Health and family specialists encourage parents to share daily care, learn their baby’s cues and seek medical advice when concerns arise.
Newborn care takes practice, and parents should not expect to master every routine immediately, health and family specialists advise. They emphasise attentive care, shared responsibilities and knowing when to seek medical help.
Counsellor and family coach Grace Kariuki says first-time parents often anticipate smiles, tiny fingers and family photographs. However, daily life also brings disrupted sleep, unfamiliar routines and a baby’s need for constant attention.
Joy Mwendwa, a mother of three, recalls how even changing a diaper initially felt challenging. She says babies can alter their routines just as parents begin feeling comfortable, so adaptation matters.
Newborn care starts with everyday attention
Family coach Lilian Karani says diaper changes offer opportunities for connection through soft speech, smiles and eye contact. Parents can also sing or describe what they are doing while responding to their baby’s expressions.
UNICEF similarly encourages talking, singing and play during changes, alongside safe handling, gentle cleaning, prompt changes and handwashing.
However, Karani cautions against turning bonding into another task parents feel they must perform perfectly. Sometimes, an exhausted caregiver and an unsettled baby simply need to complete the change.
For practical preparation, Mwendwa recommends keeping supplies nearby and the changing area clean. She also advises constant supervision, suitable products and attention to the baby’s comfort and skin.
If diaper-area irritation worsens or fails to improve, parents should seek medical advice.
Recognise concerns and seek medical help
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization promotes responsive care: noticing and responding to hunger, discomfort and distress. Its guidance also stresses medical attention when warning signs appear.
Paediatrician Sane Lemayian says parents should not feel responsible for diagnosing every concern themselves. Poor feeding, breathing difficulties, a high temperature or other worrying symptoms in a newborn require prompt medical advice.
He also discourages comparisons with other families, as parents gradually learn their own child’s patterns and needs.
Share the work, not just the advice
Kariuki says mothers can carry the mental burden of organising supplies, appointments and feeding, even with relatives nearby. As a result, one parent may become exhausted while another caregiver feels unsure how to contribute.
Sharing responsibility therefore means taking ownership of tasks, including changing diapers, settling the baby and keeping essentials available. Active involvement also helps caregivers learn the child’s routines and build confidence.
Meanwhile, Lemayian advises families to buy essentials within their means rather than chase every advertised product. He emphasises safe care, appropriate feeding, affection, protection and access to health services over unnecessary purchases.
