The Hep B Vaccine: What New Parents Need to Know Right Now

The Hep B Vaccine: What New Parents Need to Know Right Now

The hepatitis B vaccine used to be universal at birth. Now, for the first time in decades, the recommendation has changed. Dr. Dua explains why the hepatitis B vaccine was given at birth, what has and hasn't changed, and how she thinks about it with her own patients. She walks through the real risks for babies (very different from adults), the role of maternal screening, and when it might be acceptable to wait.

The Most Important Shot?

Of all the things that happen in your baby's first hours of life, the vitamin K shot might be the most important. But what is it and why do babies need it? Dr. Dua explains what vitamin K actually does, why babies are uniquely vulnerable, and the evolutionary and environmental reasons they can't get enough on their own.

Breastfeeding vs. Formula

Most parents think of breastfeeding and formula as an either/or decision. Often times, it's more complex than that. Dr. Dua breaks down the science of breast milk, from DHA and brain development to immunoglobulins that formula can't replicate, and the two-way feedback loop where your body customizes milk based on your baby's saliva. But she also gets honest about how hard breastfeeding actually is (even for a pediatrician).

Does my baby taste salty to you?

About 24 hours after birth, a nurse takes your baby, pricks their heel, and drops blood onto a card. But what are they actually testing for?  Dr. Dua explains the newborn screen — the simple test that catches rare but  serious conditions like sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and PKU before symptoms ever appear. Plus, the wild history of doctors who used to literally taste babies to diagnose disease.

The Eye Goop

You just had a baby, and before you can even hold them, a nurse is squeezing ointment into their eyes. What is it? Why do they do it? Dr. Dua breaks down erythromycin ointment — the routine newborn  eye treatment that prevents a surprisingly serious infection — and explains why it's still given to every baby born in the US.