Newborn Care in Lawrence: Expert Pediatric Support

Bringing your baby home is a joyful, sometimes overwhelming time, and it’s completely normal to have questions about feeding, sleep, and every little sound your newborn makes. Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates is here to support families from Lawrence with experienced pediatric care from the very first days.

The Short Answer

Newborn care involves regular checkups, monitoring growth and feeding, ensuring your baby is healthy, and guiding you through the early weeks. Your pediatrician will see your baby within the first few days after birth and several times during the first month to track weight gain, development, and any concerns you have. Our practice welcomes newborns and their families from Lawrence and surrounding communities, and we are accepting new patients for newborn care.

What You’ll Notice in the First Weeks

Newborns spend most of their time sleeping, eating, and adjusting to life outside the womb. You may notice your baby:

• Sleeps 16 to 17 hours a day in short stretches, waking every 2 to 3 hours to feed
• Has soft spots (fontanelles) on the head that are normal and will close over time
• May have jaundice (a yellowish tint to the skin or eyes) in the first week, which is common and usually resolves on its own
• Has irregular breathing patterns or occasional sneezing, which are typical
• Loses a small amount of weight in the first few days, then regains it by about two weeks of age

These are all part of normal newborn development. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers additional resources to help you understand what to expect.

What Happens at Newborn Visits

Your pediatrician will schedule several visits during the first month. At each appointment, your provider will:

• Weigh and measure your baby to track growth
• Examine your baby from head to toe, checking the umbilical cord stump, skin, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, hips, and reflexes
• Ask about feeding, whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or both, and how often your baby is eating
• Count wet diapers and bowel movements to assess hydration and digestion
• Discuss sleep patterns and safe sleep practices
• Answer your questions about crying, bathing, diapering, and soothing
• Review the immunization schedule and administer any vaccines due at that visit

These visits are a time for you to bring up anything that worries you, no matter how small it may seem.

What’s Normal for Their Age

Newborns (birth to 3 months) have their own rhythms and behaviors that can look very different from older babies. It’s normal for your newborn to:

• Cry for 1 to 3 hours a day, often peaking around 6 weeks of age
• Startle easily at sounds or movements
• Have crossed eyes occasionally, as vision is still developing
• Have uncoordinated movements and jerky limb motions
• Need to eat 8 to 12 times in 24 hours if breastfed, or every 3 to 4 hours if formula fed
• Have 6 or more wet diapers a day once milk comes in fully

By around 2 months, many babies start to smile socially and track faces with their eyes. If you notice your baby is not responding to sounds or light, is extremely floppy or stiff, go to the emergency room or call 911 right away. If your baby is not feeding well, talk to your pediatrician.

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How Do I Know If My Baby Is Eating Enough?

This is one of the most common concerns for new parents. Signs your baby is getting enough to eat include:

• Steady weight gain after the first week (your pediatrician will track this at visits)
• At least 6 wet diapers a day by day 5 or 6
• Soft, yellow stools (for breastfed babies) or tan/brown stools (for formula-fed babies)
• Your baby seems content after most feedings and has periods of alertness

If your baby is not producing enough wet diapers, contact your pediatrician the same day.

What You Can Do at Home

Caring for your newborn at home involves creating routines that feel manageable for your family. Some strategies that can help include:

• Feed your baby on demand, watching for hunger cues like rooting, sucking on hands, or fussiness
• Practice safe sleep: always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface with no blankets, pillows, or toys in the crib
• Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry until it falls off, usually within 1 to 3 weeks
• Bathe your baby with sponge baths until the cord falls off, then you can begin gentle tub baths
• Hold and soothe your baby when they cry. Skin-to-skin contact, gentle rocking, and soft sounds can be calming
• Avoid exposing your newborn to crowds or people who are sick, especially in the first few weeks

You cannot spoil a newborn by responding to their needs. Comfort and closeness help your baby feel safe.

