There are many doubts of parents who come to the consultation, especially during the first months of life of their babies. Everything is new, there are many first times and many changes. I always try to reassure and guide from scientific evidence and common sense.
What worries you, your doubts and your fears, are similar to those of many other parents. So I wanted to collect here some of the questions that are repeated in the queries and that more concern generate and give a brief response from the point of view of a pediatrician.
1. Is breast milk enough for my baby?
During the first 6 months, exclusive breast milk It is considered the ideal food for the baby. From then on it is necessary to provide other nutrients, although milk continues to be the main food throughout the first year of life.
Most mothers are able to produce enough milk for their baby, even for their babies in the case of multiple births. The best indicator that the baby is eating well is weight gain.
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In Babies and more This way the baby gains weight month by month during his first year of life2. When can they start drinking water?
During the first six months of life, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended; If this is not possible, mixed or artificial lactation. While they are fed only with milk they do not need other liquids, milk is also their source of hydration (they probably claim more shots in hot weather).
When we start with complementary feeding, around 6 months, we will start offering you water too. Some children, especially if breastfeeding on demand, will barely drink at first. No need to worry, keep offering without forcing.
In Babies and more No infusions, no juices, no water: up to six months of the baby, only exclusive breastfeeding3. Does milk give mucus?
Flatly no. Unfortunately it is a fairly widespread myth, but it has no scientific basis. Milk does not produce mucus. Cow's milk provides proteins of high biological value, carbohydrates (lactose) and is one of the main sources of calcium and vitamin D.
4. It's wrong, can I vaccinate you?
Moderate or severe diseases such as an asthmatic crisis, decompensated heart disease or acute diarrhea ..., with or without fever, are temporary contraindications for the administration of vaccines, except in a situation of very high epidemic risk.
Once the situation has disappeared, they may receive vaccines. Instead, A mild illness, for example, a cold, or being treated, are not contraindications to vaccinating. You can read more information about vaccines on the page of the Vaccine Advisory Committee
5. You have not dropped the umbilical cord, can I bathe you?
Clear! The current recommendations are wash the umbilical cord with soap and water once a day. You can dip the cord without problem and dry it very well later. Remember that the umbilical cord has no nerve endings so it does not hurt. Wash it without fear!
In Babies and more The umbilical cord in the newborn: everything you need to know6. How to avoid diaper rash?
Babies are often irritated by the culete, since it is wet most of the day and in contact with the pee and bowel movements. To avoid it, it is advisable to change the diaper often, preferably cleaning them with soap and water (if you use wipes, which do not carry irritating substances) and drying it very well afterwards. If you need to apply cream, a paste to the water, to avoid direct contact of the culete with the diaper.
7. Does the exit of the teeth give fever?
No. It is another myth too widespread. Not proven that the exit of the teeth causes fever.
During the first year of life (first 2 years), most of the teeth come out. In this period of time, children also suffer from many infections (mostly viral), which give fever. It is probably more a coincidence in time, than a cause-effect relationship. If the baby has a fever we should look for the cause, not blame it on the teeth
8. How often do I have to bathe him?
There is no stipulated frequency. You can bathe him daily or every 2 or 3 days. If the baby enjoys the bath, relaxes him and serves you to establish a routine, you can bathe him every day. If, on the contrary, it gets angry in the bathtub or it is a stressful moment, there is no problem that you bathe it every 2 or 3 days. It is important to remember that the soap must have the proper pH and does not contain irritating substances (perfumes, parabens)
9. Do you have to poop every day?
Not necessarily. Each child has a bowel rhythm: daily, every 2 days ... The important thing is that he is not upset and does not have a hard time making a bowel movement.
Newborns should remove the meconium (first deposition, very black) in the first 24-48 hours of life. If it later takes several days to make a bowel movement, it is advisable to consult with the pediatrician. In these first days of life it is common for babies, especially those fed with breastfeeding, make deposition almost after each take, even sometimes during it.
This is due, in part to the so-called gastrocolic reflex, and partly also to the absence of force of the anus, which is the exit door of the intestine. Subsequently, around 4-6 weeks of life, the frequency decreases, taking some even several days to make deposition. If the baby is happy, eats well, does not vomit, and makes normal deposition effortlessly, nothing happens! If on the contrary they are hard stools that generate discomfort or pain when they are eliminated you should consult with the pediatrician.
10. When can I take you for a walk?
From the first moment! There is no problem in walking with a healthy newborn. Just be careful not to expose yourself to the sun. If you were born in winter, warm and in the hours with better temperature.
