Bringing home a newborn baby is a very exciting event. It also can be anxiety provoking for some, especially if they are first-time parents.
Here are some general guidelines for newborn care:
1. Newborns need to feed frequently. Most breast-fed babies feed every two to three hours, sometimes as often as every hour. Formula fed babies usually feed about every three hours. Babies should not sleep through the night at this age. For the first month of life, if they don’t wake up on their own, you need to wake them up at least every four to five hours to feed or else their blood sugars can become low.
2. The first two to three days, babies may only have one to three wet diapers per day. After that, they should start having more frequent wet diapers.
3. Fevers in a newborn should be taken very seriously. Do not give any medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin). Any time a newborn has a temperature above 100.5 rectally, you need to call your doctor. Invest in a rectal digital thermometer. They are the most accurate for a newborn. Try to keep your newborn away from anyone who is sick.
4. Look for signs of jaundice or yellow skin/eyes. This commonly occurs in newborns, but you need to notify your physician so they can assess the baby.
5. Babies should sleep on their backs to decrease the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). If they are sleeping on their sides, use a “wedge” to prevent them from rolling on to their stomachs. If you are co-sleeping with your baby, talk to your doctor about the safest way to do so. If you are a smoker, never co-sleep with your baby because it puts them at a high risk for SIDS.
6. Always use an infant car seat, even if you are only going a short distance. Babies need to be rear facing in the back seat of the car. Never take the baby out of the car seat while the car is moving, even to feed them.
7.Clean your baby’s umbilical cord with alcohol at every diaper change. If you see any redness or discharge, notify your doctor.
It is important to have good communication with your baby’s health care provider, so you can feel comfortable asking any questions that you may have.
For more information, please call 661- 253-9009.