Newborn Baby Care – Important Tips for Parents!

The first few months with your newborn can be chaotic and overwhelming for first-time parents. You will get all kinds of contradicting advice from everyone about newborn baby care. Deciding what advice to follow in regards to newborn care can be confusing. Caring for a newborn is exhausting and challenging, but it is also one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of your life.

Tips to Take Care of Newborn Baby

Taking care of a newborn is obviously a challenge when it is your first time. So, here are ten ways that will assist you in taking care of a newborn baby:

1. Feeding

It is very important to feed the baby on time. A newborn has to be fed every 2 to 3 hours, which means you need to nurse her 8-12 times in 24 hours. An infant should be fed only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. Breast milk contains vital nutrients and antibodies that are required for a baby’s survival and growth. Nurse the baby for 10 minutes at least. Hold the breast near your baby’s lips until she latches on firmly and starts sucking. If the baby has latched on correctly, the mother will not experience any pain in her nipples. The breast should feel less full once the baby is done the feeding. This is an indication that the baby is getting enough milk. In case breast milk is not an option, feed the baby with a doctor-recommended formula. The baby should get 60 to 90ml of formula per feeding.

2. Burping

Once the baby is fed, she needs to be burped. Babies swallow air while feeding, which causes gas and colic in their tummies. Burping expels this excess air, thus aiding in digestion and preventing spit-ups and stomach colic. Gently hold the baby against your chest with one hand. Her chin should rest on your shoulder. Pat or stroke her back very gently with your other hand until she burps.

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3. How to Hold Your Newborn

It is very important to ensure that you are supporting your baby’s head and neck with one hand while holding her. This is because her neck muscles are not yet strong enough to hold up the head independently. The backbone is also still growing and becoming stronger. The neck will be able to support the head on its own only after 3 months of age. So pay attention to supporting your baby’s head and neck while taking care of a newborn baby.

4. Umbilical Cord Stump Care

An important aspect of newborn baby care in the 1st month is caring for the umbilical cord stump. Do not bathe your baby for the initial 2-3 weeks. Give her a sponge bath instead of lukewarm water. Keep the navel area clean and dry. Keep the baby’s diaper folded down so that the stump can dry. Disinfect your hands before handling the navel area. To clean, use a damp cloth and dry with a clean, absorbent cloth. Look out for signs of infection in the cord-stump area. If there is redness, swelling, smelly discharge or pus, and bleeding in the navel area, take the baby to a pediatrician.

5. Diapering

Changing diapers frequently is an important aspect when taking care of a newborn baby after delivery. If your baby is getting sufficient breast milk or formula, she will wet at least 6 to 8 diapers in a day, along with regular bowel movements. Change her diaper frequently, as soon as it feels full. You may even have to change it at least 10 times a day. To change a dirty diaper, you will need a changing sheet, gentle diaper wipes, diaper rash cream or baby powder and fresh diapers. In order to prevent UTI, wipe your baby girl from front to back rather than back to front. And let your baby remain without a diaper for a few hours each day.

6. Bathing

Bathing a newborn is a delicate task. You should start bathing the baby 2 to 3 times a week after the cord stump dries and falls off. Make sure you have all the bathing and changing supplies ready before you take the baby for a bath. Bath time just before bedtime helps babies sleep more soundly. You will need an infant bathtub, lukewarm water, mild baby soap or body wash, a washcloth, soft towel, baby lotion or cream, new diaper, and fresh baby clothes. Get your partner or a family member to help, so that one person can hold the baby’s neck and head above the water while the other bathes the baby. Use soap sparingly. Clean the baby’s genitals, scalp, hair, neck, face, and any dried mucous that has collected around the nose with the washcloth. Rinse your baby’s body with lukewarm water. Once this is done, dry the baby’s body with a soft towel, apply lotion and put on a fresh diaper and baby clothes.

7. Massaging

Massaging is a great way to bond with your baby. It also helps in soothing the baby to sleep and in improving blood circulation and digestion. Spread a small quantity of baby oil or lotion on your hands. Next, gently and rhythmically stroke her body. Maintain eye contact with the baby and talk to her when massaging her body. A good time to massage the baby is before her bath.

8. Handling Your Newborn

There are a few things to keep in mind when playing with your baby. Never shake your baby as her internal organs are delicate and can be damaged by vigorous shaking. Do not throw the baby up into the air, as this can be dangerous. Always disinfect or wash your hands before handling the baby, as their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are vulnerable to infections. Ensure that your baby is fastened securely in a stroller, car seat, or baby carrier if you are taking her out. Make your baby lie on her tummy every day for a short while. This will make her neck and back muscles stronger. It will also improve her vision, as she will need to look up and sideways to see.

9. Sleeping

Newborns need to sleep for about 16 hours a day in the first 2 months. They usually take naps that are 2 to 4 hours long and wake up if they are hungry or wet. As the baby needs to be fed every 3 hours, you may need to wake her and feed her. Do not worry in case she does not follow the ideal newborn sleep pattern. Every baby is different and has a different sleep cycle. You should also remember to alternate your baby’s head position while she is sleeping. This prevents the formation of flat spots on the head. Make sure you put the baby to sleep on her back to avoid suffocation. A mother should try to take naps along with the baby. She can also use the time to have a bath or eat a meal peacefully while her baby is asleep.

