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Vision Overview When an infant first emerges into the world, his/her eyesight is immature. While the infant can see the form of his/her mother and can tell the difference between light and dark, the ability to focus has not been developed. Monitoring your child's ability to see is an important part of the health of your growing child. Facts about vision problems: More than one in 20 million preschoolers have vision problems of a type that can lead to vision loss if not treated. More than 12.1 million, o...

At Work Breastfeeding at work: When you return to work, plan to get up a little earlier than usual to allow time to breastfeed your baby before leaving for work. Many mothers find they maintain milk production more easily if they breastfeed before showering or getting ready for work and then breastfeed again just before leaving the baby with the care provider. If possible develop a pumping routine based on when the baby would normally breastfeed, especially when first returning to work. However, you, yo...

Behavior Changes A change in behavior may be one of the first signs of illness in a newborn. Although a baby's activity level, appetite, and cries normally vary from day to day, even hour to hour, a distinct change in any of these areas may signal illness. Generally, if your baby is alert and active when awake, is feeding well, and can be comforted when crying, occasional differences in these areas are normal. Consult your baby's physician if you have concerns about your baby's behavior. Some behavior c...

Birth Injuries What is a birth injury? Occasionally during the birth process, the baby may suffer a physical injury that is simply the result of being born. This is sometimes called birth trauma or birth injury. What causes birth injury? A difficult birth or injury to the baby can occur because of the baby's size or the position of the baby during labor and delivery. Conditions that may be associated with a difficult birth include, but are not limited to, the following: large babies - birthweight over a...

Breast Milk Collection and Storage There are general guidelines for breast milk collection and storage for the healthy baby. They may be used when obtaining milk via a breast pump for occasional "relief" feedings or when collecting milk during regular separation from the baby, such as during work or school days. The mother obtaining milk for an occasional relief feeding may want to consider learning the simple skill of hand expression. Generally, it is as effective as using a breast pump - some mothers ...

Breast Milk Expression Most mothers who plan to continue breastfeeding will need to express their breast milk during the work or school day if away from the baby for more than three or four hours. They also may want to obtain milk to store for feedings by the care provider. Continued, routine breast milk expression is important to maintain adequate milk production during the time spent away from your baby. Listed in the directory below is some information regarding breast milk expression, for which we h...

Breast Milk Expression - Helpful Equipment Which breast pumps are best to use? In most cases, mothers will need to rent or purchase an appropriate breast pump to help empty the breasts and maintain adequate milk production. It is important to use the right kind of pump when frequent milk expression is necessary. Also, not all breast pumps are alike. Hospital-grade, electric breast pumps are the only pumps built for frequent and prolonged milk expression to maintain full milk production. These pumps auto...

Breastfeeding and Returning To Work For a mother who is breastfeeding and returning to work, special preparation is needed. Listed in the directory are some considerations to make as you return to work, for which we have provided a brief overview. Maternity Leave Your Workplace Childcare Introducing a Bottle Breast Milk Expression

Breastfeeding Difficulties - Baby As with some mothers, some babies may have difficulty with breastfeeding. Listed in the directory below is some information regarding breastfeeding difficulties for babies, for which we have provided a brief overview. Ineffective Latch-On or Sucking Slow or Poor Infant Weight Gain Mismanaged Breastfeeding Over-Active Let-Down

Breastfeeding Difficulties - Mother Learning to breastfeed may be easy for some women, while more difficult for others. Listed in the directory below is some information regarding breastfeeding difficulties for mothers, for which we have provided a brief overview. Sore Nipples Insufficient or Delayed Milk Production Low Milk Production Flat or Inverted Nipples Plugged Milk Ducts Mastitis

Breathing Problems What might breathing problems indicate in a newborn? Babies breathe much faster than older children and adults. A newborn's normal breathing rate is about 40 times each minute. This may slow to 20 to 40 times per minute when the baby is sleeping. The pattern of breathing in a baby may also be different. A baby may breathe fast several times, then have a brief rest for less than 10 seconds, then breathe again. This is often called periodic breathing and is a normal occurrence. Babies n...

Childcare Deciding among childcare options is a particularly tough decision for many mothers, especially for a first child. In some instances, the child's parents arrange work schedules so that one or the other is available to stay home with the baby. Others are able to ask a grandparent or other trusted family member to provide care. When neither is possible, you will want to select a childcare provider who is supportive of your efforts to breastfeed. Another consideration is the convenience of the loc...

