Week 2: Second Week of Your Baby
Week 2 – How big is your baby this second week?
Baby weighs 7-3/4 pounds and is 20-1/2 inches long this week.
Baby Care and Equipment
Breastfeeding Your Baby
Breastfeeding is a healthy way to feed a baby, and it can help create a close bond between mother and child. (See the discussion of bonding below.) You can usually begin breastfeeding your baby within an hour after birth, provided your delivery is without complications. At this first feeding, you will provide your baby with colostrum, the “premilk” your breasts produce. Colostrum helps boost baby’s immune system. Breastfeeding helps you, too, because it stimulates the pituitary gland to release oxytocin, the hormone that causes your uterus to contract to help keep bleeding to a minimum.
Partner’s support is important. Whether a woman breastfeeds may depend on what her partner thinks about it. Research has shown that if a woman’s partner does not want her to breastfeed, she usually doesn’t. If breastfeeding is important to you but not to your partner, explain to him the health benefits for baby. Assure him he’ll be able to feed baby expressed breast milk. Often a father will be supportive once he understands how positive an experience it is for the entire family.
It’s your right to breastfeed. Some women feel intimidated at the thought of breastfeeding outside the home and possibly offending other people or making them uncomfortable, however unintentionally. Breastfeeding is a natural activity and it is your right to breastfeed. More than 17 states have passed laws making it explicitly legal to breastfeed in public. These laws exist to support breastfeeding mothers.
Breastfeeding benefits. There are lots of good reasons to breastfeed your baby. It’s economical—you don’t have to buy formula or bottles and nipples. It’s easy to travel with baby because you don’t have to cart along anything extra. It saves you time; no formula to mix or bottles to sterilize and fill.
Allergies unlikely. It’s nearly impossible for a baby to become allergic to his mother’s breast milk. If an allergy develops, it’s usually to the proteins in the breast milk. If this occurs, a baby can usually continue breastfeeding if his mother avoids certain foods that contain milk proteins.
Breastfeeding may even help prevent milk allergies. This is important if there is a history of allergies in your family or your partner’s family. The longer a baby breastfeeds, the less likely he is to be exposed to substances that could cause allergy problems.
Disadvantages. The greatest disadvantage for many mothers is they are tied down so completely to the baby. A woman must be available when her baby is hungry. Breastfeeding can also make other family members who would like to help with feeding feel left out.
Other concerns. If you breastfeed, pay careful attention to your diet. Avoid foods and substances that pass into your breast milk that could cause problems for baby. Some substances you eat or drink (or take orally, as medication) can pass to your baby in your breast milk. Spicy foods and chocolate may cause baby digestive upset. Caffeine in breast milk can cause irritability and sleeplessness in baby. Spicy foods, chocolate and caffeine are just a few things your baby can react to when you consume them.
Medications and breastfeeding. You may be concerned if you must take medication while nursing. Research shows that most medications don’t affect a mother’s ability to breastfeed. Although they are in breast milk, most medications aren’t harmful or dangerous to baby.
Drugs and medications to avoid include illegal drugs, chemotherapy drugs, lithium, some drugs that suppress the immune system and radioactive compounds. Be careful of over-the-counter medications, too. Many are combinations of several chemicals or compounds, such as alcohol, aspirin, or caffeine. If you have a question, call your doctor.
What about supplemental feeding? There may be times you have to give baby a supplemental feeding—either expressed breast milk or formula. Try to limit these feedings to only one or two a day Supplemental feedings can affect your milk supply, decreasing your breast milk production. Even if you must supplement more often, your breast milk is beneficial for baby. He will receive many benefits from nursing.
Be careful of over-the-counter medications. Select “baby” products when possible. Don’t use adult-strength medications unless your pediatrician advises it.
When Baby Spits Up
It’s not unusual for a baby to spit up after a feeding, especially for a newborn. Spitting up is not a cause for worry—baby is getting rid of excess breast milk or formula. As he spends more time sitting up, he’ll outgrow this. Keep a cloth handy to wipe up any baby spit-up.
Vomiting. Vomiting occurs when a baby forcibly ejects stomach contents, usually in large amounts. Nearly every baby vomits occasionally, and for many different reasons. If your baby vomits more often, contact your doctor.
Burping Baby
Some breastfed babies don’t need to be burped. Some do. Bottle-fed babies do need to be burped. How should you do it? There are three techniques to use when burping a baby. Try them all, and use what works best for your baby. Whichever way you hold him, rub or gently pat his back until he burps.
Different Burping Positions
Whichever way you hold baby, rub or gently pat his back until he burps.
