Baby Care Tips

Babies learn to understand and speak words through hearing. If your baby
has a hearing problem and it is not found, your baby will have a hard time
learning words and how to talk. When a hearing loss is found early,
treatment can begin right away to prevent long-term problems.
Hearing Test
As a part of your baby’s care, a hearing test will be done. The test
measures how your baby responds to sound. It takes about 10 minutes
and can be done while he or she is sleeping.
• A small microphone is placed near the baby’s ear that sends soft
clicking sounds into the ear.
• Small pads are put on your baby’s head. These measure how the
baby’s brain responds to the sounds.
The Results
The results of the hearing test will be given to you and to your baby’s
doctor. If your baby does have a hearing loss, you will get more
information about treatment and resources and more tests will be done.
If you have any questions about having your baby’s hearing tested, talk to
your baby’s doctor or nurse.

The following are things you can do to get ready 6-8 weeks before your
baby is due.
• Choose a baby doctor called a pediatrician or a family doctor for your
baby.
• Take a hospital tour. This helps you know where you will deliver your
baby and gives you the chance to learn about the hospital’s routines and
policies.
• Fill out hospital forms and send them to the hospital. This will shorten
the admission process when you are in labor.
• Put the car seat in your car. Have it checked by a trained person. You
cannot take your baby home from the hospital without a car seat. If you
have limited income, check with your doctor or clinic to see if they have
free or lower cost car seats available.
• Make plans for someone to care for your other children while you are in
the hospital.
• Plan for help with housework and meals for a couple of weeks after your
baby is born.
• Get the baby room, crib and other items ready for use. Prepare a place to
care for your baby such as diaper changing spot on each floor of your
home. Some parents put baby care items in a basket that can be carried
from room to room.

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• Plan childcare arrangements. Many day cares have long waiting lists.
• Pack your bag for the hospital.
• Think about taking childbirth education, breastfeeding and baby care
classes to prepare you to care for your baby.
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
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This hold is also hard at first unless you have help.
1. Make yourself comfortable by
lying on the same side as the breast
from which you will feed.
2. Use pillows for support.
3. Place your baby on his side facing
your breast.
4. Cradle your baby with the base of
his head in the bend of your arm.
Latching On
When your baby is positioned and your breast is supported, you are
ready for your baby to latch onto your nipple.
• Place your hand under your breast behind the dark area around the
nipple called the areola. Gently lift the breast. Guide your nipple
toward your baby’s mouth.
• Tickle your baby’s lips with your nipple. Gently squeeze out some
milk. Your baby should open his or her mouth wide. Aim the nipple
up and back, deep into your baby’s mouth.
• When your baby opens her mouth wide like a yawn, pull your baby
closer. This allows you to help your baby get as much of the areola
inside your baby’s mouth.

1. Place your baby on a pillow across your
lap so he or she faces you at breast level.
2. Support your breast with the hand on that
side with your fingers and thumb below to
form a “U” shape.
3. Place your baby’s legs under the arm
opposite the breast from which he will be
feeding.
4. Support your baby’s head and back with
your arm and hand your baby’s legs are
under.
• Cradle Hold
Many mothers find this hold hard at first. It gets
easier as your baby gets a little bigger and more
skillful at nursing.
1. Place your baby on her side with baby’s
tummy facing you, using pillows so she is at
breast level.
2. Rest your baby’s head on your forearm.
3. Support your baby’s back and hold her
bottom with your hand.

There are several positions you can use to breastfeed your baby. Make
sure you have your baby at breast height so that you are not leaning over
your baby. Always bring your baby to your breast instead of trying to
put your breast into your baby’s mouth.
Football and cross cradle holds will provide the best head control for the
newborn.
• Football or Under the Arm Hold
1. Place your baby on a pillow at your side.
2. Support your breast with 4 fingers below
and your thumb above, forming a “C”.
Make sure your fingers are behind the
areola, the dark area around your nipple.
3. Hold your baby tucked under your arm.
Place the palm of your hand on your baby’s
upper back, between the shoulder blades.
Control your baby’s head at the neck, below
the ears.
4. Lift your baby up to your breast.
5. Tickle your baby’s lips with your nipple and
wait until your baby’s mouth opens wide.
6. Bring your baby onto your breast.

Breastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. It is all your baby needs for
the first 6 months of life. It can take time to learn how to breastfeed. Be
patient. You and your baby are both learning something new.
The first milk your body makes is called colostrum. It is often a thick,
creamy yellow. Colostrum is rich in nutrients and antibodies that protect
your baby from infections and diseases. Breastmilk changes as your
baby grows. It becomes a thin, white liquid that sometimes may even
look bluish.
Babies do not need any extra water. Your milk is all they need. Avoid
giving your baby bottles, pacifiers or using nipple shields in the first few
weeks of life unless directed to do so by a doctor. The more often you
breastfeed, the more milk you make. It is normal for babies to breastfeed
every 1 to 3 hours in the beginning.
Getting Ready to Breastfeed
Wash your hands and make yourself comfortable. Use pillows to help
you hold and support your baby. Some mothers massage their breasts
gently before breastfeeding.

Colic is commonly found in infants less than three months old. Babies, who have this disease cries frequently without any reason.

Convulsions are commonly found in babies. Babies, who have convulsions, do not cry. Babies with convulsions may experience jerk and they blink their eyes. If baby is trembling, consult the health care providers as soon as possible. About 4% of babies are affected by convulsions.