| CENTRAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL 5th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok, East Sikkim - 737 102. Ph: 03592 270294. PREGNANCY CARE SERVICES |
| From Pediatrician's desk ....... |
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| Dear pregnant mother,
We present with some important health information & care for the baby you will be delivering shortly. Some information regarding nutrition, hygiene & immunization are provided here. We wish you all the best for a healthy baby. The Pediatrician, PCS Team, Central Referral Hospital. BREAST FEEDING: Preparation for breast feeding should be started during the middle of the pregnancy itself. Examine the nipples. Any abnormality like cracked nipple or retracted nipple should be adequately treated by consulting your doctor. If your nipple are too short – press the areola on either side of the nipple gently & try to pull the nipple to make it more prominent. This exercise can be repeated frequently. Breast feeding can be started within ˝ - 1 hr after normal delivery & within 4-6hrs after caesarean section. During the first few days breast feeding may be given at an interval of 2-3 hrs. Gradually feeding on demand needs to be encouraged. Advantages of Breast Feeding: It is nutritious & contains an ideal composition of fats, proteins, carbohydrates & minerals to suit your baby’s needs. It prevents infections, helps in growth & development especially for the developing brain. Breast milk is readily available, sterile & costs nothing. It plays an important role in mother-baby bonding. BATHING: Make sure that your baby stays warm at all times. Avoid bathing in low birth weight babies till they reach 2.5 kgs. In hospital deliveries, it is preferable to postpone bathing till the time of discharge. Sponging is preferred till the cord has fallen. Steps for bathing: Use warm room and warm water. Bathe quickly but gently. Dry quickly and thoroughly from head to toe. Wrap in warm, dry towel. Dress and wrap the infant. Use a cap on the head. Place the infant close to the mother. CLOTHING: Cotton is preferred. Synthetic materials should be avoided. In winter, baby should wear additional 2-3 layers of soft woolens, a head cap and socks to cover the feet. A square piece of absorbent cloth should be used as diaper. Plastic and nylon napkins should be avoided. If your baby develops redness around the inner side of the thighs and anal region consult your doctor. CARE OF THE UMBILICAL CORD: The cord normally falls off in 5-10 days. Keep cord dry. Application of ointment or medication or powder as a routine is not advocated, unless adviced by your doctor. In case of any redness, discharge or offensive smell from the umbilicus consult your doctor. CARE OF THE EYES: Avoid handling or kissing your baby’s eyes. Avoid putting kajal etc on your baby’s eyes. It may cause injury to your baby’s eyes and may also cause serious infection. SOME DO’S & DONT’S: Always wash and dry your hands before touching your baby. Minimize the handling of your baby by all your well wishers, as there are more chances of getting infection. No pre lacteal feeds, water, honey, castor oil etc for your baby for the first 6 months, even if your mother or grandmother asks you to give. IMMUNIZATION OF YOUR BABY: Know that immunization prevents your baby from getting dangerous diseases or infections that are otherwise easily prevented by giving vaccines regularly. Get your baby registered in a hospital or at any private set up that offers immunization services. Keep your baby’s immunization card carefully. Make sure that the vaccines when given are recorded with the exact date mentioned. Make sure that your doctor or nurse tells you the next date of vaccination and get it recorded on your immunization card. Do not miss your immunization date. § Know the National Immunization Schedule: At birth BCG & OPV zero dose 6 weeks BCG (if not given at birth) DPT1 & OPV1 10 weeks DPT2 & OPV2 14 weeks DPT3 & OPV3 09 months Measles. 18-24 months DPT & OPV (booster dose) 05 years DT & OPV 10 years & 16 years TT |
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