Basic nursing care

Feeding

During the first two years of life, all foods are introduced to the child. It is important to do so by following the Pediatrician's guides and advice.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months and the baby eats on demand. When you start to introduce the baby food, it is advisable to follow some guidelines to establish a daily routine. You can continue breastfeeding without problems.

There are babies who find it harder than others to eat or enjoy certain foods. No need to throw in the towel and prepare baby food daily even if it only takes a few tablespoons. In the event that the child systematically rejects a food, the Pediatrician should be consulted, since many babies reject foods that make them feel bad or cause allergies.

Basic hygiene rules should be followed in the preparation of baby food. Proper hand washing is essential before handling food and after each diaper change. Fruits and vegetables and cooking utensils must be properly washed. Food must be in good condition fresh or frozen.

Hygiene

Hygiene habits are important from birth, they must be part of the baby's day-to-day life. When the umbilical cord falls we can immerse the baby in the bathtub. Bathing should be daily and a relaxing and fun time. There are many toys for the bathtub. When the baby is already sitting, he enjoys bath time much more. Safety measures must be taken to the extreme and never leave the baby alone in the bathtub full of water. There are rigid or fabric bathtubs up to six months of age (the baby is lying down or semi-upright) and, when he is already sitting, plastic chairs with suction cups that anchor in the adult bathtub.

The water should be warm, about 37ºC. A very small amount of soap and shampoo should be applied, which is not irritating to the eyes or the skin. After bathing, apply a generous amount of moisturizer. If you want to put cologne better on clothes than on hair or skin. They must be special colognes for babies without alcohol.

Handwashing should also be part of your baby's routine when he begins to eat on his own or crawl. They should be washed before eating and when dirty after the game.

Nails should be checked frequently and trimmed whenever the baby needs it. They are cut with small round-tipped scissors.

The ears only have to be cleaned on the outside with a towel or a handkerchief. No sticks should be inserted into the ear canal because the wax will be drawn in and the eardrum may be injured.

The diaper must be changed frequently and if it is dirty. Protective creams for the diaper area are not essential and can only be used when the bottom is red. The use of wipes should not be abused, if you are at home, you can wash the area with water and a little cream or neutral soap. The wipes are very comfortable when you are away from home.

Dream

The baby must sleep the necessary hours to be able to enjoy daily activities: play, walk, food or bath. A routine should be followed so that the baby can anticipate what is happening at that moment.

The crib is a very important element since the child spends many hours in it. You must meet all security requirements. The bars must have the necessary height so that when the baby can stand up he cannot get out of it (minimum is 50 centimeters from the surface of the mattress to the edge of the crib). The spaces between the bars should not be greater than six centimeters to prevent the baby from sticking his head out and injuring himself. Pillows or cushions should not be used due to the danger of suffocation.

Clothing

Baby's clothes should be soft, light and easy to put on and take off. The best thing is that it is made of natural fibers, such as cotton: they are cool in summer and warm in winter. The unique pieces are more comfortable than those consisting of a shirt and pants since they do not expose the back or the belly.

They should be items of clothing that allow the baby's diaper to be changed easily (such as elastic rubber waists or brackets on the inside of the legs).

The socks and elastic bands of the pants must not press or leave marks on the baby's skin.

The baby should not be overcovered. They should be dressed according to the ambient temperature and observing how the adults are doing.

When you start to move you should wear clothes that allow you freedom of movement

The shoes must be suitable for the baby. The size must be correct and must be specific for crawling or for when you start to walk.

Pacifier

The use of the pacifier is an option of the parents. Its use must be reasonable. It is common for many babies to use it to fall asleep or to calm down in times of stress. During the day (when they are awake) the use should be limited. Let the baby make sounds or babble, not just suck on the pacifier. A good solution is to offer it only to sleep or in anxiety situations.

The pacifier should not be sweetened with sugar or honey.

It must be withdrawn after a year or a year and a half (maximum after three years).

Play and stimulation

Play is babies' way of having fun, but it is also a way of learning. It helps you discover the world around you and establish social relationships.

The first toy that babies have are their parents, dedicating a daily time to play is highly recommended.

Play in the baby begins at a very early stage, the infant needs stimulation of his senses and is as important as eating or hygiene. Offering safe objects or toys, constant verbal communication, listening to music, and allowing him to experiment and move on a comfortable surface are inexpensive and effective ways to stimulate your baby.

Toys must be appropriate for the child's age, avoiding small parts that can be swallowed by the baby. The paint must be non-toxic and lead free.

The walk

Babies should be taken for a walk every day. It is advised that it be part of the daily routine. Sun exposure is highly recommended in hours where the sun is low (before 12 o'clock and after 4 o'clock) to promote the synthesis of vitamin D (important for the calcification of bones).

The child must be protected from the sun using a very high factor sunscreen and put on a cap to protect his head

Home security

Most accidents occur at home and are preventable. Always watch your baby, you cannot be left alone in an uncontrolled place. The baby should not be left unrestrained on a changing table, bed or sofa. Keep plugs covered, medicines and cleaning products out of reach, avoid putting small parts in your mouth, and don't put chairs or furniture under windows.

You should not keep the baby in the kitchen while you have the food on the fire or the oven on.

The use of walkers or taca-taca is not recommended because the child can take great speed, trip and fall. In addition, it is not the most appropriate for their psychomotor development.

In the car, the appropriate restraint mechanism must be used according to the age and weight of the child.

Visits to the Pediatrician

Although the baby was born healthy and without health problems, it is necessary to follow periodic controls by the Pediatrician. These routine visits are important to assess how the baby grows and gains weight, to give adequate feeding guidelines and to detect health problems.

The vaccines will also be given at the indicated time.