How long is a “newborn”? What are the points of care?

Newborn is a term used to refer to a baby for a limited period of time, only a few weeks after birth.
The newborn period goes by in the blink of an eye, so let's learn about the period, characteristics, and precautions so you don't miss a single page of growth.

Isn't a baby a newborn?

A newborn child is generally called a ``baby,'' but strictly speaking, a baby under 1 year old is called an ``infant,'' and a baby from birth to 28 days is called a ``newborn.''
In other words, a newborn is a child who is 4 weeks old and less than 28 days old.
By the way, once a child is over one year old, they are considered an "infant" until they enter elementary school.

What are the characteristics of newborns?

Newborn babies are squishy because their bones and muscles are underdeveloped. Since you can't support your own head and it will wobble, you will need to support it by placing your hands on the neck and back of the head when holding or bathing it.
They spend most of their time sleeping, about 15 to 20 hours a day, but they don't sleep all the time. One of the characteristics of newborns is that they wake up every 2 to 3 hours and sleep in short bursts. At this stage, your baby won't be able to drink a lot at once, so feed in small portions over several times. It is common for your baby to nurse 10 to 15 times a day, every time they wake up. Their bladders are also small and fill quickly, which means diapers need to be changed more frequently.

What are the changes during the newborn period?

One of the characteristics of the newborn period is that the baby grows at an astonishing rate.
According to the "Infant Physical Growth Survey" (H22) released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the average weight at birth is 3 kg for boys and 2.94 kg for girls, but after 30 days, the weight increases by about 1 kg to 4.13 kg and 3.89 kg, respectively. If you look only at their weight, each of them has grown by about 1.4 times in just one month.

Various reflections appear! ?

During the first few months of life, including the neonatal period, various primitive reflexes are observed.
Typical primitive reflexes include the ``suckling reflex,'' which causes a baby to stick out his tongue and make a sucking motion when something touches his lips; the ``step reflex,'' which causes a baby to move when he or she stands up and puts his or her feet on the floor; and the ``palm grasp reflex and plantar grasp reflex,'' which causes the infant to squeeze the hand or tighten the toes when something touches the palm of the hand or presses the base of the big toe. All of these reactions play an important role in survival, but the type and duration of their appearance vary depending on the child, so there is no need to worry too much if they do not appear or persist for a long time.

Is it OK to go out?

In Europe and America, babies are allowed to go out even a few days after birth and are encouraged to go for walks and sunbathe, but in Japan, going out with newborns is considered taboo. Although babies receive ``transitional immunity'' in their mothers' wombs, their immunity to viruses is still weaker than adults. In addition to the risk of infection, people should avoid going out because of the burden of direct sunlight and temperature changes.
In many cases, the first outing for a 1-month-old baby is the ``1-month checkup.''

What should we be careful about during the newborn period?

Also, pay attention to the temperature and humidity of the room. The comfortable temperature for newborns is said to be around 22 degrees Celsius, and the humidity is 50-60%. When the air is dry, problems with the nose, throat, and skin are more likely to occur, and the reproduction of viruses is encouraged, increasing the risk of infection.
In addition to controlling the temperature with air conditioners and clothing, be sure to control the humidity as well.
Also, newborns do not like strong stimuli such as loud noises and bright lights. Care must be taken when using television and audio equipment.

How do mom and dad spend their time?

There is no doubt that childbirth is a happy moment, but it is also true that it places a heavy burden on the mother's body. After giving birth, a mother's body remains damaged, and it is said that it takes about a year to return to the same state as before giving birth.
During the newborn period, which is the first month, babies should be especially exhausted, but they tend to push themselves too hard due to feelings of nervousness and responsibility. Try to rest your mind and body by lying down even for a short while while your baby is sleeping.
Dads and moms should be close to each other and support each other.

Are there any services available?

If you are feeling tired or anxious, we recommend using the postpartum care programs provided by each local government. Although the details and cost burden vary by local government, as of 2023, approximately 80% of municipalities have implemented the system.
In addition to caring for the mother's body and mind, she also provides consultation on childcare. You can choose the method of use depending on your needs, including short-stay stays that involve overnight stays at medical institutions or midwifery centers, one-day day services, and methods in which specialized staff visits your home.
There are also private postpartum care services, and medical institutions may be able to introduce you to them, so it would be a good idea to consult with the hospital where you gave birth. Try to rely on your family, friends, and outside organizations to help you get through it without overdoing it.