Cornerstone Pediatrics

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This is an exciting time for you.  As your pediatric care provider, we at Cornerstone Pediatrics want to help you provide the best possible care for your child.  We will guide you through the normal growth and development of your child, as well as assist you during occasional illnesses.  Together we will watch and enjoy your child grow up!

After today, routine visits for your baby will be at 3 weeks, then at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months, then yearly. At many of these visits your child will receive immunizations that are important in preventing serious illnesses. We will also review growth, development, and overall health.

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Our office is open M-F from 8:30am-5pm. Telephone assistance is available any time of the day or night. If you have an urgent need that cannot wait until regular office hours, call the office number below for instructions to reach the pediatric provider on-call.

Life with a new baby can be exhausting. We encourage you to accept help from family and friends so you can get as much rest as possible. It is common for mothers to feel tearful, but if you are having trouble enjoying life with your baby, it may be difficult to bond with each other, so talk to us or your healthcare provider. Help is available.

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***Remember to get the second newborn screen done.***

 

Cornerstone Pediatrics Phone Number

(928) 443-5599

FEEDING

All your baby needs for the first 4-6 months is breast milk or formula. Extra water, supplements, and infant cereal are not recommended. Do not feed your baby cow’s milk or juice until 1 year of age. We discourage starting any cereal or other foods until 4-6 months of age. In the first few weeks, allow your baby to develop his or her own feeding schedule. Frequent feeding during this helps establish a nursing mother’s milk supply, resolve jaundice, and promote weight gain. It is a careful balance between feeding your baby enough and not overfeeding. Signs of hunger include bringing the hand to the mouth, rooting, sucking, and fussing. Signs that your baby has had enough include turning the head away, closing the mouth, and relaxing his/her hands. If your baby’s fussy but has eaten in the last few hours, try other methods of consoling before feeding such as swaddling, rocking, singing, or going for a walk.

BREAST MILK

Breast milk provides ideal nutrition and protection against infection for your baby. If you are having difficulty with nursing, we are happy to help and may refer you to a lactation consultant. With nursing, it can be difficult to know how much your baby is taking in. You can be assured your baby is getting enough if he/she has at least 8 wet diapers per day after the first week. As a breastfeeding mother, you should eat well, drink plenty of water, and continue taking your prenatal vitamins. Rinsing your nipples and drying fully after feedings will help minimize soreness and risk of infection. If you need to take medications while nursing, call us to insure safety of the baby.

FORMULA

For mothers who choose not to nurse exclusively, iron-fortified, milk-based formula is the recommended substitute. If you think your baby needs a different formula, please discuss this with your baby’s provider before making changes. For the first month, your baby will take 1-4 oz at a time. Feeding more than this may increase spitting up and fussiness. Be sure to mix the formula as directed on the container. NEVER prop the bottle.

BATHING

Babies are prone to dry skin so a clear, warm water bath every 2-3 days will suffice and mild baby lotion, cream, or Vaseline is helpful. Avoid powder as it can cause respiratory problems if your baby breathes it in. Don’t submerge your baby in water until the cord falls off and the belly button is dry. For boys, wait until the circumcision has healed. Your water heater should be set under 120 F to prevent burns. Call our office if your baby’s cord develops redness, a bad smell, or a lot of drainage.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Your baby should always be placed on his/her back to sleep. Allowing your baby to sleep in bed with you or with a pillow, stuffed animal or large blanket is a risk for suffocation. Never place a baby on a water bed. Crib rails should be close enough together that a soda can won’t fit between them. Room temp should be between 66 and 72F. Never allow anyone to yell at, hit or shake your baby. Exposure to chemicals from cigarette smoke is dangerous to your baby’s health. Anyone who smokes needs to change clothes, wash their hands & face and brush their teeth before holding your baby. Always secure your baby in a rear facing car seat while in a moving vehicle. Because your baby’s immune system is immature, we encourage keeping him/her home and limiting visitors as much as possible for the first few months.

DIAPERS

Breastfed babies have liquid, yellow, seedy stool. Formula-fed babies usually have yellowish tan, thicker stool. Occasional green, brown, or gray-colored stools are normal. Your baby may have many dirty diapers a day or one every 3-4 days. If your baby is content and eating well, don’t worry about minor stool changes. Straining, grunting, and grimacing with pooping are normal.  Call if your baby has pellet-like, watery, or bloody stools.