These first few days at home should be quite exciting. Some parents get quite anxious at the thought of bringing a newborn home for the first time. These simple tips should help:
Keeping Your Newborn From Overheating
Babies tend to require only one more layer of clothing than adults for the same temperature. Overdressing generally causes heat rash and discomfort.
Room temperature is acceptable at widely varying temperatures. However, it is probably ideal in the 68-72 degree range, with the cooler temperature at night when the infant is covered with a sleeper or blanket.
Smoking and Your Newborn
Exposure of your infant to cigarette smoke will greatly increase the chance of your infant developing allergies, respiratory infections, asthma, otitis media, and SIDS. Do not let anyone smoke in the house where your infant will be or while caring for your infant. Even better, stop smoking entirely.
Babies Need to Sleep on Their Back
Studies have suggested there is a higher rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies who are routinely put to sleep on their abdomen. For this reason we will recommend positioning the infant on its back or side for sleep. Babies should not have pillows or stuffed animals in the crib since this can pose a suffocation risk.
Normal Things Newborns Do
Most babies will have hiccups after they are fed. This usually does not bother them and they will outgrow this tendency around 2-3 months of age.
Babies may cross their eyes from time to time. They usually stops this by 3-4 months of age.
Babies, both girls and boys, may have swollen breasts for the first 2-3 weeks- this is normal.
Many babies cough and sneeze to clear their nose and throat. Do not worry about this unless it seems to be interfering with your baby’s feeding, breathing, or sleeping.
Babies may not always breathe evenly or quietly. They may breathe slow then fast and then pause briefly for 5-10 seconds. This is why we say they are "periodic breathers".
Signs of Illness in the Newborn
A rectal fever 100.4 degrees or higher rectally in the first two months.
Temperature below 97 degrees rectally.
Multiple, large watery diarrhea stools.
Recurrent vomiting (not spitting).
Failure to urinate 5 or 6 times each 24 hours.
Persistent poor feeding
Pale, listlessness, or persistent irritability.
Redness or pus around the umbilical stump.
Frequent cough or difficulty breathing.
Of course, there are many other signs of illness, but these are the most common in this age group. Please call the office and talk to a nurse or doctor if your newborn appears ill or if you are worried about your baby.
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