Getzwell Pediatrics » newborn

Can my newborn really see me?

jgetzelman — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:27:39 +0000

Did you know that at birth your baby can make out most of your facial features right from your arms? The topic of infant vision is always on new parents’ list of questions and is now better understood than ever, as ongoing research has continued to shed light on what infants are able to see from the get-go and how that evolves over the first year of life.

Just recently I came across this fascinating article “What Does My Baby See?” by Dr. Russell D. Hamer from the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute. Here, Dr. Hamer walks us through the stages of infant eyesight development—from focusing ability to visual acuity—and offers clear-cut answers to these commonly asked questions:

How Far Can My Baby See?
How Blurry is Blurry?
Are Black and White Toys Important For Visual Stimulation?
When Can My Baby See Colors?
My Baby’s Eyes Sometimes ‘Cross’ or Don’t Seem To Follow Objects Very Well. Is That Normal?
When Can My Baby Recognize My Face?

Over the first month or two of life, babies become very interested in facial features and begin to spend significant waking moments studying those around them. They start to smile socially and reciprocate simple expressions and movements of the face (like sticking out their tongue when this is done to them!). New infants during this time also begin to make sing-song like noises that we call “cooing” and will use these sounds when spoken to–very satisfying, indeed, to new parents.

These are the beginnings of babies’ socialization and point out the evolution in their vision and other important early brain changes.

Do you have questions concerning your baby’s vision or development? Give us a call at 415.826.1701.

Online Breast Feeding Resource

jgetzelman — Fri, 14 May 2010 03:11:01 +0000

Dr. Jack Newman’s website provides excellent information for nursing mothers. He has tips on everything from thrush and sore nipples to breast feeding the toddler.

Counseling Home Visits for New Parents

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:32:47 +0000

Counseling Home Visits for New Parents – Sharon Epel, an experienced licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and mother of two, offers house calls for new parents. Sharon provides education, support, and counseling in the comfort of your home to help with the emotional and physical demands of caring for a new baby. Sessions can address bonding, adjustment, anxiety, and help identify post partum depression. Home visits may aid in increasing parents’ confidence and joy in their new roles and smooth the transition to becoming a family.

Lactation Consultations in Your Home

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:26:05 +0000

Lactation Consultations in Your Home – GetzWell Pediatrics is committed to helping new mothers breastfeed successfully. Our board certified Lactation Consultant, Mary Janowitz, is available for visits in the comfort of your home in order to address your breastfeeding questions or challenges. Whether you have an issue with painful, inverted or flat nipples, latch issues, blocked milk ducts, mastitis, or insufficient milk production, GetzWell Pediatrics can help!

*House Calls are only available in San Francisco and Pacifica.

Newborn House Calls

admin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:18:39 +0000

Newborn House Calls – Transitioning to your role as new parent can be both exciting and daunting. In order to help your family ease into its new rhythms, GetzWell Pediatrics offers newborn house calls* within 2 – 3 days of your child’s birth. House calls allow our board certified pediatricians to spend unhurried time (usually 75 minutes) to complete a thorough history and exam, assist with breastfeeding, answer questions and begin the education process that is at the heart of our integrative medicine approach, all in the comfort of your home.

*House Calls are only available in San Francisco.

Omega-3s during pregnancy and while breast feeding

admin — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:22:30 +0000

Wild, cold water fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, herring, and sardines are the best source of the essential fatty acids called omega-3s. These fats are not only important for a baby’s developing brain and visual system, but also keep mother’s immune system and that of the developing baby functioning optimally. As long as pregnant women eat small, wild (not farm raised) cold water fish they will minimize exposure to mercury which can be harmful to developing infants. Three (3-4 ounce) servings per week of these small wild fish provide the omega-3s mom and baby need. (Try canned wild salmon which can be prepared like tuna salad and is delicious.) While pregnant, women should never eat raw fish. No sushi during pregnancy!
Because omega-3 fatty acids are not produced by our bodies, it is important to supply these essential oils, if not by eating fish then by taking a fish oil supplement. A pharmaceutical grade fish oil supplement will have no detectable heavy metals and will cause no fishy burps, even in pregnancy. It is important to purchase a reputable brand such as Nordic naturals, Carlson’s or Pharmax and to take at least 300mg of DHA and 500mg EPA daily.
It’s important that a breast feeding mother’s diet include small cold water fish and/or fish oil in order for her breast milk to pass adequate amounts of the essential fatty acids to baby. If she doesn’t eat fish or supplement with fish oil, her milk will have very low quantities of the omega-3s. Infant formulas add these omega-3s because they are so widely recognized to be essential to optimal brain growth, a reminder that all breast feeding women need omega-3s in their diets.
Dr. Getzelman’s Favorite Fish Taco Recipe
- 3-4 oz per person of sole or other white fish–cook for about 2 minutes on each side in olive oil and chopped garlic (season to taste with a pinch of sea salt). Be careful not to overcook and cause fish to dry out. Set aside, keeping fish warm.
- warm up corn tortillas (preferably organic which are available at Bi-Rite or Whole Foods) in tin foil in the oven at 325 F for 15 minutes
- quarter sweet cherry tomatoes using a sharp knife (Del Cabo brand is organic and these tomatoes are delicious); cut a ripe avocado into bite size pieces; wash and chop several sprigs of fresh cilantro; finely chop half of a medium size red onion
- combine the tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, and onion and squeeze the juice of a lime on the mix; add a pinch of sea salt (and a small sprinkle of cayenne for a kick!) and toss these salsa ingredients; put in the fridge to keep cool
- place 1 to2 warm tortillas on each plate, cover with fish, and generously spoon fresh salsa on top
- serve with lime wedges, and rice, beans or a green salad and VOILA– it’s a meal in under half an hour!