When to Call the Pediatrician, and When It’s an Emergency

Knowing when to reach out for help is one of the most important parts of newborn care. Use these guidelines to decide:

Monitor at home:

• Occasional sneezing or hiccups
• Soft, painless swelling on the head (caput or cephalohematoma) that is improving
• Mild diaper rash that responds to frequent changes and barrier cream
• Normal newborn skin changes like baby acne or milia (tiny white bumps)

Schedule a visit (within a day or two):

• You have questions about feeding, sleep, or development
• Your baby seems fussier than usual but is still eating and producing wet diapers
• Mild jaundice that is not spreading or worsening
• You feel overwhelmed or need support with feeding or soothing

Urgent / same-day contact:

• Fewer than 6 wet diapers in 24 hours after the first week
• Your baby is very sleepy, hard to wake, or not interested in feeding: extreme lethargy or difficulty waking your baby is an emergency, so go to the emergency room or call 911 right away. If your baby is feeding less than usual but is still waking, alert, and producing wet diapers, schedule a visit within a day or two instead.
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Jaundice that is deepening, spreading to the arms or legs, or your baby is not feeding well
• A bulging soft spot on the head
• Excessive crying that does not respond to usual soothing

Go to the emergency room or call 911:

• Any fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months old
• Difficulty breathing, grunting with each breath, or flaring nostrils
• Blue or gray color around the lips, tongue, or face
• Extreme lethargy or difficulty waking your baby
• A seizure or stiffening of the body
• Inconsolable, high-pitched crying
• A rash with purple or red spots that do not fade when you press on them
• No wet diapers for 12 hours or more, or a sunken soft spot

Fever in a newborn is always taken seriously and requires immediate evaluation. Trust your instincts. If something feels very wrong, seek care right away.

How Newborn Care Is Evaluated

At each visit, your pediatrician will gather information through:

• A detailed history: asking about feeding, sleep, stools, and any concerns you have
• A physical exam: checking your baby’s weight, length, head circumference, skin, heart and lung sounds, abdomen, hips, and neurologic responses
• Observation: watching how your baby moves, responds to sounds and light, and interacts with you
• Screening tests: newborn screening (done in the hospital), hearing tests, and sometimes a bilirubin check if jaundice is present

If your provider identifies any concerns, they may recommend additional testing or a follow-up visit sooner than planned.

What Could Be Causing Common Concerns

Jaundice

Many newborns develop jaundice as their liver matures and processes bilirubin. Mild jaundice often resolves on its own, but higher levels may require treatment with phototherapy. Your pediatrician will monitor this closely.

Fussiness or Colic

Some babies cry more than others, and the cause is not always clear. Colic, defined as crying for more than 3 hours a day, often peaks around 6 weeks and improves by 3 to 4 months. Your provider can help you explore feeding adjustments, soothing techniques, and rule out other causes.

Feeding Challenges

Difficulty latching, slow weight gain, or concerns about milk supply are common in the early weeks. Your pediatrician can assess feeding and may refer you to a lactation consultant if helpful.

Rashes

Newborn skin is sensitive. Common rashes like baby acne, milia, and erythema toxicum are harmless and temporary. If a rash is spreading or looks infected, contact your provider.

Treatment and Management

Most newborn concerns are managed with close observation, feeding support, and reassurance. When intervention is needed, your pediatrician will start with the least invasive options, such as:

• Adjusting feeding techniques or frequency
• Providing guidance on safe sleep positioning and environments
• Recommending gentle skin care or barrier creams for common rashes
• Monitoring jaundice levels and arranging phototherapy if needed
• Referring to specialists (such as lactation consultants or pediatric subspecialists) when additional expertise is helpful

Your provider will tailor any recommendations to your baby’s specific needs and your family’s circumstances.

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Immunizations and Preventive Care

Vaccines are a key part of keeping your newborn healthy. The first immunization, the hepatitis B vaccine, is typically given in the hospital shortly after birth. Additional vaccines begin at the 2-month visit. The CDC immunization schedule provides the recommended timeline, and your pediatrician will review each vaccine with you before it is given.

From a Pediatrics Perspective

It’s easy to second-guess yourself in the early weeks, but most of what you are seeing and feeling is completely normal. Newborns are resilient, and you are learning together. A few things to keep in mind:

• Every baby is different. Comparisons to other babies, even siblings, are rarely helpful.
• You do not need to have all the answers right away. Pediatricians are here to partner with you, not to judge.
• Many common concerns, like gassiness, hiccups, and frequent sneezing, are normal and do not require treatment.
• Postpartum support for parents is just as important as care for the baby. If you are feeling anxious, sad, or overwhelmed, talk to your provider. Help is available.

