What Should You Expect?

The newborn period is defined as beginning at birth and lasting through the 28th day of life. This period is marked with many rewarding and sometimes difficult transitions for the whole family. At Northwest Spokane Pediatrics, we are here to help ease the transition period and be available to answer your questions regarding your newborn. So, what should you expect during the newborn period?

What Should You Expect?

The newborn period is defined as beginning at birth and lasting through the 28th day of life. This period is marked with many rewarding and sometimes difficult transitions for the whole family. At Northwest Spokane Pediatrics, we are here to help ease the transition period and be available to answer your questions regarding your newborn. So, what should you expect during the newborn period?

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Only feed your baby breast-milk or formula! Babies that are breast-feeding may eat as often as every 2 hours and should usually nurse for at least 10 minutes at each breast during one feeding. Most formula-fed newborns take 2 to 3 ounces every 2-3 hours. Make sure you follow recommended guidelines on can when mixing formula. Your baby is likely getting enough to eat if they are having 6 to 8 wet diapers per day. If your baby wants to feed more often, try a pacifier. Some babies just want to suck all the time but not feed. Don’t forget to burp your baby often during feeding sessions! It is very common for babies to spit up, especially if they are formula-fed. During times of refluxing, babies can pull up and kick their legs, arch their backs, smack their lips, cry, or make gagging noises. If you think that refluxing is happening and may be causing problems with your newborns growing, breathing, or hurting, please let us know so that we can discuss some treatment options.

Babies usually sleep 16 or more hours a day. Babies don’t usually sleep all night (6 hours) until they weigh closer to 12 pounds or around 4 months old. Healthy babies should be placed to sleep on their backs. Sleeping on the back reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Babies cry a lot! Crying is your baby’s way of communicating with you. Babies cry when they are hungry, wet, tired, and lonely, as well as when they need to burp, want to be bundled, are too hot, want to move around (rock or sway), want to suck on something, or when they have just had enough. Some babies even cry for no known reason; this intense, inconsolable crying is known as colic and generally improves by 3 months of age. Figuring out your baby’s cries can be frustrating and overwhelming. Make sure to get help when exhausted and take a break for yourself.

It’s important to learn the subtle differences between these types of crying, and parents usually figure them out in the first month or so, but sometimes you may hear a different type of cry. Knowing that something is “off” is your job, and we’re here to help figure out what it is. Babies do get sick, so if you think your little one isn’t acting the same as normal, give us a call and our triage nurses can help you out. We keep same day appointments open if you need to be seen. You can even call after hours, we have licensed RN’s available for those late night and weekend problems!

Newborns do not need to be bathed more than 2 times per week. Excessive bathing dries out your newborn’s skin. Sponge bathe your newborn until his cord falls off. No need to do anything for umbilical cord; most will fall off between 1-2 weeks of age. If cord looks wet or gooey, may use rubbing alcohol at the base to help dry out the cord.

Cleaning genitalia:

  • Baby girl- Wipe from front to back
  • Baby boy — if uncircumcised, it is not necessary to retract the foreskin to clean the penis. Wash any external discharge with soap and water.

If desired, circumcision is a procedure done in the office, typically between 1-2 weeks of age. Brooke uses the same technique that plastic surgeons use and has developed a reputation in the healthcare community for consistent, high-quality results. Circumcision has to be done before 1 month of age and before the baby is 10 lbs. Some insurance companies pay for circumcision, but not all. Call us if you are thinking about the procedure so we can determine your coverage and answer any questions you may have. This is an important lifelong decision and you can be confident choosing NWSP.

When should you seek medical attention?

