Newborn Baby Screening and Examination in Gurgaon

Now that you bundle of joy is finally here, allow us to help you raise a happy newborn in the best way supported by core medical evidence and our expertise.

(1) Clothing

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies generally need one more layer of clothing than adults to be feel comfortable. Always chose 'cotton' clothing. Don't forget the socks, mittens and caps when you are venturing out or in the winters while indoors.

(2) Car Safety

Always advisable to opt for a proper 'Car Seat' for your Newborn and not indulge in keeping baby on your or your partner's lap.

(3) Newborn Feeding

No matter how you feed your baby, there are some things to remember. Below are tips for breastfeeding and formula feeding in the early weeks.

Breastfeeding:

Nursing may be a natural phenomenon, but it can prove challenging at first. These strategies will help if you choose to breastfeed:

• Don't delay: If you can, try to nurse within an hour of delivery when your baby is most alert. This will also help your newborn adjust to the world, and they can bond with their new parent right away.
• Nurse on demand: Your new baby will help your body  g et good milk supply through frequent nursing —so let your newborn feed whenever they want. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), newborns might want to eat every 1 to 3 hours during their first few days. "Frequent feeding helps increase your milk supply and gives your baby practice at sucking and swallowing," says the organization.
• Get a proper latch: A proper latch helps prevent sore nipples for you and ensures enough milk for your baby. If you're unsure what this looks like, don't hesitate to ask a nurse, pediatrician, or lactation consultant.
• Ask for help: Most hospitals have lactation consultants on staff. In addition to helping you get a proper latch, they can guide you in experimenting with different positions.
• Create a nursing nest: A comfy chair, pillows, footstool, and access to water and snacks can keep you supported and comfortable while you feed your baby.
• Eat and drink enough: While breastfeeding, you need an additional 300–400 calories per day.2 And since you are losing fluids while breastfeeding, drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

Expressing breast milk

If your baby has trouble latching and is not getting enough of Colostrum(early nutrient-dense breast milk), or you are separated after birth due to complications, you may choose to express breast milk in the first few days or even long-term.

In some cases, parents choose to feed their newborns expressed colostrum with a spoon or syringe in the first few days of life. These methods can help you avoid 'Nipple Confusion' in those early days should you wish to try nursing directly from the breast later on.

Some pumping tips include:

• Pick the pump that's best for you: For expressing colostrum, hand expressing can be especially effective. But as time passes, most parents who pump prefer manual hand pumps or electric pumps.
• Get support: Don't hesitate to request assistance from the hospital's lactation consultant; they may even be able to hook you up with a hospital-grade rental pump.
• Be patient and persistent: Like breastfeeding, pumping takes practice and will get easier with time should you choose to continue long-term. Also, pumping should not hurt; if it does, reposition or lower the suction and try again.
• Do your best to relax: Your milk ejection reflex is inhibited when you are tense or stressed, so try looking at your baby or distracting yourself with a TV show, guided meditation, or even a phone call with a friend.
• Store breast milk safely: According to the CDC, you should store pumped breast milk in food-grade containers.3 In addition, you can store freshly pumped breast milk for four hours at room temperature, four days in the fridge, and six-12 months in the freezer. If your baby does not finish the milk from a feeding, you can reuse it within two hours.

Expressing breast milk

If your baby has trouble latching and is not getting enough of Colostrum(early nutrient-dense breast milk), or you are separated after birth due to complications, you may choose to express breast milk in the first few days or even long-term.

In some cases, parents choose to feed their newborns expressed colostrum with a spoon or syringe in the first few days of life. These methods can help you avoid 'Nipple Confusion' in those early days should you wish to try nursing directly from the breast later on.

Formula Feeding

• If you want to heat the formula, do so under running warm water (being careful not to get water in the bottle) or with BOTTLE WARMER. Never use a microwave, which can create dangerous hot spots. Check the temperature by putting a few drops of formula on the back of your hand.
• Use room-temperature formula within two hours; after that, the risk of bacteria growth increases, so you should discard it.
• Use refrigerated formula within 24 hours.
• Store containers of formula in a cool, dry place (not the freezer or refrigerator).
• Don't save any formula your baby leaves behind in the bottle; bacteria from their saliva can contaminate it.
• Use formula within one month of opening; never use after the "use-by" date on the packaging.
• Clean and sanitize all bottles and parts between feedings.

(4) Your Newborn's Body

A  b aby isn't just a smaller you. It also has some distinct characteristics. Knowing what to look for can help ease your anxiety and enable you to keep your baby clean and comfortable.

Face

Wash your baby's face and neck daily with lukewarm water. It has been advised not to use any Baby Soap or Shampoo till baby is 45 days old.

