This blog is intended for general information purposes only. If you have concerns about your or your child’s health, speak to a medical practitioner.

Your new baby has arrived – congratulations! But there’s one question almost every new parent finds themselves asking: how on  earth do I take care of this tiny human? Luckily, there’s a whole host of information out there. From maternity carers to your family and wider community, there are so many people who have had the experience you’re about to embark on, and they’ll all have advice they’re willing to share (sometimes, whether you want it or not!).

Today and next week, we’re going to look at some of the basics around taking care of a newborn, from the official things you need to get sorted to the day-to-day necessities that will help you meet their needs. The first 6-8 weeks are often the hardest, especially if this is your first child, so having an idea of the things you need to get the hang of can be useful, particularly when you’re trying to navigate the fog of sleep deprivation, so let’s get started!

Register your baby’s birth

While this doesn’t need to be done on day one, you will need to register the birth fairly quickly after your little one arrives – in New Zealand, that usually means within the first two months (you can check the details for your own country on your government’s websites). This is a legal requirement in NZ, and it is free, though you will need to pay a fee to get a copy of the birth certificate. If you’ve made a mistake on the form, it may also incur a charge if you need to correct it, so take care to check and recheck before you submit it. Once the birth has been registered, you can get other things organised, including applying for your baby’s IRD number and Best Start payments or adding them to your Working for Families tax credits.

Winding/Burping

It can be difficult to know when and how to burp a baby.  But burping is an important thing to get accustomed to, as babies are often unable to shift the air they sometimes swallow when feeding or crying by themselves. While not all babies need to be winded, a great many do. So, when will it need to be done? Usually, you can give them a good burp midway through a feed – many babies will naturally take a break part way through, which is an excellent time to help shift that discomfort. Your child may show signs they’re feeling uncomfortable during a feed if they’ve taken in a lot of air. Grimacing, fussing, and squirming can all be signs they need to be burped. Once the feeding session is over, it can be good to burp them again. When burping, they may ‘spill’ or ‘spit up’ some milk – this is quite normal, particularly in those early days, but if you have any concerns about the amounts, always check with your healthcare practitioner. 

There are a couple of common ways to burp your baby. The most common one, and the one you’re probably most aware of, is to hold them upright with their head near your shoulder. This upright position allows air to escape on its own. You can gently pat or rub their back to encourage this, and many parents find it helpful to stand up and gently bounce or rock yourself to assist - this is a gentle motion, more like a dance than a true bounce. It’s a great idea to have a spill cloth to put over your shoulder for any milk that does manage to escape, as milk is very prone to staining clothing! If you find this position doesn’t work, ask your LMC for some alternative ways to try, as different positions can work for different babies.

There are, of course, many more things to think about when you’ve got your new baby at home with you. We’ll look at a few more of these next time, including nappy changes, clothing and more!

Share