First Baby Meal

Keep your baby warm. The tummy, palms and soles of the baby must be as warm as the mother’s tummy. Wrap the baby appropriately and keep the room temperature at around 28 degree Celsius. Swaddle if necessary. Some babies may not like swaddling!

Feed the baby as frequently as needed. Initially, the baby may need feeds every 1 to 2 hours. Burp the baby well after feeding.

Exclusive breast feeding is recommended until 6 months of age. Direct breast feeding (rather than bottle feeding or spoon feeding) increases milk production in the mother and propagates mother-baby bonding, satisfaction and happiness. Hence don’t be in a hurry to buy breast pumps and feeding bottles. Unless indicated, please do not express milk and feed with bottle. Formula feeding must be given only after your paediatrician has assessed the baby and then has ascertained the need to give that. This is in long term interest.

Baby can be bathed as needed. It is preferable to bathe the baby once the cord falls and the umbilical area becomes dry. Use only mild soap for bathing. It may be preferable to bathe only with plain warm water in the first few weeks. Do not use bathing powders, turmeric, scrubs, milk, curd or any other substance for bathing. Bathing twice a week in the first 2-3 months is more than enough.

Baby can be massaged after 2-3 weeks of age. Gentle massaging must be done. Pure coconut oil or any vegetable oil can be used. For hair, only coconut oil must be used.

Cord area (umbilicus/navel) must be kept dry and preferably uncovered. The cord will fall in 7 to 15 days after birth. Do not apply any cream, antibiotic powder, turmeric, alcohol or betadine to that area.

Do not give honey to the baby until one year of age.

Do not expose the baby to common smoking practices like sambrani. Keep away from passive smoking. It is better parents quit smoking at this point in life!

Use any baby detergent to wash clothes. Best practice is to soak the clothes in hot water and brush, followed by drying under sunlight. Iron the clothes after drying if sunlight is not present. Can use shampoo instead of detergent.

Talk to your baby, put her against your skin on chest or tummy as much as possible and cuddle her well.... for good bonding and healthy parenting. Even father and grandparents can do this.

Call your pediatrician in case the baby appears sick, is cranky for more than 2 hours, is vomiting excessively, has frequent loose stools, is feeling cold to touch, has skipped more than 2 feeds in a row, is dull, has a shrill cry, is bluish, pale or yellow, has rash, has abnormal movements or is not responding well.

Can use disposable diapers or cloth diapers. Use petroleum jelly in the diaper area before applying diaper to prevent rash.

Care of mother: Mother must take a balanced diet. She must take lots of liquids. She must be in a calm environment and must not be given any stress. Poor nutrition, poor liquid intake and stress decrease milk production. It is important for the mother to sleep well. Power naps during the day are very important. Mid-night snacks may be needed.

Care of nipples: Nipples get cracked frequently, especially in first time mothers. The most common cause is inappropriate latching. Hence learn the correct latching technique. Do not apply any soap to the nipples. Use nipple creams to prevent cracks. Moisturise with mother’s milk itself. Wipe off creams/ointments before feeding the baby.

Care of breast engorgement: Breast engorgement can occur on 2nd or 3rd day. It can be prevented by frequent feeding and gentle massage of breasts before feeding. Hot fomentation before feeding and cold pack after feeding decreases engorgement.

Breast feeding tips: Feed on both the sides in the first few days. The initial milk is colostrum and only few drops may be available and that should be sufficient for the baby. Complete feeding on one side and then only shift to the other side. The fore milk is rich in carbohydrate and the hind milk is rich in fat and protein. Hence both types of milk must be given to the baby. Use any position of feeding that is comfortable for you. Give rest to your back while feeding. Leaking is not a sign of excess milk. It only means that the reflexes are good.

Vitamin K injection is given to all babies at birth to prevent newborn bleeding disorders.

Cord Blood Group is done at birth. There can be 0.1% false result in any blood grouping methods. Hence it is recommended to repeat blood grouping at any later date, preferably after 1 year of age.

BCG, OPV and Hepatitis B vaccines are given before the baby is discharged home. Refer to the vaccine cart for the same.

TSH and newborn Screening are recommended blood tests and can be done on follow up within one month of age.

Mild jaundice, nose block, milk rash, peeling of skin, bleeding from vagina in girl babies, early morning sneezing, mild regurgitation of feeds, hiccups and jittery movements may be normal in your newborn. However, consult your paediatrician in case they appear to be in excess.