Parenting tips to take care of new born baby at home
In the first few months after birth, here are some ways to protect your baby:
- Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke (smoke from a cigarette or cigar).
Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke have more colds and car infections. And they’re at increased risk of SIDS. - Have a safe place for your baby to sleep (either in your bed, a crib, or a bassinet). Have a firm mattress. If you’re using a very old crib.
Make sure the bars are close enough together (at least 2.3 inches apart) so she can’t get her head through them. - Keep at least 1 hand on your baby when she’s on a changing table, bed, or other high surface.
An active baby could fall off even before she’s able to roll over. - Watch your baby when young children are around.
Most little kids don’t know what’s dangerous for a new baby. A toddler might think he’s helping you by picking her up when she’s crying. A child older than 1O years usually knows what’s safe. - Don’t play roughly with your baby.
Be gentle. Never throw her up in the air and never shake her. - Babies need good head support in the first months.
Even when your baby can hold her head up well, she still needs to be handled gently.