Caring for Infants (0-1 yrs): Treatment, Procedure, Cost And Side Effects

For a newborn baby, the initial one year is very crucial for his or her physical and mental development. This is the period you have take a special care of the baby in terms of the diet, hygiene, physical growth, etc. There are a few tips to take a special care of a newborn baby especially until he or she turns 1:

Breast milk is the only food for first six month of life as it serves all the needs of baby during this period. Although, between 6 and 12 months of age, breast milk should still be an important source of nutrition but with other solid food, the baby will learn about new tastes and textures.

1. Baby should be fed slowly & patiently and should be encouraged to try new tastes but without force.
2. Regular massage with oil suggested by your doctor is a vital activity for the baby for his or her physical growth and especially strengthening of bone.
3. Never shake your baby as it may be harmful for his weak neck muscles that are not yet able to support his head.
4. Always make the baby to sleep on his back to prevent sudden infant death syndrome
5. Do not allow anyone to smoke near your baby
6. Talk to your baby and answer when your baby makes sounds by repeating the sounds and adding words so as to help him learn the language and recognise your voice and sounds.
7. Music will really help in the brain development of your baby so, sing to your baby and play music.
8. Play with your baby when he is alert and especially after feeding.
9. Last but not least, take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally as baby's health, very importantly, depends upon mom's health.

Your baby's nutritional health depends upon how you feed him. Doctors suggest that breast milk is the only food and perfect food for a baby's digestive system for first six month of life as it serves all the needs of baby during this period. Breast milk has all the nutrients that a newborn needs. All the components that it contains such as lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat are easily digested.

Breast milk also helps protect babies from various infectious illnesses, including diarrhea and respiratory infections and decreases the chances that a child will become overweight or obese.

During the first weeks of life, your newborn baby will need to be fed about 8 to 12 times per day. Though, in beginning, breastfeeding can be up to 10–15 minutes on each breast by mother afterwards the timing can be adjusted as necessary.

Another important thing is Breastfeeding should be according to the demand or to be specific, when your baby is hungry, which is generally every 1–3 hours. It’s up to mother that she recognises with baby's activities and timing, when he is hungary. A baby may give some signs whenever he is hungary, such as:

1. Crying
2. Opening his mouth
3. Sticking out his tongue
4. Moving his head from side to side
5. Placing his hands and fists to the the mouth

Baby massage is a gentle process of expressing your love and special care for your baby.

Massage is a process of giving rhythmic stroking to your baby's body with hands.

Massage helps in soothing the baby and help him to sleep. While giving a massage to your baby, you can use oils or a moisturizer (after consulting your doctor) which will help you gently manipulate your baby's ankles, wrists and fingers. Massage helps your baby to develop mentally, socially and physically. Apart from helping your baby to sleep better, massage also make him more relaxed and not get upset and cry.