The questions parents ask most often

The first assessment after discharge is usually carried out within the first days of life. It covers weight gain, feeding patterns, jaundice, umbilical care and whether newborn screening tests have been completed. Gestational age, birth weight and the hospital course may affect the timing.

The most reliable indicators are weight gain, the number of wet nappies per day, stooling pattern and the baby's general alertness. Positioning and effective latch during breastfeeding are also assessed in the clinic.

Jaundice starting within the first 24 hours, rapidly rising bilirubin, jaundice lasting beyond two weeks, pale stools or dark urine require detailed assessment. See the prolonged jaundice guide for details.

In Türkiye, vitamin D supplementation is routinely recommended from the newborn period onwards. Dose and duration are determined by the physician according to the baby's age, feeding method and clinical situation.

Recurrent, inconsolable periods of irritability in a healthy, well-growing baby may suggest colic. However, if there is slowed weight gain, vomiting, blood in the stool or fever, the picture is not considered colic. Detailed guide.

Mild fever, irritability or redness at the injection site may occur within the first 24–48 hours after some vaccines; this is an expected immune response. In infants under 3 months, fever always requires medical assessment.

No. Delayed vaccines are generally not restarted; they are completed from where they left off according to catch-up schedules. Bringing the vaccination card to the appointment helps with planning.

These vaccines sit outside the national schedule but still protect against the relevant diseases. Whether they are given is assessed according to the child's age, risk status, environmental factors such as nursery attendance, and the family's informed preference.

Many vaccines can be given in the same session at different sites; this does not reduce the immune response. Which vaccines can be combined is planned by the physician.

A body temperature of 38 °C or above is generally accepted as fever. Because the measurement method can affect the result, how the temperature was taken also matters.

No. The height of the fever alone does not indicate severity. The child's general condition, fluid intake, alertness, breathing and accompanying findings are far more informative.

• Fever of 38 °C or above in an infant under 3 months
• A purple-red rash that does not fade under pressure
• Marked lethargy or difficulty waking
• Rapid or laboured breathing, bluish discolouration
• Neck stiffness, or a first-ever seizure
• Inability to take fluids, markedly reduced urine output

Alternating between different antipyretics should not be done without medical advice, as it carries a risk of dosing confusion. The dose is based on the child's weight.

No. Transient wheezing triggered by viral infections is common in the first years of life and most cases do not progress to an asthma diagnosis. Assessment considers episode frequency, triggers, night-time symptoms, family history and treatment response together.

A spacer is recommended for children using a metered-dose inhaler; it markedly increases the amount of medication reaching the lungs. Detailed guide.

A barking cough, hoarseness and a harsh sound on breathing in suggest croup. Stridor at rest, retractions or bluish discolouration require urgent care. Croup guide.

Several upper respiratory infections per year are expected in children newly starting nursery. However, severe infections, effects on growth or recurrent pneumonia may warrant further assessment.

The general approach is to start at around 6 months, also taking developmental readiness into account. Timing may differ depending on gestational age, growth curve, allergy risk and the individual situation.

Vitamin and mineral supplementation is not routinely recommended without an identified deficiency or risk. Need is determined from feeding history, growth curve and, where necessary, laboratory results. Vitamin D supplementation is routinely recommended by age.

It can be insidious. Pallor, tiring easily, poor appetite, irritability and reduced attention span may occur; some children have no symptoms. Diagnosis is made with blood tests.

Adjusting fluid and fibre intake and structuring toilet habits are the first steps; medication support is added where advised. Blood in the stool, weight loss or severe constipation starting in early infancy require further assessment.

The trajectory of the curve over time is more meaningful than a single measurement. A child who consistently follows their own curve is generally considered healthy; a marked drop requires assessment.

Visits are planned more intensively in the first year and less frequently thereafter. The schedule is set according to the child's age, immunisation plan and any specific circumstances.

Reduced response to sound or to their own name, loss of an acquired skill, persistently reduced eye contact and social interaction, and marked delay in expected language development all require assessment.

Limiting screen time in young children and choosing content with a parent present are recommended. Avoiding screens at mealtimes and before sleep benefits both feeding and sleep patterns.