Newborn Information & Discounts

How can I manage postpartum conditions?

Postpartum depression and anxiety can be managed with counseling and medication. Read more about medication for postpartum depression in the types of medication section. Depending on the situation, counseling for postpartum depression or anxiety involves cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression is a personal therapy that works on changing perspectives and thoughts into positive actions while interpersonal therapy works on relationships.

How can I manage a sick newborn?

There are few cases when your sick newborn would require antibiotics. In most cases when babies under two years of age are sick, the illness should be allowed to run its course rather than being treated it with antibiotics. This strengthens the child’s immune system and prevents many problems that have been associated with giving antibiotics to babies such as allergies, eczema, resistance to antibiotics, and even obesity.

Symptoms like coughing and congestion may be treated with nasal aspirators, humidifiers, and saline nasal drops. Dehydration from diarrhea or vomiting can be treated with electrolyte solutions. Talk to your pediatrician about infant pain medication for ear infections. Pain can also be relieved by applying hot compresses to the ear using a warm washcloth. In many cases, a baby will fight an ear infection without the use of medication.  If an infection doesn’t improve in 48 hours, your pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics. If your baby has a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, contact your pediatrician. A fever is the body’s normal way of fighting infection and usually doesn’t need to be treated unless the fever is above 102 degrees. A lukewarm bath may help lower your baby’s fever. Do not use cold water. If your baby’s fever gets over 102 or doesn’t improve, your doctor will prescribe some type of fever reducer which can be found in the drug information section. In extreme situations when an infant does not get over a cold or virus, or a newborn develops sepsis, antibiotics should be prescribed. Read about newborn antibiotics for sepsis in the drug information section.

What are the different types of postpartum medications and baby medications?

SSRIs

SSRIs or serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used to treat depression and are commonly prescribed as medication for postpartum depression. Doctors usually recommend these types of antidepressants for postpartum depression and anxiety as they are considered to be safer than other medications and are okay for women who are breastfeeding. SSRIs work by reducing the reuptake of serotonin which increases its availability in the brain which elevates mood.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are wonderful medications that should be used when needed to cure an illness that your baby’s immune system can’t fight off on its own. Antibiotics are life-saving drugs, but unfortunately they are often over-prescribed and this has been known to cause antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria and to kill good bacteria that your baby needs. If your baby’s illness hasn’t started to improve in 48 hours, or your baby develops newborn sepsis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics work by interfering with the growth or reproduction of bacterial cells. Many of them work by destroying the bacterial cell walls, leading to the death of the bacteria. Most of the time your doctor will recommend a safe penicillin antibiotic for your baby. In the case of sepsis, the hospital will intravenously administer a stronger antibiotic such as gentamicin to fight the infection.

What are the symptoms of postpartum depression/anxiety?

Symptoms of postpartum depression include having no energy, hopelessness, sadness, changes in appetite, feeling worthless or guilty, social withdrawal, scary thoughts, rage or irritability, and trouble performing everyday activities and care for the newborn baby. Symptoms of postpartum anxiety include panic attacks, restlessness, insomnia, rapid heart rate, and constant worry or feelings of apprehension and dread. Anxiety or depression may also manifest itself in physical pain like headaches, backaches, and upset stomach.

What are signs that your baby is ill?

Call your doctor if your baby has a fever above 100.4 degrees. If your baby has a fever of 102 or above, you will need to talk to your doctor about using fever-reducing baby medications. Other signs that your baby is ill include vomiting, diarrhea, a change in breathing patterns, your baby’s skin or lips remain a bluish color, or the baby cries more than usual. Signs of newborn sepsis include inflammation or swelling, hot, flushed skin, abnormal heart rate, changes in body temperature, lethargy and hyperventilation. If ever in doubt about the state of your baby’s health, contact your pediatrician.