So you have a new baby. Now what?
All newborns require essential newborn care to minimize the risk of illness and maximize their growth and development. Warmth, normal breathing, mother’s milk, and prevention of infection are the basic needs of a normal baby at birth.
It is through touch that you first communicate and interact with your baby. Your baby will love to feel the comfort of your touch from the moment they are born. Skin-to-skin contact can soothe your baby and help with bonding. As well as being comforted by the feel of you touching their skin, your newborn can respond to touch with their grasp reflex. If you stroke the palm of their hand, they’ll curl their fingers around yours.
Most babies enjoy being held, caressed, stroked, rocked and carried - it’s comforting and calming. They will enjoy being close to you and sensing the familiar warmth, smell, sound and feel of your body.
Sing, chat, tickle, count toes, blow raspberries – simple things are best for newborns. Make faces, smile, laugh, roll your eyes or poke out your tongue. Have tummy time every day. Dance with your baby. Clap you baby’s hands together. Play smile games. Give your baby different objects to feel – soft toys, rattles or cloth books with pages of different textures are fun.
Massage can also help you to bond with your baby. By interacting with your baby, you will get to know the type of touch they like and respond to in particular ways. Your baby will put anything they can in their mouth. There are lots of touch sensors in their mouth. They’re learning a lot from exploring different shapes and textures while they chew and suck.