Home Care

1
Home Care

• Chapter 31

2
Length of Stay

• Early discharge okay with home visits
• Federal law mandated 48 hr stay.
• Assess level of knowledge
• Difficult to meet all needs in hospital
• Follow up home care
• Reinforce information taught in hospital

3
Home Visit

• 24 -48 hrs after discharge
• Evaluate adjustment
• Safety
• Be genuine, empathetic, develop trust, be
  non-judgmental, establish rapport

4
Home Care

• Model different holds
• Place back or side- reposition frequently
• Assess IOs
• Bathing-sponge bath- head to toe
• Tub bath okay after cord falls off
• Trim nails while asleep

5
Home care

• Dress newborn warmly- head and ears
• Taking temperature- Give acetaminophen
• Stool-BF 6-10, bottle one-two
• Void 5-8
• Sleep and activity
• Crying- distinguish types of cry

6
Breastfeeding After Discharge

• Nipple soreness-reposition, feed more frequently,
  ice, exposure, blow dryer
• Take Tylenol
• Eat healthy, increase protein, Vit. C, zinc
• Do not use petroleum based products
• Use own milk
• Thrush infection

7
Nipple Care

• Feed on unaffected side first
• Reposition for cracked nipple
• Breast engorgement- can use warm or cool compress
• Plugged ducts massage for in to out, warm shower
• Can pump when resume working

8
Weaning

• If wean before 12 months need iron supplements
• Gradual approach the most healthy
• Usually mutually agreed upon

9
Sexual Activity and Contraception

• Resume when episiotomy healed and lochia stops
• May need to use lubricant
• May experience letdown
• Familial adjustment
• Help to make informed decision regarding
  contraception