Dr. Ananya Sharma Pediatrician & Neonatologist

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New Parents Guide

Evidence-based resources to help you navigate the beautiful chaos of parenthood. Bookmark this page — you'll come back to it at 3 AM.

IAP 2024

Vaccination Schedule

Based on Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) 2024 guidelines. Painless options available for all injectable vaccines.

Age	Vaccines
Birth	BCG, OPV-0, Hepatitis B-1
6 weeks	DTwP/DTaP-1, IPV-1, Hep B-2, Hib-1, Rotavirus-1, PCV-1
10 weeks	DTwP/DTaP-2, IPV-2, Hib-2, Rotavirus-2, PCV-2
14 weeks	DTwP/DTaP-3, IPV-3, Hib-3, Rotavirus-3, PCV-3
6 months	OPV-1, Hep B-3, Influenza-1
7 months	Influenza-2
9 months	MMR-1, Typhoid Conjugate
12 months	Hepatitis A-1, PCV Booster
15 months	MMR-2, Varicella-1
16–18 months	DTwP/DTaP B1, IPV B1, Hib B1
18 months	Hepatitis A-2
4–6 years	DTwP/DTaP B2, IPV B2, Varicella-2, MMR-3 (if needed)
10–12 years	Tdap, HPV (2 doses)

I send WhatsApp reminders before each vaccine is due. No more missed doses.

Development

Developmental Milestones

Every child develops at their own pace. These are general guidelines — not deadlines. If you're concerned, let's talk.

2 months

Social smile, follows objects with eyes, lifts head briefly

4 months

Laughs, reaches for objects, holds head steady, rolls over

6 months

Sits with support, babbles, transfers objects between hands

9 months

Sits without support, crawls, says "mama/dada" (non-specific), stranger anxiety

12 months

Stands alone, 1–2 words with meaning, pincer grasp, waves bye-bye

18 months

Walks well, 10–15 words, points to show things, scribbles

2 years

2-word phrases, runs, kicks ball, follows 2-step instructions

3 years

Sentences, pedals tricycle, draws circle, plays with other children

Guides

Practical Guides for Parents

When to Call the Doctor

• Fever above 100.4°F (38°C) in babies under 3 months — always call
• Fever above 104°F (40°C) at any age
• Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, or chest retractions
• Refusing to feed for more than 8 hours
• Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking up
• Rash with fever that doesn't blanch when pressed
• Fewer than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours (dehydration)
• Persistent vomiting (can't keep anything down for 6+ hours)

Fever Management at Home

• Paracetamol (Crocin/Calpol): 15mg/kg every 4–6 hours
• Ibuprofen (Brufen): 10mg/kg every 6–8 hours (above 6 months only)
• Tepid sponging with room-temperature water (NOT cold water)
• Light clothing — don't bundle up a feverish child
• Push fluids: breast milk, ORS, coconut water, dal water
• Fever itself is not dangerous — it's the body fighting infection
• Antibiotics do NOT treat viral fevers — most fevers are viral

Newborn Care Essentials

• Room temperature: 25–28°C — babies can't regulate temperature well
• Breastfeed on demand — at least 8–12 times in 24 hours
• Burp after every feed — hold upright for 10–15 minutes
• Umbilical cord: keep dry, clean with water only, falls off in 7–14 days
• First stool (meconium) is black-green — this is normal
• Skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) for at least 1 hour daily
• No kajal, honey, or gripe water — these are not safe for newborns

Starting Solids (6 months)

• Start at 6 months — not before, not much after
• Begin with single-ingredient purees: dal water, rice cereal, mashed banana
• Introduce one new food every 3 days (to spot allergies)
• No salt, sugar, or honey before 1 year
• Egg yolk from 6 months, whole egg from 8 months
• Continue breastfeeding alongside solids until at least 2 years
• Texture progression: puree → mashed → soft lumps → finger foods
• Common allergens (peanut, egg, wheat) — introduce early, not late

Have a question?

No question is too small. If you're worried, I want to hear about it.

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