GLEASON & GREENFIELD PEDIATRICS
CHERYL M. GREENFIELD, MD
LAUREN GODSOE, FNP
JESSICA L. GOMES, PNP
240 Wareham Road
Marion MA 02738
508-748-1313
TAKING CARE OF YOUR NEW BABY
1. SKIN CARE
Sponge bathe your baby until the umbilical cord falls off. You may tub bathe after the umbilical cord
remains drainage free.
2. UMBILICAL CORD CARE
Keep the umbilical cord dry. Fold down the diaper so that it does not rub the umbilicus. The umbilical
cord will fall off in 1 to 3 weeks. After the cord falls off, there may still be blood-tinged discharge.
This is NORMAL. You may use alcohol wipes twice a day until there is no discharge.
3. SKIN
Use Desitin or Vaseline or A & D ointment for diaper rashes. Avoid baby powder as it is a safety
hazard. Babies can choke on the powder or inhale it into their lungs. (You always have to be aware of
your child’s safety at home. Keep in mind, simple objects can be dangerous in children’s hands.)
Newborn babies normally have dry skin. Body lotion is not necessary. Vaseline or baby lotion may be
used on deep cracks that sometimes develop, especially on the hands and feet.
Girls may have slight withdrawal vaginal bleeding. This is normal.
Boys’ circumcisions should have bacitracin applied for several days, then Vaseline in the diaper.
4. FEEDING
Decide first if you are going to breast or bottle feed. Breastfeeding provides many benefits to both
you and your baby.
Scheduling is a balance between the baby’s needs and your needs.
A. Breastfeeding – your baby will choose her/his own schedule. Most infants
Suck 10-20 minutes on each breast, every 2-5 hours.
1. In the first days your milk is composed of colostrums – this is nutritious
but low volume. Your milk will come in on the 4 th or 5th day. Your milk
should be well established by 2-3 weeks. The American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as long as you can. Aim for 6
months, if possible.
2. You can pump your breast to feed at a later time. Breast milk stores
in the freezer for 2-3 months and in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
3. You can also supplement with formula, if necessary. Early supplements
will actually make it more difficult to establish a good milk supply.
B. Bottle Feeding – Babies generally begin by taking ½ oz at a feed. They
gradually increase this quantity in the first few days to 2-5 hours. Your
baby will gradually take more as she/he grows.
C. Supplements –Non-nutritive sucking is important; a pacifier or thumb is OK. Discard formula
remaining in bottle after feeding. Sterilize all bottles, liquids and nipples for 2 months. After
that, just clean them normally.
5. BOWELS
Infant’s stools are soft, seedy, mushy or pasty green or yellow. A formed bowel movement is
constipation and a reason to call the office.
6. ACTIVITY
Protect your baby from illness; no malls or supermarkets for the first two weeks. Be sure you use
your infant car seat facing backwards in the center of the back seat. Dress the baby for the
temperature, just as you’d dress yourself.
7. SLEEPING POSITION
We recommend your child sleep on his/her back. Sleeping on the stomach is associated with an
increased risk of SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Also, using a pacifier helps protect against
SIDS.
8. JAUNDICE
Babies may become jaundiced in the 1st weeks of life. If your child was discharged from the hospital
within the first 3 days of life, please watch carefully for yellow coloring of the skin and eyes. If you
notice your child becoming yellow or bronze, please call the office right away.
9. APPOINTMENTS
Baby’s first post-hospital check will be between 48 hours after hospital discharge and 1 week of age. The
baby’s first full physical will be at one month of age.
10. TELEPHONE CALLS AND OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday 8:30 – 12:00 noon from Labor Day to Memorial Day – by arrangement during
the summer months
During these hours, our staff is available for telephone advice.
We are available by phone 24 hours a day and 365 days a year for problems or emergencies.
11. INSURANCE COVERAGE
Please notify your insurance company as soon as possible about the birth of your baby. Your insurance
company needs to add your baby to your policy.
SUGGESTED READING:
Touchpoints by T Berry Brazelton, MD, Addison Wesley 1992
What to Expect in the First Year by Eisenberg, Murkoss & Hathaway, Workman Publishing 1989