BABY CARE

Circumcision: Your midwife team will review this information with you if you have any questions.

Canadian Pediatric Society (CPS): Information for Parents
CPS Position Statement
Information from SickKids
Post-procedure care

Safe sleeping: Your midwife team will talk in depth about choices around sleeping.

Normal newborn behaviour: Newborns look and act differently than older babies and children, as they are adjusting to life outside the womb. Read this handout to differentiate normal vs. signs of illness.

Umbilical Granuloma: An umbilical granuloma is a piece of tissue that stays on your baby’s belly button after the umbilical cord has fallen off. It usually looks like a soft pink or red lump and it may leak a little. Read this handout for treatment options.

Jaundice: A common condition that affects 60-80% of newborn babies in the first weeks of their life. Jaundice can be a normal adaptation to life outside of the womb; some babies will experience serious problems and need further treatment. You can read more here.

Vitamin K: Newborns are at risk for vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) caused by inadequate prenatal storage and deficiency of vitamin K in breast milk. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommend routine administration intramuscularly of a single dose of vitamin K to all newborns at birth. The CDC has a great resource for further information.

Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV): Is a very common virus that occurs most often between October and March. Some babies can get very sick from RSV and need to be admitted to hospital for breathing difficulties and other serious complications. Health Canada has recently approved a treatment, an antibody (Beyfortus) that can help protect babies from RSV during the winter season. The antibody is given as an injection once a year. Every baby born in Ontario after January 1, 2024 is eligible to receive the RSV injection. Please see this handout for more information and learn how to book your baby’s appointment.