As much as an adult needs to follow a healthy sleep schedule, a newborn’s sleeping habits need equal attention. According to pediatric neonatologists, normal sleeping hours from birth to 3 months should be up to 14 to 17hrs/day with 1 to 2 hrs of playtime in between. In this article, we will discuss the importance of healthy sleep habits for newborns. So let’s begin! What is the importance of healthy sleep habits for newborns? Newborn pediatricians suggest that a healthy sleeping habit leads to better cognitive and developmental changes in newborns. Therefore, newborns with well-maintained sleep hygiene have better executive functioning skills growing up.  Studies report that sleep also plays an important part in language learning. Moreover, having a healthy sleep habit and thereby maintaining it is also important for memory consolidation. A child with a healthy sleep pattern picks and memorizes things more quickly.  Note: Therefore, parents of newborns should keep a close watch on their child’s sleep patterns. It may also save you from being sleep deprived!  What if your child doesn’t follow a healthy sleeping pattern? Pediatricians in Dubai suggest that a newborn’s sleep cycle lasts for about 45 minutes which is twice as much as an adult would sleep.  If your newborn is taking less than the recommended hours of sleep, he may develop weight gain or obesity, which impacts the child’s BMI. This is because a sleeping pattern or circadian rhythm is developed in the first 6 months of life and the same period is crucial for a child’s physical growth. Furthermore, there may be developmental delays and behavioral changes in the long run due to which the child may not perform well in school later on.  Summing up So according to newborn pediatricians, an unhealthy sleeping pattern affects parental and family well-being. You can prevent this by simply regulating the baby’s sleep pattern by following Dr. Olfa’s guidelines.  Dr. Olfa is an expert newborn pediatrician and one of the best pediatricians in Dubai. You can follow her to learn more about a newborn’s health and well-being.   REFERENCES Tham, E. K., Schneider, N., & Broekman, B. F. (2017). Infant sleep and its relation with cognition and growth: a narrative review. Nature and science of sleep, 9, 135–149. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S125992  Stuart-Madge, A., & Barda, T. (2021, March 3). UAE: How to get your baby to sleep through the night. Parenting-Ask-Us – Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/parenting/ask-us/uae-how-to-get-your-baby-to-sleep-through-the-night-1.1614525253481 Bathory, E., & Tomopoulos, S. (2017). Sleep Regulation, Physiology and Development, Sleep Duration and Patterns, and Sleep Hygiene in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children. Current problems in pediatric and adolescent health care, 47(2), 29–42. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1538544216301225?via%3Dihub

Developmental delay refers to a delay in a child’s developmental milestones as compared to the standardized normal population. Research suggests that developmental delays are seen in approximately 10 to 15% of the children population.  With some developmental delays, you might not notice any changes in your child’s health. It’s mostly diagnosed when a newborn pediatrician or a general physician observes certain irregularities during routine checkups. But what is the reason for the baby’s developmental delays? What causes developmental delays in children? Let’s find out! What causes developmental delays in a newborn? As suggested by newborn pediatricians, developmental delays can be motor, psychological, social, anatomical, behavioral, or may occur due to delay in adapting skills or ADL (Activities of Daily Living).  Developmental delays can either be gross or fine. For instance, your child may have difficulty walking or jumping… There are several reasons for delayed milestones in newborns which makes it difficult to pinpoint one cause. And sometimes, a retarded growth may itself be a sign of another disorder, like autism.  The prenatal, natal, postnatal, and other known causes of developmental delays are: Prenatal: Syndromes like Down Syndrome Toxins exposure in pregnancy like alcohol, or drugs Chromosomal disorders, for example, Turner syndrome Maternal Infections   Perinatal: Prematurity IUGR Hemorrhage  Encephalopathy Hypoglycemia    Postnatal: Infections Trauma/Stress Metabolic disorders Malnutrition   Miscellaneous: Musculoskeletal problems Sickle cell anemia Genetics Hypothyroidism Growth Hormone deficiency  Signs Of Developmental Delay It’s difficult to precisely determine the reason for a baby’s developmental delay. However, you may look out for the following signs and symptoms in a baby: Inability to hold neck by 3 months Can’t stand or crawl by 1 year Floppy limbs Dominant involuntary reflexes Unable to socialize concerning his/her age  Speaking difficulty  Or any obvious anatomical change  Final Words We recommend you talk to a consultant neonatologist if you notice any physical, cognitive, or psychological delays in children. Dr. Olfa is an experienced neonatologist in Dubai, who will provide all the information you need regarding a newborn’s health.   REFERENCES Choo, Y. Y., Agarwal, P., How, C. H., & Yeleswarapu, S. P. (2019). Developmental delay: identification and management at primary care level. Singapore medical journal, 60(3), 119–123. https://doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2019025  Pietrangelo, A. (2020, August 13). What You Need to Know About Developmental Delay. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/developmental-delay#causes Developmental Delay. (2019, November 22). Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/developmental-delay

