Where to Begin
Newborns have simple needs, but meeting those needs can still feel overwhelming. A good place to start is with three basics:
Feeding
Sleeping
Asking for Help
Feeding Basics
Feeding is one of the biggest parts of newborn care. It’s also one of the most common sources of stress. Some babies feed easily. Others need more time and support.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can improve health outcomes for mother and baby. Breastmilk has hundreds more ingredients than formula that help babies grow and protect them from allergies and illnesses. Breastfeeding also lowers the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. To learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding, visit breastmilkcounts.com.
Many mothers face challenges with breastfeeding. Common problems can include pain, trouble with latching, worries about milk supply, or not knowing if the baby is getting enough milk. Struggling doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It means you may need support. Texas offers breastfeeding support through the Department of State Health Services and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). These providers can help with breastfeeding education, support groups and breast pumps for some families.
Formula
If you’re not breastfeeding, your baby can still grow and thrive. It’s important to choose an infant formula that is right for your baby and use it exactly as directed. If you’re not sure which formula to use, ask your baby’s doctor.
You should feed your baby formula when she shows hunger cues, such as turning her head to look for a bottle, and stop feeding her when she shows signs that she is full, like letting go of the bottle. You should never force your baby to finish a bottle if she shows signs of being full. As your baby grows, offer more formula little by little. For more guidance on infant nutrition, visit the Texas WIC’s Birth to 3 Months page.
Switching to Solids
As babies get older, what they eat will change. Around 6 months old, babies begin to need solid foods along with breastmilk or formula. There are a few signs you can look for to tell if your baby is ready for solid foods, including:
- Sitting up alone or with help.
- Holding his head up steady and straight.
- Expressing an interest in the foods you eat.
Every baby is different, and not all are ready for solid foods at 6 months. Your doctor can help you decide when your baby is ready. To learn more about switching to solid foods and other food benefits available to women, infants and children, visit the Texas WIC 4 to 7 Months page.
Calming a Crying Baby
It’s important to remember that all babies cry. Crying is how babies tell you they need something. Your baby may cry because she is hungry, tired, wet, too hot, too cold, uncomfortable or overstimulated.
When trying to calm a crying baby, begin by staying calm and checking simple things first. Once you’ve made sure all basic needs have been met, you can try to soothe a crying baby by:
- Holding your baby close.
- Hushing in a calm voice.
- Using soft white noise.
- Swinging, rocking or swaying gently.
- Walking with your baby and patting her back.
These steps often work best when you keep the room calm and quiet. Sometimes babies need less noise, less light and more comfort.
If your baby keeps crying for long periods, it’s okay to call your doctor and ask questions. Long crying spells can happen, but it’s still okay to ask for help if you’re worried.
What Is Colic?
Colic is when a healthy baby cries a lot and is hard to soothe. It can be stressful for parents because there may not be a clear reason why the baby is crying. Colic is typically at its worst when a baby is about 6 weeks old and gets better by the time he is 3 to 4 months old. If you’re concerned that your baby may have colic or your baby seems sick, you should talk to your doctor.
Safe Sleep for Babies
Safe sleep is one of the most important ways to protect your newborn. Babies should sleep alone on their back in a crib.
As you are preparing a safe sleep space for your baby, keep these things in mind:
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface.
- Keep things like toys, soft objects or other items out of your baby’s sleep area.
- Make sure your baby’s crib, bassinet or play area meets current safety recommendations.
- Swaddling may help some babies settle but stop swaddling when your baby starts trying to roll over.
It’s safest not to let your baby sleep on a couch, armchair or adult bed. If your baby falls asleep somewhere else, move her to a safe sleep space as soon as you can. For more help, including videos and safe sleep checklists, visit the DSHS Safe Infant Sleep page or getparentingtips.com.