newbborn healthcare for first 12 month care

Newborn care refers to the essential medical attention, nurturing, and emotional support provided to a baby immediately after birth and throughout the first 28 days of life (neonatal period).
This phase is the most crucial in a child’s development, as newborns are highly vulnerable to infections, temperature fluctuations, feeding difficulties, and other complications.
Proper newborn care ensures healthy growth, strong immunity, and emotional bonding between the infant and parents.

🍼 1. Immediate Care After Birth

The first few minutes after birth are vital for assessing and stabilizing the baby’s condition.

🔹 a. Clearing the Airways

After delivery, the baby’s mouth and nose are gently cleared of mucus and amniotic fluid to help breathing.

Healthcare providers check if the baby cries or breathes spontaneously.

🔹 b. Apgar Score

The baby is evaluated at 1 and 5 minutes after birth using the Apgar Score, which assesses:

Appearance (skin color)

Pulse (heart rate)

Grimace (reflex response)

Activity (muscle tone)

Respiration (breathing effort)

🔹 c. Thermal Care

Newborns lose heat quickly.

They are dried immediately, covered with a warm cloth, and sometimes placed under a radiant warmer.

Skin-to-skin contact with the mother (Kangaroo Mother Care) helps maintain body temperature and strengthens bonding.

🔹 d. Umbilical Cord Care

The umbilical cord is clamped and cut with sterile equipment.

The stump should be kept clean, dry, and uncovered until it naturally falls off.

🔹 e. Early Initiation of Breastfeeding

The baby should be breastfed within the first hour of birth to receive colostrum — the first thick, yellowish milk rich in antibodies that boost immunity.

1. Newborn care

2. What to do now: Chose baby’s healthcare provider Family Practice and Pediatric Providers A few good books Newborn supplies

3. When a baby doctor attends delivery Less than 37 weeks gestation Emergency C-Section Multiples Hospitalist vs. Primary Provider

4. At birth Skin to Skin time Apgar checks at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth Baby’s temperature Breastfeeding If needed, baby care is done in the warmer

5. Other baby cares Weight, height, and head circumference Medications: Vitamin K shot, Hepatitis B shot, and eye ointment Screening blood tests (heel stick) at 24 hours Hearing test – performed usually first night Jaundice

6. Circumcision Pros and cons Description of procedure Timing of appointment When Where

7. Just in case Occasionally, a newborn may need special attention the hospital in Mankato is not equipped to provide. The baby will be transferred to a neonatal unit at a different hospital for specialized care If your baby would need to be transferred, Mankato Clinic Providers work closely with several area hospitals

8. Baby’s adjustment Stools – meconium first Sleeping Responding to baby’s cries

9. Feedings Breast or bottle – both provide adequate nutrition Babies need night feedings for at least the first 6 weeks First feeding will usually be within the first hour after delivery, then usually every 2-3 hours during the first month of life Babies should be fed on demand by paying attention to his/her signals

10. Feedings continued Breast Perfect nutrition, contains antibodies, protection from obesity, asthma and allergies Health benefits for mom and baby Inexpensive and always available Bottle Commercial formulas are very similar Others can share in feedings more easily

11. Feedings continued How to know if your baby’s getting enough 6 or more wet diapers per day 4 or more bowel movements (BMs) per day (may decrease to every 3-7 days after 4-6 weeks old) Weight gain will be the best indicator

12. When to call the doctor Fever more than 100.5° Marked changes in eating Very watery stools Excessive sleepiness Excessive irritability

13. First week of life visit Call to schedule visit within 48 hours after birth Newborn assessment Lactation support for mom

14. Well child visits These exams are important for growth, developmental milestones and immunizations 1 st week of life 1 month 2 months 4 months 6 months 9 months 12 months 15 months 18 months 2 years 3 years 4 years kindergarten

15. Safety for baby Car seat – Car Seat Safety classes are offered through the Mankato Clinic Foundation Keep baby away from second hand smoke Never shake a baby Back to sleep in an empty crib

16. Enjoying your newborn You CANNOT spoil a baby by giving him/her too much attention! Holding, talking and singing Attend to baby’s needs Reading Seeking help when needed Lots of love

17. Movie 5 S’s