The Importance of Newborn Care in Houston, Baytown And Greater Greenspoint, TX
Newborn care is critical to your baby’s ability to thrive. Newborns are vulnerable to infection because their immune systems are not as robust as those of adults. Newborn care provides preventive services like exams and immunizations to prevent illness and help your newborn grow and develop.
What to Expect During a Newborn Visit
The first newborn visit happens early, usually within 2 to 5 days of birth. During the first newborn visit, your pediatrician will:
- Complete a comprehensive physical examination of your newborn, checking for medical issues
- Record your newborn’s size, including length and weight, and record other information to use as a baseline to check your newborn’s growth and development over time
- Answer questions and address concerns you have about feeding, bathing, changing, and sleeping
- Administer the first doses of immunizations your baby needs to help prevent illnesses and diseases
How to Care for Your Newborn at Home
If you are a new parent, newborn care can seem daunting. There are some general guidelines when caring for your newborn at home. These are just a few general tips about newborn care:
- Feed your newborn every 2 to 3 hours if you are breastfeeding, or every 3 to 4 hours if you are feeding your newborn formula
- Allow your newborn to sleep at least 16 hours a day in the beginning, and always place your newborn on his or her back to sleep, to help your baby breathe more easily
- Change your baby’s diaper regularly, and remember that your newborn’s stool will be black at first, changing to dark green, and then to yellow
- Bathe your baby with only mild soap and lukewarm water, and gently clean the folds of skin, where bacteria can grow