Expert Advice: Q+A With A Pediatrician
Today we are speaking with Dr. Scott Goldstein from Northwestern Children’s Practice, who graciously answered our most common questions regarding pediatric care.
What's the #1 piece of advice would you give a new mom regarding the following:
SLEEP
It's no secret that babies are destroyers of parent sleep, but the good news is that the "up every few hours at night" stage doesn't really last that long in the grand scheme of things. If you follow their cues, most babies are asleep for the better part of the night by 4 months or so. The first few months are definitely exhausting, but you will sleep again!
NUTRITION
Besides sleep, feeding is probably the most stressful part of having a new baby. If you are breastfeeding, know that almost every new mother has a hard time feeding in the first few days. It takes at least 2-3 days for breastmilk to start coming in, and babies are born with extra fat and water to help get them through that time. Some babies are sleepy and quiet for those first few days, and some cry (alot!). If you give a bottle in the first few days, it will not ruin breastfeeding - it may actually help it by helping you to get some rest. Breastfeeding is great if it goes smoothly and easily, but it is definitely not important enough to cause misery.
Another common issue that we see is trouble starting solid foods, with parents looking for a list of rules on what to do and what not to do. Solid foods are generally started around 6 months (sometimes a bit earlier), and there are not many absolute do's and don'ts. Solid foods should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby, and if it is becoming stressful you should definitely talk to your pediatrician about it.
TRAVEL
Although they can present logistical challenges, there is no reason that babies can't travel. The main issue with traveling can expose babies to more people, which means they have a higher chance of getting sick. The younger a baby is, the more urgent it is that they be seen if they get sick. For example, babies under 2 months old who develop a fever need to be seen right away, even if it is the middle of the night. That being said, the chance of your baby getting sick while traveling is still very low, and as long as you are somewhere where you are comfortable that you could be seen by a doctor it is not unreasonable to travel with a newborn or infant. After the first set of vaccines (at 2 months), things get a little less urgent, so many people will wait to travel until after 2 months.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In what cases should I call a doctor?
It's ok to call the pediatrician's office any time you are concerned - our job is to answer your questions and to provide advice for the often difficult (especially early on) job of parenting! In the first few weeks and months babies often do things that seem strange to parents. Things like snorting, sneezing, hiccuping, and making weird movements. In general if a baby is eating ok, it is unlikely that there is anything that is emergently wrong, as feeding takes a tremendous amount of coordination between essentially all of a baby's body system. A baby who isn't eating is definitely something that you would want to call the pediatrician's office about. Another reason to call urgently would be if your baby won't stop crying. Also, you should call right away for any baby under 2 months old who has a rectal temperature under 97 or over 100.4.
What do I do if my baby has a fever?
If your baby has a rectal temperature under 97 or over 100.4 in the first 2 months, you should call right away. After 2 months, we are less concerned with the specific number of the temperature than we are with how the baby is acting. If they have a fever but are otherwise drinking ok and not overly fussy, you can usually give a fever-reducing medicine and check in with the office non-urgently. Most pediatric offices will have detailed fever information on their websites.
When is it safe to start taking my baby out?
You can take your baby out as soon as you feel comfortable enough to get out. Getting outside is healthy for babies and parents, and it if the weather is comfortable enough for you go to go out then it will be comfortable enough for your baby. It is also fine to take a baby to indoor places, although you may want to try to avoid crowded places where a baby could be directly exposed to sick people (so stores and restaurants are, in general, fine!).
When is my baby crying something to really worry about?
If your baby cannot be soothed with things that normally calm them (feeding, diaper change, bouncing or rocking, pacifier) then it warrants a call to the pediatricians office. There are many reasons that babies cry, but most crying will stop with one of those techniques.
How can I make sure my baby is developing okay?
Your baby's healthcare provider should be asking developmental questions at each checkup, and also letting you know what developmental things to expect between your current and next appointments. There is a fairly wide spectrum of normal development, and if your baby is not doing something that you read that they should be doing it does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong. Checkups are a great time to discuss any developmental concerns that you have - never hesitate to ask about something that is worrying you.