Dirk Steinert, MD

Articles

Bonding with baby begins early?

Some people may think that the bond between parents and their new baby appears naturally, like magic, on the day the baby is born. While some may experience love at first sight, more often love and feelings of attachment grow through spending time focusing on one another. My observation is that it is important for parents to invest time and energy thinking about their baby while they are pregnant...

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The Doctor is In: Coping with infant reflux

All babies spit up, especially in the first few months of life. In medical terminology, it is called “gastroesophageal reflux” or just “reflux” for short. Reflux occurs when the stomach’s contents come up above the muscle in the stomach into the esophageous.

Many parents, especially new parents, worry when their babies spit up. They often ask, How much is normal? What can we do to reduce...

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Feeding your baby

One of the most enjoyable, and sometimes most challenging, responsibilities of new parents is feeding your baby. Follow these 10 guidelines and you can be confident you are helping your child get a great start in life.

  1. Breastfeeding is ideal in most cases for at least the first six months and encouraged for the first year and beyond, if mutually desired by mother and child. It increases bonding,...

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Blog

Tips

Tip: Breastfeeding is ideal in most cases

Breastfeeding is ideal in most cases for at least the first six months and encouraged for the first year and beyond, if mutually desired by mother and child. It increases bonding, iron absorption and nutrition, while introducing a lower risk of ear and stomach infections.

Tip: Breastfeeding and diet

When breastfeeding, eat the same diet you did when you were pregnant because it helps a baby’s gastric tolerability, i.e. if you ate garlic while pregnant keep eating it, but don’t add it if you did not.

Tip: Feed your baby on demand

Feed on demand, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Don’t wake babies to feed them or put them on a feeding schedule, unless directed by your physician.

Tip: Schedule regular check ups

Follow up with your primary care provider for regular check ups to measure growth and development.

Tip: Introduce solids at six months

Introduce solids at six months, give or take two weeks. That’s when neurodevelopment usually reaches a level where a baby can swallow easily and has less risk of choking or aspiration.

Tip: Discuss reflux with your pediatrician

Discuss reflux with your care provider when it appears to be excessive or associated with pain. See more on reflux.

Tip: Don’t panic at lots of diapers each day

Breastfed newborns through two month olds can expect to have 5—7 wet and 1—5 soiled diapers a day. Beyond two months, a breastfed baby will continue to have 3—5 wet diapers a day and have a stool every 1—4 days. Formula-fed babies should also have about 3—5 wet diapers a day and at least one stool every four days. If not, check with your care provider.

Tip: Switch to whole milk when baby is one year old

Switch to whole milk when your baby is one year old. Do not use skim or 2% milk. Babies need all the fats and cholesterol in whole milk for neurodevelopment.

Tip: Discuss concerns with your child’s physician

Discuss any concerns with your provider. Write down questions that occur to you between appointments so you will have them available.