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Resources for New and Expecting Parents

New and expectant parents have a lot of questions. The experts at Lurie Children’s have answers. From sleeping and feeding to pooping and peeing, you can rely on our evidence-based recommendations to help your baby stay healthy and safe.

Below you'll find information to help you prepare for a baby on the way:

Working with Your Pediatrician

Choosing a Pediatrician

Tips to help you pick the right pediatrician for your newborn, including when to start looking and the most important questions to ask.

When to Contact Your Pediatrician

From fevers and feeding issues to diaper issues and more, here are 10 reasons to call the pediatrician about your newborn.

Pediatrician Visit Frequency

Learn the schedule of newborn well visits for the first year of life and what you can expect at each visit.

First 48 Hours After Birth

The first 48 hours of life are a busy time for newborns and their parents. Learn about feeding, sleeping and pooping, and tests that happen.

First Few Weeks After Birth

In the two weeks after birth, newborns learn to feed, work to get back to their birthweight and change and develop in numerous other ways.

Typical Behavior of a Newborn

What’s typical for newborns? Learn about sleep schedules, normal vital signs, expected behaviors and when to call the pediatrician.

How to Tell if Your Newborn is Sick

Newborns with a fever (100.4 or greater) should always be seen. Here are other signs of sickness, along with common newborn issues not to worry about.

What to Know About Newborn Poop and Pee

Newborns produce a lot of pee and poop. Learn what’s normal, from urine and stool color to frequency, and when to call the pediatrician.

Newborn Sleep FAQs

Your questions about newborns and sleep answered, including how much sleep newborns need, sleep safety and sleep routines.

Putting a Baby to Sleep

Our pediatricians offer expert tips for establishing good sleep routines, calming overtired babies and getting your newborn down to sleep.

Nighttime Sleep

Trying to get your newborn to start sleeping through the night? We break down some sleep goals, piece by piece.

Sleep Training

Sleep training helps your baby figure out how to fall asleep on their own, and most parents can start around 4 months. Learn more about sleep training methods.

Newborn Feeding Basics

See feeding tips and get answers to common newborn feeding questions, including how much milk newborns need and breastfeeding positions.

Feeding Schedule & Frequency

Learn how much, how often and what kinds of foods babies eat from birth through their first birthday.

Cluster Feeding

Cluster feeding, when a newborn wants to eat every two hours or less, occurs during major periods of growth and development.

How to Introduce Solid Foods

Babies start to eat solid foods in their first year. Learn how and when to introduce solid foods into your baby’s diet.

Bonding With Your Baby in the NICU

While in the NICU, there are still many opportunities for you to bond with your baby. Learn a few recommended ways to help you build that bond.

Understanding Your NICU Baby's Behavior

Although young infants cannot communicate using words, they do convey their needs and wants through behaviors called infant cues.