Congratulations! Taking care of your new baby is an exciting, challenging, and rewarding adventure. Here are some basic guidelines to help familiarize you with newborn care. There are also many resources available to you as parents today, including books, magazines, and the internet. Due to the overwhelming number of these, our practice does not recommend any particular book or website, there are too many good resources out there to single any one out! Please feel free to count on us as a resource and call with any questions that you may have!

Your baby's umbilical cord may have been treated with an antibacterial dye at birth to help prevent an infection and to help dry up the cord. It may have a blue or purple look to it. In order to prevent an infection, clean the cord with a cotton ball soaked in either alcohol or warm water with every diaper change. Please give us a call if you notice the following:

• Pus at the base of the cord


• Fever


• Red skin at the base of the cord


• A foul odor from any umbilical discharge


• Crying when you touch the cord or the skin next to it could indicate a problem (If your baby does this when the alcohol is applied, this is ok because it's cold, but crying just by touching the skin with your finger is not.)

A fever in a baby less than one month of age should not occur and should always warrant a call to our office. A fever is defined as a RECTAL body temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees Farenheit. The rectal body temperature is the true core body temperature and is the most accurate assessment of a fever. If your baby develops a fever, please give us a call immediately.

Whether you have decided to breast feed, formula feed, or do a combination of both, it is important to let your newborn eat as often as they want. Most breast fed infants nurse every 2-3 hours for 15-45 minutes at a time, and most formula fed infants feed about every 3-4 hours 1-3 oz at a time. You cannot overfeed your baby so feed her as often as she desires. Most babies feed about 8-10 times within a 24 hour period.

In the first few days to weeks, your baby should have 8-10 wet diapers a day and anywhere from 4-10 bowel movements a day. You will see these bowel movements transition from a black pasty (meconium) substance to a yellow and seedy or even brown or green color and a thinner consistency. Many babies do not have a bowel movement every day; this is very normal. As long as your baby seems comfortable before, after, and during feeds, there is no reason for intervention.

In order to reduce the risk of SIDS, (or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), in your baby, be sure to alternate his sleeping position between his back and his side. Do not place your child to sleep on their stomach! Much research has shown a significant decrease in SIDS related deaths in infants whose parents followed these guidelines.

Your newborn has a sight distance of approximately twelve inches. This is about the distance your baby is from y our face when you nurse her or feed her! Babies love to study your face during this period. Encourage this interaction by smiling and talking to her! Infants also enjoy looking at black and white patterns and will often study objects held near her face. As she reaches one month of age, you should notice your baby beginning to track, or follow, objects that are slowly moved in front of her face.

A new baby makes for a very exciting time for your family and friends. Soon after you return home from the hospital you may have many well wishers wanting to visit with you and your baby. While we do encourage these exciting introductions, it is very important to keep your baby healthy while meeting everyone. Keep these guidelines in mind as new people stop by.

• Absolutely everyone must wash their hands before touching or holding your baby. No exceptions! Many germs could be passed along to your baby if this is not followed. This is especially important during the winter time when more people tend to be ill.
• Do not take your baby to crowded public places such as the mall or the grocery store for the first several weeks unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not allow anyone whom you know is ill to visit- there will be plenty of time for them to meet your baby!