Adjusting To Your Baby

Your baby

• Needs several weeks to adjust to the outside world
• May have no schedule or may be unpredictable for a few weeks
• Will go through many changes
• Active at birth, quiet for a few days, then more active again

Understanding Your Baby

• Get to know your baby - babies are like snowflakes - no two are alike
• Learn about your baby's personality - this can help you meet your baby's special needs
• Your baby may be quiet, adjust easily, and let you know his needs
• Or, you baby may not be easy, unpredictable, irregular in feeding and sleeping, and difficult to comfort

What You Can Do

All babies need warmth and love to help them grow. You cannot spoil your baby by holding him too much.

• Support your baby's head with the palm of your hand when you hold him
• Hold him close so he can see your face
• Pick him up, cuddle and love him
• Show him things with bright contrasting colors
• Talk and sing to him
• Use a front carrier or baby swing

You Will

• Be busy - caring for your baby
• Enjoy and learn about your new baby
• Develop a relationship with and adjust to a new family member
• Need to recover from the labor and delivery
• Be tired - rest whenever possible

Feeding

Your baby is growing! At this age, a baby only needs breast milk or infant formula. Most babies take 2 to 3 ounces of formula every 2 to 3 hours now. Breast-fed babies should usually feed about 10 minutes at each breast during each feeding. Breast-fed babies may want to nurse as often as every 2 hours. Babies often wake up at night to feed. This is normal. Cereal or baby food is not needed yet. Babies can have food allergies if solids are started too early. If you baby wants to feed more often, try a pacifier. Your baby may need to suck but not feed.

You show love to your baby when you hold your baby close in your arms with his head a little higher than the rest of the body during feeding.

Mixing Formula: If you can use concentrated liquid formula, always mix 1 can of formula with 1 can of tap water. Keep the mixture in the refrigerator. If you get powdered formula, always mix 2 ounces of water per 1 scoop of formula.

Breast Feeding

• Find a comfortable place for you and your baby
• Hold your baby comfortably across your lap with the baby's entire body turned to face your body
• Touch the baby's cheek or lower lip with your nipple to allow your baby to open his mouth then move him quickly to your breast
• Allow your baby to grasp the darkly colored part of your breast in his mouth
• When you are ready to stop nursing, break the suction by placing your finger in the corner of your baby's mouth
• Feed at both breasts for 10-20 minutes per side every 2-3 hours it is normal for you baby to nurse 8-12 times every24 hours

Mother's Concerns

• Your breast only need to be cleaned with plain water
• Milk may leak from your breasts between feedings
• Place a small, clean pad in your bra and change as needed to keep nipples dry
• If your breasts become swollen and painful
• Let your baby nurse more often
• Try a warm towel or shower
• Try a hand express some milk
• Early signs of breast infection: tender red area, feeling like you have the flu
• If you have these symptoms, all your doctor or clinic right away

Bottle Feeding

• Always wash your hands before preparing your baby's formula and bottles
• Wash the bottles, caps, and nipples in clean water and dishwashing soap, use a bottle brush or dishwasher
• Mix the formula according to the package directions
• If you use water from a well, have it tested to make sure the water is safe, call the University Of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory at (319) 335-4500 to have your water tested for bacteria and nitrates
• Fluoride supplements may be needed - discuss this at your next visit
• Hold you baby close in your arms with his head a little higher than the rest of the body
• Feed your baby when he is hungry -- usually 3-4 hours apart during the day -- 3-5 hours apart during the night -- for a total of about 6-8 times in a 24 hour period
• Can feed on demand when he is gaining weight well
• If your baby does not take all the formula - do not force him to drink it
• Formula can be refrigerated and used again one time - do not put fresh formula in the used bottle
• Offer your baby about 3 ounces of formula at each feeding
• When your baby empties the bottle 2 or 3 times a day - add another ounce to make 4 ounce bottles

Burping

• Burping helps remove air that is swallowed during feeding from your baby's stomach
• Burp your baby half way trough the bottle and again when your baby is finished eating
• Place him over your shoulder lay him across you lap on his tummy or sit him up on your lap pay gently or rub his back
• Most babies spit up some or even a lot of formula after a feeding this is not a problem- just messy

Normal Development

At two weeks old: Your baby's five senses are improving everyday. He/she has a large head and week neck muscles.

