FAQs

1. Why do I put my baby on his back to sleep?  Won’t he choke if he spits up?

• Sometimes a baby will spit up while they are sleeping. Research shows that babies are not at risk of choking if they spit up while they are sleeping on their backs. Babies will often turn their heads, swallow it or begin coughing if they do spit up.
• Babies are safest sleeping on their backs to help reduce the risk of SIDS.

2. What is SIDS?  How can I reduce the risks of my baby dying from SIDS?

• SIDS is the sudden infant death of a baby under the age of 1, most often between
  2 and 4 months of age. We do not know what causes SIDS.
• SIDS is not preventable; however, there are ways to decrease your baby’s risk of  SIDS.
• Always place baby on his back to sleep for naps and night time.  Do not  alternate sleeping positions. Make sure a babysitter knows to place baby  on his back.  A baby who is used to sleeping on his back and then is on his  tummy is 18 times more likely to die of SIDS.

• Breastfeed instead of formula.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy and make your home smoke free.  Second  hand smoke is harmful.
• Make sure baby sleeps on a firm mattress or another firm surface.
• Do not overheat your baby.

3. Is it normal for my baby to be crying all the time and what can I do?

*Crying is the only way for your baby to communicate.  From the ages of 6 weeks to 3 months it is normal for a baby to cry 2-3 hours over a 24 hour period.  Responding quickly to your baby’s crying helps her learn to trust you even if you aren’t able to help her stop crying.  There are several reasons a baby may cry:

• Hunger
• Pain from gas bubbles, needs to be burped
• Being too hot or cold
• Wants to be held and touched
• Being startled by a stranger
• Diaper needs changed
• Needs to suck on a pacifier or wants to suckle on mom if breastfed
• Wants stimulation (talked to, a toy to look at or touched)
• Is overly tired and needs to sleep

Try swaddling your baby so she feels secure.  Remember to stay calm so that she doesn’t sense your tension.  You can walk, sing and rock your baby, hold your baby close and breathe slowly and calmly until she quiets.  If you still aren’t able to calm her, call your pediatrician or local health department for more suggestions or to schedule a doctor appointment. 

4.  I just had a baby and I think I may be suffering from Post Partum Depression.  How can I know for sure?

• Often after you deliver a baby you will experience what may feel like mild depression.  This is generally referred to as the “baby blues”.  Symptoms include: drastic mood swings, crying, anxiety, and sadness, difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite, anger and fear.  These symptoms should disappear within days to a couple of weeks without any treatment.  To help with these symptoms be sure to get enough rest, eat nutritiously, have social support and talk to someone who understands.  Exercise lightly if your doctor gives you the ok.  And understand that it will take time for your hormones to return to their normal levels.
• If these symptoms do not go away after 2 to 3 weeks and/or become more intense talk to your health care provider.  If you persistently feel worthless, feel like you want to harm the baby or don’t have a desire to take care of your baby tell someone and seek help from your doctor.  This could be a sign that you are struggling with Post Partum Depression.
• Remember that Post Partum is not something to feel ashamed of.  Statistics show that at least 3 out of 4 mothers suffer from some form of Post Partum.  Seeking help will only allow you to be the best mother than you can be for your child.

5. I think that my baby is too big for her car seat but I don’t know for sure?

• First you need to make sure your baby is within the height and weight range that is specific to your car seat. If you look on the side of your seat it should have the guidelines. Sometimes your baby may seem too long for the seat. You need to make sure their ears are not even with or
above the top of the seat. It is ok if their legs are longer than the seat. Legs can bend. If you
are still unsure contact your local health department. Someone should be able to answer your
questions about your car seat and update you on all the new regulations.
It has been recommended that your child remain rear facing for as long as you can keep them
that direction. This is not a law it is simply best practice to ensure the safety of your child. This
is because your child’s neck is not fully developed until 3 years of age.

6. When can I put my child in a booster?

• Booster seats are for children who have outgrown a car seat with an internal harness and are mature enough to ride “boosted” up with a lap and shoulder belt securing them. Ohio law states that children must ride in a car seat until they are 4 years old and 40lbs. Be sure to check the weight harness limit on your car seat. Some allow a child to remain in the harness until they are 50 lbs. They must then remain in their booster seat until they are 8 years old OR 4’9”, whichever comes first. Remember children should ride in the backseat until they are 13 years old.

7. When should I call the doctor for my newborn baby?

• A foul odor or drainage form the umbilical cord or if the skin surrounding the cord is red or swollen.
• Skin color is yellow, bluish or pale.
• Rectal temperature is less than 97˚F or more than 100.4˚
• Irritability
• Excessive crying.
• Excessive drowsiness (sleeping through a regular wakeful period or being very difficult to wake).
• Loss of appetite, not sucking well or falling asleep during feeding.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Restlessness in a baby who usually sleeps well.
• Convulsions or seizures.
• Stiffness or inability to move part of the body.
• Very fast or noisy breathing.
• Always call your doctor or pediatrician whenever you have any questions or concerns pertaining to your child.

8. Does my child really have to be on formula or breast milk until their first birthday?

• It is highly recommended that you follow this for your child. Foods other than breast milk or iron-fortified formula do not give your baby a nutritional head start, and in fact may cause nutritional problems. For example, cow’s milk should be avoided during the first 12 months of life due to its poor iron content and the increased potential for iron deficiency anemia. If you are unable to afford formula or can no longer breastfeed talk to your pediatrician to see what he or she would prefer you to do.