What To Do During the Neonatal Period & How To Take Care of a Newborn Baby?
What is neonatal period?
Neonatal period refers to the first 28 days, starting from the birth of an infant considered as the most vulnerable period for the infant’s survival. This is so because an infant’s chances of death in the first 4 weeks of life is almost 15 times greater than at any other time within the first year. Studies and experiences show at three quarters of all newborn deaths occur in the first week of life; our specialists at Yashoda Hospital’s Centre for Neonatology & Pediatrics consider the first 7 days as the most crucial for any baby’s survival.
To avoid any complication and provide your baby the best care, it is most important for the new mothers to understand the significance of this period. To do so, Yashoda Hospital is here to help you be aware of what to do and what not to do during the neonatal period.
What must you do during neonatal period & how?
Here are some of the most important factors which you must consider to prepare for your new-born’s care:
Where to acquire the best care?
The first step towards a sound neonatal period is to ensure that the place of birth is equipped with necessary neonatal intensive care facilities and services so that any case of emergency can be handled, thereby avoiding any risk to the baby’s survival during the neonatal transfer.
Whom to trust?
From the very onset of labour for delivery, during the birth and after birth, highly trained paediatricians must be present throughout the process since this involves the first critical step, i.e., ‘initiation of respiration’. The doctor attending to you must be trained in neonatal resuscitation to ensure that best care is given to condition the baby’s temperature, detect any birth defects to eliminate and initiate the first crucial breastfeeding.
What are the basic knowhows after the birth?
Except in the case of abnormal conditions regarding your or your newborn’s health, our experts recommend breastfeeding to be the first and sole means of feeding the newborn and avoid any prelacteal feeds during the first week. There is no need to worry about any neonatal complications since our entire staff will assist you throughout your stay in the hospital, from breastfeeding to your safe discharge after your child’s birth. Breastfeeding hours will vary depending upon the baby’s demand; it is recommended every 2-3 hours since adequate feeding ensures the baby’s intake of sufficient nutrients to boost its immunity and growth.
Signs of a healthy and sufficient breastfeeding include 3-4 times urination every 24 hours; passing of stool within the first day and demand for feeding at regular intervals. The baby must be constantly monitored for any abnormal changes such as skin colour, body temperature, movements, sleep pattern, unusual alteration in his/her appetite and any kind of parental worries must be shared with the concerned doctor so that we can eliminate any source of neonatal problems. As a mother, you must be confident with breastfeeding and all necessary tests for infections and neonatal illnesses must be done before
leaving the hospital.
How can you give your baby the best care at home?
Our specialists recommend the following conditions to be maintained for your baby’s best care:
– Keep the room temperature constant between 77–78-degree Fahrenheit
– Check your baby’s body temperature from time to time
– Use of AC/cooler/fan can be done as long as the ideal temperature ismaintained
– Keep your baby away from cold air keeping its body warm
Risk factors
Although factors that cause problems for newborns may vary depending upon the case, our specialists have listed some of the most significant ones that must be kept in mind to avoid complications:
-Loss of weight: The odds of death are higher in case of infants with very low birth weight or undergoing abnormal loss of weight.
– Dehydration: Insufficient feeding may lead to weight loss as well as loss of immunity.
– Full term babies lose about 10% weight while pre-term may lose up to 15% weight during the first 7-10 days of life after which they may regain weight by 10-15 gm per day. The failure to do so will require you to ask for a specialist’ consultation.
– Weak immunity: Any sign of infection in the newborn must not be ignored. Don’t neglect breastfeeding since this is the best source of immunity and nutrition during the neonatal period.
– Other health issues: This may include common illness like jaundice and diaper rash. A frequent evaluative session with the concerned specialists is recommended at all times.
Dos & Don’ts
– Only breast milk must be given during the neonatal period
– Babies must be dressed appropriately depending upon the weather, the baby’s body must never be exposed
– Do not panic when babies pass yellowish, watery stools
– Do no worry when babies pass urine 8-10 times a day or sleep for 3-4 hours
– Bathe the baby only after the umbilical cord falls and heals
– Avoid daily baths, using kajal or powder in the first week
– Vaccinate the baby in case of any illness, by consulting your specialist
Whom to consult?
With our hospital furnished with all the must-have facilities at the most advanced level for neonatal intensive care and service, and our neonatologists highly experienced in new-born care, Yashoda’s Centre for Neonatology & Paediatrics is ever ready to help you and your new-born and give you the best care during your first 28-days of new-born care.
For any query on neonatal period and new-born care, please reach out to us on our official website www.yashodahealthcare.com or book an appointment with our most experienced child specialists.
Dr. Ashish Prakash, Dr. Arun Kumar, Dr.(Maj.) Sachin Kumar Dubey and Dr. Karan Raheja by calling us on 09810922042.
