Baby Care Basics
Good baby care begins with the way you hold your baby. Support the back and head with your arm and hand. Touch your baby often. Use skin-to-skin contact and hold your baby close to you.
Cord Care
Many parents wonder when the umbilical cord stump will fall off. The cord
stump should fall off within one to three weeks after birth. At each diaper
change, clean the cord with alcohol.
Crying
Crying is a baby's means of communication. Babies cry when they have to
burp or are wet, soiled, tired, bored, or just lonely. As time goes by,
you'll learn what your baby's crying means. If feeding cues accompany
crying, it's usually a sign of hunger. You will not spoil your baby
by responding promptly to crying. Your baby only cries if he or she needs
something. When you satisfy his or her needs, your baby is learning to
trust people and begins to know that someone cares for him or her. After
taking care of physical needs, there are many things you can do to calm
a crying baby. Try holding your baby over your shoulder, or place your
baby on his or her stomach across your knees or arms. You can also try
to rock your baby, swaddle your baby in a blanket, use a carrier, run
the vacuum cleaner, or consider using a pacifier. If breastfeeding, you
should try to avoid the use of a pacifier until breastfeeding is well
established (usually by three to four weeks).
Sleeping
Most newborn babies sleep more than they do anything else. Your baby will
develop his or her own sleeping pattern. It is normal for a tiny baby
to sleep 16 to 20 hours a day. Take advantage of your baby's sleep
periods to get the rest that you need. During sleep, your baby may make
sucking motions, whimper, smile, or move his or her eyes. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all healthy full-term infants sleep
on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Nail Care
During the first days of life, nails may be long and adhered to the skin
high on the nail. Trim nails frequently with blunt edged small scissors
or file with an emery board to prevent scratching. Cut nails straight
across.
Bathing
Sponge bathe your baby until the cord falls off. After this, tub baths
may be given. Bathing every one to two days is all that is necessary.
Shampooing hair two to three times a week is adequate. Bathing can be
done any time of day. It should, however, be given before a feeding or
at least one hour after feeding. Gather baby equipment before you begin.
The bath can be given in a basin, a small tub, or kitchen sink. Never
leave your baby unattended during the bath. If you have forgotten something,
bring baby with you! Be sure to test the water temperature with the inside
of your wrist to make sure that the water is not too hot! Use a mild soap
sparingly, but not on baby's face. Lotions and oils are unnecessary.
Always support the baby's head and neck and keep a good grip on
baby while bathing. Babies can get very slippery. Wash the baby from head
down leaving the diaper area to last. Don't leave any soap on baby.
Clean the outside of the baby's ear with a washcloth around one
of your fingers. Cotton tip swabs should not be used in the nose or ears.
Diaper Changing
Diapers should be changed when wet or soiled. After each bowel movement
or wetting, wash and pat dry.
For girls: Separate the folds and gently wash area from front to back, using a clean area of washcloth with each swipe until thoroughly clean.
For boys: Wash penis, creases, and folds near the scrotum. Do not push back the foreskin of the uncircumcised baby. Your pediatrician will instruct you how to care for your uncircumcised baby.