Newborn Care in Siliguri : A Pediatrician’s Advice for First-Time Parents

Becoming a parent for the first time is an exciting yet overwhelming journey. In the first few weeks of life, your newborn needs extra care, attention, and love — and as a pediatrician serving families in Siliguri, I know how many questions parents have in those early days.

This blog is here to offer clear, practical newborn care guidance, especially for parents in and around Siliguri who may be navigating both urban and semi-rural healthcare realities.

👶 What Makes Newborn Care So Important?

The first 28 days of life are known as the neonatal period — and they are critical for your baby’s survival and future health. During this time, your newborn’s body is adjusting to life outside the womb.

Proper care ensures:
✔ Protection from infections
✔ Healthy feeding and growth
✔ Development of strong immunity
✔ Emotional bonding with parents

🍼 1. Feeding – Breast is Best

✔ Start breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth.
✔ Feed on demand — at least 8–12 times in 24 hours.
✔ Avoid giving honey, cow milk, or water in the first 6 months.
✔ If breastfeeding is difficult, consult your pediatrician or a lactation expert.

💡 Tip from Dr. Jawed: Babies may lose a little weight in the first week — this is normal. As long as feeding is regular and diapers are wet, your baby is getting enough.

🧣 2. Keep Your Baby Warm

Newborns cannot regulate body temperature like adults.

✔ Use soft, layered clothing based on weather.
✔ Avoid overheating — if you're comfortable, your baby likely is too.
✔ Keep your baby wrapped in a cotton or muslin sheet.
✔ Avoid direct fan or AC drafts.

🩺 In Siliguri's colder months, use a light cap and socks to keep babies warm — especially at night.

🧼 3. Hygiene & Skin Care

✔ Wash hands before handling your baby.
✔ Sponge bath until the cord falls off (usually 5–10 days).
✔ Use mild, fragrance-free baby products.
✔ Apply coconut oil or doctor-recommended moisturizer if skin is dry.

💡 Avoid using talcum powder or strong soaps.

💉 4. Vaccinations from Day 1

Your newborn needs their first vaccines before discharge or within a few days:

• BCG – protection against tuberculosis

• Hepatitis B

• Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)

📌 Your pediatrician will guide you with a customized vaccination schedule — don’t skip it.

💩 5. Understanding Baby Poop & Pee

Newborn stool changes color and frequency in the first weeks.

✔ Greenish-black stool (meconium) in the first 2 days is normal
✔ Yellow, seedy stool is common in breastfed babies
✔ 6+ wet diapers/day = good hydration

📞 Call your doctor if:

• No stool for more than 2 days

• Blood in stool

• Baby isn’t urinating for 8+ hours

  😴 6. Sleep Patterns & Safe Sleep

  Newborns sleep 14–17 hours a day — in short naps.

  ✔ Place baby on their back to sleep, not tummy
  ✔ Use a firm, flat surface — no pillows or soft toys
  ✔ Room-share, but don’t bed-share
  ✔ Expect frequent waking at night — it's normal

  💡 In Siliguri's colder months, avoid too many blankets; use a warm swaddle or sleep sack.

  😷 7. Watch for Danger Signs

  Visit your pediatrician if your baby shows any of these signs:

  • High or low temperature

  • Fast breathing or chest in-drawing

  • Refuses to feed or is too sleepy

  • Yellowing of the skin/eyes (jaundice)

  • Vomiting or diarrhea

  • Convulsions or stiff limbs

    🧠 8. Bonding & Early Development

    ✔ Hold, cuddle, and talk to your baby often
    ✔ Make eye contact
    ✔ Respond to cries with comfort
    ✔ Avoid screen exposure (even in background)

    🧠 Your voice, touch, and smile are your baby’s best early learning tools!

    🤱 9. Support for Mothers

    Postpartum recovery matters too!

    ✔ Eat nutritious meals (protein, iron, calcium)
    ✔ Stay hydrated
    ✔ Take rest when the baby sleeps
    ✔ Ask for help from your spouse or family
    ✔ Attend follow-up appointments

    💬 New moms in Siliguri — don’t hesitate to reach out. Your mental and physical well-being is just as important.

    🩺 Visit Dr. Jawed Akhtar’s Clinic in Siliguri

    As a pediatrician with years of experience in newborn care, I offer:

    ✅ Newborn check-ups
    ✅ Feeding & growth monitoring
    ✅ Vaccination guidance
    ✅ Parental counseling
    ✅ Emergency care support

    📞 Contact:

    📍 Location: Siliguri, West Bengal
    📞 Phone / WhatsApp: 7001880885 / 7384678504
    📧 Email: jawed.nrs50@gmail.com

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    🌟 Final Words

    Being a new parent is not about perfection — it’s about being informed, supported, and patient. With the right care in these first weeks, your baby will thrive.

    If you're a first-time parent in Siliguri, I invite you to visit our clinic or follow this blog for more trusted guidance.