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Newborn Care Essentials: Baby’s First Bath

After bringing your baby home, everything may seem complicated at first, but with a little practice and guidance, you’ll quickly become a pro. Babies are very small and fragile, which is why it’s important to properly prepare for their first bath. Dr. Olfa, a neonatal pediatrician, offers some tips for a successful first bath for your baby. 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 a 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.

Newborn Care Essentials: Breastfeeding Basics

Our concept at Dr. Olfa, 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 breast milk can 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.

Signs of Dehydration in Infants

Dehydration is a common problem in infants and children. Unfortunately, if not corrected early, it can lead to serious health issues for your baby. Read on to understand more about dehydration. What is Dehydration? Most newborn pediatricians attest that dehydration is a common condition in infants and children that occurs when they lose more water than the amount of fluid being taken. The excessive loss of body fluid, such as water, results in a loss of blood volume. As a result, the heart receives low-volume blood, and less is pumped to the rest of the body. Therefore, various parts of the body receive low oxygen and nutrients, making the body unable to function normally. Visiting the right consultant neonatologist will help you understand more about dehydration. Cause of dehydration Dehydration may happen in your infant for many reasons. They include: Diarrhea Vomiting High blood sugar, called diabetes Fever resulting in excessive sweating Excessive blood loss due to trauma or an accident. Not drinking enough fluids, for example, when not breastfeeding adequately. Signs and symptoms of dehydration There are many ways you can tell your baby is dehydrated. You should watch for the following signs of dehydration in your infant. Dry skin, tongue, and mucous membranes Thirst They reduced urine output. You can tell your baby has reduced urine output if they wet fewer than six diapers daily. A crying infant with very little or no tears Sunken fontanelle – soft spot on your baby’s head. Rapid and deep breathing Cool and blotchy extremities – hand, hands, feet. Delayed skin pinch for more than 2 seconds. When your infant is severely dehydrated, they may have the following signs and symptoms Very fussy Wrinkled skin Urinate highly concentrated urine once or twice a day Cool and discolored extremities. Low blood pressure Severe dehydration can result in life-threatening conditions such as convulsions, brain damage, blood clot formation, and death. What should you do to help your infant get better? You can do many things at home to help your infant get better. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), all babies below six months should be exclusively breastfed on demand. So, ensure you feed your baby according to your doctor’s instructions. Avoid giving your baby sweetened fluids such as sugary sodas or juices, as they can result in diarrhea, dehydrate your baby. Consider contacting your consultant neonatologist if your baby has signs and symptoms of dehydration or when vomiting or diarrhea increases in amount or frequency. Book an appointment with Dr. Olfa, the best pediatrician in Dubai, and treat your child with expert care. Sources 1. Dehydration (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dehydration.html 2. Signs of Dehydration in Infants & Children – HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/dehydration.aspx

How to help babies learn better and develop their intelligence 

Like any other parent, you’re constantly worrying about your child’s development; do they know enough things for their age? Should they be able to do this or that at their age? Having these types of concerns is completely natural, and while a regular checkup is always advised, here are a few things you could do to help your baby learn better and develop their intelligence. Provide a varied and nutritious diet Starting from 4 to 6 months, your baby is ready to start to have solid food. It is important that you introduce them to a varied and nutritious diet. This way you contribute not only to his physical development but to his mental one as well. Consult your pediatrician to know the right food for your baby’s age. Make your baby move Regardless of their age, it’s important that your baby gets any type of movement there is. For instance, at a very young age, you can clap your baby’s hands together or gently move their legs as if pedaling a bicycle. When your baby gets a bit older, you can roll their tummy combined with the bicycle movements. This is important because it makes your baby aware of their body and improves their motor functions. Talk to your baby Talking to your baby is highly beneficial to the development of your baby. It boosts their understanding of their surroundings, helps them learn to talk at an early age, and increases their nonverbal abilities like reasoning and empathy. Singing has also been shown to be beneficial to the development of their characters. For instance, research shows that singing to your baby helps relieve anxiety and build their confidence. Provide developmentally appropriate toys Toys are a wonderful way to stimulate your baby’s mental development. They promote spatial awareness, cognitive development and self-confidence. Also, they promote their coordination abilities and focus. Make sure that you give your baby their age-appropriate toys, and most importantly give them your attention and support to boost their self-esteem. Avoid screen time Screen time is your child’s worst enemy especially at a very young age. Try to avoid screen time for your baby at all costs no matter how fussy they get. Instead, indulge them with some toys and games. Takeaway It is important to pay attention to your baby’s development from a very young age to be able to stimulate and reinforce their abilities. Healthy and varied nutrition, physical movements, talking to your baby, providing developmentally appropriate toys, and avoiding screen time are powerful methods to increase your child’s learning abilities and intelligence. Nonetheless, a regular checkup is needed for the safety of your baby and your own peace of mind. Contact us or Call our office to book your baby’s monthly checkup.

11 Things to know about Newborns

Many new parents get confused about how to understand and deal with their newborn babies. Here are 10 things to know about your newborn: 1. The first days at home The baby’s days and nights are usually confused in the first few nights at home from the hospital. White noise and low lighting can help to soothe them late at night. 2. How to deal with the umbilical cord? The umbilical cord falls out faster if it is kept dry – generally within two weeks. Therefore, give your baby sponge baths until then, and if the umbilical cord gets wet, dry it gently with a towel. Also, don’t freak out if the stump bleeds a bit after the cord falls out, it is quite normal! 3. Will your newborn interact with you? Until they reach 6-weeks, don’t expect smiles or any other interaction from your newborn, of course except crying, eating, and sleeping. However, your newborn feels safe by your affection and enjoys being held and cuddled. 4. Babies connect with you through crying Newborns have an undeveloped nervous system and are easily frightened or irritated. In fact, they tend to cry a lot because this is how they connect with others! Their loud cries will inform you about their needs, whether they are hungry, cold, have a dirty diaper, or just want to be carried. Even though this kind of communication might be stressful, don’t worry, the storm will be gone after three months. 5. They cry without tears. Babies cry with no tears! Their little eyes will develop tears until they are around a month old. 6. Does your baby see you? Babies’ eyesight is very low until they are 6 months old. Their eyes are just 75% of their adult size, and their sight level is at 20/400! 7. They have natural swimming reflex Newborns have a natural swimming reflex in the first 6 months of their lives, but they lose that gift as they grow up. They can kick and move their arms very well when they are in the water. 8. Is your baby’s temperature normal? Except for the 24 hours following the first series of vaccinations at 2 months, any temperature exceeding 38°C in a newborn under 3 months old is considered an emergency. 9. Babies can swallow and breathe at the same time Unlike adults, babies can breathe and swallow simultaneously. They don’t need to pause and breathe until they are about 7 months old. 10. Is it dangerous to touch the baby’s head and soft spots? You are not contacting your baby’s brain when you touch his soft areas, known as fontanels. In fact, they are thick and very protective membranes. The soft areas helped your baby to pass the tight delivery canal safely. Don’t forget that your child’s delicate head has already gone through a hard trip with no injuries. 11. How to protect your baby outdoors? Avoid exposing the newborn to the sun, as well as sick individuals and overcrowded smaller areas. You can give their older siblings the mission of preserving baby sanitation. They’ll like reminding people to not touch the baby without first cleaning their hands, or not to kiss them on the mouth, etc.