284 Vol 4 : Ch 284 - Guide for Newborn (1/2)

On the next day around 9am, the Jun Family already leave and return back to their family house leaving only their parents in the couple residence since they will baby sit their grandchildren. Both Tae's parents are staying in the guest room until they learn to walk and stand on their own.

On the other hand all of them already know that Rei will got discharge around lunch time, so the one who will pick up them is Mei, well with an exclusive chauffeur, her husband En. Mei along with En and Lynel leave around 9:30am, well typical of her she won't arrive 30 minutes before the appointment time but rather she will arrive on time.

Mei is now meeting with Mr. Hwang and discussing about something meanwhile the Jun couple in the hospital room are start packing their things, well it's only Tae who pack up since Rei is talking with Doc Annie.

For in-home help, you might want to hire a baby nurse or a responsible baby sitters to help you for a short time after the birth since both you and Tae have a very hectic schedules. Me as your doctor can help you find information about in-home help and I might make a referral to our hospital personnels. Relatives and friends often want to help too but then you're relationship is hidden and not yet disclose so don't feel guilty about placing restrictions on visitors.

Here are few basics to remember for handling a newborn:

1. Wash your hands (or use a hand sanitizer) before handling your baby. Newborns don't have a strong immune system yet, so they're at risk for infection. Make sure that everyone who handles your baby has clean hands.

2. Support your baby's head and neck. Cradle the head when carrying your baby and support the head when carrying the baby upright or when you lay your baby down.

3. Never shake your newborn, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking can cause bleeding in the brain and even death. If you need to wake your infant, don't do it by shaking — instead, tickle your baby's feet or blow gently on a cheek.

4. Make sure your baby is securely fastened into the carrier, stroller, or car seat. Limit any activity that could be too rough or bouncy.

5. Remember that your newborn is not ready for rough play, such as being jiggled on the knee or thrown in the air.

About Bonding and Soothing

Bonding, probably one of the most pleasurable parts of infant care, happens during the sensitive time in the first hours and days after birth when parents make a deep connection with their infant. Physical closeness can promote an emotional connection.

Begin bonding by cradling your baby and gently stroking him or her in different patterns. Both you and Mr. Jun can also take the opportunity to be ”skin-to-skin,” holding your newborn against your own skin while feeding or cradling.

Babies may respond to infant massage. Certain types of massage may enhance bonding and help with infant growth and development. Many books and videos cover infant massage — but be careful, because babies are not as strong as adults, so massage the baby gently.

Babies usually love vocal sounds, such as talking, babbling, singing, and cooing. Your baby will probably also love listening to music. Baby rattles and musical mobiles are other good ways to stimulate your infant's hearing. If your little one is being fussy, try singing, reciting poetry and nursery rhymes, or reading aloud as you sway or rock your baby gently in a chair.

Some babies can be unusually sensitive to touch, light, or sound, and might startle and cry easily, sleep less than expected, or turn their faces away when someone speaks or sings to them. If that's the case with your baby, keep noise and light levels low to moderate.

Swaddling, which works well for some babies during their first few weeks, is another soothing technique as a first-timer parents should learn. Proper swaddling keeps a baby's arms close to the body while allowing for some movement of the legs. Not only does swaddling keep a baby warm, but it seems to give most newborns a sense of security and comfort. Swaddling also may help limit the startle reflex, which can wake a baby.

Here's how to swaddle a baby:

1. Spread out the receiving blanket, with one corner folded over slightly.

2. Lay the baby face-up on the blanket with his or her head above the folded corner.

3. Wrap the left corner over the body and tuck it beneath the back of the baby, going under the right arm.

4. Bring the bottom corner up over the baby's feet and pull it toward the head, folding the fabric down if it gets close to the face. Be sure not to wrap too tightly around the hips. Hips and knees should be slightly bent and turned out. Wrapping your baby too tightly may increase the chance of hip dysplasia.

5. Wrap the right corner around the baby, and tuck it under the baby's back on the left side, leaving only the neck and head exposed. To make sure your baby is not wrapped too tight, make sure you can slip a hand between the blanket and your baby's chest, which will allow comfortable breathing.

6. Make sure, however, that the blanket is not so loose that it could become undone.

7. Babies should not be swaddled after they're 2 months old. At this age, some babies can roll over while swaddled, which increases their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

All About Diapering

You'll probably decide before you bring your baby home whether you'll use cloth or disposable diapers. Whichever you use, your little one will dirty diapers about 10 times a day, or about 70 times a week.

Before diapering your baby, make sure you have all supplies within reach so you won't have to leave your infant unattended on the changing table. You'll need:

1. a clean diaper

2. fasteners (if cloth prefold diapers are used)

3. diaper ointment

4. diaper wipes (or a container of warm water and a clean washcloth or cotton balls)

After each bowel movement or if the diaper is wet, lay your baby on his or her back and remove the dirty diaper. Use the water, cotton balls, and washcloth or the wipes to gently wipe your baby's genital area clean. When removing a boy's diaper, do so carefully because exposure to the air may make him urinate. When wiping a girl, wipe her bottom from front to back to avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI). To prevent or heal a rash, apply ointment. Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly after changing a diaper.

Diaper rash is a common concern. Typically the rash is red and bumpy and will go away in a few days with warm baths, some diaper cream, and a little time out of the diaper. Most rashes happen because the baby's skin is sensitive and becomes irritated by the wet or poopy diaper.

To prevent or heal diaper rash, try these tips:

1. Change your baby's diaper often, and as soon as possible after bowel movements.

2. Gently clean the area with mild soap and water (wipes sometimes can be irritating), then apply a very thick layer of diaper rash or ”barrier” cream. Creams with zinc oxide are preferred because they form a barrier against moisture.

3. If you use cloth diapers, wash them in dye- and fragrance-free detergents.

4. Let the baby go undiapered for part of the day. This gives the skin a chance to air out.

5. If the diaper rash continues for more than 3 days or seems to be getting worse, call me right away as your doctor because it may be caused by a fungal infection that requires a prescription.

Bathing Basics and you should give your baby a sponge bath until:

1. the umbilical cord falls off and the navel heals completely (1–4 weeks)

A bath of two or three times a week in the first year is fine. More frequent bathing may be drying to the skin.

Have these items ready before bathing your baby:

1. a soft, clean washcloth

2. mild, unscented baby soap and shampoo

3. a soft brush to stimulate the baby's scalp

4. towels or blankets

5. a clean diaper

6. clean clothes

7. Sponge baths. For a sponge bath, select a safe, flat surface (such as a changing table, floor, or counter) in a warm room. Fill a sink, if nearby, or bowl with warm water. Undress your baby and wrap him or her in a towel. Wipe your infant's eyes with a washcloth (or a clean cotton ball) dampened with water only, starting with one eye and wiping from the inner corner to the outer corner. Use a clean corner of the washcloth or another cotton ball to wash the other eye. Clean your baby's nose and ears with the damp washcloth. Then wet the cloth again and, using a little soap, wash his or her face gently and pat it dry.

8. Next, using baby shampoo, create a lather and gently wash your baby's head and rinse. Using a wet cloth and soap, gently wash the rest of the baby, paying special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area. Once you have washed those areas, make sure they are dry and then diaper and dress your baby.

9. Tub baths. When your baby is ready for tub baths, the first baths should be gentle and brief. If he or she becomes upset, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the bath again.