Proper care in the newborn period is a process that has important effects on the baby's overall health. For this reason, new parents are experiencing serious anxiety. The environment and personal care of the newborn baby is very important. The first 28-day period after birth is considered the newborn period of the baby. During the newborn period covering the first 1 month of the baby, you need information such as breastfeeding, change diaper, umbilical care, skin care and bath.
What should be the room temperature where the newborn baby is located?
Heat control has not yet developed in the newborn baby. Since the baby's skin surface is very wide compared to body weight, heat loss is very fast. In order to prevent the body temperature from falling, the ambient temperatures appropriate for the baby's weight should be determined, especially during the first hours and days. The room temperature suitable for a newborn who was born healthy in time and over 3 kg is between 22 – 24 degrees. In cases where the ambient temperature exceeds 25 degrees, the baby should be dressed less because newborns do not sweat and the most important reason for fever is to overwrap or lay close to the heaters.
How often should the baby be breastfed? How is its adequacy understood?
Breastfeeding is the safest method to meet all the basic needs of the newborn babies. The baby should be breastfed whenever he / she requests, provided that it starts within the first hour after birth. If the baby does not suck for a long time in the first week of adaptation, s/he should be awakened every 3-4 hours for breastfeeding. This is important both to speed up the mother’s milk flow and to protect the baby from jaundice. It can be understood by the amount of urine and feces that the newborn baby is fed enough. Babies who receive enough breast milk make yellow, soft consistency and even juicy poop. The daily stool of a newborn baby can range from 1 to 10. This condition should not be perceived as diarrhea.
What are the points to be considered in the skin care of the newborn baby?
Since the baby’s largest organ is her/his skin, it is important for mothers to care for skin care and hygiene. The skin of newborn babies is very sensitive and thin. Their skin can be easily damaged. Impaired skin integrity creates a risk of infection for the baby. Especially in the days following the birth, the baby's skin may become dry, scaly and peel off. It is appropriate to use moisturizing baby oil or lotions for newborn babies in this period. Baby oils can be applied to wet skin to provide proper moisturization. Garments that come into direct contact with the baby’s skin should be selected from cotton fabrics and detergent should not be used for cleaning the baby’s laundry.
When should the first bath of the newborn baby be made?
Bath takes an important place in baby care. Healthy newborn babies can have a bath in the first 24 hours, depending on the environment they were born. Babies can have a bath at home everyday or every other day. It is appropriate to take a bath under boiled and cooled running water until the baby’s umbilical cord falls. Normal bathing can be done in the bathtub 2 or 3 days after the umbilical cord falls. Bath water temperature should be at the baby’s body temperature (36 – 37 degrees), ambient temperature 24 – 25 degrees. All items should be prepared before the bath and the baby’s heat loss should be prevented. If the bath is done before breastfeeding, it will be safer for the baby in terms of vomit. Especially in restless babies, afternoon baths can provide a more comfortable night. Shampoo or soaps to be used in the bathroom should not be applied directly to the baby, but should be transferred to the baby with a sponge or foam. This makes it easy to rinse. Care should be taken to ensure that the baby’s skin and especially the folds are well dry after bathing, to prevent rash and irritation.
What are the points to be considered when changing diapers?
The baby's diaper should be changed frequently in order to prevent redness and rash on the diaper area, especially the contact time with the poop should not be extended. It is essential to clean with the water and dry the folds very well. While cleaning the genital area of the female babies, it is necessary to prevent contamination of the poop in the urethra by cleaning from front to back. Olive oil or baby oils can be applied to the diaper area as a protector. If rash occurs, treatment with zinc cream is suitable.
How should belly care be performed in newborn babies?
The umbilical care make with 70% alcohol or mycollet solution until the umbilical cord is dried and separated. Cord tissue is painless. Care should be continued for 1-2 days after the umbilical cord has fallen, if there is a leak, discharge or bleeding, consult a doctor.
When is the nail of a newborn baby cut?
The nails of newborn babies are very soft. Since the baby can scratch him/herself for the first 2 months due to the catch reflex, it is appropriate to wear gloves until the nails are cut. In the first month, the nails that grow mostly often tear off as if they are torn by themselves. After the first month, it is appropriate to cut the nails while the baby is asleep.
How to take care of newborn baby’s eyes?
Eyes care of babies is of great importance in the first months. It is very important for the eyes health of the baby that the parents take care of hand cleaning before taking care of the baby. If burrs occur in the eyes of the newborn baby, the eyes are wiped with boiled and cooled water. In case of continuing discharge, a doctor should be consulted for narrowing of the tear duct or infection.