Outline for Newborn Care Classes

Newborn Care
Intro:

• There are no stupid questions, so ask.
  
• Bonding happens when you meet the baby’s needs. It’s a lot of trial and error. No one can tell you exactly what your baby needs when they cry. But you will figure it out day by day. Just because you made the baby doesn’t mean you will instinctively have all the answers. (Some moms read everything they can to be prepared, but the conflicting information gets confusing and overwhelming. Some moms don’t read anything because they expect the knowledge to be instinctive.)
  
• Dad can bond with baby too by meeting needs like changing diapers, helping them get to sleep (deep voice is often soothing to babies), and interacting during wakeful periods
  
• Some info may seem common sense, but not for everyone

1. Feeding
   
1. explanation of hunger in utero
   
2. infographic on stomach capacity
   
3. initial weight loss - 5% to 8% of birth weight in first week but gain it back by second week (influence of IV fluids on weight)
   
4. short explanation of how breast milk is made on demand
   
5. sucking on hands or “rooting” does not always mean they are hungry
   
6. different positions for holding baby for nursing vs. bottle feeding
   
7. how to know if baby is getting enough (satisfied at the end of a feeding; wet diapers; weight gain)
   
8. wake to feed during the day, not during the night (after the first week)
   
9. strength of jaw muscles; need to rest while feeding doesn’t mean they fell asleep
   
10. sterilization; warming bottles; storage of breastmilk;
    
11. reflux and spit up and burping (keeping upright for 10-15 minutes after feeding may help)
    
12. thrush
    
    
2. Bathing
   
1. frequency (1-3 times/week)
   
2. sponge bath until cord falls off
   
3. use of soaps, lotions and powders
   
1. no soap needed on the face, just warm water with a clean cloth
   
2. you don’t need to lather a lot of soap - baby is not that dirty
   
3. easier to feel the amount of soap by using your hands rather than a cloth; rub your soapy hands over the baby paying special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area
   
4. baby bath tub optional; sensitive babies hate it, try filling the bath with a few inches of water and cradle the babies head while allowing the rest of the body to float using your free hand to wash the baby
   
   
4. umbilical cord care - leave it alone and keep it dry; will fall off within a week; a little blood may be visible, similar to when a scab comes off; the cord stump will change color from yellow to brown or black — this is normal.
   
5. circumcision care - for 2 weeks apply ointment at each diaper change
   
6. infant acne, flaking skin,
   
1. cradle cap (brush scalp when wet to release dead skin; if built up, apply oil and use comb to gently lift the flakes off; don’t try too hard - a little after each bath)
   
2. lip callus
   
7. lanugo, hair loss
   
8. tear ducts (some get clogged)
   
9. soft spot
   
   
3. Diapers (8-10/day)
   
1. cloth
   
2. disposable
   
3. normal poop
   
1. meconium
   
2. breastfed: yellow “seedy” and loose, may poop after every feeding or only once a day (hard to contain)
   
3. formula fed: thicker, greenish, 1-2 a day (although some babies can wait 2-3 days, which is still considered normal)
   
4. lifting legs to the side; beware of spray; wipe front to back (girls); ointment or cream when red (usually not needed everyday unless very sensitive skin)
   
5. diaper rash
   
1. change soon after poop; try different diapers or wipes if rash continues
   
2. yeast/fungal infection: treat with probiotic paste
   
4. Baby Wearing
   
1. initially, baby’s are comforted by the feeling of confinement; some enjoy it longer than others
   
2. keeping baby close helps protect from germs (baby is exposed to the same as you are; if breastfeeding, antibodies will show up in milk); keeps people from asking to hold the baby
   
3. keeping baby close helps monitor their temperature; they don’t sweat, so if you are hot - so is baby
   
4. fussy babies may sleep better this way during the lighter sleep stages; this doesn’t mean you are spoiling them; you can train them to sleep on their own during the deeper sleeping stages
   
5. wraps, slings, backpacks, etc

1. Sleeping - around 16 hours a day, but not for long stretches
   
1. wake to feed during the day, not during the night (after the first week)
   
2. watch for patterns of wakefulness in the last month of pregnancy; the time of day that baby is most active in utero will probably be the same after birth
   
3. baby will only have one or two periods of alertness per day; other times will be different stages of sleepiness, gradually changing to more wakefulness and less sleeping
   
4. babies don’t need pillows or heavy blankets (unlike things that adults find comfortable); dress baby warmly and cover with a light blanket; feel temperature of their hands to test if they’re too warm or cold
   
5. swaddling; startle reflex
   
2. Holding
   
1. head/neck muscles
   
2. picking up and laying down
   
3. over shoulder
   
4. cradle
   
5. tummy down on your arm or lap
   
6. soothing gas pains (abdominal massage)
   
7. no shaking or bouncing
   
8. car seats (rear facing, anchors, securing straps; with use of coats, blankets, toys)
   
9. strollers (don’t try to put baby in upright seat until stomach/neck muscles are ready)
   
10. hip dysplasia
    
3. Crying
   
1. Personality types (yours may be one or a combination; the personality type will remain the same as they get older; knowledge is helpful for dealing with preschool years)
   
1. sensitive baby: will cry in response to many things; temperature, sound, light, over-stimulation, etc. These babies will have more trouble sleeping. Might not sleep through the night for most of the first year. May only nap in 30-45 minute increments. Many moms end up sleeping with these babies because that’s the only way they will both get more sleep. (It’s hard for other moms to understand who don’t have a sensitive baby.) Baby wearing and swaddling usually helps. Routine is very important. If they don’t get to sleep when they first get sleepy, it will take much longer to get them to settle down. Try to meet their needs before they get overly worked up. However, some fussing is almost always necessary before falling asleep. Often sleep more in the mornings and fussier in the afternoons. ***These babies are still very loveable!!
   
2. happy/textbook baby: goes to sleep easily, sleeps for long stretches by 6-8 weeks, tolerant of changes in routine, not much crying unless hungry or sleepy, once you have a routine - crying is very minimal
   
3. active baby: high energy, resist falling asleep, may hate being swaddled or worn in a carrier, visual stimulation MUST be minimized in order to sleep, impatient when feeding, sleeps less in the mornings but longer in the afternoons, can quickly go from happy to sad to happy
   
2. Do whatever helps during the early months. Don’t worry about spoiling them. Any habits can be changed as they get older. (When trying to break a habit, be consistent for three days.)
   
3. cholic