Newborn Care In Brighton, CO

Welcoming a baby into the family is such an exciting time, but can also be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out how to best care for your newborn. The experienced and caring providers at Premier Pediatrics in Brighton, CO, provide newborn care guidance and other services to help your baby enjoy optimal health and wellness.

Ways to Care for Your Newborn

There are many aspects to properly caring for newborns. The skilled physicians at our pediatric office in Brighton, CO, can help you understand newborn care so you know how to best care for your baby.

Some important areas of newborn care include:

• Handling: Safely handling newborns includes washing your hands before picking the baby up, supporting the head and neck, and being careful not to shake the baby.
• Feeding: Newborn stomachs are tiny and can only handle small amounts of breast milk or formula at a time. You will need to feed your baby every 2–3 hours during the first few weeks. Most infants eat between 8–12 times within a 24-hour period.
• Bathing: Babies should not be bathed on a daily basis. Giving your baby a bath 2–3 times a week with a gentle cleanser in warm water is all that is needed. Additionally, the water should be shallow, and you should never leave your little one unattended in the water for (even a second).
• Soothing: When infants are tired, upset, or fussy, various soothing techniques can be used to help relax baby. Some ways to soothe your little one include swaddling, cuddling, gently massaging baby, reading to baby, singing softly, or playing soothing sounds.
• Well Child Visits: Regular checkups allow the doctor to monitor growth and development to ensure your baby is healthy and on track in key developmental areas.

When to See a Doctor

Newborns and infants should see a pediatrician regularly for well child visits, but babies should also see the doctor when they get sick or display certain symptoms.

It's important that you seek emergency medical care if the following symptoms develop:

• A fever of 100.4 F or higher for infants under 2 months
• Baby is extremely sleepy or unresponsive
• Baby is inconsolable or crying persistently
• A red rash develops all over the skin
• The stomach is distended or swollen
• Baby is refusing to eat
• Watery stools

Premier Pediatrics in Brighton, CO: Supporting Your Child's Health

Schedule an appointment with one of our providers to learn more about newborn care by calling Premier Pediatrics in Brighton, CO, at (303) 655-1685. We'd love to talk with you about how we can support your growing family.