How your pediatricians in Kansas City, MO, can help you care for your newborn
Newborn babies are a wonderful gift, but they do require a lot of care, which can cause you to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, Michael H.Dershowitz, DPM, your pediatrician here at Pediatric Care North in Kansas City, MO, offers comprehensive pediatric care, including newborn care visits.
Your pediatrician will recommend a first newborn care visit within 2 to 5 days of birth. The pediatrician will take vital measurements including height and weight to provide a baseline for future appointments. These initial measurements are critical for the pediatrician to monitor growth and development at future appointments. This first visit is an excellent opportunity for you to ask questions about caring for your newborn.
The pediatrician performs an important role of guiding you through caring for your newborn. These are just a few of the topics your pediatrician may discuss with you:
- Feeding: if you are breastfeeding, your baby will want to feed every 2 to 3 hours. If you feed your baby formula, the baby will feed less, usually at 3 to 4-hour intervals.
- Sleeping: newborns typically sleep 16 to 17 hours every day. It’s important for you to place the baby on their back for sleeping, as this help prevents sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
- Bathing: don’t bathe your baby too often because it can cause dry skin. You should give your newborn sponge baths using mild soap and water. Carefully clean the folds of skin where bacteria can accumulate.
- Stool Color: stool is normally black in color initially, and then the color changes to dark green and then yellow. If you notice the stool is red or white, it could be a sign of a medical problem and you should contact your pediatrician.
One of the most important things to remember when you have a newborn is to also take good care of yourself. Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. Ask for help from family members or friends, and don’t try to do everything. Remember to get some exercise and get out of the house.
Having a newborn is a joyous time in your life, and your pediatrician can help you manage the stress of this time period. To learn more about newborn care and other pediatric medicine topics, call the pediatricians of Pediatric Care North in Kansas City, Missouri at (816) 587-3200 today.