Taking Care of Your Newborn

Any new parent will tell you that a newborn brings with it just as much concern and confusion as it brings love and joy. As the saying goes, raising a baby takes a village, including your pediatrician. Learning the basics of newborn care before your little one comes into the world can help you feel confident and sure when caring for your newborn. Find out more about newborn care by visiting Little Oaks Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Ceyhun "Jay" Ozturk and Dr. Maria Guerra are here to help you prepare for caring for your newborn. 

Caring For Baby: The Basics

• Food: Whether you feed your child formula or breastmilk, they will get all of the nutrition they need from their bottles. Feeding differs slightly between the two methods, but both formula-fed and breastfed babies’ main source of nutrition throughout their first six months of life is milk. Breastfed babies often feed “on-demand” and eat more frequently than their formula-fed counterparts, who often go longer without eating.
• Sleep: Every baby is different and some may sleep much more than others. Newborn babies sleep upwards of 17 hours a day, but not all at once. Newborns often only sleep for a few hours at a time, meaning that new parents are often up several times a night. Infants should always sleep on their back in an empty crib free from blankets and pillows. Once a baby rolls over on its own, it can safely sleep on its stomach or side. Safe sleeping standards drastically reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
• Bathing: Newborns do not necessarily require a bath every day so long as you thoroughly clean their diaper area throughout the day. A sponge bath can help keep your baby clean between baths every day or two, especially between the folds of the thighs and neck.
• Diapers: Your baby’s first stool will be a substance called meconium. This sticky, tarry stool will change in color and consistency over the first few days of your baby’s life. If you notice white or bloody stool, you should consult with your child’s doctor immediately. Otherwise, there is a wide range of normal when it comes to coloring, frequency, and consistency of a newborn’s stool.
• Well-Child Exams: Keeping up with your child’s well-child examinations and vaccinations throughout their first year of life will ensure their growth and development is on track and they are up to date with their vaccination schedule. Well-child exams occur at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 15, and 18 months and 2 years.

Newborn Care in Brookline, MA

Caring for a newborn is hard work and can only be accomplished if the parents take care of themselves as well. Feel free to contact your child’s pediatrician with any questions or concerns about breastfeeding or if you or your partner show symptoms of postpartum anxiety or depression.

For more information on newborn care, please contact Little Oaks Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC. Call (919) 720-4876 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Ceyhun "Jay" Ozturk and Dr. Maria Guerra today!