Newborn
(Until ~4 Weeks After Birth)
− CONTENTS −
Reporting a baby with a low birth weight, medical benefits for premature babies
If your baby is in poor condition
Receiving a congenital metabolic disorder checkup and other testing
Receiving a hearing test for your baby
Preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Do not violently shake your baby. Be careful of falls and drops.
During the first four or so weeks after birth, and especially during the first two weeks, the baby is in a completely different environment from the one inside the mother's body. This is an important time for your baby to become acclimated to developing on his or her own.
While heeding the following advice, gradually acclimate your baby to becoming separated from yourself and set him or her on the first step toward a new life.
Where to put your baby
When not drinking milk, a newborn baby usually sleeps. Let your baby sleep comfortably in a clean and quiet place.
In addition, unless your physician recommends having your baby sleep on his or her belly for medical reasons, have your baby sleep on his or her back so you can see the face. Also, try as much as possible to avoid leaving your baby alone. This will help you prevent accidents such as suffocation, ingestion of foreign objects, and injuries. It's also important not to leave the baby alone. Additionally, data shows that laying babies on their backs to sleep can reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Keeping your baby warm
Since your baby will still not be able to regulate body temperature alone, try to keep the room temperature from falling below 20 ̊C. However, don't forget to air out your room to keep the air inside fresh.
Breastmilk
Breastmilk is the basic food for a newborn. Breast-feeding helps keep a baby from getting sick and strengthens the bonds with the mother. The first time you breast-feed your baby is a once-in-a-lifetime moment when your baby will consume food for the first time, so you should definitely breast-feed for this first meal. Even if you are unable to lactate, do not panic. Let your baby persevere and try to suckle as much as he or she wants. Getting plenty of nutrition and rest is important for a mother to lactate. During breastfeeding, it's important to interact with your baby in a relaxed manner. Depending on your constitution, illnesses, the environment, or other circumstances that might prevent breastfeeding, consider using formula or infant formula milk as alternatives.
Cleaning
Before taking care of your baby, wash his or her hands. Always keep your baby's bedclothes, clothing and diaper clean. Also, make sure to perform daily care to keep the skin clean. It's very important to keep people with a cough from coming near or holding your baby.
Reporting a baby with a low birth weight, medical benefits for premature babies
If your baby has a low birth weight, which is defined as one born at under 2,500 grams, then the law requires you to report this fact to your municipality after delivery. Do not forget to do this. Municipalities may offer consultation and support services tailored to the development of low birth weight infants. Additionally, if hospitalization is necessary, you may be eligible for medical expense subsidies, so it's important to contact your local municipality.
If your baby is in poor condition
If your baby is not drinking breastmilk or formula as usual, has a fever and is lethargic, has diarrhea or convulsions, has a paleface, is breathing unusually, is very jaundiced or exhibits other troubling symptoms, have your baby examined by a physician immediately.
Receiving a congenital metabolic disorder checkup and other testing
All newborns are screened using their blood for congenital metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria, as well as for congenital hypothyroidism, around the fourth or fifth day after birth at the hospital where they were born. Currently, about 20 diseases are covered by public expense. If these diseases are detected early through screening, treatment with special milk, thyroid hormone medication, diet, or medication can prevent symptoms from appearing or the condition from worsening.
If you are notified of abnormal test results, it is important to consult a medical institution promptly.
※ For information on the diseases covered and for parents whose children have tested positive:
National Center for Child Health and Development website 'Mass Screening Research Laboratory'
Receiving a hearing test for your baby
Reportedly, one to two out of every 1,000 babies have some sort of hearing disability. When a baby has such a disability, early discovery and beginning the appropriate rehabilitation as soon as possible can have a big impact on the development of the baby's vocabulary and communication. In order to discover such a disability early, soon after delivery (within about three days), have your baby take a hearing test. If the results indicate that a more precise test is required, have your baby examined at a specialized institution within about three months after delivery. In addition, even if the test results indicate no abnormality but you are still concerned about your baby's hearing, receive a consultation at a hospital or clinic.
* The Japanese Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Website"List of Hearing Test Institutions After Newborn Hearing Screening and Infant Health Examinations"
* The Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan website"Q&A: Illnesses Affecting Children's Ears, Noses and Throats"
Vision development
Vision begins to develop after birth. A newborn's gaze seems to wander and appears to be in a different world, but vision gradually develops as the baby continues using the eyes. The period between one and 18 months after birth is an especially important time for developing vision, so it is important for your baby to have a good view of his or her surroundings during this stage.
If you observe symptoms such as white or shiny pupils, eyes that do not open, an irritable face only when one of the eyes is covered by your hand but not the other, or you are otherwise troubled by the appearance of your baby's eyes, have your baby receive an eye exam.
Preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
SIDS is an illness in which a baby who had appeared fine suddenly passes away in his or her sleep with no forewarning. The cause is unknown, but we do know that the likelihood of this disease can be reduced by paying attention to the following on a regular basis.
1 Have your baby sleep on his or her back.However, a physician may recommend your baby sleep on his or her belly for medical reasons. In this case, follow the physician's instructions.
2 Do not smoke while pregnant or around your baby.
3 Try to breast-feed your baby as much as possible.
* Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Leaflet
Preventing hip dislocation
Hip dislocation occurs when the leg bone becomes dislodged from the base joint. This is a common condition among baby girls and in breech birth (when a baby is born bottom first instead of headfirst). To prevent this, it is preferable for the baby's legs to be in an M-position so that the knees and hip joints are fully tucked in. This allows the baby to then extend the legs and move freely. Also make sure your baby is facing you when holding your baby or laying him or her down to sleep.
Do not violently shake your baby. Be careful of falls and drops. (shaken baby syndrome)
If you shake your baby violently, it can cause a concussion because the muscles in the baby's neck are undeveloped. This can cause serious brain injury or, in some cases, loss of life (i.e. shaken baby syndrome). Any parent will at some point become irritated because their baby will not stop crying, but never shake the baby. If you do happen to violently shake your baby, have the baby examined at a hospital or clinic right away and explain what happened.
Also, be cautious as falls and drops involving babies and toddlers can lead to brain damage and severe outcomes.
* Why do babies cry?
A baby cannot speak, so he or she will cry to tell you that they are hungry, their diaper is soiled, they want you to hold them, they are hot, they are cold and so on. As a mother and father spend time with their baby, they will gradually learn what different cries mean. If your baby will not stop crying even after you have changed their diaper, breast-fed them, held them or put them in a quiet setting, you will tend to become agitated. At that time, take a deep breath, lie your baby down in a safe place and walk away for a little bit, talk with somebody, or do something to change things up. Most babies will become tired of crying and fall asleep. If you still have concerns, consult with your regular physician or another professional.
* Children and Families Agency Public Awareness DVD (produced by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare): "My Baby Won't Stop Crying—How to Handle and Understand a Crying Baby"
Home visits for newborn babies and home visits for all households with infants (Hello Baby Visits), etc.
Public health nurses, midwives and other professionals visit homes to check on the development of babies, consult with mothers about health, consult about parenting, provide information to help raise a child, and so on. After your baby is born, mail the notification of birth postcard or through other notification methods as per the system of your local government, to your municipality soon.