Having a baby is a huge responsibility. You need to worry about its health and wellbeing right from conception. So, you need to make sure you give proper health and baby care.

Parents everywhere face the difficult decision of making sure they give their baby every kind of protection possible. Here’s a simple guide to ensuring your baby is healthy and happy.

Starting at prenatal stage

Health and baby care should be started before it’s even born. Ask any mother, and she will tell you that what you do during pregnancy, especially in the final trimester or so, shapes your infant more than you think.

One important thing is to ensure your baby gets a proper diet and exercise as stipulated by your doctor. This along with avoiding certain medications, and all kinds of tobacco and alcohol, can really help the mother ensure the pregnancy is the best it can be.

Baby’s first moments

How the baby looks and acts in the first moments after birth gives a lot away about their health. However, if they are able to suckle, and react to your physical contact, then you’re good.

The APGAR test is essential to health and baby care in the postnatal stage. This evaluation helps to figure out your baby’s heart rate, breathing rate, skin color, muscle tone, and reflexes.

Testing for diseases/disorders

Ensure your newborn is going to be screened for all prominent diseases to foster adequate health and baby care. For example, all states in the US screen newborns for PKU and sickle cell disease. These tests are done by taking blood samples from the newborn.

All babies must get vitamin K shots, which help with blood clotting. Hearing tests with microphones will also rule out any hearing disability.. Get your infant HBV vaccine, which keeps your them protected from hepatitis infections.

Nutritional health

You’re probably well aware as to what your baby needs in terms of nutrition. Newborn babies rely on their mother’s milk for all their vitamins and minerals. For the first 4 to 5 months, you need not worry about any other health and baby care issue. There are baby formulas for mothers who cannot or are unwilling to breastfeed.

You must start solid foods only by about 5 or 6 months of the baby’s life. These should be introduced one by one, in order to check for any allergies. Milk allergy and allergy to certain tree nuts is fairly common, so keep a lookout for those.

Physical health outlet

Babies love to move. Any and all kinds of physical activities would help your baby develop their motor skills and muscle mass. To ensure the best health and baby care, crawling and rolling time is important. Have a safe space in the house for the baby to reach out, roll over, and crawl around.

Also, give tons of oil massages to your baby. Use baby oil if you need to. This will enhance blood flow and give your baby release from any soreness they might be feeling.

Personal care

When your baby is crying at 2 am, you might have a thought that you’ll never get a good night’s sleep ever again. Although first-time parenting is a tough job, you can and must still keep your health in check because only if the parent is healthy, can they ensure proper health and baby care.

A simple tip is to sleep while your baby sleeps. This will help align your sleep schedules. Besides, also make it a point to not share the bed during sleep time. This way both the baby and you will get sound sleep.

Parenting can make one feel overwhelmed and underprepared. But remember, as long as you and your partner work together, your baby will grow healthy and happy. Hopefully, without you having to compromise on your personal health as well.