10. Trimming Nails

Newborn nails grow very fast. The baby may scratch her own face or body with her hand movements. Hence, it is important to keep the baby’s nails trimmed. As the nails of a baby are soft, so use baby nail clippers. Try and trim the nails gently when the baby is asleep. Do not trim it too deeply as the nails are very tender and it could be painful for the baby. Do not trim the edges of the nails as this will cause ingrown nails.

New parents should seek help from family or friends so that they can rest and take care of themselves too. First-time parents of a newborn can be quite perplexed about several aspects of newborn baby care. This article will help new moms care for their newborns with confidence.

Guide To Cheap Grocery Shopping in Malaysia

1. Let’s BYOB!

Although BYOB usually stands for “Bring your own booze”, we certainly aren’t encouraging you to drink while grocery shopping.

The Kiamsiap take on BYOB actually refers to “Bring your own BAG”! You’d probably know this already, but hear us out. Most supermarkets and department stores in Malaysia now charge up to 50 cents for a plastic bag, and if you have a lot of groceries to shop for, you could end up spending a lot on plastic bags alone.

Why not save up by getting yourself a few reusable tote bags instead, and bringing these along whenever you go shopping? You would also be saving the environment in the process — while being well-prepared to tackle situations like Penang’s absolute ban on plastic bags every Monday.

Of course, you could bring both some bags and a “beverage” too. Don’t blame us, though, if you end up spending even more in your drunken state!

2. Resist the temptation and get listed!

Remember the popular Malay saying, “Sediakan payung sebelum hujan”? It’s basically a reminder to always prepare adequately before facing challenges or taking on tasks.

Believe it or not, this saying holds true even when it comes to grocery shopping — and what better way to prepare for this specific challenge than by making a list?

Creating a list of the groceries you need to shop for will not only help you focus on only getting the things you need, but also allows you to stick to a strict budget so that you don’t end up spending money unnecessarily.

This is especially important in Malaysia, where sales are literally everywhere and the temptation to spend money on things we don’t really need is very, very strong.

3. Cheaper choices can be good

To become a true disciple of ‘The Kiamsiap Way’, one must understand the power of choice when it comes to grocery shopping.

The next time you’re as Tesco, AEON, Giant, or any other supermarket or hypermarket, make the conscious choice of buying that supermarket or hypermarket’s very own products. These can range from cookies to detergent to hand soap, so you definitely won’t have trouble when it comes to variety.

Why? A supermarket’s own products are often cheaper than those of competitors that it also carries. For example, Tesco’s Glass Cleaner (500ml) retails for only RM4.09, while the Glass Cleaners from other manufacturers are sold for RM6.69 or more.

So, the next time you’re shopping for groceries, go to a store that makes its own products — and don’t be ashamed to make cheaper choices.

4. Keep your eyes on the expiring goods

If you visit stores like Cold Storage and Village Grocer regularly, you should know about the existence of shelves or sections in these stores that are meant specifically for expiring goods.

You should also know, then, that dismissing these goods just because they are expiring could prove to be a very costly mistake!

If you take a closer look at them, you would realise that many of them are actually being sold at discounted prices — sometimes, by up to 90%. The best part? They may not be expiring anytime soon, as some of these items could still last for a few months, and possibly even longer if refrigerated.

As such, why not incorporate as many of these items as you need into your list of groceries, especially if they can replace some full-priced items? In fact, by making it a habit to check out the expiring goods section whenever you’re in a grocery store, you could end up saving a whole lot of money.

5. Jalan-jalan cari makan

Let’s face it: dealing with crowds of people while pushing a heavy trolley around and constantly comparing goods can be a very taxing process. Throw the responsibility of looking after kids into the mix, and the situation becomes even more exhausting.

Now, being Malaysians, we tend to deal with this exhaustion using a technique that we know too well: makan!

What if we told you, though, that spending on food or makan-makan while grocery shopping could be a large reason why your shopping trips are so expensive?

Eating in a mall or supermarket is almost always more expensive that eating at a mamak or hawker stall, or even cooking at home. Thus, before you go on your next grocery shopping trip, why not have a hearty meal at home or at your favourite affordable eatery?

Here’s another tip: try as many food samples as you can while shopping! This may seem like an extreme thing to do even for ‘The Kiamsiap Way’, but what’s a little bit of shame if it means leaving with a full stomach?

Cuba try test?

There you go! Five kiamsiap hacks that can help make your grocery shopping trips much cheaper, in exchange for a few small changes to your usual shopping habits.

But that’s not all. Since we Malaysians love free gifts, here’s one bonus pointer: cards! Some credit and debit cards give you rewards, points, discounts and even cashback offers for using them to pay for your groceries, like the New AEON Gold Visa/MasterCard and the CIMB Tesco Platinum Credit Card. Sign up for one of these and take them with you the next time you go grocery shopping! Don’t forget to make credit card comparison on Loanstreet’s website so that you can see which card fits your need most.

