Frequently ask questions

You’ve got a baby on the way—now’s the time to find a doctor you can trust. Many women begin their search for a pediatrician during their second trimester of pregnancy.

The arrival of a new baby is exciting and, at the same time, requires preparation and making important decisions. One of those is choosing a pediatrician. To begin your search, get referrals from your obstetrician/gynecologist, other parents, at the hospital, or by checking the pediatrician’s database at the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Is the doctor certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (AAP)?
• Is the doctor a member of the AAP? 
• Does the doctor have specialized training? 
• How long have you been in practice? 
• Talk to the doctor about breastfeeding, circumcision, alternative medicine, vaccinations, sleep, and discipline issues.
• If you go with a doctor in a solo practice, find out who covers when he’s away. 
• Ask about the doctor’s and nurses’ backgrounds.
• How long does a typical check-up last?
• How are emergencies handled? 
• Is there a call-in policy? 
• Do you make house calls?
• Which hospital is the doctor affiliated with?

• Does your insurance cover services there?
• What specialists are on staff?
• Is a payment plan possible if you are not covered

• Prepare your child for what to expect. Talk about what may happen at their next check-up. You could read a book or play with a toy medical kit to help develop expectations about what happens at the doctor. 
• Build patient-doctor trust. Try to see the same doctor so your child can get to know him or her overtime.
• Ensure you’ll be together. Explain that you’ll be there for the whole visit.
• Plan a rewarding experience. Incentivize your child with something positive to look forward to after the appointment.
• Be calm. Your child may sense your energy.

During your baby’s first visit, your doctor will discuss your labor and delivery and any complications you experienced, if any. They also enter medical information about your health and your family’s health history.

During a comprehensive physical exam, the physician measures your baby’s height, weight, and head circumference. They also evaluate other essential factors like skin health, heart rhythm, muscle flexibility, any necessary newborn vaccinations, etc.

Bonding with your child is one of the great joys, but it doesn’t always happen immediately. You could:

• Hold your infant close to your chest while you feed her or just cuddle with your baby.
• Talk to your baby.
• Look into your baby’s eyes and smile.

At first, on an off, as much as 18-20 hours a day. By 6 months, many babies sleep 6 hours a night. An take naps during the day.

• Now is an excellent time to start a bedtime routine and stick to it. Soothing activities that lead up to your baby to relax.
• When she fusses at night, wait a minute or two to see if she calms herself down and goes back to sleep.
• Try not to wake her up too much during nighttime feedings or diaper changes. 
• Be active and play during the day, so she stays awake for more extended periods. That can gradually help her sleep more at night.

A baby should eat every 2 to 3 hours if you give formula and every 1-2 hours if you breastfeed.

You can tell a baby is getting plenty to eat when your baby:

• Spends 10 to 15 minutes at each breast actively sucking and swallowing, or drinks 2 to 3 ounces of formula at each feeding.
• Has six or more wet diapers and four or more poopy diapers every 24 hours after day 4.
• Starts to gain it the second week. 

If you’re concerned about your baby’s weight, check with your pediatrician.

You can bathe your baby after the umbilical cord has fallen.

Then up to three baths, a week is plenty. More than that can dry out your baby’s skin.

Yes, always put your baby to sleep on her back.

Yes, you can do this, but don’t sleep or snooze in the same bed.

Enjoy this time as you get to know your little one. They grow so fast! 

No, empty the sleeping area. Keep plush toys, pillows, blankets, unfitted sheets, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and bumper pads out of your baby’s sleep area.

The idea is for your baby to be comfy. Dress your baby for the room temperature, and don’t over bundle. Watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or feeling hot to the touch.

Yes, but if your baby rejects the pacifier, don’t force it. If the pacifier falls out during sleep, do not replace it.

Even a baby who has been sleeping through the night will sometimes wake up during the night. Due to separation anxiety, a normal stage of development that happens during this time, some babies may call out or cry, then calm down when mom or dad enters the room. Give your baby a few minutes before you respond. After seeing that everything is ok and reassuring your baby without taking your little one out of the crib, leave your baby alone to fall back to sleep.

Cuddling, feeding, or talking when your baby wakes up may prompt your little one to wake regularly for this attention.