Common Procedures There are several common procedures that help to provide immediate care for your newborn. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Eye Prophylaxis/Vitamin K Injection Newborn Screening Tests Newborn Immunizations Childhood Immunizations Hearing Screening Tests

Diapers / Diaper Rash What is diapering? An essential part of every baby's care is diapering. Until a child is toilet-trained, usually by 3 years of age, diapers are used to collect urine and bowel movements. It is estimated that a baby uses six to ten diapers each day - this translates to about 2,000 to 3,000 diapers each year. With so many diaper changes, parents want to know how to make this task quicker and easier. Generally, there are two choices - cloth or disposable, and each type has advantages ...

Eye Prophylaxis / Vitamin K Injection What is eye prophylaxis? Eye drops or ointment containing an antibiotic medication are placed in a newborn's eyes after birth. This is required by law to protect the baby from an unknown gonorrhea infection in the mother's body. Antibiotics are used in most hospitals. Another preparation, called silver nitrate, is sometimes used. The ointment or drops may cause a baby's eyes to appear cloudy and some newborns' eyes may become very irritated with redness or swelling....

Fever in A Newborn Adults have a tightly controlled thermostat to help regulate their body temperature. When cold, an adult shivers, helping to raise the temperature of the body. Sweating occurs when an adult is overheated, to allow for cooling. These mechanisms, on the other hand, are not completely developed in newborns. In addition, newborns lack the insulating fat layer that older babies and children develop. Because a newborn's temperature regulation system is immature, fever may or may not occur w...

Gestational Assessment What is a gestational assessment? Assessing a baby's physical maturity is an important part of care. Maturity assessment is helpful in meeting a baby's needs if the dates of a pregnancy are uncertain. For example, a very small baby may actually be more mature than it appears by size, and may need different care than a premature baby. An examination called the Dubowitz/Ballard Examination for Gestational Age is often used. A baby's gestational age often can be closely estimated usi...

Getting Ready Breastfeeding preparedness before returning to work: About two weeks before you return to work, start pumping or expressing milk for storage to use once you return to work. Initially, pump once a day. Early pumping sessions help your body learn to "let-down" to a pump, allowing you to store milk that the care provider can feed to your baby. Many mothers find the best time to pump is in the morning when milk production tends to be greater. Pump approximately one hour after you have breastfe...

Getting Ready at Home Preparing for a new baby does not have to be an overwhelming experience. Experienced parents have learned that newborn babies need just some basic items at first - a warm and safe place to sleep, food, clothing, and diapers. Many baby stores offer a gift registry service so that you can list the items you prefer for others to consider when buying a baby gift. Although there are many baby products now available, listed below are the essential items you will want to have ready for yo...

Getting to Know Your New Baby After all the months of waiting and dreaming, it is exciting when your baby is finally born. But it takes time and effort for parents to get to know their newborn, and time for the newborn to adjust to the new world. Getting to know your new baby is part of a fascinating but relatively simple process called bonding, in which you essentially "fall in love" with each other. Although bonding is a natural process, it takes effort. Some ways to help make this process easier incl...

Glossary - Normal Newborn | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [back to top] acne neonatorum (baby acne) - pimples on newborn skin common in the first month. Apgar test - A scoring system to evaluate the condition of the newborn immediately after birth. areola - the pigmented (darkened) ring around each nipple. B [back to top] bilirubin - substance formed when red blood cells break do...

Hearing Screening Tests According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), almost 12,000 babies are born each year in the United States with a hearing impairment. It is estimated that serious hearing loss occurs in about two to three of every 1,000 newborns. Without screening or testing, hearing loss may not be noticed until the baby is more than one year old. If hearing loss is not detected until later years, there will not be stimulation of the brain's hearing centers. This can affect the maturatio...

Topic Index Preparing for Your New Baby Baby's Care After Birth Newborn Care Newborn Appearance Normal Newborn Behaviors and Activities Bathing and Skin Care Umbilical Cord Care Diapers/Diaper Rash Circumcision Getting to Know Your New Baby Breastfeeding Your Baby Bottle-Feeding Infant Feeding Guide Newborn Complications When to Call Your Physician The New Mother - Taking Care of Yourself After Birth Glossary Today, babies have more opportunities than ever before to grow into healthy children, adolescen...

