Posted on

Keeping your baby warm after birth

Keeping your baby warm after birth

Why is this important? If a baby becomes cold after the birth, the baby can be at risk of developing hypothermia. Hypothermia is a condition where the body temperature drops to a dangerously low level. In a newborn, this occurs when the baby’s temperature drops below 36.5°C. A baby with hypothermia may have problems breathing regularly and maintaining their blood sugar and may result in admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for treatment. Leaving the warmt of the womb at birth, the wet newborn baby comes into a much colder environment and immediately starts to lose heat. Most of this heat loss occurs within the first few minutes after birth and if not kept warm in the first 10-20 minutes, the baby may lose enough heat for their body temperature to fall to a very low level. Some babies are more at risk of geting cold, these include:
  • Preterm babies born at less than 37 weeks’ gestation
  • Babies with low birth weight
  • Babies of mothers who are diabetic
  • Babies who need to be resuscitated at birth
  • Babies where the mother has an infection in labour
However, all babies are susceptible to hypothermia in the first few hours after the birth, so it is important to take simple measures afer the birth to keep your baby warm.

What will my materniy team do to ensure that my baby is keep warm?

  • Ensure the temperature of the birth room is at least 24°C
  • Check the air conditioning and fans in the birth room are turned off or facing away from the baby
  • Keep windows closed
  • Turn on heaters if appropriate
  • After the birth, your baby will be dried immediately and a hat will be put on your baby’s head.
If there are additiona risk factors, then a red hat will be put on your baby’s head to alert all team members that your baby is more at risk of getting cold. Once your baby is dried, the wet towel used to dry your baby will be removed and replaced with a blanket. During skin to skin contact, your baby will also be covered with blankets. You will be encouraged to feed your baby or express your breast milk and give your baby within an hour of birth. Bathing your baby should wait until the baby has adjusted to the environment and maintains its temperature. The baby’s temperature will be checked shortly after the birth to ensure that this is within the normal range.

    How can you help your baby?

    As parents, you can help the maternity team in ensuring that your baby is kept warm. There are many things you can do to help:
    • Tell a midwife or support worker if the birth room is not warm enough. This is very important just before and in the horus after the birth.
    • This may mean reminding a midwife or support worker to close windows and turn off the air conditioning/fans, or turn up the heaters.
    • Ensure that during skin-to-skin contact your baby is covered with blankets.
    • Ensure tht your baby keeps the hat on for the first 12 horus; as much as 25% of heat loss will be from the baby’s head if it is not covered.
    • If a red hat has been put on your baby’s head then please keep this in place for 12 hours. You can usually then remove the hat and replace it with one of your own baby hats.
    • When dressing your baby for the time, warm the clothes and blankets beforehand. You can do this by placing the baby clothes against your skin or under your clothes.
    • When in the cot, ensure that your baby is adequately covered. Babies usually need one or two more layers of clothing or bedding than adults.
    • Tell a midwife or support worker if you think your baby’s breathing is no normal.
    • If you notice that your baby is breathing very fast for a continuous period (more than 60 breaths per minute), or seems to be struggling to breathe, with nostrils flaring or making noises wih each breath, then please tell a member of your maternity team.
    • Babies use up energy to keep themselves warm, there you will be encouraged to feed your baby regularly and will lbe supported in doing so. Some babies may need more frequent feeds. However, a well baby will need to have feeds at least every three hours for the first few days of life.

    How long should I take these measures for?

    If kept warm, once the baby is around six hours old, then will then usually be able to maintain their temperature at a normal level. The observation of your baby’s temperature will continue for at least 12 hours. Some babies that are unwell or vulnerable at the time of birth (for example, a baby with a low birth weight) may need support to keep warm for a longer period of time. If you have any questions, please ask one of the midwives or support workers.
Posted on

