Tips about Confinement and Handling Newborn Baby

Congratulations for your newborn!

The bond between a mother and child is one of the strongest in existence. It is a kind of love that is never understood until it happens to you. This is one of the most profound moments in your life, and it will change it for the better. If you are a new mom, then your whole world will revolve around your baby from the day they are born. You might never stop worrying about them, but it is a price you are willing to pay in order to be a mother to the wonderful people you helped create.

Tips to share:

• Confinement is important! Confinement myths and facts.

  1. Myth: Do not drink plain water: Drinking plain water causes water retention or will cool down the body too much. But the truth is there is actually no harm in drinking plain water. In fact, because new mothers tend to sweat heavily because of hormonal changes, they have all the more reason to drink water and keep hydrated. However, new mothers should be encouraged to drink warm water & red dates tea instead of cold water.
  2. Myth: Do not shower or wash one’s hair: Contact with water is thought to cause “wind” to enter the body and lead to headaches and rheumatism later in life.
     But the truth is it is perfectly fine to continue one’s bathing habits. Besides maintaining personal comfort, regular bathing helps prevent skin and wound infections. However, the mother should not bathe with cold water. She should also dry her body immediately after bathing to prevent exposure to cold air.
  3. Myth: Wear warm clothing and do not use fans and air-conditioning: As with bathing, any exposure to cool air is said to cause “wind” to enter the body and lead to health problems later in life. Actually the key here is moderation. The new mother should do what makes her comfortable. In a hot and humid climate, fans and air conditioners may even be essential for preventing heat rash. However, the new mother should not let the fan or air-conditioner blow directly on her.

• Handling a Newborn

  1. Wash your hands (or use a hand sanitizer) before handling your baby. Newborns don’t have a strong immune system yet, so they are susceptible to infection. Make sure that everyone who handles your baby has clean hands.
  2. Be careful to support your baby’s head and neck. Cradle the head when carrying your baby and support the head when carrying the baby upright or when you lay your baby down.
  3. Be careful not to shake your newborn, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking that is vigorous can cause bleeding in the brain and even death. If you need to wake your infant, don’t do it by shaking — instead, tickle your baby’s feet or blow gently on a cheek.
  4. Make sure your baby is securely fastened into the carrier, stroller, or car seat. Limit any activity that could be too rough or bouncy.
  5. Remember that your newborn is not ready for rough play, such as being jiggled on the knee or thrown in the air.

We hope you have enjoyed this piece – Just want to add that with newborns, we always have to be prepared and that includes finances as well. Make sure you have cover when things don’t go your way.

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