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WEEK 1

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1 WEEK When you bring baby in for a checkup at 1 week, you and your physician will talk generally about how everyone is adjusting to life with a newborn! Relax, babies can be exhausting for parents. This is normal, but don't forget to take time to enjoy your little person!

DIET:
Breast milk or formula is all baby needs for the first few months. At this time, your baby doesn't need additional water, juice or solid food. If your baby seems sleepy during feedings, undress her, change her diapers, or wash her head to awaken. If you have well water, check the fluoride content by following instruc-tions from your local health department. City water doesn't need to be checked. Please note that your baby may experience growth spurts around ages 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months and may need to nurse more frequently for 1-2 days before settling into a normal routine.

Breast-feeding — Nurse baby every 2-3 hours for 10-15 minutes on each breast. Try to bear with your baby as the two of you work out a comfortable arrangement for nursing. Remember that breast milk is produced on simple supply and demand — the more baby nurses, the more milk you'll produce. You'll settle into a routine fairly quickly. When your baby experiences growth spurts, you may need to nurse her every hour for 1-2 days until your supply keeps up before settling back into a routine. We know this is a challenging adjustment for you and for your baby. Hang in there! Make sure to take care of yourself by continuing to take your prenatal vitamins and continuing with the same healthy diet you had while pregnant. Your body needs these calories and nutrients in order to provide adequate nutrition for your baby.

Formula — Feed baby 1-4 oz. of formula every 2-3 hours. Relax while you and your baby establish a schedule for feedings. We recommend a cow's milk based formula in ready-to-feed, liquid concentrate, or powder form. If you have a family history of lactose intolerance, please talk with your doctor at your next scheduled visit. Follow preparation directions on the label exactly and serve formula at room temperature or lukewarm. . . not hot. Boil well water before preparing formula (city water doesn't require this extra step). In addition, boil all nipples prior to first use. Subsequent washings can take place in the dishwasher or in hot, soapy water. When your baby begins draining bottles, it's time to increase the amount of formula at each feeding.

SLEEP:
- Babies usually sleep 3-4 hours at a time. Try to establish a sleep routine if possible. Place baby on his side or back (vary positions to avoid the temporary appearance of a flat head). "Nesting" babies like to be bundled or snuggle when sleeping. Usually baby and Mom sleep better in separate rooms.

VOIDS
: A baby's stool is usually yellow and seedy (cottage cheese and mustard-like) or a little green and changes frequently. It's normal for breast fed babies to stool every time they're fed or once every three days. Formula fed babies may stool with each feed or as rarely as once every seven days. This is all normal. Notify the office if the stool is hard, bloody, or if baby cries when stooling. Grunting is normal (it's difficult to stool lying down!) Use alcohol free wipes or a wash cloth to clean. Diaper creams and powders aren't necessary

SAFETY:
Do not leave baby unguarded when changing diapers. Baby makes many involuntary movements and could fall. Even newborns can roll! In addition, make sure you place your child's car seat in the back of your car. Air bags in the front of all cars are extremely dangerous for infants. Remember, infants from birth - 20 lbs. must sit in a car seat which faces the rear. Children who weigh 20 - 40 lbs. can sit in front-facing car seats in the back seat. Children who weigh 40 lbs. or above can sit in booster-style car seats in the back seat until they outgrow them.

OTHER:
Umbilical Cord- Give baby sponge baths only and swab rubbing alcohol around the base of the cord until it falls off at 1-6 weeks of age. The cord may ooze dark blood. Call the office if the blood is bright red or if the skin around the cord appears red or streaky.

Circumcision and Non-Circumcision - Circumcisions are usually healed by this visit. We'll discuss retracting foreskin and other related issues for non-circumcised boys at this time.

Vaginal Discharge - Girls may have a bloody or white vaginal discharge. This is normal and the result of withdrawal from mom's hormones.