Newborn care basics every new parent should know
Weighing, feeding and warmth — lessons from our Paediatric Lab.
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A home blood pressure monitor is a useful tool, but a reading is only as good as the way it is taken. Our faculty share five habits that help.
- Rest first. Sit quietly for five minutes before measuring. Avoid tea, coffee, smoking and exercise for 30 minutes beforehand.
- Sit correctly. Keep your back supported, feet flat on the floor and legs uncrossed. Rest your arm on a table so the cuff is at the level of your heart.
- Use the right cuff. The cuff should fit snugly on bare skin, about two fingers above the elbow. A cuff that is too small or too large gives wrong readings.
- Take two readings. Measure twice, about a minute apart, and note both values. Do not talk while the monitor is working.
- Be consistent. Measure at the same times each day and keep a written record to show your doctor.
Home readings support — but do not replace — check-ups with your doctor. If your readings are consistently high or you feel unwell, seek medical advice.
