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A Guide for First-Time Parents in 2025 – Best Advice

Discover essential tips for first-time parents in this comprehensive guide, covering newborn care, feeding basics, sleep patterns, and nursery setup
Rayomand S. Engineer
By
Rayomand S. Engineer
A Guide for First-Time Parents in 2025 – Best Advice

Newborn Care

Congratulations on becoming a parent. You have successfully created another human being. Well done. But that was only one part, ye toh bus trailer tha, picture abhi baki hai. Now you have to raise that screaming, kicking bundle of joy to become a polite, well-spoken, and mildly-curious adolescent. Do you begin by teaching your little one how to walk and talk? Good luck if you think they’re even going to listen to you.

We aren’t going to pretend it’s easy raising a newborn baby. It’s not. Remember what a snotty, naughty, obstinate little brat you used to be? Why should your children be any different? Well, they are. Every child is special - in a good way. Every child has his/her USP and is different from the other. The trick is to identify what makes your child tick, and then go with the flow.

Babies are delightful, but they don’t really listen, do they? And how do you even make them stop crying? How do you distinguish between sleep-cry, hungry-cry, and change-my-diaper-cry?? Suddenly you are drowning in questions and hospital bills. That’s why you need us - we’re here to help, not with the bills though. This is a guide for first-time parents, who aren’t too confident in their parenting skills.

When it comes to parenting, knowledge and instincts are your only ally. Especially if you are a first-time parent, so we’ll start from the top.

Bringing the baby back home:

So, you’ve met your baby for the first time once he/she is out of the incubator, and the doctor tells you what you’ve been waiting for—permission to take your baby home. There are a bunch of things to do before you can bring your child home. But since we’re friends, here’s a checklist to make your life a little less stressful.

Bringing your baby home - checklist

  • Sanitize EVERYTHING!
  • Make sure mother and baby are together in the same room.
  • The crib should be close to the bed.
  • Keep toys in the crib.
  • Stock up on diapers and clothes.
  • Baby toiletries like gentle baby wash, and diaper cream.

Seek help if you need it:

If you feel overwhelmed, it’s always better to seek help especially if you are a first-time expectant parent. Relatives and friends with children are a great option. But, remember, anyone who is handling the child has to be up to date on their vaccines - this is sacrosanct and non-negotiable. You can limit your visitors, guilt-free. Remember - be vigilant and be careful. It is, your baby.

Essential items and nursery setup:

Your baby needs a suitable environment, one that is plush, comfortable and conducive to growth. When it comes to populating the nursery with toys, remember, that these won’t be of use a year later so be judicious with your purchases.

Keep it simple:

Babies are simple, - you just need a few essentials. Ensure the crib has top rails that are sturdy and won’t collapse like your New Year’s resolution. Next, you need a firm, flat mattress that fits in this crib, two pairs of soft cotton sheets, and a plastic sheet. Stock up on some diapers because your baby doesn’t have much handle over the bladder.

Newborn feeding basics:

Breastfeeding is perhaps the most important and most overlooked part of parenting. Among the South Asian countries, India holds the lowest rank in breastfeeding practices, with only 44 per cent of women being able to breastfeed their babies within one hour of delivery. This is because many women don’t know how to breastfeed, or feel ashamed of breastfeeding in public - this needs to change. Breastfeeding is the cornerstone of your infant’s development so do not shy away from it just because you feel shy.

Know your breast milk:

Breast milk doesn’t just appear magically. It does so in different stages. Each stage has been designed by nature to fit the exact needs of a baby. First comes the thick, yellowy or sometimes clear substance called Colostrum. It is an important blend of proteins, vitamins and minerals that can help build up the baby’s immune system. After this comes Transitional milk which is something like milk mixed with a different set of elements. It contains lactose, fat and calories. Finally, there is mature milk - thin and white and sometimes even with a bluish tinge. It has fat and other nutrients - just what your baby needs.

Two weeks postpartum, the mother’s body starts to produce what we call Mature milk. It contains fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It also contains bioactive components like enzymes, hormones, and immune factors.

When the baby starts to feed, the body releases Foremilk, a watery substance to quench the thirst, but after that, the rich Hindmilk starts to flow. It has been proven that mother’s milk is the best health supplement for children in their infancy.

Sleep patterns and establishing routines:

Let’s get one thing straight - you will never sleep soundly, again. However, attempting to do so is fully recommended. Don’t worry if your little angel wakes up screaming at 3 am - it’s all part of the game of parenthood. A baby’s sleep cycle is as unpredictable as Tinder’s algorithm. As of now though, a newborn will sleep in short bursts of 2-3 hours between feedings, irrespective of whether it is night or day.

Newborn Care