Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip) is a monoclonal antibody shot that effectively protects babies from RSV but there is a great deal of confusion and misinformation about what it is and how it works.

It is not a vaccine. Here is a clear explanation and a review of the evidence for parents.

Gas and colic and fussiness do NOT mean you are doing something wrong as a parent. But they can make you desperate and exhausted. Some parents swear by gripe water. Others feel it doesn’t do much. Here’s the data.

In young infants, a fallen hair (or a thread) can get tangled around a finger, a toe, or genitals and constrict the flow of blood. We see this most often in infants under 6 months, but it can be seen in toddlers and older children (in this case, it is usually the result of them intentionally winding something around the area or, unfortunately, because of child abuse).

The best way to treat diaper rashes is to minimize skin irritation and apply a protectant/barrier to help skin heal.

Diaper rashes occur because skin irritation is more likely in warm, moist areas. Irritation is the most common cause of rashes in the genital area. Skin (and baby skin in particular) is easily irritated when it is left in a moist, warm environment. Stool and urine can also be irritants.

Infant formula is an essential food - often the only source of nutrition for infants. The shutdown of a formula plant along with supply chain issues left families scrambling to feed their babies. The FDA has responded by temporarily allowing certain foreign companies to import formula to the US.

It is fine to treat your child with medication if they seem like they are uncomfortable, or have a fever or pain. But wait and see how they do. And if you can, hold off on giving it until at least 4 hours after the dose.

Hiccups come up frequently at pediatrician visits, and are a common source of worry for parents. But they shouldn’t be. In fact, they may actually have a purpose in newborns, and be a way of teaching them how to control their breathing.

Any infant death is awful. Little is known right now about why some infants are more susceptible to SIDS than others. The truth is that this research is promising, but it doesn’t change much from a practical perspective.

Typically, babies with constipation present with harder, more pebble-like poop, or sometimes even blood in the stool. Contrary to popular belief, frequency of stooling is not how we define constipation. Newborn babies can poop as frequently as 8-10 times per day or as infrequently as once every 8-14 days. Both can be normal as long as poop consistency is normal.

The umbilical cord is an essential lifeline while a fetus is in utero because it serves as the connection with mom’s circulation. But once a baby is born, the cord is clamped and cut. It typically dries, shrivels and falls off within 1-3 weeks after birth.

Newborns hide infection really well, and as a general rule, pediatricians recommend avoiding too much exposure in the first few months of life.

Lots of parents are nervous the first time they bring their newborn to the pediatrician. It is a huge step! Here are some pro-tips from a pediatrician mom to make it as smooth as possible for everyone.