Week 2 ~ Baby Info (from BabyWeekly.com)
The Second Week In Katelyn's Development
Hi, Jeannette! Your first week is behind you, and hopefully you're feeling a bit stronger and more confident in your new role. But before you get too comfortable; Katelyn will continue to surprise you with new developments and changes to keep you on your toes. Parenting is nothing if not a lesson in adjusting. In fact, it will seem like just about the time you're getting the swing of things, your sweet baby will change schedules.
Your Post-Pregnancy Body
Sex is probably last on your list of things you want to do now - and that's a good thing. Your body needs time to heal and it's best to avoid sexual intercourse and putting anything in your vagina (including tampons) until your lochia has stopped and intercourse is not painful or uncomfortable - usually 4 to 6 weeks after delivery.
Once you do resume sexual intercourse, remember that you can ovulate and get pregnant during the month before your first menstrual period, as soon as 2 to 3 weeks after you deliver. If you aren't breastfeeding, your menstrual periods may return within a month or two after delivery. If you are breastfeeding, your periods will probably not resume for a few months. If you don't want to get pregnant right away, use birth control even if you are breastfeeding.
Most methods of birth control are safe and effective for breastfeeding mothers. Talk to your doctor about which method is best for you.
Your New Baby
Katelyn may be able to lift her head slightly when placed on her tummy, but only for a brief moment. Her eyesight is still limited to 8 to 10 inches from her face-just about the distance she is from your face while nursing-but will improve steadily in the coming weeks.
You may notice Katelyn's skin is slightly yellow the first couple of weeks after birth. This is jaundice and it is fairly common, especially in breastfed babies. Babies are born with more red blood cells than they need, and when these excess cells are broken down in the body, it produces a yellow pigment called bilirubin. Because a newborn's immature liver can't dispose of bilirubin quickly enough, the excess yellow pigment is deposited in the skin and eyeballs. If the jaundice persists or gets worse, contact your pediatrician.
***
Jaundice
More than half of all full-term babies and approximately four out of five premature babies develop jaundice shortly after birth and it is usually not a problem; however, it can be a sign of a serious disease, so it’s best to have your baby examined by a doctor and treated if necessary.
Jaundice is caused by excessive bilirubin, a byproduct of dying red blood cells, in the blood. We lose and replace about one percent of our red blood cells everyday, and the resulting bilirubin is processed through our liver and excreted in our stool. However, if too many red blood cells die at one time and there is too much bilirubin in the blood or the liver can’t dispose of it quickly enough, it builds up and causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow.Babies are generally born with more red blood cells than they need, the ordeal of birth can cause extra red blood cells to die (especially if forceps or a vacuum was used), and babies’ immature livers are unable to deal with the excess bilirubin.
There are two general types of jaundice: physiologic and pathologic. Physiologic jaundice is the normal type of jaundice seen in healthy babies and usually appears when a baby is two or three days old, peaks by day four, and subsides by day seven.
Breastfeeding jaundice occurs in the first week of life in more than 1 in 10 breastfed infants. It is thought this type of jaundice is caused by reduced amounts of breastmilk in the first days after birth because of infrequent feeding or inefficient feeding, leading to dehydration or low caloric intake. This is a type of physiologic jaundice.
Jaundice is called pathologic when it poses a risk to the baby, either because of its degree or its cause. Pathologic jaundice may arise for several reasons, including blood incompatibility, blood diseases, genetic syndromes, liver diseases, infections, medications, or physiologic jaundice that is heightened for some reason (such as prematurity, difficult delivery, or dehydration). Pathologic jaundice can appear earlier or later, rise faster, reach higher levels, last longer, and be accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, dark urine, lethargy, too much weight loss, and abnormal body temperature.
When bilirubin reaches extremely high levels (more than 20 mg) it can lead to a rare but very serious condition called kernicterus, which can lead to deafness, severe developmental disabilities, and an unusual form of cerebral palsy. Jaundice can also cause problems for babies with certain risk factors, including:
* Babies who are born before 37 weeks.
* Babies who weigh less than 2500 grams at birth.
* Babies whose blood type is incompatible with their mothers’.
* Babies who have an infection.
* Babies who needed resuscitation at birth.
Jaundice is usually diagnosed by physical examination. The doctor may gently press your baby’s skin to observe the coloring when the skin blanches. A specific diagnosis can be made by measuring bilirubin levels with a blood test. If you have already brought your baby home from the hospital, call your baby’s doctor immediately if you notice your baby’s arms or legs are jaundiced, he or she develops a fever above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), or if he or she begins acting sick or listless. You should also call your doctor if the jaundice deepens after day 7, is not gone by day 15, or if your baby is not gaining sufficient weight.
