Newborn Care
Some basic, practical tips for the new Mom
At Palmetto Pediatric & Adolescent Clinic, we will want to see your
baby within the first week after going home from the hospital. If you are
breastfeeding your infant, the first check-up will probably be with one of our
lactation consultants. If all is going well at your first visit, we will see
you again when the baby is 2 weeks of age, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9
months, and 1 year.
Sleep
Try to get in the habit early in
your baby’s life of putting him/her down to sleep when they are drowsy but
not fully asleep. This teaches your baby to soothe himself and fall asleep
alone. Many babies will wake for feedings through the night up until 6 months
of age. Some babies will have their days/nights mixed up. They seem to want to
stay awake all night. If you wish to change this pattern, wake them more
frequently during the day for feedings.
Feedings
Breastfed
babies are fed on demand. Formula fed newborns usually take 2 to 4 ounces of
formula every 2 to 4 hours around the clock. If your baby’s weight is okay
at the first office visit, you do not need to wake your baby for feedings at
night. You may gradually increase the amount of the feedings as your baby
grows-let him/her be the guide.
Umbilical Cord
Clean the
umbilical cord with rubbing alcohol during each diaper change. After the cord
falls off, usually around 2 weeks of age, you can give your baby a full bath.
Prior to that, use sponge baths only.
Circumcision
Clean the
site and apply Vaseline or other ointment (A&D, antibiotic ointment) with
each diaper change. It is not unusual for the site to look red and have a few
small areas of yellowish discharge on the skin. After the circumcision site has
healed (7-10 days), you do not need to apply ointment any longer.
Stools/Bowel Movements
Many newborns will have a BM with
almost every feeding. It will go from the thick newborn meconium to soft,
yellow, seedy, within a few days. Thereafter , it may change to brown/green
occasionally. Soon he or she may go several days without a BM. This is not a
problem unless the BMs are hard. If they are, just call our office during
regular hours for advice.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a yellow
discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. It is caused by an excess of
the molecule, bilirubin, which is a by-product of the breakdown of red blood
cells. If your baby looks yellow to you, please notify our office right away.
This problem is not serious if it is treated appropriately.
Fever
A fever during the first two months is considered an
emergency. You do not need to check the temperature unless the baby is acting
sick or feels hot to you. We prefer you check the temperature rectally. Please
call our Palmetto Pediatrics office IMMEDIATELY if your baby’s temperature
is 100.4 or higher during the first two months of life.
Teething
Most babies will start teething by 4 months of age. They will drool a
lot, put everything is their mouths, and chew their (and your) fingers/fists.
Usually the teeth don’t actually come in until 6 or 7 months of age.
Simply provide safe teething toys or a cold washcloth to chew on.
Diaper Rash
Most diaper rashes are caused by skin irritation
from contact with urine or feces. Frequent changing and cleaning will help
prevent this problem. If the diaper area begins to look red/irritated, use a
thick diaper rash ointment.
Thrush
Thrush is a yeast
infection of the mouth. This is also very common in young babies. It looks like
white patches on the tongue or other inner surfaces of the mouth. If you think
your baby has thrush, simply call our office during regular office hours, and
we will discuss treatment with you.
Fussiness
It is normal
for babies to be somewhat fussy at times. If your baby is not consolable for
over 2 hours, please contact our office. Once any medical problems have been
ruled out you may try multiple ways to soothe your fussy baby: car rides,
swings, vibrating bouncy seats, a walk, a warm bath, a loud ticking clock by
the crib, a warm (NOT HOT) water bottle on the tummy and swaddling. |
