You And Your Baby Come Home

[Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] pregnancy and labor result in some lessening of muscle tone which should be largely recovered before you assume full responsibility for your home there is at least a six week period of adjustment ahead for the organs which have undergone special changes during pregnancy while in hospital you will have a balanced diet and breath with the approval of your doctor you may learn exercises to strengthen the abdominal wall and pelvic floor it is important to continue this pattern of living when you get home make sure that you get eight hours sleep and a half hours complete rest morning and afternoon if possible continue with the exercises taught in hospital and keep in mind what you have learned about standing sitting moving and relaxing get some help with the housework or drop some of the less important jobs for a while don't add the work of caring for your baby to what you normally do you may take a sponge shower bath or tub bath whichever you prefer a walk in good weather can be a refreshing diversion exercise and fresh air are good for you if you are nursing your baby your diet should be much the same as during pregnancy drink five glasses of milk a day many mothers find their thirst increases when nursing drink at least three glasses of water daily you may make up the milk consumption in puddings or soups but don't let the fluid intake reduce the amount of other required foods a balanced diet rich in iron and proteins is good for you and good for baby [Music] now that baby's home and is all yours to care for let's size him up he's smart enough to recognize and respond to mother's feelings try to avoid showing worry or anxiety be positive and loving with him the soft spots on the top and back of your baby's head will gradually close as bone grows across them and can't distinguish object yet and he hasn't learned to focus his eyes he likes being touched and comfortably wrapped learn how to lift and hold your baby properly one hand under the lower back and buttocks the other around the neck and shoulders [Music] but many babies enjoyed that time if your baby doesn't make his bath time short until he learns to like it babies are born with a secretion on the body which will wear off in a few days check with your doctor or clinic as to when you should start bathing your baby in any case the creases should be cleaned with fair water applied with a soft cloth you will need a comfortably warm room with no draft a table surface at hip level and a basin or baby's bath the rest of the equipment should be within easy reach baby's face cloth and towel covered jars for whisks of cotton and absorbent cotton a covered dish to hold clothes safety pins and a cake of mild soap for baby clean clothes to put on after the bath [Music] a newspaper for soiled clothes a paper bag for weight bath water should be about 100 degrees if you haven't a thermometer test it with your elbow it should be a comfortable temperature now you're ready to start after washing your hands spread a towel on your lap or on the table if you prefer standing wash the scalp with soap applied sparingly with your hand rinse thoroughly the crust called cradle cap is less likely to appear if the baby's head is properly washed and dried and no soap is left on it [Music] [Applause] baby keeps his nostrils fear by sneezing clean them only if there is something which has to be removed use small pieces of absorbent cotton tightly ruled [Music] the outer ear may be cleaned with a small piece of absorbent cotton [Music] wash his face with water only no soap avoid covering his nose and mouth at the same time the eyes require no special attention [Music] by his face with gentle patting not rubbing [Music] [Music] notice that one garment at a time is removed so as to keep the baby warm [Music] you don't need much soap the leather can be easily picked up with one hand [Music] [Music] [Music] be sure to rinse off the soap thoroughly ah remember to pat dry now put on a clean shirt to keep him warm during the rest of the bath [Music] [Applause] don't forget to wash well between decreases print and drive well Oh [Music] you [Music] [Music] lastly wash the genitals with a piece of moistened absorbent cotton if you use powder lotion or cream apply it with your hand don't shake powder on the baby might breathe it in [Music] [Music] a boy needs extra diaper thickness of the front and a girl needs it of the back [Music] [Music] [Music] Oh [Music] for a tub that be sure to lure him in slowly so as not to frighten him keep a good grip on him with one hand while you wash with the other always remember this never under any circumstances leave a baby or small child alone in a bath or on the table even for a moment if the baby is a girl be sure to clean between the folds of skin around the genitals in either case make sure baby is thoroughly dry in the creatures feeding time is the greatest event in the young babies life as well as the all-important nourishment he gets a feeling of security and well-being from his close contact with you first diaper of a baby so he is comfortable wash your hands carefully if you're in bed and breastfeeding lie on your side with head and back comfortably supported and facing baby support him comfortably with your arm guide the nipple to the side of his face nearest the breath he will automatically find it without any help use your finger to depress the breast as needed so he made breathe comfortably [Music] if you are nursing the babysitting a comfortable armchair which supports your back and arms is best baby will be comfortable on the pillow with your arms supporting his back as his head rests in the crook of your elbow you may find that a footstool makes you more comfortable more relaxed during the first few days the actual nursing time should be limited to about 5 minutes after the first few days the nursing period may extend to half or three-quarters of an hour different babies nurse and rest at a different rate it takes time to establish nursing so persevere [Music] he falls asleep during the early part of the feeding waken him by stroking the cheek next to the breast if he falls asleep near the end of the feeding he's probably had enough [Music] halfway through and at the end of the feeding burp him like this having or massaging the middle of his back it's a good idea to put a diaper on your shoulder in case he spits up a little [Music] get your bottle feeding warm the bottle in a saucepan of water on the stove or perhaps you have a bottle warmer as it warms shake the bottle and test its temperature when it feels the same temperature as your wrist or the inside of your elbow it's ready the formula should drip regularly from the nipple it shouldn't pour if the hole is too small open it with a red hot needle [Music] use the same comfortable armchair and hold the bottle at an angle like this so that no air passes through the nipple from the bottle now sit back and enjoy your baby for the next few minutes and don't forget to burp him or sleeping is what baby will do most often first get him ready for it by changing the diaper a fresh shirt and a nightgown later you will use a sleeper use a firm mattress with plastic cover under the sheets no pillow blankets as needed no draft change his position in bed from one sleeping period to another comfort and warmth sleep well baby [Music]