11. When can I cut my nails?
There is no contraindication to cut the nails with a blunt tip scissors to a newborn; however, the nails in the first weeks are very fragile and often very close to the skin So we can easily injure the baby.
Therefore we recommend waiting 2-4 weeks before cutting them. Another option is to file them, although sometimes it is difficult because of how soft and fragile they are. After those first days, a small blunt-tipped scissors will be used, always cutting the nails straight and without leaving spikes in the corners that stick into the skin of the finger or that can cause scratches.
12. Can the baby sunbathe?
No. It is recommended that do not expose yourself to the sun during the first three years of life, but in those under 6 months you have to be especially strict. So umbrella, hood, hat and try to cover the maximum body surface. If you are going to sunbathe in spite of everything, I recommend that you use sunscreen with a physical filter.
In Babies and more Myths and truths about sun protection in children13. When can I put the earrings on?
There is also no consensus on this. In principle there is no contraindication to put them at any age. The American Academy of Pediatrics (APP) said that if drilling is done correctly and subsequently its evolution is monitored, there are few risks.
Traditionally in our country they were placed in the hospital before discharge, but it is currently rare to find centers where they are placed. There are parents who prefer to wait for their daughters to grow and decide for themselves. If you want to wear them as a baby, I usually recommend waiting 1-2 months, so that the ear bud grows a little more. If you allow it, you can do it while breastfeeding to reduce pain (tetanalgesia).
14. How much coat?
Babies have the same cold and heat as we do, so we must sheltering or unbreaking them as we go.
In the initial weeks after birth they do regulate the temperature worse and may lose heat more easily; you can put one more layer of what you wear. For those who carry, it is advisable to put a layer less when you do.
15. What to do if the baby has a fever?
In this question, age is fundamental. If the baby is less than three months old, you should go to the Emergency Department, because their defenses are still immature and the infection can spread rapidly; very often they need complementary tests (urinalysis, blood tests ...).
After three months, you should go to the ER if it is very irritable or decayed, has spots on the skin (petechiae) or has trouble breathing. You can consult the recommendations for parents of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies here.
In Babies and more Natural remedies to reduce fever in children16. What is the best position to sleep?
Face up. There is no debate here; This has been one of the measures that has drastically decreased the syndrome of sudden infant death. During the first year of life babies, according to the recommendations of the Spanish Pediatric Association, sleep on their backs, on a firm surface, in their crib but in the parents' room (at least until 6 months, according to the AEP) and no objects around it (no cushions, stuffed animals ...).
To prevent sudden death of infants babies they should always sleep on their backs, on a firm surface with no objects around it. We must avoid overcoating them and it is recommended that, at least until six months, they sleep in their crib but share a room with their parents.
17. When will you fall asleep?
Oh! I wish we had the answer to that! During the first year of life, awakenings are frequent. At first because they wake up frequently to eat. Later they do it because they are incorporating new phases of sleep and are not able to "hook" one with the next.
The first weeks of life do not distinguish day at night and it is not until 3-6 months when the mechanisms of cortisol, temperature and melatonin that regulate sleep begin to be regulated. So patience, they will grow up soon.
18. How much weight do you have to gain?
The first months the weight gain is enormous, tripling the birth weight around the year of life. The first weeks of life gain about 150g a week, and up to 4 months of life 2-3 months of life earn around 100-200g a week.
Subsequently, the gain slows down (fortunately!). You can consult the graphs of growth (weight, height and head circumference) of the WHO in this link.
19. Do I have to put moisturizer?
The first days of life the skin of the newborn can be dry and cracked, they peel. It is normal, in its process of adaptation to the external environment. It is not essential to apply cream, it will improve in a few days.
If you do, use those that do not carry irritating substances (perfumes, parabens). Another option is to add a few drops of oil to the bath water (be careful when you take them out, they slide!)
In Babies and more The 16 things you should do to prevent sudden death of the baby20. Can I put a baby cologne?
Did you know that smell is one of the most developed senses of the newborn? Through smell they identify their mother and are able to locate the nipple; that's why it is preferable that the first weeks do not use cologne, neither for the newborn nor for you.
21. When to move from the carrycot to the chair?
There is also some controversy here and we should assess each case individually. Ideally, change the baby to the chair when ready for it; Good indicators are if you turn around and stay seated, which usually happens around 6 months of age.
The majority of umbrella chairs on the market are designed for children over 6 months, although some are fully reclining and are classified as suitable since newborn. Similarly, most of the strollers in the market have several levels of inclination, which we can adapt to the age and situation of the child.
