5 baby care tips and tricks you might not know

Preparing for the arrival of your baby involves advice from parents, in laws, friends and expert books but here are five little known baby care tips that would help any new mom.

1. Holding on

We are sure you've come across many a seasoned parent or elder who have said that you should not hold or carry your baby all the time. However, we decry this belief and say 'Holding is good!' Remember that no matter what people have said, you cannot spoil a baby by holding her. In fact, according to baby expert Linda C. Donovan, "Babies who are held often and have their needs met right away are more likely to have higher self-images and learn they are respected and worthy."

2. Baby wipes be gone

Contrary to popular notion, newborn babies don't require those baby wipes to clean their bums. Baby wipes which are considered to be essential for diaper duty are both expensive and can also hurt a baby's sensitive bottom. According to the editor of the AANLCP Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning Wendie A. Howland, "A 100 percent breastfed baby doesn't need baby wipes. Not at all. Breastfed baby feces are low in acid and bacteria, watery and wipe off easily; breastfed baby urine is diluted and non-corrosive."

What is recommended instead is to wipe that baby bottom with the diaper you're taking off, re-wrap in a new clean cloth diaper, and you're both good to go. For babies who are formula-fed, use a washcloth and a mild soap instead.

3. Stop that leak

This is especially for nighttime when your baby might not have a diaper change for 10-12 hours depending on his sleep pattern. Try putting a maxi pad (if you have one handy) into the diaper to serve as extra absorbent material in addition to the diaper. If this is too radical for you, put on an extra cloth diaper (my mom calls it 'seluar getah' which loosely translates to rubber pants) over her regular diapers. This will help prevent any leakage onto your babies' PJs or the bed spread.

4. Skip the shoes

Until your child can walk on his own, there really is no point for getting him shoes. We know they look pretty but do yourself a favour and save that pretty penny for something more important. Get them socks instead which are both practical and significantly cheaper.

5. Beware the spray

This is especially for Mommies with little baby boys. Remember, when cool air hits your baby's privates, he'll tend to pee. So open that diaper slowly so that you can catch the stream before it's all over you and the furniture. Alternatively, you can also cover their privates with a cloth, which will absorb the spray before it catches you in the eye or face.

For more related articles on your baby and baby care, see:

All you need to know about home-made baby food

5 tips for newborn skin care

Bonding with your newborn