I just finished rounding in the newborn nursery and got many questions from new parents.
Here are 7 common questions that I got that I think would be educational for parents (and peds trainees):
#PedsTwitter #MedTwitter
Here are 7 common questions that I got that I think would be educational for parents (and peds trainees):
#PedsTwitter #MedTwitter
1. “Why are my baby’s feet blue?” 
This is known as acrocyanosis and is completely normal.
Babies have a hard time regulating temperatures, so their hands/feet are often colder than their bodies (as you would be in a cold café) ☕️
It may even affect the lips sometimes, but never the inside of the mouth.
Babies have a hard time regulating temperatures, so their hands/feet are often colder than their bodies (as you would be in a cold café) ☕️
It may even affect the lips sometimes, but never the inside of the mouth.
2. “Why does my baby have teeth?”
These are also normal (and are not teeth!).🦷
These are retained keratin material and are known as Bohn’s nodules (when on the gums) or Epstein pearls (when on the palate). They will go away.
These are retained keratin material and are known as Bohn’s nodules (when on the gums) or Epstein pearls (when on the palate). They will go away.
3. “Does my baby have acne?”
No; babies rarely develop acne before 2 weeks of age. 2⃣⏲️
These are milia, which are also composed of retained keratinaceous material and will resolve on their own.
These are milia, which are also composed of retained keratinaceous material and will resolve on their own.
4. “My baby is sneezing! Are they sick?”
Most likely, no.
Babies have tiny nasal passages and so are more prone to snot and other material irritating them. 🤧 If the baby has fevers or other signs of illness, that’s a different story. 🤒
Babies have tiny nasal passages and so are more prone to snot and other material irritating them. 🤧 If the baby has fevers or other signs of illness, that’s a different story. 🤒
5. “Why does my baby’s head look weird”?
This can be normal, especially in a vaginal birth.
“Molding” occurs when the head is squeezed through the birth canal and makes the baby look like an alien.👽
However, there are some head bleeds that need to be considered, so getting a doctor to examine is probably wise.🩸
“Molding” occurs when the head is squeezed through the birth canal and makes the baby look like an alien.👽
However, there are some head bleeds that need to be considered, so getting a doctor to examine is probably wise.🩸
6. “Why does baby’s head feels bumpy/ridged?”
When babies are born, their sutures (edges of skull bones) may overlap. 💀
These "overriding sutures" are normal and should flatten with time.
If they don’t, there can be more serious problems such as a fixed skull; you should alert your pediatrician if this happens. ⚠️
These "overriding sutures" are normal and should flatten with time.
If they don’t, there can be more serious problems such as a fixed skull; you should alert your pediatrician if this happens. ⚠️
7. “My baby is spitting up, is it reflux?”
Remember that when babies are born, their stomachs are the size of a small fruit! 🍑 Overfeeding can lead to spitting up, and so can gas (try burping!).
Most spit-up is normal and does not require special treatment or medications.
Most spit-up is normal and does not require special treatment or medications.
That’s it for now!
Thanks to the Stanford newborn gallery for many of these photos! 🖼️
#PedsTwitter, what are some other common questions you receive?
@drkatielockwood @MichaelCosimini @LMeyerson_MD @Dr_ScottK @DrEricBall @ZoeBouchelle
Thanks to the Stanford newborn gallery for many of these photos! 🖼️
#PedsTwitter, what are some other common questions you receive?
@drkatielockwood @MichaelCosimini @LMeyerson_MD @Dr_ScottK @DrEricBall @ZoeBouchelle
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