52 Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician Before You Leave the Hospital (Newborn Checklist)

Compiled by real parents — from the IPF moms community

If you’re a new parent, chances are you’ve already Googled some version of: “Is my baby feeding enough?” “Is this poop normal?” “When should I actually worry about a fever?”

You’re not alone. This checklist wasn’t written by a single expert sitting at a desk — it was crowdsourced from hundreds of parents in the IPF community, comparing notes on what they wished they’d asked their pediatrician and lactation consultant before leaving the hospital, not three sleepless nights later.

Below are 52 real questions, organized by the situations you’ll actually run into in the first few weeks — feeding, poop, jaundice, sleep, vaccines, and more.

A note before you dive in: This is a discussion checklist, not medical advice. Every baby is different, and only your pediatrician can advise on medication, feeding, or treatment decisions for your newborn.

Quick-Reference: Which Section Do You Need Right Now?

1. Newborn Health & Temperature

Newborns can’t tell you when something’s wrong, so knowing the difference between “watch and wait” and “call the doctor now” matters more than almost anything else on this list.

• What room temperature should we maintain for the baby?
• What temperature counts as a fever in a newborn?
• What should we do if the baby develops a fever?
• Which fever medicines, if any, are appropriate for a newborn?
• Which medicines are safe to use in an emergency?
• What are the danger signs that mean we should contact the doctor or go to the hospital immediately?
• How can we tell if the baby is unwell even without obvious crying or symptoms?

Ask directly: “Can you specifically list the symptoms that need urgent medical attention, so I’m not just guessing from how the baby looks?”

2. Feeding, Breastfeeding & Milk Supply

Feeding is the single biggest source of new-parent anxiety in our community’s polls — and for good reason, since a baby’s feeding pattern can look “wrong” while actually being completely normal.

• How many hours is it okay for the baby to go without milk?
• How can we tell if the baby is satisfied after a feed?
• How do we know the baby is getting enough breast milk?
• How should we monitor the baby’s weight gain?
• At every visit, can you confirm the baby’s growth is on track?
• What signs should we monitor for adequate pee and poop?
• How many wet diapers and bowel movements are expected in the first few weeks?
• Can a newborn go several days without pooping — and how long is too long?
• What should we do if the baby isn’t pooping?
• Does caffeine affect breast milk supply or keep the baby awake?
• Is lying-down breastfeeding at night okay?
• Is it normal for the baby to vomit at night without crying?
• If feeding has gone well for 2–3 days straight, does that generally mean things are on track?

If breastfeeding isn’t going as expected

• Would a lactation assessment help?
• Is pumping necessary — or should it be avoided in the first few months?
• Can pumping increase milk supply?
• When might supplementation be recommended?
• How do we supplement without unintentionally interfering with breastfeeding?

3. Formula, Top-Ups & Bottles

• If formula or a top-up is needed, which type suits our baby?
• What formula should we keep on hand for an emergency?
• How much should the baby receive per feed?
• How should formula be prepared and stored safely?
• If we’d rather avoid a bottle, what other feeding methods work?
• When can bottles be introduced for breast milk or formula?
• How do we introduce a bottle without disrupting breastfeeding?

4. Baby’s Pee, Poop & Diapers

Newborn poop changes dramatically in the first days — which catches almost every first-time parent off guard.

• What poop colours are normal, and which are concerning?
• How many wet diapers should the baby have each day?
• How do we monitor pee/poop closely in the first 2–3 weeks?
• How can diapers tell us if the baby is getting enough milk?
• What should we do if the baby doesn’t poop for a day or more?
• When is infrequent pooping normal, and when does it need attention?

Diaper rash

• How do we identify diaper rash?
• Which diaper-rash creams are safe for a newborn?
• How often should we change diapers?
• Are there ingredients in diaper products we should avoid?

5. Jaundice & Newborn Check-Ups

• Jaundice can appear a few days after delivery — will the baby be tested for it?
• How will jaundice be monitored after we go home?
• What signs of worsening jaundice should we watch for?
• When should we call the pediatrician about it?
• When is the baby’s next appointment, and what will be checked?
• Are the baby’s weight and growth on track?
• Are any additional tests needed?

6. Vaccinations & Routine Care

• What’s the baby’s vaccination schedule — can we get it in writing?
• Which vaccines are due at each appointment?
• What should we expect after vaccination?
• What’s the difference between a normal reaction and a concerning one?
• What’s the difference between more and less painful vaccines?
• What should we do if the baby has a fever or seems uncomfortable after a shot?

7. Umbilical Cord Care

• How should we care for the umbilical stump — is “leave it alone” really the rule?
• What if it leaks or has a little blood?
• What does an infected stump look like, and what are the warning signs?
• How long does it usually take to fall off?

8. Bathing, Massage & Baby Hygiene

• When can we start bathing the baby, and can it be done at night?
• How often should a newborn be bathed?
• Which products, if any, are actually necessary?
• Which massage oil suits a newborn?
• Should the genital area be massaged, or left alone?
• Are there areas we should avoid during massage?

