What are the essential care for the newborn? All our advice and products

The arrival of a newborn is a unique and moving moment. To welcome baby in the best conditions, it is essential to know the care gestures to adopt and to equip oneself with suitable products. In this article, we guide you step by step through the essential care of the newborn, while offering gentle, natural, and effective solutions signed Nébulle.SummaryWhy are newborn cares so important?What are the essential cares for the newborn?Fostering the creation of bonds and emotional securityFAQ: Essential cares for the newbornIn summary: cares that rhyme with gentleness and simplicity Why are newborn cares so important? The first days and weeks of life are marked by an adaptation period for the baby. After 9 months, they leave the intrauterine environment and discover the outside world. Until then, they were sheltered in their amniotic sac. The placenta served as a real filter. At birth, the newborn comes into contact with microorganisms present in our environment. Gradually, they will develop their immunity.On a daily basis, it is the adults around them who take care of them. We speak of "caregivers" (or "caregiver") according to John Bowlby’s attachment theory. During these cares, adults interact with the child, who is entirely dependent on them during their early years. Donald Winnicott, a major figure in child psychoanalysis, wrote "a baby alone, that does not exist".Taking care of a newborn fulfills their need for social connection and strengthens emotional bonds. These gestures, often taken for granted, have an impact far beyond hygiene. Through them, parents become true attachment figures. They help reinforce the child's sense of security. If they are exposed to a stressful situation, if they feel distressed, they will know they can turn to their attachment figures, like a boat seeking the light of a lighthouse in a storm. What are the essential cares for the newborn? Daily cares: bathing and changing For daily bathing (face, skin folds of the groin and neck, diaper area), prefer washable wipes. Practical and economical, they are often easier to use than cotton squares that fray. About ten are enough, washed with the rest of the family’s laundry! Prefer wipes with one soft side and one absorbent side. Regarding exchange products, it is essential to use suitable products. The liniment, for example, protects the baby's sensitive skin from moisture, diaper friction, and weather aggressions. A true magic potion that can be used without rinsing, the liniment from Néobulle soothes and repairs from the first redness, starting from birth. An essential item to keep within reach! Bath time: gentleness and bonding Although not necessarily daily, bath time is part, in some families, of a significant moment in the weekly routine. We can distinguish:hygiene bath, aimed at cleaning the delicate skin,relaxation bath, during which it is not necessary to use soap. During the first weeks, and up to around 2 months, do not hesitate to prefer the technique of the wrapped bath. Simply swaddle the baby with a cloth before immersing them in water, which you will have previously checked the temperature of (between 37.5°C and 38°C). The bedtime ritual: establishing a calming routine Sleep is a major concern for young parents. And for good reason, a baby's sleep is very different from that of adults. Over a long process, which spans several years, their cycles will evolve, they will learn to differentiate day and night, and to fall asleep peacefully. But initially, night awakenings are frequent, and they still need their parents' presence to fall back asleep feeling secure.Implementing a gentle routine can facilitate falling asleep. This routine acts as a "time giver" that helps the baby to orient themselves and anticipate what is coming next. A massage with an appropriate oil, such as the Bio Gentle Night oil, from 3 months old, helps relax the baby before bedtime. Here is a simple sequence to reproduce:Position your hand in a C shape and smooth the baby's leg, from the groin to the toesUsing the pads of your thumbs, smooth the underside of their foot, from the heel to the toesWith your thumbs, smooth the top of the foot, from the toes to the ankleUsing a C-shaped hand, envelop the entire baby's leg and smooth the leg up to the groinRepeat each movement 5 to 6 times. The massage is a wonderful way to build a bond with your baby and allow the whole family to secrete oxytocin!It is also possible to massage the belly, arms, back, or even the face (the only area where oil use is not recommended). Calming assured, to prepare for sleep.  