Babies are learning to use their eyes and ears. Smiling faces and gentle, pleasant voices are interesting for babies at this age.

Many mothers and fathers find that the baby brings a lot of new work. Help form friends, or relatives is often very important at this time.

Movement

• Movements gradually become smoother and more controlled
• Lifts chin for a few seconds when lying on tummy
• Cannot support head without assistance
• Grasps whatever is placed in hand

Vision and Hearing

• May follow some moving objects with eyes
• Explores surroundings with eyes
• Turns in direction of some sounds

Here's What You Might See Your Baby Doing

• Hold his head up for a few minutes when he/she is on it's tummy
• Drop head forward if he/she sits
• See best 7 to 9 inches away
• Enjoy looking at faces and bright contrasting colors
• Follow movement of an object for a short distance
• Hear and be startled by too loud noises
• Enjoy the sound of your voice and is comforted when you talk to him
• Feel, taste, and smell
• Know the odor of his mother

Crying

• Crying is one way your baby communicates with you
• In the early weeks, some babies may cry a total of 2 to 3 hours per day
• Crying may increase during the first 6 to 8 weeks
• Some babies may cry 10 to 15 minutes before they fall asleep
• Babies develop different cries for different things
• Respond quickly to your baby's cry so he learns to know you are there
• At this early age, it is impossible to spoil a baby by responding to the crying
• You will begin to tell which cry means hunger or the need for a diaper change, but there may not be a clear reason for all crying
• As your baby gets older, you do not need to feed him every time he cries
• Try a pacifier
• Talk or sing to him
• Walk around with your baby and gently bounce him
• You will learn by experience when to pick up and comfort your baby and when to feel confident that crying will stop in a few minutes if left alone
• NEVER SHAKE YOUR BABY - this can cause neck and head injury
• If you have fed him and changed his diaper, or picked him up, and not matter what you try, the crying continues, it is all right to put him in the crib to cry for awhile
• Check on him every few minutes until he calms down

Sleep

Sleep patterns vary greatly among babies.

During the first month you can expect your baby to:

• Sleep a total time of 15 to 18 hours a day
• Be alert and content for about 30 minutes in a 4 hour period
• Not know the difference between day and night
• Slowly develop a daily pattern of waking and sleeping
• Eventually sleep
• 1 to 3 hours at a time during the day
• 3 to 6 hours at a time during the night
• Make a clear difference to baby between daytime and nighttime - promote sleep at night
• Keep night time interactions brief, calm, and quiet as possible
• Play with your baby and be more active to stimulate him during the day
• If your baby is sleeping more during the day, wake him earlier and stimulate by undressing him or washing him with a cool cloth

Help Reduce the Risks of SIDS By:

• DO PLACE them down for sleep only on their back until they are one year of age
• DO PUT them on a firm mattress in a crib (If you do not have a crib, place the baby on clean, safe are of the floor to sleep)
• DO NOT use pillows, crib bumper pads, blankets, or quilts (especially adult blankets) over or under the baby
• DO KEEP the baby's room cool (less than 65 degrees) when he or she is sleeping
• DO NOT overdress your baby
• DO NOT smoke around your baby or let anyone else smoke around your baby

Bath

• Bathe your baby every 2 to 3 days
• If your baby has dry skin, bathe him less often
• If he has oily skin, bathe him more often
• Your baby's skin makes its own natural oil so baby lotions , powders, or oils are not needed
• Do not use the talcum powder due to the chance of choking
• Use only water on your baby's face
• Clean eyes by wiping form the inner corner out, using separate corners of the washcloth
• Clean ears with a washcloth - do not use Q-tips
• Shampoo your baby's hair with each bath
• Use a soft bristle baby brush, tooth brush, or combs to comb your baby's hair with every bath if your baby has cradle cap ( a flaky coating that can develop on the scalp)

Cord Care

• Clean your baby's cord thoroughly to prevent infection, the cord does not have any feeling so be sure to lift UP the cord and clean all around it
• Wipe the cord (especially at the base) with warm water soaked Q-tip or cotton ball with every diaper change and routine bathing
• Fold the diaper below the cord and secure it on either side to keep the cord clean and dry
• No tub baths until after your baby's cord falls off in 10 -14 days
• Give a sponge bath until this happens

Bowel and Bladder

Most babies will strain to pass bowel movements. As long as the bowel movement is soft, there is no need to worry. Ask your care provider about bowel movements that are hard (constipation). Babies usually wet the diaper at least 6 times a day.

