When you are a client of mine, if you have any doubts, problems, or questions, please feel free to contact me. Please call me the day after the birth 08-9231719 or 052-3388954 and let me know how you are feeling.

BABY CARE

Pediatric check-up within 24 hours. Another check-up at Tipat Halav around one week.

The baby should urinate at least once in the first 24 hours, and pass stool. First day -one wet diaper, day 2–2 wet diapers, day 3–3 wet diapers, and 5 wet diapers minimum by day 5. This is an indication that the baby is drinking enough milk.

Exposure to sunlight prevents jaundice. Keep baby in sunlit room, and in warm weather sunbathe naked, 5 minutes stomach, 5 minutes back, 3 times a day.

After the first 18 hours, do not let baby sleep more than 4 hours. Wake to feed. Baby needs to nurse at least 8-10 feeds in 24 hour period. Make sure he latches well on to the nipple. Problems–call lactation consultant.

Room temperature should not be less than 22 degrees. Normal baby body temperature is between 36-37.8 degrees. Over 38 degrees, see pediatrician.

Normal baby respiration rate is between 40-60 per minute. Breathing consistently more than 60/min., especially with nasal flaring and expiratory grunting, must be checked by a pediatrician/hospital right away.

Place baby on side or back, not stomach.

Research now shows that it is not neccessary to clean the cord stump with alcohol as was previously recommended, but it won’t harm the baby if you choose to do so. A reddening around the cord on the stomach could indicate infection and a pediatrician needs to be consulted.

The cord clamp can be removed after 30 hours by using a tool to open the straight end of the clamp and gently open it.

The babies skin color should be pink, and yellow eyes or a yellow tinge to the skin needs to be evaluated by a pediatrician for jaundice.

The PKU and Guthrie heel prick blood test needs to be done between 48 hours to a week, by myself at a home visit or via a private nurse.

Don’t forget to give another Vitamin K dose between day 5-7, and another at one month. Break open ampule, aspirate entire ampule contents with syringe, and squirt into mouth.

MOTHER CARE

Your vaginal bleeding is heavier than a period on the first day for the first 24 hours. It should decrease with time. It is normal to have to change a pad every 2 hours. It is too much bleeding if you have to change a soaked pad every half hour. Call your midwife. If you begin to “pour blood” go to hospital right away. Nursing frequently and massaging uterus helps to prevent excessive bleeding. It is normal to pass some clots the size of a chicken liver or plum, especially after lying down for a period and then getting up. It is not placenta.

The first few days, always sit up a few minutes before you stand up and make sure you are not dizzy.

If you have tears or stitches, rinse frequently with warm water and lavender oil (1 liter water and 5 drops lavender oil). Aloe-First Spray is very soothing and promotes the healing process. Dermasoft compresses are helpful and also provide relief for hemorrhoids.

If you have very strong afterbirth contractions with the nursing, you can take Advil.

If you feel ill, take your temperature. If it is above 38 degrees, call midwife immediately. Sometimes on the third day when your milk comes is or there is engorgement you can have a mild fever. High fever is dangerous and needs to be investigated without delay.

Lower and constant abdominal pain could indicate uterine infection and must be checked out by gynecologist.

You need lots of rest and to eat well, drink plenty, continue your iron for 3 months. Sleep when the baby sleeps, no cooking, cleaning, or shopping for the first 2 weeks. Prepare in advance.

No lifting heavy weights, including your toddler, for at least 6 weeks.

Start your post-natal exercises and kegels within a few days. If you have an epi-no, start using it for toning pelvic floor muscles when you are no longer bleeding, around 7 weeks.

You may not have a bowel movement for up to 5 days. Eat lots of roughage and fiber and drink plenty, lots of fruits and vegetables.

Nurse frequently, on demand, and change nursing positions each feed, making sure that there is correct latch-on. If you have nipple pain, or other breastfeeding difficulties, contact a lactation consultant.

If you feel depressed or totally miserable or that you are going nuts, call me or seek other professional help.

Enjoy this baby and don’t worry about the mess in the house or entertaining guests. Lots of love and cuddling, as they grew up all too soon!!