The Importance of Newborn Care

When you have a newborn, you might be a little uneasy about how to care for your baby. Your pediatrician can help. Dr. Julie Tomberlin in Mansfield, TX, provides comprehensive pediatric services for children of all ages, including newborns.

What You Need To Know About Newborn Care

The immune system of a newborn is not as well developed as that of an adult. This makes your newborn more susceptible to illness. That’s one of the reasons why frequent, regular visits with a pediatrician for newborn care are so important.

The first newborn care visit often occurs within the first 2 to 5 days of birth. At this first visit, the pediatrician will administer first doses of some vaccines, and perform a comprehensive physical examination. The physical examination is vital to providing baseline information, which will be used to track your baby’s growth and development over time. The pediatrician will measure and record your baby’s weight, height, and other information.

In between visits, there are a few simple tips you need to know about newborn care. You need to know about:

• Feeding, because your newborn will want to feed every 2 to 3 hours if you are breastfeeding, or every 3 to 4 hours if your baby is on formula
• Sleeping, because your newborn will want to sleep most of the day, or at least 16 hours in the first few weeks
• Placement, because you should always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, to make breathing easier
• Bathing, because you shouldn’t bathe your baby too often, to prevent dry skin, and only use mild soap and lukewarm water

It’s important to take care of yourself too, so you can take care of your newborn. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends and family members.

Want To Know More About Newborn Care?

To learn more about the importance of newborn care and how your pediatrician can help you and your newborn, call Dr. Julie Tomberlin in Mansfield, TX. You can reach her in the office by calling (682) 518-8111, so call today.