Newborn Care

During the first three months of their lives, newborn babies sleep up to 16 hours per day. However, it not consecutive since they wake every 2 to 3 hours to be fed or changed. By the time they reach six months, newborns usually sleep 6 to 7 hours per night, and the amount of sleep increases with age.

Mothers have the right to decide whether to breastfeed or not. Breastfeeding your newborn has many health benefits, including:

• It is an essential source of nutrients and fats
• It produces antibodies to fight infection and disease
• Lose postpartum weight faster

Ideally, you should feed your newborn baby every two to three hours, but some signs will let you know whether they are eating enough:

• It takes a baby between 2 and 3 ounces of formula to drink or 10 to 15 minutes to nurse.
• During the second week, the baby begins to gain weight.

A newborn's skin is very delicate, and bathing them more than three times a week can be harmful. Instead, we recommend using a damp cloth or sponge with warm water and scent-free, hypoallergenic baby wash to clean your newborn.

After being fed, a newborn often spits up. You don't need to worry if your baby seems to be gaining weight. However, if you notice they are spitting up more frequently or suspect something is wrong, please call us immediately at (559) 268-1737. 

As long as the baby is dressed appropriately, parents may take their newborn outside at any time. As a newborn, your baby will lose body heat much quicker than an adult, so wrap them up in warm clothing and bring extra blankets with you when going out in cold weather.

Schedule an appointment at one of our Calhoun or Cartersville, GA offices if your newborn develops a fever higher than 100.4°F. Also, if your newborn seems to be acting strangely, refusing food, or becoming increasingly fussy, we recommend scheduling an appointment.

For an emergency after hours, please visit your nearest emergency room.