Newborns 101

How to pick up and hold your newborn

It can be quite frightening when handling a newborn infant, due to how soft and floppy their neck is at the beginning. It’s important to remember when picking up and holding your baby to always support their head, especially around the fontanelles (the soft spots on top of their head).

How to pick up a newborn:

1. Slide one hand under their head, with your other hand under their bottom.
   
2. Bend your knees as you lower your arms to protect your back.
3. Scoop the baby up and bring them close to your chest, as you straighten your legs.

How to hold a newborn:

1. Ensure that the baby’s head is resting on your chest and slide your hand up from their bottom to their neck for additional support.
   
2. Move the baby to the crook of your arm and put your other hand under their bottom.
3. Your baby should now be in a cradle hold. This allows you to see your baby and talk to him or her as you please.

How to massage

Giving your baby a 10-30 minute baby massage is a great way to bond with, and soothe your child. The best time to give your baby a massage is after they have had a nap. To prevent an allergic reaction, you should test your massage oil or moisturiser on your baby prior to giving them the massage.

1. Ensure that the area you’re using is quiet, comfortable, safe and clean.
   
2. Make sure you and your baby are alert and relaxed.
3. Put a few drops of massage oil or unfragranced moisturiser into your hands and massage it gently into the soles of their feet slowly, from heel to toe.
4. Using more oil, do long smooth strokes up the length of the leg from ankle to thigh and over hip, avoiding the genitals. You can help to release any wind by holding your baby’s leg under the knee and gently pressing it towards their stomach.
5. Continue with gentle strokes on the shoulders, moving your hands towards the chest.
6. Move to the arms, stroking down from the shoulders to the wrists. Avoid getting oil on your baby’s hands as they are likely to ingest it.
7. Only massage your baby’s stomach if it is soft to the touch, and do so with circular, clockwise strokes. If baby’s cord hasn’t healed yet, or they become agitated, move onto the next step. Do not massage or put any pressure on the baby’s diaphragm.
8. Using your finger pads, stroke from the middle of baby’s forehead, down to the outside of their face and towards their cheeks. You can also massage the scalp in small circles.
9. If your baby is still relaxed and is enjoying the massage, you can turn them over onto their stomach and use long, smooth strokes from head to toe.

How to burp

Wind in newborns is very common, as they often swallow air when crying or feeding. Burping your baby will help with the removal of this wind and is a necessary conclusion to feeding.

1. Put a cloth over your shoulder, to prevent your clothes from being stained.
   
2. Put baby over your shoulder with your arm from that side of your body supporting their bottom.
3. Gently rub your baby’s back with your other hand and wait for the wind to pass.

How to trim baby nails

As intentional movement does not come until your baby is around 4-6 months, you will need to ensure your baby’s nails are managed and kept short to prevent injury. The nails of a newborn are soft, but they grow fast so you will need to trim both their fingernails and toenails regularly.

1. Prepare your utensils: either special baby nail clippers, baby nail scissors or an emery board.
   
2. Make sure there is plenty of light and you have someone else to hold the baby as you trim their nails.
3. Take your time with both the fingernails and nails, to ensure you trim them without cutting or damaging the finger pads or surrounding skin.
4. Sing to your baby to keep them calm and praise them when you’re finished, to ensure the experience is a positive one.

How to change a nappy

Changing your baby’s nappy is one of the most common tasks you will do as a new parent. There are two different kinds of nappies: disposable and cloth, however the initial steps for changing a nappy remain the same.

Preparing to change

1. Ensure that your change area is clean and that you have everything you need within easy reach: a fresh nappy, baby cream, baby wipes or washcloths and water.
   
2. Lay the baby down on the changing mat, surface, or change table. If the baby is upset, you can sing or offer him or her a favourite toy to soothe them.If the baby is on an elevated surface, ensure that you keep one hand on your baby at all times.
3. Undress your baby’s bottom half and unfasten the nappy. Use the front of the dirty nappy to wipe away any poo, then wrap the nappy up tightly ready for disposal or washing.

Cleaning a baby’s bottom

1. Using baby wipes, a damp washcloth or wet cotton wool, gently clean your baby’s bottom.
   
2. Hold the baby by the legs with your fingers between the ankles, to clean the back of their bottom - always wiping front to back.
3. You can dry the baby’s skin by gently patting it, or leaving it to air-dry for a few moments.
4. Apply baby cream to prevent and reduce nappy rash. Do not use talcum powder.

Putting on a clean disposable nappy

1. Open a clean nappy, ensuring that fastening tabs are towards the top.
   
2. Lifting the baby up the ankles, slip the nappy beneath their bottom, fold the front flap up, ensure it fits firmly around the baby’s waist and fasten each tab. If the nappy is secured properly, you should be able to fit two fingers into the waistband. Do not cover the belly button in newborns.
3. Let the baby play in a bouncer, cot or on a clean blanket or area on the floor, whilst you dispose of the dirty nappy and wash your hands.

Putting on a clean cloth nappy

1. Taking a new cloth nappy and a liner, slip it under the baby and fasten using clips, velcro or press studs. Be careful not to cover the belly button in newborns. Make sure the nappy is not too tight by ensuring that you can fit two fingers in the waistband.
   
2. To avoid leaks, make sure you cover the whole nappy with a nappy cover.

Armed with this information, you should now be able to expertly pick up, hold, burp, nappy change and massage your newborn, as well as tend to his or her nails. Knowing how to facilitate, and supporting your partner in, the daily care of your newborn baby is an important step to working together as a team and making the most of this special time.

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