Get the facts about how to best care for your newborn during the first few months of life.

Navigating parenthood is a roller coaster, and our Houston, TX, pediatricians Dr. Heena Thakkar and Dr. Shilpa Pankaj at Peekaboo Pediatrics want to make it a little easier by providing helpful advice regarding newborn care. Of course, you should never hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here for you.

Holding and Handling Your Newborn 

If you’ve been around newborns before then you probably know how to hold them properly; however, if this is your first time (or you simply need to brush up) here are a few things to keep in mind,  

• Always make sure you are handling your newborn with clean hands. Wash hands before to prevent the spread of germs. 
• Always support your baby’s head and neck even when lying them down. 
• Be gentle with handling and caring for your newborn. Never shake your baby, even to wake them up. 
• Spend time bonding with your baby throughout the day, which can deeper your emotional connection. 

Feeding 

Your baby knows when it’s hungry and it may let you know by crying or making sucking sounds. Most newborns will need to be fed every 2-3 hours. If you’re breastfeeding, you’ll want to carve out ample time for feedings (usually anywhere from 15-30 minutes). In the beginning it may take even more time, so you want to give as much time as possible so you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed (think of these moments as a time to bond with your newborn).

If your child doesn’t seem hungry or isn’t interested in feedings you should call our pediatricians. We also provide breastfeeding help and advice as part of the newborn care we offer at our Houston, TX, practice.

Sleeping 

Surprisingly enough, a newborn usually needs at least 16 hours of sleep or more. Of course, due to feedings, newborns will usually only sleep for a couple of hours at a time. In the beginning, newborns will not sleep through the night, as they will need to be fed. Most babies won’t actually sleep a good 6-8 hours until about 3 months of age; however, it may take longer for some babies to get a full night’s sleep. 

Peekaboo Pediatrics is the premier pediatric practice in Houston, TX, providing gentle, compassionate and expert newborn care. If you want to schedule a well-child visit with our pediatricians, simply call (713) 861-4800 today.