Mom and Baby Care

Post Partum Body Changes in the first week or two following the delivery of the baby many women experience some cramping (especially during breast feeding) the uterus is contracting back to its normal size vaginal discomfort post delivery may also be present - to help ease this discomfort apply a small covered ice bag to the area keep the perineum clean by pouring warm water over the vaginal area after each voiding or bowel movement use pain relievers as needed - be sure to check with your doctor about which ones to use sitting on a soft seat or cushion also helps to provide comfort in the perineal area vaginal bleeding ('Lochia' or 'Flow') decreases each day and usually stops by week 2-6 post delivery if there is any foul odor, excessive bleeding / passing many clots, or the vaginal flow is a greenish color - notify your doctor What about sleep and rest for mom and baby? sleep and rest periods throughout the day are very important for both mom and baby fatigue or exhaustion of mother (or baby) can lead to health problems, especially in the first 6 weeks following delivery if you are tired – rest. Concentrate on yours and your baby’s needs!! the baby grows and learns more in the first 3 years of their life than they do during the rest of their lifetime- they need lots of sleep babies often sleep 15 hours per day for the first few months sleeping and resting are times that the baby does a lot of growing sleep and rest are very important for breast milk production sleep and rest are important for the mom’s emotional and physical wellbeing and for ‘recovery’ following delivery "First time mothers with sleep loss may experience an increase in difficulties with learning and performing maternal tasks" (McVeye, 1997, p. 337) rest and sleep, especially in the early postpartum period may help to reduce the occurance of postpartum 'blues', anxiety, and depression Safety and Sleep put baby to sleep in a safe sleeping environment your baby should sleep on a firm, flat mattress - waterbeds, saggy mattresses, feather beds, sofas are not considered safe sleeping areas for baby be sure that baby cannot fall out of bed/crib and that there are no spaces between the mattress and the headboard bedsharing is discouraged for the first year of baby's life co-sleeping (baby sleeps in parents room) is a means of having baby close by without baby sleeping in parents bed after the first 3 months, baby can be placed on their stomach for short periods while awake - this will help to strengthen their neck muscles

Bathing Baby once the baby's umbilical 'cord' has fallen off, you can bath the baby in a small baby bath until then - wash baby's face, neck, hands and diaper area daily you do not have to fully bath baby every day most babies enjoy bathtime. Check the water temperature by placing a few drops of the bath water on your wrist before you put baby into the bath carefully dry baby - unscented creams / lotions /powders can be sparingly applied bathing baby should be a relaxed playful experience bathing baby just before sleep helps to establish a bedtime routine for baby bathing baby in the kitchen sink is not advised as there may be many bacteria in the sink (that are not visible to the naked eye) never leave the baby unsupervised during bathtime When should I get my baby immunized? immunizations are a very important part of baby care immunizations protect baby, mother, other children and pregnant mothers - they are a requirement for admissions into most daycare centers/schools for a full term healthy infant – the immunization program usually begins when the baby is 2-3 months old the immunization program can be organized through your doctor’s office, at the local Health Care Centre , Public Health Unit or the Well Baby Clinic (see ‘Support Services’) the program includes the immunization of your child throughout his/her school years everyone should have a ‘booster’ of Tetanus, Diptheria, and Polio every 10 years following the last vaccination (usually Grade 10). Check with your Public Health Unit What About Diapers? there are disposable and cloth diapers to choose from - if you choose cloth diapers choose a brand that is 100% cotton there are cloth diapers that have velcro fasteners instead - elliminating the need to use safety pins newborns may need their diapers changed 10-15 times per day wash your hands before and after each diaper change choose a flat safe surface to change your baby on (a change table with side rails or place baby on a cloth on the floor) keep one hand on your baby at all times wipe the diaper area with a warm wet washcloth or baby wipe (unscented) pat the area dry or allow it to air dry change baby as soon as they are wet or soiled when the diaper area is clean and dry, rub a small amount of petroleum jelly or zinc oxide cream on the diaper area