Most people associate the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) as a place where premature newborn babies go after birth. Although the majority of newborns admitted to NICUs are premature babies (“preemies”), interestingly enough, if you walk around any NICU you will see plenty of babies who are full-term, and even some who arrived a week or two after their due date! On average, 360,000 newborns in the U.S. need neonatal intensive care after birth each year. Some only need to stay in the NICU for a few days, while others may be admitted for several months based on baby needs. Level 2 NICUs provide health care for preemies who are about 32 weeks’ gestation or older and do not need a lot of breathing support, Level 3 NICUs can care for all sizes and ages of preemies, and Level 4 NICUS provide care for all preemies, including the smallest and most sick, as well as critically ill full-term newborns who need surgery, have birth defects, and other medical conditions requiring a care team of neonatologists and multiple pediatric subspecialty teams.
Every breastfeeding journey is different and there is a huge variability in regards to when infants and toddlers wean from breast milk. Up until recently, pediatricians recommended breastfeeding babies until their first birthdays and then transitioning to whole cow’s milk. In 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published updated guidelines for breastfeeding with recommendations to continue to breastfeed children for 2+ years, if desired. In this article we discuss FAQs about weaning breastfeeding.
Congratulations! You just found out you are having a baby! What do you do next? It is time to schedule your first pre-natal appointment. Let's take a look at what you can expect at your first prenatal appointment and what list of questions you should have to ask your healthcare provider.
As new moms, there are so many things that cause us stress. Is my baby getting enough sleep? Am I holding him too much? Did the new mom in that Facebook group really just tell me to stop spoiling my baby? While I can’t offer you too much help on what to say to nosey moms who think they know everything, I can offer you a little insight as to why your milk production might be slowing down.
Our bodies are fascinating wonders, and one of the mysteries is how things we touch and taste can change how we look, as well as the look of things our bodies produce. And it should come as no surprise, breast milk is no exception to that rule. As with most things, the reasons behind breast milk changes color are multi-faceted and unique to each mom. But there are some things to remember when you are trying to decide what’s normal, and what isn’t.
You’ve got places to go and people to see, Mama! Air travel can be especially exhausting when you are expecting, and it may also cause swelling in the feet and legs. So before you take off, learn how many pregnant women use compression socks to protect their health.
The following weeks after giving birth you may be concerned about whether or not your baby is being sufficiently fed. Even though babies can’t say what it is they need, they rely on and use different sounds and movements to signal when they need to be fed long before crying begins.
Many new mothers wonder if they need to take certain supplements or vitamins while breastfeeding to ensure their baby is healthy. In most cases, moms don’t need to take vitamins, although they aren’t likely to hurt your baby. Some mommies take vitamin D to ensure that their babies are getting enough of this essential nutrient for healthy bones.
Having a new baby is a huge life transition. The holiday season can add a lot of additional stress while you are busy taking care of your newborn. This is because what’s best for mother-newborn dyads (to rest, stay home, focus on breastfeeding, not have too many interruptions with visitors, etc.) is the opposite of our societal expectations of what parents of new babies should do during that time of year (traveling, family traditions, bringing babies to large holiday gatherings, entertaining guests, meeting family members, etc.)
Late premature babies, also called “late preemies,” are born between 34 to 36 weeks. Although babies born between 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy often look like full-term babies (only smaller) there are major physiologic differences. As a result of immature brain and nervous system development, late premature infants have an increased risk of low birth weight, feeding difficulties, and breathing struggles. Let's take a closer look at FAQs about breastfeeding late premature infants.
