BHS Maternity Center

New parents naturally have numerous questions about how to take care of their baby. There is so much to know about taking care of a child that it is virtually impossible to learn everything within a year. Here are a few basics of infant care to keep in mind: Choose a pediatrician you trust, or one that has been referred by friends and doctors; do not submerse the baby in water until the umbilical cord has fallen off in 1 to 3 weeks; It is recommended you buy a new crib model for its increased safety features; check toy safety labels to make sure they are appropriate for infants. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor when you need to-your concerns are always valid.

It’s difficult to plan for a baby. Sometimes circumstances beyond our control make it impossible take care of a newborn. Thankfully, there are options. Through the Safe Haven program, parents who feel they cannot take care of their infant may take it to a Safe Haven facility. This is a legal, discrete way to relinquish care of your child to a safe organization and give it a brighter future. The employees at these facilities understand the difficult decision you have to make, and assist you without any judgement or chastising.

Throughout the first year of the child’s life, human breastmilk provides them with essential nutrients and protection against infections. Breast milk is perfectly formulated for babies, containing the exact amount of protein, sugar, and fat they need. The antibodies in the milk help prevent ear infections, meningitis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The baby is not the only one to benefit from the feeding; breastfeeding helps the mother burn calories, and reduces risk of ovarian and breast cancer. Support and Resources

Skin to skin is a way of holding a newborn directly on mom's chest immediately after birth. It is the best way for a mom and newborn to get to know each other. Learn More

Despite sleeping 16 hours out of the day, it’s highly unlikely your newborn will have the same circadian rhythm you do. Infants have no concept of night and day. They fall asleep and wakeup whenever their body demands. You can help the child understand that night is for sleeping by limiting stimulating action with them in the dark and creating a bedtime routine that signals time for sleep. For the baby’s safety, always place it on its back to sleep. Be vigilant if it needs feeding or changing, as these needs should be addressed.

The birth of a baby is an exciting time for new parents. However, new mothers often go through periods of both physical and emotional change. Even though you have prepared for your baby’s arrival, caring for an infant can be hard work. Many women experience some unexpected “highs” and “lows.” New mothers are surprised at the energy it takes to care for their new baby and many may begin to feel anxious, frustrated, uncertain or overwhelmed. During this adjustment, support from family and friends can be very helpful.

Click here to view the Postpartum Adjustment brochure.

Babies are challenging, particularly colicky babies, and even caring parents can lose their cool sometimes. In fits of frustration, some parents have unwittingly shaken their baby and severely injured them. Never forget that it is unsafe to shake a baby. An infant’s head is much bigger than its neck, and the muscles are weak, making it easy to create a whiplash effect. Shaken baby syndrome could cause brain damage, blindness, or even death. If you have a baby with colic, of find yourself getting frustrated, give yourself a break. Try counting to 10 or calling a friend-whatever it takes to stay calm.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is an unexpected, and so far unexplained, death of a child aged under 1 year. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce the risk of this tragedy. You may have heard that putting an infant to sleep on its stomach is the safest way for them to rest, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Studies have shown infants sleeping on their stomach have a higher chance of suffering SIDS than babies who sleep on their backs. Breastfeeding is shown to reduce risks, as is keeping up with the child’s shots and immunization. Do not use anything that claims to reduce SIDS unless a doctor explicitly recommends it. Most importantly, make sure whoever cares for your baby knows to have it sleep on its back and knows the emergency contact information.

The first year of your baby’s life will see you making numerous visits to the doctor. Babies develop a lot in this time, and frequent checkups ensure that everything is proceeding as it should. Your baby should visit a doctor on the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th 9^th, and 12^th month of its life. During these visits the child will receive important vaccinations and injections. This is also a critical time for doctor’s to examine the child for potential disabilities or complications that may manifest later in life.