You have just brought your newborn home and have noted that every once in a while you’ll hear sneezes, yawns, burps, hiccups, the passing of gas, a cough, crying and fussing. These are normal behaviors and shouldn't worry you that there is something wrong with your newborn. Sneezing helps clear the nose of lint, dust, and mucus. Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm. Crying is the baby’s way of expression. Sometimes it will mean, “I’m wet”, others, “I’m tired” and still others . . . “I just feel like annoying you guys.”
This is a time when you should relax and have people visit you. With visitors comes a big caveat . . . You shouldn’t expose your baby to anyone you know to be ill. With that being said, it is probably best to restrict visitors to a select group of special family and friends, and asking that everyone who is going to touch the baby first wash his hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based handwashing solution. Other friends and relatives can visit you and the baby later.
In another link on this page is a recommended "Well Baby" Schedule. The purpose of these visits are to provide us with a chance to check on your baby’s growth and development, to talk with you about the care of your baby, to offer a guidance as your baby grows, to discuss the solving of common infant/child problems and to immunize your baby against vaccine preventable illness.
We provide a 24 hour call coverage. Should any acute illnesses come up you may reach us to discuss next steps. We will always attempt to solve the problem over the phone or at the next available urgent appointment slot. In rare cases we will ask you to take your child to an emergency room, because more detailed diagnostic or therapeutic efforts need to be provided than we can provide over the phone or in our office. If time is of the essence and you’re in an emergency situation, dial 911 and call our office once the situation has become more stable. When calling be prepared with the following:
- The reason for the call
- A temperature reading—ideally rectally, since oral, axillary and ear temperatures can vary from the true reading
- The names and amounts of any medicines you are giving your baby
- The pharmacy phone number available in case a prescription will be needed
Please call during office hours when you need advice about non-urgent problems as well . . . There is always someone on hand to speak with.
