Jaundice
Your baby’s skin may be tinged with yellow (jaundice) due to the breakdown of
excessive haemoglobin. The jaundice normally peaks around the fourth or fifth day.
Phototherapy may be required if levels of jaundice become too high.
Sleeping
A newborn sleeps between 16–20 hours per day and will make sounds, smile and will
have rapid eye movement during sleep.
Settling techniques
Start developing a settling technique when your baby is a newborn that is calming
and relaxing for you both. Settle your baby in the cot when you recognise the signs
of tiredness:
• Fist clenching
• Jerky movements
Breastfeeding Talk
There is a breastfeeding clinic
provided by our staff. All infant
feeding education programs
offered provide an approach that
is flexible, creative, empowering
and sensitive to the individual.
Please ask staff for more
information
Mitcham Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education 35
• Facial contortions
• Grizzling
Settling can be assisted by:
• A warm deep bath and/or massage
• Cuddling and rocking
• Talking or singing softly and gently
• Playing relaxing music
• Gentle rhythmical patting, gradually
slowing down
Partners and other familiar adults can share this settling routine. If your baby is still
unsettled, it might be helpful to ask staff for assistance.
Wrapping and safe sleeping guidelines
Ask your midwife to demonstrate this technique.
To wrap your baby for sleep:
• Use a sheet, preferably a thin cotton one. Blankets get too hot and overheating is
not good for babies.
• Lay your baby in the middle of the long side of the sheet and wrap each side over
in turn, tucking the sheet under the baby (see diagram). The sheet should come up
to your baby’s shoulders.
• Don’t overdress your baby if wrapping. In mild or warm weather just a singlet and
nappy is fine. If it is cold in your baby’s room you may like to put a light suit on him/
her under the wrap.
The postnatal
period is a time
of enormous
adjustment for
new parents.
Correct wrapping for sleep