Tummy Time
Week 3
Babies sleep a lot. And, as you probably already know, to reduce the
risk of sudden infant death syndrome, your baby should be put to sleep on their
back.
But during the day, it's time to let your child see the world from a
whole new perspective.
Tummy Time helps your baby learn to support their neck and shoulders.
Let them spend on the stomach for 3-5 minutes several times a day - under
supervision, of course.
Lay the baby on different surfaces on the tummy, such as on the floor or
on the chest.
Place a brightly colored toy on the floor so your child can focus on it.
As your baby grows, increase time spent on the tummy to 60 minutes a day
by 3 months.
Some children may not like lying on their stomach. If your baby is one
of them, gradually increase the time spent on the tummy.
New moms: Taking care of yourself
You're so busy taking care of your newborn baby that you may have
forgotten to take care of another important person: yourself!
Almost all new mothers sometimes feel frustrated, sad and depressed.
It's called "baby blues".
You can have baby blues if you:
- Cry a lot more than usual
- Feel very sad
- Have trouble falling asleep, even though you're exhausted
- Are not hungry
- Have feelings of guilt and hopelessness
These sensations should disappear a few days or a week after delivery.
If they don't go away, or if you start to feel worse, seek help from an
obstetrician.
Week 3 Tips
- To catch up on missed sleep, nap when your baby naps. Or get help so you can get a few hours of restful sleep.
- Caring for a newborn can be lonely. When you need communication, call a friend or family member to chat with you.
- Take a stroll with your baby. If you are using a carrier, make sure it fits snugly and supports the baby's head and neck, facing inward.
- After your baby's umbilical cord falls off, bathe him in a small bath of warm water for 5 cm.
- To treat your baby's oily, flaky scalp, wash it with a mild baby shampoo and gently brush off the scales. You can also rub in mineral oil if recommended by your doctor.
- Your child's nails can be tricky to trim, but it's important to keep them short so they don't scratch. To make trimming your nails easier, do it while they sleep and try filing them with a nail file or a toenail file.
- It is normal for babies to have small pimples or pimples on the face and shoulders. Use a soft washcloth and warm water to keep your baby's skin clean.