Newborn Care Frequently Asked
Questions - Page 2
By Michael Schoenwetter, M.D. and
Loraine Stern, M.D.
Below are more frequently asked questions regarding newborn care:
Newborn Care Question
I have a 1 month old newborn and am concerned about the flu. What can I
do?
Newborn Care Answer: As I am sure you know, we are experiencing a very
severe influenza outbreak due to the H1N1 virus. The seasonal flu, which
will come in the next few months, will make this flu season long and
harsh. Infants are at high risk for developing complications from the
flu, so it is appropriate to be concerned. Avoiding large crowds of
people, especially children, will decrease your exposure to the flu
virus. Of course, good hand washing is essential to decrease the spread
of germs. The most important preventative step would be for all
caregivers and household contacts to be protected against the flu by
receiving both their H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines. This forms a
protective "cocoon" around your infant.
Newborn Care Question
Ever since we had a new baby my 3 year old has become more aggressive,
especially towards me. I have read this is normal, but for how long?
Newborn Care Answer: I always tell the parents in my practice that are
in your situation that the older sibling's life is changing much more
dramatically than the parent's lives. The child feels like some of his
uniqueness has been taken away. I use the analogy of going from a rock
star to a back-up singer. Hopefully, the change is not that dramatic,
but the analogy gives you some insight into what your child is feeling.
Also, a 3 year old does not have the coping skills to deal with such a
change in his daily life and thus changes in his behavior can occur. I
am not saying that you should not discipline your child if he acts up,
just that he is going through a lot in his life, and very commonly a few
months of behavior changes are seen until routine is established again.
Newborn Care
Question
What is your opinion regarding cord blood banking for my newborn due
next month?
Newborn Care Answer: You have heard the term stem cells. They have the
potential to be transplanted to treat blood, immunological, metabolic
and malignant disorders. The blood that remains in the umbilical cord of
a newborn contains these multi-potential cells. Saving a newborn's cord
blood has been offered to parents for several years, mostly through
for-profit cord blood banks and promoted as "biological insurance" in
case one of their children needs it. There is an initial cost as well as
yearly maintenance fees to keep the blood available.
There is no accurate estimate of the
probability of a child needing cord blood. Estimates range from 1 in a
1,000 to less than 1 in 200, 000. Cord blood is not always the answer.
If the child whose blood is stored develops leukemia, for instance, his
own cord blood cannot be used because his genes are programmed to
develop leukemia. Only if there is a sibling or close relative whose
cord blood is stored is there a chance cord blood might help.
Cord blood banking should be arranged long
before labor begins. The team in the delivery room needs to collect it
under the correct procedures. It may not be done in the case of a
complicated delivery when the newborn and/or mother's well being is an
issue. There are less risks of infection, such as hepatitis and HIV, in
a newborn's blood compared with an adult's. Although, the newborn's cord
blood is readily available and easier to transplant than adult cells,
there can be complications. The American Academy of Pediatrics has
published guidelines to be aware of when making this decision.
There are only a handful of non-profit cord
blood banks, such as one established by the National Institutes of
Health, for families with a close relative that has a possibly treatable
condition. Be wary of claims made by companies promoting cord blood
banking as medical insurance for everyone. Do your homework and talk to
your pediatrician and any specialist that might be involved in the
illness in your family before committing money and hope to banking your
child's blood. Encourage the government to set up cord blood banks so
that everyone can benefit and worried families are not exploited.
My current response when parents ask about
banking a newborn's cord blood is that it makes sense only if you know
there is some disease in your family that might be helped with cord
blood. Otherwise, the investment would probably be better starting a
bank account for your child's education.
We hope these frequently asked questions are helpful and please check
back as we will be adding more new information regarding newborn care.
Be sure to read our
Newborn Safety Tips and Baby
Proofing page for some important information.
Please email us at
doc@newborncare101.com if you have other common newborn care
questions.
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