Newborn Care and Breastfeeding Guide: A Complete Guide for New Parents

In short: A newborn needs feeding every 2–3 hours in the first two weeks, then about every 4 hours after the first or second month; whether the baby is getting enough milk is checked by weighing with the doctor every week. The baby is sponge-bathed until the cord falls off, in water at about 40°C.

Every mum should breastfeed her newborn for these reasons:

• Breast milk is the best way to support your baby’s health.
• It is the safest feeding method for both Mother and Baby.
• Provides the Baby with a fresh, easy, digestible meal.
• Provides the Baby with immunity against diseases.
• Strengthens the bond between the Mother and her child.
• Always available.
• Decrease the potential for contracting allergies.
• Easy to provide anytime, no need to clean bottles or to prepare.
• Breast milk alone meets all your baby’s needs for the first 6 months, and continuing to breastfeed alongside other foods up to 2 years or beyond keeps giving benefits.
• Less expensive.
• Most Mothers find pleasure and relief in breastfeeding. We hope you will agree.

Video of lactation

Symptoms that need an immediate visit to your doctor if you notice that your Baby has:

• High or low body temperature.
• Poor feeding, crying, activity.
• Cyanosis.
• Jaundice.
• Paleness.
• Convulsion and abnormal movement.
• Cough dyspnea.
• Vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
• Bleeding from the site of circumcision or from the umbilicus.
• Care for the umbilicus: keep the cord stump clean, dry and open to the air, and fold the nappy below it. There is no need for alcohol or any other product. If it gets dirty, wash it with water and a mild soap and dry it well. See your doctor if the skin around it becomes red or there is a foul-smelling discharge.
• Your Baby should be checked by a doctor 3–5 days after birth, then at about 1 and 2 months. The hips are examined at birth and again at these visits, because hip dislocation is easiest to treat when it is found in the first weeks.
• Your Baby should receive a vitamin K injection at birth to prevent bleeding, and then the vaccines in the national schedule; some are given at birth or in the first month, and the main series starts at 2 months. Breastfed babies also need vitamin D drops of 400 IU a day.

Baby’s weight at time of delivery:

There are many factors that affect the Baby’s weight:

• The duration of pregnancy.
• Maternal condition during pregnancy such as blood pressure, diabetes, blood supply to the uterus.
• Genetic factors.
• If both parents are tall the Baby will be tall. If the Mother is diabetic the Baby may be heavier in weight. The average weight at birth is about 3.3 kg, and most healthy full-term babies weigh between 2.5 and 4 kg.

How to care for your newborn

• Changing diapers:

From your Baby’s first day, using the right diaper helps keep skin healthier and your baby more comfortable.

The diaper should be made of good absorbent material, and should be comfortable for movement.

• What you need when you want to change your baby’s diapers:

Diaper sheet, diaper, warm water, towels, clean gauze, Baby’s body soap, and barrier cream. Put your Baby on a clean towel, remove the wet diaper, and clean the buttocks from front to back, especially for baby girls, to help avoid contamination and infection of the genital area. Once the skin dries, you may apply a barrier cream if the skin is red. Avoid baby powder, as your baby can breathe in the fine dust. If your Baby’s skin is sensitive, you may use Baby oil instead, then wipe the excess using gauze.

How to soothe skin irritation (diaper rash)

• Your Baby’s diaper should always be clean and dry.
• Expose the lower part of your Baby’s body to air, especially if the weather is warm.
• Avoid using plastic underwear all the time.

Some symptoms that shouldn’t worry you

• Sneezing, yawning, and crying.
• Breast bud swelling.
• Vaginal discharge in a female Baby.
• Knee and joint bending.

The sleep of the newborn baby

• Newborn babies spend most of their time sleeping except when they eat or while wetting their diaper.
• Babies sleep more at night as they grow.
• Always put your baby to sleep on their back, on a firm, flat mattress in their own cot in your room, with no pillows, bumpers, toys or loose bedding, and keep the baby away from smoke. This is the most important way to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. Tummy time is for when your baby is awake and watched.
• Watch your Baby’s breathing for a while to be sure that nothing is impeding or closing the airways.
• If your Baby sleeps immediately after feeding, or was sick, watch their breathing more carefully.

