Welcoming a new baby into your family is such an important and exciting time, but many parents have questions about how to best care for their little one. We are here to help by providing information about essential newborn care. Dr. Maria Castro and Dr. Yenny Cruz, the experienced pediatricians at StarLight Pediatrics in Holly Springs, NC, offer newborn care guidance that includes answering any questions you have about caring for your baby.
Regular Checkups
Your newborn will be seen by a pediatrician every day while still at the hospital following birth. Once discharged, bring your little one to Starlight Pediatrics for an in-office visit within 2-3 days of leaving the hospital. Follow-up checkups should continue to be scheduled regularly for the first 24 months of life, and then occur annually after that. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborn and infant checkups should be scheduled at the following months of age: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24.
Regular checkups are important for ensuring children's health and wellness. One important reason for scheduling regular checkups is that those visits enable the pediatrician to closely monitor growth and development throughout childhood. That way if any health or development concerns come up, the issues can be addressed promptly before becoming more serious.
When To See a Doctor
One thing many parents of newborns worry about is how to determine when their baby should see the doctor for a health issue. You can always call our pediatric office in Holly Springs, NC, with questions about newborn care. Based on your baby’s symptoms we can help determine if you should bring your little one in for a sick visit. In most cases, your baby should be seen by a doctor if any of the following symptoms or conditions occur:
- Fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher (for infants under 2 months)
- Swelling or redness around the umbilical cord site
- Baby is inconsolable and is crying persistently
- Newborn is extremely sleepy or unresponsive
- Baby develops a red rash all over the body
- Stomach is swollen or distended
- Baby is refusing to eat
- Watery stools
Newborn Feeding Schedule
Newborn babies need to eat more frequently than older children. Their stomachs are quite small so they can only handle small amounts of formula or breastmilk at a time. Newborns typically need to be fed every 1-3 hours during the first few weeks of life, which can change to every 2-4 hours as they begin growing. On average, newborns need to eat between 8-12 times within 24 hours.
An important aspect of feeding your baby is burping. Gently rubbing or patting a baby’s back after eating helps reduce gassiness and discomfort that can occur during and after eating. Burping your little one also helps prevent the baby from spitting up.
Soothing Newborns
It is natural to worry when your little one is fussy or upset, but there are some things you can do to help soothe your baby. Try the following methods when your newborn needs soothing:
- Swaddle baby
- Sing softly or read quietly
- Play soothing sounds
- Gently massage baby
We are here to help by answering all your questions about caring for your little one. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Castro or Dr. Cruz to learn more about essential newborn care by calling StarLight Pediatrics in Holly Springs, NC, at (919) 762-5113.