Parenting can come off as daunting, especially when it is your first baby. Some parents might get overwhelmed from too much information; others might be scared that they don’t know a thing.
Apart from the information overload, there is also the matter of coming to terms of taking care of a whole new human being. You realize the scale of the responsibility, and that can rightly be daunting.
It is still harder for the mothers, who are recovering from the trauma that their body has sustained, and trying to, at the same time, be there for the baby. It is however important to know that if you are experiencing signs of depression, then you must talk to your OB-GYN at Kulsum International Hospital, since PPD should not be ignored.
Perhaps, the most profound source of unease is whether your baby is growing up ‘fine.’ New parents can become paranoid about everything that their baby is doing, and well, not doing, thus, knowing the milestones is important.
To help you in this endeavor, we have gathered weekly milestones that you can chart and thus ascertain your baby’s progress.
Week 1
The first week can be the most daunting, but don’t worry, babies are more resilient that you think.
During this week, you can expect the baby to lose some weight, but don’t worry about it. The loss is on account of the fluids that they had in their birth, and not because they are not being fed properly.
Even though they sleep through most of the day, it can still be hard to take care of the baby. They sleep in short intervals, for about a cumulative 16-20 hours. They have yet to distinguish between the night and day routine, but through keep the lighting bright during the day and low in the night, you can pass off the concept to them.
Also, make sure that the crib is clutter free. Try to keep the bedding to a minimal; the baby doesn’t need the blankets and the stuffed toys. Place the baby on their back when putting them to sleep.
A good practice for the mothers is to sleep with the baby, otherwise, they will be perpetually exhausted.
The feeding schedule is contingent on whether the baby is being bottle-fed or breast-fed. Since formula is slightly heavier, babies need to then be fed after every 3-4 hours. As they are likely to ingest more air, they need to be properly burped.
If the baby is being breastfed, you will likely feed them after every 2-3 hours. The baby will draw as much milk as they like; if they are still hungry after being fed from one breast, move over to the other. Following these cues is helpful also to establish milk supply accordingly. However, latching can be challenging.
Babies will need to be changed 5-8 times during the day, so don’t worry if you feel as if that’s all you do!
Week 2
By the second week, you start to get the hang of it. Baby will gain some of the weight, whereas the sleeping and eating routine will stay the same. The baby might need to be bathed by the second week, which can be slightly daunting, but just follow the instructions of your doctor.
Week 3
The third week is remarked by the bond building. Now that you are used to the baby, the baby also has become familiar with your scent and your voice by now. Moreover, as they gain their vision, recognition also starts to set in.
As the baby gets more active, they might also make more noise!
Week 4
As the baby grows by week 4, they need to be fed more often. They also start to sleep more at night, as the circadian rhythm sets in. They will also be due the one-month visit to the Pediatrician in Islamabad as well.