Health & Life

4 Things You Should Never Do to a Newborn in Their First 7 Days of Life

Newborn babies are incredibly sensitive to their surroundings. In the crucial first 7 days after birth, there are 4 key things parents should avoid doing to ensure their baby's safety and well-being.

Administrator

15 July, 2024

Taking good care of a newborn baby is extremely important for all parents. For new parents who lack experience, it’s crucial to remember these four things to avoid doing with your newborn during the first seven days after birth for the baby’s well-being.

1 Avoid Caring for Your Baby with Unwashed Hands

When it comes to newborn babies, their immune systems are still developing and vulnerable, so contact with bacteria and dirt can make them sick.

Therefore, always wash your hands with soap and warm water or use a hand sanitizer before and after touching your baby.

Additionally, baby items such as bottles, pacifiers, and toys should be sanitized and cleaned daily.

Avoid caring for your baby with unwashed hands

2 Don’t Pinch Your Baby’s Cheeks

Newborns have weak muscles and bones as they are still developing, so pinching their cheeks can be dangerous and cause serious muscle and bone injuries.

The pressure from pinching can affect the head area and cause nerve damage, impacting the child’s future development. Moreover, strong pinching can lead to facial deformities and asymmetry.

Don’t pinch your baby’s cheeks

3 Avoid Co-Sleeping with Your Baby

While it may seem convenient to let your baby sleep between you and your partner in the bed, it’s not advisable.

Your baby could face a risk of suffocation from pillows and blankets or even from the adults’ bodies. Moreover, an adult’s movements and sounds can disrupt the newborn’s sensitive sleep patterns.

Instead, provide your baby with a comfortable crib in a quiet, well-ventilated room with moderate lighting to ensure a good night’s sleep.

Avoid co-sleeping with your baby

4 Don’t Trim Your Baby’s Eyelashes

Many parents wish for their babies to have longer and thicker eyelashes and eyebrows, and some may consider trimming them. However, this practice is not recommended due to potential risks.

Newborns’ eyelashes are soft and sensitive, and trimming them can leave thick roots that irritate and infect the eyes, leading to conjunctivitis or keratitis.

Additionally, eyelashes serve the essential purpose of protecting the eyes from harsh environmental lights. Furthermore, improper trimming can result in accidental cuts on the baby’s delicate skin.

Don’t trim your baby’s eyelashes

The best advice is to let your baby’s eyelashes grow naturally and focus on caring for and protecting their eyes.

In summary, these are the four things to avoid doing with your newborn during the first seven days after birth to ensure their health and safety.

Source: Literature and Arts Times

Frequently asked questions

There are several things one should avoid doing to a newborn in their first week of life. First, do not kiss the baby on the face or mouth, as this can transmit harmful bacteria and viruses that can make the baby very sick. Second, avoid giving the baby water, formula, or any other food besides breast milk, as their digestive system is not ready for anything else yet. Third, do not expose the baby to direct sunlight without protection, as their skin is very sensitive and can burn easily. Fourth, refrain from taking the baby out in public places, especially where sick people may be present, as their immune system is still developing.

Kissing a newborn on the face or mouth can transmit harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause serious health issues for the baby. Newborns have a weak immune system and are highly susceptible to infections, so it’s important to take precautions to protect their health.

No, it is not recommended to give your newborn anything other than breast milk in the first seven days of life. Their digestive system is still developing and is not ready to handle anything else. Introducing water, formula, or other foods too early can cause digestive problems and interfere with the absorption of important nutrients from breast milk.

To protect your newborn from direct sunlight exposure, make sure to keep them in the shade as much as possible. When taking them outdoors, dress them in lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs, and use a hat with a brim to shade their face and neck. You can also use a stroller with a sun canopy or an umbrella to provide additional shade.

Yes, it is generally recommended to avoid taking your newborn to public places, especially where sick people may be present, in the first week of life. Their immune system is still developing, and they are more susceptible to infections. It’s best to limit visitors and exposure to the outside world during this critical period to ensure the baby’s health and safety.