It’s a delicate balance when you’re a new parent. You don’t want to call the doctor for every little hiccup, cough or bump, but you also don’t want to overlook serious health issues your child may have. Do not ignore the symptoms discussed under the situations below:...CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
1. Fever
If an infant under the age of three months has a true fever, a rectal temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius, he or she must be evaluated by their paediatrician. Doctors will perform a physical exam since a fever (no matter what the number is) isn’t always going to indicate what is wrong.
Fevers typically spike when the body is fighting off some sort of infection. But regardless of their cause, they can be uncomfortable for your baby. When your child has a fever, you may notice he or she needs more fluids, has an increased heart rate, has problems sleeping or may be grumpy.
Some of the most common conditions associated with newborn fever include croup, pneumonia, ear infections, flu, cold, and sore throat.
Though rare, for older babies and children up to five years old, high fevers may trigger seizures known as febrile convulsions. These are more likely to occur if someone in your family has a history of them. If your child does have an episode, their legs and arms may shake or they may lose consciousness
2. Constant Crying Or Irritability
Newborns cry as the only way they can communicate with the outside world. But constant crying may mean something is up. If babies are crying for hours on end, even after feedings or naps, they need to be evaluated.
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that up to three hours of crying per day is normal for the first three months of a child’s life. After that, one to two hours a day is typical. Most babies are fussiest in the evening somewhere between 6 p.m. and midnight.
Crying that continues through the day and night or gets worse as time goes on may mean your child has colic. Babies who develop colic often scream for long periods, pull up on their legs and pass gas. The causes of colic are not well understood, but some colic may be related to a breastmilk or formula sensitivity or a more serious health condition like a hernia.
If your child is diagnosed with colic, here are some ways to comfort them:
– Try rocking them or walking them around in a carrier
– Introduce a pacifier
– Play of steady, calming sound like white noise, a dryer or a fan
– Rub their back while holding them tummy-side down
– Swaddle them
3. Vomiting Or Excessive Spit-Up
All babies are going to spit up: it’s a natural part of eating. But excessive spit-up or vomiting could require a trip to the paediatrician.
Babies typically spit up because they are full, their bodies have changed positions after being fed or they swallowed extra air during feeding. This is normal and doesn’t usually cause them discomfort.
However, if you notice that they are burping, spitting up then crying or they’re vomiting up a large amount of milk after feedings, your child probably needs to be evaluated in case they have gastroesophageal reflux disease.
You’ll also want to see a doctor if there is blood in the vomit or your baby is having trouble gaining weight. These could be signs of two health conditions that necessitate treatment: pyloric stenosis, which occurs when there is a blockage between the stomach and intestines, or esophagitis, which is inflammation of the oesophagus.
Regularly spitting up can be prevented by making sure your baby is positioned well for feedings, burping them when they stop feeding and limiting any jarring activities after feedings. You can talk with a lactation consultant if you’re having trouble.
4. Low Energy Levels Or Inactivity
Newborns sleep a lot, but they should still wake up every few hours to eat. When your child is awake, they should be looking around, babbling and should be startled by loud noises and things like that. Low energy means they just aren’t their normal, active self and aren’t as engaged with the world as they usually are.
If your baby is showing any of the following signs, see your doctor:
– They don’t wake up for feedings or it’s hard to wake them
– They’re lethargic when they are awake
– They’re too weak to cry, make noise or look at you
5. Changes In Stool:
The first few days following birth, a typical newborn will pass a substance called meconium, which is usually black, tarry and odourless. After a day or two of this, you should notice that your baby’s stool turns dark greenish-yellow and has the consistency and appearance of mustard with seed-like bits in it. If your child is receiving formula, they may have a yellowish-tan stool that looks pasty.
If you notice that your baby has bowel movements that are white, dark black or red, see your paediatrician. Dark black stool any time after the meconium has passed could indicate some sort of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Even though it’s completely normal for a child’s poop to change colours, it’s better to call your paediatrician to be sure. Keep track of the colour, frequency and consistency of the stool so you can share these details with the doctor.
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