Our team understands that newborn care is as much about supporting parents as it is about caring for babies.

Questions to Ask at the Visit

You may want to bring a list of questions to each appointment. Consider asking:

• Is my baby’s weight gain on track?
• How many wet diapers and stools should I expect each day?
• What are signs my baby is getting enough to eat?
• When should I call if my baby has a fever?
• What vaccines will my baby receive today, and what should I watch for afterward?
• How can I create a safe sleep environment?
• What should I do if my baby is very fussy or hard to soothe?

Your provider will take the time to answer each one.

Prenatal Classes and Preparation

Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates offers prenatal classes to help expectant parents prepare for the early weeks. These classes cover newborn care basics, safe sleep, feeding options, and what to expect at your baby’s first visits. Attending a prenatal class can help you feel more confident before your baby arrives, and it is a chance to meet your pediatrician and ask questions in advance.

Convenient Care for Lawrence Families

Our practice is located in Lawrence, New Jersey, making it easy for local families to access expert pediatric care close to home. We welcome infants, children, and adolescents from birth through age 18, and we are currently accepting new patients. Whether you are preparing for your baby’s arrival or already navigating the newborn stage, our team is ready to support you with compassionate, experienced care.

If you have questions about your newborn or would like to schedule a visit, please contact Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates. We are here to help you and your baby thrive from the very beginning.

Frequently asked questions

Does Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates offer newborn care in Lawrence?

Yes, Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates is located in Lawrence, New Jersey, and welcomes newborns and their families for comprehensive pediatric care. We provide regular checkups, feeding support, immunizations, and guidance throughout the early weeks and beyond.

When should I schedule my newborn’s first visit?

Your baby’s first visit should happen within the first few days after you leave the hospital, typically within 48 to 72 hours. Your pediatrician will check your baby’s weight, feeding, and overall health, and answer any questions you have.

What should I do if my newborn has a fever?

Any fever of 100.4°F or higher in a baby under 3 months old is an emergency and requires immediate medical evaluation. Do not give any medication without talking to your pediatrician, and seek care right away.

How do I know if my baby is eating enough?

Signs your baby is eating well include steady weight gain, at least 6 wet diapers a day by day 5 or 6, regular stools, and periods of contentment after feeding. Your pediatrician will track your baby’s growth at each visit to ensure they are thriving.

Does Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates offer prenatal visits or classes?

Yes, we offer prenatal classes to help expectant parents prepare for newborn care, feeding, safe sleep, and what to expect at your baby’s first visits. These classes are a great way to meet your pediatrician and ask questions before your baby arrives.

Is Delaware Valley Pediatric Associates accepting new patients for newborn care?

Yes, we are currently accepting new patients, including newborns. Families from Lawrence and surrounding communities are welcome to schedule a visit or attend a prenatal class to get started.

What vaccines will my newborn receive in the first few months?

The hepatitis B vaccine is typically given in the hospital shortly after birth. Additional vaccines begin at the 2-month visit, following the CDC immunization schedule. Your pediatrician will review each vaccine with you and answer any questions you have.

Sources

• Baby Products to Avoid: Unsafe Registry Picks & Secondhand Gear, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2026-05-29)
• Your Baby, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2026-04-03)
• Colic Relief Tips for Parents, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2024-04-22)
• Warning Signs of Breastfeeding Problems, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2024-03-25)
• How Often and How Much Should Your Baby Eat?, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2024-04-02)
• Your Baby’s Umbilical Cord: 5 Surprising Facts for New & Expectant Parents, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2025-05-27)
• My child has a fever, but stores near me are out of over-the-counter medicines for kids. What can I do?, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2022-12-21)
• When to Keep Your Child Home From Child Care, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2024-08-23)
• Fever Without Fear: Information for Parents, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2025-09-23)
• Colic: How to soothe your baby, calm your nerves-Colic, Mayo Clinic (2025-12-20)
• AAP Guide: Vaccines Your Child Needs by Age 6, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2026-01-26)
• Your Newborn’s First Week: How to Prepare & What to Expect, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) (2023-08-14)
• Fever, Mayo Clinic (2025-12-20)