Whether you're a brand new parent or you're going through the process of bringing another beautiful bundle of joy into your home, it's important that you're educated on the proper care of new born babies. Learn the basics of baby care from the qualified pediatricians at Champions Pediatric Associates in Spring, Texas.
The Newborn Is Here!
Having a new born baby in your home can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You may feel as if you have to watch his or her every move. Well, it is important that you keep a close eye on the child to ensure his or her healthy development—even if it’s just days or weeks after leaving the hospital.
Caring for Your New Born
There are a number of daily duties that you’ll have to get used to as the proud parent of a newborn, but there are a few that are imperative to the proper growth and development of your young baby. These are:
- Feeding. It is highly recommended that you feed new born babies breast milk during the first six months of their life with store-bought formula as a second runner up. The nutrients in breast milk are designed by Mother Nature to give your baby exactly what his or her little body needs. It is common for a baby to demand food every two or three hours.
- Diaper changings. Bowel movements will be frequent in the first month or so after birth, then become more management. It’s important to keep the baby clean and dry to avoid diaper rash and also to monitor the color of the stool and let your Spring TX pediatrician know ASAP if anything looks strange.
- Sleep patterns. New born babies sleep twice as long as adult humans—up to 17 hours per day—but sporadically. It’s important that you lay the baby on his back to avoid problems. Report any sleeping problems to your Spring pediatrician immediately.
Pediatric Care
In addition to caring for your baby at home, it's important that you keep up with early appointments with your Spring pediatrician. It’s recommended that new born babies see a doctor within a few days after leaving the hospital delivery room. After that, keep up with well-visits throughout the initial two years: one, two, four, six, nine, 18 and 24 months.
Your Baby's First Doctor
Make it a priority to see your baby's new doctor soon after the birth for his or her first appointment. The pediatricians at Champions Pediatric Associates in Spring, TX are passionate about caring for new born babies to ensure their ongoing health and wellness.