47 - Real Emergency or Newborn Glitch? How to Know When to Head to the ER (and When to Breathe Instead) with Dr. Kailey Buller

Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies and the Battle for Sleep

Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies and the Battle for Sleep
47 - Real Emergency or Newborn Glitch? How to Know When to Head to the ER (and When to Breathe Instead) with Dr. Kailey Buller
Jan 20, 2026 Season 2 Episode 47
Doula Deb

Send us a text

Ever wondered if your baby’s weird noises, twitchy movements, or late-night fussing are totally normal—or something to panic about? In this week’s episode of Doula Talk: Postpartum, Babies, and the Battle for Sleep, Deb is joined by Dr. Kailey Buller, a double board-certified physician in family and emergency medicine (and mom of two), to demystify what’s normal, what’s not, and when it’s time to head to the ER.

Together, they unpack the confusing world of newborn behaviors like those gremlin grunts, gagging fits, and twitchy limbs, and walk you through the real red flags that every new parent should know. You’ll learn how to spot signs of true emergencies, build confidence in your instincts, and approach those “is my baby okay?” moments with calm instead of chaos.

If you’ve ever found yourself googling “newborn breathing normal or not” at 2 a.m., this episode is your permission slip to step away from the panic spiral and tune into what’s really going on.

Key Takeaways:

  • Most middle-of-the-night worries are not emergencies—babies are just weird little humans learning how their bodies work.
  • True emergencies include fever in a baby under 30 days, trouble breathing, dehydration (no wet diaper for 12+ hours), or unresponsiveness.
  • If your gut says something’s wrong, that visit is justified—even if it’s not urgent.
  • You’re not supposed to be the expert in everything. You’re supposed to be the expert in your baby.
  • Trust your instincts. You know your baby best.

Resources Mentioned:

Or click here to learn more about how I can support you at www.douladeb.com!

Support the show

Thank you for listening! Tune in next time for more insights and support on your parenting journey.

Contact Information:
Doula Deb: www.DoulaDeb.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doula.deb/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/debdoula
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doula.deb
Twitter: https://twitter.com/doula_deb

Disclaimer:
The content in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized advice and information.

Episode Artwork 47 - Real Emergency or Newborn Glitch? How to Know When to Head to the ER (and When to Breathe Instead) with Dr. Kailey Buller 36:44 Episode Artwork 46 - From Maiden to Mother: The Identity Shift No One Prepares You For (Guest: Anna Lundqvist) 36:05 Episode Artwork Welcome to Season 2: Stability Over Perfection — A Gentle Reset for Parents 5:45 Episode Artwork 45 - Why You Can’t Relax After Birth (and What Your Nervous System Has to Do With It) with Dr. Avery Champagne 48:13 Episode Artwork 44 - The Realities of Traveling with a Baby 37:00 Episode Artwork 43 - Navigating the Holidays as a New Family: Finding Joy, Setting Boundaries & Ditching the Guilt 10:17 Episode Artwork 42 - Beyond the Latch: How Tongue Ties Shape Airway, Sleep, and Development (Guest: Brittany Hageman) 54:36 Episode Artwork 41 - When Worry Won’t Stop: Postpartum Anxiety & OCD Explained (Guests: Dr. Angie Maxwell, PT, DPT, WCS & Laura Meader, LICSW) 1:04:32 Episode Artwork 40 - Back to Work: Easing the Transition After Maternity Leave 12:48 Episode Artwork 39 - Lactation Support Without the Shame: A Conversation with Emily Ager LM, IBCLC 1:14:14 Episode Artwork 38 - Postpartum Must-Haves: What to Buy for You (Not Just the Baby) After Birth 14:55 Episode Artwork 37 - Why Is My Newborn Crying?! Soothe with Intuition (Not Guilt) 15:11 Episode Artwork 36 - From Bump to Baby: How Chiropractic Supports Pregnancy, Postpartum, Infants & Children (Guest: Dr. Emma Swartling from Lumos Chiropractic) 56:19 Episode Artwork 35 - Movement, Mindset, and Magic—The Body Ready Birth Workshop (Guest: Adrianne Buyer) 51:08 Episode Artwork 34 - Trust Your Gut, Not Just the Books: Tapping Into Parental Intuition Around Sleep 12:39 Episode Artwork 33 - The Hierarchy of Soothing: A Gentle Guide for Sleep-Deprived Parents 15:02 Episode Artwork 32 - What You’re Really Paying For When You Hire a Sleep Doula 10:50 Episode Artwork 31 - How to Support Your Hormones in Postpartum Recovery and Beyond (Guest: Ashley Rocha, Herbalist and CEO of LadyWell) 33:09 Episode Artwork 30 - Monthly Doula Check-Ins: Real Support for Real Life in the First Year 8:08 Episode Artwork 29 - Understanding Postpartum Mood Disorders (Dr. Angie Maxwell, PT, DPT, WCS and Laura Meader, LICSW) 1:04:34 Episode Artwork 28 - Relationship Changes After Baby: How to Protect Your Family Bubble in Postpartum (Guest: Angharad Hollingworth) 54:14 Episode Artwork 27 - Returning to Work After Baby: What Jamie Wishes She Knew (Guest: Jamie Blackall) 56:30 Episode Artwork 26 - In Flow: Reclaiming Your Rhythm, Redefining Productivity (Guest: Kasia Stiggelbout from In Flow Planner) 1:03:06 Episode Artwork 25 - Pelvic Floor Truths Every Pregnant Person Should Know (But Probably Wasn’t Told)(Guest: Dr. Mandi Murtaugh) 1:15:25 Episode Artwork 24 - Birth Stories from Hawaii - Deb & Beth Share Their Wildly Different (But Equally Beautiful) Journeys (Guest - Beth James & Ellie Jimenez) 38:47