Q&A
HOW TO CARE
FOR A NEWBORN BABY
BY IRENE WONG, M.D.
A family physician with Atlantic Medical Group, Primary Care at Totowa and is on-staff
at Chilton Medical Center
1. What are some of the most impor-
tant things a parent can do in caring
for their newborn?
Newborn care can be a scary thing, particularly
for first time parents. It takes time to get to know
your baby and his or her habits. Keep in mind
that parenting is something you learn over time and no one
is instantaneously an expert at taking care of a child. Not
every child is the same, so do not be worried if your baby
is not doing everything someone’s else’s baby is doing.
This is normal! The most important thing is to stay calm.
You are the decision maker for your baby, so it helps that
you have a clear head to make the best decisions.
2. New parents, especially, may be nervous
about the baby. What is “normal newborn
behavior” that a parent should expect?
Babies require an enormous amount of time and atten-
tion. Initially, they require very frequent feeding of small
amounts of breast milk or formula, usually about an ounce
every hour or two. Their stomachs are very small when
they are born. A baby’s stomach is only the size of their
fist! It is easy to overfeed an infant which can cause a lot
of spitting up or vomiting. They also have very immature
intestines, so they will often feed and then have a bowel
movement. This is called the gastrocolic reflex and is a
normal phenomenon. This results in a lot of dirty diapers,
so be prepared!
Newborns sleep a lot. They require all this sleep to help
them grow. They will wake up to be fed, changed or if
they just want to held. It may be necessary to wake them
up for feedings.
Newborns will sneeze and hiccup a lot. They have an
immature nervous system, so this is normal for them.
3. What myths from the past are retired
and no longer hold true about caring for
a newborn?
It is impossible to spoil your baby when they are new-
borns. Hold them as much as you can. Pick them up when
they cry. Soothe them when they need it. They will not be
newborns forever, so enjoy it as much as you can.
Make sure that you have appropriate bedding for your
newborn. Newborns should be put down to bed on their
backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS). Make sure that their bedding is firm and that there
aren’t any loose sheets or excessive blankets around the
baby. You want to avoid anything that can obstruct their
breathing.
4. When would it be necessary for a
parent to call the doctor?
You can call your pediatrician or family doctor at any time,
if you have a question. We are here to help and support
your journey! The following problems should be brought
up with your doctor urgently:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bloody bowel movements
Refusal to feed
Projectile vomiting
Fever (temperature of greater than 100.3F)
Lethargic behavior
Seizure-like activity (sudden shaking and jerking
of the baby’s body)
• Swollen or sunken in soft spot on the baby’s head.
5. Anything else parents should know?
Take a class for infant CPR so that you are prepared for
emergencies, should they arise.
Have your pediatrician or family doctor’s phone num-
ber readily available in case you need assistance.
Know which hospital is closest to you and if they have
the capability to treat newborns.
Sleep when your baby sleeps. Remember that sleeping
is just as important to you as it is for your child.
When in doubt, contact your doctor. Even if you think
it may be a silly question, it is better than you know than
not know. We are here for you!
Enjoy this time with your baby!
Dr. Wong is part of Atlantic Medical Group, a multispecialty group of healthcare providers.
For more information, visit atlanticmedicalgroup.org
SPRING 2019 CHILTON MAGAZINE