Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Motherhood and fatherhood are the most rewarding times in our lives, though I know we sometimes wish babies came with a manual. Since they don't, I have created a guide for you! Here are a list of tips to help you care for your little one once you leave the hospital.
Feeding
* Your newborn should eat about every 3-4 hours (formula) or every 2-3 hours (breastfed).
* You should burp your baby several times doing feedings.
* A small amount of spit up is normal and is usually the lack of burping, over eating, eating to fast, or swallowing to much air.
* Solid foods are not recommended until 4-6 months of age.
* Your newborn should eat about every 3-4 hours (formula) or every 2-3 hours (breastfed).
* You should burp your baby several times doing feedings.
* A small amount of spit up is normal and is usually the lack of burping, over eating, eating to fast, or swallowing to much air.
* Solid foods are not recommended until 4-6 months of age.
Diapering
* Choose the type of diaper you feel is most comfortable for your baby
* Fold diaper down until umbilical heals or falls off
* Newborns should be checked every hour and changed as often as needed
* Wipe diaper area with a clean, damp washcloth (wipe front to back)
* Allow diaper area to breathe for a short time
* Your baby should have at least one bowel movement a day
* Never leave baby unattended on changing table or other high surface areas
* Remember to wash your hands before and after diapering
* Choose the type of diaper you feel is most comfortable for your baby
* Fold diaper down until umbilical heals or falls off
* Newborns should be checked every hour and changed as often as needed
* Wipe diaper area with a clean, damp washcloth (wipe front to back)
* Allow diaper area to breathe for a short time
* Your baby should have at least one bowel movement a day
* Never leave baby unattended on changing table or other high surface areas
* Remember to wash your hands before and after diapering
Umbilical Cord Care
* Keep the cord clean and dry
* Using a cotton ball apply rubbing alcohol with each diaper change (continue until cord falls off, usually within 14days)
* Fold infant's diaper below the cord so that it will remain dry
* Contact your child pediatrician if you notice excessive blood, foul odor, drainage that is green, or if it looks red and irritated.
* Keep the cord clean and dry
* Using a cotton ball apply rubbing alcohol with each diaper change (continue until cord falls off, usually within 14days)
* Fold infant's diaper below the cord so that it will remain dry
* Contact your child pediatrician if you notice excessive blood, foul odor, drainage that is green, or if it looks red and irritated.
Circumcision
* Use soap and water to keep the area clean
* Apply ointment to sooth area which should heal in about 10 days
* If you observe fresh blood, swelling, redness or irritation call your pediatrician
* If your son is not circumcised remember to clean area with soap and water
* Apply ointment to sooth area which should heal in about 10 days
* If you observe fresh blood, swelling, redness or irritation call your pediatrician
* If your son is not circumcised remember to clean area with soap and water
Bathing
*Sponge bathe is best until the umbilical cord falls off or if your baby is a boy, until the circumcision is healed also(usually within 7-10 days).
* The bathing room should be warm with no drafts.
* Find a flat surface and lye your child on a towel
* Using a damp cloth (you may also use damp cotton balls) gently wipe all over your baby. Be sure to wipe between fingers, toes and behind ears
*Sponge bathe is best until the umbilical cord falls off or if your baby is a boy, until the circumcision is healed also(usually within 7-10 days).
* The bathing room should be warm with no drafts.
* Find a flat surface and lye your child on a towel
* Using a damp cloth (you may also use damp cotton balls) gently wipe all over your baby. Be sure to wipe between fingers, toes and behind ears
Sleeping
* Always put your baby to sleep on his or her back or side, not the stomach
* Remove any fluffy bedding including pillows, comforters, quilys and large toys from the baby's crib or sleeping area
* Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby
* If needed use a clean dry pacifier to sooth baby to sleep
* Always put your baby to sleep on his or her back or side, not the stomach
* Remove any fluffy bedding including pillows, comforters, quilys and large toys from the baby's crib or sleeping area
* Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around your baby
* If needed use a clean dry pacifier to sooth baby to sleep
Clothing
* Dress baby in clothing appropriate for the weather
* If it is winter layers may work best in case baby gets hot or cold
* Clothing should be loose and light weight
* Dress baby in clothing appropriate for the weather
* If it is winter layers may work best in case baby gets hot or cold
* Clothing should be loose and light weight
Nails
* Use baby nail clippers or scissors to trim nails
* It is usually the easiest to clip nails while baby is sleeping or right after a bath
* Use baby nail clippers or scissors to trim nails
* It is usually the easiest to clip nails while baby is sleeping or right after a bath
Bonding
* Hold your baby often (Remember to support his/her head and neck)
* Cuddle and sing to your baby
*Read to your newborn, the sound of your voice will comfort him/her
* Respond to your infants cries which is his only way of communication
* Remember babies usually cry when they are hungry, wet, in pain, or uncomfortable
* Help your baby get aquainted with other family members (with other children you may need to teach how to hold baby gently)
Signs of Illness* Hold your baby often (Remember to support his/her head and neck)
* Cuddle and sing to your baby
*Read to your newborn, the sound of your voice will comfort him/her
* Respond to your infants cries which is his only way of communication
* Remember babies usually cry when they are hungry, wet, in pain, or uncomfortable
* Help your baby get aquainted with other family members (with other children you may need to teach how to hold baby gently)
*High or low temperatures (normal is 97.6 to 101.0 rectally)
*Vomiting
*Refusing to eat
*Lethargic
*Unusual rashes
*Extreme irritability
*Unable to wake baby
*Remember to take your babies temperature before calling your health care provider
*Vomiting
*Refusing to eat
*Lethargic
*Unusual rashes
*Extreme irritability
*Unable to wake baby
*Remember to take your babies temperature before calling your health care provider
Well-Baby Check up
*First check up is at 2 weeks
*Second check up is at 4 weeks
*Remember to keep well-baby check up and shots up-to-date
Take Care of Yourself*First check up is at 2 weeks
*Second check up is at 4 weeks
*Remember to keep well-baby check up and shots up-to-date
*Try to get sleep or at least relax (even if it is just sitting or lying with with your eyes closed)
*Eat a healthy Diet (proper nutrition can help with a speedy recovery)
*If you are breastfeeding you need to add about 500 calories to your daily reccommendation
*Exercise (helps shed those baby pounds)
*Family Planning (be sure you have chosen a birth control option as it is very easy to become pregnant right after birth, even if you are breastfeeding)
References
Virginia Department of Health (2005)., Caring for Your Baby: About newborn and infant care
Channing Bete Company, Inc. South Deerfield, MA 01373
Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics, p.214
Hornig, Current Problems in Pediatrics (1975). p.6-8
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