Five Things you Must Never do to a Newborn.

09 Sep Five Things you Must Never do to a Newborn.

Congratulations! You have just taken delivery of your bundle of joy. The wholesome journey of nine months has just come to an end. We can imagine. It wasn’t easy!

It’s however important to remember that the same amount of effort in caring for a baby in the womb is the same amount of effort required in caring for a newborn, and in most cases more effort is required. Avoiding some pitfalls (mostly common practices) can spell the difference between keeping your bundle of joy in good health and sudden loss.

That said, here are five common practices we want you to avoid doing to your newborn baby.

1. Giving Newborns Water to drink
It’s a common myth with African grandmothers that newborns be given water so that “they’re well hydrated and it prevents digestive problems”. Well, this isn’t true. In case you didn’t know, 88% of breast milk is made up of water, so your baby has more than enough water to keep them hydrated. Giving a newborn baby too much water at a young age is very dangerous as it can lead to an imbalance in sodium levels which in turn may lead to seizures, brain damage, even death. Moreso, the kidneys of your newborn baby are still growing, unable to handle large volumes of water at a time. So we advise – do not give water to your newborn baby.

2. Stop shaking and throwing babies.
Okay, we get it! Even with their all-round cuteness, babies can be a whole lot to take sometimes! And what’s even worse – newborns can’t communicate their needs verbally. This can be frustrating – but please, do not shake or throw your babies out of anger. This could damage their brains seeing as the skulls of newborn babies are the biggest-sized body part, containing a higher proportion of fluid than adults, together with weak muscle strength supporting their necks. Excessive shaking and throwing of babies could lead to a condition known as Shaken Baby Syndrome – which could lead to permanent brain injury, seizures, and even death.

3. Don’t lie your baby on their tummy.
This can be very dangerous due to the high risk of leading to SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – a sudden and unexplained death of a newborn. Even though the direct cause of SIDS is unknown, many healthcare professionals believe that SIDS is associated with problems in the ability of the baby to wake up from sleep and to detect low levels of oxygen, or a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. Here’s the important thing to note – When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe carbon dioxide instead of oxygen, leading to a toxic buildup in their system. The appropriate way to place newborns to sleep is to place them on their back.

4. Feeding Positioning.
Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your newborn, improper positioning can lead to choking or aspiration. Always ensure that the baby’s head is properly supported while they eat. This is to make sure that the airway is always clear. If you are in doubt, ask your doctor to show you how to properly position your baby while feeding. 

5. Ignoring your baby’s cries
Crying is your baby’s only way of communicating their needs. When they cry, it could be signs of hunger or discomfort amongst other reasons. Ignoring their cries can lead to a lot of stress, anxiety, or complication of a medical issue.
Taking care of a newborn can be one of the most challenging jobs any parent can undertake, however it is very important to avoid common pitfalls that may spell doom for your latest bundle of joy. These are just a few tips for you (we would have loved to share more but we don’t want you to sleep here) however, in the coming weeks we will update you with more healthy tips to keep you and your newborn safe and healthy.

References. 

1. http://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/lifestyles/why-should-shaking-an-infant-be-forbidden#:~:text=On%20the%20contrary%2C%20it%20is,two%20years%20old%20and%20above. 
2. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/SBSMediaGuide.pdf
3. https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids#:~:text=What%20is%20SIDS%3F,review%20of%20the%20clinical%20history. 
4. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001566.htm
    
5. https://www.thebump.com/a/sids