Imagine bringing your newborn home from the hospital, excited to start this new chapter of your life. However, with this joy comes the responsibility of protecting your little one from the dangers of the outside world, including illnesses.
As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your baby’s health and well-being, especially during their first few months of life when their immune system is still developing. They understandably want to ensure their bundle of joy is kept safe and healthy.
Unfortunately, illness is something we all have to deal with in life. As such, in this article, we will provide you with practical tips and advice on how to protect your newborn from illness and keep them in the best possible health.
11 Ways To Protect Your Newborn From Illness
Here are eleven significant ways to protect your newborn from illness and help them live healthily.
1. Get immunized
Immunization is one of the most important things you can do for your newborn’s health. Getting vaccinated on schedule and keeping your baby’s shots up-to-date will reduce their risk of a wide range of severe and potentially fatal illnesses.
2. Breastfeed your newborn
If possible, you should consider breastfeeding your newborn for the first six months. Not only does breastfeeding offer an array of health benefits, but it also creates an emotional bond between you. Exclusive breastfeeding has made confirmed to play a significant role in protecting the baby from disease.
Breast milk provides all the necessary nutrition your baby needs and helps strengthen the baby’s immune system, which is essential in fighting illnesses. If you can’t breastfeed, consult your doctor about the best formula for your baby’s specific needs.
3. Avoid smoke
One of the easiest and most important things you can do to protect your newborn from illness is to keep their environment smoke-free. Smoke, whether it is secondhand smoke or from your smoking habit, can lead to a wide array of serious respiratory issues.
4. Regular hand washing
Hand washing is one of the simplest yet most effective ways of keeping your newborn healthy. Ensure you wash your hands often and keep your baby’s toys, bottles, and pacifiers clean to reduce their risk of contracting an illness.
5. Monitor the baby’s temperature
Monitor your baby’s temperature regularly to ensure it stays comfortable. When bathing your baby, paying attention to the water temperature is especially important, as it should never exceed 37 degrees Celsius.
6. Keep your baby away from crowds
It’s a good idea to limit your baby’s exposure to crowded places, such as shopping malls, public transportation, and movie theaters, since this is where your baby can be exposed to illnesses more quickly.
7. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Ensure that both you or your baby avoids contact with anyone who’s ill or has been around someone sick. In the same vein, limiting the number of people who come into contact with the baby is a good idea, especially in the first few weeks of life.
8. Create a healthy environment
Pay attention to the temperature, ventilation, and humidity in your baby’s bedroom. These elements should all be controlled to keep your newborn’s environment healthy. Additionally, ensure your home is free of pests such as rodents or insects.
9. Sleep safely
Adhere to safe sleep guidelines at all times when your baby is resting. This means placing them on their back and in a firm mattress that meets safety standards, avoiding soft items and stuffed animals in their crib, and dressing them in lightweight sleepwear.
10. Practice proper hygiene
Keep your newborn’s umbilical stump clean and dry. You should also make sure to keep your baby’s hands and face clean at all times and make sure to bathe them regularly.
11. Visit your paediatrician often
Visit your doctor regularly and adhere to any follow-up care instructions they may have. This can help ensure any early issues that may develop in your baby can be detected and addressed before they become a bigger problem.
Conclusion
Following the tips on how to protect your newborn from illness listed above will help ensure your newborn is healthy and kept safe from any illnesses that could compromise their health. Remember to keep your doctor in the loop and never be afraid to ask questions if you have any concerns.
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