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Bill Stratbucker, M.D., a pediatrician at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital, West Michigan's largest teaching hospital, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, says newborn babies raise a different set of questions than babies a few weeks old, but he hears a lot of the same concerns from parents coming in for well visits....

Why does my baby have a rash? 
"Almost all babies have some type of benign rash in the first few days of life and some are lucky enough to have more than one," says Stratbucker. "Parents have seen many pictures of babies and none have rashes in magazine pictures, for example, so it is not too hard to explain why rashes are of high concern." Another type of mostly benign rash that can appear from week two to week eight, says Stratbucker, is baby acne, a harmless batch of pimples or redness that will fade with time.

Why does my baby cry so much?
"New parents have no frame of reference for what is a normal amount of crying," explains Stratbucker. "Repeat parents might have had a previous baby who cried less than average. The baby may have a medical problem and colic is a common concern in infants."

Jennifer Walker, RN, BSN, author, and co-founder of MomsOnCall.com, also hears a lot of questions about babies crying. "They have to burn off some pent-up energy before they get that long stretch of sleep at night and in the evenings they tend to be fussy," she explains. "They can have every need met, the room is the right temperature, their diaper is clean, they have been well fed and they look right at you and cry."

Walker explains that this is not unusual and having a reliable nighttime routine helps minimize the stress. "But babies do let off some energy at this time in the evening and since they are not taking a jog around the block anytime soon, they have this evening fussiness and it does not mean that you are doing something wrong." She also adds, "Healthy babies both breast and bottle fed can be sleeping 9-11 hours in a row at night by the time they are between 2 1/2 and 3 months old."

Walker helped create book with instructional DVD that shows parents how to do things like take a rectal temp to properly swaddling a baby, to getting babies on schedule, all things she's been asked time and again as a pediatric nurse. "We developed this after fielding literally thousands of calls from parents and realizing that parents have the same questions that are not being addressed."

Other topics that Walker says are of concern to most parents with newborns includes how to suction the nose, clip nails and -- for moms who aren't able to breatfeed -- figuring out which formula to use.

Which formula is the "right" formula for my baby?
"Formulas are not interchangeable – once you have started on one brand and type, stick with it," suggests Walker. "Every change in formula sets off a three- to five-day adjustment period for baby's digestive system that can result in increased gassiness and fussiness." Walker also suggests getting all changes in formula approved by your pediatrician.

Why is my baby constipated? 
This is another question Dr. Stratbucker hears from parents quite often. "They ask this because the stools change dramatically in quality and frequency in the first three months.  Babies also make many noises and turn red during bowel movements, but that is normal." Walker adds, "Once the baby is one to two months old, bowel movements can be normal as frequently as every feeding to as infrequently as once a week."

Charlotte Cowan, M.D., a pediatrician who trained and worked for years at Boston's MassGeneral Hospital for Children and also served on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, left her practice several years ago to write stories for children about the issues and illnesses important to them.

Endless questions
"Newborn babies provide a great challenge to their parents," says Cowan.  Common questions she's received include: How do I know when the baby has had enough to eat? Is this diaper wet, wet enough? Is this diarrhea or normal, enough stool? What are these (pointing to spots/rashes one kind or another that will disappear with time.) How long should my baby sleep? Is it okay to let my baby cry when I put him down? Is it okay to have the baby in our bed? In our bedroom? Why can't I breastfeed in the car? How do I cut my baby's nails?

"Of course, people all [refer] to their families, mothers, grandmothers and sisters and friends – some of whom are great and some of whom are outdated and well-meaning, but may be wrong."

"There are websites about pediatric issues, but they tend to be focused on illnesses rather than normal parenting especially with babies," says Cowan.  Sites she likes include DrGreen.com, as well as books like "Heading Home with Your Newborn" by Jennifer Shu, MD, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.