How To Give A Newborn a Healthy and Happy Start in Life
It's hard to believe that the time has come: your baby is here.
You've been waiting a long time for this, and now that they're finally here, you might feel like you have a lot of decisions to make. Don't worry, it's all part of being a new parent.
New babies need a lot of things (and don't worry, we've got you covered on that front), but one thing they don't need is for you to be stressed about getting it all right.
Instead, try taking it easy and just doing the best you can with what you have. We know how much you love your baby, so whatever you do will be the perfect thing for them.
But if you still aren't sure how to get started navigating parenthood, we've got some tips for you.
In this blog post, I'm going to share with you some of the things that helped me and my baby to have a healthy and happy start in life together.
You can help your baby to have a healthy and happy start in life by following these guidelines.
Provide positive interactions
Your baby is constantly learning from everything around him. One of the easiest ways to show him that he is loved and cared for is by providing positive interactions with him. This will help him understand that he belongs and that he is loved, which will set him up well in life and build his confidence.
When you're cooing and cuddling with your baby, you're not just enjoying them, you're forming a bond that will have benefits for both of you.
Your baby feels safe and loved, and you get the satisfaction of knowing that they feel safe and loved with you. And those positive interactions will help your baby grow up to be more confident and secure in life.
If you're anything like us, there's nothing more adorable than watching a baby play. But what if we told you that playing with your baby isn't just fun, it can actually help them learn?
The next time you're goofing off with your little one, remember that this is how they learn to communicate. This could be as simple as smiling when they smile at you or repeating the sounds they make back to them. It might seem silly, but it helps them develop skills and even build their confidence.
Yes, Playing games with your baby, like peek-a-boo or copying your baby's actions and sounds, can be a great way to teach them about sound, language, emotion, and movement.
Practice good nutrition
The first few months of your baby's life will be the most important in terms of setting them up for success.
It's important to eat healthily during pregnancy, and it's especially crucial to get the right vitamins and minerals. Your baby needs you to take care of yourself, so you can take care of them. Make sure to add iron, folate, iodine, zinc, and vitamin D, as well as other nutrients, into your diet so your baby can develop properly.
A balanced diet with adequate nutrition is one of the best things you can do for your newborn.
If you're breastfeeding, there are just a few easy steps to take. Consider consuming fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, trout, or tuna. These foods will pass on valuable nutrients to your baby through your breastmilk. It's also important for mom to stay hydrated, so drink plenty of water.
If you're formula feeding, your baby's nutrition will depend on which brand of formula you choose. Ensure that you follow the directions on the label carefully and do not overwater or underwater it, as this can cause health problems for your infant.
Avoid toxins
As you probably know by now, toxins can have harmful effects on the health of babies and children. So from the get-go, you'll want to make sure there aren't any toxins in your baby's environment.
This means avoiding products like cleaning fluids or pesticides when cleaning your home, picking organic products when shopping for groceries and personal care items, and making sure your air quality at home is good.
Avoid smoke from cigarettes or other sources of pollution when possible by staying indoors on days with poor air quality.
If you live near an airport or other source of air pollution like power plants, try not to let your child go outside too much during those times (and when they do go outside always make sure they're wearing sunscreen).
Help your newborn sleep safely
As a new mom, one of the biggest things you'll be focused on is your baby's safety. Giving your baby a healthy, happy start in life is so important to you, and we know that. That's why one of our top tips for new moms is to help your newborn sleep safely.
Newborns are naturally drawn to soft surfaces, they remind them of the womb. In fact, it's possible that you've noticed your little one snuggling into pillows or blankets even when they're awake.
But soft surfaces can be dangerous for babies when they're sleeping because of the risk of suffocation. To help keep your baby safe while sleeping, we recommend using a firm surface with only breathable bedding, a swaddle, or a blanket sleeper without any loose bedding or pillows.
You want this surface to be separate from you and any other surface where adults will be sleeping, like a couch or bed.
It's also important that your baby sleeps in the same room as you for at least six months and ideally, a year. This helps protect against SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
We love our Smiling Gaia Baby Lounger because it's designed to allow your baby to move around freely during their sleep without worrying about rolling over or falling off the bed or couch. It keeps them safe and makes it easy for them to get comfortable while they snooze.
Be active and get outside
Even if it's just a walk around your block, getting outside with your new baby helps them get the fresh air they need.
It also gives both of you some respite from the stress of being cooped up inside all day. It doesn't have to be "exercise," it can just be taking some time to enjoy the sunshine (or moonlight) together.
When you're out and about with your little one, make sure you've got everything they need in our Smiling Gaia baby diaper changing bag, you can throw it over your shoulder or attach it to a stroller with ease. It's lightweight yet durable.
