Is This Normal? Crying, Gas, Reflux & When to Call the Pediatrician with Dr. Nilay Donmez

Episode Summary Newborns are weird — they grunt, strain, spit up, cry for seemingly no reason, and somehow make every new parent wonder: "Is this normal?" In this episode of Since I Became a Mother, Taylor sits down with triple board-certified pediatrician Dr. Nilay Donmez to talk through the newborn behaviors that worry parents most. They discuss crying, gas, reflux, witching hour, feeding, hydration, and how to tell the difference between normal newborn behavior and something that actually needs medical attention. In This Episode * What normal newborn behavior actually looks like * Why babies cry and what witching hour really is * Gas, grunting, straining, and digestive discomfort * Infant reflux and when it becomes a concern * How to know when to call the pediatrician * Newborn red flags parents should never ignore * How to manage the anxiety of constantly wondering whether something is wrong Guest Dr. Nilay Donmez is a triple board-certified pediatrician in general pediatrics, pediatric nephrology, and obesity medicine and the founder of First Steps Pediatrics in Tribeca. Her practice focuses on personalized, relationship-based pediatric care, with a particular emphasis on newborns, early childhood, prevention, and the first 1,000 days of a child's life. She also shares practical pediatric education with parents through her @doctorforkids platform. Website: https://www.firststepspediatricsnyc.com/ [https://www.firststepspediatricsnyc.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorforkids/ Resources Mentioned * What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff * Eat, Sleep, Poop: A Common Sense Guide to Your Baby's First Year by Scott W. Cohen, MD Connect With Taylor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorraeroman/ TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorraeroman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorRaeRoman ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/shop/taylorraeroman Amazon Storefront: https://a.co/d/0cNsmkdY Join the Community STRONG (As a Mother) Run Club: https://taylorraeroman.com/run-club Work With Taylor Partnerships, speaking & inquiries: https://taylorraeroman.com [https://taylorraeroman.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Disclaimer The information shared on Since I Became a Mother is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical, mental health, or other professional advice. Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider about questions related to you or your child. Credits Host: Taylor Rae Roman Podcast: Since I Became a Mother Artwork: WK Creative Studio Photography: Ambe J. Williams © 2026 Since I Became a Mother. All rights reserved.