Newborn Needs
- Newborn Hygiene.
- Skin Care.
- Feeding and weight gain.
- Skin to Skin (Kangaroo Care).
- Warning Signs for Parents.
Newborn Hygiene
Umbilical Care:
- Use gentle soap.
- Use of 70% alcohol or 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine after bathing and diaper changes.
- Give sponge baths until the stump separates.
- Notify pediatrician if there is any redness or drainage.
- The World Health Organization recommends that the “stump be clean and dry”.
Skin Care:
- Wash your hands before bathing or changing baby.
- Bath baby in a warm room, either in a tub or bath.
- Temperature of the bath water should not go over 37°C.
- Poop should be cleaned off baby’s skin before bath.
- Use low level of water, aids drop in body temperature.
- Gently dry, use a soft towel to avoid friction.
Feeding & Weight Gain
- Feed every 2-3 hours.
- Good intake measured by: Bowel movements.
- Skin to skin contact with feeding.
- Weight Gain:
- First few days of life: weight loss occurs.
- Newborn gains weight back and gains some and grows.
- 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.
- Reduces stress.
- Relieves pain.
- Elevates temperature, regulating it.
- Regulates heart rate thus controlling breathing.
- Prevents heat loss.
- Increases breastfeeding performance.
- Helps with sleeping.
Newborn Warning Signs
- Fever: > 38.0C notify Pediatrician.
- Jaundice:
- First few days of life normal, if continues call MD.
- Non-stop crying.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS):
- Newborn needs to sleep on back ONLY!