👉 Discover how to create a sleep-friendly environment thanks to our article on essential oils to diffuse to promote sleep in young children. Promoting the creation of bonds and emotional security Skin-to-skin contact: a comprehensive care From the very first hours, skin-to-skin contact plays a fundamental role. It helps your little one regulate their temperature, stabilizes the heartbeat, promotes the secretion of oxytocin, and thus facilitates breastfeeding. This proximity also meets a fundamental need of the newborn, who is unaware of their existence as an individual in full consciousness. It is a small mammal, programmed to feel secure when against its parents. After birth, but also upon returning from maternity, do not hesitate to include skin-to-skin sessions in your daily routine.The skin-to-skin wrap is an excellent tool for practicing comfortably, whether in maternity or at home.  Designed with neonatal professionals, its soft and stretchable fabric wraps the baby against the parent's chest, creating a soothing cocoon. This shared moment helps to build the foundations of a strong and secure relationship. Therapeutic virtues of physiological carrying Are you looking for a solution to soothe your baby daily? The practice of carrying can undoubtedly meet your needs. In addition to freeing tired arms of new parents, carrying your baby allows you to: Reduce the frequency of acid reflux episodes in case of gastroesophageal reflux,Limit the risk of plagiocephaly,Promote the evacuation of gases and thus limit digestive discomfort,Reduce your baby's crying,Help regulate their temperature and vital functions (breathing, heartbeat)Meet their need for containment and proximity FAQ: Essential newborn care What are the first cares for a baby in the maternity ward? At birth, the initial cares vary according to the protocol and location (maternity ward, birth center, home, etc.). But, in most cases, the baby is dried, covered with a blanket, and quickly placed skin-to-skin. The cares generally include clamping the umbilical cord, checking reflexes, assessing the APGAR score, and taking measurements (weight and length). Depending on the gestational age at birth, your baby's skin may be more or less covered with a whitish substance . Don't worry, it is about the vernix caseosa. Increasingly, families are choosing to preserve this vernix by delaying the first bath so that the baby's skin can absorb it and benefit from its nourishing and protective properties. How do I know if I am doing the right things for my baby's daily care? We are not born parents; we become one. By groping, trying, and doing our best daily. Few adults have had the opportunity to truly handle a newborn for just a few hours! We all go through the "first time". Often, handling a baby during care can make them cry a little. For them too, it’s all new. The professionals present at birth and during the postpartum period will teach you each step, and it is by practicing them that you will become more and more comfortable and confident. My baby cries during bath time, how can I soothe him? Birth involves many upheavals for the baby. They go from an aquatic environment heated to 37°C to a terrestrial environment with many temperature variations. Their skin is also sensitive to touch (so avoid stroking and tickling in the first few months). Make sure the bath water is between 37.5°C and 38°C. To meet your little one's need for containment, don’t hesitate to swaddle them before the bath. They will feel the boundaries of the swaddle, which will remind them of the uterine walls, and will calm down. Finally, it is not necessary to wash your baby every day; you already clean them frequently during diaper changes. Which products should I favor for essential baby care? Choose products without synthetic fragrances, alcohol, or harsh preservatives. Neobulle offers a full range of natural-origin care products, made from ingredients from Organic Farming, formulated in France specifically to respect the sensitive skin of newborns. In summary: care that embodies softness and simplicity Essential care for newborns is not just about technique: it is an invitation to slow down and marvel at every moment shared with your baby. Through them, you also strengthen the emotional bond that unites you with your child. It’s not just about "cleaning" your little one (even if sometimes, you face a diaper overflowing on all sides!); these are also precious moments of interaction, communication, and complicity.If you are interested in the topic, Céline Alvarez explains simply how, from birth, the child's brain is shaped by sensory, emotional, and relational experiences: this is what is called brain plasticity. A concept that helps us realize how much daily care contributes to the overall development of the child.

