First Few Weeks For New Parents

After having discussed tips to keep you sane through the first few days of your little one, let's move to first few weeks. Babies evolve very rapidly and a lot of times parents are confused about the relevance of information given to them initially. Let's go through these phases gradually:

FEEDING - By the end of 1-2 weeks, babies are ready for demand feeding which usually varies from an hour to 2-3 hours. Breastfeeding babies usually demand more frequently than the formula fed ones. That is because formula milk takes longer to get digested.

Witching hour usually occurs towards the end of the day when babies feed more frequently than usual but fortunately learn to sleep longer once full.

Formula fed babies start taking larger volumes - usually 3-4 ounces as they enter second month. What is most important that all feeds volume and frequency should be guided by baby's demand. If the baby is pushing the bottle out one doesn't need to force more.

SPIT OUT- It's normal for healthy babies who are gaining weight to spit out partially digested milk few times in a day. It is usually due to swallowed air during crying and feeding. With burping sometimes along with air, milk too comes out. Similarly inadequate burping can also be a cause.

Other common causes are overfeeding and frequent change of positions or continuous rocking movements after feeding the child.

Matter of concern is where the spitting is frequent, excessive crying, arching of back and poor weight gain - suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux (GER).

GER is usually treated conservatively by your Paediatrician. Common methods are small frequent feeding, thickened feeds, propped up position etc.

STOOL - By now the parents are actually used to soft golden yellow stools. But by 6-8 weeks and with maturing bowel the frequency of stool reduces. Sometimes the babies might not pass stools for a week at a stretch. It's not a cause for panic button if your baby is comfortable and feeding well.

Colour of the stool can vary from yellow to green. Greenish foamy stool is usually due to too much lactose suggesting that baby is getting more of fore milk (rich in sugar and water) and less of hind milk (rich in fat). Increasing the duration of feed will solve the issue. If the baby is having constipation, you must meet your Paediatrician.

Alarming stool colours are still the same -red, black tarry and pale stool.

SLEEP - Babies usually sleep well after a good feed. Just follow the cues and put them to bed as soon as you realise, they are sleepy. A sleepy baby is a cranky baby.

VACCINATION - By 6 weeks age, baby is ready for their next set of vaccination. Parents are really scared, worried and confused about all the advices from different sources. Most of the vaccination protect babies from preventable disease which are otherwise quite serious illnesses. Please sit with your Paediatrician calmly and understand about the options, schedule and expected problems. After that you will be better equipped to deal with this important phase of your baby's healthcare.

OTHERS: It is normal for baby girls to have vaginal discharge, withdrawal bleeding like mini periods. Breast bud swelling is also normal and all of it is because the babies are exposed to maternal hormones which will eventually get flushed out of the body. No intervention is needed here.

Passing gas is quite normal. If you feel they are struggling to pass it out, help them with light massage over the tummy or bicycle their legs. There is absolutely no need to change baby or mother's diet.

Babies usually have stuffy or blocked noses because of which they make lot of noises especially when they are asleep. If blocked nose is troubling your baby in sleeping or feeding please feel free to use saline nasal drops. If you see any major discomfort, please see your Paediatrician.

Warning signs still remain the same - excessive crying or Lethargy, poor feeding, reduced urine, abnormal movements. Please visit your Paediatrician at the earliest if you notice any.