If you’re a new parent, chances are you find yourself wondering about the answers to a multitude of parenting questions. Am I doing this right? Did my baby eat enough? Is my baby meeting her milestones? By the time you find the answers, your child has moved onto a new phase of development and you face a new round of even more questions. Do you find yourself Googling in the middle of the night, texting your mom and posting questions in Facebook mom groups? The good news is you’re not alone. We’re here to answer some of the most common questions new parents have.
How do I care for the umbilical cord?
Pediatricians recommend keeping the umbilical cord dry and allowing it to be exposed to air as much as possible. Only give your baby sponge baths until the cord has fallen off. It’s also important to allow the cord to fall off naturally on its own. No matter how close it appears to be falling off, do not pick or pull the cord off. Watch for signs of a red or swollen base, yellow ooze or white pus, a foul smelling discharge or continuous bleeding. If you notice these symptoms, contact your pediatrician, as it could be a sign of infection.
Should I wake a sleeping baby to feed her?
We’ve all heard the old advice: “Never wake a sleeping baby.” But is that really the case? The simple answer is it depends. Newborns need eight to 12 feedings per day, which means eating every two to three hours. If your baby is sleeping in 3- to 4-hour stretches, you will want to wake him to feed. Once babies are gaining weight properly, they won’t need to eat as often and they can sleep in longer stretches. As always, check with your pediatrician to make sure your baby is gaining weight properly and able to sleep longer stretches.
Is weird colored poop normal?
Before becoming a parent, you probably never imagined yourself Googling colors of poop, but it is one of the most common questions new parents ask. The answer is yes, weird colored poop is completely normal. Depending on whether your baby is breastfed or formula fed, her poop can be yellow, green, tan or brown. If your baby’s poop is gray, white, black or has mucous or blood in it, call your pediatrician.
When should I take my baby to the doctor for a cold?
Unfortunately, babies tend to get several colds per year, sometimes stubborn ones, and knowing whether your baby should be seen by a doctor can be hard. Call or visit your pediatrician if your baby shows these symptoms:
- Fever Babies 3 months or younger with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher should be seen by a doctor right away. Call your doctor if your baby over 3 months has a fever of 102 degrees or higher.
- Not Eating If your baby is not eating, that’s a good sign he needs to see his pediatrician. Babies can get dehydrated easily. Count wet diapers to keep track—babies should have at least five to six wet diapers every 24 hours.
- Breathing Problems If your baby is struggling to breathe or making loud noises while sleeping, you will want to visit the doctor or call a nurse hotline if it’s in the middle of the night. For extreme breathing problems, visit the ER immediately.
- Consistent Cold If your child’s symptoms last longer than a week, it might be time for a visit to your pediatrician to rule out something other than a cold.
If you’re still in doubt, listen to your parent instincts and err on the side of caution. If you feel something is wrong, have your child seen by a doctor right away. The Children’s Mercy Nurse Hotline is also an excellent resource. They are available 24/7 to answer your questions. Call 816.234.3188.
Will I spoil my baby by holding her too much?
Many new parents hear they should put their baby down so they don’t spoil her. Science disproves this myth. Babies cry because they have a need. They could be cold, have a dirty diaper or be hungry. Responding to your baby consistently and tending to his needs helps him feel safe and builds bonding and attachment. Kangaroo Care is a method of holding a baby using skin-to-skin contact proven to be medically beneficial for you and your baby. It stabilizes your baby’s heart rate, decreases crying, creates more successful breastfeeding sessions and improves your baby’s breathing patent. It also benefits parents with improved bonding and increased breastmilk supply. So next time someone tells you you’re spoiling your baby, feel confident that you and your baby are reaping the benefits of all those extra snuggles.
Do I need to sterilize bottles and pacifiers after every use?
It’s important to sterilize all bottles and pacifiers before their first use. After that, it’s recommended to sterilize them at least once a day for newborns. According to the CDC, sanitizing is most important when your baby is younger than 3 months old, was born prematurely or has a weakened immune system.
When should I stop swaddling my baby?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Parents should stop swaddling as soon as their baby shows any signs of trying to roll over. Many babies start working on rolling at around 2 months of age.” All babies are different. Some show signs of rolling before 2 months, even as early as a few weeks old. There are many alternatives to swaddles once your baby has started trying to roll over. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket that keeps your baby warm without loose bedding. It doesn’t restrict her movement, is loose around the chest and is safe for all ages and stages. You can start transitioning your child from the swaddle even before she starts showing signs of rolling. Swaddles like the Love to Dream Swaddle Up Transition Bag allow your baby to transition from swaddling. Its zip-off arm wings allow you to free one arm from the swaddle, as your child is ready, until he’s ready to switch to a sleep sack and no longer needs swaddling.
Did you know?
A survey by OnePoll for Enfamil parent company Mead Johnson Nutrition found that new mothers spend 1,400 hours of their babies’ first year worrying about their health. That’s 58 days of worrying! Out of those 58 days, the survey said new moms average 330 Google searches regarding their baby’s health.
Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband and daughters Atley, 7, and Ensley, 1, in St. Joseph, MO.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.