Bringing your newborn home is one of the most joyful yet overwhelming experiences for any parent. The first week is a period of enormous adjustment. Here is what to expect and what to watch for.

Feeding

Newborns need to feed every 2 to 3 hours, that is 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Breast milk is ideal and provides complete nutrition along with antibodies. Formula-fed babies take about 60 to 90ml per feed in the first few days, gradually increasing.

Signs of adequate feeding: 6 or more wet nappies per day after Day 4, steady weight gain after the initial 10% drop in the first 3 to 5 days, and a satisfied settled baby after feeds.

Sleep

Newborns sleep 16 to 17 hours a day in short stretches of 2 to 4 hours. Always place your baby on their back to sleep on a firm flat surface. This significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. Avoid soft bedding, pillows, or sleeping with the baby on a sofa.

Jaundice

Up to 60% of newborns develop jaundice in the first week. Mild jaundice is normal and usually resolves with frequent feeding. Jaundice appearing within the first 24 hours, spreading to hands and feet, or associated with poor feeding needs immediate medical attention.

Warning Signs — Seek Help Immediately

• Fever above 38 degrees C — any fever in a baby under 3 months is an emergency
• Difficulty breathing or blue lips or fingertips
• Not waking for feeds or feeding very poorly
• Persistent crying that cannot be soothed
• Umbilical cord redness swelling or foul smell discharge
• Fewer than 6 wet nappies after Day 4

Children rarely complain about poor vision because they assume everyone sees the way they do. Many vision problems go undetected for years, affecting learning and development. Here are the signs every parent should watch for.

Common Warning Signs

• Sitting very close to the TV or holding books close — classic sign of short-sightedness
• Squinting or partially closing one eye — trying to focus better
• Frequent headaches or eye rubbing — especially after reading or screen time
• Tilting the head to one side — compensating for misaligned eyes
• One eye turning inward or outward — squint needs urgent assessment
• Poor performance in school — difficulty reading from the board

When to Get the First Eye Test

First eye examination at 6 months of age, then at 3 years, before starting school, and every 2 years thereafter. Children with a family history of eye problems or premature birth should be tested earlier.

Lazy Eye — Time is Critical

Amblyopia treatment is most effective before age 7 to 8 years when the visual system is still developing. After this window, recovery becomes much harder. Early detection saves sight.

ROP — Premature Babies

Retinopathy of Prematurity affects babies born before 34 weeks. All premature babies must have a retinal examination at 4 to 6 weeks of age. Left untreated ROP can lead to blindness. We offer ROP screening at Neopedia.

Vaccination is the single most effective way to protect your child from serious diseases. The IAP recommends a comprehensive immunisation schedule.

Fever is the most common reason parents bring children to a paediatrician. Fever itself is not an illness but the body natural defence against infection.

Temperature Guide

Safe Home Care

• Paracetamol 15mg per kg per dose every 4 to 6 hours, never aspirin
• Increase fluid intake, breast milk, water, ORS
• Dress lightly, avoid heavy blankets
• Tepid sponging can help comfort, never cold water or ice

Go to Doctor Immediately If:

• Baby under 3 months with any fever
• Fever lasting more than 3 days
• Fever with rash especially non-blanching pinpoint red rash
• Seizures or fits
• Fever with severe headache and stiff neck
• Child is unresponsive or has trouble breathing

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness in working-age adults. It produces no symptoms in early stages so you can lose significant vision before noticing anything. This is why it is called a silent thief of sight.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

High blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels in the retina. These vessels leak, swell, or grow abnormally, gradually impairing vision. After 20 years of diabetes, nearly all Type 1 and over 60% of Type 2 diabetics develop some degree of retinopathy.

Who Needs a Retina Check?

• Anyone diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes within first year of diagnosis
• Annual retinal examination for all diabetics
• Pregnant women with diabetes every trimester
• Anyone with high blood pressure

Treatment Options

Retinal laser photocoagulation, intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, and vitreoretinal surgery for advanced cases. Early treatment works far better than late.

Starting solid foods is a major milestone. The transition from milk to solids should be gradual, enjoyable, and nutritionally balanced.

When to Start

WHO and IAP recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Introduce solids at around 6 months, not before 4 months. Signs of readiness: good head control, sitting with support, showing interest in food.

What to Start With

• Rice or dal water or thin khichdi — easy to digest good starting point
• Mashed banana or avocado — nutrient dense easy texture
• Steamed pureed vegetables — carrot pumpkin sweet potato
• Introduce one new food every 3 to 5 days to watch for allergies

Foods to Avoid Under 1 Year

• Honey — risk of infant botulism
• Salt and sugar — kidneys cannot process them well
• Whole nuts — choking hazard
• Packaged baby foods with added salt or sugar