Caring for Your Infant
A New Parent's Guide to Newborn Care
Congratulations on bringing home your new baby. You've left the hospital and your family has gone so you can settle in, but you find yourself thinking, "Now what?" You quickly double-check the diaper bag, and the baby herself, but her instructions are nowhere to be found. Relax! Following is some basic information to get you started with caring for your newborn at home.
The Feeding Frenzy
While a formula fed newborn will eat every three to five hours, a breastfed
baby will eat more frequently — as often as every two to three hours
— because breast milk is easier to digest. This may be a little challenging
and very time consuming, but according to the latest guidelines from the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you should nurse your newborn whenever
she shows signs of hunger (e.g. increased alertness or activity, mouthing,
or rooting around for your nipple; crying is actually a late sign of hunger).
In addition, if you are a nursing mother, you need to eat about 500 more calories a day than a woman who doesn't breast feed. You should also continue taking your prenatal vitamin, eat a well-balanced diet consisting of protein, fruits, vegetables and milk products, and drink plenty of water — six to eight glasses a day.
Whether you breast or bottle feed, during the first few days, you may have to gently wake your baby to begin feeding, and she may fall asleep throughout. To make sure she's eating often enough, wake her if it's been more than three hours since the last time she nursed.
Once your baby becomes alert for longer periods, within a month or two, you can settle into more of a schedule. Initially, she'll probably only take one to three ounces per feeding, so be sure not to force more than she wants. Ask your pediatrician about appropriate amounts of food for your baby as she grows.
If you have any questions about your baby's eating habits, contact your pediatrician. For specific breastfeeding questions, call your hospital or obstetrician for information or a referral to a lactation consultant.
Cute as a Button
Although it will one day be cute as a button, your baby's naval will need
extra TLC until the umbilical cord stump falls off (one to three weeks
after birth). You should clean the cord and surrounding skin at least
four times a day with a cotton ball or swab dipped in alcohol. Gently
clean around the bottom of the cord where it attaches to the navel and
then, fold the baby's diaper below the stump so it's exposed to air and
not to urine. You should also hold off on tub baths until the entire belly
button area heals. If the navel oozes or the surrounding skin reddens
for more than a few days after the stump has fallen off, contact your
pediatrician.
Hush Little Baby
It can be difficult, particularly when you're sleep-deprived, to soothe
a fussy, crying baby. However, keep in mind that your baby cries to communicate
with you when she's hungry, tired, over-stimulated, in need of a new diaper,
gassy, bored, or even lonely. You'll quickly learn what your little love
is trying to tell you, so never hesitate to respond to her because it
will help build trust between the two of you.
There are many techniques for calming a crying baby, and you may even establish a few of your own as you get to know her. In the meantime, try some of the tricks listed below:
| Calming A Crying Baby |
|
- swaddle her snugly in a blanket - hold her close or lay her tummy down across your lap - let a rhythm, such as your heartbeat, soothing music, or white noise help - put her in motion with gentle swaying or rocking - rub her tummy - offer a pacifier or the breast to satisfy her natural urge to suck - ask for help if you need to take a break |
Sweet Dreams
Babies tend to sleep more than they do anything else. Although your little
dreamer will set his own schedule, it's normal for a baby to sleep 16
to 20 hours a day. Try to take advantage of her nap times to rest yourself.
And remember to place her to sleep on her back as recommended by The American
Academy of Pediatrics for all healthy full-term infants to reduce the
risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Manicures and Pedicures
Newborns have little control over flailing limbs and your baby can easily
scratch her own face (or yours) as she reaches to explore. You may find
you have to cut the nails as often as a few times a week (toenails require
less frequent trimming). During the first days of life, nails may be long
and attached to the skin high on the nail. Press the finger pad away from
the nail to avoid nicking the skin, and keep a firm hold on her hand as
you clip and cut straight across with small blunt edged scissors or baby
clippers. You may want to try this with a buddy or when your little customer
is sleeping or eating and, subsequently, a lot less squirmy.
Rub a Dub
During the first few weeks, a sponge bath every few days is the cleaning
method of choice until the baby's cord has fallen off and/or until the
circumcision is healed. However, it is a good idea to wash the face and
behind the ears, neck, hands and bottom daily.
When your baby is ready for full baths, every other day should be enough (frequent bathing can dry delicate skin). Be sure that the room you're bathing her in is warm and without a draft, that the bath water is warm, not hot, and consider using a basin, kitchen sink, or baby tub for ease. Remember to always support the baby's head and neck while bathing.
It's a Dirty Job, Butt…
Babies dirty their diapers frequently and, as such, should be changed
often, particularly after a bowel movement. For girls, separate the folds
and gently wash the area from front to back, using a clean area of washcloth
or baby wipe with each swipe until thoroughly clean.
For boys, wipe penis, creases and folds near the scrotum. Do not push back the foreskin of an uncircumcised baby (ask your pediatrician regarding care instructions). If your baby has been circumcised, keep the skin clean with soap and water (initially avoid baby wipes). Your pediatrician may also recommend applying a little A& D ointment or petroleum jelly for a few days to help prevent the diaper from sticking to the penis.
For more newborn care information, contact your pediatrician or check with your local hospital for a class.
