Newborn Care: A Guide to the First Six Weeks

Injoy, 2006

http://www.injoyvideos.com/IJOneVolOneVer.cfm?id=327

Intro

Your Newborn (says 10:51, but really, the comfort tech chapter starts 4:33 into the video)

- Leaving the hospital was really intimidating… what am I supposed to do now?

- Appearance (1:00): The first thing you’ll do is get to know your baby. He may look different than you expected: shows quick images of babies with each of the following: Peeling and wrinkling skin, milia, stork bites, if you have dark skin, may be pale, may have dark birth mark, swollen genitals, head may have cone-like shape, vernix. All a normal part of birth – will go away with time.

- Senses (1:15)  Hear: shows African-American mom with baby - Can hear you, has been able to since well before birth: sing songs, talk to her. Feel: shows Caucasian dad with bare chest and diapered baby – can feel warmth, esp. skin to skin which helps improve phys, emo and brain development. Smell & taste: shows Caucasian baby nursing – can recognize smell of mother’s breastmilk…. Could pick her mom out from a lineup because so familiar with scent. Milk is sweet and delicious. See: Asian-American mom holding baby so he can study her face: looking at you will become one of his favorite things

- Brain Development (:45) Your baby’s brain is developing every day to understand the world around him. Doesn’t need flash cards and expensive toys. Your love is most important. Caring for him, talking to him…

Comfort Techniques, Baby Cues, and Crying (6:57)

- Behavior – his behavior may be somewhat mysterious: unpredictable

- Reading cues (baby in dad’s lap) – little hints she’s giving you. If her eyes are bright and wide open, these are cues that she is ready to play. Try singing and talking. (Mom playing) If she’s looking away, arching her back, may be overstimulated – ready for feeding or sleep. If looking glossy eyed, losing interest, yawning – sleepy. (Mom going to baby’s bassinet) If fidgeting in sleep, may wake up soon.

- Crying – 1 to 3 hours every day for first few months. Crying expresses a need, releases tension, or shuts out stimulation. (Mom nursing) – responding to your baby’s cries doesn’t spoil him. It tells him that you care – he’ll cry less as he gets older – responding to your baby is smart parenting.

- Reasons for crying: fatigue, hunger, hot or cold, lonely, in pain, diaper. If you’ve checked all the above and she’s still crying, number of techniques to help her calm down. African-American dad with baby says “the best way to comfort her is to hold her close, helps her be quiet and at peace with herself.”

- Holding (Caucasian mom with baby on chest) – gives her the warm snuggly feeling of being in the womb. (Caucasian dad swaddling) Swaddling can also make her feel cozy – shows very briefly – try holding her on stomach or side. (Asian dad) Sound – using sound can also calm baby: talking, swinging, shh-ing. Static of radio, fan or vacuum makes white noise, which may soothe. Massage – caring skin-to-skin contact can help digestion: watch to be sure that she enjoys it. Movement – most babies love rocking, bouncing, swinging, swaying. Never leave baby unattended in swing. Go outside for change of scenery – can comfort you too. Figuring out what baby needs may baffle you at first, sometimes you’ll try the wrong thing to calm her, but that’s OK

- Call doctor if your baby cries fanatically for 3-4 hours a day for 3 weeks – may have colic. True, unsolved mystery. Can be difficult to comfort. Sometimes nothing works but waiting it out – try not to take it personally. She’ll grow out of it by 3 – 4 months of age. Get support. Have at least one other person you can leave your baby with so you can take a break. If you start to run out of patience, put baby in a safe place such as a crib, and walk away. Always feel OK about calling your doctor or a parent hotline for help and support – every parent gets frustrated, but never shake baby. Shaken baby syndrome can lead to paralysis or death

- When it comes to comforting baby, respond. She’ll learn that she can count on you

Eating and Sleeping (8:38)

- in first few weeks, mostly eating and sleeping

- when first hungry, gnawing or gumming on things, if not fed soon, deteriorates

- cues: mouth movements, sucking motions, hand to mouth, turning to breast

- AAP: best food is breastmilk: covers some of benefits for mom and baby

- It gets easier after a couple weeks

- Dads’ support is critical: warm, softly lit, comfortable environment

- Stroke mouth with nipple. When she opens mouth, bring to breast

- Shows latch

- Colostrum. Feed from both breasts every 2-3 hours.

- Don’t take any medications unless dr. says it’s OK.

- If you have very sleepy baby who’s slept more than 4 hours, wake to feed

- Wait till BF is going well before intro-ing bottle. Usually around 4 weeks

- Breastmilk is best. If not, feed formula. Never feed anything other than breastmilk or formula. Follow directions on formula container. Shows how to warm. Formula feed every 3 – 4 hours. Never prop a bottle

- Burping: after each breast, or after every 2-3 ounces of formula

- Sleep: Can sleep up to 16 hours a day, in short stretches. Deep sleep and light sleep. Don’t expect adult’s schedule anytime soon. Waking up 2-3 times a night in the first few months is normal.

- Sleep Safety: SIDS is leading cause of death in babies 1-9 months. You can reduce the risk: no soft surfaces, no smoking, no fluffy items.

- In the first month, don’t offer a pacifier, since still focused on learning breastfeeding. Can intro pacifier after one month: may reduce risk of SIDS

Diapering and Cleaning (6:16)

- I change 6-12 diapers a day. Should have at least one stool a day. May have more

- First stool black and sticky, then greenish brown. By day 4:

- You’ll need diapers, wipes, or washcloth with water

- Crying during diaper change is normal. If she gets a rash, expose her to air, then apply ointment (slathers on a lot of zinc oxide)

- Stopped taking notes here

Health and Safety (7:00)