Eyes

To care for your baby's eyes, wipe the area using a cotton ball moistened with warm water. Some babies have a yellowish discharge or crusting in the eye or on the lid, usually caused by a blocked tear duct, which can last several months.

Scalp

Wash your baby's hair with a gentle baby shampoo no more than three times a week. Then gently brush the scales daily using a baby hairbrush or soft toothbrush. Many newborns develop a scaly scalp condition called Cradle Cap this typically disappears in the first few months.

Nose

Babies' narrow nasal passages tend to fill with mucus. Often, they will clear it by blowing their nose, but sometimes they may need a little help. To loosen mucus, use saline solution or nasal spray before suctioning.

Nails

A newborn's nails are usually soft, but they can scratch their sensitive skin. Use baby nail clippers or blunt-nosed scissors made for baby nails. Clip after their bath when nails are soft or when they're asleep and their fingers are relaxed.

Skin

The AAP recommends waiting to give your newborn their first bath until 24 hours after birth—and after that, the organization recommends three baths per week during your baby's first year. Limit baths to 10 minutes, and use a mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water. Then liberally apply hypoallergenic lotion immediately afterward. Stick to cotton clothing.

Bottom

Change diapers frequently; use baby wipes to clean and be sure to dry the area. Too much moisture plus sensitive skin can equal diaper rash for many babies. Diaper rash can be painful, so they may be fussy if they have a rash on their bottom.

Umbilical stump

Keep the stump Clean and Dry. It will shrivel and fall off within a few weeks. Once it falls off, it will go away. Avoid covering the cord area with a diaper and stick to sponge baths until the stump detaches.

Genitals

Gently clean your baby's genital area with warm water daily. You should not attempt to retract the foreskin; this will occur naturally on its own—sometime between 5 years old and puberty.

If your baby has a vulva, you may also notice swelling for the same reason as above. In addition, those same maternal hormones can also result in a bloody vaginal discharge in the early weeks. This discharge typically only lasts a few days.

Legs and feet

Newborns tend to have bowed-out legs and turned-in feet. This position mimics their position in the womb. Their legs and feet will straighten around 6 to 18 months. Also, newborns' toes frequently overlap, and sometimes the nails look ingrown (usually, they aren't).

Newborn Baby Sleep

Newborns don't come into the world with adult-friendly sleep habits. That's primarily because of their tiny tummies—newborns generally need to eat between 8–12 times in 24 hours, including at night. So, don't expect a newborn to sleep for long stretches at first. However, there are some things you can do to make bedtime easier.

Always Sleep close to them

Newborn Poop

Sometime in the first days after birth, your baby will pass a thick black or dark-green substance called meconium; this is normal. Within a few days, A BREAST fed baby will be n having six to eight bowel movements daily, which will be soft, yellow-green, and sometimes filled with seedlike particles. If your baby is formula-fed, on the other hand, they will likely have one to two stools per day, which will be thicker and yellow or tan in color.

(5) Newborn Baby Crying

Newborns can cry—a lot. It makes sense because crying is their only way of communicating their needs. But it can take some detective work to figure out why they're crying.

Some tips for soothing crying babies:

• Rule out the obvious potential causes: Are they hungry? Are they wet? Are they tired? Are they gassy? Are they too hot or too cold?
• Let them suck on your breast, a bottle, finger, or a pacifier.
• Re-create a womblike environment by swaddling them in a blanket. Then hold them snugly on their side or stomach and jiggle them gently while making loud "shushing" sounds in their ear. (But remember that you should always put your baby to sleep on their back to prevent SIDS).
• Walk, rock, sway, take them for a car or stroller ride, or put them in an infant swing. (Babies love motion!)

Above all, keep your cool! If you're tense, your baby will be, too. Remember that babies cry—and it will pass.

(7) When to Call a Pediatrician

A good rule of thumb is to check in with a doctor for any fever in a newborn. It's always best to call to be safe. As your baby ages, you'll be able to relax more about low-grade fevers, but the following symptoms in babies warrant medical attention:

• Has a fever of 100.4 F or higher if the baby is 3 months or younger; 102 F if they're older than 3 months
• Shows changes in their eating patterns, such as refusing to nurse
• Has very watery or mucusy stools
• Is excessively sleepy, lethargic, or unresponsive
• Is overly irritable and cries inconsolably for longer than normal
• Has a red or swollen rash anywhere on their body
• Has redness or swelling at the base of their umbilical cord
• Exhibits symptoms or signs of Constipation, like discomfort (e.g., straining) when they move their bowels
• Has a distended abdomen or vomits (as opposed to spitting up)