Instructions for the Care of Your Newborn
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! This is an exciting
and exhausting time for you and your family. During the next few
days, most of your time will be spent resting and regaining your
strength. Town and Country Pediatrics has provided this information
to help with the care of your newborn baby. Please note, we use
the pronoun “he” when referring to your beautiful newborn
baby.
General Information
Hospital and Office Visits
Your baby will be examined by one of our pediatricians every day
that you are in the hospital. While in the hospital, your baby will
receive a Hepatitis B vaccine, a hearing test, and a simple blood
test for a variety of disorders. After you go home, we will see
your baby at 4 days and 2 weeks of age in one of our offices. Please
call as soon as possible to arrange for this appointment. These
“Well Baby Check-ups” are very important. During these
visits, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions and discuss
the growth and development of your baby.
Emergencies and Illnesses
Illness and injuries can occur in a newborn baby. If you think your
baby is sick or if your baby is injured, call us immediately. A
pediatrician will always be available.
Signs of illness that should be reported include:
- Rectal temperature 100.4 or higher
- Vomiting (not just "spitting up")
- Refusing to eat several feedings in a row
- Excessive crying
- Listlessness
- Any unusual rash or yellowing of the skin or eyes
Babies Are Babies
Your child is an individual from the moment of birth, yet all babies
have similar behaviors. Babies sneeze, yawn, belch, hiccup, cry,
cough, and pass gas. They may occasionally look cross-eyed. Sneezing
is the way a baby clears his nose of mucus, lint, or milk curds.
Hiccups are little spasms of the diaphragm muscle. They may be stopped
by giving a few swallows of warm water, or they will stop by themselves
the next time your baby eats or sleeps. The hiccups do not bother
your baby. Coughing is a baby’s way of clearing his throat.
Crying is his way of saying “I’m hungry”, “I’m
wet”, “ I’m thirsty”, “I want to turn
over”, “I’m too hot or cold”, “I’m
bored and just want to cry”, or “ I want to be held”.
Try to quickly respond to your baby’s cries, even if he just
wants to be held. Physical contact from a loving parent is as important
to your baby’s growth and development as food and sleep. Remember
you can not spoil a newborn baby.
Baby's First Week
Click Here
for a printable chart to keep track of your baby's progress during
the first week of life. Your baby's health care provider will ask
for this information at the next visit.
Th chart will open in a new window as a Microsoft Word document.
After printing, close the document to return to Town & Country
Pediatrics.
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