Accompanying a baby suffering from reflux (2/2)

Article 2 : Carrying a Baby Suffering from Reflux After discussing daily life with a child suffering from GERD in the first article of this topic, the following article will be dedicated to the specificities of carrying that reflux induces. Between theory and practice… In the frequent advice regarding supporting a baby with reflux, it is recommended to keep the baby vertical as much as possible, and to carry. On paper, carrying is ideal because it calms stressed babies, promotes falling asleep, offers a vertical posture, liberates the parent's arms, and so on... That’s the theory. In practice, it’s another story! Babies suffering from reflux have an instinctive NEED to be carried, but very often CAN’T STAND IT! They want to be held, cuddled and reassured... But they don’t tolerate contact. Moreover, being extremely stiff, the setups are more complex (not to say sometimes downright acrobatic). You’ve understood from these few lines, practical life is not straightforward! The vicious circle of hyperextension The first difficulty in carrying is hyperextension, and the manipulation challenges it causes! Be careful, GERD does not have a monopoly on hyperextension; many other factors can promote this (such as torticollis, for example). We discuss this here in the context of supporting a baby suffering from reflux because it is one of the major difficulties that can be encountered, but the following advice applies regardless of the initial cause. Babies who suffer from reflux are generally described as very tonic babies... This is often related to hyperextension, and it has nothing to do with a possible “advance” in psychomotor development. The normal (by standard) posture of a little one is a flexible and curled-up posture, with the back more rounded (see physiological position). When hyperextension occurs, the baby becomes very stiff, adopting straight postures (or even arched), in the jargon of carrying sometimes called a “stilted baby”. One might think that these "thrown back" postures are pain-relieving for the very young, that they help relieve some of their pain by relaxing the stomach and reducing the occurrence of reflux, but in fact no, it's quite the opposite! They are actually reflex positions in response to pain. To put it simply, we confuse cause and effect, the baby does not arch to hurt less, it arches BECAUSE it is in pain. Since we mistakenly believe (incorrectly) that keeping the body straight will make our little one hurt less, we naturally allow them to settle into this position, or even encourage it. This leads to 2 things: 1/ more complicated digestion (if you remained yourself in an arched position after a meal, you would see that it’s not very helpful for digesting properly), which itself is a vector for acid reflux if you followed along... 2/ a postural habit combined with excessive contraction of the dorsal muscles, which will prevent your little one from returning to more upright postures (kind of like having a too tight elastic pulled in their back). And thus the vicious circle. The hyperextended posture is also problematic on other levels that we will not detail here. But you might say, that’s all very nice, but what do we do to address this and correct it? Supporting rolling over daily The first thing to do is treat the pain (see the first article in the reflux series). Then, daily, we will ensure to gently work on the "good" postures, while limiting as much as possible all movements likely to re-induce hyperextensions (and you will see that they are numerous!). Thus, we will avoid anything that stimulates your little one to "arch" backward, such as for example: A mobile above their head (preferably an installation closer to their feet) Toys behind their head In the arms, we will also be careful to avoid anything that could encourage them to arch, especially by using the forearm instead of the hand to carry them. Indeed, when using the hand, or if the forearm is placed too far behind the hips, it creates a pressure that pushes their pelvis forward instead of inviting them to sit. In short, it’s as if someone told him "throw yourself backwards," and at that age, well, they listen to what we say! This can be seen as a true re-education, both in terms of the parent’s gestures and the overall posture of the child. NB: In a physiological position, the stomach is not supposed to be compressed. If the baby is not "tucked" or "faced down," his stomach remains free. And what about carrying in all this? Carrying is coming into play. We saw that it can be more delicate to implement due to the stiff postures of the very young child. The other complex aspect is the tolerance of the baby, especially when the pain is not yet relieved. As with anything that touches on somewhat specific needs, it is difficult to draw generalities, and you will need to do several tests to find the tool that best suits your little one, and arm yourself with a bit of patience! The following tips are those that seem appropriate for the majority of babies suffering from reflux, but unfortunately do not constitute a magic wand that works every time! Choosing and adjusting your system The choice of system should take into account both the needs of the baby and the ease of the carrier. For the baby, generally, we prefer very stable and not too constraining systems. For the carrier, we will prefer systems that can be easily installed even with a crying and stiff baby (we understand…) You understand, the babywearing sling (especially stretchable) is clearly not the number 1 