On day of discharge
It is recommended to call the unit on day of discharge to find out that the discharge is conducted as scheduled. Discharging babies will only be done after the doctor’s examination.
Please bring the following equipment:
- Car seat
- Clothing – two body suits, two pants, one onsie, hat and blanket (according to the weather).
- Two cloth diapers
- A clean bottle for food and a pacifier
- Camera – recommended
Pay attention to wash all the baby’s clothes before the first time you put them on him
Upon discharge you receive
- A letter summarizing the course of admittance for the baby and recommendations for treatment, in three copies. One copy should be given to the pediatrician, and another to the Tipat Halav nurse. You keep the third copy. This copy is important if you have to call various doctors or the emergency room.
- An immunization card with the following details: Hepatitis B vaccine, date of phenyl test and date of thyroid function test.
- Call cards for follow up in the hospital outpatient clinics (you need a Form 17 for any clinic visit). The card states a date and time. All clinics are in the hospital’s clinic building.
- Prescriptions for medications and vitamins
- Contact page for the nurse in the mother and child station.
At home care
You are finally home, you have waited for this moment for so long.
Here are a few pointers for you, parents, to start caring for your baby at home.
In any case of questions or doubts, you are welcome to call us: 08-9441220 or 08-9441936
Nutrition
Breastmilk is the desired and recommended food for your baby!
Breastmilk substitutes: If you can’t breastfeed, there are a few breastmilk substitutes available. The box or the bag states the powder compound and the manner of making, and also (toll free) numbers for the companies. You can call and ask for samples. When giving birth to twins or triplets you can receive a discount from the companies when purchasing breastmilk substitutes.
There is no clear preference for a certain brand. Each family is free to decide according to its personal preferences. There are a few substitutes who are special for babies suffering from digestive problems. In single cases that recommend a certain type of feeding – the substitute type will be written in the discharge letter and it should be regarded as a medicine. In this case, there is financial participation of the HMO in purchasing the special substitute.
How will you know the frequency of feeding?
Premature babies weighing less than 2.5 kg – breastfeed every 3 hours, also during the night.
When providing milk using a bottle – the quantity will be determined by the nurse or pediatrician, according to the age, the weight and the condition of the baby.
Babies born on time, will be breastfed according to request, 6-8 meals per day. It is not necessary to wake them up at night (unless instructed otherwise by the pediatrician).
Most babies start sleeping through the night when reaching the age of 3 months or the weight of about 3 kgs.
Emphases!
- Do not warm breastmilk using the microwave.
- When breastfeeding, there is no need to provide water between the meals.
- When using breastmilk substitutes:
- Boil the water (even when using mineral water)
- Pay attention to the date printed on the bag or box.
- Store the powder in the cool dry place
- Measure the powder using the measuring spoon inside the box or bag.
- After opening the box or bag, store it hermetically closed.
- Breastmilk substitutes are not to be warmed using the microwave.
- Before warming, separate the nipple from the bottle, before feeding, shake the bottle and check the temperature of the milk on the back of your hand.
- You can prepare breastmilk substitute for 24 hours and store it in the fridge.
- Match the nipple to the type of food.
- Boil the bottles, the nipples and the pacifiers once a day for about 5 minutes. It is possible to add a slice of lemon to the water, to avoid sedation on the bottles and nipples.
- After feeding, wash the bottle and nipple using soap and water, another wash using boiling water.
Washing the baby and daily care
Washing the baby
- It is recommended to wash the baby once a day, before feeding him and only when there is another adult present at home.
- During the first days after arriving home, it is possible to sponge bathe the baby using a sponge soaked in lukewarm water. Only after the parents are confident in their ability to wash the baby in the tub, you can do it.
- In winter, when giving the baby a bath, make sure to shut the windows and warm the room.
- Prepare all the gear for bathing in advance, before taking the baby’s clothes off, to prevent loss of heat when the baby is naked.
- Focus on bathing and avoid distractions.
- Prepare the bath with lukewarm water, test the water temperature by putting your elbow in the water.
- Hold the baby under the shoulders steadily, when the head is raised and supported by the parents’ hand
- Start the bathing from the clean area to the dirty one (head, face etc, secretions area is last)
- Keep water from entering the mouth, the nose and the ears.
- Use a special (no tear) shampoo for babies or a special bathing oil
- Don’t keep premature babies too long in the bathtub from fear of them losing their body temperature.
After bathing
- Dry the baby using the towel as a sponge and not rubbing him, to maintain the skin intact.
- Be careful and dry the skin folds, as wetness can cause skin arousal.
- You can apply body lotion and anti-redness ointment. If the diaper area is aroused, wash it carefully with water and baby soap in every diaper change and apply the minimum amount of cream to prevent the clogging of the pores and allow a quick healing of the area.
- Clean the ears using cotton only
- Use a special baby washing powder, suitable for the baby’s clothes and their delicate skin.
Vitamin D Drops
It is recommended that all babies from birth until they are one year old, take two drops daily, orally.
Iron – Ferripel 3
Provided in drops. The dosage is determined according to the doctors instruction upon discharge. The addition of iron to the feeding is recommended until the age of 1 (at least).
The dosage later on is to be determined by the pediatrician according to the baby’s weight.
You can give the baby iron with the food.
It is not recommended to provide iron and vitamin D during the same meal.
It is recommended to provide iron and vitamin D during regular hours, to avoid confusion
If the baby is discharged with additional medication, the parents will be guided about providing those medications before discharging their baby.
