Practical advice to help you along the way
Parents go through a whole range of different emotions when welcoming a baby into the world. Here, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s Officer for Wales, Dr David Tuthill, gives his ultimate survival guide for new mums and dads
AS you draw closer to your due date, the reality of becoming first-time parents can be overwhelming.
You will want to love and treasure them; they are well worth it!
Here I hope to offer some practical advice to help disperse the worries so you can embark on your new adventure with confidence.
Babies like to sleep, so to ensure your baby does so safely.
For the first six months, your baby should sleep in the same room as you, in a separate cot or Moses basket without toys or bumpers.
Each time they are put to sleep they should always lay on their back with their feet placed at the end of the cot. Doing so reduces the risk of cot death (or Sudden Infant Death (SIDS).
If your baby rolls onto their tummy, you should turn them onto their back again.
However, once your baby can roll from back to front on their own, they can be left to find their own position.
Never co-sleep with your baby in a chair or on a sofa as this increases the risk of SIDS.
If you are feeding your baby and you think you might fall asleep, set an alarm or ask someone to stay with you while you feed.
Some parents choose to share a bed with their babies. There are some circumstances where this can be extremely dangerous – if you or your partner smokes, has drunk alcohol or taken drugs or have loose sheets, blankets or pillows that can obstruct your baby’s air way or cause them to overheat.
You can find out more about safe sleeping via the Lullaby Trust. Your midwife or health visitor can help you too.
My research in Wales showed smoking was strongly linked to cot death. You can reduce the likelihood of SIDS by not letting anyone smoke around your baby or in your home.
For stop smoking support and advice, call Help me Quit on 0800 0852219 or visit the NHS Wales website.
Breastfeeding exclusively is recommended for the first six months of your baby’s life. It protects them from stomach, ear and respiratory infections, may increase IQ and reduces the risk of SIDS and obesity.
For mothers, breastfeeding can help protect against some cancers and helps with weight loss. It’s also free, so financially is a fantastic option.
At the beginning, breastfeeding can be tough so it’s important you have access to support.
Breastfeeding advisors, midwives and health visitors can offer you advice. It’s on the internet too at NHS Wales.
For some mothers, breastfeeding doesn’t work out and I understand that. Your health visitor, paediatrician or midwife can help you explore other feeding options.
A baby’s main form of communication is crying, and for first-time parents this can be confusing and sometimes distressing.
When you’ve checked the essentials – are they hungry, do they have a dirty nappy or do they have wind – consider whether they are too hot or cold.
A room should ideally be between 16-20°C. Also ask yourself if they could be tired or do they just want a cuddle?
There are lots of ways you can try and sooth your baby and these include offering the breast if breastfeeding, a dummy, a blanket or comforter.
Using a baby sling can also help and allows you to get some jobs done around the house in the process.
If your baby is under six months old, has excessive bouts of crying and clenches their fists, draws their knees up to their tummy or arches their back, they could have colic.
This will settle with time, although it can seem hard when they are going through it.
You don’t need to bath your baby every day but when you do, try to do it when they are wide awake.
Make sure the room is warm and everything’s ready beforehand. You’ll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool or clean sponge, a fresh nappy and clean clothes.
A ‘top and tail’ bath is another way to clean your baby. Find out more about this on NHS.uk.
Vaccinations are safe, effective and can be lifesaving.
By keeping your child up to date, you are protecting them and the rest of the community from outbreaks of serious diseases.
These diseases can make children very ill and can lead to life changing complications or death. By the time your baby reaches their first birthday, they should have received vaccinations against a total of 11 diseases. Find out what vaccinations your baby needs and at what age on NHS.uk.
From birth, all breastfed babies should be given a daily supplement of vitamin D.
But if your baby is having more than 500ml of infant formula a day, they do not need a supplement because formula is already fortified with vitamin D.
Once your baby is six months old, and up until they are five, daily vitamin A, C and D supplements in age appropriate doses are recommended (unless they’re having 500ml or more
of formula each day).
Although wonderful, becoming a parent is tough. You’re getting used to a new routine and still have to juggle parenthood with other responsibilities.
New mums often feel emotional in the weeks following birth too – something you can thank hormones for.
If you have low moods, feel anxious or need nutritional advice, speak to your health visitor or GP.
Always make sure you and baby stay well hydrated when you are out and about.
If you are bottle feeding, make sure you bring enough milk for your journey and make sure you are prepared with spare clothes, nappies and wipes.
If it’s hot, it’s best to dress your baby in light, breathable clothing and offer plenty of feeds.
Never place a blanket over the pram to shade your baby as this can cause the bassinette to heat up dramatically; just use the hood instead.
If it’s cold, then make sure you dress baby in warm clothing and a nice warm blanket. Medicines aren’t always needed but when they are it’s important you use one that’s age appropriate and at the correct dose.
Liquid paracetamol and ibuprofen are safe for treating pain in babies. However, only babies from two months can have paracetamol and those from three months and who weight more than 11lbs, can take ibuprofen.
Both products can be bought at any pharmacist or supermarket.
Always read the information leaflet provided before use and check the product is in date. If you are worried your child is unwell see your family doctor.