Sanchez Pediatrics is here to help with the newest member of your family. Dr. Corazon Sanchez and our pediatric staff need special attention and the most delicate care. Read the most frequent questions we get asked about newborn care in Port Deposit, Rising Sun, and Essex, MD, and contact us today to make an appointment for your newborn.
How Do I Handle a Newborn?
Always wash or disinfect your hands and arms before handling a newborn. Handwashing is especially important for protecting newborns who have not been vaccinated. Always support the baby's head and neck when handling them, and always be gentle. Never shake a baby, even if you are trying to wake them up from sleeping.
How Do I Breastfeed?
Nursing should occur about every three hours. You follow a schedule so your baby eats enough, but breastfeeding can be a challenge and it is normal if it takes a while for you and your baby to develop good habits and a healthy routine. When you need help with newborn care in Port Deposit, Rising Sun, or Essex, MD, we can provide more guidance for any nursing problems.
How Do I Bathe a Newborn?
Your newborn's first baths will be sponge baths. Sponge bath them until the umbilical cord has fallen off or the circumcision has healed. When you start bathing in a tub, use lukewarm water and wash your baby gently with soft washcloths and only with cleansers made for babies. You can wash the baby 2 or 3 times a week, but any more bathing than that can dry out their sensitive skin.
When Do I Call the Pediatrician?
When you need help with newborn care in Essex, MD, you can reach out to your pediatrician whenever you have a concern about your baby. The newborn will have scheduled visits with the pediatrician a few days after being home from the hospital, and then at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months.
For a newborn, fevers above 100.4 degrees are cause for alarm and you should call your doctor. Also, if the baby stops eating, develops a rash, the skin or whites of their eyes turn yellow, or if the baby can't be consoled, call us.
Newborn Care Now
Dr. Corazon Sanchez of Sanchez Pediatrics helps you care for your newborn and manage being a new parent. For help with newborn care in Port Deposit, Rising Sun, and Essex, MD, contact us for an appointment at (410) 642-9172.