Caring for Yourself and Your Baby - St. Peter's Hospital

The science of medicine.
The compassion to heal.
CARING FOR YOURSELF
AND YOUR BABY

The addition of a new baby to your home is a
special, happy time for you, your partner and your
family. Due to the many changes taking place, it can
be a hectic and challenging time as well. Changes in your
body, your relationships and your daily routines can
sometimes make you feel overwhelmed. Understanding
as much as you can about these changes will help
make the initial days of motherhood more relaxing and
enjoyable.
We hope the information provided here will help address
many of your questions and concerns. Remember, your
nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital will gladly answer any
questions you have about your care or the care of your
new baby. Feel free to call anytime. There are special
concerns that you may want to discuss with your
physician. He or she can offer excellent advice regarding:
• Family planning
• Tub bathing
• Driving a car
• Taking medications
• Exercising and physical activity
• Smoking, drinking of alcoholic or caffeinated
beverages, or taking drugs while breast-feeding

Recovering After Delivery
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Notify your physician if you experience
any of the following symptoms:
• Temperature greater than 100.4°
or chills
• Breast or leg pain or redness
• Increasing pain
• Incision or episiotomy redness,
swelling or drainage
• Thickened or foul-smelling vaginal
bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding that is heavier
then a normal period, or passing
excessive blood clots
• Any issues that concern you
ACTIVITY
Rest is one of the most important, yet
often one of the most difficult things
for you to do when you have a new
infant. All of the changes in your life
will be more manageable if you are
not over-tired. During the first week
home after a vaginal delivery, try to
care for just yourself and your new
baby. If you’ve had a Cesarean birth,
you will need to take it easy for two
weeks. It is a good idea to rest when
your baby is asleep, even if it means
not doing household tasks. Let some
of the housework go, or enlist some
help from relatives and friends. You
and your partner may need to reassign
some household responsibilities to
give you both enough relaxation time
to enjoy yourselves and your new
baby.
Speak to your physician about a
program of exercise that will help
restore your muscle tone and help
you lose a few pounds if you feel you
should. There are special exercises
for this purpose. Your physician is the
best person to identify which exercise
is best for you and when to begin to
insure safety.
CARE AND COMFORT OF
YOUR STITCHES
(EPISIOTOMY) AFTER
VAGINAL DELIVERY
Initially in the hospital, after the birth
of your baby, your nurse will assist you
in choosing a combination of comfort
measures. Comfort measures include:
• Use your peri bottle to spray
lukewarm water across your
perineum. Always spray from front
to back.
• Tighten and relax your perineum
and buttock muscles by performing
Kegel exercises.
• Use your sitz bath four to five
times during the day to soothe and
promote healing.
• Use any topical medications given
to you by your nurse or physician.
• Take pain medications as
prescribed by your physician.
At home, continue the practice of
using your peri bottle, Kegel exercises,
sitz bath and topical medication. Do
not be concerned if you notice clear
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Recovering After Delivery
pieces of your stitches, resembling
plastic thread, on your sanitary pad.
This is normal and occurs as your
episiotomy heals. Your stitches will
heal in about seven to ten days.
Remember not to douche or use
tampons until you discuss it with your
physician at your six-week check-up.
CARE OF ABDOMINAL
INCISION (CESAREAN BIRTH)
If you have a Cesarean birth, it is
important to keep your incision clean
and dry. While in the shower, let the
water flow over the incision and
gently pat it dry. If you have steri
strips over your incision, they will
loosen and fall off on their own. If
you have stitches or staples, your
physician will determine when they
will be removed. If your stitches or
staples have not been removed
before you are discharged from the
hospital, call your physician for a
follow-up appointment within one
week. Remember to report to your
physician any redness, drainage or
excessive warmth at the incision site.
AFTERBIRTH PAINS
After your baby is born, your uterus
begins contracting as it returns to its
pre-pregnant state and size. This
contracting causes some discomfort
and is usually most noticeable the first
few days after delivery.
VAGINAL BLEEDING
Although the length of time varies
with each individual, vaginal bleeding
after delivery usually continues for
two to four weeks. The bleeding will
be bright red with some clots at first,
but then will become pink or brown
and decrease in amount. Bleeding
should never be heavier than the
heaviest day of your normal period.
