Newborn Care in the Hospital: Moms and Dads, Know These Things!

First of all, congratulations on the arrival of your little one into the world! This is the beginning of the most beautiful and challenging time of your life with this new guest. So, today we will talk about what happens in the hospital after the baby is born, the care the baby receives, and the tests that are performed. Being aware of these things in advance will be a great help to you as a new parent.

What happens as soon as the baby is born?

Imagine, as soon as a baby comes into this world, a team of doctors and nurses are ready to check on the baby's well-being. Although most babies are born healthy, some babies may need a little help.

So, the main things to do right after the baby is born are:

• Apgar test: This checks the baby's basic health status and whether immediate medical attention is needed.
• Vitamin K vaccine: This is a very important vaccine for babies.
• Eye medication : This is done to protect the baby's eyes from infections.

Then, before sending your baby home, you'll be given more tests and a few vaccinations. All of this is for your and your baby's safety and well-being.

Why are these tests and vaccines given to the baby?

Now let's see why we are doing all this.

What is the Apgar test?

This is a method introduced by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952. This test is done at the first minute and at five minutes after birth. It focuses on five things. It is easy to remember, as the name APGAR suggests:

• A – Appearance ( skin color ): The baby's skin color is checked to see if it is pink or bluish.
• P – Pulse (heart rate): The baby's heart rate is measured.
• G – Grimace (Response): See how the baby responds to a small stimulus (for example, a gentle tap on the nose).
• A – Activity ( muscle activity): Check to see if the baby is moving their arms and legs and if their body is alive.
• R – Respiration: Check to see if the baby is breathing well or if there is any difficulty breathing.

Each of these items is given a score of 0, 1, or 2. Then, the scores are added together to calculate the Apgar score. Generally, a score of 7 or higher indicates that the baby is in good health . However, a score of exactly 10 is a bit low. This is because babies may be a little blue at birth until they warm up. A low score could indicate a heart or lung problem, a difficult birth, or a premature baby. But remember,This Apgar score cannot be used to draw any conclusions about the baby's future health.

Simply put, this is basically about maintaining the baby's body temperature and keeping their heart and breathing rates normal.

Is the Vitamin K vaccine essential?

Yes, absolutely. Newborn babies usually have low levels of vitamin K. This vitamin K is essential for blood clotting . So, the baby is given this vitamin K vaccine as soon as he is born. This can protect the baby from a bleeding condition called ``Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn``, which can occur in newborn babies, but is a little more serious.

What are eye drops for?

When a baby is born, some bacterial infections can enter the eyes through the birth canal. To protect the baby's eyes from such infections, an antibiotic eye ointment or drops are applied.

What other tests are done before sending the baby home?

Before going home from the hospital, several tests are performed to further confirm the baby's health .

Newborn Screening Tests

This is a very important test. There are some medical conditions that are not visible at birth, but can become serious later on. So, these tests can identify such conditions early. Then, treatment can be started early and the disease can be controlled or cured.

This involves taking a small blood sample from the baby's heel (heel prick) and testing it for various medical conditions. Here are a few examples:

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Congenital Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland at birth)
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis

Is the baby's hearing tested? (Hearing Test)

Yes, it is now standard practice in many countries to test the hearing of all newborns. This is because early detection and treatment of hearing loss can help prevent future speech and language development problems. During this test, a small earphone or microphone is placed in the baby's ear and the baby's brain is monitored for sounds. The baby must be asleep to be able to perform this test accurately. If the baby fails this test, it does not necessarily mean that the baby cannot hear. The test may need to be repeated.

Hepatitis B vaccine

This vaccine protects the baby from the Hepatitis B virus. This virus can cause liver damage. The Hepatitis B vaccine is given in three doses. The first dose is usually given at birth. The other two doses are given at 18 months of age.

Special heart screening (CCHD Screening)

Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) is a group of serious heart conditions that are present at birth. These can be life-threatening and may require medical intervention during infancy.

So, to identify these CCHD conditions early, this is done along with other tests before the baby is sent home from the hospital. This uses a device called a Pulse Oximeter (Pulse Ox) that is designed specifically for newborns. In this, one sensor is wrapped around the baby's arm and the other around the leg. With this test, some babies can be identified if they have CCHD before symptoms appear.

Other important things for baby and mother in the hospital

In addition to tests, other things happen at the hospital to strengthen the bond between the baby and the mother and to help the baby's development.

