gait in adulthood.
– What a baby truly needs is a stable bed and a firm enough mattress to sleep on.
– Babies under 4 months only need breast milk or formula.
– Newborns have the moro reflex and lack control over their limbs, which can cause startling and unintentional hand movements, sometimes resulting in crying. Using a small body pillow can help them feel secure and reduce startling during sleep. The moro reflex gradually disappears by 3-4 months, making this an ideal time to phase out support tools like swaddles, pacifiers, and white noise. Some babies may wean earlier, while others may need more time.
– A newborn’s sleep cycle is shorter than an adult’s, with babies spending more time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which is essential for brain development. A full sleep cycle lasts about 50 minutes and includes light sleep phases, where babies often move and show facial expressions as they “dream.” If not disturbed, they will naturally fall back to sleep. This is why “waiting” before picking them up is recommended.
– Light sleep often resembles wakefulness: babies show facial and body movements as their brain develops, and neural connections are forming. This stage, though, should be respected without intervention.
– Babies go through phases of growth, development, and skill refinement, called “wonder weeks” (WW). After each WW, babies learn something new, though it may be accompanied by fussiness, moodiness, and sleep difficulties. Patience is key during these times, without force-feeding or pressuring the baby to eat.
– Hair growth is genetically determined, so cutting a baby’s hair won’t necessarily make it thicker. The appearance of evenness in new hair growth might make it seem thicker, which is a common misconception.
“Every child falls sick a few times.” What matters is how caregivers handle and prevent illness.
– A newborn’s body temperature fluctuates between 36-37°C. Keep two thermometers ready to monitor the baby’s temperature.
Check out thermometer options for babies here:
– 37.5°C is mild fever. If it reaches 38°C, prompt action to reduce the fever per prior guidance from a doctor is needed.
– Newborn illnesses progress quickly, so careful attention is crucial to avoid severe complications or impacts on the brain.
– Therefore: In addition to prior knowledge, parents should keep the contact numbers of two pediatricians for emergency guidance.
– The ideal room temperature for an air-conditioned room for a good night’s sleep is 24-25°C. Note that room temperature is not necessarily what the AC displays.
– A baby’s illness is caused by viruses and bacteria, not the air conditioner. If the AC is blamed, it’s often due to improper maintenance by adults.
– Babies and even adults can sleep better or feel calmer with white noise. Each child has preferences; some prefer rain sounds, TV static, waves, water, the sound of a hairdryer, or a heartbeat. For rooms with fans, ensure the environment is ventilated, clean, and quiet.
– After feeding, a baby needs to be burped properly. Gas buildup is a primary cause of fussiness during feeding. Some babies need burping even mid-meal, not just after. If a baby starts fussing, stop feeding to burp, then continue.
– Nighttime wakefulness is often due to excess daytime sleep and insufficient awake time, not because they need to be kept up all day. As babies grow, their capacity for wakefulness increases, but it doesn’t mean they should stay awake excessively. Proper daytime rest in short naps helps babies sleep better at night. For an optimal routine, parents can explore the EASY method.
– Keeping a baby up late does not ensure they won’t wake up at night. If a baby’s natural bedtime is 7 PM, forcing them to stay awake until 9-10 PM only leads to overtiredness and sleep struggles.
– Babies do not need hats when temperatures are above 20°C as they regulate body heat through their head. Over-bundling can lead to excessive sweating, especially in hot weather.
– Hair loss around the back of the head, restlessness, and spitting up are all natural behaviors. Hair loss in specific areas is often due to prolonged head contact in one position. Alternating sides when breastfeeding helps. These behaviors aren’t related to calcium deficiency. Only vitamin D should be supplemented unless prescribed by a doctor.
– When breastfeeding, alternate sides to ensure balanced milk production.
– Avoid carrying babies under the arm for too long to promote proper leg and posture development.
– A special note for mothers with breast milk: Keep a healthy, balanced diet to ensure nutritional milk for the baby.
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