Your body is gradually recovering from the birth, and you may be starting to feel like facing the world once again.
Your baby today
The pediatrician will examine your baby today. She will ask if he is alert and check for any signs of jaundice. She will also weigh him and will ask how he is getting along with feeding and whether there are any problems.
A properly installed baby car seat is a legal requirement when traveling with your baby in a car.
Your breasts should be
feeling a bit more comfortable by now as feeding becomes established,
and your uterus will be steadily reducing in size, but can still be felt
by pressing on your abdomen.
Your blood loss will have
started to ease off by now, although you may find that it’s heavier
first thing in the morning and also while you’re breast-feeding.
You’ll visit the pediatrician
today for the baby’s first in-office checkup. She will look for any
signs of dehydration, such as your baby not having plenty of wet diapers
and any feeding problems. She’ll also measure your baby’s weight,
length, and head circumference. The measurements will be plotted on a
graph to track your baby’s own growth curves at all of his subsequent
appointments. The doctor will also examine the soft spots (fontanelles)
on your baby’s head; look into his ears, eyes, and mouth; listen to his
heart and lungs; and examine his abdomen, hips, legs, and genitals.
You’ll likely head
home from the hospital today If you had stitches or staples these will
likely be removed today before you’re discharged, although many
obstetricians now use subcuticular stitches (just under the skin layer)
that do not need to be removed since they gradually absorb over a few
weeks.
By day four about a third of all babies are visibly jaundiced.
Jaundice in newborn babies
is usually harmless and is due to an elevated level of the waste product
bilirubin in the blood, caused by the baby’s immature liver. Very high
levels of bilirubin can cause problems and are treated with light
therapy .
Taking your baby out
If you haven’t been out yet,
cabin fever may be setting in. Make sure you have everything you may
need before venturing out on a trip.
Pack a diaper bag with two diapers, wipes or cotton pads, a spare onesie, a cloth, and a bottle of formula if you’re bottle-feeding.
Take layers of clothing on outings, including an undershirt, onesie, and cardigan. In winter, add an all-in-one babysuit and a blanket in a carriage.
A third of a baby’s heat is lost through his head,
so on cool days, add a hat or hooded top. Socks and booties are easy to
lose, Footed onesies are more practical; mittens are only needed in
cold weather.
In hot weather, make sure your baby is covered and protected from direct sunlight at all times.
Figure out how to use a baby sling. If traveling by car or public transportation, learn how to fold and unfold a stroller.
Do not carry your baby far in a car seat because it’s bad for your back.
