Beyfortus is a new option to protect infants from RSV but there is a great deal of confusion about what it is and how it works. Here is a clear explanation for parents.

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).

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.

Newborn babies have immature GI systems which are naive when it comes to digestion. As they start to feed, there is an adjustment process, and gas is a normal byproduct of that process. Gas is a result of an imbalance between the air that goes into the system and the air that comes out of the system.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing solids when infants are developmentally ready, usually between 4 and 6 months of age. Signs of readiness include good head control, losing the tongue thrust reflex, and showing interest in the solid food!