When you welcome your precious bundle of joy into the world, the maternity ward becomes your new home for the next few days.
It’s an exciting and sometimes overwhelming time, but your baby’s health is your top priority. As a new parent, you want to ensure that your little one receives the best care possible at the maternity ward.
To help you navigate this crucial period, this blog will elaborate on four essential tips. You can easily follow these tips to ensure your baby’s health.
Promote Breastfeeding for Optimal Nutrition
Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of ensuring your baby’s health during your maternity ward stay. While providing nourishment, this practice gives your baby the best start in life. Breast milk is packed with essential nutrients and antibodies that protect your baby from infections.
It’s easy to digest, and it helps in the development of a strong immune system. Plus, it’s always the right temperature, readily available, and cost-effective. Numerous reputable organizations, including the World Health Organization, have vouched for its benefits.
The WHO states that it’s best to start breastfeeding your baby within the first hour after birth. Moreover, it’s crucial to continue to give them only breast milk for the first 6 months. After that, you can keep breastfeeding along with giving them other foods for at least 2 more years.
However, some mothers don’t have the privilege to breastfeed their infants. The reasons could be many, leading them to resort to alternatives like baby formulas. Given the popularity and easy accessibility of these products, many new parents opt for them. However, it’s equally important to understand the potential health risks associated with using baby formula.
Some baby formula brands, such as Similac, are currently facing allegations of causing Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in infants. According to TorHoerman Law, babies who were given formula had a greater chance of developing NEC compared to those who were solely breastfed.
Recent cases involving infants developing NEC after consuming baby formula are gaining attention from various organizations. Parents whose infants have experienced severe health issues as a result of using Similac baby formula are filing lawsuits. They are hiring skilled attorneys to initiate a Similac lawsuit, thereby enhancing their prospects of obtaining maximum compensation.
Engage in Skin-To-Skin Contact and Bonding
One of the most beautiful ways to ensure your baby’s health in the maternity ward is through skin-to-skin contact and bonding. It’s simple yet incredibly powerful. This means holding your baby close to your chest, with their bare skin against yours. This contact is soothing for your baby and helps regulate their body temperature and breathing.
A recent study published in ScienceDirect tried to understand how childbirth can lead to stress symptoms in mothers. The study also explored the factors that can help protect mothers from feeling this way. The study found that feelings of guilt and fear during childbirth were linked to stress in some mothers, especially after certain types of births.
Importantly, skin-to-skin contact with the baby was associated with reduced feelings of guilt and fear during birth. This trend is more visible among women who had a cesarean section. These findings underscore the importance of implementing skin-to-skin contact after childbirth.
Create a Comfortable and Safe Sleep Environment
One of the key steps in ensuring your baby’s health in the maternity ward is to establish a cozy and secure sleep space. Simplicity is often the best approach here. Start by laying your baby down on their back in a crib with a firm mattress.
Make sure the crib doesn’t have soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals. These items could be dangerous and make it hard for the baby to breathe. Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature, not too hot or too cold, to help your baby sleep soundly.
In 2021, more than 1 in 4 babies were born in baby-friendly designated hospitals, according to the Breastfeeding Report Card. These numbers are optimistic and should encourage you to consider such a hospital to ensure a comfortable environment for the infant.
These hospitals prioritize practices that support breastfeeding and safe sleep, so if you’re in one of them, you’re in good hands.
Ensure Regular Check-Ups and Vaccinations
Keeping up with regular check-ups and vaccinations for your baby is crucial during your maternity ward stay. These visits allow healthcare professionals to monitor your baby’s growth and development, ensuring any potential issues are addressed promptly.
Today’s healthcare entities have increased their efforts to improve maternity care, as evidenced in the Maternity Survey 2022. The survey revealed that 70% of mothers always received the help they needed when contacting midwives or health visiting teams for postnatal care.
These positive findings ensure positive health outcomes for both mothers and infants. They also serve as drivers for change, especially in cases where many women still lack appropriate postnatal care.
During these check-ups, healthcare providers will also discuss and administer vaccinations that help protect your baby from potentially serious illnesses. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to ensure your baby’s immune system is prepared to defend against common diseases.
Following your healthcare provider’s recommended vaccination schedule helps protect your baby’s health during their time in the maternity ward and beyond.
In Conclusion
In a series of emotions that accompany the arrival of your precious little one, their health is your top priority. These four simple yet essential tips can make all the difference in ensuring your baby’s well-being during your stay in the maternity ward.
It’s important to note that you’re not alone in this journey. Healthcare professionals and support systems are there to assist you along the way. Your baby’s health is a shared mission, and by following these tips, you’re giving your bundle of joy the best possible beginning.