choice! It can be poorly tolerated by your little one (too tight, wrapping), and requires a great mastery to be properly installed when he is in crisis. Systems like mei-tai or preformed are often better tolerated because they are less constraining, and they have the huge advantage of having material between the legs. To understand: when the little one is stiff as a board, crying and flailing, it is still possible to install him in the baby carrier even for a novice… The installation will be completely missed according to usual physiological criteria, but he will be safe!!!! And this will allow you to quickly walk and soothe him without overloading your body. Once calmer, it will always be possible to adjust the settings. ... The sling is also a system that, in some cases, works well, especially because it allows for a very gradual installation that is better tolerated by children. If you are using a sling or a wrap, a good tip is to start adjusting from the bottom edge, rather than from the top as is usually done. You will probably notice but often it is the adjustments and transitions of fabric around the neck and shoulders that trigger tears: by starting to tighten around the pelvis, it will help your little one get used to it gently. Do not hesitate to take breaks after each adjustment, and to walk and rock your baby so that he can relax before moving on to the next adjustment. Accept imperfection Last but not least: despite everything discussed in these 2 articles, it is very likely that your little one will not adopt very “conventional” positions in their carrying system. Forget about the baby bump, with knees well up and back nicely rounded… Sometimes when you manage to get a 90° angle (or nearly) between the thigh and the back, you are super happy and know that it will be difficult to do better! And honestly, it’s not a big deal! What matters most is that your baby’s needs are respected, and that you can breathe a little too and/or attend to some tasks with your hands free… Are the airways clear? Is there a risk of falling? Then everything is perfect. All that’s left is to put all this into practice! Don’t hesitate to also get support from a carrying coach to help you and adjust the carries to your specific situation. Courage and stay the course! You are the best parents you can be for your baby, reflux is fortunately not eternal and with your good care and his growth, things will eventually become easier.

How to properly carry your baby?

You're expecting a baby or have just given birth, and you'd like to try babywearing, but you're not quite sure where to start (with the sling) or how to go about it. And the more links you read on the internet, the more lost you feel! This article is here to help you sort things out and start babywearing calmly. 1 – What is physiological babywearing? You have probably read this term at least 52 times, but what exactly does it refer to? We talk about physiological babywearing when it respects the natural posture of the little one. The main criteria to keep in mind are as follows: Rounded lower back: the spine of the newborn is naturally rounded, unlike that of an adult which forms a kind of S, it tends to form a slightly stretched C (like a comma). An upright back position corresponds, in terms of comfort, to an arched position in an adult, which can quickly become uncomfortable Knees higher than hips: raising the knees allows the baby to sit well into the hip socket and provides better comfort. To illustrate a posture that does not allow for grouping, you can think of sitting on a tall barstool with legs hanging down. These two criteria are of course to be considered in a very overall way. When the child grows, for example, their spine will gradually evolve to reach, around 18 months / 2 years, the shape we see in adults. From a newborn often very curled up, you will observe less and less pronounced rounding over the months, especially as the child wakes up and moves around. Some children are also more tonic than others and will not let you raise their knees higher than their hips, especially common in babies suffering from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). This should not become a barrier or a source of stress; your baby does not face any risk of injury or poor development if they are not carried in a perfectly physiological way, the main thing is that they are carried and that it helps you in daily life. 2 – Your first babywearing system: your arms It is often overlooked, but your first babywearing tool is your arms! Before even considering using any baby carrier, it seems quite logical to start with the basics: being comfortable with handling your little one. It is recommended to handle your baby respecting their natural wrapping (see point number 1), we will ensure to limit traction and hyperextension postures. This involves avoiding especially lifting the baby by the armpits, preferring for example to first sit him down and then support him by the hips. Supporting your baby's pelvis provides comfort and stability; its base acts as a center of gravity. This reassures and calms him, and also makes handling him easier for you. For your comfort, you can prefer using your forearm as support instead of your hand: when carrying with your hand, you tense up enormously, which promotes tension even in the neck and can lead to wrist tendinitis. Moreover, the hand that carries between the baby's legs invites him to lean backward, which is the opposite of the desired effect. Generally speaking, don't hesitate to use your entire arm and torso to provide a good anchor for your little one without overloading your joints. Remember that when the child reaches 6kg (around 3-4 months), it’s equivalent to carrying a milk pack for several hours a day! Protect your body daily as it is essential from the start. Take the time to find areas on your torso where your baby fits perfectly (body fitting), then adjust the carrier at these points to prevent the head from tilting backward. 