There are many reasons to call your provider or come in for a sick visit. Please make sure to contact us if your newborn has a fever, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, cold, eye discharge, yellow skin, refusing feedings, difficult to arouse, or smelly green discharge from umbilicus.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Only feed your baby breast-milk or formula! Babies that are breast-feeding may eat as often as every 2 hours and should usually nurse for at least 10 minutes at each breast during one feeding. Most formula-fed newborns take 2 to 3 ounces every 2-3 hours. Make sure you follow recommended guidelines on can when mixing formula. Your baby is likely getting enough to eat if they are having 6 to 8 wet diapers per day. If your baby wants to feed more often, try a pacifier. Some babies just want to suck all the time but not feed. Don’t forget to burp your baby often during feeding sessions! It is very common for babies to spit up, especially if they are formula-fed. During times of refluxing, babies can pull up and kick their legs, arch their backs, smack their lips, cry, or make gagging noises. If you think that refluxing is happening and may be causing problems with your newborns growing, breathing, or hurting, please let us know so that we can discuss some treatment options.

Babies usually sleep 16 or more hours a day. Babies don’t usually sleep all night (6 hours) until they weigh closer to 12 pounds or around 4 months old. Healthy babies should be placed to sleep on their backs. Sleeping on the back reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Babies cry a lot! Crying is your baby’s way of communicating with you. Babies cry when they are hungry, wet, tired, and lonely, as well as when they need to burp, want to be bundled, are too hot, want to move around (rock or sway), want to suck on something, or when they have just had enough. Some babies even cry for no known reason; this intense, inconsolable crying is known as colic and generally improves by 3 months of age. Figuring out your baby’s cries can be frustrating and overwhelming. Make sure to get help when exhausted and take a break for yourself.

It’s important to learn the subtle differences between these types of crying, and parents usually figure them out in the first month or so, but sometimes you may hear a different type of cry. Knowing that something is “off” is your job, and we’re here to help figure out what it is. Babies do get sick, so if you think your little one isn’t acting the same as normal, give us a call and our triage nurses can help you out. We keep same day appointments open if you need to be seen. You can even call after hours, we have licensed RN’s available for those late night and weekend problems!

Newborns do not need to be bathed more than 2 times per week. Excessive bathing dries out your newborn’s skin. Sponge bathe your newborn until his cord falls off. No need to do anything for umbilical cord; most will fall off between 1-2 weeks of age. If cord looks wet or gooey, may use rubbing alcohol at the base to help dry out the cord.

Cleaning genitalia:

  • Baby girl- Wipe from front to back
  • Baby boy — if uncircumcised, it is not necessary to retract the foreskin to clean the penis. Wash any external discharge with soap and water.

If desired, circumcision is a procedure done in the office, typically between 1-2 weeks of age. Brooke uses the same technique that plastic surgeons use and has developed a reputation in the healthcare community for consistent, high-quality results. Circumcision has to be done before 1 month of age and before the baby is 10 lbs. Some insurance companies pay for circumcision, but not all. Call us if you are thinking about the procedure so we can determine your coverage and answer any questions you may have. This is an important lifelong decision and you can be confident choosing NWSP.

When should you seek medical attention?

There are many reasons to call your provider or come in for a sick visit. Please make sure to contact us if your newborn has a fever, rash, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, cold, eye discharge, yellow skin, refusing feedings, difficult to arouse, or smelly green discharge from umbilicus.

Northwest Spokane Pediatrics Offers Circumcisions As A Newborn Service.

Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, which is the layer of skin that covers the head of the penis. A circumcision takes only a few minutes. Circumcision reduces the bacteria that can live under the foreskin. Circumcision may be performed before or after the mother and baby leave the hospital. It is performed only if the baby is healthy and is most often done during the first few days after birth.

Ready For A Visit?

We are located at 220 E. Rowan Ave. Ste. #150 in Spokane, Washington (99207). Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm. Schedule an appointment with us today – we look forward to seeing you soon!

Ready For A Visit?

We are located at 220 E. Rowan Ave. Ste. #150 in Spokane, Washington (99207). Our office hours are Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm. Schedule an appointment with us today – we look forward to seeing you soon!