Care Of The Newborn Baby – Initial Days – 2

Baby Massage

Benefits

1. Improves blood circulation.
2. Improves muscle tone.
3. Improves the texture of the skin and reduces dryness.
4. Enhances neuromotor development by sending sensory signals to the brain.

How to Go About it?

• Baby should be at least 15 days old and 3 kg before the massage is started. Any mild oil can be used.
• Prefer non-scented and non-irritating oil.
• Avoid mustard oil.
• The room should be warm enough and draught-free.
• Before applying rub hands between palms to maintain temperature.
• Use gentle pressure, do not apply undue force.
• Use rhythmic movements first from the trunk towards the periphery of the limbs and then in the reverse direction. During massage make passive movements of joints.

Watch out

Do not rely on housemaids for baby massage. Vigorous and overzealous massage and exercise by maids have been known to cause soft tissue injuries and fractures. Do not instill oil in the ears or nostrils of the baby. Do not try to ‘raise the unit’ by putting your finger inside your mouth.

Care of the Naval

• At birth, blue colored G V paint is applied over the cord.
• The cord dries and falls off in 5-10 days after birth.
• Clean stump with surgical spirit twice a day.
• Do not apply any ghee, oil, or powder over the stump.
• If the discharge continues or the stump becomes red- consult immediately.

How Baby Grows?

• Normal birth weight for a full-term baby is 2.5 kg to 3.9 kg.
• They lose 5-8% of weight during the first 3-4 days.
• Regain birth weight by 7-10 days.
• Normal weight gain is 25-35 grams/ day for the first 4 months.

Vaccination

Vaccines are oral drops or injections given to protect babies from various communicable diseases. Vaccines have no role in the prevention of disease. Initial vaccines like Oral Polio, BCG, and Hepatitis B are usually given before the baby is discharged. Baby’s Growth parameters and Vaccination data are recorded on a health card. It also shows dates for future checkups and vaccinations.