Newborn Advice

Newborn advice

I am Dr. Cierrea Roach, staff pediatrician at Sovah Health in Danville, VA. I probably get these questions almost everyday at work. I want to do this VLOG to help out new mothers and any parent with some simple questions. Of course, this is just my BLOG, so please visit your primary care provider/pediatrician when you are concerned.

When should I come in with a newborn?

Of course, we are in the midst of COV19 but I say this with all newborn babies. I like to go head to toe.

1. Fever – We like to see any new baby when their temperature is greater than 100.4 or lower than 97 as soon as possible in their first 2 months of life. That means within the hour. We want to make sure your new baby does not have any bacterial infection.

2. Feeding – You can do breastfeeding or bottle feeding. I always stress, please feed your baby every 2- 3 hours in their first months of life. They need this food to grow.

3. Spiting up – I expect babies to spit up but when it is concerning, is if it goes across the room. Is it projectile? Is it green? Is it red?

4. Pees and Poops! Babies pee, however many days old they are. One day old, one void, two (2), three (3). Once a baby is a week old, I expect 6 wet diapers a day. Poops are a different story. Poops can range from 20 times a day, 10 times a day, 5 times a day, once a day, a few times a week, or even less. As long as an infant poops once a week, I am happy. If the poop is ever red or white, then come in. I always say if “Christmas colors” are coming out of any hole, then come in.

Those are some of the frequent colors I get asked. I hope this helped you out!! Until the next BLOG, you got this!!!