The First-Time Parents’ Guide to Parenthood

Becoming a parent to a newborn is an exciting and joyful time. Pregnancy, labor, and delivery are now behind you, and it is time to head home to a new chapter in your life.

It is now the time to focus on caring for your infant; however, you may frantically realize that you are lost!

Now is the time to gain first-hand experience in parenthood. Although this period has many heart-warming memories, feeling apprehensive is normal as you discover the changes ahead.

Since preparation is the answer to smoothly transitioning into new parenthood and caring for an infant or newborn, we compiled this handy guide to parenthood. Made especially for first-time parents, we touched on baby care topics that will help you avoid stressful circumstances.

This guide will help you deal with the unexpected and inevitable things with parenthood and caring for an infant.

Getting Help After Birth

This time is hectic and overwhelming, so recruiting help from professionals, family, and friends will help new parents get through this time with fewer hiccups. For example, use the expertise of lactation consultants and nurses in the hospital. These professionals are a great resource to parents learning how to hold, burp, change, and care for an infant.

Planning for in-home help is also wise if it is a workable option. For example, a baby nurse or a responsible neighbor, friend, or family member can help briefly after birth.

While relatives and close friends are a great resource, remember there may be disagreements on certain things regarding childcare. However, do not be quick in dismissing their experiences.

Coming Home from the Hospital

A car seat is a usual requirement that nurses check before discharging an infant from the hospital. Parents should ensure the proper car seat type and placement in the vehicle.

Thankfully, there are many car seat guides to help new and confused parents in their quest for the car seat that will suit their needs. Additionally, car seat classes and professionals, such as Child Passenger Safety Technicians, or CPSTs, are great ways to ensure proper road safety in the vehicle.

But a car service with pre-installed safety seats is another option when coming home from the hospital. This choice saves parents time and money by skipping the infant car seat.

While it is not the usual decision to skip the infant car seat, many parents are now opting to go straight to convertible car seats. However, an infant car seat carrier is not a requirement for discharge, and only an appropriate child safety seat that fits the newborn is required.

The only drawback to going straight to a convertible seat is if the baby comes out smaller than expected. Additionally, the weight and size of the baby are virtually unknown until birth, so there is always that risk when deciding which seat to purchase.

So, how will new parents bring the infant home without a car seat? Fortunately, Babymoto Technologies has the solution for tired and overwhelmed new parents.

With Babymoto, parents can easily book a professional car service with pre-installed car seats through a mobile-friendly app. They can choose from a sedan, SUV, or minivan, depending on which will best suit their needs.

It is also noteworthy that an SUV can fit up to four car seats and choose the appropriate car seat for each child. This wide array of options is perfect for families with multiple or older children.

Infant Care 101

Upon arriving home with your little one, the priority is settling in, bonding, and getting a grasp of infant care.

Feeding
Feeding a newborn is a 24-hour activity. Additionally, parents should expect that feeding habits are unpredictable. It can get tiring, but remember, this is a crucial time for parents to bond with their newborns.

It is best to start with breast milk, but formula is also a welcome option for mothers with difficulty producing milk. Note that water, juice, or other liquids aside from formula or breast milk are not for newborn babies.

Another thing to remember is that the feeding pattern of babies change as they grow. Parents can trust their judgment and instincts while seeking healthy signals such as weight gain and comfort feeding.

Bonding

Most infants eagerly form attachments with their parents or caretaker as soon as they arrive home. Remember that bonding takes time, and the relationship builds up through healthy bonding habits.

While bonding may be easier for mothers since most are the primary caregiver, a father can foster a bond with an infant in several ways.

Fathers can do several things to bond with an infant, including helping with birth and recovery, participating in bottle-feedings, bathing the baby, reading to, and singing to the child.

A Checklist for Newborns

Parents feel overwhelmed when tackling baby care and preparing things needed before childbirth. The following are essential products for the care, hygiene, and feeding of babies:

For diapering, it is recommended for parents to purchase wipes or cotton towels, waterproof diaper changing pads, newborn diaper packages, rash ointment, a soiled diaper receptacle, and a small thermos for warm water when cleaning infants under six weeks old.

A nursing pillow, five newborn nipple bottles, six burp towels, a bottle brush, nursing bras and pads, insulated bottle holders, and a breast pump are additional necessities for breastfeeding mothers.

For cleaning supplies, hooded towels, cotton swabs, baby shampoo, body wash, two sets of washcloths, an infant bathtub, a soft brush and comb, a digital thermometer, rubbing alcohol, petroleum jelly, mild soap for washing, and a nasal aspirator are several essentials.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when considering baby care before your kid is born. Creating lists makes the process less stressful and more organized.

Sleeping

Getting an infant to sleep is one of the most complicated components of baby care. For example, most babies do not sleep through the night in the first few weeks or months, although this varies from baby to baby.

This period can be a challenging time for those involved in newborn care. New parents are mostly sleep-deprived during this period, so self-care is also essential.

The primary motivation for most newborns is eating rather than sleeping. For the first two months of life, parents should expect to feed their newborn around once every two hours.

Newborns sleep a lot, but they have no notion of night and day. But here are procedures that parents can follow to help their baby establish regularity in the sleeping schedule:

To encourage self-soothing skills, parents should put babies to bed as soon as they nod.
Stick to a bedtime routine.

Welcoming a newborn is a delightful experience, especially for new parents. While it with responsibilities and hardships, parents should remember to enjoy every moment that passes quickly.

Although parents first have an anxiety-inducing and overwhelming experience when managing a newborn, a routine is possible in a few short weeks. Soon, new parents will parent like a pro!