Diapering

• Your baby should have 6 to 8 wet diapers a day
• Your baby may have from 1 bowel movement a day to 1 with each feeding
• Bowel movements will be lighter than the first few days, yellow-green, less sticky, and soft to runny
• As long as the stool is not watery you don't need to worry
• Change diapers often and soon after a bowel movement to prevent diaper rash
• If a rash occurs, clean bottom well with mild soap and water - leave open to air
• Zinc oxide or similar products may be applied to diaper area if it becomes red
• Clean you baby's bottom with every diaper change

  Girls

  • Wipe front to back
  • A white vaginal discharge may be normal for the first few weeks

  Circumcised boys

  • Apply Vaseline gauze to the tip of the penis for about 5 to 7 days or until the site is healed to prevent the diaper from sticking to the penis
  • Gently clean the penis daily with water
  • Use a mild soap if stool is present
  • A yellow white discharge may form ( this is normal) and should not be wiped off

  Uncircumcised boys

  • Wash and rinse daily
  • Do not retract the foreskin

Clothing

• Dress your baby according to what you would wear ( if it is cool and you have on a sweater, make sure your baby is warm enough with a blanket or sweater)
• Overdressing or overwrapping your baby in blankets can cause overheating and fussiness
• Feel the back of your baby's neck to see if he is too hot or too cold because your baby's hands and feet are usually cold

Safety Tips

Your baby may be able to move or scoot already. Never leave your baby alone. Never leave your baby alone with young brothers, sisters, or pets.

Prevent Accidents and Falls

• Avoid falls - never leave your baby alone on any elevated surface such as a changing table or sofa
• If you must step away - put your baby in the crib or carry him with you

If you use a crib for your baby, be sure to pick a safe location. It should not be too near a heater. Make sure the sides are always completely up. Crib slats more than 2 and 3/8 inches apart can lead to injury.

Mesh netting of playpens should always be in the upright position.

• Protect your baby's skin and eyes from the sun by using a sun bonnet
• Do not allow cigarette smoke near your baby - second hand smoke can increase your baby's chances of having lung or ear infections

Prevent Choking and Suffocation

• Do not have pillows, large floppy toys, or plastic sheets in the crib
• All parents should learn CPR so that you know what to do if your baby starts choking or stops breathing
• Contact your local Red Cross or fire department ( at their routine business number) for CPR lessons near you
• Call 356-2888 for information about weekly CPR classes given by the Pediatric Nursing Department

Car Safety

(See car seat handouts for more information)

An approved car seat is the safest way for babies to travel in cars. In fact, infant car seats are required by law. Infant car seats should be placed in a back seat with the infant facing backwards.

• It is the law in Iowa that all children under the age 3 must be in a car seat when in a car
• Have a car seat that is easy to use and use it every time your baby is in the car
• Make a family rule - everyone buckles up before the car moves
• Use a semi-reclining car safety seat and have it face the seat until your baby weighs 20 pounds
• Make sure the car seat is anchored in the back seat of the car
• Do not place rear facing car seats in the front seats of cars with passenger-side airbags
• Fasten the shoulder straps and seat bait snugly around the baby
• Pad the sides of the safety seat with rolled towels to prevent small babies from slouching
• Never feed or let a fussy baby out of a safety seat while the car is moving
• If your baby needs a break, or to be fed, stop the car and feed or calm him
• Keep soft toys, rattles, or pacifiers on hand in case your baby gets fussy
• Protect your baby from a hot safety seat by covering it with a cotton blanket or towel in warm weather
• Protect your baby's skin and eyes from the sun by using car window shades