Congratulations on the birth of your child! Now that you are home, what do you do? How do you take care of a newborn?

Well….that’s what this webpage is all about, helping you understand and care for your baby.

How often will my baby eat?

Babies generally need to eat 3-4 ounces every 2-3 hours (around 32 ounces a day). Start out with 4 ounces and increase or decrease the amount with each feeding as needed. Eventually you will learn your baby’s eating schedule and know how much to prepare for each feeding. It is important is to feed on your baby’s schedule and demand. So don’t ignore feeding your baby if it has only been 2 hours since the last feeding and yet is acting hungry.

Remember to burp your baby after each feeding or part way through. Your baby is not developed enough to burp on its own and will get fussy if you don’t help.

Breast Feeding

Your baby should nurse about 10-15 minutes on each breast at each feeding. Remember to alternate which breast is nursed first at each feeding.

If you have chosen to breast feed you more than likely already know all the benefits. So I won’t go into all that. What I do want to stress is getting help if you have problems with nursing. No matter how determined you are to breastfeed you can still struggle at times. Stay calm though and find you a support group.

La Leche League is a good option or family and friends who were successful at breastfeeding are also good options. Keep in mind you are not the first or even the only one that has had difficulties.

What do I do when my milk supply is low?

Eating right is VERY important while nursing but more important is to drink plenty (LOTS) of water and to avoid caffeine. Not only does caffeine upset your baby it also decreases your milk supply.

How do I know if my baby is eating enough?

Whether you are using formula or nursing, if your baby is getting enough to eat he/she will have 7 or more wet diapers and 4-5 dirty diapers in a day.

Why can’t my baby have cows milk?

There are several reasons you shouldn’t feed your baby cows milk until he/she is 12 months old. Cows milk has too much protein, plus the type of protein and fat in cows milk is hard for a baby to digest. Also, cows milk has more sodium in it than your baby needs and not enough vitamin C, copper and iron, which can lead to health problems. Finally, cow’s milk can cause digestive problems by forming a hard curd in your baby’s stomach. Around age one your baby will have developed enough to be able to handle drinking cows milk.

Why can’t my baby have honey?

Don’t give your baby unpasteurized (raw) honey or he/she can get botulism. Botulism is a serious form of food poisoning that can cause paralysis. Honey is generally taken straight from the bee hive and put in a jar with no pasteurization process.

Well Baby Visits

At each of your well baby visits your baby will be weighed and measured to make sure he/she is growing and developing normally. Your pediatrician will also follow the development of your baby’s vision, hearing, strength, coordination and social skills. The pediatrician will also help you with your baby’s feeding schedule and let you know when your baby is ready to be on baby food.

Immunization Schedule

Check with your pediatrician first, but generally they recommend that you give your baby acetaminophen (infant Tylenol®) about one hour before getting shots.

Fever and Dehydration

If your baby develops a fever this could be a sign of an illness. Fever around immunizations or during teething are usually mild and brief. If your baby’s fever goes above 101˚ F or it lasts over 24 hours you need to contact your pediatrician. You should always call your Dr. before giving medication to your child. Your Dr. will probably tell you to give your baby acetaminophen (Infant Tylenol®) for the fever. Remember, your baby can NOT have Motrin® until he/she is 6 months old.

The soft spot on top of your baby’s head can also be an indication of health. If you notice the soft spot sunken in this could mean your baby is dehydrated. Call your pediatrician.

Sleep

Believe it or not newborns do sleep a lot. They generally get 14 to 18 hours a day during the first few weeks and 12 to 16 hours a day by the time they turn a month old. The problem is most babies don't stay asleep for more than two to four hours at a time. Thus leaving parents sleep deprived. Around 8 weeks newborns tend to start sleeping through the night (8 hours).

Basic Care

1. Keep finger-nails clipped to keep your baby from scratching him/herself.
2. Always place your baby in an infant carrier car seat when traveling in a vehicle.
3. When your baby cries hold him/her and talk softly to him/her. Try humming or stroking your baby’s head or back to calm him/her.
4. Never leave your baby unattended on a high surface or on the floor.
5. Be sure to take your baby to the pediatrician between 2-4 weeks old.
6. Change your baby’s diaper often, at least every 2 hours. This will keep him/her comfortable and help prevent diaper rash.