Newborn Care

  • Published
  • By Wendy Mahoney, BSN, IBCLC and 1st Lt. Cristina Benitez, MSW
  • 436th Medical Operations Squadron
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Congratulations on the birth of your baby, now caring for your little one begins. You took steps in your pregnancy to ensure a safe delivery and healthy newborn and these safety steps now progress to parenting and managing your baby's health. We at the 436th Medical Group want to help you succeed in meeting your child's healthcare needs. Our pediatric clinic and New Parent Support Program are here to help with a majority of your newborn/baby's needs. The following provides a review of programs the Medical Group has to offer to your newborn and infants.

Pediatric Care
Most individuals are not aware of how often a newborn needs to be seen, according to Dover AFB pediatrician, Dr. Catherine Tolvo. "Standard well child/infant visits are to be performed at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months." These visits are vital to identifying any concerns and to ensure the best health for your child. 

How can you see a pediatrician on base? Your child must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to receive health care at a military facility. You can complete DEERS enrollment by taking a copy of your child's birth certificate, newborn hospital discharge paperwork and/or the final adoption paperwork to the customer service desk at the Military Personnel Flight. After the DEERS enrollment has been completed at the MPF, your next step is to enroll your child in TRICARE. This can be done by visiting the TRICARE website at www.hnfs.com or by calling 1 (877) TRICARE (874-2273).

New Parent Support Program (NPSP)
NPSP is another great program our clinic offers, and it is free to all active duty personnel and their spouses who are enrolled beneficiaries and pregnant or have a child under the age of 3. NPSP's goal is to assist in the transition to parenthood through education and supportive services before and after the birth of your child. NPSP services are delivered primarily through home visits by a nurse or social worker who assists families with pregnancy and family issues. NPSP offers education about pregnancy, labor and delivery, newborn care, developmental milestones, breastfeeding and parenting related topics. 

How can you enroll in the New Parent Support Program? Once enrolled to the Dover AFB medical facility, call the Family Advocacy Program at (302) 677-2711 and ask about enrolling for this service. 

Taking care of you and your children is essential for a healthy family; let the 436th MDG assist you with your newborn needs. We understand medical professionals can be a great help when meeting your child's needs; however here are a few things which can help keep your child safe at home.

1. First and most importantly: Back to Sleep for Every Sleep! To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), infants should be placed to sleep on their backs for every sleep by every caregiver.
       
2. Ensure that your baby's sleep area is safe. Use a firm sleep surface. A firm crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet is the recommended sleeping surface to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation. A portable crib/play yard that conforms to the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recommended. Use only mattresses designed for that product.
 
3. Room sharing without bed sharing is recommended. Co-sleeping may increases the risk of suffocation, strangulation and entrapment. Infants may be brought into the bed for nursing, feedings and for comfort, but should be returned to their own crib or bassinet when the adult is ready to go to sleep.

4. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib.  Soft items such as pillows, pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters and sheepskin can be a suffocation hazard.

5. Sitting devices such as strollers, swings, infant carriers, infant slings and Baby Boppies are not recommended for routine sleep. Infants under the age of 4 months are particularly at risk if sleeping in these devices because their head can fall forward and cause suffocation or airway obstruction. If your infant falls asleep in a sitting device, they should be removed from the product and moved to a crib or other appropriate flat surface as soon as practical.

6. Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Studies show that pacifier use can help your child sleep safer. If you are breastfeeding it is recommended that you delay introducing a pacifier until breastfeeding has been well established, usually two-three weeks. Also, never hang the pacifier around the baby's neck or use soft animal toys to hold the pacifier in place.

7. Swaddling: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has not taken an official stance on swaddling but notes that swaddling "is an effective way to calm infants, especially newborns, and is generally used in the first three months of life." Remember that even if the baby is swaddled, refer to point #1...Back to Sleep for Every Sleep! Use a swaddle sack to ensure free movement of the legs and hips. Swaddle in a light blanket and ensure the baby's head is uncovered to prevent overheating. Stop swaddling when your baby starts rolling over.

8. Mothers should not smoke during pregnancy or after the infant's birth. There should be no smoking near infants. Smoking in the baby's environment is a major risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

9. Avoid overheating the baby. In general, infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment, with no more than one layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable.

10. Infants should be immunized as per the AAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Assure that anybody taking care of your baby is aware of the above recommendations. If you have any questions or if we can be of any further assistance please contact the New Parent Support Program at (302) 677-2711 or the Pediatric Clinic at (302) 730-4MED (633).