If you’re planning to have a baby or are already expecting, you’ll know how uncertain and, at times, scary this period can be. As a parent, you want to look out for your baby from the very first day and ensure they get the best of life. However, pregnancy can be an incredibly vulnerable period for the mother and the child, and even the smallest missteps can have lasting implications.
Ensuring healthy baby development is your topmost priority, but it can often be hard to figure out what you need to do. There can be a ton of conflicting advice you get from friends, family, and other sources, making it hard for you to figure out what to do and avoid. Before you get on board with anything, it’s important to ascertain whether it has scientific and medical backing.
If you find yourself similarly confused, we have some tips for you. Keep reading below to learn some medically backed tips to ensure your child has perfect health before and after birth.
1. Get all the information
One of the biggest reasons why many parents end up being so confused about what to do and what to avoid is that they don’t have access to unbiased information. Unfortunately, there are misleading resources out there that offer harmful and false information. Before you act on any piece of advice, it’s important to verify the source.
Childbirth injuries are among the most controversial topics regarding fetal development. Getting verified information from a trusted resource outlining what can be damaging for your child is vital. Although some childbirth injuries are congenital, others are entirely preventable and occur due to medical negligence. Exploring childbirthinjuries.com can help you learn more about this topic and figure out if you need to seek legal assistance. Their resources can help you identify when you’ve been a victim of negligence and how birthing can be as safe as possible. With their help, you can ensure that your pregnancy is a safe, comfortable procedure for both mother and child.
2. Take your supplements
Pregnancy can be incredibly demanding for your body, where your body’s main focus becomes nurturing another life, not just yours. Most of the nutrients and minerals that would have contributed to the mother’s development are now siphoned off for the fetus, and your body has a greater demand for nutrition than ever before. Without taking the right course of vitamins, you can end up endangering yourself and your baby.
However, speak to your doctor before you start any regimen. Your doctor can adequately assess your needs so that you don’t take anything unnecessary. It’s important to exercise caution when taking any supplements, especially when you’re pregnant, as an excess can be just as harmful as a deficiency. Folic acid, iodine, vitamin D, and iron are some of the most common supplements prescribed to pregnant women. Following your doctor’s regimen ensures that you and your child have a safe, smooth pregnancy.
3. Talk to your baby
The first few months after birth can be equally joyous and disorienting. Although the first part gets stressed over frequently enough, the latter often goes neglected. Taking care of a baby is no easy task, and you might be confused about what to do. In the earliest stages, it may seem like there’s not much you can do concerning bonding with your baby. However, focus on talking during this stage to ensure healthy development.
Although your baby will not understand you, talking to your infant is vital to ensuring healthy development. Talking to your baby is the only way you can ensure your baby starts developing linguistic skills. In the first few months, speak to your baby in ‘motherese’ with soft, soothing sounds and exaggerated facial expressions. Addressing your baby by name and telling them what you’re doing can eventually help them pick up language skills.
4. Give your baby tummy-time
The earliest stages of your baby’s life can be the most formative period, so you must do your utmost to ensure your baby can develop properly. Babies are incredibly vulnerable and need their parents’ support to overcome hurdles and gradually become more independent. You can facilitate your child’s development in several ways, and tummy time is one of the most important.
Although it may not seem like much, leaving your baby on their tummy allows them to lift their head and arms and make an effort to move around themselves. Your baby may not enjoy tummy time much, but they need to get the hang of moving their limbs and head independently. So, while you may not want to leave them on their tummies for too long, 10-15 minutes, or until they get fussy, is enough throughout the day. Ultimately, you can ensure that your baby develops healthy motor skills by paying attention to such exercises.
5. Let your baby explore
When your baby is so vulnerable, it’s easy for parents to become too worried about their safety. You may not want to let your baby near anything remotely suspicious, but it’s important to let them explore if you want them to develop properly. Giving your baby access to various colors, textures, and items can help their brain development immensely.
Everything in the environment can be foreign to your child, so you need to introduce them. Letting them feel different textures and experience different smells and tastes can help your baby become acclimatized to their surroundings. Colors are a vital part of your child’s brain development, and it’s important to let them have some brightly colored toys to keep them stimulated. Letting your baby explore while being under supervision is a viable way to ensure that your child develops in a safe, healthy way.
Conclusion
Raising a child is no easy feat, whether during or after pregnancy. Any parent’s main goal is to ensure their child can develop safely and healthily. With these tips, you can ensure that your baby suffers no mishaps and attains developmental milestones effortlessly. By keeping yourself educated, you can pave a healthier future for your child. Likewise, getting information and help from reliable resources can aid you in overcoming any challenges of parenthood.
