Take note of 10 common mistakes when taking care of babies

Taking care of babies is not an easy time. There are many new things you do not know what to do. Take a look at the common mistakes mothers make and avoid them, so that taking care of their babies every day is always fun. 

Parenting is the toughest job you can do. To make the first few months of the journey as enjoyable as possible and limit bad habits, aFamilyToday Health will help you point out 10 common baby-taking mistakes that every parent should avoid. .

1. Follow everyone's advice

During the first few weeks of nursing or while still pregnant, you often ask about how to care for your baby from people who have gone through this stage. Do not have much experience, so whoever says, you will follow.

However, this is not recommended. You will not be creative in your parenting. Instead, listen to the advice of others, but be selective.

2. Breastfeeding too much or too little

Doctors recommend breastfeeding at least every 2 hours to meet the needs and establish better eating habits. Babies often do not feed themselves too much. When you are hungry, your baby will cry even while being breastfed.

However, ideally should still be breastfeeding within the right time frame. If you are not lactating and your baby must be formula fed, you should start with a small amount of about 20-30ml because the baby's stomach is quite small. Even if you breastfeed too much, it is not harmful, but it may cause the baby to vomit and cause discomfort. Every baby has different needs. Therefore, please be patient to find out what your baby really wants.

3. Do not pat the back of an infant

Clapping is essential when caring for a newborn. After your baby is full, place your baby on his shoulder for 15 - 20 minutes to avoid vomiting . If you have to lay your baby down, you should let your baby lie on the head slightly higher than the body.

4. Call your child up in the middle of the night every 2 hours

Newborn babies tend to sleep for quite a while, just like the time they spend in the womb. Breastfeeding every two hours during the day is a great habit, the more you feed during the day, the better your baby will sleep at night.

Therefore, you may not need to wake your baby every 2 hours at night to breastfeed. Let your baby sleep and you can find time to yourself. When your baby sleeps longer than 4 hours, you can check the diaper and breastfeed to avoid dehydration in your baby .

5. Exclusive breastfeeding even though there is not enough breast milk

For some mothers, it takes a few days after giving birth to milk, usually 3-5 days. Normally, when mothers go through a journey of labor, the body begins to release colostrum. This type of milk is very beneficial for the baby. The milk is then regenerated within a few days. About 7-10% of babies will lose weight and this is quite normal. The milk supply becomes more abundant when the baby is feeding properly and feeding a lot. Once the source of breast milk has stabilized, the baby begins to gain weight.

If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby but your baby is 10% less in weight than at birth and waste is too little for 24 - 48 hours then you need to pay attention. This may be because the baby is not getting enough milk. When taking care of a newborn, you should not let your baby become dehydrated. If your baby's urine is orange, you should take him or her to the doctor right away.

6. Formula milk is often not suitable for a baby's stomach

Some babies have quite sensitive stomachs. Your baby will not be able to digest the usual formula, leading to vomiting. If you are waiting for the milk to come in and be advised by your doctor, you can try the formula designed for sensitive stomachs.

7. Ignore signs of a food allergy for the first few weeks

You can eat whatever you want, but try to avoid foods that cause gas like broccoli, fatty meats for the first few weeks. Also, when eating foods containing eggs, peanut butter, milk and then breastfeeding, watch for signs of an allergy in your baby including:

Severe vomiting

Rash

Cough

Some types of food allergies are genetic and others develop in individuals. Therefore, you should still be careful to avoid negative effects on the health of your baby when taking care of babies.

8. Do not dry your child thoroughly

After you bathe your baby , dry your baby very carefully, paying special attention to parts such as creases in the neck, arms, legs, thighs, wrists, armpits ... Otherwise, the humidity will cause the areas are red and itchy. Experts also advise not to use infant lotion because the baby's skin is very perfect and does not need any additional support products unless the baby has a medical condition and asks for it. must use.

Also, use caution if using baby powder, as this product may not be safe for babies. To better understand this, please read the article  Should you use baby powder?

9. Incorrect umbilical care

Bathing babies daily can delay umbilical cord drying. Be wary of any signs of infection in the umbilical cord. Sometimes, the baby will bleed a little. This is normal and you don't have to worry about it. The umbilical cord will become dry and fall off after about 1-2 weeks. To know how to take care of your baby's umbilical cord, please refer to aFamilyToday Health's article Care for your baby 's cord.

10. Have your child lie on a hard surface

A newborn's head is usually very soft. If the baby is placed on a hard surface for many hours, the baby's head may appear flat spots. Over time this condition leads to  flat head syndrome .

Your baby's head shape will gradually shape over time. You need to pay attention to early detection of abnormalities. If you notice flat spots on your baby's head, take him to the doctor. In severe cases, the baby may need a combination of treatments.

Wanting the baby's head not to flatten, some people use pillows to prevent flattening. However, before using this pillow on your baby, you should consult your doctor. In addition to giving the child a fixed pillow, someone also gives the baby a pillow with a towel, but it is also necessary to turn the child's head frequently so that the child does not tilt his head to the side and distorted his head.