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Symptom Guide

Newborn Care Basics

This information is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice. If your child is sick, call our office.

Your first weeks at home

The first weeks with a newborn are intense. Your baby will eat 8–12 times per day, sleep in short stretches, and communicate mostly by crying. This is all normal. Here is a guide to the most common newborn questions we hear from families.

Call 911 or go to the ER

  • Your baby is not breathing or turns blue
  • Your baby is limp, unresponsive, or very difficult to wake
  • A seizure (rhythmic jerking or stiffening of arms or legs)

Call the doctor right now

  • Any fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 12 weeks — do not give fever medicine, call first
  • Refusing to eat for two or more feedings in a row
  • No wet diaper in 8+ hours
  • Yellow skin or eyes that is worsening or appeared after day 3
  • Excessive sleepiness — hard to wake for feedings
  • Forceful vomiting (not just spit-up) after every feeding
  • Redness, swelling, or foul-smelling discharge around the umbilical cord stump
  • The soft spot on top of the head looks swollen or bulging
  • Rectal temperature below 96.8°F (36.0°C) that does not come up with warming
  • Your baby looks or acts differently than usual and you are worried

Feeding

  • Breastfed babies eat 8–12 times per day in the first weeks. Feedings may take 20–45 minutes.
  • Formula-fed babies eat about 2–3 oz every 2–3 hours in the first month, increasing to 4 oz by month 2
  • Your baby is getting enough if they have 6+ wet diapers and 3+ stools per day by day 5
  • Spit-up is normal. Forceful vomiting that shoots across the room is not — call us.
  • Breastfeeding support is available — call our office to connect with a certified lactation consultant

Sleep safety

  • Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface
  • No blankets, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, or loose bedding in the crib
  • Room-sharing (baby sleeps in your room but in their own crib or bassinet) is recommended for at least the first 6 months
  • Avoid bed-sharing — the safest place for a newborn to sleep is a separate crib or bassinet
  • Newborns sleep 14–17 hours per day in short stretches of 2–4 hours

Umbilical cord care

  • Keep the cord stump clean and dry — fold the diaper below it
  • Sponge baths only until the cord falls off (usually 1–3 weeks)
  • The stump may look dark, crusty, or slightly oozy as it heals — this is normal
  • Call us if you see redness spreading around the base, pus, or a foul smell

Jaundice

Mild jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes) is common in newborns and usually appears on day 2–3. It typically resolves on its own with frequent feedings. Call your doctor if the yellow color is deepening, spreading to the arms and legs, or if your baby is hard to wake or not eating well. Your pediatrician will check bilirubin levels at your first office visit.

When to schedule your first visit

Your baby should be seen by the pediatrician within 2–3 days of leaving the hospital, or sooner if your baby was discharged before 48 hours. Call our office before you leave the hospital to schedule. If you are expecting and want to meet us before delivery, we offer free prenatal interviews.

Related

Sources

Expecting? Call us to schedule a free prenatal interview.

Call 908-755-5437