Congratulations on your new arrival! And welcome to the wonderful journey of parenthood. Don't worry if you're feeling like you're on an emotional rollercoaster – it's all perfectly normal. Your priority is getting to know your baby – and we're here to offer you as much expert help as we can.
Tip:
How to bathe a newborn
With the right preparation, bathing your baby can be a lovely bonding experience. Take a look at our smart checklist with a few tips on what you will need and how to bathe a newborn safely.
Right now, your little one's limbs are still curled up and their movements are jerky. This is normal as baby gets used to life outside the womb. Don't worry if your little one is still adapting to feeding - they'll settle in. Breastfeeding mums find that gently stroking a cheek with your nipple and seeing your baby turn to your breast to feed is a good way to start. This is called the 'rooting' reflex and is one of nature's little miracles!
Breast or bottle? Breast is best, and exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life. Your milk provides an ideal balanced diet, as well as protection against illness. The very first breast milk is called 'colostrum' and is a thick, golden liquid that is full of protein and antibodies. It gives your baby all of the nutrients they need in those important first days.
The secret to a happy nappy change for both of you is to get everything you need ready first. It'll make the whole process feel far less overwhelming - and remember, you should never leave your baby unattended on the changing mat.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The best way to feed a baby is to breastfeed, as breast milk provides the ideal balanced diet and protection against illness for your baby and also many non-nutritional benefits for both baby and mother. We recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional when deciding on your choice of feeding your baby. Professional guidance should also be sought on the preparation for and maintenance of breastfeeding. If you do choose to breastfeed, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Infant formula is intended to replace breast milk when mothers choose not to breastfeed or if for some reason they are unable to do so. A decision not to breastfeed, or to introduce partial bottle-feeding, will reduce the supply of breast milk. If for any reason you choose not to breastfeed, do remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse. Using infant formula also has social and financial implications which must be considered. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label, in order to avoid risks to a baby's health.
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