Taking Care of Your Baby and Yourself
Table of Contents YOUR HOSPITAL STAY .....................................2 Before You Come to the Hospital.................... 2 Pre-Registration............................................ 2 Choosing a Pediatrician................................. 2 Visiting Hours............................................... 3 Things to Bring............................................. 3 Things We Will Provide.................................. 4 Car Seat...................................................... 4 Family Birth Center (L&D)............................. 4 Fetal Monitoring........................................... 4 Intravenous (IV) Fluids.................................. 4 Pain Relief................................................... 5 Visiting........................................................ 5 Delivery Positions......................................... 5 Skin-to-Skin................................................. 5 Photography................................................. 5 Immediate Recovery Period........................... 5 Rooming In.................................................. 6 Crib............................................................. 6 Laboratory Testing........................................ 6 Pulse Oximetry Screening.............................. 6 Newborn Hearing Screening........................... 6 Birth Certificates and Social Security.............. 6 Baby Photos................................................. 7 Health and Safety......................................... 7 Security....................................................... 8 Going Home................................................. 8
TAKING CARE OF YOUR NEWBORN...... 12 Getting to Know Your Baby.......................... 12 Your Newborn’s Appearance......................... 12 BREASTFEEDING YOUR BABY............... 13 Feeding Your Baby...................................... 13 Burping Your Baby...................................... 13 Breastfeeding Your Baby.............................. 14 Latch On................................................... 14 Skin-to-Skin = Protection............................ 14 Positioning................................................. 15 Breaking Suction........................................ 15 Milk Ejection Reflex.................................... 15 Engorgement.............................................. 15 Sore Nipples.............................................. 15 Things to Remember About Breastfeeding..... 16 FORMULA FEEDING YOUR BABY.......... 16 Bottle Feeding Your Baby............................ 16 Formula Preparation................................... 16 Signs You May Need to Change Formulas...... 18 Is Your Baby Getting Enough to Eat?............. 18 Signs That Your Baby is Not Getting Enough Formula ................................................... 18 Is Your Baby Getting Too Much Formula?...... 18 Other Feedings........................................... 18 GENERAL INFANT CARE........................ 19 Room Temperature...................................... 19 Clothing..................................................... 19 Bulb Syringe.............................................. 19 Bath Time.................................................. 20 Taking Your Baby’s Temperature................... 21 When to Call Your Baby’s Doctor................... 22 Home Safety.............................................. 22 Keeping Your Baby Healthy.......................... 22 Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)........................................ 23 Never Shake Your Baby!.............................. 23
CARING FOR YOURSELF AT HOME......... 9 Recovery Period............................................ 9 Lochia and Uterus........................................ 9 Perineum, Hemorrhoids and Hygiene.............. 9 Breast Care ............................................... 10 Baby Blues................................................ 10 Contraception............................................. 10 Cesarean Birth........................................... 11 Postpartum Exam....................................... 11 Pregnancy Leave......................................... 11 When to Call Your Doctor............................. 11
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