Umbilical Cord Care:
The umbilical cord usually falls off at around 7-10 days.  Prior to this time you should clean around the stump with alcohol three to four times a day or with every diaper change.  Please report any redness, foul odor, or purulent drainage from around the site.  The umbilicus does not contain any nerve endings so your child will not have any discomfort.  Refrain from any tub baths until the cord has completely fallen off.  Keep your baby's diaper folded down below the navel to keep urine off and to let air in.

Circumcision:
Whether to circumcise your child is a personal decision.  We will not be performing the circumcision.  Your obstetrician can perform the circumcision in the hospital before your baby is discharged or a mohel can perform the circumcision.  To care for the circumcision apply petroleum jelly to the tip of the penis with each diaper change and cover with a gauze pad.  Please report any bleeding, unusual swelling, purulent drainage, or inability to urinate.

Normal Childhood Sleep Patterns: Newborns up to eight weeks will sleep a total of 16-18 hours a day and require about 1-3 night feeds.  From eight weeks to six months they sleep a total of 14-16 hours a day, of which about 6-8 hours is at night.  From six months to twelve months of age they also sleep 14-16 hours a day, but about 10-12 hours of this is at night.

Tips on a good sleep environment:

1. Keep a dark, quiet, and comfortably cool environment
2. Have a regular waking time, consistent nap length, and a regular bedtime
3. No frightening TV/or stories before bedtime
4. No vigorous physical activities an hour before bedtime
5. Keep a consistent bedtime routine (e.g. bath, brush teeth, toilet, story)
6. Consistent soothing techniques (e.g. transitional objects such as a favorite blanket or stuffed animal.

Safe Sleep Guidelines: We recommend along with the Academy of Pediatrics that all infants should be placed on their backs when put down to sleep until at least twelve months of age.  Use a crib that meets federal safety standards.  Make sure the mattress fits snugly against the crib. There should be no more than a two finger space.  Don't use crib bumpers; an infant's head can become wedged between the bumper and the mattress.  Don't fill the crib with stuffed animals.  Don't let the baby sleep on soft yielding bedding such as comforters, pillows, beanbag cushions, or sheepskins.  Choose a firm mattress so that the child doesn't sink.  Don't let your infant sleep on an adult waterbed.

If your Newborn has a Fever: Call our office for any infant under three months of age with a rectal temperature of 100.3 ° F  or under 97.5 ° F.  Regardless of age, call if any fever has persisted for longer than three days; if your child can not be comforted; is irritable; cries inconsolably; has difficulty breathing; is lethargic; not feeding well; or has a convulsion.