12 Secret Grocery Shopping Tips You Need to Know

The grocery store takes away a big chunk of your paycheck. Whether you're picking up just a few things or stocking up for the week, there are plenty of simple ways to save time and money. We share insider tips to help your shopping spree go smoothly.

Never Shop on Sunday Afternoons

From shoppers making their way to and from to church and entertainers getting ready for the big game to procrastinators hitting the store before the weekend is over, Sundays are one of the most crowded times at grocery stores. Doing major shopping at peak hours is a bad idea; it’s never fun to fight the crowds, endure long lines and have to browse picked-over produce bins and sale racks.

When to go instead: basically, anytime. Off hours are typically first thing in the morning, late in the evening and during the week.

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Always Shop with a List

It’s easy to think you’ll remember every item you need once you’re browsing the store, but in the hustle and bustle of shopping there’s bound to be something you forget. Before you leave home, take stock of your pantry items and make sure you’ve got things like olive oil, pasta and other staples you might not buy weekly. Sketch out a few dinner ideas so you know what to grab (and save yourself from having to figure out what to cook on the fly after work). Check out these doable ways to start meal planning this weekend. Plus, making a list beforehand lets you move more efficiently through the store.

Pro tip: If you organize your list by product type, it’s a breeze to pick everything up as you work through the aisles. Here are more ideas that’ll turn you into an expert list-maker in no time.

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Never Shop Hungry

On top of making it hard to concentrate, being hungry while grocery shopping can potentially cause an increase in your spending. Past research has proved that shopping for food on an empty stomach is a pricey risk. Hungry shoppers have the potential to buy items they don’t need or to fill their cart with unhealthy snacks. Instead, shop after meals or take along a healthy snack to enjoy while you shop.

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Bring Your Own Bags

Bringing your own reusable totes is good for the environment (who needs another plastic bag anyways?). Some stores even offer discounts for every reusable bag that you bring into the store. Need to stock up on a few extras? Here are our favorites (they’re pretty cute!).

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Always Grab Meat and Dairy Items Last

When you plan a longer shopping trip, you need to consider what items could lose their cool. On lengthy shopping trips, begin in the produce section and end in the dairy or meat aisles, as those products can spoil if left in a non-chilled environment for too long.

Fun fact: These foods will last just about forever.

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Don’t Just Buy an Item Just Because It’s on Sale

It’s hard sometimes not to pick up an item when it’s labeled with a brightly colored SALE sticker, but you always want to look at other items and prices. Just because an item is on sale doesn’t mean it’s the cheapest option. Look around on the shelf and compare prices. Check store-brand products, too, as they can often be the cheapest option.

Pro tip: Check the price per ounce to determine the real cost.

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Always Grab Perishable Items from the Back of the Shelf

Stockers follow a first-in, first-out organization (and so should you). They stock new inventory behind the older inventory. For many items, like packaged foods or frozen foods, expiration dates are far off anyway. But it’s worth reaching to the back for dairy, produce, eggs and other fresh foods to grab the item with the most-distant expiration date.

Learn the right way to organize your own fridge to keep food fresher, longer.

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Sign Up for Discount Programs and Loyalty Cards

There’s no telling what specials or discounts your local grocery store may offer for customers. It’s possible your store offers extra savings for particular groups, from senior citizens to students. Be sure to inquire about a discount card or a store membership program, as these often provide extra savings and special deals. Oftentimes, store discount cards are available for free or may provide extra savings on gas and prescription medications.

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Don’t Shop for Produce in the Middle of the Day

If you’re looking to buy the freshest fruits and veggies, time your shopping trip to coincide with deliveries. Shipments of produce often arrive at local grocers in the morning as the store opens or later in the evening as the store prepares to close. So if you’re seeking the newest produce or a wider selection in the store, find out when your store’s shipments arrive and choose those times to shop.

When you do buy produce, don’t buy too much. It’s easy to get overenthusiastic at the store. Remember how long fresh produce really lasts, and buy only what you’ll use.

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Don’t Go Shopping Without Looking at the Sale Ads

If you don’t have time to clip coupons, glancing at sale ads is a smart, quick way to save money—even firehouse chefs do it. Compare prices at local stores and look for potential discounts on items you know you’ll be buying.

If an item you buy frequently goes on sale, stock up. Many common foods can be frozen, including staples like milk. (Read about surprising foods you can freeze.)

Pro tip: Many grocery stores offer price matching with competitors, which can save you dollars without forcing you to take multiple trips to different stores. (Don’t forget to bring along the ad if you’re planning to ask for a price match.)

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Know When to Use the Self-Checkout

When you’ve only got a few items (or can’t stand the idea of making small talk), the self-check option is super appealing. However, know when to skip this option. Skip the self-checkout lane if you’ve got a whole cart full—it’ll take you twice as long to scan and bag all your items. Opt out if you have anything that requires ID, like alcohol or even certain OTC medications. Skip it if you have coupons, too. Many stores require employees to digitally sign off on them. Check out our full list of self-check dos and don’ts.

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