Newborn Care: What Every New and Expecting Mother Should Know

There’s a lot of excitement in the days before your baby is born. Preparing a nursery, showers, and gender reveals are just the beginning. 

Chances are you’re already gathering the knowledge you need through books, prenatal classes, and conversations with the moms in your circle of friends and family. 

Look to our team at Child & Adolescent Health Center in Lathrup, Michigan, as part of your mom resource network too. Even the best-prepared mother experiences the unexpected. 

We’re standing by with the information you need for all aspects of caring for your newborn. 

Feeding your baby

There’s little that’s more important to newborn care than feeding. Your baby will eat every two to four hours for a total of up to 12 feeds in a 24-hour day.

Proper nutrition comes from breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both. Breastfeeding offers both nutrition and antibody transfer to help establish your child’s immune system. It’s also bonding time that helps emotional development. 

Sometimes, breastfeeding isn't practical for a baby or mom for a wide range of reasons. Formula feeding is a healthy alternative, and we can help you by addressing your challenges and concerns as they come up during your child’s first days. 

Sleep essentials

Newborns are notorious for their seemingly random sleep patterns that are often at odds with their parents’ schedules.  Your baby typically sleeps for short stretches through both day and night, waking frequently for feeding.

While there’s little you can do to help your baby sleep through longer stretches, establishing a bedtime routine develops positive habits for your baby’s future. 

We understand the importance of sleep for everyone involved in these early days, so bring up your concerns, and we’ll advise you how to make the most of your specific circumstances. 

Develop safe sleep practices whenever your baby sleeps. Make sleep a safe environment by placing your baby on their back in the bed or crib without loose bedding or accessible toys.

Diapers

Between birth and potty training, there’s the daunting task of changing your baby’s diapers and keeping your little one clean and healthy. Stock your diaper changing area with plenty of diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream. 

Consider a diaper-changing area on each floor of a multi-level home and have a diaper travel bag full of your essentials ready for excursions. 

You might be surprised by how often you need to change diapers. Newborns may go through 10 or more diapers a day. Ask us about proper diaper changing techniques as well as preventing and dealing with diaper rash. Don’t worry: These new tasks will be second nature in no time. 

Newborn visits to the doctor

Your baby’s first checkup happens shortly after birth. You’ll have frequent follow-ups with us in the early days, slowing down as your child passes developmental milestones. This is where we start to build the medical relationship with your young one, assuring continuity of care in their early life.  

These checkups in the first weeks and months assure your baby is thriving and meeting essential milestones. 

We weigh your baby at every appointment (it’s normal for them to lose a little weight immediately after birth), we measure their length and head circumference, and we perform an overall physical examination to keep an eye out for any potential health issues. 

It’s a good time to discuss feeding, sleep patterns, and diapering as well as any other parenting questions or concerns you might have. It’s also during these newborn visits that we keep your child’s vaccination history up to date. 

There’s plenty for you to learn, and we’re here to help along every step. Call us at the Child & Adolescent Health Center in Lathrup Village, Michigan, to schedule your baby’s next visit now or use our online appointment request form.