If bleeding is heavier than a menstrual
period, cut back on your level of
activity. Call your physician if heavy
bleeding continues. Eventually, the
bleeding will change to a yellowwhite
discharge before it stops.
If you are not breast-feeding, your
period will probably return in six
to eight weeks after delivery. If you
are breast-feeding, your period may
not return until you stop nursing.
However, it is important to know that
ovulation can occur and you may
become pregnant even if you have
not resumed your period. If you are
interested in methods of family planning,
you may wish to consult your
physician. A program of instruction for
Natural Family Planning is available
through St. Peter’s Hospital.
POSTPARTUM BLUES
After your baby’s birth, in the hospital
and/or at home, you may feel blue or
depressed. You may even experience
periods of unexplained crying. The
“baby blues” are a normal response
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Recovering After Delivery
to the hormonal changes in your
body and the emotional changes
occurring in your life. It is important
to get plenty of rest, because lack of
rest and sleep can contribute to the
blues. The blues may last several
hours or several days and usually
disappear within a week. If you
become concerned or feel especially
anxious or depressed, please call your
physician.
RESUMING SEXUAL
RELATIONS
You should speak to your physician
about when you will be able to
resume sexual intercourse, and
about your family planning concerns.
Generally, you may resume having
intercourse once initial healing takes
place and you feel comfortable and
ready. You and your partner should
talk about this beforehand to avoid
misunderstandings and frustrations.
DIET
Your diet is as important after delivery
as it is during pregnancy because it
helps the healing process and gives
you energy. Continue to eat a wellbalanced
diet choosing foods from the
four basic food groups:
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Breads and Cereals
• Milk and Dairy Products
• Meat, Fish, Poultry, and Eggs
WHILE BREAST-FEEDING:
• Consume an extra 500 to 600
calories each day.
• Increase your protein, especially
dairy products which also contain
calcium. If you cannot tolerate
milk products, other sources of
calcium can be suggested by your
physician.
• Drink plenty of fluids. We
suggest that you drink 8 to 12
glasses of fluids each day.
• Avoid excessive amounts of spicy
and greasy foods.
If you are breast-feeding, remember
to eat a well-balanced diet, choosing
from the four basic food groups.
3

Feeding Your Baby
BREAST-FEEDING
Breast-feeding your baby can be one
of the most satisfying and rewarding
experiences in a mother’s life. It can
also cause some feelings of frustration
and anxiety. You may experience
some nipple soreness at first, and it
will probably take a few weeks before
your milk supply and your baby’s
demand complement each other. The
most important thing to remember is
to relax. Breast-feeding is like any skill
– the more you do it, the easier it
gets! Soon both you and your baby
will become confident and at ease.
Wear a supportive bra. When
bathing, wash breasts with plain,
warm water. Soap can cause nipples
to become dry and add to soreness.
Air-dry nipples after each breast-feeding.
If your breasts become uncomfortably
firm or sore, take a warm
shower or apply wet warm packs
around your breasts before nursing.
Many new moms find breast massage
comforting as well. It is important to
remember that proper positioning of
your baby at the breast is helpful in
preventing sore nipples. You might try
to use various positions for different
feedings.
It is normal to ask, “Is my baby getting
enough milk?” Babies should be
nursed at least eight times in a 24
hour day! Here are some signs that
your baby is receiving enough milk:
• 6 to 8 wet diapers/day
1 to 2 stools/day
What a baby takes in, a baby
puts out.
• Nursing every 2 to 3 hours
during the day, every 4 to 5 hours
at night.
If you have questions or concerns,
contact community resources
(i.e. La Leche League, a lactation
consultant, or your pediatrician). A list
of resources can be found in the back
of this booklet.
BREAST FULLNESS/
ENGORGEMENT
If you choose to bottle-feed your
baby, you may experience breast fullness
or engorgement within two to
four days after delivery. This is normal
and will usually subside in a few days.
Wear a support bra 24 hours a day
while your breasts are engorged.
Take the bra off only to shower.
When you shower, face away from
warm or hot water. Warm or hot
water on your breasts will stimulate
engorgement. Do not express any
milk from your breasts. If your breasts
become very hard and tender, apply
ice packs to your breasts for 10 to 15
minutes, four times a day.
4

Feeding Your Baby
BOTTLE-FEEDING AND
BURPING
Formula may be fed at room
temperature. If cold from the refrigerator,
formula is best warmed by
placing the bottle of formula in a pan
of hot water. Do not use a microwave
oven for heating formula. It
can result in burns to you or your
baby. Microwaving can cause the
formula to overheat or form “hot
spots.”
