New Mom’s Survival Guide A CARE GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY New Mom’s Survival Guide A CARE GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Congratulations on the birth of your new baby! The Family Birthing Center at Menorah Medical Center is delighted to be a part of this very special event in your family’s life. We are committed to meeting as many of your healthcare and educational needs as possible. This book has been created in an effort to answer your questions about your post-partum health and your new baby’s needs. This book is for educational purposes only. Always call your healthcare provider if you have concerns or problems. Thank you for choosing Menorah Medical Center. We look forward to being a part of your family’s good health throughout the coming years. – 1 – Table of Contents Caring For Mother Caring for Mother .................................................................................................................................4 Hormonal Changes .................................................................................................................................4 Rest and Sleep .........................................................................................................................................4 Vaginal Flow (Lochia) .............................................................................................................................4 After Birth Pains ......................................................................................................................................4 Episiotomy and Perineal Care .................................................................................................................4 Sitz Bath ..................................................................................................................................................5 Care of the Incision Following a Cesarean Section ..................................................................................5 Personal Grooming and Care ..................................................................................................................5 Hemorrhoids ...........................................................................................................................................5 Post-Partum Nutrition .............................................................................................................................6 Exercise ...................................................................................................................................................7 Breast Self-Exam .....................................................................................................................................7 Post-Partum “Blues” and Post-Partum Depression ..................................................................................7 Medical Concerns for Mother .................................................................................................................8 Resuming Sexual Intimacy. .....................................................................................................................8 Take Care of You....................................................................................................................................8 General Activities ....................................................................................................................................9 Fathers ....................................................................................................................................................9 A New Baby Means New Stress ..............................................................................................................9 Caring For Baby Newborn Characteristics Eyes ......................................................................................................................................................10 Head .....................................................................................................................................................10 Hair .....................................................................................................................................................10 Chest.....................................................................................................................................................10 Skin ......................................................................................................................................................11 Genitalia................................................................................................................................................12 Cord......................................................................................................................................................12 Infant Behavior Personality.............................................................................................................................................13 Sleep......................................................................................................................................................13 Vision....................................................................................................................................................13 Sense of Smell ........................................................................................................................................13 Sense of Touch ......................................................................................................................................13 Hearing .................................................................................................................................................13 Taste .....................................................................................................................................................13 Infant Care Holding and Handling the Baby ............................................................................................................14 Dressing the Baby ..................................................................................................................................14 Room Temperature for the Baby’s Room ..............................................................................................14 Infant Laundry ......................................................................................................................................14 Bathing Your Baby ................................................................................................................................14 Infant Nail Care ....................................................................................................................................15 Siblings..................................................................................................................................................16 Pets and Babies ......................................................................................................................................16 Never Shake or Toss a Baby..................................................................................................................16 When A Baby Cries ...............................................................................................................................16 Pacifiers.................................................................................................................................................17 What is Colic? .......................................................................................................................................18 Medical Concerns for Baby Jaundice Alert........................................................................................................................................19 Preterm Babies.......................................................................................................................................19 Babies with darker skin color ................................................................................................................19 Heredity ................................................................................................................................................19 Feeding Difficulties ................................................................................................................................19 Sibling with Jaundice .............................................................................................................................20 Bruising.................................................................................................................................................20 Blood type .............................................................................................................................................20 Procedure for Taking a Newborn’s Temperature ..................................................................................20 Urine .....................................................................................................................................................21 Stools ....................................................................................................................................................21 Constipation..........................................................................................................................................22