CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ARRIVAL!

Transcription

1 Baby Basics Birth 3months CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ARRIVAL! :) Have babies ready to be checked. Prepare to (correctly) fill out your birth certificate

2 Baby Journal Guidelines Each parent must have two entries each for a total of four entries. Single parents only have to write two entries total. Each entry must cover a full 24 hours in the life of your baby. The time you start your journal entry does not matter, as long as the last entry is the same time the next day Ex. If you begin at 8am, the last entry must be 8am the next day (in order to receive full credit) Outline of entries: Entry 1; choose Month 1, 2, or 3 Entry 2; choose Month 4, 5, or 6 Entry 3; choose Month 7, 8, or 9 Entry 4; choose Month 10, 11, or 12

3 Baby Journal Guidelines Each day in class we will discuss the proper care for you baby at a specific age/stage In order to be eligible to receive full credit, your daily journal of childcare must include the following care in each entry: Feeding schedule Sleep schedule Diaper-changing schedule Bathing schedule Nurturing activities Playing activities Doctor s visitations Teaching activities Monthly Milestones

4 Baby Journal Guidelines Month 2 Day 15 this heading is very important for grading! Time Childcare 9:00 am Baby wakes up crying mommy goes in to check on her 9:05 am Mommy changes baby s diaper (wet very full, too!) 9:10 am Mommy breastfeeds baby, burps her, switches breasts, burps her again. 9:45 am Mommy rocks with baby in the rocking chair, singing her favorite songs 10:00 am Baby is sleeping; Mommy puts her in the bouncer so she can take a shower **This is only a partial example! Each day/month will require different information!**

5 Bathing, Feeding, Diapering, and More NEW BABY BASICS

6 Newborn Basics - Feeding Parents need to decide whether to breastfeed or bottle-feed before the baby is born. Breast milk provides the best nutrition for a baby and helps build stronger immunity to illness. Other benefits to breastfeeding: Reduced rate of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Free and convenient Skin to skin contact/soothing Decreases chances of breast cancer for mother Mother burns calories quicker = loses weight quicker Uterus returns to normal size quicker The AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) recommends that babies are breastfed for the first 6 months, however, ANY breast milk is beneficial. Infant Formula is the alternative to breastfeeding. Formula is scientifically developed to mimic the biological performance of breast-fed infants.

7 Newborn Basics - Feeding Whether feeding formula or breastfeeding, it is recommended that newborn babies are fed on demand whenever they seem hungry. How often? All newborns need to be fed every 2-3 hours (even through the night). How long? Breastfed babies usually nurse minutes on each breast. How much? In the first month, formula fed babies take about 2-3 ounces at each feeding which takes minutes. By 3 months, formula fed babies take about 4-5 ounces every 3-4 hours about 6 times a day (24-30 oz.). Since babies swallow air during feedings, babies need to burped to release gas and reduce fussiness. Babies should be burped in between and at the end of a feeding session. Newborn babies should be kept in an upright position minutes after a feeding to avoid spitting up that means tummy time right after feeding would be a BAD idea! **A good rule of thumb: CHANGE, then FEED!**

8 Newborn Basics Sleep Newborn babies sleep an average of hours a day it is just broken up into 1 hour here, 2 or 3 there, over a 24-hour period. Newborns generally do not sleep more than 3-4 hours at a time. (why?) During the first weeks, babies will probably wake up 6 to 8 times every 24 hours, and go back to sleep almost immediately after feeding. Babies DO NOT sleep through the night for at least another month. Newborns should be placed only on their backs when sleeping this greatly reduces the rate of SIDS. No soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals should be in a crib or bassinet ** sleeping through the night means sleeping for 5 uninterrupted hours between 11pm and 8am**

9 Newborn Basics Sleep Many babies (about 40%) sleep through the night at the age of 2 months, and most do so by 3 months. Remember sleeping through the night means sleeping for 5 uninterrupted hours between 11pm and 8am. You can facilitate the process by: feeding the baby more frequently during the day-time (wake them if they nap more than 3 hours) beginning a bedtime routine: Ex. bathtime, pj s, feeding, lullaby keep stimulations to a minimum when they awaken for wee-hour feedings (low lights, no talking or TV)

