Baby's First Days
What to Watch For
Breastfeeding: Hands down, breastfeeding is one of the best things that you can do for your baby. You are passing on nature's perfect nutrition along with your own immunity against many diseases. Here are some tips to ensure successful nursing:
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Make sure to place your baby on your breast as soon as he or she is handed to you. Immediately after birth, your baby will be wide awake and this is the perfect opportunity to establish that initial nursing bond and technique.
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Place your baby to the breast on demand, this is usually every 2 hours at least, for 15-30 minutes per breast.
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Remember that your milk will not come in until 2-4 days post-partum. You will have your initial clear milk, called colostrum, which in most cases contains enough fat and calories to sustain the baby until your definitive milk is in. Only if your baby has significant weight loss or jaundice do you need to supplement, unless you desire to do so.
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To ensure adequate supply, drink plenty of fluids. Consider herbal supplements such as fenugreek if recommended by your pediatrician, and only until your milk supply is established.
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If you have inverted nipples or excessive pain with nursing, consider purchasing nipple shields. Ask the lactation consultant in the hospital for one or they are readily available for purchase at most stores that sell breastfeeding supplies.
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Most importantly, don't stress! Nursing does not work out for every mom and that's okay. Formulas are excellent these days and some contain the same amino acids found in breast milk that promote eye and brain development.
Jaundice: Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of your baby's skin. The cause is the chemical bilirubin, which is created from the breakdown of red blood cells. Since bilirubin is broken down in the liver, and a newborn's liver is usually still immature, jaundice develops. Almost all newborns develop some degree of jaundice, and the highest peak levels are usually reached on the fifth day of life. Your baby's bilirubin can be determined by a simple blood test. Here are some tips to keep your baby safe from the effects of a high bilirubin:
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Make sure to see your pediatrician when your baby is between 3-5 days old. Babies are discharged from the hospital quickly these days and severe jaundice can be missed.
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Watch for yellowing of your baby's skin and eyes. Also be on the lookout for symptoms of a high bilirubin such as irritability, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty feeding. Contact your pediatrician right away if you see any of these symptoms.
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Make sure the baby is fed every 2 hours at least. The more your baby eats and stools, the lower the level of bilirubin.
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If your pediatrician recommends this, set the baby in a sunny window for 15 minutes at a time. The natural sunlight also helps to bring down the bilirubin level.
Fevers: A fever in a baby less than 6 weeks old is a medical emergency. Here are some tips to keep your baby healthy:
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Buy a rectal thermometer. If you suspect your infant has a fever, very gently insert ¼ to ½ of the tip of the bulb into the rectum for 2 minutes. If the temperature is > or = 100.4, call your pediatrician immediately. If you do not hear from your doctor within 30 minutes, proceed to the closest children's hospital emergency room for an evaluation.
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Ask friends and family with even the mildest cold symptoms to stay away until they're healthy. And even those that appear healthy, insist that they wash their hands before handling the baby.
Crying: Normal healthy babies cry on average of 4-6 hours per day. You will soon learn to recognize your baby's variety of cries and their meaning. Check the diaper; try feeding and motion/gentle rocking. If your baby has inconsolable crying as if in pain, call your doctor immediately.
SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has greatly decreased over the past 15 years since we are recommending placing infants to sleep on their backs. Here are some other tips to remember to keep your child safe:
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It's safest for baby to have his/her own defined space to decrease the chances of accidentally rolling over. New parents are tired; don't take the risk! If you wish to co-sleep, make the investment to purchase a co-sleeper, which attaches to your own mattress but gives baby his/her safe space.
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No pillows, fuzzy blankets, toys or other objects in the baby's crib. These all present a suffocation hazard so make sure baby has a firm and clear mattress surface to sleep on. Swaddling with thin blankets is okay, but make sure to keep the blankets away from baby's face, and once baby starts breaking out of the swaddle, it's time to stop.
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Non-smoking households have lower incidences of SIDS. Quit now for your own health and for your baby's sake.
Belly Time: Babies must sleep on their backs, but don't forget to give them supervised time on their belly! In the first few weeks, time on your chest counts. After that, make sure your newborn gets 20 minutes at least per day of belly time on a flat surface, such as a blanket on the floor or a play mat. You can split up the time into 5-10 minute intervals if desired. Not enough belly time is the number one cause of mild developmental delays in babies. Give your baby this much-needed exercise and chance to develop muscle tone and strength in the neck and arms!
