Checking that your baby is well - patient information

Checking that your baby is wellA guide to your baby’s first two weeksHappy Not sure UnhappyTemperature: Try putting the back of yourhand on your baby’s tummy, this will tell youif they are hot or cold.Muscle tone and activity: In the early daysyour baby might have some involuntarymovements. It is common for them to sneeze,stretch and hiccup.Colour and jaundice: Some babies maybecome yellow and this can be a sign of acondition called jaundice. About 50% ofnewborn babies can develop jaundice.Eyes: It is normal for babies to have poorcontrol over their eyes and appear cross eyedat times. Eyes look grey – blue, or brown incolour. They will develop their eye colourfrom six to12 months.Mouth: If your baby’s mouth is moist it meanshe/she is feeding well. You might even noticea blister on their top lip, this is normal.Your baby should feel warm to touch.They will be able to grasp yourhand and will enjoy touching andstroking.Your baby should be a normal skintone. Babies may have hands andfeet that are blue for about 24 to48 hours after birth.Your baby can have a smallamount of discharge from theireyes. This is normal and needs tobe cleaned with cool boiled waterand cotton wool.A white tongue is normal aftera feed.If your baby feels hot or cold tryadding or removing a layer ofclothes or blankets.Seek immediate advice from yourdoctor if your baby feels hot afteryou have removed some layers ORIf your baby is persistently cold,they may be unwell.Your baby should never be floppy or stiff. They might be unwell if theydislike being cuddled and do not like bright lights. Call a doctor if thisapplies to your baby.If your baby is yellow but wakingfor feeds, feeding well and havingwet and dirty nappies contact yourmidwifery team who will monitoryour baby closely.If there is a lot of discharge cleanyour baby’s eyes regularly andcontact your midwifery team.If you see white spots in your baby’smouth which do not disappearin between feeds, contact yourmidwife or GP.Call a midwife if your baby isn’tfeeding well, is floppy, sleepy andnot having wet and dirty nappies.They will need to assess your babytoday.If your baby’s eyes look red andswollen call your doctor. This couldbe a sign of infection.If the mouth is dry and your babyisn’t feeding well. Call a midwifestraight away.www.uhs.nhs.uk

Happy Not sure UnhappyFeeding: The frequency with which your babyfeeds changes over time, please discuss this withyour midwife. If you are breastfeeding, pleaserefer to your breastfeeding diary, as this will giveyou a day by day guide to feeding your baby.Wet and dirty nappies: The contents of yourbaby’s nappy changes from day to day in thebeginning. You should expect:• Day one to four: Baby’s nappies are usuallyblack/green in colour. It can look like thicktar or marmite!• Day four to seven: Your baby’s nappies willstart to change colour from black/green toyellow.• Day seven onwards. A baby’s nappy will beyellow. It will be soft and seedy if you arebreastfeeding or look like play dough if yourbaby is formula fed.Cord: The umbilical cord will start to dry outand will usually fall off by the time your babyis two weeks old. The cord needs cleaningwith cool boiled water and drying afterwards.Dry Skin: It is normal for your baby to havedry skin.A well fed baby will be contentduring and after a feed and havewet and dirty nappies.Babies will normally have severalwet nappies a day.Some baby girls can have a smallbleed or a discharge from theirvagina.You may even notice a yellowor dark orange urine stain in thenappy. This is normal.The cord can be sticky underneath,this is normal.Wash your baby with water. Avoidusing cleansing products.If you have any feeding concerns call your postnatal co-ordinator who willcontact your midwifery team or visit a breastfeeding support group today.If you are worried that your babyhas not passed much urine (wee)you should feed them frequently.Put a little cotton wool in theirnappy and you will know if theyhave passed urine.There may be a spot of blood whenthe cord falls off. This is normal.Let the midwife know today if theyhaven’t passed much urine.Your baby may be constipated ifthey are struggling to poo. Informyour midwife or health visitor forfurther advice.If you notice a red ring around thetummy button let a doctor knowstraight away.If your baby’s skin is very dry ask your midwifery team for advice at yournext appointment.SouthamptonNew ForestPostnatal midwifery co-ordinator (8.30am to 4.30pm) 07786 266529 Postnatal midwifery co-ordinator (8.30am to 4.30pm) 023 8074 7693Broadlands Birth Centre (out of hours) 023 8120 6012 New Forest Birth Centre (out of hours) 023 8074 7690If you need a translation of this document, an interpreter or a version in large print, Braille or onaudio tape, please telephone 023 8120 4688 for help.Revised August 2013 Review date August 2016. PAH001.01www.uhs.nhs.uk