Feeding
Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth. The first milk (colostrum) is nutritious and rich in antibodies that protect against infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends giving only breast milk for the first six months, and then carrying on breastfeeding, with other foods added from six months, up to 2 years of age or beyond.
Feed whenever the baby wants, day and night. Give nothing else, not even water, unless a doctor says it is needed. Do not give honey or gripe water. Burp the baby after every feed.
Early and exclusive breastfeeding protects a baby from diarrhoea and pneumonia. If feeding is hard, or the baby will not suck, ask a health worker or doctor for help.
Warmth, the cord and clean hands
Do
- Dry the baby and wrap the baby straight after birth, dress the baby for the weather, and keep the head and feet covered.
- Hold the baby skin to skin against the mother's chest to keep the baby warm.
- Keep the cord stump clean and dry.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before feeding the baby and after using the toilet or cleaning the baby.
Do not
- Do not bathe the baby before 48 hours.
- Do not put anything on the cord stump.
Safe sleep
- Put the baby on the back to sleep, every time, day and night.
- Use a firm, flat mattress. Keep pillows, soft toys and loose bedding away, so that nothing can cover the baby's face or head.
- Do not let the baby get too hot.
- The safest place for the baby to sleep is a separate cot or bed in the same room as you, for the first six months.
- Never fall asleep with the baby on a sofa or an armchair.
- Avoid sharing a bed if you or your partner smoke, or have had alcohol or taken medicine that makes you sleepy, or if the baby was born early or weighed less than 2.5 kg.
- Nobody should smoke in the room or near the baby.
Vaccines and check-ups
The baby is given BCG, oral polio (the zero dose) and hepatitis B vaccine on the first day, as the national immunisation programme advises. The next vaccines follow on a fixed schedule, so take the baby to the nearest health centre on time and keep the mother and child health card safe.
Mother and baby should stay in the facility where the baby was born for at least 48 hours, because most problems in mother and baby arise in that time. A health worker should see you both on the day of delivery, and again on the 3rd day, the 7th day and at 6 weeks.
Yellow skin (jaundice)
Many newborns look a little yellow in the first days. It is usually harmless. It is most noticeable around day 3 and fades within about 2 weeks, because a newborn's liver is still maturing. Look at the skin and the whites of the eyes in daylight. On brown or black skin it is easier to see in the whites of the eyes and inside the mouth, and by pressing gently on the forehead or nose.
Frequent feeds help, and a sleepy baby should be woken for feeds. Get advice the same day if the baby is more than 24 hours old and looks yellow, if the yellow colour is spreading or getting worse, if the urine is dark yellow or brown, or if the stools are pale in colour. Yellow skin in the first 24 hours is an emergency.
Danger signs: see a doctor at once
Also see a doctor or health worker soon if the baby has passed no urine or stool, the skin around the belly button is red or there is pus, there are many pimples (pustules) or one large boil on the skin, the eyes are red or sticky, there is diarrhoea, or you notice any birth defect.
Myths and facts
Things people often say about this. Open each one to see what is true.
Myth“A newborn needs water, honey or gripe water, especially in hot weather.”What is true?
Fact
For the first six months a baby needs only breast milk, not even water, unless a doctor says otherwise. Honey and gripe water should not be given.
Myth“The first thick milk is bad for the baby and should be thrown away.”What is true?
Fact
The first milk (colostrum) is very useful. It is nutritious and rich in antibodies that protect the baby against infections, so the baby should have it.
Myth“Oil, powder, turmeric or ash on the cord stump helps it heal.”What is true?
Fact
The cord stump should be kept clean and dry, with nothing applied to it. Redness or pus around it needs a doctor's attention.
Myth“A newborn should be bathed as soon as possible after birth.”What is true?
Fact
Keeping the baby warm comes first. Dry and wrap the baby straight after birth, and give the first bath only after 48 hours.
Common questions
How often should I feed my newborn?
Feed whenever the baby wants, day and night. A baby who looks yellow, or is sleepy, may need to be woken for feeds, because frequent feeding helps. If the baby is not feeding well, tell a health worker or doctor.
When can I give my baby the first bath?
Give the first bath only after 48 hours. Until then, dry and wrap the baby, keep the head and feet covered, and hold the baby skin to skin to stay warm.
What should I put on the umbilical cord?
Nothing. Keep the cord stump clean and dry. If the skin around it is red or there is pus, or the baby has a fever, see a doctor.
Which vaccines does my baby need at birth?
BCG, oral polio vaccine (the zero dose) and hepatitis B vaccine are given on the first day. The later vaccines follow a fixed schedule at the health centre. Ask your health worker for the dates and keep the mother and child health card safe.
