Newborn Advice

Infant Care | Common Concerns | Potential Problems | Childhood Immunization Schedule

Infant Care

First time parents are often nervous about their baby. This information is intended to help alleviate your anxiety as well as inform you about basic infant care.

Breasts

Do not be alarmed if your newborn boy's or girl's breasts appear swollen and appear to discharge "milk." This is a normal occurrence that is due to the mother's hormones. Do not rub or massage the breast as this may make the condition worse.

Cord

The umbilical cord usually falls off in one to four weeks. In the meantime, keep the cord dry. Fold the diaper below the cord so that it does not rub or chafe, and try to keep wet diapers from saturating the area. While the cord is drying up and immediately after it falls off, there is often a small amount of bleeding or foul smelling discharge. You can help alleviate this smell by applying a cotton ball soaked in alcohol to the cord and at its base when convenient, but this will not accelerate the cord falling off. If this foul smell seems excessive or persistent, or if the skin around the cord becomes red and swollen, please bring it to our attention.

Eyes

The newborn baby does see, especially up close. An infant's vision is poorest at birth and gradually improves over the first few months. The puffiness and occasional discharge seen in the first few days is most likely due to medicine placed in the eyes at birth to prevent infection. When cleaning the mucus from your baby's eyes, use clean or sterile water on a cotton ball, wiping from the bridge of the nose towards the ear. If the discharge persists or worsens, contact the office.

Genitals

Newborn girls often have a white vaginal discharge and a small amount of bleeding. This is temporary and is due to maternal hormones. The circumcised penis should be washed with warm water daily until the circumcision is healed (five to seven days). Replace Vaseline® gauze around the penis with each diaper change. The un-circumcised penis needs no special care; gentle washing with soap and water is sufficient. The foreskin need not be and should not be forcefully retracted, although gentle retraction is acceptable. Return the foreskin to its original position when finished.

Legs

Most babies' lower legs are bowed, some more than others. This is due to the baby's positioning in the uterus and gradually straightens out with time and normal weight bearing (standing and walking). Often a baby's feet may appear to turn inward for the same reason, and they too will eventually "straighten" out. We will examine your baby's feet and legs at each checkup.

Skin

Newborn skin is very sensitive and subject to a variety of rashes, including neonatal acne, that come and go over the first few months. There is no substitute for soap and water, preferably a mild soap. You may apply Vaseline® or another moisturizer to the dry areas.

Cradle cap appears first as thin, dry flakes and scales on the scalp, often progressing to white flaking patches with a thick greasy crust. It is similar to adult dandruff and usually goes away within a few months. Cradle cap can often be remedied by gentle scrubbing with a soft toothbrush or baby brush when shampooing. You may also use an adult dandruff shampoo twice a week to help alleviate these symptoms.

Occasionally a baby's skin will have a blotchy appearance, especially on the arms and legs. This is due to the immaturity of the blood vessels. Sometimes a newborn's skin may look yellowish or orange. Should this occur while in the hospital, we will discuss it with you. Please notify our office if discoloration develops after baby's discharge from the hospital or if it persists beyond one week of age.

All babies get a diaper rash. Rashes are best prevented or at least minimized by keeping the diaper area clean and dry, changing the diaper frequently and avoiding rubber pants. If your baby has a diaper rash, you may apply Balmex®, Desitin®, Triple Paste®, cornstarch or zinc oxide. Please call the office for any persistent, rapidly progressive, or unusual (very dark red or extensive) diaper rash.

One final note about routine skin care: always protect your baby's skin from sun exposure, preferably by shading the skin and/or using SPF 15 or higher if sun exposure cannot be avoided.

Visitors

Because a baby's resistance is not very good in the first few months of life, minimize the risk of infections by preventing your baby's exposure to anyone who might have a contagious disease (including a cold or virus), restricting visitors to a select group of friends and family, and asking everyone who is going to be near your baby to first wash his/her hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand washing solution.

You should also avoid going to public places (where you can't control who might want to touch your adorable baby) for the baby's first two months of life. This includes churches, synagogues, malls, and restaurants.

This advice is not intended to replace good medical care. If you have a question about your baby or are concerned about your baby's health or welfare, please call our office, contact your physician, or go to your local emergency room.

Sharon E. Barnett, MD; Eric D. Berman, DO; David E. Chasen, MD; Mary Elaine Holmes-Bricker, DO; Kathryn T. Lafferty, MD; Stephen A. Szawlewicz, MD; Kimberly Keane DeNick, MD;
Christina I. DiNicola, MD

Advocare The Farm Pediatrics
975 Tuckerton Road, Suite 100 Marlton, NJ 08053 — (856) 983-6190
1001 Laurel Oak Road, Suite B, Voorhees, NJ 08043 — (856) 782-7400