Newborn bath time

• You can bathe your Baby before feeding, or in the morning or before bedtime at night for a calmer sleep.
• In the first 2 weeks before the umbilical cord drops, it is better to bathe your Baby with a sponge.
• Before starting the bath, be sure that the room is warm enough, wash your hands carefully, and prepare warm water at about 37-38C° (99-100F°), Baby’s bath, Baby’s shampoo, thermometer, soft towel, Baby’s body wash, gauze, Baby’s body lotion, Baby’s oil, barrier cream, small nail clipper, Baby’s comb, clean diaper and clothes.

1- Bathing with a sponge

• In the first 2 weeks of your Baby’s life, it is preferred to sponge bathe rather than using a bath tub.
• Put your Baby on a clean towel; wash the eyes, nose, and ears with wet, soft cotton.

When cleaning your Baby’s eyes, wipe from inside to the outside of the eye. You can use clean, wet cotton to clean the outer part of the nose and ears, but do not try to clean inside where you cannot see, as this may harm the soft skin and cause infection. You may wash the anus area with warm water, then wash the hands, feet and trunk (abdomen).

Use previously boiled water that has cooled to a comfortable room temperature. After covering your Baby’s body, wash the hair with shampoo, hold the head and neck against your arm, and wash the hair gently with Baby’s shampoo, then rinse with water.

2- Bathing in the tub

• Fill the Baby’s bath with only 5-8 cm of warm water at about 37-38C° (99-100F°). You may use a thermometer or test with your elbow — it should feel comfortably warm so your Baby enjoys the bath.
• Put your Baby in the bath gradually, step by step. Hold the head and neck gently and lower the feet into the water first. Then wet the hands, wash the front of the trunk (abdomen), then gently support and turn your baby to wash the back.
• Wash the skin folds carefully and clean the anus area.
• Do not leave the Baby alone in the bath.
• A healthy Baby benefits from gentle exercises such as bending and stretching the hands and legs. These movements support circulation and activity.
• To help your child move comfortably, choose warm, light and comfortable clothes.
• When you change your Baby’s clothes you may turn on calm music or distract them with a soft toy, up to about 3 months.
• Keep your hand underneath the head and neck to support them.
• If the weather is warm, you may briefly expose your Baby to gentle, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun, as it can burn sensitive skin — this is important for the Mother too.

Breastfeeding

Video about lactation

• Breast milk is the best milk for helping your Baby grow healthy. It contains immunoglobulins which help defend against infections.
• It is also important for strengthening the bond and building self-confidence between mother and child.
• It also helps the Mother recover more quickly. When the Baby sucks the nipple, this stimulates uterine contractions, similar to certain uterotonic medications.
• If you are choosing a formula milk, look for one with a composition close to breast milk.

How to breastfeed your baby

• Find the most comfortable position you can when breastfeeding your Baby.
• You may prefer having your Baby beside you in the first few weeks, and later prefer breastfeeding while sitting.
• Before breastfeeding, wash your breast with warm water. Avoid soap, as your Baby may ingest it.
• Let your Baby feed from the first breast until they let go or slow down, then offer the second breast; some babies take both, some only one. You may pin a small reminder on the side you last fed from.
• Your Baby may get enough milk from the first breast alone, but using both breasts helps stimulate equal milk production.
• You may notice your Baby has difficulty holding your nipple. Although your baby knows how to suck, you can help by holding your nipple between your index and middle fingers and guiding it into your Baby’s mouth. Make sure your Baby is holding not just the nipple but also the areola. Angle the areola downward to support milk flow and help protect your Baby from choking.
• There is no fixed feeding time: let your Baby feed until they are satisfied, which may be 10 to 40 minutes.
• To gently release the nipple, place your finger between your Baby’s mouth and the breast. If your Baby has had enough, they will naturally let go.
• Let your Baby burp during feeding and after breastfeeding.
• Allow your Baby to relax over your shoulder. Keep a towel over your shoulder in case your Baby spits up.
• You may weigh your Baby once a week to help track progress.
• After breastfeeding, wash your nipples with warm water and let them air dry.
• Place two pieces of cotton inside your bra to help absorb any leaking milk.
• If your nipple cracks, you can use a cream or moisturizer containing vitamin A — check with your doctor first.