Taking care of the umbilical cord is very important for newborns. The umbilical cord contains two arteries and one vein. It connects your baby to your placenta through which they receive nourishment. The umbilical cord should be kept clean and dry at all times. It should also not be wrapped too tightly around your baby’s belly button, as this may cause discomfort; if you notice any infection or redness around the belly button, go to a consultant neonatologist immediately as it could indicate a severe problem like sepsis.  Some tips on how to take care of your child’s umbilical cord: Clean the area with soap and water. Pat dry with a clean towel… Keep it outside the diaper  no need to apply anything as recent studies showed that it will delay the cord’s fall Call your doctor right away if you notice any redness, swelling, discharge, or fever. Signs of local infection at the stump include: Swelling and redness in the area around the incision, the skin may feel warm to the touch. Pain or tenderness at the surgery site: you may experience this as a burning sensation or an intense ache when you move your arm or shoulder. Fever and chills: your temperature may be as high as 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Increased heart rate A pus-filled discharge from around your wound. Sometimes, this discharge can be thick, yellowish, or greenish. Poor feeding can cause concern for any new mother. The first thing you need to do is consult your doctor to find out the reason behind it. If your baby is limp and unresponsive call the emergency number (999 in UAE)   We’d love to be your new consultant neonatologist if you’re looking for a newborn pediatrician. Dr. Olfa, a pediatrician in Dubai, is a comprehensive healthcare system that provides superior medical treatment to our local and worldwide communities.  Consult a neonatologist with Dr. Olfa to learn about newborn pediatrician disease remedies. Best Pediatrician in Dubai, Dr.Olfa Clinics for Children. Holistic medicine. Treatments that are one-of-a-kind Unusual Medical Services.   Source: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001926.htm  https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/special-topic/umbilical-cord-care-in-newborns#:~:text=When%20your%20baby%20is%20born,of%20your%20baby%2C%20as%20well.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27573092/  

You’re probably feeling overwhelmed with the number of choices you have to make when caring for your newborn. It’s normal to feel that you want to take the best care possible of your baby, but it’s also important to remember that less is more. In addition to providing necessities like food and shelter, you should also be sure that they are getting the right products for their skin. Therefore, here are some of the products that you need to buy for your newborn baby: Products you need to buy for your newborn: Baby wash. You might choose a gentle wash that cleans and moisturizes your baby’s delicate skin. Baby lotion. You can use this product to keep your baby’s skin hydrated and soft. Bath sponge. You may want to bathe your baby every day or even twice a day, so having a soft sponge will help prevent skin irritation or getting soap in their eyes or ears. Cotton swabs. These will allow easy cleaning of any dirt or debris that gets in their ears or nose after feeding your baby. A little Large Clothes. Your little one will grow, so it’s a good idea to buy larger sizes of clothes rather than true to the size or smaller ones. You’ll also need a wide range of different clothes so you can adapt your baby’s look depending on the weather and temperature.  Diapers. Your newborn baby will need diapers at least eight times a day for the first few weeks. A good rule of thumb is that if your baby’s diaper is more than half full after being changed, use another one even if the diaper looks dry on the outside! Don’t forget to take extra diapers and change your baby’s ones before going out in public, especially if you’re traveling by car or plane! Some parents choose cloth diapers instead of disposable ones because they’re environmentally friendly, easy to use, and save money over time. They also come in fun patterns and colors that might make changing times more enjoyable for both parents. Wipes. Wet wipes help clean up messes before they happen. We recommend getting unscented wipes that are free of unnecessary chemicals because they will come in contact with your baby’s sensitive skin every day. Changing pad covers. Pad covers can get gross quickly if you don’t clean enough or change them regularly. It is the best choice for changing your baby’s diapers. This course of action can keep your baby safe from germs and bacteria. Final Words Dr. Olfa, a neonatologist in Dubai, is a physician who specializes in the care of newborns. Neonatology encompasses the medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care of premature infants and newborns with complications. Pediatricians in Dubai may be responsible for overseeing the care of all premature babies born or for just those premature babies who require intensive care after birth.  Dr. Olfa also offers outpatient services to all babies discharged from the hospital, Neonatal, and Well Baby Wards. In the instance of eligibility, a consultant neonatologist may also recommend circumcision.   Source: https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/what-baby-skin-care-products-do-you-need-your-newborn 

