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What to expect at your two-week visit
Topics you and your doctor may discuss before you leave the
hospital or at your two-week visit include:
- Umbilical cord and circumcision care.
- Nutrition for your baby. You should establish a form of nutrition, whether you decide to
breastfeed or if you need to choose the correct formula if you decide
not to.
- Baby's head shape. Expect certain abnormalities in the shape of your baby’s head. These
should go away within 2 to 3 months, but be sure to discuss it with your
doctor.
- Baby's sleep pattern. Your baby is probably sleeping a lot of the time, but rarely for long
stretches.
Two-week immunizations
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine (#1) (birth to 2 months) depending if given
after birth or at two weeks
Today’s Report For Your 2-week-old Baby
Child’s Name
Examined by Dr.
Weight
%
Length
%
Head
Immunizations
Hepatitis B virus
Milestones
Notes
Feeding your baby
Your 2-week-old will be getting all of his/her nutrition from either breast milk
or formula. Infants can vary a great deal in how often they need to eat, with
breastfed infants feeding more often. Babies who seem to be gaining weight and
appear healthy are probably getting enough to eat. Another good indicator is a
wet diaper every two to three hours.
Breastfeeding
You should breastfeed your baby every 2½ hours to 4 hours (about 7 to 9
times a day). Breastfeed for at least 10 to 15 minutes on each breast; babies
get most of the milk in the first 10 minutes. Your own nutrition is especially
important to your baby. Make sure that you are eating well and getting enough
rest and fluids. Try to make breastfeeding a relaxing time. If you run into
problems breastfeeding, don’t give up right away. Talk to your health care
provider about any breastfeeding concerns. Growth spurts do occur at
approximately 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. During those times, you
will need to breastfeed more often until your milk supply increases.
Bottle feeding
If you choose to bottle feed, you should give your baby iron-fortified
formula. Make sure that your bottle-fed baby gets the same cuddling and holding
during mealtimes as a breastfed baby would. Always hold the baby when feeding
him/her. He/she needs the comfort of being held, and there is a possibility he/she could
choke on the formula if the bottle is simply propped. Do not put your baby to bed with
a bottle. It can cause choking and promote tooth decay once teeth come in.
To further prevent tooth decay, never dip your baby’s pacifier into anything
sweet. Finally, to prevent burns, never heat your baby’s bottle in the
microwave oven, generally warm tap water will dissolve formula.
What to expect for the first two weeks
The list below identifies some of the events that you should expect related
to the
appearance of your new baby. This list may help set your mind at ease,
especially after the birth of your first child.
You can expect:
- The umbilical cord should remain for the first 10 to 14 days, but it may
not come off until the third week. Be sure to clean it twice a day with
rubbing alcohol, and keep the diaper folded below it at all times.
- Your baby’s breasts may be swollen for 2 to 4 weeks. This happens in
boys and girls and is caused from estrogen in the mother’s placenta.
- The baby’s head may be swollen, either on top or as smaller lumps in
different places on the skull. This is caused either from fluid forced
into the scalp at birth or from rubbing up against the mother’s pelvic
bones. Swelling at the top of the head should go down within a few days,
while swelling from friction will go down within 2 to 3 months. Call your
doctor if swelling increases or lasts longer than normal.
- Your baby’s legs may be bowed or his or her feet may be turned up.
These conditions are caused by being held tightly in the womb. Your baby’s
legs will
straighten out within 6 to 12 months.
- Sometimes a blood vessel in the white of the eye will break during
birth. This is not uncommon and should heal with 2 to 3 weeks.
- A baby’s tear duct can become blocked, making the eye continuously
water. This will usually clear up within the first year of life, but be
sure to ask your child’s doctor at the next visit, or call the doctor
immediately if the eye looks infected or has pus around it.
- Swollen genitals may occur in both boys and girls. Boys may have a
swollen scrotum, lasting 6 to 12 months, or the hymen may be swollen in
girls, disappearing within 2 to 4 weeks.
- A small percentage of boys may have an undescended testicle. They will
more than likely need surgery at a later date to correct this.
- The circumcision on boys (the removal of foreskin on the penis), will
make the area tender for 2 to 3 days afterward. Cleanse the area with warm
water three times a day or when you change the baby’s diaper. Applying
petroleum jelly or an antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, may help
heal the area more quickly. Any scab will come off within a week or two.
Baby girls may sometimes have a vaginal discharge that is clear, white, or
blood-tinged lasting for 3 to 10 days. This is normal and is caused by the
estrogen passed to the baby from your womb.
Mother’s corner: Taking care of yourself
The first month of having a new baby at home can be quite overwhelming. It’s
very easy to get caught up in the needs of your baby and forget about your
needs, but this is an extremely important time to take care of yourself.
During the first few weeks after your baby’s birth, it is completely
natural to feel out of sorts, blue or even resentful of the demands your baby is
making upon you. Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually depressed or unhappy.
Postpartum depression is not unusual. If you feel so resentful of your baby that
you are tempted to hurt him/her, contact your physician immediately.
Baby safety
- Keep your baby out of direct sunlight. Do not use sunscreen until your
baby is at least 6 months old.
- Car safety seats are always necessary. Place the seat in the middle of
the back seat, facing backwards. If you are unsure you are placing it
correctly, check with your local health department or the manufacturer’s
instructions for help.
- Place your baby on her back when sleeping.
- Do not leave your baby alone with a young sibling or a pet.
- Do not smoke around your new baby.
When should I call the doctor?
Call you doctor if your baby:
- Becomes sluggish or inactive
- Will not eat
- Cries more than usual
- Develops an unusual rash (not prickly heat or diaper rash)
- Has a fever of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as indicated by a rectal
thermometer
- Vomits repeatedly (not just spitting up)
- Has frequent loose, watery bowels
- Has apnea spells (times when baby stops breathing for long periods)
- Breathes rapidly, wheezes, or has any difficulty breathing
- Has developed any kind of skin infection, including at the site of
circumcision
Also call if the umbilical cord becomes infected or bleeds more than a few
drops at separation, or if the appearance or functions of your baby are not
normal, as described in this document.
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