Hey, there mums and dads, it’s been a long wait but your little one is home. The last nine months have been a rollercoaster ride for sure. From planning doctor appointments to maintaining a schedule and diet to working out maternity/paternity leave to spend more time with the little one, there’s so much that’s happened in the past year.
However, parenting is a journey and not a ride and you will soon hit the highway as life goes on. But parenting has evolved over the years and you be sure that it isn’t anything like that your parents experienced. Sure, the principles stay the same but you have the opportunity to mix and match to meet your convenience and understanding. More importantly, in this pandemic turned endemic era, there are a lot of things to learn and unlearn under millennial parenting.
But where do you begin? Don’t worry, We’ve managed to compile a newborn guide for millennials to help you chart out your own parenting journey. There’s an overload of information available on the internet and this guide aims to give you the right information keeping up with the trends.
Image source: iStock
Newborn Guide For Breastfeeding
One of the first acts mums need to do is breastfeed their child be it at the hospital or home. If you aren’t lactating, then you opt for formula milk. However, in either case, you need to understand the basics of breastfeeding, which will be your child’s only source of nutrition for the first six months.
Create a breastfeeding schedule
In order to ease your life and get some time for yourself in the day, mums should begin their parenting journey with a breastfeeding schedule. As infants grow older, they will nurse more often. On average, some babies may feed every two hours while some can go three hours between feedings including at night.
Creating a schedule will help you prepare for the same and even pump milk in advance especially if you want to catch a good night’s sleep. Do not spread feeding intervals beyond four hours even overnight.
Get help when you need it
You don’t need to know everything from the start. Millennial parents much like the previous generations learn on the go, but you do have a better understanding of what you shouldn’t be doing.
That’s why it’s okay to take help in whatever way you can or are able to. Hiring a doula or a baby nurse might be a lifesaver for some while taking help from friends and family you trust is equally fine.
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Handling A Newborn
It can be overwhelming to handle your tiny tot. They are fragile and have a developing immune system that makes them susceptible to infections. So, millennial parents, be cautious about how you handle the baby. Here’s what you need to remember when handling a newborn.
- Wash your hands before you handle the baby or use a hand sanitiser.
- Make sure anyone and everyone does the same. At the same time, let’s not forget that we’ve just been through the pandemic that’s turned into an endemic. Keep your guards up and avoid many people interacting with your infant.
- Always make a point to support the junior’s head and neck
- Never shake your newborn when playing or in anger. This may cause bleeding in the brain or even death
- Instead of shaking the baby to wake them up, try to blow gently on their cheek instead. You can tickle their fleet gently as well.
- When taking your baby outdoors, make sure you’ve secured them in the carrier, stroller or car seat.
Image source: iStock
Singapore’s National Childhood Immunisation Schedule
The Singapore government recommends a number of vaccinations for infants under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS). These vaccines protect the child from preventable diseases.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) regularly reviews these vaccination policies and includes the necessary ones in the schedule based on the safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the vaccine.
At present, the NCIS covers vaccinations against 12 diseases including
- Tuberculosis
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis
- Poliovirus
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type B
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Pneumococcal disease
- Human papillomavirus
In November 2020, the NCIS also added vaccinations against varicella (chickenpox) and influenza. MOH mandates vaccinations against measles and diphtheria for children under the Infectious Diseases Act.
Make sure to speak to your paediatrician about vaccinations and the timeline for the same. You can refer to the table for the vaccinations HERE – https://www.moh.gov.sg/resources-statistics/nationally-recommended-vaccines