- Hold baby seated in your lap, with his head in one of your hands.
- Hold him facing you in your arms, against your chest.
- Lay him face down on your lap, supporting his head with your hand.
Sponge-Bathing Baby
Baby’s umbilical stump may not have fallen off yet and may still be a little swollen. Continue to clean it by wiping the area with alcohol at every diaper change. At this time, baby needs only an occasional sponge bath. His body isn’t dirty. The only area that needs consistent cleaning is his genital area, which you clean after bowel movements.
Bathe in a warm place. Plan to wash baby in a warm area free from drafts. Gather together your supplies before you begin. You’ll need a large bath towel, a baby towel, a basin of warm water, cotton balls, baby soap and a washcloth.
Sponge Bath Basics
Have these items ready before you sponge-bathe your baby.
- large bath towel
- baby towel
- basin of warm water
- cotton balls
- baby soap
- washcloth
Basics for sponge-bathing baby. Undress baby and lay him on the towel. Keep your hand on him at all times. Wash his face first; wipe each eye outward with a damp cotton ball. Use a soft washcloth to wash his face and head, then pat dry with the towel. Put a little soap on a damp washcloth, and clean his neck, torso, legs and arms. Don’t overlook his fingers and toes. Wash his genital area. If your son was circumcised, use only plain water until the circumcision has healed completely. You probably don’t need to shampoo his hair; cleaning with a washcloth is fine. Rinse him, then dry with a towel. Diaper and dress him.
Outings with Baby
You may want to take your newborn along on errands or out for short visits. If you feel up to it, go ahead. Dress him for the weather— usually only one layer more than you in cold weather, the same number of layers in warm weather. Keep outings short You’ll be surprised how quickly both of you tire or how soon he’ll get hungry.
Pacifiers
Pacifiers are OK to use with your baby; however, he may not need one. When your baby fusses, offer him a feeding and comfort him before you give him a pacifier. If your baby needs to suck, a pacifier can help.
Types. You’ll find pacifiers in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Your baby might prefer one kind over another. Be sure the mouth guard has ventilation holes and is wider than baby’s mouth. Keep it clean; wash it when it falls on the floor. Don’t tie it around baby’s neck or his wrist, and don’t attach it to his clothes or crib.
Keep several pacifiers handy. Most parents learn by experience that it’s a good idea to have more than one pacifier at hand. They tend to get lost or dropped at the most inconvenient times!
If your baby needs a pacifier to help him settle, have one handy. When he’s crying, it helps to have one close so he doesn’t get too distressed. When the pacifier gets cracked, torn, sticky or shows other signs of wear, replace it-usually after 3 or 4 months.
When the pacifier gets racked, torn, sticky or shows other signs of wear, replace it-usually after 3 or 4 months.
Baby and House Pets
If this is your first baby, you may be faced with the problem of introducing your new baby to your “old baby;” that is, a dog or cat who shares your life. Sometimes a family pet will react to a new baby the same way a sibling might—with jealousy.
Watch for signs of jealousy. Keep your pet out of the baby’s room. Don’t leave them alone together. A dog or cat can carry allergies or infections. A dog may be jealous and resent the baby. It m|ght do something you might not expect, so take steps to protect your baby. You’ll be protecting your pet, too. See a more-thorough discussion of pets and a new baby in Week 12.
Milestones This Second Week
Baby’s Brain Growth
You have an incredible effect on how your baby’s brain grows. Stimulation from you and others who interact with baby helps make his nerves stronger and more efficient. Babies who are not touched often have smaller-than-normal brains for their age. Interacting with his environment develops connections in his brain, so be sure baby receives many different types of stimulation. Just watch for and avoid overstimulation.
Your Baby Sees Clearly only a Short Distance
A baby must learn to do many things that might seem simple to you. This includes seeing objects! At birth, your baby sees clearly for only about 12 inches — this is close to the distance from his eyes to yours during breastfeeding. Looking at him while you feed him gives him a chance to practice focusing. Move your head slowly from side to side to encourage baby’s eyes to follow you. This helps build his eye muscles.
Move your head slowly from side to side to encourage baby’s eyes to follow you.
Sounds Are Important to a Baby
Your baby can hear, and sounds can be very important. Use his name often, and he will soon recognize it. Speak softly, hum, sing and make other soothing sounds when baby is restless. If those don’t work, try “white sounds.” Run the vacuum, turn on the radio to static, run water, play nature sounds, run the washing machine or dishwasher. Devices are also available that mimic the sounds baby heard in utero.
