Breast-feed on demand every 2 to 4 hours. Bottle-feed on demand every 3
to 4 hours.
Bowel movements vary—some infants have a bowel movement with each
feeding, and others every few days. Stools may be runny, seedy, mushy,
pasty, green, yellow or brown. Babies should be having at least 6 wet
diapers in a 24-hour period by day 4 of life.
Care of the Penis
A small amount of spotting from the circumcised penis is normal, and
healing usually occurs in 5 to 7 days. Apply a petroleum-based ointment
to the site with every diaper change until the skin looks normal. An
uncircumcised penis requires no special care. Do not pull back the
No special care is required.
Routine temperature taking is not necessary. Check your baby’s
temperature if he or she feels warm, cold or seems sick. Taking the
temperature under the baby’s arm may be inaccurate, so obtain a rectal
Check your baby’s skin from head to toe for a yellow color twice a day
under the same lighting conditions.
Place your infant on his or her back to sleep. Most newborns sleep a
lot, usually waking up every 2 to 4 hours for feeding. Letting the baby
spend a certain amount of time on his or her tummy while awake and
observed is recommended.
Most newborns will have a few fussy periods. Call your pediatrician if
your baby shows any of the following warning signs:
Temperature is less than 97°F or greater than 100.4°F rectally.
Do not give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fevers during the
first 6 to 8 weeks of life.
Breathing is labored or distressed, or the baby is
struggling to breathe
Difficulty waking up or refusing to eat for 2 to 3 feedings
in a row
Excessive crying, irritability or lethargy
Skin is more yellow than at the time of discharge from the
hospital, or a blue or gray color
Vomiting for several feedings in a row, or bloody or green vomit
Baby produces fewer than 6 wet diapers in a 24-hour period by 4
days of age
Bloody, black or dark purple stools; large, frequent and watery
Redness, bleeding, foul odor or discharge around the umbilical
Bleeding or increasing redness of the penis
Postpartum Discharge Instructions for the Mother
New mothers should follow these instructions for themselves after
discharge from the hospital:
Ibuprofen: Take 600 mg of ibuprofen by
mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed for discomfort. Remember:
Ibuprofen is preferable to Percocet, as it does not cause
constipation, is nonaddictive, and has no sedative
effect on the baby. Percocet side effects may include
headache, nausea or vomiting.
Percocet: Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 3
to 4 hours as needed for moderate to severe pain.
Prenatal vitamins: Take 1 tablet by mouth
Stool softener: Take as needed as directed.
If any of the following warning signs occur, call your physician or
Excessive vaginal bleeding (saturating the peripad such
that it needs to be changed more than every 2 to 3 hours, or if
you are passing large clots). Remember: It is normal
for there to be increased bleeding while breast-feeding and with
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
A red or swollen abdominal incision that
is draining or causing increasing discomfort
Increased discomfort or unusual discharge in the area of an
episiotomy, or the opening up of the stitches
Fever (temperature greater than 100.6º F for 24 hours or
Burning or difficulty urinating, or if you are not
completely emptying your bladder
Pain, redness or increased warmth in the thigh, calf or breast
Prolonged, overwhelming feelings of helplessness or
hopelessness, or an inability to cope
Blurry vision or dizziness, with or without a headache
Bryn Mawr Hospital
OB/GYN Appointments 1.866.CALL.MLH or 484-580-1000
Bryn Mawr Hospital
130 South Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
For more information, call 1.866.CALL.MLH.