How long is a "newborn"? What are the key points of care?

A newborn is a term that refers to a baby for a limited period of time only a few weeks after birth.
To avoid missing out on the page of newborns' growth that is only available at this time, it is important to know the period, characteristics, and points to be aware of.

Isn't a baby a newborn?

Newborn children are commonly referred to as "babys," but strictly speaking, babies under the age of one year are called "infants," and from birth to the 28th of the time, they are called "newborns."
In other words, newborns are children under 28 days, four weeks from the date of birth.
By the way, once you're over 1 year old, you'll be a "child" from there until you enter elementary school.

What are the characteristics of newborns?

Newborn babies are soft and fluffy because their bone structure and muscles are underdeveloped. You can't support your own head and you'll be wobbled, so when you're holding or bathing, you'll need to put your hands on the neck and back of your head to support you.
I spend most of my time sleeping, about 15-20 hours a day, but I'm not sleeping all the time. One of the characteristics of newborns is that they wake up every 2-3 hours and sleep in small increments. At this time of year, you still can't drink a lot at once, so breastfeeding is done in small portions. It is common to breastfeed about 10 to 15 times a day whenever you wake up. The bladder is also small and fills up quickly, so diaper changes are also more frequent.

What are the changes in the newborn?

Another characteristic of the newborn is that it grows rapidly at an incredible speed.
According to the "Infant and Infant Physical Development Survey" (2012) published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the average weight at birth was 3kg for boys and 2.94kg for girls, but after 30 days the weight increased by about 1kg to 4.13kg and 3.89kg, respectively. If you look at your weight, you'll see that you've grown to about 1.4 times each in just one month.

Various reflexes appear! ?

Various primitive reflexes are seen during the first months of life, including neonatal periods.
Typical primitive reflexes include the sucking reflex, which involves sticking out the tongue and sucking on the breasts when something touches the lips; the foot stepping reflex, which involves walking when the baby stands up and puts his feet on the floor; and the palm grasping reflex, which involves squeezing the hand tightly and applying force to the toes when something touches the palm of his hand or when the base of his big toe is pressed. Both reactions have an important role in life, but the type and duration of appearance vary depending on the child, so even if they do not appear or last for a long time, there is no need to worry too much.

Is it OK to go out?

In Europe and the United States, it is recommended that you go out even a few days after birth, and take a walk or sunbathing, but in Japan, going out for newborns is considered taboo. Although babies receive "transitional immunity" in their mother's womb, their immunity to viruses remains weaker than adults. In addition to the risk of infectious diseases, direct sunlight and temperature differences are also a burden, so it is said that going out should be avoided.
In most cases, the first outing is an infant health check for babies a one-month old one.

What should you be careful about during your newborn?

Pay attention to the temperature and humidity of the room. It is said that the temperature can be comfortable for newborns to be around 22 degrees and the humidity is 50-60%. Dry air makes it more likely to cause problems with the nose, throat and skin, which encourages the reproduction of viruses, increasing the risk of infectious diseases.
In addition to controlling the temperature using air conditioners and clothes, be sure to maintain good humidity control.
Newborns also don't like strong stimulation such as loud sounds and dazzling light. Be careful when using TVs and audio.

How do moms and dads spend their time?

There is no doubt that giving birth is a happy moment, but it is also true that it puts a huge burden on the mother. Postnatal mothers' bodies are still damaged, and it is said that it will take about a year to return to the same condition as before the birth.
Even though you're particularly exhausted during your first month of newborns, you tend to be overwhelmed by tension and responsibility. Try to relax your body and mind by lying down for a short time, such as while your baby is asleep.
Dads should also be close to moms and support each other.

Are there any services available?

When you are having trouble or have concerns, we recommend using the postnatal care project by each local government. Although the content and cost burden vary from local government to local government, as of 2023, it was implemented in approximately 80% of cities, towns and villages.
In addition to taking care of mothers' bodies and minds, they also provide advice on childcare. In addition to short stays with overnight stays and daytime services, which involve staying at medical institutions, midwifery centers, and other day services, there are also ways by which specialized staff can visit your home, so you can choose according to your needs.
Private postnatal care services are also available, and you may be referred to a medical institution, so it's a good idea to consult with the hospital where you gave birth. Rely on your family, acquaintances, and external agencies to get through it without pushing yourself too hard.