Communicate with Baby
Quietly alert. You will notice times when baby is quietly alert. He’ll focus his attention on you when you talk to him. He’ll follow you with his eyes for a bit. To communicate with him when he is in this state, hold him close and look into his eyes. Or lean over his crib, and talk softly to him. Stroke him softly as you sing to him. Rock him while you pat his back. These activities all help to establish communication between you.
Personality emerges. Baby’s personality may begin to appear this week. He may be quiet and happy, or he may be noisy and active. The coming weeks will reveal his personality even more.
Use baby’s name often, and he will soon recognize it.
What’s Happening This Second Week?
First Checkup
Your pediatrician will probably want to see your baby this week for the baby’s first checkup. When you go to this appointment, be sure to bring your insurance card and be ready to fill out various forms. Your baby is a ‘new patient.” You will be asked all sorts of information, such as date, time, place and the name of the doctor for your delivery. You will need to supply the doctor’s office with information on problems during pregnancy or delivery, and baby’s weight and length at birth. If you have other children, leave them at home for this visit. You have a lotto discuss.
Prepare for the visit. You may be unsure how to prepare for the office visit, especially if this is your first baby. Observe your baby closely and think about what you want to discuss, such as feeding concerns, his sleep habits, health matters and anything else that is important to you. Add any other concerns to your list that you may have. Consider some of the following areas that you may want to discuss—your physician may bring up some of them:
- umbilical-cord healing
- baby’s sleep needs
- baby’s weight and growth since birth
- eating habits, including breastfeeding concerns
- colic and ways to deal with it
- his personality and any ways to deal with it (fussy or especially active, for example)
- immunization schedule
- circumcision or foreskin concerns
- baby’s bowel habits
- developmental landmarks, such as how well the baby is sucking
Schedule next appointments. Your physician will advise you of developmental milestones to watch for and give you a schedule of times for subsequent well-baby appointments, including an immunization schedule.
Vaccination schedule for premature babies. If your baby was premature, you will probably want to discuss his immunizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that premature infants be vaccinated on schedule. Research has shown that by age 4 years, premature infants who were vaccinated on schedule had the same level of antibodies as children of the same age who were full-term infants.
Milia and Baby Acne
Most parents expect their baby to be born with perfect skin. After all, haven’t we heard that someone has “skin as beautiful as a baby’s”? The truth is, many babies are born with rashes and other skin problems, which can last through the first few weeks.
Symptoms of milia include pinhead-size whiteheads (like very small pimples) on baby’s face, particularly the nose, cheeks or forehead. They may also occur on baby’s torso. Bumps are caused by a blockage of baby’s oil (sebaceous) glands. Baby acne is similar to milia in that oil glands are blocked, but hair follicles may also be involved. Baby may have a rash of bumps.
Treatment. There isn’t much you can do to treat either of these problems. Time is the best remedy. A baby soon outgrows the rashes. Within a few weeks, he will have beautiful baby skin. Until then, gently clean the affected areas with warm water and mild soap. Be sure baby doesn’t scratch the area; it may cause more inflammation. You may have to trim his nails or put mittens or socks on his hands to prevent scratches.
What not to do. Don’t use strong soaps or alcohol on the areas without first checking with your doctor. Avoid squeezing, pinching, scratching or picking the pimples. It won’t make them go away faster, and you might infect them. Don’t use ointments, medicated pads or medications without your doctor’s advice. If the pimples or rash spread or appear red and inflamed, contact baby’s doctor.
Spitting Up
What it is. Baby expels a little of what he consumes after a feeding. Spitting up is common in babies. It takes awhile for a baby’s digestive tract to begin working efficiently after birth. It’s not a cause for concern.
What to do. Some babies spit up because they eat too much. The stomach can’t hold all the breast milk or formula baby ate. If your baby spits up a large amount, feed him less at the next feeding. You may need to burp him more often. Try a gentle burping during and after feedings. Keep baby upright after feeding for 20 to 30 minutes to help reduce how much he spits up.
When to call the doctor. Call the doctor if spitting up persists or becomes projectile. See the discussion of projectile vomiting in Week 3. If baby is bottle-feeding continues to have problems, you may need to change formulas. Your doctor will advise you.
Sleep Apnea
Some babies suffer from sleep apnea. It is not a common condition. However, it is good to know the symptoms so you will be aware if baby has a problem.
What it is. Apnea refers to a temporary cessation of breathing. With sleep apnea, breathing stops briefly while the individual is asleep. It isn’t unusual for healthy babies to hold their breath occasionally for 10 to 15 seconds. Most often a gentle nudge or touch causes baby to “grunt” or snort, and breathing resumes. You probably won’t need to worry about this situation with your baby. The problem occurs more often in premature or low-birth weight infants; these babies usually outgrow the condition.
