Baby Care

Baby care can be tiring and time-consuming but ultimately very rewarding. Caring for a small baby basically involves looking after their every need to keep them healthy and safe until they start to learn the skills to look after themselves. Good baby care here can build the foundations to help them meet their developmental milestones.

Babies need to be fed on a regular basis. Bear in mind that some babies are 'on the dot' regular feeders whilst others will only feed when they feel like it. Breast feeding is often considered to be the best option here however sometimes bottle feeding will suit some mothers (or their babies) better.

Once you've fed your baby you'll generally need to find that they need changing! You should make sure to change nappies regularly as, if you don't, your child will be uncomfortable and may suffer from nappy rash.

Babies will also sleep for a lot of their early lives but, as they get older, they will gradually need less sleep and fewer naps. It is important to try and get your baby into good night-time sleeping habits as this will make them (and you!) happier during the day. Establishing a regular evening routine of bath, stories/singing and a feed may help relax your baby if they have problems settling and they soon learn what to expect.

Safety is also an issue - with sleeping arrangements and in general around the house. It's wise, for example, to start child-proofing your home as soon as you can even if your baby is not yet mobile. You may not get a lot of time to prepare once they start crawling!

In sleeping terms it is important to regulate the temperature of your baby's bedding and the room in which they sleep to make sure that they aren't too cold or too hot. It isn't generally advised to give babies pillows and you should follow medical recommendations in terms of how your baby sleeps (i.e. on the back or front).

It is also important to follow safety rules when you bathe your baby. The bath does not need to be anything other than warm so make sure to check the temperature. Don't ever leave a young baby alone in the bath - no matter how little water is in it - as they could drown. So, make sure to support them well - they'll also feel more secure this way. It's also wise to use special baby wash/shampoo as this won't be too harsh on their skin.

Finally, it's important to make sure that your baby stays healthy - don't worry about going to the doctor if you have worries or think that your child is ill. It's better to be safe than sorry here. Your surgery will probably have some kind of health visitor service where you can have your baby weighed, get advice and talk to health visitors - use this service as it is an easy way of making sure that all is OK with your baby.