Raising a child is perhaps one of the most time-consuming yet rewarding things you’ll ever do in your life. But if you’ve recently become a parent or are planning to have a child, then it’s a good idea to do your research and learn a bit more about parenting. More specifically, it’s important to learn about newborn symptoms and how they could affect your child’s well-being. Babies are incredibly vulnerable and it’s our duty to look out for different kinds of symptoms and take great care of them.
If you’ve got friends and family members that have had children before then you’ll probably have heard a lot of advice before. In fact, learning from their experiences can be extremely valuable and is something you should absolutely consult them on. However, if you don’t know anyone that has had children or you’d prefer to learn on your own, then we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to show you some of the most common newborn symptoms that you should look out for.
This should explain what the symptom is, what to do if your baby experiences it, and some of the early warning signs to help you identify them quickly.
Fever or high temperature
A high temperature or a fever usually indicates that the body is fighting some kind of infection. It’s usually not something that you need to be concerned about as it shows that your baby’s body is working to fight the infection. However, that doesn’t mean you should just ignore it.
You should assist your baby when they’re facing a fever. Placing something cool over their forehead can help reduce their temperature and it’s important to keep them hydrated. An air conditioning unit or fan can also help, but make sure you moderate their body temperature so that they’re not too cold. Changing their clothing to something looser can also help them cool down.
If you’re concerned about a fever, remember that you should keep an eye on your baby’s temperature on a regular basis. A baby thermometer is a small investment and can help give you peace of mind. It’s a lot more accurate and reliable than just placing your hand or finger on their forehead.
There are also different kinds of baby thermometers, so make sure you purchase something that is convenient and easy for you to use.
Skin conditions
Whether it’s dry patches of skin, a rash or even eczema, there are lots of different kinds of skin conditions that might affect your baby. Many of these issues can be prevented if you pay close attention to their skin. For example, diaper rash is a common skin inflammation that is caused by wet or infrequent diaper changing.
Skin sensitivity may also affect your baby’s skin. Diaper rash can be alarming because it appears as patches of bright red skin that will make your baby uncomfortable. Thankfully, it usually clears up after a bit of care and can easily be avoided.
Another common skin condition is a dry scalp. If your baby scalp is dry or if your child has excessive amounts of dandruff, then it could be caused by a condition known as cradle cap. This is a fairly harmless skin condition that is common in babies and appears as yellow greasy patches on their hair. To prevent and treat this, make sure you wash your baby’s hair with a formula that is specifically made for babies. You can also loosen the flakes with a soft brush and wash them out as you shampoo their hair. You can also use a gentle rub to soften the crusts. Make sure you don’t use adult shampoos or strong soaps as it could irritate the skin further.
Refusing to eat or difficulties when eating
Eating difficulties are surprisingly common. Your baby might vomit or spit when they are fed, and they might have a hard time chewing certain foods. This is fairly normal because your child needs to learn how to eat. Encouraging the baby to burp after they’ve eaten will usually assist. However, if your baby continues to have difficulties getting and keeping food down, then you may need to examine their vomit for more clues as to why.
In some cases, vomiting is caused by reflux. This is when your baby brings up any milk that they’ve been fed. It occurs because the tube that carries food down to your baby’s stomach is still developing. As such, milk can sometimes leak and be brought back up after feeding, often through the mouth or nose.
A tummy bug can also be the cause of eating difficulties. Since your child’s immune system is still developing, they are particularly susceptible to viruses. If your child suddenly starts to vomit or has difficulty eating, then you should keep an eye on them for more symptoms. For example, if it’s followed by a fever, tummy pain or diarrhoea, then it’s a good indication that they may be suffering from a stomach bug.
On the other hand, you also might be having difficulties feeding your child because they simply refuse to eat. The way they refuse the food is often a good indication as to why they refuse to eat the food you give them.
For example, if your baby gags then it could be because they’re not old enough to handle solid foods. While most babies are fine switching to solid food between 5 and 6 months, your baby might need a little longer before they’re accustomed to harder foods. You could try starting with soft foods that can still be broken down easily in their mouth. This will encourage them to try and break down the food in their mouth instead of just swallowing.
If you notice that your child reacts badly to certain types of food then it could be due to a food allergy. It’s worth keeping a diary of different foods that you’re feeding your baby and taking a note of which ones cause issues. An allergy could manifest as stomach pains, breathing problems or even vomiting. Some allergies can be particularly severe, so it’s important that you take steps to protect your child from eating foods that they’re not compatible with.
Food-related issues can be challenging to cope with, especially if your child seems to react poorly to a lot of foods. Thankfully, if your child isn’t facing any kind of symptoms like a stomach ache then it could just be because they’re a picky eater. This is more common than you think and is something your child will eventually grow out of.
Non-stop crying from your baby
Babies cry for a number of different reasons. Sometimes it can be used to communicate something, and at other times it’s used to express their needs or get your attention. It can be difficult to interpret a baby’s cries. Once you’ve been with them for some time, things can change and you’ll be able to read their crying and deal with it quickly. However, you might face a situation where your baby can’t stop crying.
If your child cries all day and you find it difficult to comfort them, then you may want to get some advice before you do anything drastic. One of the things you should absolutely avoid is shaking your baby. Babies have extremely weak neck muscles that can’t support their large heads. Shaking their heads could cause the baby’s head to violently shake back and forth, resulting in serious injuries and potentially brain damage. Make absolutely sure that you do not shake your baby in an attempt to stop them crying!
It’s important to understand that babies can cry for a number of reasons including, but not limited to:
- Feeling hungry
- Being sleepy
- Having a wet or dirty diaper
- Too much noise
- Too much activity
- Reflux
- Food allergies
- Gas
- Anxiety or fear
- Pain
- Illness
As you can see, babies tend to cry when they’re experiencing something negative. As such, it’s important to pay close attention to your child when they’re crying so that you can get a better idea of why they’re crying. By paying close attention, you could potentially save your child from a difficult situation and it’ll help you understand your baby better.
It’s worth mentioning that babies tend to cry a lot during the first two months of their life. Once they grow a little older (around the 3 month mark) their crying will gradually subside. If you’re worried about your baby’s crying habits, then you may want to consider speaking to your physician if you’re having difficulty calming them down. Reaching out for support is never a bad idea and can give you peace of mind. Whether it’s joining a parenting group for support or speaking to a medical professional, you have lots of options available.
Feature image credit: Zelle Duda / Unsplash