Hypoglycemia in Infants What is hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is a condition in which the amount of blood glucose (sugar) is lower than normal. Babies who are more likely to develop hypoglycemia include the following: Babies born to diabetic mothers may develop hypoglycemia after delivery when the source of glucose (the mother's blood) is gone and the baby's insulin production uses up the existing glucose. Small for gestational age or growth-restricted babies may have too few glycogen stores. Premature bab...

Ineffective Latch-on or Sucking A baby must be able to effectively remove milk from the breast during breastfeeding if he/she is to obtain enough milk to gain weight and "tell" the breasts to increase or maintain milk production. Therefore, ineffective milk removal can result in poor weight gain due to inadequate intake of milk by the baby, which is then followed by a drop in the amount of milk being produced for the baby. A baby's ability to suck and remove milk may be affected in different ways. Prema...

Infant Feeding Guide Appropriate and healthy feeding of your baby during the first year of life is extremely important. More growth occurs during the first year than at any other time in your child's life. For the first few months, breast milk or formula is all that is needed. As your baby grows, starting a variety of healthy foods at the proper time is important for proper growth and development. And, starting good eating habits at this early stage will help set healthy eating patterns for life. Feedin...

Insufficient or Delayed Milk Production Most mothers worry at some point that they do not have enough milk. A delay in the time when milk "comes in" sometimes occurs in mothers dealing with certain health conditions. Do not wait to get help if milk production is ever a concern. The sooner you intervene, the better. Ask a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and your physician to help you figure out what might be the problem affecting milk production, so that you and your baby can begin to correct it. ...

Introducing a Bottle If baby is to be bottle fed in your absence, introduce the bottle prior to returning to work. It is best to breastfeed a baby exclusively for the first three to four weeks, however. This allows the mother's body to establish a milk production prior to separation from the baby, and it helps to avoid "nipple confusion" between the breast and the artificial nipple. Introducing the bottle for substitute or supplementary feedings prior to four weeks has also been found to contribute to a...

Jaundice What is jaundice? Over half of all newborns develop some amount of jaundice, a yellow coloring in their skin, during the first week. This is usually a temporary condition, but may be a more serious sign of another illness. Jaundice is caused by the breakdown of red blood cells. As the old cells are broken down, hemoglobin is changed into bilirubin and removed by the liver. The build-up of bilirubin in the blood is called hyperbilirubinemia. Because bilirubin has a pigment, or coloring, it cause...

Maternal Nutrition and Breastfeeding A mother's diet while breastfeeding: One of the most frequently asked questions from mothers who are breastfeeding or pumping milk to feed their babies is, "Do I need to be on a special diet?" In most cases, the answer is no. Women who are breastfeeding should eat a well-balanced diet and drink enough liquids. Although shedding those extra pounds gained during pregnancy may be one of your biggest concerns, strict weight-loss programs are not recommended, especially d...

Maternity Leave Many women continue to breastfeed whether their maternity leave of absence lasts four to six weeks, or several months. However, the longer the leave of absence, the longer you will have to recuperate after the birth, establish milk production, and develop a good breastfeeding relationship with your baby. The length of time given for a paid maternity leave of absence varies among companies. Some women extend their maternity leaves by taking additional weeks of unpaid leave. Become aware o...

Measurements Assessing a newborn's weight: A baby's birthweight is an important indicator of health. The average weight for term babies (born between 37 and 41 weeks gestation) is about 7 lbs (3.2 kg). In general, small babies and very large babies are more likely to have problems. Babies are weighed daily in the nursery to assess growth and fluid and nutrition needs. Newborn babies may lose as much as 10 percent of their birthweight. This means that a baby weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces at birth might lose...

Measuring a Baby's Temperature Where should a baby's temperature be taken? Today's digital thermometers make taking a baby's temperature simple, with quick results. For best results in babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends taking the temperature rectally, by placing a thermometer in the baby's anus. This method is accurate and gives a quick reading of the baby's internal temperature. Axillary (underarm) temperature measurements may be used for babies age...

Newborn - Crying What are the crying patterns of a newborn? The first cries of a newborn baby are often music to the ears of parents. However, over the next weeks and months this "music" can become grating and painful. This is especially true when all attempts fail to stop the crying. Surprisingly, crying does not produce tears until after the first month or two. Crying is the way babies communicate. They cry because of hunger, discomfort, frustration, fatigue, and even loneliness. Sometimes, cries can ...

