Baby Care Basics Protocol
Provider Type
- Participating Physician Groups (PPG)
The following topics are recommended for all baby care basics education programs:
- Normal newborn characteristics:
- physical characteristics
- reflex response
- behavior patterns
- sleep patterns
- Newborn care:
- bathing, including: umbilical cord care, circumcision care, skin care, and proper bathing techniques
- diapering and changing
- nutrition, including: breast-feeding and bottle feeding tips on technique, positions, frequency, formula storage, bottle care and cost, and signs of hunger
- Caring for a sick baby:
- before calling the doctor
- newborn warning signs
- Well baby checkups:
- importance of regular checkups
- what to expect at pediatric visits
- immunization guidelines
- Safety tips:
- infant car seat use
- home environment
- Resources for baby care information
- community resources
- websites
- literature
Frequency of Program
One-to-one counseling should be offered on an ongoing, as-needed basis. Health Net recommends participating physician groups (PPGs) offer seminars or classes at least monthly. The baby care basics education program may be a one-session seminar, a multi-session class, one-to-one counseling, or any combination of these modes.
Baby care basics education programs offered as classes or seminars should be at least two hours in length. One-to-one nutrition education programs should be at least one hour in length. A multi-session class is strongly recommended.