You’re welcoming a newborn baby, an amazing human being who’s now entirely dependent on you. This responsibility brings an incredible mixture of joy, love, excitement, apprehension and confusion. Even if you’ve cared for younger siblings or were the neighborhood’s best babysitter, you’ll probably need help taking care of this new little person.
Dr. Hassan Alzein of Alzein Pediatrics in Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn Illinois has helped hundreds of parents welcome home new babies. “Some basic caregiving guidelines can help parents get prepared for the joyful and exhausting experience of bringing Baby home from the hospital.”
Newborn Feeding
In the first few days of life, newborns normally lose about 7 percent of their body fat because of the stress and change of leaving an environment of perfect temperature and the sudden lack of constant nutrition. For a 7 lb baby, that’s almost a half of a pound! Baby’s stomach is very small, so they’ll need to eat small amounts frequently. Some babies will want to nurse or have a bottle every two to three hours and others may want to eat more often. Let your baby guide feeding times and amounts, and understand that sometimes they may eat a great deal and sometimes a lot less.
How can you tell when Baby is hungry? While some babies will suddenly announce their hunger with strong cries, others will give more subtle hints such as smacking their lips, or rooting; pursing their lips and turning their head toward the breast, chest or bottle, or putting their hands in their mouth. Dr. Alzein says, “Begin feeding Baby when you see these signs of readiness and hunger, before Baby begins full-blown crying. The sooner you begin each feeding, the more pleasant the feeding experience will be.”
Feedings are a wonderful opportunity to bond with the newest member of your family, even when Mom is breastfeeding. Dad can bring Baby to Mom and help get any supports settled, can change Baby’s diaper after the feeding and of course, can burp Baby in the middle and at the end of feedings.
“While getting into a schedule may be your goal, be aware that Baby’s sleeping and eating patterns will change quickly and constantly,” says Dr. Alzein. “Your newborn will eat different amounts of food each day and at different times of the day. Within weeks, you’ll notice growth spurts when Baby will need feeding more frequently.”
“Trust your instincts and let your baby guide you,” he says. “Parents often worry that Baby is eating too little or too much, but babies usually know just how much they need.”
Watch for:
• steady weight gain
• contentment after feeding
• by the fifth day after birth, at least six wet diapers and three or more bowel movements each day.
Dr. Alzein notes, “If your baby doesn’t seem to be putting on weight, or if Baby just doesn’t seem interested in eating, call your pediatrician. They will conduct a thorough examination to identify any problems quickly.”
Bathing Your Newborn
Giving your baby a baby for the first time is both fun and scary, says Dr. Alzein. “Bathing a baby can be tricky. They’re slippery and wiggly and they tend to cry through the whole process, at least the first few times; it’s suddenly cold and wet all around them. However, there are things parents can do to make the process go smoothly and enjoy this experience.”
Baby’s first few baths should be sponge baths, recommends Dr. Alzein. “Gentle sponge baths are best until Baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off, the circumcision heals and the navel is completely healed, probably for the first few weeks. Pick a room with a flat surface, like the bathroom or kitchen counter, or changing table. Close the door to prevent uncomfortable drafts. Babies get chilled easily so warm the room to around 75 degrees before you begin.”
Make sure to have all of the baby bath products assembled before you undress Baby. You will need:
- Baby bath sponge or clean wash cloth (double-rinsed)
- Clean blanket or hooded bath towel
- Clean diaper
- Clean clothes
- Vaseline and gauze (if you have a circumcised boy)
- Warm water, just about 100˚ F.
Now, let’s take a bath!
- Undress your baby, making sure to cradle their head with one hand. Leave the diaper as you’ll wash that area last. Wrap your baby in a towel as you’ll expose only those areas that you are going to be washing and then cover them back up to wash another area.
- Dampen and wring out a clean cloth or sponge in clear water; there is no need for soap, no matter how gentle. Clean one area at a time. Start behind the ears, then move to the neck, arms, elbows, knees, legs, between fingers and toes. Pay attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck.
- Rinse hair at end of bath time so baby doesn’t get a chill. Some newborns don’t have much hair and others have a bunch! Either way, you can gently sponge Baby’s head with clear water. To avoid getting water in the eyes, tip Baby’s head back just a little.
- Now it’s time to remove the diaper and sponge baby’s belly, bottom, and genitals.
- Gently wipe baby girls from front to back. A pink or reddish spot of vaginal discharge in the first few days is perfectly normal and can be gently wiped away. If circumcised, don’t wash the head of the penis until it’s healed; just rinse with drops of water and then reapply petroleum jelly. If your baby boy is uncircumcised, carefully wipe his penis with water and let the foreskin retract on its own over time.
- Carefully pat Baby dry instead of rubbing; rubbing will irritate delicate skin.
Dr. Alzein cautions, “Never leave your baby alone on a counter or changing table, even if Baby is strapped down – not even for a second. If you must step away, take Baby with you.”
How Often Should Baby’s Diaper Be Changed?
Newborns pee and poop very often. These waste products are very irritating to bare, delicate skin and can cause open sores very quickly. When Baby finishes a bowel movement, change their diaper immediately. Even with super-absorbent diapers, pee can cause diaper rash, leading to open sores. Urine in a diaper can also cause urinary tract infections in baby girls. Diapers should be changed every 2-3 hours, even if Baby hasn’t pooped. If you’re using cloth diapers, they will need to be changed more frequently. The exception is while Baby is sleeping. Unless Baby has a bowel movement while asleep, don’t wake your sleeping baby to change a diaper.
Be Patient With Yourself And With Baby.
When you’re planning your day, allow about twice as much time as you think it will take for feeding, bathing and diapering – and then relax. “While routine care may sometimes feel overwhelming, remember that basic care is also important in bonding,” says Dr. Alzein. “Make eye contact, have skin-to-skin contact and communicate both verbally and non-verbally while you are taking care of your baby.”
Call Your Pediatrician – Whenever You Need.
Newborns bring a whirlwind of joy and excitement to your life – as well as anxiety and plenty of fatigue. Dr. Alzein says, “Even on a good day, parenting can be a challenge. It’s an ever-evolving learning process; your pediatrician should be your first line of information and support. Whenever your instincts are telling you something isn’t right, or when you have questions about any of your decisions, call your pediatrician. If you feel you aren’t being heard, change health care providers. Your pediatric practice should be happy to help you through these newborn days with joy and confidence.
