Bringing a baby home is a happy moment, but it can also feel scary. Your baby is tiny, cannot tell you what is wrong, and seems to sleep, cry, and feed at all hours. Good newborn baby care does not need to be complicated. This guide explains the basics in simple words, so you know what is normal, what to do each day, and when to call a doctor.

Newborn Care Tips for the First Month

These newborn care tips for the first month cover the things you will do most often.

Feeding. Breast milk is all your baby needs for the first six months. Feed whenever the baby shows hunger signs, such as putting hands to the mouth, turning the head, or making sucking sounds. Crying is a late sign. Most newborns feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, including at night. Make sure the baby latches well, and burp the baby gently after feeds. If feeding hurts or the baby cannot latch, ask your doctor or nurse for help early.

Wet diapers and weight. A baby who is feeding well passes urine often. From about day five or six, expect at least six wet diapers in a day. It is normal for a baby to lose some weight in the first week and then regain it by about two weeks. Keep your follow-up visits so the doctor can check the weight.

Sleep. Newborns sleep about 14 to 17 hours a day, in short stretches. Always lay the baby on the back, on a firm, flat surface. Keep pillows, soft toys, and loose blankets out of the cot. Do not let the baby sleep on a sofa or on a sleeping adult.

Cord care. Keep the cord stump clean and dry. Fold the diaper below it. Do not apply powder, oil, or any home remedy unless your doctor advises it. It usually falls off in one to two weeks. Until then, give sponge baths instead of tub baths.

Warmth and skin-to-skin contact. Hold your baby against your bare chest often. It keeps the baby warm, calms the baby, and helps with feeding. Dress the baby in one more layer than you are wearing, and keep the head covered in cold weather.

Hygiene. Wash your hands before touching the baby. Limit visitors in the first weeks, and ask anyone who is sick to stay away.

Vaccines. Your baby needs vaccines at birth and at regular ages after that. Follow the schedule your doctor gives you, and carry the vaccination card to every visit.

Newborn Jaundice: What Parents Should Know

Newborn jaundice makes the skin and the whites of the eyes look yellow. It is very common in the first week. It happens because a newborn’s liver is still learning to clear a substance called bilirubin. In most babies, it is mild and settles on its own, but some babies need a blood test or treatment.

Call your doctor soon if:

• The yellow colour appears within the first 24 hours after birth
• The yellow colour spreads to the belly, arms, or legs
• The baby is very sleepy, feeds poorly, or is hard to wake
• The urine is dark, or the stools are pale
• The yellow colour lasts beyond two weeks

Do not rely on home remedies. Only a doctor can decide whether the baby needs a bilirubin test.

Newborn Danger Signs You Should Not Ignore

Newborns can become unwell quickly. Learn these newborn danger signs, and take the baby to a doctor right away if you see any of them:

• Fever (100.4°F or 38°C and above), or the baby feels unusually cold
• Not feeding, or feeding much less than usual
• Fast breathing (60 breaths or more in a minute), chest pulling in, or a grunting sound
• Blue or very pale lips and skin
• Baby is limp, very sleepy, or hard to wake
• Fits or jerking movements
• Repeated vomiting, or green vomit
• Redness, swelling, or pus around the cord, or many pustules on the skin
• Very few wet diapers in a day
• Crying that cannot be soothed for a long time

Trust your instinct. If you feel something is wrong, it is always right to ask a doctor.

Looking After Yourself Too

New mothers also need care. Rest when the baby sleeps, eat regular meals, drink enough water, and accept help from family. Feeling low or very anxious for more than two weeks is common enough that doctors ask about it. Do not hide it. Tell your doctor so you can get support.

Finding a Child Specialist in Ranchi

A child specialist in Ranchi can check your baby’s weight, feeding, and growth, give vaccines, and answer your questions. It helps to choose a paediatrician before the baby arrives, so you know whom to call at night. Santevita Hospital in Ranchi has a paediatrics and neonatology department.

When a Baby Needs NICU Care

Some babies need extra support after birth. This may be because they were born early, are very small, have trouble breathing, or have severe jaundice or an infection. A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has special equipment and trained staff to watch and treat such babies round the clock. If you are looking for a NICU in Ranchi, Santevita Hospital has a 24×7 NICU.

Key Takeaways

In the first month, focus on a few simple things: feed often, keep the baby warm and clean, lay the baby on the back to sleep, keep the cord dry, and follow the vaccine schedule. Know the signs of jaundice and the danger signs, and do not wait if you see them. Every baby is different, so ask your doctor whenever you are unsure.

About Santevita Hospital

Santevita Hospital is a multispecialty hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand, started in 2012. The hospital provides care in obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics and neonatology, cardiology, general surgery, internal medicine, orthopaedics, ENT, urology, diabetology, neurosurgery, nephrology, psychiatry, dermatology and other specialities. Round-the-clock services include emergency care, ICU, NICU, diagnostics, and pharmacy. The hospital also has a Mother and Child Care Unit.

Address: 1, Hazaribag Road, Albert Ekka Chowk, Ranchi, Jharkhand 834001

Phone / Emergency: +91 73600-33390

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.santevitahospital.com