5 Essential Tips for New Parents to Support Their Baby's Pediatric Health
From choosing the right doctor to ensuring a healthy diet, here are five essential tips for new moms. As a new mom, you want to do everything you can to support your baby’s health. But with all the information, it can take time to figure out where to start. Here are five essential tips for new moms when it comes to supporting their baby’s pediatric health:
1. Choose a pediatrician you trust
2. Make sure your baby is getting enough nutrition
3. Promote healthy sleep habits
4. Keep your baby active
5. Pay attention to developmental milestones
Get to know your baby's pediatrician and make sure you feel comfortable with them.
Taking the time to visit pediatricians before your baby’s arrival is essential in ensuring their health and well-being. Knowing who will care for your child can give you a greater sense of peace and calm during such an exciting but nerve-wracking time. Make sure to research local providers, read reviews, visit for a one-on-one consult if possible, and ask any questions to make sure you find a pediatrician that you feel comfortable with caring for your child. Having trust and rapport with your baby’s doctor means better healthcare decisions in the future.
Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it as much as possible.
Routine means that ensuring your baby gets enough sleep is essential for their health. Newborns require a lot of sleep to help them grow and develop physically, emotionally, and mentally. Newborns typically require around sixteen hours of sleep throughout a twenty-four-hour period. While this may seem daunting, the good news is that they often take naps in chunks throughout the day (so you can, too!). With a few adjustments to your daily routine and habits, you can ensure that your little one gets the rest they need to stay healthy and happy. Establishing a bedtime routine is the ideal way to ensure a good night’s sleep for you and your baby. It’s crucial to develop this routine early in the first few months and stick with it as much as possible. All children thrive on routines that give them a sense of security and stability, especially during bedtime. A regular bedtime schedule allows your baby’s body clock to develop at an optimal speed and settle into rhythms that will provide them with deep, restorative sleep. An ideal bedtime routine consists of a warm bath or shower, calming music, storytime, snuggles or comforting words from Mom and Dad, and finally – lights out! Following this routine should ensure that your little one has sweet dreams every night.
Introduce solid foods slowly and watch for any allergies or sensitivities.
Introducing solid foods to your baby at a slow, consistent pace is the best way to help them develop healthy eating habits for life. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting around six months of age. Still, the timing can vary depending on your baby’s development and readiness, such as sitting up in a highchair unassisted and showing interest in what other family readiness members are eating. Take your time and watch out for any signs of allergies or sensitivities as you explore new textures and flavors. Introduce one food at a time and give a few days between fresh foods to observe how they react. Your dedication to introducing solids will lead to a lifetime of nutritious diet!
Keep up with immunizations – they protect your child from disease.
Vaccines protect your child from serious diseases by stimulating their immune system – essentially training it to fight the condition in the future. Your children’s health is a top priority, so it’s essential to keep up with immunizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children get vaccinations based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended schedule. While you may have preferences regarding vaccine decisions for your child, following this schedule ensures they are protected from dangerous diseases and prevents outbreaks in our community.
Parents take on a lot of responsibility when caring for their children and helping them grow, so having the correct information can be an invaluable resource. Caring for your baby’s health is no exception; knowing your options and being informed can help you make the best decisions for your child. Make sure to get to know your child’s pediatrician and establish a consistent bedtime routine maintained with regular sleep. When it comes time to introduce solid food, do so slowly while watching for allergies. Most importantly, keep up with immunizations to protect your baby from potentially serious diseases. For more information on how to keep your little one healthy, look online at AskNurseDrea.com and join our monthly newsletter for additional tips and tricks.