Helping You Care for Your Baby at Home

The first few weeks with a newborn are full of small questions. How often should my baby sleep? When can we give a real bath? What do we do with the umbilical cord? Is the baby too hot or too cold? When should we trim those tiny fingernails?

These questions are normal. Newborn care involves a lot of little details, and most parents feel unsure at first.

At Laurelwood Pediatrics, we’re here to help you learn what to expect and feel more confident caring for your baby at home.

Daily Care for Your Newborn

Newborns do not need complicated routines, but they do benefit from gentle, consistent care. In the early weeks, your main goals are to help your baby eat well, sleep safely, stay comfortable, and gradually adjust to life outside the womb.

Parents often ask about:

• Sleep routines and safe sleep habits
• Umbilical cord care
• Circumcision care
• Bathing
• Dry skin and lotions
• Clipping fingernails
• Room temperature and clothing
• Knowing when to call the pediatrician

We’ll help you sort through these questions during your newborn visits and give you practical guidance for the days between appointments.

Sleep Routines and Healthy Sleep Habits

Newborn sleep is usually unpredictable. Most babies sleep a lot, but they sleep in short stretches and may have their days and nights mixed up. This is normal.

In the beginning, it helps to keep nighttime calm, quiet, and boring. Use dim lights, keep feedings simple, and avoid too much stimulation overnight. During the day, let your baby experience normal daylight, household sounds, and gentle interaction when awake. Over time, this helps your baby begin to learn the difference between day and night.

Healthy sleep habits start with safe sleep. Place your baby on their back for sleep, on a firm, flat sleep surface, without loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or other soft items in the sleep space.

Umbilical Cord Care

The umbilical cord stump usually dries up and falls off during the first couple of weeks. Until then, keep the area clean and dry.

Fold the diaper down below the cord if needed so the stump is exposed to air and not rubbed by the diaper. You do not usually need to put anything on the cord unless your pediatrician gives you specific instructions.

A little dried blood or crusting can be normal as the cord separates. Call us if the area becomes very red, swollen, foul-smelling, or has significant drainage.

Circumcision Care

If your baby was circumcised, we will review care instructions with you. In most cases, circumcision care involves keeping the area clean and protecting it while it heals.

You may be instructed to use petroleum jelly with diaper changes for a short time, depending on the type of circumcision and the instructions you received at the hospital. Some swelling, redness, or yellowish healing tissue can be normal.

Call us if your baby is not urinating, has active bleeding, seems very uncomfortable, or if the area looks increasingly red, swollen, or concerning.

Bathing Your Newborn

Newborns do not need a bath every day. A few times per week is usually enough, with gentle cleaning of the diaper area as needed.

Until the umbilical cord falls off, sponge baths are usually best. Use warm water, a soft cloth, and a mild baby soap only where needed. Keep your baby warm during the bath, and dry them well afterward.

Once the cord has fallen off and the area is healed, you can begin brief baths in a baby tub or sink insert. Never leave your baby unattended around water, even for a moment.

Lotions and Newborn Skin

Newborn skin often peels during the first few weeks, especially around the hands, feet, and ankles. This is usually normal and does not always require treatment.

If your baby’s skin seems dry, you can use a gentle, fragrance-free baby lotion or moisturizer. Avoid heavily scented products, powders, and harsh soaps. If your baby has a rash, cracking, bleeding, or skin that seems very irritated, let us know so we can help decide what is best.

Clipping Fingernails

Newborn fingernails can be surprisingly sharp. Many babies scratch their faces, even when their nails do not look very long.

You can carefully trim your baby’s nails with baby nail clippers or gently file them with a soft emery board. It is often easiest to do this when your baby is asleep or very calm. Go slowly, and do not worry if this feels intimidating at first. Most parents feel that way.

Temperature, Clothing, and Comfort

Parents often worry about whether their newborn is too hot or too cold. In general, babies are usually comfortable in one more light layer than an adult would wear in the same room.

Avoid overheating. Heavy blankets, too many layers, or a very warm room can make babies uncomfortable and may not be safe for sleep. A sleep sack can be a helpful option when extra warmth is needed.

If you are worried your baby may be sick, take a rectal temperature. A temperature of 100.4°F or higher in a newborn is important and should be reported to your pediatrician right away.

We’re Here to Help

Newborn care gets easier with time, but the first few weeks can feel overwhelming. You do not have to figure everything out alone.

At Laurelwood Pediatrics, we’re here to answer your questions, guide you through daily newborn care, and help you feel more confident as you care for your baby.

Give Your Newborn the Best Start With Comprehensive Care

At Laurelwood Pediatrics, we understand that welcoming a newborn brings both joy and questions. Our team has been serving families since 1957, bringing over 66 years of combined experience to newborn care. We guide you through those crucial first weeks with 24-hour access to an on-call nurse for urgent calls, and existing patients can conveniently schedule appointments through our patient portal.

As a locally owned practice, we accept most commercial insurance plans to make care accessible. Reach out to us to schedule your newborn's first visit.

How to Know If You Need Newborn Care Support

New parents often have questions about their baby's health and development. Feeling uncertain about what's normal and what requires medical attention is completely natural.

• Your baby has feeding difficulties or isn't gaining weight
• You notice unusual crying patterns or fussiness
• There are concerns about jaundice or skin coloration
• You're unsure about umbilical cord care or diaper rash
• Sleep patterns seem irregular or worrisome
• You have questions about developmental milestones

Bring your concerns to our experienced team at Laurelwood Pediatrics anytime.

Why Choose Laurelwood Pediatrics

Since 1957, we've been Memphis's trusted partner in pediatric care. Our locally owned practice combines decades of experience with compassionate, personalized attention.

• Over 66 years of combined experience caring for newborns
• 24-hour access to an on-call nurse for urgent guidance
• Convenient patient portal for booking appointments
• Acceptance of most commercial insurance plans
• Family-focused approach from a locally owned practice
• Founded in 1957 with a legacy of trusted care

Trust your newborn's care to the team that's been supporting Memphis families for generations.

Contact Us

Your newborn deserves attentive, experienced care from day one. At Laurelwood Pediatrics, we're here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and support your family through every milestone. Our team has the experience and compassion to make you feel confident in your parenting journey.

Contact us today to schedule your newborn's first appointment.