Dear Abby,

My newborn daughter seems to sleep all the time. Sometimes she wakes up just long
enough to eat. Is that normal? The worst part is that she is more likely to be awake at
night than during the day. My friend says I should not let her start any bad habits and
should be insistent on a schedule where she eats during the day and sleeps at night.
I've tried to let her cry it out a few times, but it seems to be hard on all of us. Also, she
seems to sleep better when she sleeps with us. Is this OK? Is it dangerous for her to
sleep with us? Lastly, is it better if she sleeps on her stomach or her back?
Tired in Tennessee

Dear Tired in Tennessee,

Thank you for reaching out, parenting can be stressful especially if your baby keeps waking up
or do not want to sleep. Your newborn daughter’s behavior is very normal no need to worry
about. Newborn babies’ majority of the time they are asleep. Parents' reaction to an infant’s
sleep shapes the baby’s sleep pattern. They need sleep for their development, when the baby
gets the right amount of sleep, they are less fussy, easier to soothe, more responsive. A well-
rested baby is a happy baby! Newborn spend most time sleeping about 15-17hrs a day (Berger,
2018.p 137). The number of hours of sleep for your baby decreases the more she gets older, do
not panicked when it happens, it is very normal. Co-sleeping is good for the babies they sleep
better when they sleep with you because they feel safe and comfortable but there are
advantages and disadvantages of co-sleeping. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics
says parents should never let their baby sleep in the bed with them citing the risk of
suffocation, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other sleep-related deaths. Regarding
your question about if your baby should sleep on her stomach or back. It is recommended for
your baby to sleep on her back. according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the baby
should be placed on a flat and firm surface, on her back not on her stomach, in a crib or
bassinet without any additional pillows, bedding, blankets, or toys. These recommendations all
apply to all sleep time including naps and overnight.
Here is a wonderful article that you can check out, it talks about the pros and cons of a family
bed or co-sleeping.
https://www.parents.com/baby/sleep/co-sleeping/the-pros-and-cons-of-the-family-bed/
I hope it helps.

Best Regards,
Abby.
Dear Abby,
I've heard that many childhood illnesses have been almost eliminated, and that you're
more likely to get the disease from the immunization than the environment. What
immunizations are still recommended? At what age should infants begin receiving
immunizations? I've heard that immunizations might be linked to autism or SIDS. Is that
true? How can I keep my baby safe?
Immunized in Indiana

Dear Immunized in Indiana,

Thank you for reaching out. There is a childhood disease that has been eradicated like
smallpox or polio because of vaccines. Immunization is not just for children it is for everyone; it
can protect us against communicable diseases or any other agent causing disease.
Immunization protects people we love. It can save future generation. Can help us develop
immunity to fight against bacteria and viruses. According to the Center for Disease Control, it
isn’t very common to get infected with the disease if you are vaccinated, but it can happen
depending on the vaccine, about 1% to 5% of children who are vaccinated fails to develop
immunity. According to the CDC at birth before living the hospital your baby receives at first
three doses of vaccines that protects against the Hepatitis B virus. Immunization is not just a
one-time event it comes in a series of doses; I will include a link of the recommended
immunization and age for an infant along with the corresponding vaccines. Regarding what you
heard that immunization can be linked to autism or SIDS, there are no medical studies that can
prove that immunization can be linked to Autism.
I hope this information will help ease your mind.
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/vaccines-age.html
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/tools/parents-guide/parents-guide-
part4.html#:~:text=Q%3A%20Can%20a%20child%20get,disease%2C%20they%20could%20get
%20sick.

Best regards,
Abby