Below are some tips for parents of newborns.  Most of these are straight forward, but some may surprise you.  Many of the recommendations are taken from the guidelines for pediatric care from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

1. All babies will lose some weight after they are born.  In fact, losing up to 10% of the birth weight is considered normal; they typically regain this weight by 10-14 days of life.
2. All babies should sleep on their backs, not on their side or on their stomachs.  This is done to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and was known as the "Back to Sleep" campaign.
3. All babies should receive play time on their tummies, known as Tummy Time, several times per day for at least 3-5 minutes per session.  This allows them to strengthen their neck and back muscles, and reduces the development of flat heads.
4. All infants who are exclusively or primarily breastfed should receive 400 IU per day of Vitamin D supplementation.
5. Most babies sneeze, and this is generally nothing to worry about.
   
6. Baby bumpers in cribs are not recommended, as they can pose a safety risk to infants sleeping in their cribs.
7. Shaking or hitting a crying infant is never OK, and actually can cause permanent damage to your baby, including blindness, mental retardation, and death.
8. It is not recommended to feed water to infants. 
   
9. Except in rare cases, it is not recommended to feed cereal or other baby foods to infants until at least 4 months of age.
10. In the past, it has been recommended to administer a pain reducer, such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to infants prior to them receiving vaccines.  This is no longer suggested.  Studies have shown that their response to the vaccine, and the vaccine's effectiveness, can be somewhat lessened if Acetaminophen is given prior to the vaccine administration.
    
11. Fever is defined as a temperature >100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.  For infants, temperatures should be taken rectally, as this is most accurate. 
    
12. Any fever in a newborn under 2 months of age necessitates an immediate call to your pediatrician; no medication should be given until speaking with your doctor. 
    
13. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) should NEVER be given to any infant under 6 months of age.
    
14. There have been NO reliable studies to date linking ANY vaccines with the development of autism.
15. With the exception of certain versions of the Influenza vaccine, NO infant vaccines contain mercury at this time.
    
16. Co-sleeping with an infant, with them sleeping in the same bed as the parent, increases the risk for infant injury or suffocation, and is not recommended.
17. Use Bisphenol A (BPA)-free bottles to feed your baby; do not use bottles that contain BPA, which are often marked by the recycle number 7 or the letters PC on the side of the bottle.
18. Infants are at high risk for sunburn and overheating, and should not be in direct sunlight, especially during peak sun hours; keeping them in hats and under shade is advised.  
19. If sun exposure is unavoidable, sunscreens are OK to use for infants.  However, they should contain physical blockers instead of chemical blockers, protect against both UVA and UVB light, and be at minimum SPF 30.
20. Examples of sunscreens with physical blockers are those that utilize Titanium or Zinc-based blockage of UV radiation.
    
21. It is NOT necessary to clean the umbilical cord with alcohol or other cleansers on a routine basis.  Keep it dry, and it usually falls often within 2 weeks of life.  
22. Bathing in a tub may occur once the umbilical cord has fallen off; until then, sponge baths are recommended.  In general, bathing is only needed a few days per week, and washing hair once per week or so.
23. Diaper wipes, soaps, lotions, and other products used for your baby should be chemical-free, alcohol-free, non-fragranced and hypoallergenic to minimize the likelihood that the product will irritate the skin or cause a rash.
24. It is normal for newborn skin to appear dry and flaky.  The skin is used to being in water for 9 months, and is just adjusting to the outside world.  No emollients or lotions are necessary, unless there are deep cracks or bleeding.
25. Developmentally, the first milestones pediatricians look for are cooing and smiling, and these typically begin around 4-6 weeks of age.
26. Baby acne is very common between 1-2 months of age.  Unless severe, it typically does not require treatment, and will usually resolve on its own within a few weeks.  Baby acne that persists beyond 2 months of age can occasionally require treatment, especially if moderate to severe.
    

_During the first 2 months of life, any major change in your baby's behavior should be discussed with the nurse or doctor.  The following is a list of some common reasons that we would need to see your infant in the office:

• any fever over 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit should elicit an immediate phone call
  
• recurrent vomiting, especially if projectile or bilious (neon yellow color)
  
• persistently rapid breathing or labored breathing
  
• breathlessness or distress during feeding
• poor eating or concerns for dehydration (<6 wet diapers per day)
  
• color changes (pale skin, blue lips, or marked jaundice/ yellowness of skin)