The first few weeks
Your newborn baby has spent months snuggled up inside the relative peace and quiet of your womb. So it’s no surprise that most of their first week is spent getting used to the amazing new wide world around them!
Feeding your baby
Breast milk is best for babies. Professional advice should be followed before using an infant formula. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breastfeeding. Good maternal nutrition is important for breastfeeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed may be difficult. Infant formula should be used as directed. Proper use of infant formula is important to the health of the infant. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of feeding.
Your newborn baby will be getting all of their nutritional needs met from milk whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Natural Reflex Actions
Your baby is born with natural reflex actions which they’ll rely on until their eyesight improves and muscles strengthen. They will tightly grasp anything you place in their hand, instinctively turn towards anything that brushes their cheek, and suck on any soft object placed in their mouth. These primitive reflexes will diminish over the next few months being replaced by mature voluntary responses as they develop their senses and muscle groups.
Communicating
It won’t come as a surprise to hear that your baby’s main means of communication is crying! By responding quickly, you let them know they’re being listened to which gives them a sense of safety and security. You’ll find that you’ll soon learn to work out why your baby is crying.
Your newborn’s tummy is the size of an eggcup. It’s not surprising then that they need to feed little and often.
Eyesight
During the first few days your baby’s eyes are often closed for long periods. Your newborn’s eyesight is quite blurry. They can only focus on objects 20-25 centimetres away – roughly where your face is when you’re feeding or holding them close. It’ll take between four and six months before your baby’s eyesight is fully developed with depth of field and colour vision. Most Caucasian babies are born with blue eyes and babies of African, Asian, Maori or Polynesian ethnicity have brown eyes. By six months old the eye colour will be permanent.
Massaging your newborn baby
Massage is a great way to help your newborn baby relax and develop a deep emotional bond between you – most babies love to be caressed!
Don’t worry about whether there’s a ‘right way’. Trust your instincts. Start by applying a little gentle pressure – your baby will let you know if they’re uncomfortable. They’ll often fall asleep during or straight after the massage, so it’s perfect before a nap or just after their bath.
Remember, there’s a chance that your baby may ingest some of the oil, so only use pure organic oils like sunflower or virgin olive oil. They’re safe, gentle on your baby’s skin and most importantly, they’re edible.