Skin-to-Skin Contact - "Kangaroo Care"

If your baby is born without any complications, the medical staff will place your baby on your chest as soon as possible. This is called "skin-to-skin contact" or "kangaroo care." This has many benefits:

• It will help the baby get used to this new world.
• It increases the mother's milk supply.
• Helps make breastfeeding more successful.

Feeding the baby

Before sending you and your baby home, doctors will make sure your baby is latching on well. Breastfeeding can sometimes be harder than you think, but there are many ways to help. If you're hoping to breastfeed, find out if your hospital has a lactation consultant . Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your pediatrician is also a good resource for this. Before sending your baby home, they will also check to see if your baby has wet at least three or four nappies in the past 24 hours.

Baby's first "poo" (Meconium)

Doctors also check to see if the baby passes meconium within 24 to 48 hours of birth. Meconium is the black, sticky stool that a baby passes in the first one to three days. This is normal, so don't worry.

Jaundice in the baby

The baby's skin is also checked for yellowing. This is called jaundice . Many newborn babies develop some degree of jaundice. This is caused by a build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the baby's blood. Sometimes, a test may be done to check the bilirubin level before leaving the hospital.

Circumcision - if necessary

A day or two after your baby is born, you can have your baby circumcised if you wish. This is a surgical procedure that removes the foreskin of the baby's penis. It is done for medical, religious, and cultural reasons. It is usually done before leaving the hospital.

When are you going home from the hospital?

Healthy, uncomplicated babies can usually go home from the hospital in two to three days . However, if you or your baby have any complications or medical problems, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few more days.

How to take care of a small baby at home?

Coming home from the hospital with a newborn baby can be both exciting and scary. Many people feel unprepared for the challenges of caring for a newborn. That's normal. Newborns have many needs, and caring for them can be a bit overwhelming. A baby's needs are simple, but they are essential. The most important thing is to provide your baby with love and care in the first months of their life.

There are things you can do to prepare before you go home. Consider taking a newborn care class while you're still pregnant. While a class won't prepare you for everything, you can learn about things like:

• How to change a baby's nappy.
• How to bathe a baby.
• How to dress a baby.
• How to breastfeed and bottlefeed a baby.
• How to keep your baby's umbilical cord stump clean.
• How to care for a circumcision wound until it heals.
• How to comfort a baby.
• How to check a baby's fever.
• How to recognize the symptoms of an illness or infection.

What is the best time to take the baby outside?

There is no hard and fast rule about when to take your baby outside. If your baby is healthy, you can take him outside whenever you want. However, you need to be very careful. Keep your baby away from people who may be sick. Since your baby's immune system is still developing, it may be difficult for them to fight off infections. Also, ask anyone who comes in contact with your baby to wash their hands.

It's best to wait a few months before taking your baby to crowded, public places. After a few months, your baby will have received their first round of vaccinations and their immune system will be a little stronger to fight off germs.

Baby's First Bath

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends waiting at least 24 hours before giving your baby their first bath. In the past, babies were bathed immediately after birth. However, research has found that delaying your baby's first bath has the following benefits:

• Helps control the baby's body temperature.
• Prevents skin from drying out.
• You may have a greater chance of successful breastfeeding.

Some doctors recommend waiting a week before bathing your baby. This is because the umbilical cord stump usually falls off within a week or two. However, to keep the umbilical cord dry, you can clean your baby with a sponge bath.

Can we talk a little about mom's dry skin? (Postpartum Dry Skin)

This is not just about the baby, but a common problem for new mothers. During pregnancy, changes in hormones like estrogen and progesterone can cause skin to change and become dry. The drop in these hormones after childbirth can also cause dry skin. Try these things to get relief:

• Use a gentle cleanser for your skin.
• Apply an oil-free moisturizer that won't clog your pores.
• Avoid bathing in hot water for long periods of time, which strips the skin of its natural oils.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Use a humidifier.

What happens to the placenta?

After the baby is born, you deliver the placenta. This is called the third stage of labor. Most hospitals treat the placenta as medical waste. They throw it away in a biohazard bag. Some hospitals keep the placenta for a while in case it needs to be tested for some reason.

Finally, things to remember

Newborn care at the hospital is a great way to help your baby adjust to life outside the womb. Most babies are born without any major medical problems, so they don't need any extra help. However, some babies need medical intervention right after birth. Doctors also perform newborn tests and assessments to make sure your baby is ready to go home. After that, you can take your little one home and give them the love and care they need to start their life. Since this is all a new experience, don't be afraid to ask the doctors and nurses if you have any questions. They are there to help you.

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