| Caring for the Baby  How to care for your baby:
During the first few weeks of life, the baby undergoes many changes, including:
- The umbilical cord stump will need to be cleaned with an alcohol solution several times
a day which helps to dry the end stump and prevent infection.
- Parents who chose to circumcise their son will need to take special care of the
circumcision.
- A baby may become slightly jaundiced during the first few weeks (a yellowing of the skin
and eyewhites due to high concentrations of bilirubin in the blood).
- The first bowel movement, called meconium, is greenish black and sticky and usually
occurs during the first 24 hours after birth.
- The baby may lose five to 10 percent of body weight in the first few days, which is
considered normal.
- The
 first urine usually stains the diaper pink, because of its high
concentration of chemicals.
- A mild rash may appear during the first week on the arms, legs, or back -- those areas
which are rubbed by clothing. The rash usually disappears without the need for treatment.
- Newborns typically have dry, peeling skin, especially in the skin folds.
During the first year of life, your baby should see his or her pediatrician regularly
for checkups and immunizations.
Feeding your baby:
A baby should have a strong sucking reflex and usually begins to feed within a few hours
after birth. At first, the baby may spit up a lot of mucus left from the birth. During the
first week of life, the baby should feed six or more times each day. An indication that
the baby is probably getting enough milk or formula is at least six wet diapers a day
during the first few weeks.
Choosing to feed your baby breast milk or formula is a personal choice. Both have
advantages and disadvantages.
Breastfeeding your newborn:
Breast milk provides every nutrient a baby needs and is very easy to digest. Breast milk
also contains antibodies and infection-fighting white blood cells from the mother, which
help protect the baby.
Before breast milk is produced, the mother’s breasts will provide colostrum to the
baby -- a yellowish substance rich in fats, carbohydrates, white blood cells, protein, and
antibodies.
Breastfeeding may not come naturally to everyone. Classes are often offered through
your physician’s office or hospital which discuss how to make breastfeeding a
pleasurable, bonding experience for you and your new baby.
Formula-feeding your newborn:
There are many formulas available today to feed your baby. These formulas contain adequate
nutrients, calories, and other substances to help your baby stay healthy and happy. Unlike
breastfeeding, bottle-feeding allows other members of the household to take an active role
in helping take care of the baby.
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