10 Newborn Basics Diapering Parents have a choice between cloth or disposable diapers. Whichever you choose, the baby will dirty diapers about times a day (at least 6 wet per 24 hours). Breastfed babies sometimes go days without a BM. Zinc-based ointments are used to prevent or heal diaper rash it is not necessary for every diaper change. The umbilical cord will fall off within the first 2 weeks of birth, therefore, it is important to keep the area clean and infection free! If you have a newborn baby boy, you must take similar precautions for a circumcision for the first two weeks apply ointment at every diaper change and make sure the area remains infection free! In your journal, please indicate W or BM for each diaper change! **Remember the rule of thumb CHANGE, then FEED!**

11 Newborn Basics Bathing A newborn only needs to be bathed 2 or 3 times a week during the first year a newborn s skin is very delicate and dries out easily. You should only give sponge baths during the first 2 weeks or until the umbilical cord falls off. After the umbilical cord falls off (and the circumcision has healed for a baby boy), you can then bathe the baby in a basin filled with no more than 2 inches of warm water. Lotions and powders are not recommended for newborns because they may irritate a baby s delicate skin. Bathing should be part of the bedtime routing (soothing effects) morning baths are not recommended.

12 Newborn Basics Bonding/Soothing Bonding occurs during the sensitive time in the first days after birth children thrive from having a parent who loves them unconditionally. Bonding is as easy as swaddling and cradling a newborn and rubbing them in different patterns some babies even respond well to infant massage. It is also important to get as much skin to skin contact as possible, whether it be during a feeding or just relaxing on the couch. Other ways to bond with and soothe a newborn: vocal sounds, such as talking, reading, and singing listen to music be weary of volume control! baby rattles and musical mobiles rocking in a chair or swaying as you stand with a swaddled baby martini shaker technique bouncers or baby swings/rockers go for a stroller or car ride Pacifiers are often used to soothe newborns it is recommended that they are not used after 6 months.

13 Baby Basics Doctor s Visits Babies receive vaccines and other tests at the following ages: 2-3 days 2 weeks 1 month 2 months 4 months 6 months 9 months 1 year References: Kidshealth.org A Guide for First-Time Parents Yourbabytoday.com Your Baby s first Taste of Solid Foods

14 Baby Basics Milestones (1mo.) 1-month-old babies usually range from inches and pounds. This month, your baby may be able to: Lift her head slightly as her neck muscles strengthen, a.k.a TUMMY TIME! (NOT after feedings!) Blink at a bright light as eyesight improves Visually follow an object 6 inches from the face (high-contrast color such as black and white are the best!) Grip your finger when you stroke her palm Recognize familiar sounds and voices by turning her head toward them Recognize you by scent (she can smell your milk, if you are breastfeeding)

15 Baby Basics Milestones (2mo.) 2-month-old babies usually range from inches and pounds. They are becoming more alert and may begin to smile or coo to communicate preferences and emotions. Half of all babies by now can recognize their parents but remember there s no strict schedule for development every baby develops differently. This month, your baby may be able to: Respond to loud sounds by becoming completely silent, crying or acting startled Make cooing sounds Move head or eyes towards the sound of your voice, showing that recognition Raise her chest and head using her arms for support while lying on her tummy Focus on very small objects and track them with her eyes What you can do: Read or sing to her this face-to-face play will help you bond and will help your child learn about herself and the world around her Get down on a blanket on the floor with your baby and play

16 Baby Basics Milestones (3mo.) 3-month-old babies usually range from inches and pounds. The third month is a time of incredible growth and psychological development. She s probably not quite as fussy now that she feels safe in this new environment. This month, your baby may be able to: Bring her hands together and reach for nearby objects Consciously unfold her tight fists Suck on her fingers as she continues to explore her environment with her mouth Maintain eye contact Perceive color differences more clearly Turn toward the sound of your familiar voice What you can do: Talk, sing, hum, play music, and read to your baby. Speak to your baby in what pediatricians and psychologists call motherese happy-sounding high-pitched tones with lots of repetition. Avoid the distortion or mispronunciation of words ( Does ooka-wookums want a widdle ba-ba? ) Instead, encourage everyone to pronounce words clearly!

17 Time to start your first journal entry! (Good luck!)