4 Newborn Warning Signs for New Mums

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Welcoming a child in life, undoubtedly, is an exhilarating experience. However, it can also be stressful for a multitude of reasons. One of the reasons is the perpetual fear of the newborn falling sick. Although newborns don’t come with guidelines and directions, most parents wish they had.

As babies develop and grow, these little ones often get subjected to several infections, which lead to cases of flu or other health problems. While such illnesses are pretty common during the development of infants, and fortunately, many of them grow out of the frequent illness phase. But since babies can’t utter and express their feelings, mothers should always keep an eye out for warning signs.

It’s relevant to note that every baby grows differently. These differences are often due to personality, experience, and health. Since it takes time for the immune systems of babies to develop, the first initial years of development are crucial.

Behavioral changes in newborns are one of the first indications that something is amiss. While occasional crying, poor appetite, and decreased energy of babies differ daily, even hourly, drastic changes hint at serious health issues.

The following signs can assist new moms in discerning when something is wrong and help them understand which actions to take during the crucial time:

Muscle spasticity

Suppose you observe poor muscle tone in your newborn, such as too floppy or stiff, jerky involuntary and twisting movements, excessive drooling, and exaggerated reflexes. In that case, your baby might have been subject to a birth injury called cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a disorder often caused by improper care and negligence of medical professionals during childbirth. The cognitive and physical symptoms of cerebral palsy differ for every child, contingent on the severity of the injury and brain damage. And while the revelation of this disorder might be devastating news for you. Nonetheless, you can file a cerebral palsy birth injury lawsuit to pursue justice for your child and receive financial compensation. 

The treatment of cerebral palsy requires specialized medical care; most families often struggle to cover medical expenses. However, the compensation can help you cover occupational therapy, medications, and special education costs.

Yellow skin color

Often healthy infants encounter yellow or greenish-yellow tinge on their skin. This skin coloration signals jaundice. It occurs mainly due to increased bilirubin levels (a yellow pigment) in the baby’s bloodstream. Newborn jaundice happens when the liver isn’t strong enough to wipe out the bilirubin in the blood.

While mild cases of jaundice aren’t detrimental, if the bilirubin starts to build up rapidly and a yellow appearance begins to spread throughout the body, it can spell severe repercussions. Often, newborn jaundice emerges on the baby’s face, then the abdomen area, and eventually stretches to the arms and legs. In some cases, the white part of the eyes may also turn yellow or orange.

So, if you catch these signs, get urgent care for your baby. Other jaundice symptoms may include high-pitched cries, listlessness, and feeding troubles. Mild cases of newborn jaundice might last for two weeks, while severe ones may require phototherapy or exchange transfusion.

Consistent crying

As time passes, newborns begin to develop different sounds of crying contingent on what they require, such as food, sleep, or cuddles. You might not know how to decipher these cries in the early stages. However, you will learn to comprehend and respond to these sounds with time.

So, if you find your baby crying next time, check if there’s any physical problem. For instance, it can be a baby dress that pinches the skin or a pointed diaper pin. However, if the baby cries persistently and makes shrieking noises, consider it an alarming sign. A baby that gets fidgety and cries for prolonged durations is mainly due to an illness known as colic. 

Therefore, get in touch with your baby’s doctor immediately if you observe such signs. 

White patches on mouth

Has your infant been super fussy these days? Did you notice the white color tongue when your baby opens their mouth for a high-pitched cry? In that case, consider it an indication of thrush.

The immune system of a newborn isn’t mature enough after childbirth. The weakened system enhances the risk of developing this infection and enables Candida, a yeast-like fungus, to grow inside the body. And since yeast grows well in moist environments, the mouth of the baby serves as the ideal area to cause oral thrush.

Quite often, thrush becomes visible as white patches (similar to milk) on the baby’s tongue and mouth, but it doesn’t get wiped away. The baby, during this condition, may have trouble swallowing the food, suffer from diaper rashes, and have cracks on the corner of the lips. You might also notice redness in the mouth and clicking sounds during breastfeeding. Therefore, contact your baby’s healthcare provider, who can provide you with antifungal medications to treat this infection.

Final Words

Feeling restless and uneasy when your baby isn’t well is quite normal. However, try to keep your cool and follow your instincts. No one knows your baby best but you. So, if you think something seems a bit off, get in touch with the pediatrician, even if there weren’t any issues in the last appointment. 

Keep an eye on telltale signs such as seizures, yellow skin, respiratory distress, fussiness, and persistent crying. And try to communicate all the concerns about your newborn’s development with the healthcare professional. Remember, if you feel agitated for your child’s health, there’s most likely a solid reason behind it, even if you don’t identify it now. Therefore, never hesitate to seek medical attention.

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