Specific Care

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Upon discharge from the hospital, cleanse the navel area with soap/water or alcohol 4 times daily or with each diaper change. This keeps it dry and clean. Be sure to clean well in the creases where it is attached. The cord usually falls off between 7-14 days after birth. Florida’s moist warm climate can sometimes delay this up to 1 month. You may notice a few drops of blood from this area when the cord detaches. This is normal. If you feel there is a large amount of blood, we wish to see the baby. Similarly if the skin surrounding the navel is red, swollen and tender, or there are red streaks in the skin over the abdomen around the cord, we want to see the baby. Diapering slightly beneath the cord will assist in drying and healing.

Vaseline applied to the head of the penis with diaper changes for 24-48 hours is usually all the care necessary. It is important that parents observe the nature of the urine stream. It should be forceful. The urine should shoot out, especially when the baby begins to urinate. If your baby dribbles his urine, please notify us. 

Male and female babies may have an enlargement of one or both breasts. There may even be a thin milk- like secretion. Do not massage or manipulate the breast. If they seem to be extremely painful, apply cool applications. Some female infants will have a thin bloody vaginal discharge similar to a period. Both conditions are due to hormonal influences from the mother and will clear up in time.

Sneezing is the baby’s way of clearing the nasal mucus and is normal. If this is not sufficient and the nose remains stuffed, instill several drops of saltwater nose drops (1/4 teaspoon of salt in 4 ounces of distilled water) into one nostril. Wait 30 seconds, then aspirate with a rubber bulb syringe. Repeat in the other nostril. The best time for this procedure is prior to feeding or sleeping, since a baby depends on easy nose breathing while he sucks. 

Often mucus collects on the eyelids and lashes. A moist washcloth is usually sufficient to remove the mucus. Wipe from the inside out. If the whites of the eyes or tissue around the eyes are red or swollen we want to see the baby.

Only clean the outside of the ears. Do not insert Q-tips into the ear canal. You cannot tell how deep you are going, and more often than not you push the wax further down. You can also damage the eardrum.

Diaper rashes are usually due to irritation of the skin from the damp diaper. Wash the diaper area with a soft cloth and warm water. Be sure to spread and clean the creases around the labia of little girls. Pat the area dry with a clean soft cloth. If a rash develops, apply a protective cream or ointment to the skin until healing occurs. This will act as a barrier between the diaper and the baby’s skin. Leave the baby out of the diaper for as much time as possible. You can use a cloth diaper. If the rash does not improve, or if it consists of large water blisters with pus, we want to see the baby.

There is a wide range of normal stooling patterns. Some infants stool with each feeding, others may go two to three days between bowel movements. If the stool is soft in texture, either pattern is acceptable. Breastfed baby’s stools are typically mustard yellow and seedy and more frequent initially than formula fed baby’s stools. Almost all babies will strain and appear uncomfortable when they stool. Again, if the texture is soft, this is normal and requires no attention. If the stool is hard, and especially if there is evidence of blood streaking, we would recommend giving 1 ounce of prune juice mixed with 1 ounce of water. If these measures are unsuccessful please call us. We want to discourage the use of suppositories and laxatives and we do not recommend enemas for infants.

Often newborn infants will have pin-point "white heads" surrounded by reddened areas on their face. If these come and go, they require no particular care except routine gentle bathing. If you child has an extensive face rash or appears to have blisters and/or pus, we would like to see your child in the office. Occasionally, your baby’s face will get irritated from drooling and turning his head back and forth on the bed. Gentle bathing and allowing the baby to lay his head on a soft, clean, absorbent cloth diaper will be helpful. Do not use cream or lotions, etc. on the face. However, if the rash on the cheeks is from drooling during sleep, Vaseline applied to the face can help to prevent it.

Until the cord falls off and heals you should only sponge bathe the baby. Any basic non-perfumed soap is acceptable. Remember too much soap is drying. Once the cord has healed, tub baths may be used. Gently clean your baby’s face and scalp to remove excess oil and skin debris. A soft washcloth will do the trick. Try to keep the suds out of the infant’s eyes. Your infant’s skin has its own protective oils so commercial oils, lotions, and powders are not usually necessary. Be sure that the water temperature is lukewarm.