Breastfeeding schedule

• You need to find a schedule that fits your Baby’s needs.
• In the first week, your Baby needs feeding every 2 to 3 hours, even at night.
• After 1 to 2 months, many babies still feed 8 to 12 times a day, sometimes more often during growth spurts. Feed your Baby whenever they show signs of hunger, and your milk supply will adjust accordingly.

Milk production

• In the first few days, your breast will produce a highly concentrated yellow milk called colostrum, rich in immunoglobulins, which helps stimulate the Baby’s bowel to pass meconium.
• After that, milk becomes whiter and increases in quantity as your Baby nurses more.
• While breastfeeding, it’s wise to limit coffee and tea to about 2 to 3 cups a day. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Do not take any medication before consulting your doctor, as it may pass into your milk and reach your Baby.
• Keep your breast and nipple clean to help avoid mastitis.
• To support milk supply, drink plenty of water, herbal tea, milk and juice, along with balanced meals.
• Some mothers find beans and cabbage cause extra gas — you may wish to limit them.
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and a diet rich in protein.
• Breastfeeding isn’t just a feeding routine — it also builds a lovely, lasting bond with your Baby.

Video about lactation

How to prepare a bottle of milk

• You need to clean all bottles, covers and tubes correctly and sanitize them before each meal, as food residue can easily allow bacteria to grow. Take care when preparing your Baby’s bottles.
• Please follow these instructions:
• Wash your hands with water and soap before preparing the meal for your Baby.
• Boil an amount of water in a clean pot.
• Wash all the bottles, covers and tubes with water and soap using a dedicated brush, then rinse with cold water until all the soap is gone.
• Place them in boiling water and let them boil for at least 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, remove all the tools using clean forceps and place them on a clean board to dry. Position the bottles upside down so they drain properly.
• Then boil some drinking water in a clean container for 5 minutes.
• Let it cool for no more than 30 minutes, so it stays at 70C° or hotter, then pour it into the bottles. This temperature kills any germs in the powder.
• Add the exact number of level scoops of powder shown on the tin (never extra or fewer scoops).
• Close the bottle with its cover.
• Shake the bottle until the powder dissolves completely.

• Attach the nipple to the bottle without touching the part that goes into the Baby’s mouth, then let it cool to drinking temperature.
• The bottle should be close to body temperature when feeding your Baby, around 35-37C° — not too cold, nor too hot. Test the temperature on your cheek, or place a drop of milk on the back of your hand, until it feels just right, then it is ready for your Baby.

Caring for the newborn

1- Crying:

It is the main way your Baby can express needs. Most of the time, it means they need a diaper change, or are hungry, thirsty, uncomfortable, or want to be held. After a while, you will learn to recognize what your Baby needs.

2 - Differences between babies:

• Every child has their own way of responding, shaped by:

1 - Body growth.

2 - Genetic material.

3 - Surrounding environment.

• Every baby experiences the surrounding world a little differently, and this adjustment can continue for roughly the first 280 days.
• Just as your Baby grew steadily in the womb, growth continues quickly in the early days and weeks after birth.

• Your Baby’s reaction to their surroundings is complex and can differ depending on the situation.
• Some babies are calm and easygoing. Some are fussier and don’t sleep as easily. Others are active and sensitive, so try not to compare your Baby to others. Instead, celebrate that your Baby is unique, with their own special traits. Don’t hesitate to show your love and care — with time, your Baby will grow and thrive.

3- Family role:

For the newborn, the new home is full of new experiences. Your Baby sees light, hears different voices, feels the touch of clothing, and notices the surface beneath them.

The feeling of air entering the nose — all these sensations can feel like a lot for your Baby to take in at once. Your Baby needs your care and love.

Your Baby needs both parents to respond to them and care for them, more and more each day.

Once your Baby feels your love, they will feel safe, secure, and supported as they grow.

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Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist

If you have questions about your newborn’s feeding, growth, or general care, the team at Dr. Layyous’s clinic is here to support you through this stage as well.