What You Need to Know About Newborn Care

Having a baby is often considered to be one of the happiest times of your life. However, it is also often a time of great confusion, Newborn Infant Baby Carefrustration, and even fear during the first few weeks. Understanding the basic needs of a newborn and how to help them more easily adjust to life on the outside of the womb can greatly help the parent as well as the child. Learn what you need to know about newborn care and what you can expect during the first weeks of a child’s life by reading below, and if you need a personal consultation, call Dr. Maria Francis at Old Fort Bay Pediatrics in Nassau, Bahamas.

 

Newborn Care Basics
Newborn babies need three basic things: food, cleanliness, and enough sleep. Always wash your hands before handling the baby and be sure to support their head and neck when you pick them up. Never shake a newborn and be sure to strap it carefully and snugly into any seats, car seats, or strollers. Babies require frequent diaper changes and can go through up to 10 diapers a day.

 

Newborn Nutrition Basics
A newborn eats only breastmilk or formula, either choice is a good one and can provide your baby with the nutrition they need. Newborns usually eat every two to three hours. A nursing baby will spend about 15 minutes on each breast while a formula-fed baby usually takes anywhere from 2-3 ounces of formula at a time. Watch your baby for signs of hunger, such as trying to chew on their fists, crying, or making sucking noises.

 

Newborn Sleep Basics
Newborn babies sleep... a lot. In fact, a newborn can sleep up to 18 hours a day, though they do not sleep this long all at once, usually just in two-to-four-hour increments, including overnight. To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), always place your baby in a crib on their backs to sleep and never place anything, such as pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals, in the crib with them.

 

Newborn Pediatric Care in Nassau, Bahamas
Although it may appear daunting, newborn care only requires a simple, though committed, routine, making it easy to fall into a fluid flow from day to day. If you have any questions or concerns about your newborn’s care, contact Dr. Maria Francis at Old Fort Bay Pediatrics in Nassau, Bahamas today. Call (242) 377-7050 to schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Francis today!


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