“Is she getting enough food?” “Why is she so yellow?” “Does it happen normally that she sneezes so much?” Every first-time mother asks me one of these questions within a few minutes of our first meeting, often while clutching the baby a bit too tightly. This sounds familiar? You asked the right questions and in most cases the answers will make you feel comfortable.
If you are reading this holding a baby in your arms and having a hundred questions on your mind, you are right on track. First month is bewildering for all of us. Most of your worries are likely to become normal. But there are going to be a few things which are not normal. Let me tell you precisely which things. So let’s get started week-wise.
What you really need at home
Less than what is mentioned online.
- Digital thermometer (no, don’t check fever by feeling the head)
- Baby diapers
- Soft cotton clothes
- Mild unscented soap
- A hard flat crib
- File away discharge papers and immunization record in one place
- Have the number of your pediatrician saved in every phone at home
That’s what you really need.
Week 1: Days 1 to 7
Feeding
Feed her whenever she is hungry and that would happen 8 to 12 times a day. In the initial days of life when a newborn may sleep for long periods, you will need to wake her up if 3 hours have elapsed since the previous feeding. Nothing else should enter into her mouth apart from milk; no water, no honey, no ghutti or gripe water.
A weight loss of up to 7 to 10 percent takes place during this period and the vast majority of infants regain their birth weight in 10 to 14 days. You cannot measure the weight but you can keep count of the diapers. Starting from Day 5 or 6, she should pass 6 to 8 diapers daily. Stools are dark-green and gradually turn yellow and mushy by Day 4 or 5.
Sleep
She sleeps 14 to 17 hours a day but in fragmented patterns; hence, no extended periods of sleep can be expected. Place her on her back on a hard and flat surface and without any additional material like pillows or bumpers in the cot.
The umbilical cord
The stump should remain clean and dry and should be tucked under the nappy. Do not use talcum powder, oil, kajal or home remedies that have been told to you. Bathe using sponges till it falls off, which can take anywhere between one and three weeks. Do not tug at it.
Jaundice
A slightly yellowish color within the first week is common. Test this in daylight; start from the face and move on to the chest and abdomen. The moment the yellow spreads to the legs, if the yellow appears within the first 24 hours, or if she is excessively drowsy and has poor feeding habits, consult your pediatrician immediately. Spread of this color requires a definite blood test and not guess work. Sunlight alone is no treatment.
Two tasks to be completed this week
- Schedule your first follow-up within 48-72 hours of being discharged from the hospital for weight check and jaundice assessment.
- In case you have not decided on the pediatrician yet, here’s a checklist on how to choose the perfect pediatrician in Greater Noida West.
- And make sure your baby has been vaccinated (BCG, Hepatitis B, zero dose polio) and hearing test done.
Week 2: Days 8 to 14
She must weigh close to her birth weight, and therefore, a weight assessment in the period between days 10 to 14 would be wise. Do not panic if she is feeding like crazy; it means she is growing, and it also prompts the production of more milk.
Her stump may fall off this week. Some spots are normal, but pus formation, a bad smell, or redness extending to the tummy area is something else and needs medical intervention.
Tummy time can now begin, but it must be done when she is conscious and under your supervision for a few minutes in the beginning. Oil massage is fine, and I recommend coconut oil or almond oil. I advise against mustard oil because it is a skin irritant.
Weeks 3 and 4: Days 15 to 30
Now, she can stay awake longer, observe your face, and she might give you a true social smile around 6 weeks. This event will be worth many sleepless nights.
Crying in the evening can happen. But if you cannot console her even after feeding and checking whether she is okay, make sure you talk to your pediatrician about colic. It is hard but will eventually go away.
Just one small piece of advice: Write down her feeding times, number of wet diapers and hours of sleep in a notebook. It will be very helpful during your visits to the doctor’s office. Don’t forget to schedule 6 weeks appointment; this is the time for next vaccines.
It looks frightening, but it is normal
- Sneezing and hiccupping
- White spots in the nose, and baby’s acne
- Skin peeling
- Enlarged breast tissue in both girls and boys, and some vaginal fluid in baby girls
- Startle response, where she flings out her arms at a loud noise
The other common concern from parents that they bring to my office is rapid breathing, and there is a good reason for this, since many of them wind up staring at the chest all night. Infants frequently have irregular breathing, with a pause for a few seconds before taking another deep breath. Provided that she is still pink and feeding well and the pauses are not too long, it is normal. Rapid breathing, grunting and retraction are not, and you will see those listed below.
Contact the doctor immediately if you notice
- A temperature greater than 38°C (100.4°F) or a cold feeling in the baby. In infants younger than 3 months, any fever is an emergency.
- No feeding or less than six urination in diapers a day after day 5
- Rapid breathing, retraction, grunting or blue tint to lips
- Very sleepy and floppy infant or inconsolable crying
- Green vomit, severe vomiting or blood in the feces
- Increasing yellow discoloration or jaundice
- Sunken fontanelle or shaking that resembles a seizure
- Discharge, redness, and foul odor from the stump
If your instinct tells you that something is not right, contact. Always. For problems after the newborn period, consult your doctor when your baby needs to be seen by a pediatrician.
Word of advice, Mama
You are supposed to look after yourself all the time, but please don’t. Take food, have water, take rest while the baby takes rest, and let your family assist you. It is common for mothers to feel tearful during the first two weeks. However, if low mood, anxiety and hopelessness persists after two weeks or interferes with your ability to care for yourself or the baby, please consult your doctor.
Visiting people, quickly
- Hands should be washed before holding the baby
- No kissing baby’s face and hands
- No visit of anyone who has a fever or flu
- Only a few visitors in the first couple of weeks
What questions do parents ask
How frequently should she feed?
She should feed around every 2-3 hours, 8-12 times a day, each time when she seems hungry.
How can I be sure she’s getting enough?
If she has 6 or more wet diapers per day from day 5 onward, yellow stools, gains weight, and looks satisfied after almost all the feedings.
Bathing every day?
Not necessary. One proper bath 2-3 times per week will suffice, with a facial cleaning every day. Only sponge baths before the umbilical cord falls off.
First visit post-discharge?
48-72 hours after discharge, then on day 10-14, followed by one at 6 weeks for vaccinations.
Vitamin D drops?
Every breastfed infants require them. Your pediatrician will advise you regarding the brand and dosage suitable for your baby.
Got a newborn in need of assistance?
An article cannot take place of a clinical visit. If you are from Greater Noida West and require advice regarding feed, jaundice, vaccinations or growth, consult Dr. Nivedita Kapoor.
