Infant Care
- General Information
- Physical Characteristics
- Feeding
- Odds and Ends
General Information
1. SLEEPING
Babies should sleep on their backs. There is an increased incidence
of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in those babies who sleep in
a prone position.
2. HICCUPS
These are extremely common and completely benign. They commonly occur
following feeding or burping and can often be stopped by refeeding,
reburping or offering a small amount of water to the baby. Babies
who have the tendency to get the hiccups probably also got them in
utero. Remember that rhythmic jerking during pregnancy?
3. SPITTING
All babies spit varying amounts of food and occasionally will vomit
a whole meal. If the baby is gaining weight despite constant spitting,
there is no need to worry. Once the baby spends most of his time sitting
or standing, the problem usually clears. If it is a persistent, bothersome
problem, be sure to discuss it with us.
4. CRYING
Your baby has many different cries and you will quickly learn to
distinguish them. Crying can be caused by hunger, a wet or stool-filled
diaper, gas, being too hot or being too cold, being uncomfortable,
or just letting off steam. Changing the baby, rocking him, walking
him around, and, of course, feeding him if he is hungry, are the obvious
things to do. Remember that even babies need to let off steam. If
you are sure he is okay, it will not hurt him to cry for short periods
of time. If you feel your baby’s cry is an unusual one, that
he looks ill, acts strangely, has lost his appetite for a couple of
meals, or has other symptoms, call the office.
5. BOWEL HABITS (only parents and Pediatricians
could be interested)
Every baby will establish her own bowel habits, so do not force yours
upon your child. Breast fed babies’ stools are often very frequent,
soft and runny. They range in color from bright yellow or orange through
a browny-green. They can occur twice during a single feeding (up to
12 per day) or just once a week. Bottle-fed babies' movements tend
to be firmer and less frequent. They tend to be yellow-green or brown
in color with firm “seeds” in them. The average bottle
fed infant has one to three stools per day.
6. BURPING
Babies need to burp if they swallow air while they are eating or
if the swallow air as a result of crying. Small air bubbles get “trapped”
under fluid in the stomach and can cause discomfort. Some babies burp
easily while others do not. It is not essential that the baby burp
if he is comfortable and happy. To burp the baby, hold him on your
cloth covered shoulder and gently pat or rub his back. You can also
sit him on your lap with one hand under his chin for support and the
other gently circling and patting his back.
7. EATING
Be sure you are comfortable, relaxed and not rushed when feeding
your baby. It should be a pleasurable experience for both of you.
Some babies are gulpers and will eat quickly while others take their
time. Thus, there is no set length of time for feeding. There is also
no set amount to feed your baby each time. If the baby sleeps or is
quiet for three or more hours between feedings and is gaining weight,
then she is getting enough. It is usually not necessary to offer the
baby any solid foods until she is four to six months of age. All nutrients,
short of vitamins which we will prescribe for you, are supplied in
breast milk and formula.
8. ACTIVITY
Some newborn babies sleep 20-hours a day while others sleep only
12. Some babies are extremely active and constantly kick, flail their
arms and legs, and cry, while others lie passively. Some babies will
remain in the position they are placed in while others will scoot
around due to the random movements of their legs and arms. Some babies
like to be swaddled in clothing and blankets while others do not.
Your baby has her own personality from the very start. Enjoy learning
about your baby’s quirks and desires. Make an effort to mold
your baby to make life easier for yourself; however, this is not always
an easy task.
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Chapter: PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS |
