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Newborn Worries

Your Top 10 Questions – Answered!
By Lisa Marie Metzler

Congratulations! Your beautiful new bundle of joy is here. Loved ones and relatives visit the hospital to see your precious little one. Balloons, flowers and adorable tiny outfits appear, as well as unsolicited advice on feeding, sleeping, diapering and more.

Information overload – and you haven't even left the hospital yet! It doesn't matter how much advice you get from your dear aunt or how many baby books you've read before your baby arrived, there will be questions that need to be answered in a personal way to give you peace and assurance as a new parent.

One of the most important – and objective – sources for new parents is a good pediatrician who expects frequent calls to his or her office. "It is important for parents to feel entirely comfortable with their pediatrician,” says Dr. Steven Kairys, chairperson of the department of pediatrics at Jersey Shore Medical Center.

To learn more about the top 10 concerns new parents have regarding their newborns, three pediatricians share their views – and answers – to common questions. Remember, when in doubt, call your own physician.

1. Is my baby getting enough breast milk? This is an often-asked question for Kelly Black, a mother of three from Virginia Beach, Va. "I worry a lot about proper weight gain while breastfeeding," Black says.

Usually, however, breast-fed babies get enough milk with rare exception. "All babies lose weight initially and should regain their birth weight within two weeks," says Dr. Daniel Bronfin, who heads the pediatric department of the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, La.

Dr. Bronfin counsels mothers to relax and take their time during the critical first few weeks of breastfeeding. Ignore pressure from friends or relatives to give crying babies formula. "This is usually not necessary or helpful and is a psychological setback in nursing," warns Dr. Bronfin.

2. He seems to be cross-eyed. Why are my baby's legs crooked? Dr. Bronfin says he assures new parents that it is common for newborn eyes to become crossed from time to time – a condition that will typically cease by 4 months of age. As for those tiny, bowed legs, remember that until now, your baby's legs have been in the fetal position, so it's perfectly natural to have "crooked" legs. For most children, crooked legs will straighten by the time they are 2.

3. Can we spoil our baby? Absolutely not, says Dr. Kairys. Infants younger than 6 months aren't capable of manipulating parents for attention. "Focus on how to listen and understand your baby and how he responds to the world and you. What upsets him? What calms him? What is his internal rhythm? What are his needs?” These are questions you should ask to connect with and nurture your baby,” he says.

4. Help! When will my baby sleep through the night? Dr. Paula Elbirt, medical director of the Children's Aid Society in New York, sheds some light on this age-old question. According to Dr. Elbirt, babies can sleep up to 18 hours a day – unfortunately, it is usually in short bursts.

"Every three to four hours they alternate between cycles of sleeping lightly, deeply, lightly, deeply. On some of these occasions, they will become aware of the sensation of hunger, wake up fully and cry to be fed," says Dr. Elbirt, author of Dr. Paula's House Calls to Your Newborn. This pattern can occur up to 10 times a day, so it's important to rest when the baby does. Housework and company can wait. Your sanity can't.

5. Should I place my baby on her back or stomach to sleep? American Academy of Pediatrics studies have shown that babies should be placed on their backs to sleep. This reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). "No smoking, provide a firm mattress, avoid over-wrapping, no bottle in bed and use caution with co-sleeping," adds Dr. Bronfin. Dr. Elbirt adds that the side position is a safe sleep alternative for babies, as long as the sleeping surface is firm.

6. My baby is crying all the time. Does he have colic? A baby’s only form of communication in the early months is crying. This is your baby’s way of expressing hunger, exhaustion or other feelings. Sometimes, nothing seems to soothe a baby’s discomfort, and the crying bout is attributed to colic. Colic is a general term for inconsolable crying – sometimes thought to be from intestinal pain – that begins at 3 weeks of age and usually disappears after two or three months. The irritability and crying usually occur in the evening hours. Because it is possible a baby may suffer from a milk protein allergy, reflux or other condition, consult with a pediatrician, says Dr. Bronfin.

At home, try soothing your baby by rocking or singing a soft, gentle lullaby. Draw a warm bath, and place your baby on your chest in the tub. Dim the lights, and relax with her. Have Dad take the baby for a quiet drive around the neighborhood. Sometimes the gentle motion of the car will promote a calming effect. It is important to calm yourself as well, as babies can pick up on your emotional state.

7. My baby is spitting up a lot. Does she have a reflux problem? For Heather Johnson, a mother from Pleaston, Calif., this was a frightening occurrence. After breastfeeding, her daughter would often projectile vomit. "It was the scariest thing I've ever gone through," says Johnson.

Occasional spitting up is common. Some babies spit up more because of overfeeding, gas bubbles or colic, but Dr. Bronfin would consider reflux as a diagnosis if the baby was vomiting frequently, not gaining weight properly or had apparent pain and irritability while nursing or bottle-feeding. If your baby is persistently suffering from projectile vomiting, call your doctor immediately.

8. Is it safe to immunize my baby? "Yes! Immunizations are the most important preventive health intervention in all of pediatrics," says Dr. Bronfin. Address any concerns about immunizations with your doctor. He or she should provide you with instructions on immunization aftercare.

9. How do I know if I should take my baby to the doctor? Most new mothers struggle with the "should I call?" dilemma. Dr. Elbirt offers a general rule of thumb: If your baby isn't comforted or soothed by you, will not eat at least every few hours, has any distress while breathing or if her temperature is more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, call your doctor. "Follow your own instincts, but go with the instinct of the calmer parent whenever possible," says Dr. Elbirt.

10. Is my baby’s pediatrician tired of having me call with silly questions? The answer is no, says Dr. Bronfin. "This is why we are here. One of the most important accomplishments of a pediatrician is to develop a trusting relationship with parents and eventually the child,” Dr. Bronfin says.



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About the Author: Lisa Marie Metzler is a contributing writer for iParenting.com.

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