10 Most Common Newborn Questions with Dr. Kate Sawicki

Bringing home a newborn comes with a lot of joy and a lot of questions. From feeding and sleep to skin changes and spit-up, many things that seem concerning are actually completely normal in the early weeks.

At Altitude Pediatrics in Grand Junction, Dr. Kate Sawicki shares the 10 most common newborn questions she hears from parents and what you should know.

1. Help, my baby is sneezing and hiccupping all the time. Are they allergic to the dog?

Both sneezing and hiccupping are very normal in the first few months after birth. These are more tied to your baby’s developing nervous system than allergies or feeding problems.
This is one of those things that looks concerning but is actually just part of how newborns adjust to the world.

2. What can I do for my newborn’s peeling or dry skin?

This is normal and expected. 
Your baby’s skin is transitioning from life in amniotic fluid to dry air, and a short phase of peeling is very common.
It does not need to be treated with lotions or ointments unless your doctor recommends it. In most cases, it will resolve on its own pretty quickly.

3. I think my baby has reflux. They spit up large amounts all the time.

All babies have a version of reflux.
The esophagus has very low muscle tone in the beginning, so spit-up is expected and normal, even multiple times after each feed. What we worry about is pathologic reflux. This looks like consistently projectile spit-up or a baby who is clearly in pain or inconsolable with feeds. An occasional forceful spit-up, even through the nose, can still be completely normal.

4. Help, my baby’s diaper rash is starting to bleed.

Newborns need to be changed so frequently that constant wiping can break down the top layer of skin. This can lead to bleeding and discomfort.
If this happens:

• Switch to a spray bottle of water to gently clean the area
• Pat dry with a soft cloth
• Take a break from wipes until the skin heals
• Apply diaper cream or Vaseline thick, like cake frosting
• Let baby air out when you can

This approach helps the skin recover much faster.

5. My newborn seems unsatisfied with breastfeeding and is cluster feeding all night. Should I supplement?

This is a very common concern.

Babies are wired to build your milk supply by creating demand. That means frequent feeding in the early days, sometimes even every 20 minutes. As exhausting as it is, this process is doing important work. It tells your body to produce enough milk.

Once your milk supply is established, babies will usually space out feeds to every 2 to 3 hours. Your pediatrician will look at weight gain, output, and overall feeding patterns before recommending supplementation.

6. I think my newborn has their days and nights mixed up.

They probably do, and that is very typical.
Most newborns sleep very well during the day, sometimes a little too well.

To help shift this:

1. Wake your baby to eat at least every 3 hours during the day
2. Keep your home bright and active, even during naps
3. Keep night time quiet, dim, and a little boring
   

Over time, this helps their internal clock adjust.

7. It is week 3 or 4 and my happy baby has turned colicky. Help.

There is a very normal phase around weeks 3 to 4 where babies become more fussy, gassy, and honestly, a little angry.

This often looks like a happy baby in the morning who becomes inconsolable in the evening. They may cry, grunt, and turn red before finally falling asleep. There are a lot of theories, but one is that babies are simply overstimulated by how much they are learning at this stage.

Lean on your support system during this time. Step outside for a few minutes if you need to reset. This phase is temporary.

8. My baby has a red rash on their face and chest around 1 month old. Do I need to change products?

This is usually baby acne.

It tends to peak around one month of age and is related to withdrawal from mom’s hormones.

Nothing you did caused it, and nothing will prevent it. It will go away on its own within a week or two. That said, using unscented soaps, detergents, and products is still a good idea for babies. Even washing your own clothes in fragrance-free detergent can help, since babies spend so much time on you.

9. My baby has not pooped in 5 days. Do we need to go to the ER?

Probably not.

Some babies poop with every feed. Others may only stool once every several days.
Breastfed babies can go 7 to 10 days without a bowel movement and still be completely normal. Formula-fed babies may go more frequently but can still have gaps.

What matters most is the texture, not the timing.
As long as stools are soft or liquid, there is usually no concern. If you see hard, marble-like stools, let your pediatrician know.

10. My newborn has yellow crust on their eyelashes and drainage all day. Is this pink eye?

This is most often a clogged tear duct.

It is very common in newborns because the tear ducts are still small.

As long as:

1. The white of the eye is still white
2. There is no swelling
3. There is no fever

There is usually nothing to worry about.

Warm compresses can help clean away the crust, and tear duct massage can help keep things moving. Your pediatrician can show you how to do this.

Most cases resolve on their own between 6 and 12 months of age.

When should I call my pediatrician?

Even though many newborn concerns are normal, trust your instincts.
Reach out if you notice:

• Fever in a newborn
• Difficulty feeding
• Persistent projectile vomiting
• Signs of dehydration
• Unusual lethargy or inconsolable crying
  

Newborn Care in Grand Junction, CO

At Altitude Pediatrics, we are here to support you through every stage of your child’s development.

If you have questions about your newborn, you are not alone. Our team is always here to help guide you through it.