The first 28 days of life are described as ’newborns’ and require special care. Undoubtedly, every mother and father try to do the best for the healthy development of their infants. But beware! Some traditional behaviors, which are thought to be innocent, do not benefit, and can cause irreversible permanent problems in the baby and even death! So, what are the wrong habits about the neonatal period in society? What wrong habits should be avoided during this period? Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist İmre Gökyar explained the 10 most common mistakes in the newborn period and made important suggestions and warnings.
False: Drink sugary water to prevent jaundice
True: This information has no medical basis. Moreover, contrary to popular belief in society, sugary water is not beneficial and rarely causes water poisoning. “Every newborn baby can turn yellow. Neither sugary water nor wrapping the baby from head to toe with yellow clothes and cloths can prevent this.” Child Health and Diseases Specialist İmre Gökyar added further, “Jaundice usually occurs on the rise for the first 7 days and disappears every day. The bilirubin value in the first week is closely monitored by the doctor. Phototherapy is applied if the blood reaches the value that can cross the brain barrier.”
False: Not taking a bath until the belly falls
True: The newborn baby’s belly falls between 5-15 days. “In the past, such a rule was probably set to prevent the risk of infection, Child Health and Diseases Specialist İmre Gökyar gives the following information, “If the conditions are appropriate, there is no harm in bathing the newborn baby. However, against the risk of infection, the navel should be dried with sterile gauze after bathing and left open to keep it dry.”
False: Not going out for the first 40 days
True: Contrary to popular belief in the community, the baby and the mother can go out after gathering themselves and arranging the breastfeeding intervals. Because walking outdoors is more healthy than indoor environments. Outdoor activities can be started in 10-15 minutes and can be extended to one hour in time.
False: Lemon juice to drink when hiccups
True: Hiccup is formed by stretching the membrane called diaphragm that separates the rib cage from the abdomen. Hiccups, a normal condition for newborns, do not harm the baby and stop with the suction. One of the wrong practices in the newborn period is to make the baby holding hiccups lemon juice. Contrary to popular belief, lemon does not benefit, as it is acidic and damages the baby’s stomach mucosa.
False: Because of frequent crying or searching for breasts, considering she doesn’t get enough and starts formulating immediately.
True: Breast milk, which is the most beneficial food for children, is usually sufficient for the nutrition and development of 0-6 months old babies. However, newborn babies should be monitored frequently and weekly weight monitoring should be performed. Weight gain between 150-250 grams per week means that the baby is saturated with breast milk. If the weekly weight gain remains below 150 grams, the amount of breast milk should be evaluated and formula support should be started if necessary.
False: Drinking water while feeding formula food
True: There is absolutely no such need. Since formula foods are very close to breast milk in terms of content and density, babies do not need water. Therefore, babies who receive food should not be given water until additional food is started.
False: Drip breast milk to eyes, ears and nose
True: It is very common in our society, as well as a very wrong practice. Warning eye, nose and ear care in infants with sterile saline need to be done, Dr. İmre Gökyar, said, “Because milk produces bacteria after 3 hours, even if it is breast milk, and when it is dropped into the eye or ear, it can cause infection. If there is infection, appropriate treatment should be started by contacting a doctor.”
False: Salt or soil on the skin
True: The most serious mistake in the newborn is salting the baby as soon as it is born so that it does not sweat when it grows. However, the salt of the vulnerable baby’s body can lead to loss of fluid. As a result of the loss of fluid in the body can develop a severe picture such as brain hemorrhage. Never salt your baby or put soil on his body,” warned Dr. Imre Gokyar underlines that the baby’s body can also cause tetanus.
False: Dripping lemon juice into the eye
True: Dropping lemon juice to the eyes for sharp eyes can also cause complications such as keratitis and infection in the baby’s eye.
False: Swaddling legs
True: Swaddling newborn babies so that their legs are smooth is also a mistake. The normal posture of the babies is frog legs. Correctly wrapping tightly may damage the hip and create deformities in the legs, contrary to what is thought.
