Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!

Whether you are a first-time parent or this is your fifth child, having a newborn is never the same. New CDC recommendations are created, insurance policies change and even your house becomes a different environment. Here are a few pointers to help you:

Call for Advice Right Away for:

  • Fever of 100.4 or over in the first 6 weeks
  • Fever of 101.5 after 6 weeks old
  • Jaundice (yellow skin)
  • Not eating or urinating
  • Not breathing easily or breathing faster than 60 times per minute when resting

During business hours call 316-283-7100 and after hours call 316-283-2700 (Newton Medical Center) for nurse triage.

For emergencies, call 911.

Baby Safety

  • Always put your baby on his/her back to sleep
  • Do not put soft, fluffy things in the crib with your baby
  • Always put your baby in a backward-facing carseat in the back seat of the car
  • Make sure smoke detectors work and have batteries
  • Do not give medicine to your baby without your pediatrician’s advice
  • Never hit or shake your baby

Well Child Checks

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

Schedule regular well-checks when baby is

  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 8 months
  • 12 months
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 24 months
  • every year after that

Nutrition

If possible, breastfeed your baby. It takes time for many moms and babies to learn to breasfeed well. The staff at Newton Medical Center Maternal/Child unit are available 24 hours/day at 316-283-2700. If you are having trouble breastfeeding let your pediatric provider know.

If you are not breastfeeding, you can use formula with iron. Your baby will probably drink 2 to 3 ounces every 2 to 4 hours. Newborns do not need extra water or juice. Do not try to feed your newborn baby food or cereal before 4 months of age. If you are not able to get formula for your baby, let your doctor know.

Insurance for Newborn

There are many variables when it comes to insurance and the sooner you add your baby the easier it will be because:

  • Parents’ insurance policies may cover for the birth even if you do not add them to your plan
  • Children need their own Kancare plan
  • Grandparents’ policies usually do not cover grandchildren
  • Spelling errors and typos result in claim denials and parents become responsible for the balances

Visit our page on insurance for newborns for more information.

 

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