Your Baby
Nov
23
Eating
Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. In the beginning you should feed your baby whenever he or she wants to. This is called “feeding on demand”. For more information look at our “breastfeeding” page.
Sleeping
After the birth babies often have a long sleep. It is very important to let your baby sleep. As babies get older they will have longer awake periods. It is best to let your baby sleep on his/her back. To protect their head shape you can make sure to alternate the side your baby’s head is turned to. Be careful with bedsharing and make sure your baby can’t slip under your sheets or blanket. Bedsharing is not recommended if someone in the bed has been smoking or drinking. Try to use natural cotton and wool for your babies bedding.
For safe sleeping follow the rules of: face up, face clear and smokefree.
Weeing and pooing
After the feeding has established your baby should have about 6-8 wet nappies every day. Breastfed babies can have 7 poos in 1 day or 1 poo in 7 days. The first poos are greenish/blackish and sticky. This is called meconium. After 2-3 days poos get browner until they are yellowish/brown and mustard-seedy. Poos should be soft.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is naturally produced in the gut. It helps with blood clotting which stops bleeding. Newborn babies have low levels of Vitamin K. Therefore it is recommended to give them artificial vitamin K to prevent bleeding in the brain. It can either been given orally in drops or can be given by an injection. Of course it is your choice whether to give it to your baby or not. We have some written information for you so you can make an informed decision. We will ask for your consent before we administer vitamin K.
PKU
The PKU is a bloodtest that screens for 9 metabolic disorders (eg. cystic fibrosis). The blood sample is collected with a healprick 48 hours after the baby is born. For all disorders there is some intervention that is best started as early as possible. Testing babies could potentially prevent brain damage, therfore the test is recommended for everyone. We have some written information about the test for you. It is your choice whether to do it or not and we will need your consent before we take the test.