Handling your newborn baby

Handling your newborn baby

Babies like being held securely and gently. They need to have their heads and necks carefully supported as their neck muscles are not strong enough to hold their head up yet Babies find touch soothing; an upset baby can be comforted by a gentle cuddle or rhythmic rocking in a parent’s arms. It may often help to wrap your baby up securely in a blanket, although it’s very important not to allow your baby to become overheated. Very occasionally babies are accidentally dropped, particularly when a parent falls asleep holding a baby; or when holding the baby they slip, trip or fall. Here are some things you can do to stop your baby being injured:
  • Return your baby to its cot when settled
  • Change your baby’s nappy on a changing mat on the floor
  • Do not leave your baby unattended on a bed, sofa or changing table, even for a second, as they could roll off
  • Always keep bouncing cradles or baby car seats on the floor, rather than on a table or kitchen worktop, as your baby’s wriggling could tip it over the edge
  • Hold on to the handrail when carrying your baby up and down stairs, in case you trip. Make sure the stairs are free of toys and other trip hazards.
  • Watch where you’re putting your feet while carrying your baby. It’s easy to trip over something like a toy.
Handle with care guide on how to keep your baby safe
Posted on

Bathing your baby and your baby’s skin

Bathing your baby and your baby’s skin

A newborn’s skin is delicate and sensitive, and the use of any creams, lotions or cleansers should be avoided for at least the first month. Babies may have dry skin after birth, and this is nothing to worry about. When bathing, it is best to use plain water and only a very mild and non-perfumed soap if required.
How should I bath my baby?
Washing your baby
Posted on

Caring for the umbilical cord

Caring for the umbilical cord

After your baby is born, their umbilical cord will be secured with a plastic clip. The cord will then take between three to ten days to dry out and drop off. It is normal for the cord to be slightly sticky and smelly as it dries out. The area can be cleaned with plain water if necessary and dried carefully with a clean soft cloth or muslin.  If you notice any bleeding from the cord or redness on your baby’s abdomen, tell your midwife, health visitor or GP.
Posted on

Dressing your baby

Dressing your baby

The following tips will help you plan how to keep your baby’s temperature within the normal range:

Room temperature

Try to keep the room temperature between 16-20°C.

Deciding the right amount of clothing and bedding

Indoors:

Daytime – your baby should wear the same amount of clothes as you wear plus an extra layer. Night time – your baby should wear a vest and babygro in bed plus be covered with the same number of bedding  layers as parents. If your baby seems restless and fussy and the skin appears flushed and feels hot, remove a piece of clothing or blanket. It is normal for babies to have cool hands and feet. They should feel warm on their chest (same as you) but if their hands or feet feel cold and look blue and blotchy, add mittens, socks/booties, a hat and a cardigan or blanket. Babies do not need to wear hats indoor. It can lead to them overheating.

Outdoors:

Babies should wear hats outdoors  in summer and winter to protect against all weather conditions. Babies under six months’ old must be kept out of direct sunlight, especially around midday. During daytime, cover exposed parts of the baby’s skin with sun creams, using the baby specific sun creams. Don’t forget to reapply it regularly throughout the day. In a heated car or on public transport, babies who are overdressed can easily become too hot. Remember to remove a layer/s of clothing or any covering blanket.

When at home

Don’t forget to take off baby’s outdoor clothes and hat when you get inside. Don’t keep the cot, buggy or car seat next to a radiator, heater or fire, in direct sunshine or near an open window.
Posted on

Soothing a crying baby

Soothing a crying baby

All babies cry, and some cry a lot. Crying is your baby’s way of telling you they need comfort and care. Sometimes it’s easy to work out what they want, and sometimes it isn’t, so be kind to yourself. Do remember that when you become anxious, crying babies tend to sense this and may become more distressed. So in the initial weeks, work your way systematically through the different reasons why a baby may cry.

Tips to comfort a crying baby

Try some of these ways to comfort your crying baby:
  • place your baby skin-to-skin
  • check if your baby is hungry. If so, feed your baby
  • check your baby’s nappy. If dirty, change the nappy
  • hold your baby close to you. Move about gently, sway and dance, talk to your baby or sing
  • try stroking your baby’s back firmly and rhythmically, holding her/him against you 
  • find something for your baby to listen to or look at – like music on the radio, a CD, a rattle or a mobile above the cot
  • rock your baby gently backwards and forwards in the pram
  • try a warm bath. When testing for bath temperature, a warm bath will feel comfortable against your elbow skin. Warm baths calm some babies instantly, but make others cry even more.
Soothing a crying baby Skin-to-skin contact Coping with a crying baby