Quality time with baby
All too often, hospitals are associated with medicine and health care. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend quality time with your baby, just for the fun of it and for tender loving care, even while in hospital.
- You can support the baby on her tummy, rock her, and then gently put her back into the crib on her tummy or back.
- To soothe the baby, keep your movements slow and hold the baby with the flat of your hands.
- Always make sure that all tubing is safely out of the way.
- You can hold or rock the baby in cradle position, which is soothing and comforting for both parent and baby.
- Hold the baby in such a way that the baby’s body is slightly curved, with hips and bottom flexed forward. This position offers support and prevents the baby from pushing backwards.
- The cradle hold is calming for the baby and allows for maximum interaction.
- If you cleanse the baby’s mouth with a bit of breast milk, the baby gets used to the taste.
- Pleasant and gentle stimulation around the mouth and lips helps prepare the baby for oral feedings.
- If the baby squirms or turns away, try again later. This should be a pleasant experience for both of you.
- Diaper changes with baby on the side means less disturbance for the baby and little change in position.
- The baby can therefore rest for longer stretches at a time and reserve his energy for more interesting interactions.
- A warmed washcloth reduces temperature differences, such that the baby isn’t woken or stressed.
- Massaging the baby’s foot when changing the pulse oximeter gives the baby a soothing, deep pressure massage that helps the baby stay calm.
- Although you’re providing the necessary health care, you are also giving the baby pleasant, quality time with you.
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