Having a brand new baby can bring on new kinds of stressors both good and bad! You are not alone. Here is what you need to know the first month with your baby.
Here are a couple items you will need when you bring baby home:
(1) rear facing car seat (until 2 years old) visit www.aap.org for more information
(2) bassinet or crib (no co- sleeping with your infant) with a waterproof mattress + pads/ sheets
(3) small plastic bathtub (do not completely fill)
(4) diapers, lots of them! and a diaper bag
(5) changing table with waterproof pad
(6) rectal thermometer for the first few months- any temperature more than 100.4 is a fever
(7) nasal suction bulb
(8) alcohol and cotton balls for the umbilical cord (until it falls off at 2 weeks)
First off, take care of yourself! You cannot care for someone else until you care for your mind and body. Do not be afraid to ask for help and tell someone if you need a break. Everyone needs help during the first few weeks of life, make sure you find someone to help with day to day activities, shopping, cleaning, cooking and washing clothes. There will be big adjustments especially in the first couple months of life. You need all hands on deck!
Infants feed every couple hours whether you are breast feeding or formula feeding. You can keep them on a schedule or feed them as they are hungry, as long as they are eating every 2-4 hours and are satisfied you are doing well. Babies will pee a lot and have plenty of diapers to change. When it comes to stooling they can stool with each feed or once every couple days. Poop comes in all shapes and sizes, from watery, mushy, green, yellow, brown, seedy and pasty, we have seen it all. Babies loose up to 7-10%of their birthweight after leaving the hospital but after 2 weeks they should regain the weight. If you feel your baby is not doing well or you are concerned, please bring them into the office.
When your baby first comes out they have to get use to this new environment, they are use to being in the dark and now have a brand new world! They will not sleep much or for long intervals at first. Once you accept this, you will have to find a way to sleep when baby sleeps so that you can actually get rest.
Post partum blues are very common, many women experience it around day 3 or 4. Due to a decrease in the maternal hormones after mom leaves the hospital many mothers can feel tearful, tired, sad and have trouble thinking clearly. Do not feel guilty about these symptoms, please talk to your doctor if you are having any concerns so that we can help in any way we can. In 1-3 weeks after delivery the hormones start to return to baseline. If you still are in need of some help, ask your doctor to refer you to a counselor.
As pediatricians it is our job to make sure you know if your infant is with a fever of more than 100.4 they must go see a doctor immediately, either in the office or in the Emergency department. Any decrease in number of wet diapers or decreased activity is a sign your baby may be dehydrated or feeling under the weather. Please call your doctor if any concerns.
Also especially in the era of COVID, please keep your infant away from any one who is sick. In the first month of life ensure those around the baby are wearing masks (even if visitors are asymptomatic.) Do not let strangers or young kids touch the baby, you don't want any illnesses especially during their first month.
Having a new baby is an exciting time! But the first month is one of the hardest adjusting to a whole new life. Enjoy it, rest and ask your pediatrician about any issues or concerns along the way!
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