InfantWellness

Infant Wellness: 

Infant Wellness [insert presenter info]

Objectives: 

Objectives Provide an overview of the basic aspects of care and wellness for your baby Newborn characteristics Care and feeding of the newborn Behavioral cues Signs of illness

Newborn Appearance: 

Newborn Appearance Molding Lanugo & Vernix Fontanels - anterior and posterior Lip Blisters Fingernails Skin - Neonatal Acne, Milia Eyes - red and puffy

Milia: 

Milia Small, whitish-yellow papules found close to the skin surface Particularly common around eyes and midface

Neonatal Acne: 

Neonatal Acne Red papules and pustules

Newborn Characteristics: 

Newborn Characteristics Hair – Newborn hair will be replaced in a few weeks and change color Genitals – swollen breasts, scrotum, labia Hiccups are normal Sneezes Jaundice – newborn from day 2 - day 7

Senses: 

Senses Touch promotes bonding and comforting Sight – sees best 8-12 inches Hearing – excellent at birth Good sense of smell Can smell mother’s breastmilk Good sense of taste

Reflexes: 

Reflexes Rooting Startle caused by loud noises or position changes Sucking Grasp – baby has tight finger grasp

Umbilical Cord: 

Umbilical Cord Apply alcohol with each diaper change Fold diaper below cord Will fall off in 10-14 days Do not give full bath until it falls off

Circumcision: 

Circumcision Is done at 24 hours of age Cleanse with soap & water, apply petroleum jelly Plastibell ring will fall off 5-8 days

Bathing: 

Bathing Sponge bath 3 times/wk Tub bath when cord and circumcision heal Wash face and genitals daily with plain water Use mild soap on genitals if needed Avoid baby wipes with alcohol or perfume

Crying: 

Crying First means of communication Hunger pangs Diaper rash pain Colic (stomach ache) Be calm and patient Do not shake baby Know signs of emergencies

Nutrition: 

Nutrition Breast feeding Bottle feeding Solid foods Good nutrition habits

Breastfeeding: 

Breastfeeding Benefits to baby Protects against allergies Easily digested Decreases diaper rash Encourages bonding Decrease diarrhea or constipation Benefits to mother Convenient Promotes weight loss Less expensive Promotes bonding

Bottle Feeding Basics: 

Bottle Feeding Basics NEVER MICROWAVE! – use warm water to warm formula Hold your baby for every feeding Keep baby’s head higher than their body Brush baby’s lips lightly with bottle nipple Place nipple gently in baby’s mouth Keep milk in the nipple by tilting the bottle down towards the baby NEVER PROP A BOTTLE, YOUR BABY MAY CHOKE!

Bottle Feeding: 

Bottle Feeding Supplies needed: 8 (4 ounce) baby bottles and caps 8 nipples Bottle and nipple brush for cleaning 1 quart measuring cup Formula Wait until you see what type of formula your baby likes before buying a lot Plan on around 70 ounces of formula to start

Diaper Care: 

Diaper Care Cloth vs. Disposable Cloth diapers, diaper service, disposable Diaper rash Dermatitis vs. Yeast Cleansing Wipe front to back Avoid wipes as they may irritate skin Use warm water to wash skin Use ointment as needed

Well Baby Check Ups: 

Well Baby Check Ups Regularly scheduled visits Physical exam Interview Immunizations are scheduled at these visits Ask for advice on caring for immunization site

Stools: 

Stools Meconium – the first stool Sticky, greenish-black Normal – yellow-green seedy, mustard-like, soft stool Diarrhea stools > 3 times/hour, watery with no consistency Constipation – infrequent, hard, pellet-like

Temperature: 

Temperature Normal Rectal 98.6-99.6 Axillary (armpit) 97.6-99.0 Ear thermometer after 2 years old Comfort – baby should have one more layer than is comfortable for adult

Safety: 

Safety Use good handwashing Protect your baby from infection Shaken baby syndrome Never handle your baby roughly Second hand smoke Limit exposure

Illness - Fevers: 

Illness - Fevers Babies under 3 months who develop a fever of 100° or greater need to see a doctor Fever is the first line of defense against disease Home treatment Take temperature Increase fluid intake Tepid baths if fever over 104 F (no alcohol baths) Give appropriate dose of acetaminophen, no aspirin

Illness: 

Illness Fever or sluggishness Pale or flushed Irritable, constant crying Poor appetite Unusual vomiting Diarrhea Area of redness, swelling, increased warmth Rash with pus, presence of foul odor Yellow or green runny nose Wet or rattling cough Possible signs of infection

Emergency Signs: 

Emergency Signs No Pulse or Breath Major Injury Choking Unconsciousness Source: Taking Care of Your Child (5th Ed) Pantell, Fries, Vickery

Emergency Signs cont.: 

Emergency Signs cont. Active Bleeding Stupor, Drowsiness, or Lethargy Disorientation Shortness of Breath Source: Taking Care of Your Child (5th Ed) Pantell, Fries, Vickery

Emergency Signs cont.: 

Emergency Signs cont. Severe Pain Poisoning Seizures Fever Source: Taking Care of Your Child (5th Ed) Pantell, Fries, Vickery

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) The sudden unexplained death of a baby under one year of age Cause is unknown Congenital defect? Environmental effects? Reduce SIDS risk Get early and regular prenatal care Put baby on back to sleep Use firm mattress, no soft bedding or toys Avoid overheating baby’s room Avoid second hand smoke

Resources: 

Resources http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ (general pregnancy and health) http://www.healthfinder.gov (general pregnancy and health) http://www.modimes.org/ (general pregnancy, baby and health) http://familydoctor.org/ (general pregnancy, baby and health) http://mama.modimes.org/ (general pregnancy,baby and health) http://www.childbirth.org/ (childbirth)

Resources cont.: 

Resources cont. http://www.4women.org/(women’s health,nutrition and birth control) http://www.lalecheleague.org/ (breast-feeding) http://www..plannedparenthood.org (birth control) http://www.gotmom.org (breast-feeding) http://healtheforces.org (military and health care)

Acknowledgements: 

Acknowledgements Ms. BethAnn Cameron Health Educator Directorate of Health Promotion and Wellness US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine Ms. Cindy Plank Health Educator General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri