Life with Your Baby

❶ Environment

Baby room

Newborns can't adjust their body temperature effectively. Ensure the room's temperature feels comfortable for adults, not too cold or too warm, and maintain moderate humidity.

Select a sleeping area for your baby shielded from direct sunlight and drafts. Additionally, avoid placing the baby near objects that could fall easily.

●Summer Precaution

Position the fan to circulate air indirectly towards the baby, perhaps by bouncing air off the wall or ceiling, to avoid direct airflow. Monitor air conditioning to prevent excessive cooling.

●Winter Precautions

Avoid overly drying the air with heaters. Consider indoor drying of clothes or using a humidifier sparingly, and ventilate the room periodically.

Do not use electric blankets or kotatsu for babies, as they risk dehydration and burns. Instead, place a securely covered hot water bottle or baby foot warmer at a safe distance (about 20cm) from the baby.

●Infection prevention

Extra caution is necessary to prevent infections in the first month. Always wash your hands before handling your baby and ensure clothing and bedding are clean. Limit exposure to individuals with colds and prohibit smoking in the baby's room.

Bedding

The baby's bedding should be firm enough to prevent the baby from sinking into it. Based on the room temperature, layer the bedding with a blanket or futon, aiming for minimal coverage. For a room at 20 degrees, dressing the baby in underwear and a light jacket under a blanket is usually sufficient.

❷ Clothing and Diapers

How you choose clothing and diapers, and how you dress your child is related to their physical development and health. Prepare something that will make your baby feel comfortable.

Baby clothing

●How to select clothes

Clothing serves to protect the skin and maintain warmth. Consider the following when selecting baby clothes:

・The material is cotton or wool, which is hygroscopic and absorbs sweat well.

・ Items that are soft against the skin.

・Clothes that allow easy movement of limbs.

・Durable items that maintain their shape after washing.

・Always wash new clothes before they are worn by your baby.

●Dressing Guidelines

For the first 2 months, dress your baby in one more layer than an adult would wear. At 3 months, they can wear the same number of layers as an adult, and from 4 months onwards, one layer less than an adult is adequate. Avoid overdressing and adjust clothing based on room temperature.

When dressing your baby, support their joints without forcing their limbs into clothes. For efficiency, thread sleeves first when layering, allowing you to dress your baby smoothly in one go.

Your baby's clothes are prone to getting dirty due to breastfeeding spills and perspiration, necessitating at least daily changes.

Changing diapers

Upon hearing your baby cry, promptly check and, if necessary, change their diaper.

●Ideal Diaper Changes:

Babies naturally assume an M-shaped leg position. Let your child move their legs freely in this pose.

Support your baby's bottom with your hand when placing or removing a diaper. To avoid the risk of hip dislocation, gently wipe their bottom while they are lying on their side instead of lifting their legs up.

Clean your baby's bottom with a warm, damp towel, ensure it's dry, then put on a fresh diaper, paying special attention to cleanliness and dryness.

❸ Bathing Your Baby

Bathing is primarily for cleanliness rather than warming your baby. Aim for a stress-free cleaning process for the baby.

Timing and Water Temperature

Schedule baths consistently, preferably during warmer parts of the day. Nighttime baths are an option if daytime isn't feasible, but avoid bathing right after feedings.

five-minute bath is sufficient to prevent tiring your baby.

Use a special baby bath for the first month due to infection risks, transitioning to clean water baths thereafter. Water temperature should be between 38 to 40 degrees Celsius.

When to avoid bathing

Avoid bathing if your baby has a fever, seems upset, or unwell. On non-bath days, clean your baby's neck, armpits, and diaper area with a warm, damp towel.

Bath Preparation and Process