Newborn Appearance What does a newborn look like? Parents often dream of what their new baby may look like, thinking about a pink, round, chubby-cheeked and gurgling wonder. It may be surprising for many parents to see their newborn the first time - wet and red, with a long head, and screaming - nothing at all like they had imagined. Newborns have many variations in normal appearance - from color to the shape of the head. Some of these differences are just temporary, part of the physical adjustments a b...

Newborn Care Listed in the directory below you will find information regarding newborn care. Common Procedures Newborn Health Assessment

Newborn Complications There are several newborn complications that may occur and require clinical care by a physician. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Birth Defects Birth Injuries Jaundice Hypoglycemia Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn Thrush

Newborn Health Assessment Assessing the health of a newborn is very important for detecting any problems in their earliest, most treatable, stages. Listed in the directory below you will find information regarding several newborn health assessments, for which we have provided a brief overview. Measurements Physical Examination Gestational Assessment Newborn Warning Signs

Newborn Immunizations According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine-preventable childhood diseases in the United States are near an all-time low. But, some viruses and bacteria are still active and can cause serious illness. It is important that all children, especially infants and young children, receive recommended immunizations on time. In other countries, many vaccine-preventable diseases are relatively common. Because of travel, these diseases could return to the US, re...

Newborn Warning Signs What warning signs may indicate a problem with a newborn? Your newborn baby is going through many changes in getting used to life in the outside world. Almost always this adjustment goes well, however there are certain warning signs you should watch for. Some general warning signs with newborns include, but are not limited to: no urine in the first 24 hours at home. This can be difficult to assess, especially with disposable diapers. no bowel movement in the first 48 hours. a recta...

Online Resources - Normal Newborn This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. This page contains lin...

Physical Examination of the Newborn A complete physical examination is an important part of newborn care. Each body system is carefully examined for signs of health and normal function. The physician also looks for any signs of illness or birth defects. Physical examination of a newborn often includes assessment of the following: vital signs: temperature - able to maintain stable body temperature 98.6° F (37° C) in normal room environment pulse - normally 120 to160 beats per minute breathing rate - norm...

Preparing for Your New Baby There is a great deal to consider when preparing for the arrival of your new baby. Listed in the directory below are a few decisions to make, for which we have provided a brief overview. Choosing a Pediatrician Getting Ready at Home Preparing the Family

Preparing the Family Preparing for your new baby includes helping other family members adjust. A new baby brings new sounds, new schedules, and new ways of coping for everyone. Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead. Preparing siblings for the arrival of a new baby: A new baby will bring enormous changes to any family, and these changes are often the most difficult for the older brothers and sisters. Child...

Skin Color Changes What might skin color changes indicate in a newborn? The color of a baby's skin can often help identify possible problems in another area of the body. It is important for you to detect and notify your baby's physician if the following skin color changes should occur: increasing yellow color Over half of all newborns develop some amount of jaundice, a yellow coloring in their skin, during the first week. This is usually a temporary condition, but may be a more serious sign of another i...

Storing Your Breast Milk Practical considerations when storing your breast milk: Glass or hard plastic containers are the best storage containers for human milk, especially if it is to be frozen and stored for weeks or months. Special storage bags designed for storage of human milk are available from certain breast pump manufacturers. Freezing may cause the seams of disposable bags created for bottle feeding to split, but double-bagging may prevent this problem. If using bags, squeeze the air from the t...

Taking Care of Your Breast Pump and Collection Kit It is important to maintain the breast pump and pieces used for milk collection in good working order. Read the instruction manual and follow the recommendations for cleaning pump equipment. The pieces that "collect" the milk come apart for individual cleaning. If using an electric pump with collection kit, the pump itself and any tubing portion of the kit should remain dry or they will not work appropriately. (These pieces of equipment do not come in c...

Thawing Breast Milk General guidelines for thawing frozen breast milk: The following are general guidelines for thawing frozen breast milk: The oldest milk should be used first, unless recently expressed milk is recommended. Thaw breast milk by placing the collection container in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. To thaw more quickly or to heat refrigerated milk, hold the container of milk under warm running water or place it in a cup, pot, bowl, or basin of warm water. Do not thaw breast...

The New Mother - Taking Care of Yourself After Birth Taking care of yourself after birth: The postpartum period begins after the delivery of the baby and ends when the mother's body has returned as closely as possible to its pre-pregnant state. This period usually lasts six to eight weeks. The postpartum period involves the mother progressing through many changes, both emotionally and physically, while learning how to deal with all the changes and adjustments required with becoming a new mother. The pos...

