• Feed baby when he/she seems hungry (puts hand to mouth, sucks/roots, fussing)
• End feeding when baby seems full (turns away, closes mouth, relaxes hands)
• Baby is typically feeding well when he/she has 6-8 wet diapers/day & 3-4 soft stools per day
• Do not feed solid foods, juice or water

Breast Feeding

• Feed about every 1-3 hours
• Help baby latch on correctly: mouth opened wide, tongue down, with as much breast in the mouth as possible
• Continue to take a prenatal or multivitamin
• Ask baby’s doctor about vitamin D drops for baby
• Avoid foods that might cause gas
• Discuss any breastfeeding concerns with baby’s doctor

Formula Feeding

• Offer baby 2 oz every 2-4 hours (more if still hungry)
• Feed only iron-fortified baby formula
• Hold baby and do not prop bottle
• Discuss any formula concerns with baby’s doctor

• A newborn may sleep up to 18 or 19 hours a day
• Breastfed babies usually wake to eat every 1 to 3 hours
• Formula-fed babies may sleep longer, waking every 2 to 4 hours to eat
• Newborns should not sleep more than 4 hours between feedings until they have good weight gain, usually within the first few weeks

BACK-TO-SLEEP

(guidelines for reducing the risk of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

• Always place baby to sleep on his/her back
• In your room in a bassinet or crib not in your bed
• In crib which meets current safety standards: Bars should be no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Allow no more than a width of 2 adult fingers between the crib mattress and frame. For full crib safety and standards visit www.cpsc.gov
• Use a firm mattress without any bumpers, blankets, quilts, pillows, plush toys, ribbons or ties
• Avoid overheating by keeping the room temperature comfortable
• Consider putting your baby to sleep sucking on a pacifier

Cord Care

• The umbilical cord will typically fall off by 2 weeks of age
• Fold the diaper down so the stump can dry and won’t become irritated
• You may leave the cord alone or clean the cord area with alcohol and a cotton swab once/day

Circumcision Care

• Do not wipe or rub penis
• Put petroleum jelly on penis or diaper front at each diaper change

Bathing

• Do not place baby in water until 24 hours after the cord has fallen off, or for boys, the circumcision has healed
• Consider a sponge bath when needed (not often while infant)
• Clean diaper area with warm wet wash cloth once per day if not bathing

General Care

• Comfort baby by gently touching baby’s head, rocking, patting
• Start routines for feeding, sleeping, an playing daily
• Hold your baby and be attentive to his or her needs. You can’t spoil a newborn.
• Sing, talk, and read to your baby. Babies learn best by interacting with people.
• It’s normal for infants to have fussy periods, but for some, crying can be excessive, lasting several hours a day.
• If a baby develops colic, it usually starts in an otherwise well baby around 3 weeks of age.
• Use a rectal thermometer (see temp guidelines below)
• Rashes are not uncommon in babies, call if you are concerned
• Wash hands often, and ask others who will be touching baby to do the same
• Avoid crowds
• Keep baby out of the sun (sunscreen is not recommended before 6 months old)
• Make a list of phone numbers for emergencies

Car Safety

• Visit healthychildren.org for complete car seat guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
• Make sure car seat is installed correctly (the Fire Department will check car seats for correct installation)
• Make sure seat is rear-facing in the back seat, and never in the front seat with a passenger side airbag
• Never leave baby alone in the car
• Always wear a seat belt, and do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

Child Safety Seat Inspection:
1-866-SEATCHECK (732-2432) or www.seatcheck.org

General Safety

• Do not smoke/vape or allow others to smoke/vape around baby
• Do not leave baby unattended
• Make sure your home’s water temperature is set to below 120º F
• Do not carry or drink hot liquids while holding baby
• Test baby’s formula temperature with your wrist

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Age under 1 month old and looks or acts abnormal in any way
• Feeding poorly (such as poor suck, does not finish)
• Hard to wake up
• Dehydration suspected. No urine in over 8 hours, dark urine, very dry mouth and no tears.
• Fever: Rectal temperature below 96.8º or above 100.4º
• CAUTION: Do not give fever medication before contacting your baby’s doctor

Call Doctor Within 24 Hours

• High-risk baby for severe jaundice
• Whites of the eyes (sclera) turn yellow
• Jaundice spreads to stomach (belly)
• You are worried about the amount of jaundice
• You are worried your baby is not getting enough breastmilk
• Yellow, seedy stools are less than 3 per day. Exception: breastfed and before 5 days of life.
• Wet diapers are less than 6 per day. Exception: 3 wet diapers per day can be normal before 5 days of life if breastfed.
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent