The first weeks at home

The causes of sudden infant death (SID) have been studied intensively for years. It has been proven that the risk of infant death can be greatly reduced with simple measures in the child's sleeping environment.

The following points are important:

• Only put your child to sleep in the supine position. The baby can enjoy lying on its stomach when it is awake.
• Children want to be close to their parents. They should therefore sleep in their parents' room, but in their own bed.
• Children sleep best on a firm mattress in their cot. Avoid pillows, furs, cuddly toys etc. and make sure that the child's head is not covered by the duvet or cuddly toys. A sleeping bag is the safest option.
• Children do not like to sweat and therefore do not need a hat or gloves to sleep. The baby's body temperature can be checked by touching the back of the neck with the back of the hand. The ideal bedroom temperature is around 18°C.
• Children suffer from the smoke of cigarettes, cigars and pipes. It is therefore essential to ensure a smoke-free environment.

Due to the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome, children always lie on their back during sleep. It is therefore all the more important for the child's motor development that he or she awake is also placed on the stomach (twice a day for 5-10 minutes).

In this way, the child learns to lift its head, support itself and turn. These movements are the basis for learning to crawl and are important for later locomotion.

If possible, children are fully breastfed or, depending on the child's needs, are given a bottle (bottle) with expressed breast milk or bottle feeds with powdered milk. Whether the child is adequately nourished is determined as follows:

• The child is happy.
• It has wet nappies several times a day.
• It is constantly gaining weight.

Breastfeeding 

Breast milk provides sufficient nutrition for babies. It is therefore not necessary to give additional tea during breastfeeding. Please note the following:

• Adjust the frequency of breastfeeding to the child's hunger.
• If you have breastfeeding problems, consult a breastfeeding counsellor, midwife or parent counsellor.
• Check your child's weight once a week (maternity and paternity counselling can help).

Bottle feeding with expressed breast milk
Expressed breast milk can be stored and prepared as follows:

• In the fridge: Shelf life 72 hours or three days.
• In the freezer: Can be kept for up to six months from -18°C; allow frozen breast milk to thaw slowly in a cold water bath.

Preparation: For a comfortable drinking temperature, warm the breast milk in a water bath. A drop can be dripped onto the surface of your hand to check the temperature. If it feels pleasantly warm, the temperature is perfect.

Bottle feeding with formula milk (powdered milk)

• There are different types of formula milk: In the first year of life, infant formula (pack labelled "Initial", "Pre", "Start" or number 1) may be used.
• The following must be observed: Follow the dosage on the packaging exactly.
• In very warm weather in summer and/or if the child sweats, unsweetened tea or boiled water can also be given.

During breastfeeding, the mother's diet has an influence on the consistency of breast milk. It is therefore beneficial for your child if you eat a balanced diet and drink a glass of water with at least every meal and every breastfeeding session. You can find detailed information on this topic in the brochure "Nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding" on the Swiss Breastfeeding Promotion website www.stillfoerderung.ch.

You can prevent certain infections in your child if you:

• Wash teats, bottles and breastfeeding aids with hot water and washing-up liquid after each use.
• Boil soothers, teats and bottles once a day. If the water is very calcareous, a little vinegar will help.
• It is not necessary to sanitise your hands at home.

Newborn babies do not yet have a stable day-night rhythm. This is how the rhythm can be encouraged:

• Dim the light in the children's room at night.
• Speak quietly at night and only swaddle the child after a bowel movement or if the bottom is sore.

• Urine: The child's nappies should be wet five to six times a day.
• Stools in breastfed children: Several times a day for the first four weeks, then possibly only every few days of varying consistency.
• Stools in children with formula feeding: At least every three days, as they are more prone to constipation. Frequent nappy changing or removing the nappy (open-air therapy) can help against a sore bottom. If the redness is very severe or there are open sores, it may be helpful to contact the maternity and paternity counselling service or the paediatrician.

Children can suffer from colic and flatulence. This requires a lot of patience from parents. The following measures have a supportive effect:

Eyes

• Carefully wash slightly sticky eyes with a damp flannel from the outer to the inner rim.
• If your eyes are very sticky or red, consult a maternity and paternity counsellor or paediatrician.

Bathing

• Once or twice a week at 37°C for 5-10 minutes.
• Use bath additives sparingly and use products suitable for babies.
• Avoid draughts and dry quickly and dress warmly after bathing.

Skin care

• If you want to moisturise your child, mild skin care products for babies are suitable. A baby oil can help against dry skin or cradle cap.

Navel

• The umbilical cord residue usually falls off after 5 to 14 days.
• If there is a residual umbilical cord (with or without clamp), the nappy is wrapped so that it does not cover the navel.
• If the skin around the navel is not reddened, the navel does not require any special care or skin disinfection. Otherwise, the paediatrician or midwife should be informed.
• The navel may bleed slightly shortly before and after it falls out.

Nails

• The nails should only be cut straight with rounded nail scissors after four to six weeks.

Nose

• A crusty nose can be cleaned with a little water (do not use cotton buds).
• If the nose is blocked, a drop of physiological saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) can be instilled into each nostril.

Body temperature

• A child's body temperature is between 36.5 and 37.5°C (measured in the anus).
• As a large amount of heat is lost through the child's head, a hat helps outdoors at temperatures below 18°C. The child should never lie in the blazing sun or in a draught.
• Children often have cool hands and feet. However, their forehead and neck should feel warm.
• Covering and clothing that is too warm can raise the child's body temperature above the normal temperature of 37.5°C.

• Fresh air is good for children and parents. Dress your child appropriately for the season, but not too warm (heat build-up).
• Head protection appropriate to the season (sun hat, warm cap) is recommended for all children.
• The skin of babies must be protected from direct sunlight in the first year of life (3H: hat, shirt, trousers), sun cream is not recommended.
• Avoid large crowds in the first few weeks of your child's life (risk of infection).

Holding and moving the child in a targeted manner supports their motor development. Play position Sitting comfortably with your legs up and your child on your lap is ideal for making contact, playing and exploring in a safe and secure environment during the waking hours. Give your child various toys that they can grasp with their hands and feel with their feet.

* Parents of premature babies should refer to the following instructions.

When babies cry a lot and for a long time, parents are often desperate. Here's how you can help your baby to calm down:

• Massage his stomach.
• Carry it in a sling, lots of body contact is ideal for newborns.
• Cradle your baby gently in your arms and give it a feeling of security.
• Too much stimulation and distraction can overstimulate the baby.
• Take your baby out into the fresh air.

 Every baby is different and needs individual support to calm down. However, it is important that you are patient and remain calm.

If you are under a lot of stress and need support, contact the Mothers' and Fathers' Counselling Service www.muetterberatung-bl-bs.ch or via the website www.familystart.ch

Premature babies sometimes have different day-to-day handling needs than full-term babies. Our video list on various topics and techniques shows how you, as parents of a premature baby, can promote physiological movement and development.