(POC) Educational Plan for Baby
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For newborn, develop discharge education plan to teach family
Medications for the Baby
The medications given to your newborn will include vitamin K and erythromycin or
tetracycline ophthalmic ointment. Vitamin K is given to the baby intramuscular through
the baby’s upper side thigh. Newborns receive this medication because they are at a
huge risk for vitamin K deficiency due to their immature clotting system, and this system
gets better and matures within the first week. This medication will help your newborn
clot their blood faster and prevent blood loss. This medication will only be given that one
time for the meantime, and will be quick and necessary.
Erythromycin and tetracycline ophthalmic ointment are applied to the newborn’s eyes
to prevent infection no matter the delivery method. This can help prevent blindness, and
infection from gonorrhea or chlamydia. Signs of symptoms include newborn’s eyes
being red, swollen, covered with pus or some other kind of drainage. This ointment is
administered immediately after birth.
Environment Education for the Baby
It is important for the crib to be a safe area for your baby to sleep to prevent sudden
infant death syndrome. Start by removing all objects, such as blankets and stuffed
animals from the newborn’s crib. This is so the baby won’t suffocate, as objects tend to
gravitate towards the baby or the baby reaches them first. Also try to have a suction
nearby in the case your baby’s airways are occluded from mucus. It is also important
that your baby is sleeping flat on their back, as this is most recommended for their
alignment. It is also important to have the baby’s crib within close proximity for you to
attend to the baby quickly, but if you must place the baby in the separate room they
should have a baby monitor there for you to constantly check on them.
For transportation and safety, please look over past education regarding car seats
and utilizing smoke and carbon dioxide detectors.
Treatment Education for baby
For the first hour after birth, mom should have skin-to-skin contact with the baby.
This is especially important when the baby’s with the mom for a period of time or during
breastfeeding. This will promote nurturing and giving the baby and mom opportunity to
bond, which is absolutely vital during the first few hours postpartum. Mom, dad, and
family should interact with their baby frequently by rocking, cradling, holding, and
speaking to them. Have a soothe presence to promote comfort and sleep for the baby.
For bathing, prevent wetting of the umbilical cord for 7-10 days. It will dry and shrivel
up on its own from 1-6 weeks. If there’s redness, drainage, or infection from the
umbilical cord report to your pediatrician! It’s also important to have the diaper below the
the umbilical cord, and to avoid tub baths for the mean time. When bathing, make sure
the baby’s skin is warm before bathing. Use a wash cloth without soap (soap can dry
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out the skin too much) to bath the baby, and wipe perineal area from front to back. If
your baby’s been circumcised, it is important to apply vaseline and a gauze on the
baby’s penis to prevent the healing tissue from sticking to the diaper. Continue to
observe cord for bleeding, redness, and drainage. Do not pull or twist on cord
Health Management for baby
If baby is unresponsive, limp, blood in vomit or stool, has difficulty in breathing, has
seizures, refuses feedings, has diarrhea and vomit more than usual, etc. - CALL
PEDIATRICIAN
Diet for Baby
Breastfeeding is most recommended for baby’s nutrition because breastmilk as all
the nutrients that the baby needs to survive. Try to breastfeed for the first 6 months and
continue at least until baby turns into a toddler (1 year). Mom can breastfeed with a mild
cold, as the cold virus doesn’t have a great effect on newborn. Mom with HIV and
galactosemia shouldn’t breastfeed, as the virus can be transmitted to the newborn. Do
not feed on a schedule, but instead feed on demand. If the newborn is sucking, they’re
most likely hungry and should be allowed to breastfeed. The newborn usually feeds 812 times a day around 2-3 hour periods. Breastfeed in a relaxing environment to
promote breast milk production. Mom should find the best most comfortable position to
feed for herself and for her newborn. You can do the football hold, side-lying position,
cross-cradle, etc. After breastfeeding and switching breasts, burp the infant to release
gas that can upset their stomach. Wash hands after breastfeeding and store breast milk
chilled for up to 24 hours. Don’t use breastmilk stored for longer than 24 hours.
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