Introduction
Breast feeding
Hygiene
When your baby is born there are
steps you can take to help your
baby stay healthy.
Breast feeding provides your baby
with many nutrients and helps your
baby to grow.
Your baby is not able to fight
infections in the same way as an
older child or an adult.
This leaflet gives information about
these steps.
Your local health
centre
can
give
you
more
information if you would like it.
Breast milk can also help to protect
your baby against infections.
It is important to wash your hands
before caring for your baby and
especially after changing them.
Always remember if you have ANY
concerns about your baby seek
advice from your local health care
centre.
Warmth
Your baby can get cold very
quickly, even in warm climates.
If your baby is wet they will lose
heat faster so keeping them clean
and dry will help to keep them
warm.
An easy way
to keep your
baby warm
is by using
Kangaroo
care
Place your naked baby on your
bare chest and cover you and baby
with a towel or clothing
It is recommended that you feed
your baby breast milk ONLY until
they are at least 6 months old.
From the age of 6 months, solid
food can be gradually added to
your baby’s diet but breastfeeding
should continue until they are 12
months old.
Cord care
When your baby is born, the stump
of the umbilical cord (which had
been connected to you during
pregnancy) remains attached. It
normally takes between 7 and 14
days before the stump falls off.
It is important to keep this area
clean and dry to prevent an
infection developing. Using clean
water and cotton wool can help
keep the cord clean until it falls off.
Eye care
Sticky eyes are common in
newborn babies. Taking care of
your baby’s eyes can prevent
infection and problems with vision
when they are older.
Clean your baby’s eyes using clean
water and cotton wool and use
tetracycline eye ointment (1%) if
they continue to be sticky.
Immunisations
Immunising your baby will help to
protect it from serious infections.
Your baby needs immunisations at
birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14
weeks and 9 months.
Immunisations are available at
your local health centre and clinics
run regularly so help protect your
child and immunise them.
Ideally, the baby should sleep in
it’s own cot next to your bed and
not in bed with you.
Summary
The advice in this leaflet will help
to keep your baby safe and
healthy.
Always remember, if you have
ANY concerns about your baby,
seek advice from your local health
care facility.
Produced by:
Dr Jessica Morgan & Dr
Gilhooley, UK Paediatricians
Colin
In association with
Safe sleeping
The safest position for your baby to
sleep in is on their back. Make
sure there are no loose covers over
your baby’s head.
Plot
4293
Nsimbiziwome,
P.O Box 9581
Kampala
Uganda
http://www.healthchild.org.ug
+256 414271702
+256 434244291
Ntinda