Most cases of mild jaundice will subside on their own without special treatment. In these cases, feed your baby as frequently as possible to cause more bowel movements, which helps to remove the bilirubin from the body. Pathologic jaundice, on the other hand, is usually treated using phototherapy. This uses high intensity light of the right wavelength to convert the bilirubin pigment to a safer form that is easily removed from the body and does not build up to toxic levels. If severe jaundice develops because of blood type differences between you and your baby, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may be administered, which gives the baby an intravenous transfusion of antibodies. In extremely rare cases, your baby may need an exchange transfusion of blood which means small amounts of blood are repeatedly withdrawn, the bilirubin and maternal antibodies are “diluted out,” and the blood is transferred back to the baby.
***
During the first two weeks you will need to take care of Katelyn's umbilical cord stump until it falls off. Be sure to keep the area dry, so stick with sponge baths until it is healed. Some doctors also suggest using alcohol swabs to keep it dry and germ free. While it looks bad and might smell bad, this healing process is natural. Once the stump falls off, there might be a tiny spot of bloody puss, which should heal on its own within a couple of days.
Research has proven that stimulating a child's brain early in life can have a significant effect on how he or she responds to learning later in life. Right now, you can stimulate Katelyn's brain by holding Katelyn close and speaking softly, letting Katelyn focus on your face and hear sound of your voice. Massage and sing to Katelyn, and let Katelyn hear your heartbeat by holding Katelyn skin to skin. Significant bonding occurs between you and Katelyn during these first weeks that will continue to grow deeper over time.
Your Journal
Jeannette, if you have already written all the details of your labor and delivery, write about how you have adjusted to your new role as a mom. How are you managing on limited sleep? If you are breastfeeding, did you have any problems? How is Jon adjusting? Write about your new life now.
Be sure to add all your new baby pictures to your photo album and share with your friends and family.
A Quote Worth Repeating
One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. ~ Chinese Proverb
This Week's E-poll
Do you use cloth or disposable diapers?
A Tip from the Trenches
Make the most of feeding times by creating a feeding station. Use a basket or bin to store bottled water, clean burping cloths, reading material, a cordless or cell phone, a snap-on light, and an iPod or other portable music player. Store the station wherever you feed your baby most often and you'll have everything you need to keep yourself entertained, relaxed, and comfortable while your baby is nursing. Feeding is a particularly good time to catch up on phone calls because Katelyn is soothed by the sound of your voice.
Hi, Jeannette! Your first week is behind you, and hopefully you're feeling a bit stronger and more confident in your new role. But before you get too comfortable; Katelyn will continue to surprise you with new developments and changes to keep you on your toes. Parenting is nothing if not a lesson in adjusting. In fact, it will seem like just about the time you're getting the swing of things, your sweet baby will change schedules.
Your Post-Pregnancy Body
Sex is probably last on your list of things you want to do now - and that's a good thing. Your body needs time to heal and it's best to avoid sexual intercourse and putting anything in your vagina (including tampons) until your lochia has stopped and intercourse is not painful or uncomfortable - usually 4 to 6 weeks after delivery.
Once you do resume sexual intercourse, remember that you can ovulate and get pregnant during the month before your first menstrual period, as soon as 2 to 3 weeks after you deliver. If you aren't breastfeeding, your menstrual periods may return within a month or two after delivery. If you are breastfeeding, your periods will probably not resume for a few months. If you don't want to get pregnant right away, use birth control even if you are breastfeeding.
Most methods of birth control are safe and effective for breastfeeding mothers. Talk to your doctor about which method is best for you.
Your New Baby
Katelyn may be able to lift her head slightly when placed on her tummy, but only for a brief moment. Her eyesight is still limited to 8 to 10 inches from her face-just about the distance she is from your face while nursing-but will improve steadily in the coming weeks.
You may notice Katelyn's skin is slightly yellow the first couple of weeks after birth. This is jaundice and it is fairly common, especially in breastfed babies. Babies are born with more red blood cells than they need, and when these excess cells are broken down in the body, it produces a yellow pigment called bilirubin. Because a newborn's immature liver can't dispose of bilirubin quickly enough, the excess yellow pigment is deposited in the skin and eyeballs. If the jaundice persists or gets worse, contact your pediatrician.
***
Jaundice
More than half of all full-term babies and approximately four out of five premature babies develop jaundice shortly after birth and it is usually not a problem; however, it can be a sign of a serious disease, so it’s best to have your baby examined by a doctor and treated if necessary.