3 – Choosing the baby carrier Choosing your system is often the most difficult step! Wrap, sling, mei-tai, preformed carrier, do these words seem like Chinese to you? Don't panic, that's normal. It is true that the market has developed much faster than the usage instructions, and it’s easy to get lost! We invite you first to read our article on the 10 mistakes to avoid when buying a baby carrier, which can give you some useful tips on the subject. To simplify things a bit, we suggest you first evaluate your main need: are you considering practical carrying for home, quick errands or school runs, or rather longer duration carrying for baby naps or walks? The most practical systems are generally slings and preformed carriers . They settle in very quickly, don't drag on the ground, and allow you to immediately carry the baby. The most durable systems are generally the carrying wraps and the mei-tai. They require a bit more time to set up and adjust properly, but they allow for long-term carrying in the best conditions. Practicality and comfort unfortunately tend to oppose each other : the more we want a practical system, the fewer adjustments and settings it will have, and the less comfortable it will be (at least it will remain comfortable but less than others). Being comfortable will instead require a bit more manipulation, which doesn't really match ultra-fast setups. We could compare the wrap to a pair of hiking shoes and the sling to a pair of flip-flops : both are useful but not at the same time ! And just as we wouldn't walk long in flip-flops, we wouldn't wear hiking shoes to go pick up the mail. Do you want to carry both in daily life and during walks ? Rely on 2 different systems to get the best benefits ! 4 – Safety You have your arms, your baby carrier, your baby, and are well prepared for carrying, bravo ! Now let's talk about safety. The safety rules for carrying are quite basic : Baby vertical and facing you : lying in a system, it risks sinking and the fabric can limit good air circulation, these positions should be reserved exclusively for carrying in the arms. Facing outward is also to be avoided (increased risk of falling). Clear airways : your baby's head must always be free, with the carrier and covers pulled up high behind the neck. Is it cold ? Put a hat on! At worst, it's always better to have a small draft than a baby who can't breathe anymore. Clear airways also mean checking that the baby isn't sagging into the fabric: you can pass a finger between their chin and their chest. High carry on the chest : a too-low setup will tend to be too loose, and your baby might get squished. Well-adjusted baby carrier : the fabric wraps around your little one, the adjustments support them, and they can't slip underneath or fall. No sports activities : no running, cycling, skiing, or trampoline with the baby carried! Other important rules can also be added, even if less essential : Flexible clothing that doesn't hinder the baby. Whether in carrying or on the ground, favor loose and non-restrictive clothes; no one would nap or do yoga in slim jeans or a wedding dress, and neither would your baby ! No coat or snowsuit  : it is better to keep your little one as close to you as possible to promote thermoregulation. Thick materials hinder proper adjustments, tend to obstruct the airways, and press on the femoral artery, impairing blood circulation in the legs. Cover him from the outside with a carrying blanket or a coat, for example. Regular short breaks so that baby can move a little, ideally every 2-3 hours (which is convenient, as he will generally demand to suck or need his diaper changed around the same rhythm!). In summer, also remember to keep him well hydrated! Generally, regularly check that everything is OK during carrying. 5 – Choose the right moment Classic beginner mistake: "Baby is crying! Hmm, what if I put him in the sling I’ve never used in my life?" Equivalent: "Hey, shall we go take the first driving lesson at Place de l’Étoile in Paris?" You see, it’s a very bad idea! Even for an experienced carrier, installing a newborn in a remake of The Exorcist in a baby carrier is a delicate exercise. Aim for a moment when everything is OK: baby is calm and fed, you yourself are calm and unconstrained (appointment or other). The first setups are not meant to satisfy a need for carrying but a need to LEARN how to carry. In practice, it’s quite common for baby to cry during installations; this doesn’t mean he doesn’t like carrying but rather that he doesn’t like the setup in the carrier, which, let’s admit, is not the most pleasant step for him. Don’t hesitate to go all the way as you can (this is not the time to aim for perfect adjustment), walk to calm him down, and then revisit the adjustments afterward. 6 – Enjoy! That’s it, you’re finally ready! The main thing now is to enjoy these sweet moments with your little heart! Take your time to learn calmly and without pressure, aiming for reasonable goals at first: a baby who breathes and doesn’t fall. Ease and comfort will come gradually over time. Don’t hesitate to also get support from a carrying instructor! Happy carrying!