2.2  Important information for the first-time mother

2.2.1  Looking after the baby

New mothers (and often also new fathers) should be taught routine care of the baby, including bathing and keeping its body and clothes clean of its faeces and urine. Teach the parents what can be expected from the baby in terms of sleep, urination, bowel movements, feeding and crying. The baby should be kept warm, but not wrapped too tightly. It should be checked carefully and often to ensure that it is not too hot or too cold, and that it is feeding well and passing normal stools and urine frequently. More details of newborn baby care are given later in this Module in Study Sessions 6 to 8.