Newborn care immediately after birth

Narrator: In the first hour of life, most healthy babies will be cleaned and examined right at their mother's bedside.

In the hours that follow, many will also visit the hospital nursery for a more detailed health assessment.

The first order of business is keeping your baby warm, since newborns don't have good temperature control. Your baby may be placed under a radiant warmer while being cleaned and dried. She won't get a full bath until her temperature stabilizes.

Your newborn will be rubbed vigorously as she's cleaned, to warm her up and improve blood flow. It's normal for her hands and feet to appear bluish, as her circulation is still maturing.

Your baby is assessed for skin color, muscle tone, activity level, heart and lung function, and reflexes in the very first and fifth minute of life. This is referrred to as an Apgar score. She'll also receive a head to toe exam.

Babies who have poor skin color, trouble breathing, or decreased muscle tone may be given oxygen. Those who need their airway cleared will receive suctioning to remove mucus and blood from their mouth.

Your newborn's umbilical cord, which has been cut, is clamped to prevent bleeding. Though the cord stump looks bred 13s large and odd, don't worry it will dry up and fall off within three weeks.

Your baby may receive a few medications at your bedside: A vitamin K shot for clotting, a hepatitis B vaccine, and an antibiotic ointment for her eyes. Whatever she doesn't get here, she'll get in the nursery.

Her head circumference and body length will be measured, and she'll have her first official weigh in.

Your baby's footprints may be taken, and a nurse will put an ID band on you, your partner, and your child as a safety precaution to avoid jordan 13 bred mix ups like having her returned to the wrong parent in the hospital.

Keep in bred 13s for sale mind, newborn care varies by hospital and not all babies will receive a bedside exam. Also, babies born with serious medical concerns will skip the bedside care and head straight to the nursery or a neonatal intensive care unit.

Once your baby checks out fine, she'll be diapered, swaddled, and placed back in your arms. Before long, you'll be headed home together. Help Center Press Center Contact Us Site Map

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