Temperature
A newborn baby's body temperature should be between 36.5 °C and 37.5 °C, and it is important that it stays between those values. In the first 24 hours after the birth a baby can find it hard to keep its temperature up, so we advise taking it several times on that first day. If you are unsure, or would like advice, you can always contact the midwife.
Feeding
If you are breastfeeding, you can put your baby to the breast as soon as it starts making smacking sounds. We advise feeding often in the first few days so that your milk supply gets going well. There should never be more than six hours between two feeds.
If you are bottle feeding, you can give your baby a first bottle of 30 ml a few hours after the birth. There should be at most four hours between two feeds, though babies often let you know sooner that they are ready for the next one.
The packaging of the formula tells you how to make it up. The maternity nurse can explain it to you as well.
In the first 24 hours after the birth, newborn babies are often queasy and do not want to feed well. There is no need to worry: this is normal. A baby has reserves and may lose up to 10% of its body weight in the first days. If you are unsure, you can always contact the midwife.
Grunting
If your baby makes loud, grunting noises it may be in pain. Always contact the midwife if your baby grunts.