At feeding time, find a comfortable
spot for you and your baby. Using a
rocking chair is popular. Hold your
infant in your lap with his/her head
resting in the curve of your arm. Hold
the bottle at an angle so that the neck
of the bottle is kept full of milk.
All babies swallow air and need to be
burped. After each feeding, and
sometimes during the feeding, you
will want to burp your baby. There
are three ways to do this:
• Over the shoulder – hold the
baby in an upright position next
to your body, supporting his/her
head on your shoulder. Gently
tap and smooth baby’s back with
an upward motion.
• On your lap – lay baby across
your lap on his/her abdomen.
Gently tap and smooth baby’s
back.
• Sitting on your lap – sit baby on
your lap leaning his/her head
slightly forward, supporting head
and chest with one hand and
gently tapping and smoothing
baby’s back with the other.
Babies do not always burp after a
feeding, so do not insist if your baby
does not burp right away.
FORMULA PREPARATION
There are several methods for cleaning
bottles. Discuss these methods
with your physician. Whatever
method you use, first thoroughly
wash and rinse all equipment. After
cleaning equipment, prepare the
infant formula according to instructions
on the formula container and
pour it into the clean bottles. Fill
bottles to desired amount and place
nipples on the bottles, either inverted
with disc seals or upright with nipple
covers. Remember that microwave
ovens not only can cause burns, but
are ineffective for cleaning equipment.
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Keeping Your Baby Safe
Calling the Doctor
Safety measures are an important
aspect of your baby’s care.
Newborns are known to do the
unexpected! Call your pediatrician if
any of the following occur with your
baby:
• Breathing difficulty
• Fever of 101° or above
• Infant not feeding well or
vomiting
• Change in voiding and
stooling patterns
• Persistent crying
• “Not acting right”
• Rashes
Remember, pediatricians expect
frequent calls from new mothers
while they get to know their new
babies. Keep in touch with your
pediatrician as needed and always
feel free to contact your nurse at
St. Peter’s if you are concerned about
anything in particular.
NURSERY SAFETY
Remove all pillows from your infant’s
crib; secure bumpers to siderails.
Keep powders, lotions, pins, etc., out
of infant’s reach.
Never leave infant unattended on
dressing table or other raised surface.
Use age-appropriate car seat as
mandated by New York state law.
LYING POSITIONS
When placing your baby down for
sleep, the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends that the infant
be placed on his or her back. If you
are NOT putting the baby down for
sleep, it is safe to lay the baby on his
or her belly to foster neck-lifting exercise.
You may also use the side-lying
position for an alert, awake infant. It is
important to alternate positions for
your baby.
PREVENTING SUDDEN
INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
(SIDS)
• No pillows or toys in the crib
• Use a firm crib mattress
• Position on back for sleep
• Maintain a room temperature that
is comfortable to you (babies
should be warm, but not too
warm)
• Create a smoke-free zone around
your baby
SMOKING
Second-hand smoke is harmful for
your baby, leading to a number of
breathing problems, as well as depriving
your infant of necessary oxygen
for growth and development. Please
do not expose your baby to this
environmental hazard. Do not allow
smoking in your car or home.
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Caring For Your Baby
CRYING
Babies cry for many reasons. They
might be hungry, uncomfortable (wet,
soiled, too hot, too cold), not feeling
well, or just unable to settle down. It
may take a while before you can recognize
the difference between cries.
Babies learn trust from having their
cries responded to either by voice, by
touch or by holding. You must investigate
the baby’s need. Despite what
people say, you will not spoil a newborn
infant by holding him/her when
he/she cries.
DIAPERING
You may choose either disposable
diapers or cloth diapers that are
laundered and reused. Powders and
ointments are not necessary. Discuss
rashes with your baby’s pediatrician.
Regardless of your choice of diaper,
the most important way to protect
your baby from soreness and rash is
by changing him/her frequently.
When changing, remove the soiled
diaper and set it out of the reach of
the baby. Clean the baby’s genitals
and buttocks gently and thoroughly.
Always wipe front to back, from the
genitals toward the anus. It is normal
for your baby girl to have a small
amount of creamy or lightly bloodtinged
vaginal discharge due to left
over hormones from the mother. It is
not necessary to vigorously cleanse
the area between the labia.
