for that precious new addition to the world

General

Congratulations on your new baby! Babies bring great joy. However, most new parents are not prepared for the 24 hour a day job of caring for a newborn. To be the best parent you can be, you must take care of your self first. Forget all non-essential tasks. Rest when the baby sleeps. Try to comfort your baby when he or she cries but if you're unsuccessful just remember that crying is not psychologically harmful to babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants sleep on a firm surface positioned on their back.

Formula

Most brands of formula are available in a variety of preparations (concentrate, ready to feed, powder). Any form or brand is fine but we will usually suggest one to get the baby started.

We suggest letting your baby feed on demand but with limits of around 2-4 ounces every 2-4 hours for the first 2-3 weeks. It is not usually necessary to awaken the baby at night for feedings.

Breast Feeding

Relax! Anything worthwhile takes a little effort. Expect the first several days to be challenging, even frustrating as your baby adjusts to this world, becomes hungry, and your milk comes in. For the first few days, your baby will probably not be very hungry and may not nurse more than 5-10 minutes on each breast at each feeding. The small amount of colostrum your baby gets during this time is enough.

After 2-3 days, gradually increase the amount of time you nurse at each feeding to 10-15 minutes per breast. By ten minutes, the breasts are usually emptied and your baby will only be sucking as she would suck on a pacifier. We suggest feeding on demand every 2-4 hours for the first several weeks. Prescription medications taken while nursing may adversely affect the infant. Please check with our office. Where possible it seems advisable to avoid substitute bottles for the first two (2) weeks until your milk supply is coordinated with the baby's demand.

Once breast milk is well established, most babies normally have loose to watery bowel movements, varying in frequency from one each feeding to one every 3-4 days. If you have questions about your newborn (colic, feeding problems, eye drainage, stools, rashes), please call during office hours. We are available daily, including Saturday and Sunday.

If you have an emergency after office hours call 385-1451.

Items You Will Need

  1. CAR SEAT
  2. Rectal thermometer (normal temperature is 97-100°).
  3. 2-3 oz. rubber ear syringe (to be used to clean baby's nose).
  4. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain and fever.
  5. Baby nail scissors.
  6. Cotton balls.
  7. Q-tips (never put into ear canals).

Skin Care

  1. Bathing. Any mild soap is fine. Sponge baths until cord has dropped off.
  2. Umbilical cord. Apply rubbing alcohol to base of cord 2-3 times daily. Cord will usually drop off in 2-4 weeks. Do not worry if some bleeding occurs.
  3. Diaper rash. Desitin or zinc oxide.
  4. Circumcision. Keep clean with soap and water.
  5. Use of baby lotion, powder and oil is unnecessary.