Newborn Care

Newborn Needs    

  • Newborn Hygiene. 
  • Skin Care.
  • Feeding and weight gain.
  • Skin to Skin (Kangaroo Care).
  • Warning Signs for Parents.

 

 

Newborn Hygiene

Umbilical Care:

  1. Use gentle soap.
  2. Use of 70% alcohol or 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine after bathing and diaper changes.
  3. Give sponge baths until the stump separates.
  4. Notify pediatrician if there is any redness or drainage.
  5. The World Health Organization recommends that the “stump be clean and dry”.

Skin Care:

  1. Wash your hands before bathing or changing baby.
  2. Bath baby in a warm room, either in a tub or bath.
  3. Temperature of the bath water should not go over 37°C.
  4. Poop should be cleaned off baby’s skin before bath.
  5. Use low level of water, aids drop in body temperature.
  6. Gently dry, use a soft towel to avoid friction.

Feeding & Weight Gain

  1. Feed every 2-3 hours.
  2. Good intake measured by: Bowel movements.
  3. Skin to skin contact with feeding.
  4. Weight Gain:
    1. First few days of life: weight loss occurs.
    2. Newborn gains weight back and gains some and grows.
    3. Call Pediatrician if:
      • Not regaining weight.
      • Less than 5 wet diapers/day.
      • Strong smelling urine for 5 days.
      • Less than 2 soft/loose mustard-yellow stools/day in 1st week.

Skin to Skin (Kangaroo Care)

  • Increases oxytocin hormone release.
  • Helps with newborn stress, temperature, breathing, heart rate, and pain.
    1. Reduces stress.
    2. Relieves pain.
    3. Elevates temperature, regulating it.
    4. Regulates heart rate thus controlling breathing.
  • Prevents heat loss.
  • Increases breastfeeding performance.
  • Helps with sleeping.

Newborn Warning Signs

Newborn
  1. Fever: > 38.0C notify Pediatrician.
  2. Jaundice:
    • First few days of life normal, if continues call MD.
  3. Non-stop crying.
  4. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):
    • Newborn needs to sleep on back ONLY!