Newborn home care points

  1, warmth: after the delivery of newborn babies, due to environmental changes, their body temperature changes greatly, at this time, the newborn’s thermoregulatory center function has not been perfect, the body temperature is unstable, and because of its thin subcutaneous fat, the body surface area is relatively large, easy to dissipate too much heat, resulting in hypothermia leading to the occurrence of sclerosis. On the other hand, because of the poor kidney regulation and concentration of water and electrolytes in newborns, dehydration and fever can occur in the hot season when the room temperature is too high or the intake of water is insufficient. Therefore, the newborn’s clothes and wraps should be easy and soft (preheated before wearing is better), do not wrap tightly. When cold, hot water bags or other warming apparatus can be placed outside the small package, so that the newborn’s body temperature is maintained at 36 ℃ to 37 ℃, in breastfeeding, diaper changes, bathing, should avoid getting cold.  2. Keep the room air fresh and prevent respiratory infections: Because of the shallow and irregular breathing of newborns, the respiratory rate is generally 40/min to 45/min, the cough reflex is weak and tracheal secretions are not easily coughed up. On the one hand, we should keep the indoor air fresh, the room temperature at 22℃~24℃, the relative humidity at 60%~65%; on the other hand, we should keep the respiratory tract unobstructed to prevent accidents due to mechanical obstruction of the respiratory tract. Quilt, clothing do not cover the face of the newborn, so as to facilitate observation.  3, actively promote breastfeeding: promote the benefits of breastfeeding, guide the mother to breastfeed correctly, insist on breastfeeding on demand, try not to use milk substitutes.  4, prevention of infection: newborn immune function is not sound, once the infection, very easy to spread and even life-threatening. Therefore, newborn utensils should be dedicated and kept clean. The newborn’s clothes and diapers should be made of soft, easy-to-dry, absorbent cotton, washed and changed frequently, and dried in the sun. Keep the umbilical cord dry and prevent contamination by bath water and urine and stool, and let the scabs peel off by themselves after they fall off. Pay attention to skin cleanliness, avoid using irritating soap, use soft towels to absorb moisture after bathing, dry and apply powder to skin folds such as neck, armpits and groin; wash around the anus with warm water and wipe dry in time after each bowel movement, wash around the anus with more frequent bowel movements and apply oil to prevent red buttocks; pay attention to keeping the face, ears, mouth, nostrils and eyes clean. Mothers with upper respiratory tract infections should wear a mask, and other relatives and friends should avoid contact with the newborn to prevent cross-infection.  Parents should pay attention to the newborn’s appearance, color, breathing rhythm, sucking ability, weight gain, urination and defecation, etc. If there is any abnormality, consult the doctor in time so that it can pass through the newborn period smoothly and grow up healthily.