Care%20of%20the%20Newborn

1
Care of the Newborn

• Cheyenne County Hospital
• Childbirth Class
• Candi Douthit, BSN, RN

2
Initial Newborn Care

• Initial Cares after birth
• Ensure they are breathing well
• Warm, dry, and stimulate to get them crying
  really good
• Best for Baby
• Immediate skin to skin with mom
• Breastfeed within 30min to 1hr of life
• Kangaroo care
• Keep them warm

3
Initial Newborn Care

• Nursing Tasks
• Weights and measurements
• Medications
• Assessments
• Apgar
• Ballard
• Blood sugar
• Physical exam
• Vital signs
• Newborn care immediately after birth BabyCenter

4
Initial Newborn Appearance

• Can be very wrinkly, pink, covered with a white,
  thick substance
• Head can be cone shaped or swollen, may appear or
  be bruised
• Skin lanugo, milia, vernix, hands/feet may be
  blue purple
• Eyes mostly blue/gray
• Pictures Gift of Motherhood pg 65
• Infant will look much more normal in 12-24hrs

5
Initial Newborn Appearance

• Acrocyanosis Vernix
• Acrocyanosis Milia

6
Basics of Care

• Feeding-every 2-3hrs
• Hunger signs-sucking on
• hands, rooting, lip moving, crying is a late
  sign
• Want to feed them before they are crying
• Not just about eating, it is about bonding,
  interacting, and comforting
• No bottle propping
• Check water source if using formula
• Burping-to be done after each feeding
• positions

7
Diapering

• 10-12 times per daygt5000 diapers in a lifetime ?
  (isnt that great news)
• Always wipe front to back (esp. on little girls)
• Cord Care
• Circumcision Care
• Check before/after
• meals

8
Basics of Care

• Crying
• Comfort (hot, cold, lonely, scared, hungry,
  diaper issue)
• Snuggling them in their blanket
• Temperature Control
• Need to be kept warm, but not too hot
• Temperature instability
• SleepSacks
• One layer more than you have on

9
Basics of Care

• Bathing
• Every 2-3 days
• Dry skin
• No submersion until the cord comes off
• Sleeping
• 12-16hrs per day
• SIDS Prevention Strategies
• How to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS Video
  BabyCenter

10
When to call the Doctor

• Not eating well
• Not peeing or pooping
• Turning colors (orange, yellow, blue)
• Temperatures (newborns lt 1 mos should not be
  getting fevers and should be evaluated)
• Not acting normal
• Sinus drainage/cough
• You are concerned

11
Things to Consider

• No ibuprofen/motrin until 6 months
• No water needed
• Call the lactation consultant if you are
  concerned about breastfeeding
• Everyone will have advice for you, take it or
  leave it. Ultimately you are the parents and
  youll need to decide what is best for you and
  your baby.

12
Things to Consider

• Know there is no perfect way to raise a child.
  You will make mistakes and have regrets. Just do
  the best you can and pray often
• You are now parents!!! What an incredible
  blessing this is. Take time to just be with your
  child as it will go very fast. Take a moment to
  cherish where you are in life.