9. Baby’s Skin & Body Care

• Which lotions or moisturisers suit newborn skin?
• Is it safe to apply lotion to the baby’s hands, given how often they go in the mouth?
• How do we tell normal skin changes apart from a rash needing attention?
• Which products should we avoid on newborn skin?

10. Sleep, Co-Sleeping & Safe Sleep

• What’s the safest sleeping arrangement for our baby?
• If we co-sleep, what safety measures should we follow?
• Should a pillow ever go under the baby’s head?
• What should the sleep surface and bedding look like?
• Is lying-down breastfeeding at night safe, and what precautions apply?
• What should we do if the baby falls asleep while feeding?

The goal here is understanding safe sleep practices — not finding tricks to make the baby sleep longer.

11. Caps, Mittens & Clothing

• How long are mittens actually necessary?
• How long should the baby wear a cap?
• How many layers does the baby need?
• How can we tell if the baby is too hot or too cold?

12. Gas, Hiccups & Crying

• How can we tell if crying is from gas versus something else?
• What signs suggest discomfort rather than hunger?
• What’s the correct way to burp the baby?
• What should we do about hiccups?
• When is crying normal, and when should we be concerned?

13. Medicines & Common Newborn Problems

• Which medicines should we keep at home?
• Which are actually safe for a newborn?
• What should we use for a blocked nose?
• Which medicines should never be given without medical advice first?
• What should we do if the baby develops colic?

Important: Don’t medicate a newborn based on advice from another parent, social media, or a leftover prescription — always confirm the medicine and dose with your pediatrician.

14. Pacifiers

• Can we use a pacifier if we want to?
• When’s the right time to introduce one?
• Could it affect breastfeeding?
• How should we clean and maintain it?

15. Going Outside With a Newborn

• When can we take the baby out for a walk?
• Are short outdoor walks okay in the early weeks?
• Are there places we should avoid with a newborn?
• How do we protect the baby from heat, cold, or sun?
• What precautions apply around crowds or unwell people?

16. Maternal Diet, Medicines & Breastfeeding

• Does the mother’s diet affect the baby?
• Are there foods to avoid while breastfeeding?
• How much caffeine is okay, and can it affect the baby’s sleep?
• Are common medicines like cetirizine or paracetamol compatible with breastfeeding?
• Should we check with a doctor before any OTC medicine while breastfeeding?

17. “Something Feels Off” — The Catch-All Question

Sometimes a baby just seems different: sleeping more than usual, feeding differently, crying more, vomiting, a change in poop pattern, fewer wet diapers, or acting differently at night.

Instead of trying to self-diagnose, our community’s top-voted question to ask at the newborn visit is simply:

“What changes in behaviour, feeding, sleep, pee, or poop should make us call you?”

Getting a clear answer to this one question can save you a lot of 2 a.m. anxiety.

Printable Checklist: Before You Leave the Hospital

Before discharge, make sure you know:

• How to feed the baby and how often
• How to tell if the baby is getting enough milk
• Expected wet diapers and bowel movements
• Normal vs. concerning poop colours
• How to monitor jaundice at home
• Umbilical stump care
• Bathing and skin care basics
• Safe sleep recommendations
• What counts as a fever
• Symptoms that need urgent medical attention
• Which medicines are safe to have on hand
• The vaccination schedule
• The next pediatrician appointment date
• How to reach the pediatrician after hours
• Whether a lactation consultant is needed
• How to monitor weight gain going forward

FAQs: Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician

How many questions should I ask at my newborn’s first pediatrician visit? There’s no fixed number — this list has 52, organized by topic, so you can pick what’s relevant to your baby rather than asking all of them at once. Feeding, jaundice, and safe sleep are usually the highest priority for the first visit.

What should I ask a lactation consultant specifically? Focus on whether the baby is transferring milk effectively, whether a weight check is needed, whether pumping is necessary, and how to supplement (if needed) without disrupting breastfeeding.

What are the biggest warning signs new parents should never ignore in a newborn? A fever in a very young infant, no wet diapers for a stretched period, unusual lethargy, and worsening jaundice are commonly flagged as reasons to call the pediatrician immediately — but always confirm your baby’s specific thresholds with your own doctor.

Should I write my questions down before the appointment? Yes — pediatrician visits move fast, and it’s easy to forget what you meant to ask. Writing questions down (or saving this checklist) also makes it easier to take notes on the answers.

Is it normal to feel like I have too many questions as a new parent? Completely. This entire checklist exists because parents in our community felt the same way — there’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to a newborn.

One Last Tip

You don’t need to memorize everything your pediatrician tells you in one sitting. Write your questions down beforehand, take notes during the visit, and ask them to explain anything that’s unclear.

The goal isn’t to become an expert overnight — it’s to know what’s normal for your baby, what you can manage at home, and when it’s time to call for help.

Getting your newborn essentials sorted doesn’t have to be expensive or stressful either. On IPF, you can find gently-used bassinets, feeding and pumping gear, sleep sacks, and more from other verified parents in your city — with in-app escrow protection and doorstep pickup/drop, so you’re not paying full price (or making a hospital-bag trip to the store) for things your baby will outgrow in months. [Browse newborn essentials on IPF →]