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Skin to skin time with your newborn

• When your baby is born you will be encouraged to have skin to skin contact as soon as possible. It means holding your baby naked against your skin. This helps regulate your baby’s temperature, breathing and heart rate. You bond with your baby and boost your milk supply.

Washing and bathing your baby

• You don’t need to bathe your baby every day. You may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead. This is often called “topping and tailing”.
• Choose a time when your baby is awake and content. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand. You’ll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes.
• If you decide to bathe your baby it’s best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they’re hungry or tired. Make sure the room you’re bathing them in is warm.
• Newborn’s do not need a variety of clothes during the first few weeks.
• It is very important to keep them comfortable whilst dressing the baby. Ensure that they do not get too hot or tool cold.
• How to dress a newborn baby – Start for Life – NHS gives you information on how to dress your baby in summer and winter.
• Small  babies are not very good at regulating their own body temperature. The Lullaby trust website says that the chance of sudden infant death syndrome is higher when the baby gets too hot. A temperature of 16 to 20c is comfortable and safe  for the baby to sleep

Talking and playing with your baby

• 90% of your child’s brain growth happens before the age of 5. Right from the start, all those little moments you spend together with your child are building their brain.
• Every smile, cuddle, chat and game makes a huge difference, helping them learn to communicate, develop confidence and make friends.
• Family hubs offer support to children, young people and their families. They provide a single place to go for support and information from a variety of organisations, making it easier to get the support you need.
• They can provide guidance on issues such as feeding your baby or toddler, mental health and parenting support.

Looking after your baby’s teeth

• It is important to look after your baby’s teeth once the milk teeth breaks through. Milk teeth help to align and space their permanent teeth.
• Brushing your child’s teeth as soon as it comes through helps to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
• Only give breastmilk, infant formula or cooled water in a bottle to your baby. Water can be given around 6 months old. Do not give juice or sugary drink in a bottle.