Baby Tracker 1

FEEDING YOUR BABY

• Baby at this stage is susceptible to infections as the body defense mechanism is still building up therefore it is advisable that for the first 6 months, baby should be fed only with breast milk. (For more information on breast feeding, please refer to our Breastfeeding guide)
• No pre lacteal/para-lacteal feeds, no water for initial 6 months. Avoid bottle and pacifiers.
• Feed only when baby shows some signs that he/she is hungry like:
  -  Putting hand or fingers in the mouth.
  -  Sucking, rooting and fussing.
• Stop feeding when the baby's tummy is full. The signs which your baby shows are:
  -  Turning away.
  -  Keeping mouth away from nipple
• Baby loses weight in the first few days of life, don’t worry. By 10th day of life, baby’s weight must be nearly same as birth weight. If it is very less than that, baby may not be getting enough milk. It’s an emergency, you must meet your doctor immediately.
• Sunlight is a good source of Vitamin D which helps in building immune system. Hence, exposure to sunlight early in the morning for a good amount of time is recommended. 

YOUR BABY AND FAMILY

• Avoid going out of house except when you need to visit a doctor, specially avoid crowded places.
• Always wash your hands at regular intervals especially before touching the baby so that he/she does not catch any infection. This care should be taken by all – siblings/relatives.
• Always have a handy list of emergency phone numbers with you.

BABY MOTHER BONDING

• Baby should recognize your touch, so try to comfort your baby by gently touching their head with your hands and frequently cuddle the baby.
• Set a time table for devoting your maximum time to the baby, where you practice routine activities like bathing, feeding, sleeping and playing. Make a routine of giving the baby a daily oil massage for 5-10 minutes.
• If you sing your baby to sleep, it would help in strengthening the bond.
• To make the baby awake for feeding you can tap, rock, undress, or change the diaper.
• Let your baby sleep in your room but in a crib or cradle and not on the bed.
• Buy a baby crib which does not have a drop-side rail and its slats should be less than 2.5 inches apart. Carefully follow the instructions given by the manufacturer before using the crib. Replace the crib immediately if is unstable, has any cracks/damages/ missing parts.
• Keep only those objects in the crib which do not cause any injury to the baby like comforters & pillows. Bumper pads and toys should be kept out of the crib as they can hurt the baby.
• Baby follows a circular routine of feeding, passing stools and urine and sleeping for first few months of life.
• Most babies sleep during the day and are awake at night. Parents must be mentally prepared for this routine. Mothers should rest when the baby sleeps otherwise she will soon get exhausted. By three months, baby begins to be awake at daytime.

SAFETY MEASURES

• New born baby should be properly covered to prevent heat loss.
• Your baby must be seated in a car safety seat while travelling. ( the car safety seat should be preferably installed at the centre of a rear seat, facing backwards)
• Never place a rear-facing car seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an active air bag. If the air bag inflates, it can push against the car seat and cause a head injury to the baby.
• Always keep your home, car and surroundings smoke free as it causes suffocation to the baby.
  Keep your baby away from hot objects, therefore never have hot food / drinks near your baby or while holding your baby.
• In order to avoid accidents like burns/ scalding / drowning while bathing :
  -  Always set your water heater at a temperature lower than 120 deg F i.e. 49 deg C approximately.
  -  Always open cold water tap first for filling the bath tub. Once the required level is reached close the hot water tap first followed by the cold one.
  -  Before giving bath to the baby check the temperature of the water by inserting your own elbow / wrist first. Ideal bath water temperature for infants is approximately 90-100 degree F i.e. 32-38 degree C.
  -  Fill the baby bath tub / basin with not more than 5 inches of water and gently place your baby in a propped up position, supporting the baby's head. The water level should not rise above the baby's waist.( a child can drown in as little as one inch of water and it takes only 3 minutes or less for a baby to drown