NEWBORN AND INFANT CARE

Newborn Baby Care in Jumeirah, Dubai

At your first pediatrician’s visit after birth, your pediatrician will ask questions related to your pregnancy, prenatal care, delivery, illnesses in the family and will perform a full, detailed, head-to-toe physical exam on your baby to make sure he/she is well. The doctor will also record the baby’s weight, length and head circumference at birth in order to track his/her growth. He will make sure the newborn baby has already received the full care at birth including vitamin K injection, eye ointment, hepatitis B vaccination, and that he underwent a hearing screening test and a blood test called the neonatal screening. He will also counsel you on the following:

• Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life provides ideal nutrition, supports best growth and development of the newborn baby. The pediatrician will also provide support with breastfeeding technique.
• How to recognize signs of hunger and fullness, develop feeding routine, adequate weight gain = 6-8 wet diapers a day.
• Creating nurturing routines: physical contact (holding, carrying, rocking) helps the newborn baby feel secure. Both parents can also perform “skin-to-skin,” holding your newborn against your own skin while feeding or cradling.
• Proper sleeping position: put baby to sleep on back; do not use loose, soft bedding, have baby sleep in his own crib in your room.
• Car seat: all babies should be in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat. Baby must remain in car safety seat at all times during travel.
• Keep a smoke-free environment at home and in baby’s surroundings.
• Skin care: use fragrance-free soap/lotion, avoid powders, avoid direct sunlight. Change diaper frequently to prevent diaper rash. When wiping a girl, wipe her bottom from front to back to avoid a urinary tract infection. After cleaning the area with mild soap and water or a wipe, apply a diaper rash or “barrier” cream. Creams with zinc oxide are preferred because they form a barrier against moisture.
• Umbilical cord care: spray 70% alcohol on the base twice daily until the stump falls off, keep the diaper below to allow “air drying”. Call the doctor in case of any redness or foul-smelling discharge.
• Wash your hands often.
• Avoid contact with other people with colds/flu. Any fever in a baby below 3 months of age is an emergency, do not give any medicine and inform your pediatrician right away or go to the clinic or emergency room immediately.
• Make sure that the mom of the newborn is getting enough help and is not exhausted.

To know more about newborn baby and infant care at SHAMMA Clinic in Jumeirah, Dubai contact our Pediatrician today.