Cord care
Keep it clean and dry; it falls off in 1 to 3 weeks. Nothing needs to be applied.
Expert check-ups and calm, practical guidance for your baby’s first weeks – feeding, weight, jaundice, sleep and every “is this normal?” – from Dr. Neha Garg Jaiswal, MBBS, MD (Paediatrics).
Your baby should see a pediatrician within 3 to 5 days of birth, or within 48 hours of going home from hospital. This visit checks feeding, weight, jaundice and the umbilical cord at the age when problems are most likely to appear.
As a neonatologist with years of newborn-unit experience at Cloudnine, Yashoda and Delhi’s children’s hospitals, Dr. Neha knows which signs are normal and which need action today – so you get honest reassurance, or quick help when it matters.
A complete, gentle examination – usually with your baby on your lap or a warm couch.
Weight, length and head circumference plotted on a WHO growth chart.
Heart, lungs, hips, eyes (red reflex), spine, skin, tone and newborn reflexes.
Looking for yellowing, rashes and birthmarks, with a bilirubin check if needed.
Umbilical cord healing, nappy rash and genital check.
How breastfeeding or formula is going, and how many wet and dirty nappies a day.
Birth vaccines and screening tests reviewed, your questions answered and a written plan to take home.
Most newborns feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, every 2 to 3 hours, including at night. Breast milk alone is all your baby needs for the first 6 months – no water, ghutti, honey or animal milk.
Struggling with latching or supply? See breastfeeding support.
It is normal for babies to lose a little weight in the first days. The pattern over two weeks matters more than one number.
| Age | What is normal | When to check with the doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–4 | Loss of up to 7–10% of birth weight | Loss more than 10%, or very few wet nappies |
| Days 5–14 | Weight starts rising; back to birth weight by 10–14 days | Not back to birth weight by 2 weeks |
| 2 weeks – 3 months | Gain of about 20–30 g a day | Weight gain slowing, or poor feeding |
Newborns sleep 14 to 17 hours a day in short stretches, and crying often peaks around 6 weeks. Colic means crying for more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week, in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby. It usually settles by 3 to 4 months.
Holding, gentle rocking, white noise and a calm routine help. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm flat surface, with no pillows, bumpers or soft toys in the cot.
Crying that sounds different, high-pitched or weak – or comes with fever or poor feeding – is never “just colic”. Call the clinic.
Keep it clean and dry; it falls off in 1 to 3 weeks. Nothing needs to be applied.
Sponge baths until the cord falls off, then short warm baths 2 to 3 times a week.
Gentle massage with a mild oil is fine – avoid putting oil in the ears or nose.
Change often, clean with water and let the skin air-dry before a barrier cream.
Ask Dr. Neha at the check-up if any of these worry you – most need only reassurance.
At birth, babies receive BCG, OPV-0 and Hepatitis B as per the IAP schedule. Newborn screening can include a hearing test, a thyroid test and other blood tests for conditions that are treatable when caught early.
Dr. Neha checks these are complete and plans the 6-week vaccines, with reminders on WhatsApp.
In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital straight away. For guidance, call or WhatsApp +91 98184 07725.
Short, clear answers to the questions parents ask Dr. Neha most often. Your own child’s situation is always best discussed in person.
Ask on WhatsAppWithin 3 to 5 days of birth, or 48 hours after hospital discharge – whichever comes first.
Six or more wet nappies a day after day 5, regular yellow stools, steady weight gain and a settled baby after most feeds.
No. Babies need only breast milk (or formula if advised) for the first 6 months – even in summer.
Yes. Sneezing clears the nose and hiccups are common after feeds. Neither is a sign of a cold.
In the first 2 weeks, yes – if your baby sleeps longer than 3 hours, until birth weight is regained.
Yes. Dr. Neha sees newborns at her clinics in Noida Sector 76 and Greater Noida West, and offers online follow-ups.
MBBS, MD (Paediatrics) · Pediatrician & Neonatologist
Dr. Neha is a pediatrician and neonatologist with 15+ years of clinical experience, including newborn and paediatric care at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, ESIC Hospital Noida, Cloudnine and Yashoda. She consults at her clinics in Noida Sector 76 and Greater Noida West, and online.
Newborn check-ups in Noida Sector 76 and Greater Noida West – or a video follow-up from home.
