What is normal
Babies lose up to 10 percent of birth weight in the first week and regain it by 2 weeks. Frequent feeding (8-12 times daily) is normal. Six or more wet nappies daily indicates adequate intake.
Newborn patterns
Newborns sleep 14-17 hours daily in short stretches. Crying is normal communication. By 6-8 weeks, longer night-time stretches typically develop. Safe sleep practices (back position, firm flat surface, no loose bedding) reduce SIDS risk.
Red flag signs
Fever above 38°C (rectal), poor feeding, lethargy or unresponsiveness, abnormal breathing, yellow skin (jaundice) progressing, abnormal movements, persistent vomiting, or any other concerning symptom. When in doubt, contact us or paediatrics.
Newborn care basics
| Area | Note |
|---|---|
| Feeding | On demand |
| Sleep | Back to sleep |
| Cord & skin | Keep clean and dry |
| Warning signs | Poor feeding, fever, jaundice |
Postnatal care aligned with international maternal-health standards.
Frequently asked
Dr Patel and the Balaji Horizon team provide structured postnatal care — physical recovery, feeding support and mental-health follow-up — so the weeks after birth are actively supported, not left to chance.
Structured postnatal care for your physical recovery, feeding and emotional wellbeing — with help available when you need it.
Caring for your newborn — what genuinely matters
The first weeks with a newborn are a steep learning curve. Most of what a baby needs is simple — feeding, warmth, closeness and rest — but knowing which signs are normal and which need attention brings real peace of mind.
The routine checks that matter
Newborns have structured checks for heart, hips, eyes and (in boys) testes, newborn hearing screening, and the bloodspot test for treatable conditions. Vitamin K is given to prevent rare but serious bleeding. We make sure these are completed and explained, not just ticked off.
Warning signs to act on
Poor feeding, fewer wet nappies, a high-pitched or persistent cry, fever or low temperature, breathing difficulty, jaundice that appears early or deepens, or simply a baby who “is not right” should prompt prompt review — trust your instinct.
Supporting the parents too
A newborn check is also a chance to ask about feeding, sleep and how you are coping. Caring for the baby and caring for the parents go together, and we treat both as part of the same visit.
The first week, simplified
Newborns need fewer products and more observation than the market suggests. The genuinely important first-week items: feeding frequency (eight to twelve times in 24 hours is normal), urine output as the practical feed-adequacy meter (six or more wet nappies a day by day five), safe sleep on the back with nothing loose in the cot, cord stump kept clean and dry, and the scheduled checks — birth examination, day-three review where advised, and the metabolic screen. Mild jaundice appearing on day two or three and fading within a fortnight is common; jaundice in the first 24 hours, deepening colour, poor feeding or excessive sleepiness is a same-day review.
When to call rather than wait
Fever in a baby under three months, refusal of feeds across two consecutive feeds, fewer wet nappies, laboured breathing, or a baby who is unusually difficult to wake — call. With newborns we would always rather see ten well babies than miss one unwell one.
Dr. Priyadatt Patel
Senior Gynecologist · Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon · IVF and Endometriosis Programme Lead
MS OBGyn · Pregnancy Care · Advanced Gynaecological Ultrasound · Fertility Preservation
ESHRE / ESGE / AAGL / ASRM guideline-aligned practice. 3D Karl Storz precision technique. Fertility-preservation-first philosophy. Evidence-based decisions, honest counselling, long-term outcomes orientation.
Science City Road, Ahmedabad 380060
Mon–Sat 11:00–20:00 · +91 97234 31544
Naranpura, Ahmedabad
Mon–Sat 08:30–10:30 · +91 70460 02566
