A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Bathing Your Baby Every day, wash your baby’s face, neck folds and hands. You should cleanse the diaper area with every diaper change. A full head-to-toe bath is only necessary one or two times a week. If you wish to bathe your baby more often, just omit using soap for some baths. Too much soap can dry your baby’s skin. Tips For Bathing Your Baby • Wash hands before handling your baby. • Give the bath in a warm, draft-free area. • Give the bath when your baby does not have a full stomach. • Pick a time when you have energy and are not hurried. • Collect all your supplies before you begin. • Test for a comfortable water temperature with the inside of your wrist. • Never leave your baby unattended on a flat surface or near water. • Minimize shampoo and detergent soaps in the bath water, as they can cause irritation. • Your baby may cry during the bath; it is an unfamiliar experience. Comfort your baby by talking in a soothing voice, singing and using smooth movements. Bath Supplies • Mild soap, shampoo and scalp brush. • Washcloth and towels. • Warm water in a tub, basin or sink. • Clean baby clothing, diaper and blanket. • Lotions, oils and powders are not necessary. Just keep your baby clean and dry. Sponge Bath Until the umbilical cord falls off and circumcision heals, you should bathe your baby by sponge bath. You will need a basin or sink full of warm water. Place your baby on a safe, flat surface, which you have covered with a towel. Before undressing your baby, wash these areas: Eyes Use the corner of a clean washcloth to wipe from the inner to outer corner of your baby’s eye. Use another clean corner for the other eye. Face Wash her face with water only. You do not need to use soap on the face. Ears Wrap the washcloth around your finger to clean your baby’s outer ear and behind the ears. Do not use a Q-Tip ® in the ear. Hair Lean your baby back slightly and wet his hair with the washcloth. Apply a drop or two of shampoo to your baby’s hair. Work it through the hair with a scalp brush, gently massaging the scalp. Remember that normal handling will not harm the soft spots. Hold your baby over the sink or basin and rinse out the shampoo using a cup of water or a saturated washcloth. Use a dry washcloth or towel to dry your baby’s head well. Next, undress your baby to the waist. • Wash the folds of the neck, the chest, abdomen, arms and hands. Roll your baby onto the side and wash her back. • Dry above the waist and cover that area with a towel to keep your baby warm. Next, remove the diaper and clothing below the waist. • Remember, it’s common for babies to urinate when the diaper comes off! • Wash the legs and feet. • Wash the diaper area. • Dry your baby and redress. 42
Tub Bath When the cord has fallen off, you may place your baby in a basin or tub of water. Wet babies can be slippery, so it’s easier to start with a small tub designed for babies. Place a towel or bath sponge on the bottom of the tub to help keep your baby steady as you support her in the tub. Test the water temperature before using it. Before undressing your baby, wash her eyes, face and ears as described in the sponge bath section. “This is your baby; hold him and snuggle whenever you want.” Next, undress your baby and securely lower her into the tub. Always hold onto your baby with one arm supporting her back. Wash your baby’s hair following the instructions in the sponge bath section. Then: • Using your soapy hand or a small washcloth, wash the neck folds, chest, stomach, arms, hands, legs and feet. Rinse. • Lean your baby slightly forward and wash the back. Rinse. • Finish up by washing and rinsing the diaper area. • Dry your baby and redress. 43
Page 1 and 2: A Guide To Your New Family’s Firs
Page 3 and 4: If You’re Expecting.... We look f
Page 5 and 6: Nutrition and Feeding: Formula Feed
Page 7 and 8: Postpartum Medication Log and Infor
Page 9 and 10: Turn to this book and your doctor,
Page 11 and 12: • Your nurse will check on you ro
Page 13 and 14: Head The bones of your baby’s hea
Page 15 and 16: Mother Care The first weeks after g
Page 17 and 18: Postpartum Medication Information B
Page 19 and 20: Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are varicos
Page 21 and 22: Recovery From Cesarean Birth Becaus
Page 23 and 24: Nutrition and Feeding: Breastfeedin
Page 25 and 26: Helping Your Baby Latch to the Brea
Page 27 and 28: How Your Milk Changes Your body mak
Page 29 and 30: latching correctly, the easier and
Page 31 and 32: Expressing and Storing Breast Milk
Page 33 and 34: Lifestyle Issues Nutrition for Moth
Page 35 and 36: Nutrition and Feeding: Formula Feed
Page 37 and 38: During the first days of life, a ba
Page 39 and 40: Common Skin Conditions and Cord Car
Page 41 and 42: Caring for the Foreskin and Decidin
Page 43: the first few days of life, but can
Page 47 and 48: Recognizing Illness Illness in a ne
Page 49 and 50: Why And When Do Babies Cry Crying i
Page 51 and 52: What Do I Do If I Feel Like I Am Lo
Page 53 and 54: Finding Childcare (The City of Madi
Page 55 and 56: To prevent flat head molding due to
Page 57 and 58: Sibling Relationships Most families
Page 59 and 60: Baby Blues The most common, least s
Page 61 and 62: Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scal
Page 63 and 64: • Car seats should only be carrie
Page 65 and 66: Postpartum Medication Log To assist
Page 72 and 73: How Is Breastfeeding Going Answer t
Page 74 and 75: First Weeks Index 2010 Activity....
Page 76 and 77: Rooming In.........................
Page 78 and 79: Notes Use this section to take note
Page 80: The Birthing Center 202 S. Park Str

A Guide To Your New Family's First Weeks - Meriter Health Services

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?