During pregnancy, you are actually counting the days to meet your bundle of joy and finally, when the day arrives you feel overwhelmed.
Here is a guide on how new mothers can bond with their babies.
1. Give your baby enough skin-to-skin contact right after the birth. This improves mother-baby bonding and blood circulation in the infant. Skin-to-skin bonding also helps in stabilizing the heart and normalising the baby s body temperature. Learn the kangaroo position to keep your baby on your bare chest to maximize the benefits of skin-to-skin contact.
2. Try and start breastfeeding as soon as you can. If your child faces issues with latching take help from the hospital staff or call on a lactation expert. But remember breast is best for your baby. The colostrums you produce during the first few days after your child is born are nutritionally rich and essential for your baby s growth and development.
3. Keep the umbilical cord dry. Never put any alcohol solution or other creams over the area as it could lead to infections.
4. Don't put the baby to sleep on her stomach as it could increase the risk of sudden infant death.
5. During the first week after delivery make sure you expose your child to the sun to get enough vitamin D and treat infantile jaundice that is common in most newborns.
6. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's wellbeing and don't trust any quacks. Check with the doctor about the vaccinations and get the doses on time.