Area of Interest
Diapers
➢ One stool diaper in the first 24 hours. Poops will change from black, sticky tar (meconium), to yellow and seedy as the milk comes in. After the first 24 hrs, babies usually poop 1-3 times per day
➢ One wet diaper in the first 24 hours. After the first 24 hrs, babies should have # of pees = # of days old (2 pees on Day 2, 3 pees on Day 3, etc.)
➢ Some orange-red staining (uric acid crystals) in the diaper can be normal until your milk comes in
➢ Genitals may be enlarged. Baby girls may have period-like discharge from the vagina
What is Normal
When to Call the Urgent Line
➢ No pee or poo in the first 24 hours
Area of Interest
Feeding
➢ In the first 24 hrs, there is no recommended feeding schedule. Feed your baby when they show signs of hunger. They may spit up some mucus swallowed during the birth
➢ After the first 24 hrs, babies should feed at least every 2-3 hours (sometimes more frequently), from the start of the first feed to the start of the next
➢ Between Day 2 and Day 3, many babies become very fussy and want to feed often. This is normal and this will help bring your milk in
What is Normal
➢ After 24 hours, baby becomes very lethargic and unable to wake for feeds
➢ Bright green, black, or repeated projectile vomiting
When to Call the Urgent Line
Area of Interest
Skin
➢ In the first 48 hours, it is normal for babies to have purple-bluish, cool hands and feet (called acrocyanosis)
➢ It is very common for babies to have yellowing of the skin or eyes (called jaundice) after the first 24 hours of life for several days
➢ Red spots that come and go on the baby’s skin, as well as small white spots on nose or chest, are normal findings and are benign skin conditions
➢ It is very common for a baby’s skin to peel and flake; apply breast milk or natural oil on skin to moisturize it
What is Normal
➢ Blue centrally (face, lips, genitals) - call 911 if if this is seen
➢ Jaundice in the first 24 hours
When to Call the Urgent Line
Area of Interest
Temperature
➢ Babies should wear one more layer of clothing than we do to maintain their temperature
➢ Normal temperature is between 36.5°C to 37.5°C
What is Normal
➢ Fever (over 37.5C) or low temperature despite the baby being dressed/bundled/skin to skin (less than 36.5C)
When to Call the Urgent Line
Area of Interest
Cord Stump
➢ Just try to ignore it; it will dry and fall off in the first 2 weeks! No special cleaning is needed
➢ Keep it out of the diaper by folding the front of the diaper down or gently pulling the stump up above the diaper
➢ You may notice a small spot of blood or discharge on the baby’s clothes/diaper as it falls off, which is normal
What is Normal
➢ Consistent bleeding from the cord
➢ Skin around the base of the cord becomes red, swollen and hot to touch
➢ Foul smelling pus from the cord area
When to Call the Urgent Line
Area of Interest
Breathing
➢ Babies can have irregular breathing patterns—they often have several quick breaths, pause for several seconds, and repeat this cycle
➢ Babies mostly breathe through their nose
What is Normal
➢ Baby’s nostrils widen as he or she breathes (nasal flaring) for longer than a few minutes
➢ The skin around your baby’s ribs or at the base of the throat pulls in sharply with each breath
➢ Breathing stops for more than 10 seconds
When to Call the Urgent Line