Jaundice is caused by excessive bilirubin, a byproduct of dying red blood cells, in the blood. We lose and replace about one percent of our red blood cells everyday, and the resulting bilirubin is processed through our liver and excreted in our stool. However, if too many red blood cells die at one time and there is too much bilirubin in the blood or the liver can’t dispose of it quickly enough, it builds up and causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow.Babies are generally born with more red blood cells than they need, the ordeal of birth can cause extra red blood cells to die (especially if forceps or a vacuum was used), and babies’ immature livers are unable to deal with the excess bilirubin.
There are two general types of jaundice: physiologic and pathologic. Physiologic jaundice is the normal type of jaundice seen in healthy babies and usually appears when a baby is two or three days old, peaks by day four, and subsides by day seven.
Breastfeeding jaundice occurs in the first week of life in more than 1 in 10 breastfed infants. It is thought this type of jaundice is caused by reduced amounts of breastmilk in the first days after birth because of infrequent feeding or inefficient feeding, leading to dehydration or low caloric intake. This is a type of physiologic jaundice.
Jaundice is called pathologic when it poses a risk to the baby, either because of its degree or its cause. Pathologic jaundice may arise for several reasons, including blood incompatibility, blood diseases, genetic syndromes, liver diseases, infections, medications, or physiologic jaundice that is heightened for some reason (such as prematurity, difficult delivery, or dehydration). Pathologic jaundice can appear earlier or later, rise faster, reach higher levels, last longer, and be accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, dark urine, lethargy, too much weight loss, and abnormal body temperature.
When bilirubin reaches extremely high levels (more than 20 mg) it can lead to a rare but very serious condition called kernicterus, which can lead to deafness, severe developmental disabilities, and an unusual form of cerebral palsy. Jaundice can also cause problems for babies with certain risk factors, including:
* Babies who are born before 37 weeks.
* Babies who weigh less than 2500 grams at birth.
* Babies whose blood type is incompatible with their mothers’.
* Babies who have an infection.
* Babies who needed resuscitation at birth.
Jaundice is usually diagnosed by physical examination. The doctor may gently press your baby’s skin to observe the coloring when the skin blanches. A specific diagnosis can be made by measuring bilirubin levels with a blood test. If you have already brought your baby home from the hospital, call your baby’s doctor immediately if you notice your baby’s arms or legs are jaundiced, he or she develops a fever above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), or if he or she begins acting sick or listless. You should also call your doctor if the jaundice deepens after day 7, is not gone by day 15, or if your baby is not gaining sufficient weight.
Most cases of mild jaundice will subside on their own without special treatment. In these cases, feed your baby as frequently as possible to cause more bowel movements, which helps to remove the bilirubin from the body. Pathologic jaundice, on the other hand, is usually treated using phototherapy. This uses high intensity light of the right wavelength to convert the bilirubin pigment to a safer form that is easily removed from the body and does not build up to toxic levels. If severe jaundice develops because of blood type differences between you and your baby, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) may be administered, which gives the baby an intravenous transfusion of antibodies. In extremely rare cases, your baby may need an exchange transfusion of blood which means small amounts of blood are repeatedly withdrawn, the bilirubin and maternal antibodies are “diluted out,” and the blood is transferred back to the baby.
***
During the first two weeks you will need to take care of Katelyn's umbilical cord stump until it falls off. Be sure to keep the area dry, so stick with sponge baths until it is healed. Some doctors also suggest using alcohol swabs to keep it dry and germ free. While it looks bad and might smell bad, this healing process is natural. Once the stump falls off, there might be a tiny spot of bloody puss, which should heal on its own within a couple of days.
Research has proven that stimulating a child's brain early in life can have a significant effect on how he or she responds to learning later in life. Right now, you can stimulate Katelyn's brain by holding Katelyn close and speaking softly, letting Katelyn focus on your face and hear sound of your voice. Massage and sing to Katelyn, and let Katelyn hear your heartbeat by holding Katelyn skin to skin. Significant bonding occurs between you and Katelyn during these first weeks that will continue to grow deeper over time.
Your Journal
Jeannette, if you have already written all the details of your labor and delivery, write about how you have adjusted to your new role as a mom. How are you managing on limited sleep? If you are breastfeeding, did you have any problems? How is Jon adjusting? Write about your new life now.
Be sure to add all your new baby pictures to your photo album and share with your friends and family.
A Quote Worth Repeating
One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. ~ Chinese Proverb
This Week's E-poll
Do you use cloth or disposable diapers?
A Tip from the Trenches
Make the most of feeding times by creating a feeding station. Use a basket or bin to store bottled water, clean burping cloths, reading material, a cordless or cell phone, a snap-on light, and an iPod or other portable music player. Store the station wherever you feed your baby most often and you'll have everything you need to keep yourself entertained, relaxed, and comfortable while your baby is nursing. Feeding is a particularly good time to catch up on phone calls because Katelyn is soothed by the sound of your voice.