Taking Care Of The Infant And Yourself After Childbirth

For Baby:

Burping is extremely important after every feeding - the longer you can do it the better (on average 5 minutes after every feed). Way to do is hold baby on shoulder - just be careful with the head. Also make sure to place the baby on tummy while he/she is awake - this really helps gas to pass out.

Asafetida (Hing) mixed with warm water rubbed on baby's tummy in case of gas/pain brings instant relief.

For congestion in chest, make a 'potli' of ajwain (small pouch filled with ajwain), heat it on a pan (tava) and give 'sek' (Warmth) to the baby on the chest. First test it on your skin to make sure its luke warm and not burning hot.

Make sure to dry the baby’s belly button (to avoid any infection) after bath.

Use dettol and mild soap for their clothes.

Keep your baby in a clean and well ventilated room.

Change the baby’s bedding regularly.

Don’t let visitors handle the baby without washing their hands with soap. Just ask them politely to do so.

It is very important to exclusively breast feed the baby till it completes 6 months of age.

Bathe the baby with lukewarm and not too hot water.

Oil massage can also be done before bathing. Just check with a patch test that your baby is not allergic to the oil.

For Mother:

Use green gram (moong daal) instead of split pigeon peas (toor dal) to avoid gastric troubles in the baby if the baby is on mother’s milk.

Drink plenty of liquids-water, milk and avoid cold food.

Avoid heavy foods like kidney beans (Rajma), chick peas (Kabuli Chana) , black gram (urad daal) etc.

Do take clarified butter (ghee) with every meal.

Ensure your hair is dry before going to the baby else baby catches up cold.

Don’t forget to take iron, calcium and multivitamin supplements as long as you breast feed.

Always sit with a bottle of water while you are breastfeeding and make sure to drink it because the baby takes up a lot of fluids from your body.

Do watch what you eat. Avoid gassy foods like dry beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, etc. For the first week or so. My mother-in-law tells me that eating lady fingers causes body pain in mothers, brinjal causes skin rashes in babies and spinach causes loose motion or constipation for new born babies.

Foods like clarified butter, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, cottage cheese (paneer) are considered good foods for health as also for good milk production. Eat nutritious diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.

Take 5 almonds a day which will increases mother’s milk.

Avoid usage of chilies or chilli powder atleast for 45 days.instead use black pepper powder. It prevents cold and help in internal healing.

Tie a belt around the tummy for first 2 months or so especially after bath to help tummy get back to shape.

I feel the most imp thing is to take adequate rest. Work we do all through our lives. This is the time we can really enjoy the much needed rest and bond with our little one...

Essential Needs:

Cotton Frocks
Cotton Nappy
Wiping Towel
Wrapping Towel
Receiving Blanket
Rubber Sheet
Disposable Diaper
Mitten & Booties
Sweater Set

Bath Needs:

Baby Bath Tub
Baby Towel
Baby Toiletries
Baby Soap
Baby Shampoo
Baby Oil
Baby Lotion day/bedtime
Baby Powder
Baby Hair Oil
Baby Cream
Baby Bath
Baby Rash Cream
Baby Wipes
Bath Towel
Baby Buds
Cotton Balls

Sleeping Needs:

Baby Mattress
Baby Blanket
Baby Quilt
Pillow
Baby Bed Sheet
Night suits
Mosquito Net
Baby Monitor
Crib Or Cot

Traveling Time:

Baby Carry Cot
Baby Car Seat
Push Chair Or Pram
Mother Bag

Accessories:

Baby Photo Album
Baby Nail Clipper
Baby Nail Scissor
Rattle
Teether
Baby Hair Brush & Comb
Thermometer forehead/axilla
Cloth Detergent