Worried about your new born baby’s health? You are not alone! All new parents worry about their newborns. Here are some health problems that need immediate attention of your doctor, while others can be left for a few hours.
1. You should take your newborn to a doctor, if he/she is suffering from Diarrhea for more than 12 hours, repeated vomiting / vomiting for 12 hours or more/ has other symptoms such as diarrhea, a fever, or a rash along with vomiting.
2. Take your baby to the doctor if he/she is under three months and has a fever of 100 degrees F or higher. If he/she is older than three months then it is important to take him/her to the doctor if the fever gets 102 degrees F or higher. It is good to see a doctor if your baby has an unexplained rash, particularly if it's accompanied by a fever.
3. It is better to take your little baby to the doctor if he/she suffers from a burn larger than a 50p piece; particularly if the skin is blistering (this includes sunburn).
4. If your baby cries more than usual, or if his/her cry sounds high-pitched or he/she is whimpering or moaning, consult your doctor. Your baby may have a barking cough with a loud, high-pitched rasping sound when he/she breathes in. This may be croup. Croup is quite rare now thanks to the Hib vaccination, but this as well needs to be checked with your doctor.
5. There isn’t anything serious if your baby passes blood-streaked poo or vomit, but it still needs checking with your doctor straight away. He can guide you to the exact reason why it happens.
6. It’s advised to check with the doctor, if your bundle of joy has not been drinking for more than eight hours or he/she had less than half of her usual amount to drink over the past 24 hours. Consult your doctor if the baby seems unusually irritable and moody for no apparent reason in the past 24 hours as well.
7. Sunken fontanelles (the soft spots on your baby’s head), along with other symptoms, including dry lips, dark yellow urine, and fewer wet nappies than usual should also be checked with your doctor. These can be symptoms of dehydration.
8. Rush your baby to doctor if he/she has pink, watery, or sticky eyes. This could be a sign of an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, which is very infectious and needs prompt treatment. Discharge from his/her ears, eyes, navel, or genitals over the past 24 hours should also be taken seriously and get it checked by the doc.
Apart from the above stated tips, the best way to take care of your tiny tot is by always trusting your instincts. If you think that something is wrong with your baby, it’s always better to get it checked by the doctor. He is the right person to guide you.
Happy Parenting!
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