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 IVF 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.