The first 28 days of life — the neonatal period — are a time of rapid change for your baby and your family. For Warora families, Shiv Clinic is your local resource for newborn care support, jaundice monitoring, feeding guidance, and the all-important first paediatric check-up.
Schedule your first newborn check-up within 24–48 hours of hospital discharge. Do not wait a week — early assessment catches weight loss, jaundice, feeding problems, and confirms birth vaccinations are complete.
📅 First Month at a Glance
Day 0–3 (in hospital)
- Birth vaccinations: BCG, OPV-0, Hep B-1 within 24 hrs
- Vitamin K injection (prevents bleeding)
- First feed: colostrum within 1 hour of birth
- Collect MCP (Mother Child Protection) card
- Hearing screening (if offered by hospital)
Day 3–5 (first clinic visit)
- Weight check (expect 7–10% loss — normal)
- Jaundice assessment
- Feeding review and latch support
- Cord stump check
- Confirm birth vaccinations on MCP card
Week 2
- Weight should be back to birth weight
- Cord stump drying and falling off
- Feeding settling into pattern
- Jaundice should be resolving
6 weeks
- 6-week immunisations: Pentavalent-1, OPV-1, IPV-1, Rota-1, PCV-1
- Growth review and developmental check
- Social smile appearing (6–8 weeks)
- See full vaccination schedule →
🍼 IVF or Premature Newborn? Extra Care Matters
Babies born after IVF or a high-risk pregnancy — particularly those born premature or with low birth weight — may need closer monitoring in the first weeks and months. This includes more frequent weight checks, careful jaundice monitoring, feeding support, and NICU-graduate follow-up if applicable.
Shiv Clinic is part of the AANSH partner network and provides dedicated paediatric care for IVF families and NICU graduates in Warora. Learn about specialised care for IVF and high-risk pregnancy newborns at Shiv Clinic →
Feeding Your Newborn
Breastfeeding
- Colostrum (days 1–3): Yellow, thick early milk. Rich in antibodies. Highly valuable — feed as much as the baby will take
- Frequency: 8–12 feeds per 24 hours in the first weeks. Newborns have small stomachs — frequent feeding is normal
- Duration: Feed until the breast feels soft and the baby is satisfied (comes off the breast on their own)
- Engorgement: Milk "coming in" on day 3–4 can cause breast fullness and discomfort — feed frequently to relieve
- Painful latch: Cracked nipples, deep pain, or poor milk transfer — see the paediatrician for a latch assessment
Signs of Adequate Feeding
- 6+ wet nappies per day from day 4–5 (pale yellow urine)
- Frequent stools (yellow, seedy for breastfed; tan for formula)
- Baby feeds 8–12 times per day
- Regains birth weight by day 10–14
- Baby appears satisfied after feeds and sleeps between feeds
- Weight steadily increasing from week 2 onward (approx. 150–200 g per week in month 1)
Newborn Jaundice — What Is Normal, What Is Dangerous
Jaundice (पीलिया in Hindi) is the yellow colour of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by a build-up of bilirubin. It is very common in newborns — up to 60% of full-term babies and 80% of preterm babies develop some degree of jaundice.
| Type | When it appears | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Physiological (normal) | Day 2–4; peaks day 3–5; resolves by 2 weeks | Monitor; ensure good feeding; attend first paediatric visit |
| Pathological (needs assessment) | Within 24 hours of birth | Go to hospital immediately |
| Prolonged jaundice | Persists beyond 2–3 weeks | Consult paediatrician — may need bilirubin test and investigation |
| Breastmilk jaundice | Persists beyond 2 weeks in breastfed babies, otherwise well | Usually benign — discuss management with paediatrician |
Red flags for jaundice — seek immediate care: jaundice before 24 hours; very intense yellow extending to abdomen or legs; baby is lethargic, not waking for feeds, or difficult to rouse; pale or chalky-white stools with dark urine; any fever in a jaundiced newborn.
Umbilical Cord Care
- Keep it dry: Do not submerge in water until the cord has fallen off
- Keep it clean: Wipe gently with a clean, damp cloth if soiled
- Keep it aired: Fold the nappy below the cord stump so it is exposed to air
- Do not apply: Oil, antiseptic cream, powder, or any home remedies to the cord stump
- Falls off: Typically within 7–14 days
- Seek care if: Redness around the base (not just the stump itself), swelling, foul smell, discharge from base, or baby has fever
Safe Sleep — Every Night, Every Nap
The Safe Sleep Rules
- Back to sleep: Always place baby on their back — for every sleep, day and night. Do not place on the tummy or side to sleep.
- Firm, flat surface: Firm mattress in a cot, cradle, or bassinet. Not a sofa, chair, or adult bed.
- Clear sleep space: No loose bedding, pillows, positioners, stuffed animals, or bumpers in the sleep area.
- Room-sharing (not bed-sharing): Baby's cot in the same room as parents is the safest arrangement for the first 6 months.
- Temperature: Room should be comfortable — not too warm. Light, breathable clothing; avoid overdressing.
Source: IAP and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep guidelines. Risk of SIDS, though very low, is further reduced by back sleeping.
Weight Gain in the First Month
| Period | Expected weight pattern |
|---|---|
| Day 1–5 | Loses up to 7–10% of birth weight (normal) |
| Day 10–14 | Regains birth weight |
| Weeks 2–4 | Gains approximately 150–200 g per week |
| By 1 month | Most babies are 600–900 g above birth weight |
Weight loss exceeding 10%, or failure to regain birth weight by day 14, requires assessment. Book a weight check at Shiv Clinic — do not wait for the scheduled visit.
When to Call the Clinic or Go to Hospital
🚨 Go to hospital immediately
- Breathing stops or baby turns blue
- Seizure or loss of consciousness
- Fever above 38°C (rectal) in any baby under 1 month
- Jaundice appearing before 24 hours of birth
- Baby is limp and very difficult to wake
- Fast, laboured, or noisy breathing
⚠️ Call Shiv Clinic
- Not feeding for more than 4–6 hours
- Fewer than 4 wet nappies per day (after day 5)
- Jaundice spreading to abdomen or legs
- Umbilical cord: redness, swelling, discharge
- Persistent vomiting after feeds
- Weight not returning to birth weight by day 14
- Any concern or parental instinct that something is wrong
Warora & Chandrapur District — Local Newborn Care Tips
- Summer heat (April–June): Dress newborns in light cotton. Monitor for overheating — feel the baby's chest or back of neck. Ensure feeding is frequent to prevent dehydration in the heat.
- Monsoon season (June–September): Keep the baby's environment dry. Avoid taking a newborn to crowded places during monsoon when infections circulate. Boil and cool any water used for cleaning.
- Water quality: Use boiled and cooled water for any cleaning or formula mixing. Do not use well water or untreated tap water for newborns.
- Visitors: Limit visitors in the first 2–3 weeks. Ask anyone with a cough, cold, or illness to wait. Newborns have immature immune systems — infections that are minor in adults can be serious in a newborn under 1 month.