Tips for New Parents From Pediatricians
I recently asked a large group of pediatricians what 3 pieces of advice they wish all new parents knew. Life with a newborn can be surprisingly hard – what might make things easier? And how can new parents help keep their babies safer? The answers were remarkably consistent. We, pediatricians, seem to think alike!
Vaccinate your baby. Every pediatrician I asked started with that piece of advice. Every pediatrician I know has fully vaccinated their family. New babies can’t handle exposure to diseases the way older kids and adults can, and they’re especially susceptible to risks like influenza, and whooping cough. We also recommend that you ask that everyone caring for your baby be fully vaccinated.
Trust yourself. Several of the pediatricians I spoke with recommended that parents trust their own instincts. Some were applying that advice to medical concerns: if you think something is wrong with your baby, contact your pediatrician. Others were offering a broader perspective about parenting in general. Advice is cheap and plentiful – you’ll hear lots of it from lots of people, like grandparents, friends, and neighbors. Take the parenting advice that works for you and your family, and leave the rest.
Be patient with yourself. Your baby didn’t come with an instruction manual – you’re learning on the fly! And while you’re learning, you’re also trying to find time to take care of yourself too. Start with sleeping when the baby sleeps, letting the housework go, and accepting all the help you’re offered. If you’re breastfeeding, your partner, family, or other helpers can find many ways to support you, such as by bringing you snacks, and water, and taking care of household tasks while you’re busy. Welcome more help from dad, grandparents, and friends whenever you need it – chances are they’re more than happy to pitch in!
Seek medical attention right away for any fever in a child this young. Fevers can be bad in the first 3 months. Fever at this age should be measured rectally. A fever is a temperature of 100.4°F degrees or higher.
Check the source of parenting advice from social media. There’s a lot of scary, bad information out there! Make sure you’re looking at
trustworthy science-based sites like those at the end of this post.
Gather your support system. A great way to do this is to join a new parents group. There’s nothing like surrounding yourself with other new parents to help you feel less alone. This definitely got me through those tough early days when my firstborn wouldn’t stop crying – and the friends I made there are still my closest friends!
Look for the moments of joy, even when it all feels rough. It may not feel like it now, but the newborn stage is a brief period in your life as a parent. In retrospect, you may feel like the time has flown by. All the struggles and sleepless nights end – and then new challenges appear, which will also pass. So try to take a moment to savor the gifts each day has to offer.
Resources for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
Featured Author
Elaine Yang, MD, MBA, is a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente’s Garden Grove Medical Center in Southern California who thought she knew everything there needed to know about kids—until she had her very own. In many ways, she found being a parent to two rambunctious kids was harder than being a pediatrician! From then on, she had a newfound appreciation and respect for all her patients’ parents struggling to raise their children. She believes that there is no one way to parent; rather, there are many good ways to raise healthy, thriving children. Dr. Yang’s full biography can be found on her webpage. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.