What To Expect During Newborn Care

Newborn care doesn’t have to be complicated. It helps to know what to expect. Dr. Vahid Khajoee at A Plus Pediatrics in Rockville, MD, provides a wide range of pediatric medicine services, including newborn care.

What You Need To Know About Newborn Care

Newborn care begins early with the first newborn exam. This initial exam typically happens within 2 to 5 days of birth. The first newborn exam is a time when the pediatrician will record information to serve as a baseline for future tracking of growth and development. During the initial newborn exam, your pediatrician will:

• Perform a physical examination of your newborn, checking for medical issues or concerns
• Measure and record your baby’s length, weight, and other information
• Answer questions or discuss concerns you have about caring for your newborn
• Administer the first doses of immunizations your newborn needs

After this first newborn exam, subsequent well-baby and well-child visits should be scheduled when your child is 2 weeks, 1,2,4,6,9,15, 18, and 24 months old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

To care for your newborn at home, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Consider:

• When feeding your newborn, plan to feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours if you are breastfeeding, or every 3 to 4 hours if you are feeding your newborn formula
• When putting your newborn down to sleep, always place your baby on their back to sleep, and plan on your newborn sleeping at least 16 hours a day at first
• When changing your newborn, the stool starts black, turning to dark green and then to yellow
• When bathing your newborn, use mild soap and lukewarm water, making sure to carefully clean the folds of skin

Want To Know More About Newborn Care?

To find out more about what to expect during newborn care and how your pediatrician can help, call Dr. Vahid Khajoee at A Plus Pediatrics in Rockville, MD. You can reach him in the office by calling (301) 284-1234, so call today.