Nowadays, more and more women in their 90s have become mothers. Many new mothers rely on their elders to teach them about childcare because they lack experience. Experts remind us that while the childcare experience of the older generation is worth learning from, it is important not to blindly follow the unscientific parts.
"Colorful" is more exciting
Doudou, who lives in Fuzhou, just had her baby. Many relatives came to visit the baby soon after she was born. Some couldn't resist touching the baby's fontanelle on top of her head. Doudou's mother would quickly stop them. It turns out that her mother-in-law had warned her to never touch the baby's fontanelle because it is the "heavenly cover" of a newborn and touching it would make the baby mute. Doudou also heard from the older generation that the vernix on the baby's head protects the fontanelle, so she decided not to wash it off.
In fact, the fontanelle is a window that reflects the baby's health. For example, delayed closure of the fontanelle indicates developmental and calcification disorders in the baby's bones, which could lead to rickets and mental retardation. Therefore, as long as the right method and force are used, touching the fontanelle can provide valuable information for diagnosing diseases without any harm.
In addition, some new parents worry that their newborns will be startled by loud noises, so they keep the doors closed and walk carefully, afraid of making any noise. In fact, the newborn's "startle reflex" is a normal physiological phenomenon and not a result of being scared by loud sounds. The correct approach is to create an environment with sounds such as footsteps, opening and closing doors, water, sweeping, and talking, in order to provide rich auditory stimulation. Otherwise, it will not be beneficial for the development of the nervous system.
Some elders believe that newborns are afraid of light, so they keep the curtains tightly closed all day long. This not only hinders the development of the baby's vision, but also causes visual fatigue for the mother and makes it difficult to observe the baby's skin condition, such as jaundice. Experts remind us that it is best not to hang curtains in the baby's room during the day, especially thick and dark curtains. Normal lighting can be used at night.
Scientific "flat head"
After the child is born, many elderly people instruct young parents to make the child's head flat while sleeping so that the child will have a full and fortunate face. Is this practice good or bad?
The reason why a child's head shape can be affected is because the skull is very soft and malleable before the fontanelle at the top of the head closes. In addition, newborns do not turn over and spend a lot of time lying down, which puts more pressure on the back of the head and can lead to a flat head. However, this practice is not recommended clinically. After all, the child's brain has an optimal volume with a fixed internal shape and structure. If the back of the head is too flat, it can change the volume of the brain and affect its normal development.
As for the claim circulating on the internet that a flat head can affect intellectual development, it is mostly exaggerated. Unless it is an extreme and severe case, a flat head generally does not affect a child's intelligence. If a child's head is too flat, it is recommended that parents seek guidance from a professional pediatrician and make adjustments before the fontanelle closes, especially before 4 months of age, as it will have the best effect. It is also advisable to encourage the baby to sleep in different positions and to do tummy time exercises, which can strengthen neck muscles. Each exercise should last 2-3 minutes, and the baby should do it 3-5 times a day. If a baby under 6 months of age has a severe flat head, a specialized baby pillow can be used to correct it.
Three-step melody of bathing
In daily life, some parents have the habit of soaking a towel in hot water, wringing it out, and then placing the hot towel on the baby's back during bath time, thinking that it can dispel cold. As a result, the baby's back turns red and develops a rash. In fact, babies should not be "messed around with" during bath time. There are three steps to follow: before, during, and after bathing.
Before bathing, keep the bathroom warm, bring the change of clothes, towels, talcum powder, etc. into the bathroom. If using a bath heater, make sure the baby is not directly under it to avoid discomfort in the baby's eyes. The ideal water temperature should be between 38°C and 42°C, and it is important to avoid adding hot water before cold water. It is a good idea to play some light music in advance to create a relaxed environment.
During bathing, it is not advisable for the baby to be hungry or too full to avoid spitting up milk during the bath. The correct order for bathing a newborn is from head to toe, starting with the front and then the back. However, if the baby tends to cry, you can try washing their back first and then the front. If adults are worried about not being able to handle the baby properly, a baby bath net can be used for assistance. When using the net, be sure to support the baby with your hand to prevent them from slipping into the water. When washing the body, support the baby's shoulder and neck on one side and the leg and buttocks on the other side, slowly placing the baby in the bathtub. Put shower gel on your palm and wash the neck, chest, armpits on both sides, limbs, and then use a small towel soaked in warm water to wash the entire body. Pay attention to cleaning the folds of the skin.
After bathing, hold the baby with a large towel and use a dabbing motion to absorb the moisture on the skin. Apply talcum powder evenly to the folds of the skin. Then use a cotton ball soaked in 75% alcohol to disinfect the navel. Finally, dress the baby in clean clothes. Before dressing, you can use a hairdryer or warm the towel and clothes to reduce the temperature difference.
