Caring for your newborn baby

Congratulations! Your labor and delivery are over and now you have a wonderful little bundle of joy to show for it.

In many ways being a mother will come naturally to you but sometimes you may need a little help… Never be afraid to ask for help or advice when you are not sure. Remember that every mother had to learn the things that come so easily to them now!
What to expect after you give birth to your baby

Seeing your newborn baby for the first time is an experience few parents will ever forget. This is your very own precious child and it is going to be your privilege and responsibility to protect and steer this little life in the coming years.

You may feel a variety of emotions towards your new baby. Apart from love, affection and the desire to protect this tiny person, you may also experience anxiety, dissociation, fear and the feeling of being completely overwhelmed. All of this is normal and you will find the first few days of your baby’s life will allow you time to adjust to him/her and the idea of being a new parent.

Remember that you are also recovering physically from pregnancy and childbirth.

What will my baby look like?

Although you might have always thought babies all look more or less the same- this idea will be challenged when you take a first good look at your child. Babies can be as varied in their appearance as adults are. Your child will probably look particularly beautiful to you- not just like any other baby!

Certain features are common to most newborns. After birth your baby may be covered in vernix which is a thin, cheese-like coating that was protecting the skin while your baby was in the uterus. Your baby’s hair will be wet and matted and his head may be quite misshapen- like a cone - due to the pressure of coming through the birth canal. This is quite normal and baby’s skulls are specially designed to cope with being squeezed through the birth canal!

Depending on the difficulty of the individual birth experience, your baby may even look quite battered and swollen. Once again, this is nothing to be concerned about and is quite common. However, please discuss any concerns with your doctor or midwife, especially if you have had a particularly difficult labor or forceps delivery.

During the first few weeks, many babies develop pimples on their faces and even on their bodies. In most cases, this is just a normal function of the skin in its attempt to adjust to the impurities of life outside the womb. Sometimes babies even develop a form of ‘acne‘ which is linked to hormones in the blood stream from prior to the birth. Baby acne may even be caused by certain medications used by the mother. In most cases, however, your baby’s skin will settle after a few weeks.

Some babies will be completely bald while others will have lots of hair - even on the body! Premature babies are often covered in a downy hair called lunago, which helps to protect them in the womb. This hair will gradually fall out.

You may immediately notice some familial, physical traits but if not don’t worry- these will show themselves in good time and everyone will be remarking how much he/she looks like you, or his/her father or even great-uncle Albert!

Just enjoy the first precious moments of your baby’s life and know that, to you, he/she is the most beautiful baby in the world!

How will I feel when I first see my baby?

Remember that every person is an individual and will therefore have a different response to seeing their baby for the first time. You may, like in the movies, experience an overwhelming rush of emotion and elation and immediately fall in love with your new child. However, not every parent feels this. Some parents take longer to feel an emotional response to their new babies. Spend time holding your baby, feeding her, talking to her and looking into her eyes and the two of you will soon begin to bond!

The first few days

Immediately after birth, most babies are assessed by means of an Apgar Score - which evaluates them on five important functions - breathing, heart rate, color, muscle tone and reflexes. This is done at birth and again after about 5 minutes. A normal score is usually between 7 and 10.

Your baby will pass her first urine within 24 hours, although many do so immediately after birth. The first bowel movement consists of meconium - a sticky greenish black substance - and also usually takes place in the first 24 hours.

The first week of your baby’s life will be challenging for you and your baby. This is a time of firsts: first glimpse of the outside world, first breath, first kick, first cuddle, first feed, first diaper change and first bath. No wonder you are both exhausted!

You will get to know your own baby more and more in the coming weeks. Although all have the same basic needs of feeding, changing, cleaning, sleeping, love and affection, every newborn is different and has a unique personality! Some babies will need more attention than others; certain babies will thrive on lots of affection while others will seem content as long as they are well-fed!

Through holding, feeding, talking to and caring for your baby you will gradually form the deep bond of a parent and child.

Daily routines

Even though the first few days will seem like utter chaos, take heart. You will find that you, your partner and your new baby will get into a routine of feeding, changing, bathing, playing, cuddling and sleeping fairly soon.

Each activity may bring its own difficulties and these may be different from day to day. The important thing is to ask for help when you need it, let go of perfectionist and house-proud tendencies and just focus on the challenge and joy that your newborn brings you each day!

How can Natural Eco help your newborn?

NaturalEco also has a range of products especially formulated to help with any little hiccups you experience along the way. All of these natural remedies are not only effective, but also completely safe for your precious, little one.

The following natural products from Natural Eco have been formulated for the newborn baby in the first few weeks of life.

NaturalEco WelcomeBaby Essence contains natural flower essences for imparting a sense of security, inner peace, wonder and a feeling of belonging in the physical world.

NaturalEco Infant Massage Oil is formulated as a safe and natural aid to therapeutic and calming massage of your newborn.

NaturalEco Blissful Baby Massage Oil is designed for babies over 12 weeks of age and contains aromatherapeutic ingredients known for their relaxing and soothing properties.

NaturalEco Diaper Distress Cream contains specially chosen herbal ingredients to treat and prevent diaper rash.

NaturalEco Cradle-Cap Salve is a healing and soothing ointment designed with natural ingredients for the treatment and prevention of cradle-cap in infants.

NaturalEco OralSoothe contains natural and effective ingredients to quickly relieve the pain of teething.

NaturalEco Rocking Chair CD is composed for birthing relaxation and for encouraging peace and relaxation in both mother and baby. If you have been playing this CD during your pregnancy, both you and your baby will associate it with relaxation. Being familiar, it will also help your baby to make the transition from the womb to the outside world.

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