Newborn Care Made Easier

Welcome to my blog! Here is where you’ll find practical tips, how-to videos, and enlightening information about your amazing newborn. Whether your baby is in your arms, in your womb, or in your exciting future, my hope is to share information that gives you confidence, allows you to truly enjoy your baby, and helps you master newborn care more easily.

Give Your Newborn the Best Start in Life!

One of the easiest, most natural ways to give your newborn the best start in life is to hold your baby as often as you can. You’ll soon see that this simple act of holding gives your baby many benefits, some of which last a lifetime. 

Kangaroo Care

In the beginning when your baby is tiny, you can hold your baby skin to skin on your chest, like the mother in the picture “Kangaroo Care.” According to Children’s Hospital Cleveland Clinic in their article “Kangaroo Care” this practice was developed in Bogotá, Colombia, in the late 1970s in answer to challenging work conditions. Mothers were asked to hold their newborn babies skin to skin on their chests to free the limited number of staff and incubators. Having mothers hold their new babies not only provided an efficient and inexpensive way to care for premature babies, but the outcome for this simple practice was astounding. Kangaroo Care proved to benefit the overall health of these babies and doubled their chances for survival! Scientist became very interested in these results and began studying Kangaroo Care. This is what they discovered.

Health Benefits

Babies held skin to skin gained weight faster, could breathe more easily, regulated heart rate and rhythm better, maintained warm body temperatures, had fewer infections, and survived more than twice as often as babies not given Kangaroo Care. The physical contact between mother and baby produced physiological changes resulting in positive, life-affirming outcomes ... a remarkable discovery!

Benefits for Your Baby

These same health benefits are available for your baby as well, whether your baby is born early, on time, or late. You can practice Kangaroo Care as soon as Day 1 of life. Most hospitals encourage Kangaroo Care, and your baby’s nurse should be able to help you get settled comfortably. When you are home with your newborn you can continue to hold your baby skin to skin. This special holding is primarily a time for your baby to sleep and grow, and for that natural miracle of bonding to occur. So whenever possible, hold your newborn baby skin to skin. Phenomenal baby care, easily yours.

Holding Promotes Independence

You’ll discover that holding your newborn gives your baby other gifts as well. Holding, whether on your chest, in your arms, or in a soft cloth carrier, allows your baby to explore the world from a safe environment. Growing, exploring, and learning while close to you gives your baby the gift of confidence. Confidence is shown to encourage less clinging and to promote independence sooner than you would expect. Indulge in holding and wearing your baby while you can.

Easily Learn Your Baby's Cues

Being close together offers another important benefit too. Having your newborn next to you will make it easier for you to learn your baby’s cues. In the next blog I will share tips about your baby’s cues, and you’ll see 2-week-old Vanessa demonstrate “rooting,” one of your baby’s cues for hunger. Recognizing early baby cues is important because it frequently eliminates the need for your baby to cry to get your attention. Less crying is good for both of you and makes newborn care easier. For a happier baby, hold your baby often.

For you and yours,

D.Fravert, RN

Baby nurse, scientist, and mom, D. Fravert, RN, BSN has over 17 years of experience in medical research primarily at Stanford University Medical Center, and more than 15 years of hands-on practice as a pediatric and neonatal registered nurse specializing in newborn care. Her nursing education, experience, and skills are honed in the San Francisco Bay Area, a place she loves calling home. Doris is first and foremost a mother, beaming with pride for her son, Chris, who is living proof that baby care has the power to shape an amazing human being. Make this same discovery for yourself as you explore Newborn Baby Manual—Things You Should Know available for iPad and Kindle. www.newbornbabymanual.com