When your baby is clean, put on a
clean diaper. Keep the diaper folded
below the umbilical cord if possible. If
you are using cloth diapers, be careful
not to stick yourself or your baby
with pins. If pins become dull, you
might find it helpful to stick them in a
bar of soap, then use them.
CORD CARE
Keep the area clean and dry to promote
healing. You may sponge bathe
your baby until the cord falls off. This
will take place in about two to three
weeks.
CIRCUMCISION CARE
Clean the circumcised area each day
by gently drawing back foreskin and
cleaning the tip of the penis with soap
and water. Immediately after circumcision,
and for about two to three
days, you may apply petroleum jelly
over the penis at each diaper change.
UNCIRCUMCISED
BABY CARE
Do not force foreskin back for cleaning.
Gently wash the penis with soap
and water, moving back foreskin
without using pressure.
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Caring For Your Baby
BATHING
Bath time is a great opportunity to
practice handling a wiggly infant!
Besides cleansing your baby, the bath
is a time for you to become familiar
with your baby’s unique characteristics
and personality. It offers a time to
play, talk and enjoy.
Bathe your baby whenever and
wherever it is comfortable and convenient
for you. It is helpful to gather
all supplies you need ahead of time.
You will want to use non-perfumed,
mild soap. Make sure water is warm
to your hands, but not too hot. Many
parents use cotton balls to clean the
baby’s ears and eyes. Clean eyes by
wiping from the inside corner to the
outside corner.
Clean the outside of your baby’s ears,
but avoid putting anything in the ear
canal. Carefully wash your baby’s
head. You will notice an area at the
top of the baby’s head that pulsates.
This is normal. The opening will close
in nine to 18 months. Give special
attention to baby’s “creases.” Neck,
under arms and between baby’s
fingers are places where food or lint
collect. Cleansing of the genitals is
also important. Always wash from
front to back. You may want to use a
separate wash cloth for washing the
genital area. Be sure to thoroughly
dry all creases.
IMMUNIZATIONS
It is important that you keep an
accurate and updated record of
your child’s immunizations. The
immunizations will help to ensure that
your child is protected from several
serious, and possibly life-threatening,
illnesses. Keeping an updated record
may prevent your child from having
to repeat immunizations as he/she
gets older. Talk to your child’s
pediatrician if you have any questions
or concerns about immunizations.
We hope we have answered some
of your questions about caring for
yourself and your baby. Remember
to get plenty of rest, eat a wellbalanced
diet and take things slowly
while you adjust to your new routine.
Please do not hesitate to contact
your nurse at St. Peter’s (525-1391)
or your physician to discuss any
concerns.
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Caring For Your Baby
St. Peter’s
Family Education Center
315 South Manning Boulevard
(518) 525-1388
Lactation Services
Lactation consultations, breast
pump rentals and sales
(518) 525-1388 or 525-1400
La Leche League
(518) 439-1774
www.lalecheleague.org
WIC
(Women, Infants and
Children Program)
(518) 432-4033
St. Peter’s Hospital
Medical Records
Information regarding your
child’s social security card and/or
birth certificate
(518) 525-1211
Family and Children’s Service
of Albany, Inc.
Counseling services
(518) 462-6531
Childcare Coordination
Council of the Capital District
(518) 426-7181
Mothers’ Center of the
Capital District
(518) 475-1897
Maternal Infant Network
of the Capital Region
A perinatal depression
support group
(518) 426-1153 ext. 452
MOMS Clubs
www.momsclub.org
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ST. PETER’S
FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER
315 South Manning Boulevard
Albany, New York 12208
518-525-1388
www.spetershealthcare.org
St. Peter’s Health Care Services, a comprehensive,
integrated system of care, is the Capital Region’s
largest provider of health care services.
St. Peter’s Hospital is proud to be designated
a national Magnet TM Hospital for consistent excellence
in nursing services. St. Peter’s has also been ranked
among an elite group of hospitals nationwide as a
Distinguished Hospital for Patient Safety TM ,
Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital, Top 100 Stroke Hospital
and Top 100 Hospital for overall clinical services.
St. Peter’s continues to set the pace
for health care innovations. We are 5,000 professionals
who know that technology is critical to treatment,
but compassion is the key to healing.
The science of medicine.
The compassion to heal.