These notes are intended to be a brief reminder of a few things that a newborn child may have or may need.
FEEDING: Newborn babies need only breastmilk or formula for the first several months. Generally I prefer allowing the baby and mother to establish a schedule as they prefer rather than setting a definite time period between feedings. If you are breastfeeding, a little lanolin can be used in caring for your nipples. Also, in the first few days especially, limiting your baby to five minutes or so per breast may be necessary if you're getting quite tender. We can suggest a lactation consultant if needed. Be sure your diet is adequate and include plenty of milk. If you're bottle feeding, any of the major brand milk-based formulas are suitable for starting out. Bottle fed babies should be on iron fortified formula after the first month. Babies don't need extra water except in a warm climate. Both St Joseph's and Mad River Hospitals have lactation consultants available. If you're having feeding problems, please feel free to call the office.
SLEEPING: Healthy babies should sleep on their back in a firm bassinette or other secure space. Sleeping on the tummy is not recommended. Propping the baby on his or her side is acceptable, but there is the risk the baby will roll onto the tummy. Feeding in bed with the parents is fine, but babies should sleep in an enclosed area on the bed or next to the bed if the parents don't want to get up to place the infant in a bassinette.
VITAMINS, IRON AND FLUORIDE: Whether formula or breastfed, normal newborns have enough vitamins and iron. I about six months we'll probably suggest supplemental vitamins and iron. Depending on where you live and how much water the baby is getting as he gets older, we may suggest fluoride after the first year.
UMBILICAL CORD CARE: The cord should fall off at between a week and three weeks of age. Apply rubbing alcohol to the cord with a cotton ball three or more times a day. Don't be afraid to lift the cord up and clean underneath it.
BATHING: Newborns don't require a great deal of bathing. A spongebath or bath in warm water in a warm room is appropriate for the first month or so. These should be given several times a week, but not necessarily daily. Try not to soak the umibilical cord during the first few weeks of life. If desired, a mild baby soap can be used; no baby oil, cream or diaper ointment are necessary, but many parents like to use A&D, Desitin or other diaper preparation.
JAUNDICE: Jaundice is yellowness in the skin caused by the breakdown of blood to bilirubin and the inability of the liver to pick it up and change it to bile rapidly. If this gets progressively worse at home, call the office to check a bilirubin at the laboratory.
RASHES: Most babies get mild rashes during the first few weeks of life. These generally require no specific treatment, but if there are blisters or a raw weeping area involved, you should let us know.
NOISY BREATHNG: A " rattle in the chest" or " bubbling" with breathing is often heard with newborns because of the small airway. Usually simply changing positions will change the noisy breathing. If the newborn is consistently breathing more than 60 times a minute or if there is a runny nose or fever, you should let us know.
Dr. Spock's book -Baby and Child Care - is still generally an excellent reference for many problems. A newer book, - Caring For Your Baby and Your Young Child - by Robert Hannemann, M.D., is very useful, too.
Routine newborns we like to see at about a week of age. Please call the office for an appointment ahead of time.
If you have further questions about any of the above or other problems, please call and talk with me or one of the staff.
Ted Humphry, M.D.
this information last updated 10/04
822-2441