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Newborn Care

Newborn Care

9/11
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Whether you are a new parent or have a small army of tiny humans running around, newborns can be intimidating. They don’t speak your language, are incredibly demanding, feel fragile and delicate, yet seem to develop super-human strength when attempting to change their clothes. They have sweet innocent faces and their cries have been scientifically proven to be one of the most never grating noises known to man.

 Noises
Babies have narrow nasal passages leading to a musical symphony of noises. Additionally, they are obligate nose breathers. This means that if their nose is clogged for some reason they won’t be able to breath without crying (babies automatically take breaths through their mouth during crying) and need emergency medical attention.
Normal Noises: snoring, whistling, sneezing
Abnormal Noises: Grunting accompanied, with difficulties breathing or nasal flairing.

Baby poop
In a healthy newborn they will have their first bowel movement in within 24-48hrs. The first bowel movements consist of a thick black sticky substance called Meconium. Once the newborn clears the Meconium out of their system their poop transitions to a dark green and finally to a mustard yellow color.
– Depending on mother and baby’s diet your baby’s poop can be many different shades of yellow, green, or brown. All of this is normal. However, white stools and overt blood is NOT normal and your pediatrician should be consulted.

Umbilical Care
Once the umbilical cord is severed it begins to dry up, much like a scab. Your job is to keep the area dry and clean so that this can happen as quickly as possible.
– It is no longer the recommendation for rubbing alcohol to be routinely used to clean the umbilical cord because it can delay healing.  However, if poop gets on the area cleaning it with a small amount of rubbing alcohol is okay.
– When baby needs a bath, do so with a washcloth. Do not submerse baby in water until the navel has fully healed.
– If you notice redness, puss, or swelling of around the umbilicus call your doctor and get medical care immediately.

Fever
In newborns a fever, defined as 100.5F or higher is an emergency. This is due to their immature immune system and under developed blood-brain barrier.

Thanks for stopping by!

Your Name
Patricia Bast DO

Dr. Patricia Bast was born and raised in Southern California. She earned a bachelors degree in science at UC Irvine, then went on to graduate medical school from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Northern California. After several years working as a pediatrician Dr. Bast choose to expand her training to include lactation consultant. Dr. Bast is now raising her children and taking care of patients in beautiful Georgia.

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I am sad the Christmas season is ending, there is I am sad the Christmas season is ending, there is so much magic watching children experience all the beautiful joy 💕 
Isabella was a little uncertain about Santa this year. She LOVED talking to him but didn’t want to sit on his lap for more than 30 seconds. Noah on the other hand was his biggest fan. Luke is learned why all the Santa’s look different 😅
All my life my heart longed for a baby girl. This All my life my heart longed for a baby girl. This precious girl has changed and grown our family in all the best ways. I can hardly remember what life was like without her strong firey personality in it.
Motherhood has been hard, so incredibly challenging, but it is also the most incredible journey I have ever been on! 

Pictured in the @bravadodesigns Beaucoup nursing bra, very comfortable and supportive enough to wear all day.
It happens so quickly, the beautiful Fall colors a It happens so quickly, the beautiful Fall colors are disappearing and winter’s cold temperatures are taking over Georgia. Just last week we were making leaf piles and wearing shorts. Now we hide in doors under blankets and search for ways to entertain tiny balls of energy. 
Sweet Isabella woke up in the wee hours with her first stomach bug. My heart breaks for her. What are your favorite ways to heal upset tummies? And to entertain siblings stuck indoors?
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This year I really struggled with the decision between homeschool and public school. For so many reasons my heart lies with homeschooling, but in the end we chose to let the boys choose and they both desired to be with their friends in public school. 

What type of schooling have you chosen for your kids and why?
As the parent of a child with a rare medical diagn As the parent of a child with a rare medical diagnosis, going to the doctor is very uncomfortable. While Noah is doing extremely well his specialist ends all her sentences with phrases like “for now” or “at the moment”. It’s like she refuses to even hope that he will thrive. Yes, realistic expectations are important, but the facts are that Noah’s genetics are exceptionally rare and nobody knows what he will accomplish. 
So today I choose joy, joy that he is still with us, joy that he is catching up in every way, and JOY that I am blessed to be his mama and learn so much from him. 
#musculardystrophy
A few months ago Isabella turned 1 year old! She i A few months ago Isabella turned 1 year old! She is bright, beautiful, hilarious, and compassionate. She says “mama”, “dada”, “hi”, and “bye”. Her brothers adore her and love making her laugh. Bella is still a great sleeper, and eating is her favorite. She is starting to take her first steps and we are excited to watch her grow! 

When did your babies walk?

(I took these photos at 12mo old, but my phone has been having technical difficulties and I couldn’t post them.)

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I am sad the Christmas season is ending, there is I am sad the Christmas season is ending, there is so much magic watching children experience all the beautiful joy 💕 
Isabella was a little uncertain about Santa this year. She LOVED talking to him but didn’t want to sit on his lap for more than 30 seconds. Noah on the other hand was his biggest fan. Luke is learned why all the Santa’s look different 😅
All my life my heart longed for a baby girl. This All my life my heart longed for a baby girl. This precious girl has changed and grown our family in all the best ways. I can hardly remember what life was like without her strong firey personality in it.
Motherhood has been hard, so incredibly challenging, but it is also the most incredible journey I have ever been on! 

Pictured in the @bravadodesigns Beaucoup nursing bra, very comfortable and supportive enough to wear all day.
It happens so quickly, the beautiful Fall colors a It happens so quickly, the beautiful Fall colors are disappearing and winter’s cold temperatures are taking over Georgia. Just last week we were making leaf piles and wearing shorts. Now we hide in doors under blankets and search for ways to entertain tiny balls of energy. 
Sweet Isabella woke up in the wee hours with her first stomach bug. My heart breaks for her. What are your favorite ways to heal upset tummies? And to entertain siblings stuck indoors?
It has been a busy week! Luke started 1st grade an It has been a busy week! Luke started 1st grade and Noah returned to his special needs preschool (he goes 2 days/wk). 

This year I really struggled with the decision between homeschool and public school. For so many reasons my heart lies with homeschooling, but in the end we chose to let the boys choose and they both desired to be with their friends in public school. 

What type of schooling have you chosen for your kids and why?

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