Thrush What is thrush? Thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth and throat of babies. It occurs in 2 to 5 percent of babies and is more common in premature babies. Thrush is usually caused by the organism Candida albicans, a common organism in adults. Babies usually contract the organism from the mother's body during delivery and may develop thrush as early as 2 weeks old. The yeast is common in the environment. It only causes a problem when it grows in warm, moist environments. Thrush appears as white ...

Topic Index - Normal Newborn Normal Newborn Home Preparing for Your New Baby Choosing a Pediatrician Getting Ready at Home Preparing the Family Baby's Care After Birth Baby's Care in the Delivery Room Baby's Care After a Vaginal Delivery Baby's Care After a Cesarean Delivery When a Baby Has Difficulty After Birth Newborn Care Common Procedures Eye Prophylaxis/Vitamin K Injection Newborn Screening Tests Newborn Immunizations Childhood Immunizations Hearing Screening Tests Newborn Health Assessment Measur...

Using a Breast Pump Health considerations when using a breast pump: Breast milk is not sterile and its anti-infective properties hinder the growth of bacteria. Still, you do not want to introduce "outside" bacteria unnecessarily when getting ready to pump, during the actual pumping session, or when storing milk or transporting milk. To minimize the risk of infection, consider the following: Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before handling any clean pump parts, your breasts, or the milk collec...

When to Call Your Physician Knowing when to call your physician, should the need arise, is very important for your baby's health and for your peace of mind. Listed in the directory below you will find some information regarding when it is most appropriate to call your physician, for which we have provided a brief overview. Fever in a Newborn Measuring a Baby's Temperature Behavior Changes Skin Color Changes Breathing Problems Gastrointestinal Problems

Your Workplace Employer support will be beneficial to successfully continuing breastfeeding. Discuss your plan to continue to breastfeed, and your need to pump/express breast milk during the workday, with your employer when you are pregnant or before you return to work. Be sure your employer understands that continued breastfeeding, and providing your milk by pumping at work, are not just good for your baby - they also are good for the company. Evidence indicates that employer support for continued brea...

Baby's Care After a Cesarean Delivery If your baby is born by a cesarean delivery, chances are good that you can be awake for the surgery. Only in rare situations will a mother require general anesthesia for delivery. This means she is not conscious for the birth. Most cesarean deliveries today are done with a regional anesthesia such as an epidural or spinal. With this type of anesthesia, only part of the body is numbed for surgery. The mother is awake and able to hear and see her baby as soon as he/sh...

Baby's Care After a Vaginal Delivery Healthy babies born in a vaginal delivery are usually able to stay with the mother. In many cases, immediate newborn assessments including weight, length, and medications, and even the first bath are performed right in the mother's room. As quickly as possible, a new baby is placed in the mother's arms. In the first hour or two after birth, most babies are in an alert, wide awake phase. This offers a wonderful opportunity for parents to get to know their new baby. A ...

Baby's Care After Birth Learning to care for your baby is an exciting time, but it may come with many questions. Listed in the directory below is some information that will assist you in caring for your baby after birth. Baby's Care in the Delivery Room Baby's Care After a Vaginal Delivery Baby's Care After a Cesarean Delivery When a Baby Has Difficulty After Birth

Baby's Care in the Delivery Room The birth of a baby is one of life's most wondrous moments. Few experiences can compare with this event. Newborn babies have amazing abilities, yet they are completely dependent on others for every aspect - feeding, warmth, and comfort. Amazing physical changes occur with birth. When the baby is delivered, the umbilical cord is cut and clamped near the navel. This ends the baby's dependence on the placenta for oxygen and nutrition. As the baby takes the first breath, air...

Bathing and Skin Care Proper bathing and skin care for your newborn: A newborn's skin is soft and delicate. Proper skin care and bathing can help maintain the health and texture of the baby's skin while providing a pleasant experience for both of you. Contrary to popular thought, most babies do not need a bath every single day. With all the diaper changes and wiping of mouth and nose after feedings, most babies may only need to be bathed two or three times a week or every other day. Baths can be given a...

Bottle-Feeding Health considerations when bottle-feeding: If you decide not to breastfeed, or are unable to breastfeed, commercial iron-fortified formulas can provide adequate nutrition for your infant. Infant formulas contain adequate amounts of protein, calories, fat, vitamins, and minerals for growth. However, formula does not contain the immune factors that are in breast milk. The immune factors that are found in breast milk can help prevent infections. Infants who take enough iron-fortified infant ...