Swaddling keeps a newborn snuggling together and is considered as one of the important techniques to sooth a newborn. It not only gives newborns warm and comfy feelings but also a sense of security.

Benefits of swaddling a newborn include:

• To help her sleep longer: new babies are used to the tight feeling in mother’s womb. When they are being wrapped, movement of their arms and legs are kept to minimum which can make them feel safe and secure;
• Stop excessive crying:  when newborn being wrapped, her sense of safety may  decrease her frequency of crying;
• Reduce chances of scratching her face: babies’ nails grow very fast and can be sharp. It is suggested to wear mitten while baby is sleeping. For newborn, swaddling can prevent her scratching her faces during sleep time.

When your baby is crying, always check if she is hungry or have a wet/dirty diaper. Some babies do not like to be swaddled. You may try to swaddle her a little bit looser. Or maybe try using the wrap baby carrier.  Every baby is different, and she needs time to adjust her new environment. You just have to try different things to make her feel warm and secure in the first few weeks.

You can use a blanket to swaddle your baby. Or use the swaddle/sleepsack package such as SwaddleMe or sleepsack swaddle.

Although swaddling is a great way to sooth a baby, you should stop it after baby becomes one month of age; and also it is not suggested to swaddle a newborn all day long; otherwise, it may interfere baby’s movement and delay her development. Swaddling your newborn during her bedtime and unswaddle her when she is awake.

Never swaddle your baby in a hot room because overheating may cause SIDS. Room temperature around 21 Celsius or 70 Fahrenheit is recommend.

If your baby cannot go to sleep without swaddling after one month, try swaddle her loosely first, then with her one arm out for few times, after that let her both arms out. If she sleeps ok with her arms out, it means she probably does not need to be swaddled anymore.

Here are some tips to prevent and maybe cure baby eczema:

• Place baby beside the window for half hour, twice a day. Sunlight may help preventing eczema flare ups, but never under direct sunlight;
• Apply eczema therapy cream every morning and every night or as needed. Aveeno eczema care cream works really well on relieving baby’s dry skin. It is natural and fragrance free.
• Use lukewarm cloth to gently wipe baby’s face every morning and night, as well as wipe her mouth area after each feeding, then apply baby lotion. Never let her face becomes dry;
• Do not bath baby every day, twice a week is recommended. But rinse her bum before she goes to sleep every night or after each poo to avoid diaper rash;
• When bathing baby, make sure water is lukewarm and use mild baby wash, such as Aveeno soothing relief creamy wash and Johnson’s head-to-toe foaming baby wash;
• Avoid using harsh detergents on baby’s clothing;
• Clothing your baby in 100% cotton. Use 100% cotton sleeping bag and 100% cotton bedding;
• Avoid applying perfume and cologne when you are with baby;
• Do not smoke in the house. Always keep baby in smoke free environment;
• If you are breastfeeding, try not to eat citrus fruits and spicy foods;
• Never overheat your baby. Dress her appropriate at home and outside;
• In order to prevent baby scratching her eczema area, make sure you cut baby’s nails on a regular basis. Have her wear mittens while she is sleeping;
• Open window to allow fresh air in every morning.  In northern climate, it is essential to have a humidifier and air purifier in baby’s room and her activity areas (one of the best air purifiers with humidifying function is Sharp Plasmacluster. It can be used for up to 254 square foot room. Although this machine is a bit pricy, it is a great investment for your baby as well as for your family’s health and well-being.

Baby eczema usually goes away in few weeks. However, it may come back. Every baby is different. There is no magical cure for baby eczema. You probably have tried many creams on your baby, but nothing work well. Your pediatrician may recommend a steroid cream if your baby’s eczema is getting worse. However, apply steroid cream as instructed. If you notice her skin is getting better, apply it just once a day or maybe even every other day because steroid cream may cause thinning of your baby’s delicate skin.

Do not be desperate, just be patient, and try following our suggestions. Your baby’s eczema will eventually disappear.

Here are some tips on how to prevent or heal diaper rash for newborns:

• Change diapers every 1-2 hours. But, as soon as you notice her bowel movement, change her diaper right away (newborns tend to have small and frequent pooopy, it will eventually slow down as baby grows);
• If you have time, try to rinse her bum with lukewarm water after each poo, and let her diaper free for 5-10 minutes as it gives her soft skin a chance to air out;
• If you are using disposable diaper, try different brands as some newborn may be sensitive to certain brand. If you are using cloth diaper, make sure it is dye free, fragrance free and no enzymes or optical brighteners. For example, Rockin Green detergent specializes for sensitive skin, it is one of the best detergents for cloth diapers;
• If you are using disposable wipes, use unscented wipes because they are less irritating. If you are using cloth wipes, make sure use plain water. Wipe warmer is highly recommended;
• Diaper rash cream is essential for each diaper change. When you apply the cream, do not just dab it, rub her bum thoroughly like when you apply hand cream. If you are breastfeeding your baby, watch what you eat too. Usually citrus fruit such as orange and grapefruit would cause newborn diarrhea which will worsen baby’s rash due to wetness of the diaper. There are many choices of diaper rash creams, known brands such as Desitin and Aveeno are recommended;
• Continue to use diaper rash cream until your baby is at least one year of age.

If your newborn’s diaper rash seems getting worse after few days, you may need to consult your pediatrician as soon as possible because her rash might be caused by fungal or yeast infection which may need prescriptions.

Although treating and preventing newborn’s diaper rash takes a lot of your time and effort, you will feel rewarding and have a big smile once you see her little diaper rash free bum. The bigger she grows the less diaper rash she will get. Once solid food is introduced around four to six months of age, her stool becomes solid; you may find changing her diaper much easier and cleaner.

Here are some simple ways to massage your baby:

• Always be careful, be gentle and be soft when touching your baby;
• Use both hands to rub your baby’s legs and arms, about 2 minutes on each leg and each arm;
• Let your baby lying on her back on your bed, use one hand around baby’s belly in a clockwise motion for five times and counter clockwise motion for five times, or take three fingers stroke circles around her navel;
• Try to massage her one to three times a day, ten minutes each.

Massage helps the baby feel relaxed because she loves the closeness with her parents. You will notice the skin to skin experience facilitates emotional bonding between you and your little one. You will feel she steals your heart when she smiles at you while you are massaging her!