After bringing your new baby home, everything will feel tricky at first but with a bit of practice and guidance, you’ll soon become a pro. Babies are very small and fragile, that is why you need to be prepared for their first bath. Dr. Olfra, a neonatal pediatrician, has a few pointers and pieces of advice that you can follow to give your baby a successful first bath. Bring together all of the baby bath supplies you’ll need: A baby bath sponge or a clean washcloth would suffice, a fresh blanket or bath towel, a fresh diaper, clean Clothes, Gauze and Vaseline, and warm water. Remember that you should always keep your baby under supervision. The fundamentals of infant bathing: First, use the thermometer to check the temperature of the water, between 37-38 degrees. Undress the infant while holding the head with one hand. Leave the diaper on and cover your newborn with a towel. Clean one area at a time with a baby towel or clean cloth. Start at the back of the ears and go behind to the neck, elbows, knees, and between the fingers and toes. You should clean the head after the bath is done so that the infant does not get chilly. While babies don’t have a large amount of hair, you can use a sponge to wash what’s there. To prevent getting water in their eyes, incline their head slightly while still supporting it. Remove the diaper and clean the baby’s tummy, legs, and private parts. Gently pat the baby dry. If you massage your skin, it will get inflamed. Dr. Olfa‘s aim as a neonatologist in Dubai is to achieve optimal physical, mental, and social healthcare and well-being for all newborns and children, and to provide families with the knowledge and confidence they need to make the best health decisions regarding neonatal care for their children. Visit us for more information and advice about taking care of your baby.

Our concept at Dr. Olfa’s clinic, a neonatologist in Dubai, is ‘Experience Excellence,’ and it pervades everything we do. From the time you contact a neonatal pediatrician, our devoted and highly experienced team works tirelessly to provide specialized world-class treatment to ensure a positive healthcare experience. A newborn infant just has three basic needs: warmth in their mother’s embrace, sustenance from her breasts, and security in knowing she is there. Babies’ stomachs are really small and it doesn’t take much for your baby to feel full. However, you’ll need to feed your newborn frequently between 8-12 times each day. It is recommended that you feed your baby regularly as it will also help your body to continue producing milk. Breast milk meets all their requirements. Breast milk is your baby’s first meal. It will keep your baby healthy by providing all of the important nutrients in the proper amounts. It has the ideal balance of proteins, vitamins, carbs, and fats. A new mother should be aware of a few warning signals that will assist her in determining whether or not her infant is receiving adequate nutrition. you should be able to tell if the baby is eating properly if you can hear them sucking and swallowing milk. Also if your baby is passing urine regularly means that he is getting enough milk. A breast pump will assist a mother in extracting and storing her milk for future use, allowing the infant to eat even when the mother is not there. Storage of breast milk is a constant concern for moms; how to preserve breast milk, how long can breast milk be stored, and so on are commonly asked questions. Refrigerate the milk immediately after expressing it unless it is going to be consumed right away. Breast milk may be refrigerated for 2 days in a regular fridge, and it can be frozen for up to 4 months in your fridge’s freezer compartment. If you have a separate freezer, it can be stored for up to 6 months. Dr. Olfa, a neonatologist and pediatrician in Dubai, offers all the information you need, from breast milk statistics to indicators that your baby is hungry. Discover how to get ready for the first few feedings with Dr. Olfa. See why it’s so crucial to hold your newborn skin to skin. Consult your neonatal pediatrician and learn how your breast milk varies over time and how much milk your developing baby needs.