• Babies who are breast fed typically eat every two to three hours. Mothers should remember to drink lots of fluids, eat a healthy diet, and may continue taking vitamins.


• Infants who are formula fed eat approximately every three to four hours. You should never prop the bottle to leave the baby to feed herself/himself.


• Bowel movements can be yellow, green, brown or tan. Some babies have several bowel movements per day while other babies have one once or twice a week. It is very unusual for breastfed babies to be constipated since breast milk is a natural laxative. Many babies grunt and strain when they are having normal bowel movements. As long as the stool is soft (no firmer than the consistency of peanut butter) and your baby doesn't cry with each bowel movement, your baby is not constipated.


• Always put your baby to sleep on his/her back.


• Always use a rear-facing car seat placed in the center of the back seat.


• Always have working smoke detectors in the home.


• Many baby girls will have a bloody discharge from the vagina during the first few days of life. This is normal. This is a reaction to her mother's hormones, and the discharge will disappear without treatment.


• Diaper rashes are very common and will usually clear up with Desitin or A & D ointment.


• Baby acne commonly occurs by the second to third week. It is a blotchy red rash with pimples that may occur on the face, scalp, upper chest and back. This rash will usually resolve without medicine.


• Peeling skin is common in the first two to three weeks of life, especially if your baby was born past his/her due date. The skin will improve without treatment.


• Wait to start solid foods until you talk to your doctor (usually 4-6 months old).


• Wait to give your baby honey until he/she is over 1 year old.


• Never leave your baby alone in the tub or on a high place such as a changing table or bed.

When to Call Your Doctor

Immediately call for advice if:

• Infant is less than 2 months old and has a fever more than 101 degrees F (38 degrees C)


• Excessive vomiting


• Irritable or lethargic


• The skin around the umbilical stump becomes red and warm

Call during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., if:

• Not seeming to gain weight


• Concerns about colds or constipation or rashes


• Other questions or concerns

Back to top