Baby Care – FAQ for 0 to 3 months

1. Is it suggested to feed the baby every 2–3 hours and how to decide on the frequency of feed?

Please go by demand based feeding only. The baby's digestive system will guide the baby and he/she will alert you when they are hungry. Do not go by time based feeds.

2. How to apportion if my baby gets sufficient feed?

Their weight gain during periodic checkups is the yard stick that tells us if the baby is getting sufficient feed. You can also refer to baby growth chart to check the progress of your baby along with the general standards.

3. Is it essential to burp after every feed?

Yes, it is recommended to burp after every feed as burping gets rid of the excess gas that could have got in. Sometimes baby may not burp even after a few minutes of patting and that is okay as well. The intent is to practice burping irrespective of if the baby burps/not. If the baby is in sound sleep then you can gently pat and leave the baby back.

4. What kind of food can a baby's mom eat – does it have an implication?

It is suggested to eat healthy and avoid oily/spicy food post-delivery. Mom's are suggested to take lots of fluid intake especially water and milk. Breastmilk usually is drawn as a combination from mother's food intake.

5. Which feeding position is best for newly born?

Feeding positions and comfort varies for every individual. However cradle hold is widely suggested as it gives minimum room for gas to seep in.

6. Diapers or cloth napkins/langots?

As long as you pay attention to changing diapers and langots from time to time, anything is fine. However letting the baby use langots for a small interval provides some breathing space for them.

7. How do we make the baby understand the day and night?

Days can be kept bright with curtains open and lights coming in. Expose the baby to early morning sunlight. Nights can have multiple levels of lighting (Bright – Dim – Minimal during sleep). However, babies take a few months to understand this pattern and can stabilize around 4 months. Sometimes playing mild instrumental music on the foreground can soothe the baby.

8. Oil Massage

Oil massage is important as it plays a vital role in strengthening neuro development and overall flexibility. Focus more on massaging than on applying oil. Do not soak the baby in oil and keep for more than 5 minutes. For hands and legs you can follow encircling way of massaging, for chest adopt horizontal massaging.

9. Baby Bath

After the massage, give baby a bath in lukewarm water regularly. Head bath can be given once a week using a mild baby shampoo.

10. Is it okay if baby has not passed motion for a day?

Yes it is absolutely fine if a baby has not passed motion for 2–3 days. The checkpoint is consistent weight gain and overall comfort of the baby.

11. Temperature of baby's head is higher than body – is that fine?

Your baby's brain development is at a rapid pace and hence you will find the head temperature to be higher than the normal body temperature.

12. Is it fine if the babies open their mouth and sleep?

Yes, infants up to 1 month don't know how to breathe through their mouth. Babies greater than a month can still sleep with their mouth open occasionally.

13. If I have fever can I still feed my baby?

Yes it is highly recommended to feed baby despite your fever as the baby will develop immunity through breastmilk.

14. My baby has colic pain, how to handle?

Colic pain has to go its tenure and it will only then get relieved. Usually colic pain can start when baby is around 1 month and most likely to stabilize when baby is 4 months.

15. What tonics are suggested?

JusDee 400 drops and Hemsi PD drops can be given till when baby is 1.5 years. Always consult your doctor before administering any supplements.

16. Can baby clothes be washed along with ours?

No – It is a healthy practice to wash baby's clothes separately using a mild baby detergent.

17. Why some immunization induces fever?

Both these statements are a myth: (1) immunization induces fever and (2) only if fever occurs the immunization seems to have worked in the baby's body. Baby after immunization shows some unrest which people often attribute to fever.

18. Which is recommended – painless immunization or an immunization which pains?

Both types of immunization provide effective protection. Consult your doctor to choose what is best suited for your baby's needs and your preferences.