Newborn baby care after birth at home

After birth, new thinking begins, new challenges begin with newborn care. Especially the first week after birth is spent in various arrangements.

Immediately check baby after birth

Generally, a baby born between 38-42 weeks of gestation is considered a normal-term baby. All the characteristics of the child in this condition are:

• Weight: 2.7 to 3.1 kg
• Length: 50-52 cm
• Head Circumference: 35 cm
• Skin color is pink
• Heart rate: 120-140/min
• Body temperature: Not less than 17 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Urine: will be in small quantity.
• The stool is dark green.

Immediate care after birth

After birth, the slippery fluid called nuconium accumulated in the baby’s nose and mouth should be removed by suction (with the help of a machine). It will facilitate the child’s breathing. The child should be wrapped in a clean sterile cotton cloth and kept in a normal temperature room. When the baby is admitted to the hospital, the pediatrician checks the baby for any malformations.

To remove the coating of neoconium on the baby’s body after birth, liquid paraffin should be applied to a soft cloth or cotton and gently wipe the whole body. Then bathe the baby in warm water.

Navel care

Bleeding from the umbilical cord even after tying it with thread or clip should be reported to the doctor. Every day the base of the navel can be wiped with cotton soaked in rectified spirit. But there is no harm in not doing it. However, it is better not to apply water to the navel until it dries. In a couple of weeks, the navel will fall off. However, if there is any pus in the umbilical cord or bad smell, consult a pediatrician.

Clothes

Newborn baby clothes should be soft and cotton. Clothing should be loose fitting and unstitched on the lower body. It is best to iron after washing the baby’s clothes with soap. However, it is better not to use Savlon in water for washing clothes, it may cause rashes on the baby’s skin.

Sleep and sleep

Newborn babies spend about 18-20 hours a day sleeping. Baby should always try to sleep on side and side. It should be done especially after feeding. In this way, if the child vomits, it can come out easily. Vomiting while lying down has a risk of getting into the airway. However, there is no harm in chewing after an hour of eating.

Breast feeding

Breast milk should be given to the baby immediately after birth. Breast milk should be a baby’s first food. After birth, many people put sugar or candy water or honey in the baby’s mouth. This is not correct. In this, the child is deprived of the necessary nutrition at that time. Besides, baby’s digestive system is not suitable for digesting food like honey. So there is some risk of setbacks.

A newborn does not want to breastfeed immediately after birth. So at this time try to suck with the nipple in his mouth. After a couple of tries, the baby will continue to suck on the nipple. If the nipple is sucking, you should understand that the baby is getting breast milk. The milk that the baby gets in the first two-three days of birth is called colostrum. This milk is very important for the baby. Colostrum is said to be the baby’s first vaccination. Because this curd milk builds immunity in the baby’s body, protects the baby from constipation and jaundice. And so the baby should be given breast milk within 4-6 hours after birth. Breast milk can be given to the baby after waking up. Many people think about when to give breast milk to the baby, how to give it. The easiest way to breastfeed a baby is to supply on demand. That is, whenever the baby feels hungry or cries due to hunger or wakes up after a long sleep, it is appropriate to give breast milk to the baby. But babies usually want to eat every two to three hours. Each feeding should not last more than 10 to 15 minutes. While breastfeeding, the baby should be fed with his head up or on his lap. Otherwise, feeding while lying down can cause milk to pass through the mouth into the ears and cause ear infections. In the first day of birth, many times the newborn may not get enough breast milk due to various reasons. There is nothing to be excited about in this situation. At this time, many people put cow’s milk in the mouth of the baby due to anxiety. This is not correct. At this time, even if cow milk is to be given, it cannot be given to the feeder. It should be spooned. That too only for that day. Nothing should be done without the advice of a pediatrician in this regard. If the baby is given a feeder on the first day, the baby does not want to breastfeed. Because pumping breast milk is more difficult for him than the feeder. It is better not to accustom the baby to the feeder. Besides, there is a risk of stomach upset for the feeder. There is no such risk in breast milk. After each feeding, the baby should be placed on the shoulder and gently patted on the back. After doing this for a while, the baby will start to cry. After lifting the sling, the baby should be laid down. If you do this, the child will not vomit after eating.

Facial care

After breast-feeding, every afternoon and night, by twisting a thin cotton cloth on the tip of the finger, insert the finger into the baby’s mouth and gently wipe the surface of the tongue and the inner part of the lips. It will reduce the tendency of fungal infection in the mouth. Besides, after every feeding, the mouth will be clean if the baby drinks one or two spoons of water. Feeders can also be used to provide this water.

Shower

The child should be bathed regularly. However, daily bathing may not be done initially if the child can be kept clean after defecation and urination. Bathing once a day for the first year is enough to keep the baby clean. Before taking a bath, the person who is going to take a bath should wash his hands thoroughly.

Warm water should be prepared in the bathtub in advance for bathing. Along with this, the baby’s clothes should be ready after the bath. Check how hot the water is with your hands. The baby should never be bathed in hot or cold water. Keeping in mind that the navel should not get wet, the body should be wiped by sponging without wetting the body for the first couple of weeks.

Before taking a bath, remove the child’s clothes, clean the feces and urine, and then lower the child into the bathtub. No antiseptic solution should be added to the bath water. Such solutions cause rashes on the skin. A neutral pH soap should be used for bathing. While bathing the baby, the skin should be gently rubbed with a soft cloth. During the bath, first wash the head and then wipe the body, neck, face with a wet cloth one by one. Water cannot be poured on the child’s head while sitting. It will make it difficult for the baby to breathe.

Cut nails and hair

Many people are too busy to cut the baby’s hair after birth. Actually there is no need for this haircut. Many babies are born with long nails. With these nails, he scratches his own face and leaves scars. In this condition, clothes can be put on the child’s hands like socks. And if the nail is a little hard, it can be cut. To cut the nails, you need to get a child-friendly nail clipper.

To clear the nose

Mucus often accumulates in the baby’s nose. This mucus makes breathing difficult. Nasal mucus is available to absorb mucus. In addition to cleaning the nose with sugar, one drop of Nardal saline can be given in both nostrils two to three times a day.

Clear eyes

A lot of newborns get a tear in their eyes. For this, the baby’s eyes should be wiped with a cotton ball soaked in Norsol Saline.

When to go to the doctor?

• If the child does not urinate within 24 hours of birth.
• If neonatal jaundice occurs.

Jaundice can occur in newborns for normal reasons. There is nothing to worry about. This jaundice subsides within a few days. At this time, the child should be kept in the early morning sun for some time every day. Keeping the face out of the sun will keep the baby comfortable.

• If the child does not receive breast milk at all
• If the child oversleeps or cries
• If there is an infection in the navel
• If you notice any birth defects
• Knowing about childhood vaccinations to make them effective
• If the baby’s eyes are watery and cloudy, consult an ophthalmologist.
• If the newborn has jaundice.

Things to remember in newborn care

• When going out of the house, you must be very careful about the child
• It is not okay to smoke around children.
• A safe environment should be created for the child
• Vaccinations should be given to children regularly

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