Kerala is far ahead of other states in terms of overall development of newborns. Parents need to pay attention to the proper care, nutrients and routine for a baby's growth. Caring for a newborn baby can be challenging, but it is one of the happiest and most rewarding experiences of a parent’s life. In most of the houses in Kerala, the children are brought up in the traditional way. Maybe not all of it is completely right. Pregnancy classes for women are now available, even in primary health centers, as in other foreign countries. In addition to traditional methods, scientifically-proven methods for the growth of children are also introduced here. It would be good for close relatives in the family who are involved in the raising of the babies along with the mothers to attend these classes. The diet of mothers during pregnancy is equally important for the intellectual development of the baby. Dairy products high in DHA, eggs, oil and herring have been shown to help babies' intelligence. Maternal health, child rearing and, most importantly, maternal education, have a profound effect on infant growth. But over the years, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders and obesity in children have been on the rise.


In India, solid food is usually started from the fourth month for babies. However, feeding only breast milk till the sixth month and then solid foods with breast milk is good for the health of the baby. Babies who grow up drinking breast milk for more months have a higher IQ than other babies. This is because breast milk contains important nutrients and antibodies that are essential for the growth and health of the baby. Children who start eating solid earlier are more likely to develop allergies and have a weakened immune system. Even solid food given after six months should be supplemented with breast milk due to its benefits. Working mothers should try to breastfeed their babies as much as possible. The six months of hard work will play a huge role in your baby's mental, physical and intellectual development. It is very important to breastfeed your baby on time. Breastfeed every 2-3 hours. That means you should breastfeed your baby 8-12 times in 24 hours. Children of parents who have allergies should be given cow's milk, eggs, milk and peanut products after one year of age.

 

Burping the babies after drinking milk is good as this expel excess air, aid digestion, and prevents salivation and abdominal pain. To do this, hold the baby against your chest with one hand. Hold the baby's chin resting on your shoulders. Then gently tap the baby's back with your hand. Newborns should get at least 14 hours of sleep a night for the first 2 months. They usually sleep for 2 to 4 hours and wake up when they are hungry. Remember to change the position of their head when babies are sleeping. This prevents the formation of flat spots on the head. Stretch the baby out to avoid suffocation. It is common for babies to cough while breastfeeding, but even so, parents should be wary of persistent coughing. This may be due to a respiratory illness or a gastrointestinal disorder. It is very important to see a doctor if you notice shortness of breath in babies while breastfeeding. If it is difficult to travel with babies, you can also consult a doctor online. Most babies are born with a slightly protruding abdomen. If their abdomen is swollen or appears swollen during breastfeeding, gently rub the baby's abdomen. If this condition persists, see a doctor immediately. Some of the congenital heart defects in infants are very serious. This can lead to their death. These diseases should be detected early and treated as required.


Lack of sleep in children is one of the major problems faced by all mothers. You also need to understand why your baby does not sleep at night. Babies up to 45 months tend to be more awake at night. At this time mothers should try to get as much rest as possible during the day. The baby’s sleep patterns changes over days. Many babies are found to cry excessively at night. Excessive crying is when it lasts for three hours, three days or three weeks in a row without any other physical problems. The main reason for this is abdominal pain in babies. There is no scientific explanation for why this increases at night. Consumption of foods other than breast milk (milk powder, cow's milk) has been shown to increase abdominal pain. The most practical way to reduce abdominal pain is to gently tap the baby on the chest and remove the gas trapped inside the abdomen. The use of other drugs does not help to make any big difference. It is most common in infants up to six weeks of age. When babies cry non-stop (mostly at night) there is a tendency to give them extra milk to soothe the crying. Then the breast milk will not be enough and you will start using milk powder. Breastfeed only when the baby is hungry. Frequent formula feeding to stop crying can lead to obesity in the future. Some people find that using a pacifier can change the way babies cry. But a baby past six months of age is more likely to get an ear infection when using a pacifier. In addition, babies may show less interest in breastfeeding. So cradling six-month-old babies, singing songs, telling stories and holding hands can help them to stop crying to some extent. There is no greater comfort for the baby than holding the baby close to the chest. It is most helpful in weight gain in infants, in getting rid of diseases and in increasing breast milk.

 

When picking up a newborn it is important to make sure that one hand supports the head and neck. This is because the baby's neck muscles do not have the strength to lift the head freely. When bathing a newborn, it is imperative to find ways to maintain hygiene and health. Initially, it is best not to use soap and water for a few days. This is because your baby will have a white coating on their body. It is a protective layer. It acts as a protective layer against all bacteria and also helps to moisturize the soft skin of the baby’s back. About 7-10 days after birth, the white coating will leave their outer skin. After this, you can start bathing the baby with soap. Regular diaper changes are essential when caring for a newborn baby. You may need to change it at least 6-8 times a day. Also, do not always put diapers on your baby. Get rid of diapers at least a few times every day.

 

Jaundice in newborns is another concern to be noted. Exposure to sunlight in the morning or evening for a short period is suggested by many. However, due to the rupture of the ozone layer, direct exposure of the baby to sunlight can do more harm than good. Heat-induced dehydration has been shown to increase bilirubin levels in infants. Therefore, through the process of phototherapy, the correct method is to direct the light rays on the baby and save the baby from jaundice. In this digital age, it is amazing that children are just as addicted to TV/Mobile phones as adults. The moving colors, shadows and sounds are always attractive to them. Watching TV/Mobile until the baby is 18 months should not be allowed. After that, children can use electronic devices for 30 minutes a day.


Storytelling, color illustration, listening to music, and singing all have a profound effect on a child's intellectual development. The more adults interact with children, the more children's social skills and language skills will increase. In the future, it will all depend on the amount of time adults spend interacting with children to build trust, interact with others, and learn.