Newborn Care as a First-Time Parent

If you are a first-time parent, you may be a bit uneasy. Are you doing the right things? Are you doing what is best for your child? These are common questions when caring for your newborn. Your pediatrician has the answers you need. Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL, provide a wide range of pediatric medicine services, including newborn care and education for first-time parents.

What You Need To Know About Newborn Care

Taking care of a newborn is an all-encompassing task, but your pediatrician can help simplify things. These are a few important guidelines you need to know:

1. Feeding–if you are breastfeeding, your baby will want to feed every 2 to 3 hours. If you are feeding your baby formula, your baby will feed every 3 to 4 hours.
2. Sleeping–newborns sleep at least 16 hours each day for the first few weeks. Remember to place your baby on his or her back for sleeping, to protect against breathing difficulties.
3. Changing–your baby’s first bowel movements will be black and tarry, changing to dark green and then to yellow. Call your pediatrician if your baby’s stool is red, because this could indicate blood in the stool.
4. Bathing–avoid bathing your baby too often because it can dry out your baby’s skin. Use only mild soap and lukewarm water. Remember to thoroughly cleanse your baby’s skin, including the folds of skin where bacteria can thrive.

Your newborn’s first visit with the pediatrician should happen within the first 2 to 5 days of birth. During this first visit, your pediatrician will perform a comprehensive physical examination, answer any questions, discuss any concerns you have, and administer first doses of some vaccines.

Want To Know More?

To learn more about newborn care and what to expect, call Drs. Brian DuMais, Megan Dwyer, and Liz Dahlberg at DuMais Pediatrics in Orland Park, IL. You can reach them in the office by calling (708) 364-1600, so call today.