Caring for a Newborn Notes
Name:
Handling a Newborn
1-Lifting a newborn
-Slide one hand under the baby’s _______________________ and the other under the shoulders and
head
-Use your forearm to support the ____________ and _____________ as you raise your hands together
to lift a newborn
2-Holding a new born in your arm
-Hold the arm upright, cradled in the ________________ of your ___________. Your arm supports the
baby’s head and neck
3-Putting a new born down
-Continue to _____________________ both the neck and head and the body
-_______________ over, keeping the baby close to your body until the baby’s body is ______________
on a surface that can support his or her body
-Remove your arms from ________________ the baby
4-Holding a new born against your chest
-Hold the baby against your chest, so that baby faces behind you, _____________________
___________ your shoulder
-Use your hands to support the baby’s neck and ________________
Feeding
•
Feeding a baby is a good ____________________ time, Breast fed babies tend to eat more often
•
First few weeks, babies eat up to _____________ times a day
•
Second or third month, babies eat more but are able to sleep ________________________
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As baby reaches 1 year, babies eat more but _____________ times a day
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Hold ________________ semi-upright supporting their head and neck
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Keep nipple full so the baby can keep ___________________________ (avoid swallowing air)
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When warming up the bottle, check the temperature on your wrist first (be careful when microwaving
formula because temperatures are uneven)
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Throw always leftover formula to avoid ______________________ and illness
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Sterilized bottles to be sure all bacteria are gone, therefore take bottles all the way ______________
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Change nipples every few __________________
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Never ____________ the bottle up at night in crib, it interferes with the physical contact bonding and
can lead to __________________ ____________________ from the sugars in the formula
•
Feed until the infant seems satisfied, healthy babies will eat the amount that they _______________
Burping
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Babies need to be burped at least ________________ during feeding
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Once ___________________ feeding, once _____________________
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Babies swallow __________ along with liquid during feeding so it must be released from the body
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Burping helps them avoid crankiness and __________________
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Baby may not burp ______________ time, but you should always try
Bathing
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A newborn is given a __________________ bath for 2 weeks until the bell button heals (from cutting
the umbilical cord). After that, a tub bath is given
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Bathing needs…two soft bath __________________, a wash cloth, a diaper, mild _____________, baby
shampoo, water at room/lukewarm temperature (test with your elbows to make sure its not too hot)
•
_______________ baby gently into tub. Hold child ___________________ but firmly
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First, wash the baby’s ______________ with clean water and a soft wash cloth
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Second, wash the baby’s _____________ with a tiny amount of shampoo, and rinse so that the water
hits the back of the tub (out of baby’s eyes)
•
Then, wash the baby’s _______ with the mild soap. Be sure to wash all over the baby while still have a
firm hold of them. Its best to leave them seating in the tub the whole time.
•
Finally, take the baby out of the __________. Place the infant on a clean towel and wrap then up in it.
A _____________________ towel can help with chilling. ________ dry.
Dressing
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Clothes for infants should be _________________ and ________________________, ease of
movement for baby and ease of ___________ for the parent
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Baby clothes should always be _______________ retardant (look on clothing labels)
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The size of infant wear coordinates with their weight and age, __________________ is more reliable
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Look for clothes with ______________________ hems, extra buttons, and plenty of room to grow
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First, gather the garment into a loop at the top for the head, slip it over the back of the baby’s head,
stretch garment toward you so baby does not feel _________________________
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Second, stretch garment down the body, _______________ up arm sleeves (just as you did the head),
put baby's hand in fist and gently pull arms through.
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Lastly, ________________ a similar process for pants
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Always move smoothly and gently so the baby does not get _______________________
Diapering
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Diapers are most _______________________ part of baby’s wardrobe. Baby’s need 12-15 diapers
changes at day during the first few weeks.
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Newborns __________ their diapers several times an hour, but in small amounts so changing is not
always required each time
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Guardian should turn diaper changing into a period of ___________________________. Sing or hum
to child, talk about what you are doing, all so baby can hear you voice
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Keep diapers supplies near a __________________, padded surface (crib or changing table)
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Remove diaper and clean baby with ____________ (baby powder or baby oil if needed on skin for
diaper rash)
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Put on a fresh diaper
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Hold baby’s ________________ , slide diaper under buttock, sit down baby’s ankles, and Velcro
the front of diaper (not too tight and not too loose)
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_________________ of all dirty supplies
Preparing for Sleep
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Start by washing the baby’s ______________ and hands, change diaper if needed, and change clothes
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Specific sleeping garments (footies or pj onesies) remind the baby that its ____________ to sleep
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Spend a few minutes _________________ the baby or singing a lullaby. This comforts the baby
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When baby falls asleep, gently put baby in the bed. Be ____________ and move _________________
so they do not wake.
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Baby’s crib should be _________ (avoid pillows, fluffy blankets, bumper pads and stuffed toys)
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Try to follow the same ______________________ every night so its easier familiar to the baby