Relax with your infant. He/she will adjust to you. If you are tense, baby will feel tense;
if you are relaxed, it will help relax your baby.

A. Bathing

1. Sponge bathe with mild soap (row alkaline) such as Dove or Castille, until the umbilical cord has fallen off and is completely healed.

2. Do not use oil or powder on baby's head or skin.

3. When the navel is healed, baby may have a tub bath.

4. Bathe baby before feeding.

B. Cord Care

1. The umbilical cord usually falls off within 7 to 10 days.

2. Use alcohol and cotton to cleanse and bathe the area around the base of the cord at every diaper change.

3. There may be one or two drops of blood when the cord separates.

4. Keep the diaper folded beneath the naval to facilitate drying.

5. Call the pediatric care provider if the cord has a foul odor or if the skin of the abdominal area and the umbilical cord becomes red.

C. Diaper Rash

1. Change baby's diaper as soon as possible when soiled.

2. Avoid using plastic pants when possible or change baby frequently. Air buttocks when changing.

3. Cloth diapers should be washed with mild soap and rinsed well after each laundering.

4. Apply a diaper rash ointment, such as Balmex or Desitin, to the diaper area, especially to the creases, at each diaper change (Vaseline can be used all the time on  area covered by diaper).

D. Circumcision

1. Apply Vaseline liberally at every diaper change until the area is no longer red or swollen.

2. Signs and symptoms of infection include increasing instead of decreasing amount of redness and swelling, and yellowish/greenish pus. The healing penis will present smegma, a whitish material adhering to the circumcised area. This does not wipe off as pus does.

1. Use an emery board to file the nails. They are too soft to cut with scissors for the first couple of weeks.

2. Never cut with cuticle scissors.

F. Clothing

1. Keep the baby warm but do not overheat.

2. Use simple, easily washed clothes.

3. On hot days, a diaper and tee-shirt may be enough

4. The baby should wear the same number or one more layer of clothing than his/her mother.

5. If it is cool and breezy, the baby's head should be covered.

G. Feeding

1. If breastfeeding, refer to instructions and information on breastfeeding.

2. Hold baby at every feeding—do not prop the bottle.

3. Feed baby whenever he/she is hungry (usually every 3 to 5 hours, more if breastfed).

4. Do not wake baby at night to eat.

5. Burp the baby after every 1/2 to I oz. for the first week and then every 1 to 2 oz.

6. Place baby on his/her back or side (roll blanket and place behind back for support).

7. Do not start any new foods (cereal, juice, or fruit) until your pediatric provider gives permission.

8. If bottlefeeding, use formula as ordered by pediatric provider. Powdered form may be more economical. The client should always follow instructions on the can for mixing and preparing the powdered formula.

9. May have 1 to 2 oz. of boiled, cooled water in between feedings if fussy, but newborns do not need water and should not receive more than 2 oz, because too much water can cause hyponatremia.

1. Breastfed baby's bowel movements are normally loose and unformed.

2. Breastfed babies may have several small bowel movements each day or go for several days without having a bower movement at all.

3. A totally breastfed baby is never constipated and seldom has diarrhea (watery bowel movements).

I. Fussy Periods

1. May go through fussy periods during the day or evening.

2. May happen because mother's milk supply is low at the end of the day.

3. May need to nurse more frequently.

4. Use calming tactics such as rocking, walking, strollers, swings, etc.

5. Lay baby down to see it he/she will sleep.

J. Rest

1. Babies show their individual personalities immediately. No baby does exactly what the instructions say they should. Some babies will sleep and eat more than others. On average, though, bottlefed babies tend to eat every 3 to 4 hours. Breastfed babies eat a little more frequently. Newborns usually sleep in between their feedings, increasing their awake time lust a little each day. The most important thing for all new families is to relax and get to know their new little individual in the family and his/her own needs.

K. Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

1. Babies should be placed down to sleep on their backs or on their sides with the lower arm forward to stop them from rolling over. For more information, call Back to Sleep Campaign at 1-800-505-CRIB, or you can write to Back to Sleep, P.O. Box 29111, Washington, DO 20040.