What to do. If you believe your baby is experiencing sleep apnea, make note of the frequency and duration of the episodes.
Discuss the situation with your doctor.
Some parents use intercom systems or sleep (apnea) monitors to alert them to problems. If your doctor believes there is a problem, he or she will suggest a solution.
Bonding with Baby
Like many parents, you have heard the term “bonding” but aren’t sure what it means. Bonding refers to the emotional attachment formed between a baby and its parents or someone else. It is a growing process—it doesn’t happen immediately—and it deepens over time. Some believe bonding begins even before birth. Parents feeling baby’s movements on mom’s tummy react to these movements and feel close to their baby.
Daily care strengthens the bond. Some women are afraid that if they don’t bond with their baby in the delivery room, it will never happen. Not true! Bonding in the delivery room is wonderful and helps both parents connect with baby, but don’t worry if delivery complications delay this experience for you. The process can begin hours, even days, after birth, and it will continue for a long time. The daily care you give your baby as parents strengthens the bond between you.
Bonding has a physical aspect. Bonding goes beyond emotional attachment. Researchers have redefined it to include physical bonding as well. It’s good for you because it stimulates the production of prolactin and oxytocin, two hormones that help you feel “motherly” toward your baby. The process also helps keep your baby’s hormones in balance.
Others can bond with baby. A baby bonds with others besides his parents. Siblings, caregivers, other relatives—baby will bond with them. Love and care create the bond.
Feeding and bonding. If you breastfeed, your bond continues to develop through the feeding process. If you bottle-feed, let your partner feed baby to strengthen their bond. Other family members, such as siblings, can also bond with baby by feeding him.
What if you don’t feel an immediate attachment? Some parents don’t feel connected with their baby immediately. They fear something may be wrong with them or with baby. Don’t worry if this happens to you. It’s not uncommon. You may feel overwhelmed after a long or difficult pregnancy, labor or delivery. You may be exhausted. You may experience postpartum distress. Any of these can contribute to your feelings. Take it easy and relax. Within a short time, you will feel closer to your baby.
When your baby lies on his side, you may notice that the side he was lying on is red, while the other side is somewhat pale. This difference is caused by his immature blood vessels and will soon disappear.
Massaging Baby
Baby soon learns that a gentle touch expresses your love and affection. He’ll feel secure when you touch him. Your soothing hands can calm and comfort him. Baby massage is a wonderful way to connect with your baby.
How to massage baby. Find a quiet, warm spot to massage baby. A towel placed on your bed is a good place to start. Keep lights low. Place baby on the towel on the bed or on the floor. Rub oil on your hands so they’ll glide smoothly over baby’s skin. With the flattened palm of your hand, rub his feet firmly yet gently, moving up his legs. Continue up his torso, then rub his hands and arms. Make strokes long and smooth. You’ll find you both enjoy the interaction.
Your Newborn Will Cry
It’s inevitable—your baby is going to cry. He’ll cry when he’s hungry, when he’s wet and when he’s tired. He’ll cry when he’s bored, and he’ll cry when he’s overstimulated. It’s his only way of communicating with you right now.
What to do. At this time, your baby may fuss and cry for a few hours every day, often in the evenings. Take care of him when he cries, but realize there may be times that you won’t be able to settle him. If his needs have been met, and you’ve cuddled him for a while, you may have to let him cry. Don’t feel guilty when this happens. Do burp him after he cries for a time; a crying baby swallows air.
Toys and Play This Second Week
Play is interrelated with your baby’s social, mental and physical development. There are many ways to play with him, even when he is this young. You and other people around him are the best “toys” for baby at this time. The interaction between baby and others is the most stimulating experience for him.
Look into His Eyes
This game helps develop baby’s eye muscles and promotes bonding! Hold baby close, and gaze into his eyes. He will look at you for a bit, then look away. Keep looking at him, and he will soon look back at you. Continue this unti! he tires.
Stimulate His Grasping Reflex
Stimulate his grasp by touching his palm with your finger. He’ll grasp your finger by reflex, but it helps strengthen finger muscles. Talk and sing to him as you play this game.
Toys to Entertain Baby
Things baby might enjoy this week include a hanging mobile above his crib or bassinet, a music box, or a tape or CD of soft lullabies to play in his room. Some mobiles are a combination of objects and sound. Colorful figures move slowly as music plays.
You’re becoming more relaxed with baby as you get to know him better, so trust your instincts. If you feel something may be wrong, call your doctor.