It is hard for the newborn to get used to life in this world. Adjustment in the new environment for newborns almost goes well, however, there are certain health signs for serious health problems that parents should not ignore. Some physical conditions and problems are common in the first couple of weeks after birth. Many conditions are normal and the newborn’s parents can deal with them if they develop. It is a matter for the parents to understand what is common for their newborn and get comfortable with their new routine. In this blog learn more about the signs of an unhealthy newborn, with Dr. Promilla Butani, a leading General Pediatrician in Delhi.

Here are several health signs in newborns that should not be ignored by their parents:

. Abdominal tension: Most newborns have protruding stomachs, especially after a large feeding.  However, between feeding, they should feel light. Consult with the Pediatrician in Delhi, if the abdomen of your newborn feels swollen or hard if no bowel movement occurs for more than one or two days, or if vomiting occurs. This problem may occur due to constipation or gas however, in some cases, it might indicate a more severe intestinal problem.

. Birth injuries: Babies may get injured during birth, especially if labor is long or hard or if babies have heavy weight. While babies recover fast from some of these injuries, others may persist. Commonly, broken collarbone that heals fast. After several weeks a small hump may develop at the fracture side however, that is a sign of new bone formation to cope with the injury and will get better soon.

. Another common birth injury is muscle weakness occurred due to pressure or stretching of the nerves joint to the muscles during labor. These muscles usually weaken and get back to normal after a few weeks. In the meantime concert with the pediatrician to know how to deal with this condition and promote healing to the baby.

. Blue baby: The mildly blue or purple color of the hands and feet is usually considered normal. If the hands and feed stones are slightly blue due to cold they will return to pink as soon as they get warm however persistent blue color skin is a sign of health issues such as improper functioning of the heart or lungs. And the newborn is not having enough oxygen in the blood. Immediate consultation with a pediatrician is essential.

. Unusual bowel movements: If you notice little blood in the bowel movement of the newborns, consult with the General Pediatrician in South Delhi.

. Coughing: If the newborn trains rapidly they experience cough and sputter however this will stop as soon as the feeding routine becomes familiar. However persistent curves or gags during feeding could be a sign of health problems. These signs are underlying problems in the digestive tract or lungs of the newborns in the newborns.

. Excessive crying: If the baby cry sounds peculiar such as shrieks of pain or persistent for an unusual time duration, then it could be a health issue. Consult with a pediatrician soon.

. Jaundice: Many healthy, normal newborns have yellowish color skin, which is termed jaundice. It occurs due to high bilirubin levels in the baby’s blood. Mild jaundice has no risk but continuous elevated levels of bilirubin may raise concerns if left untreated. So, a bilirubin test is always required to make an exact diagnosis. If you notice any signs of jaundice consult with a pediatrician soon.

. Lethargy and sleeping: Every newborn spends most of their time sleeping. It is perfectly normal until they wake up every few hours, look content, and eat well every day. However, if the baby sleeps for longer hours than usual, does not wake up for feeding, or looks very tired you should consult with the pediatrician. It could be a sign of serious health issues.

. Respiratory distress: If newborns seem to be breathing unusually, it might be due to blocked nasal passages. It will be fixed by the doctor but if the newborn shows warning signs, including fast breathing, retractions, flaring of the nose, persistent blue skin color, and grunting while breathing immediately consult with the pediatrician.

Umbilical cord problems:

3.Umbilical stump bleeding: While taking care of the baby’s umbilical cord, it is normal to notice a few drops of blood during the time of stump fall off. However, if the cord is continuously bleeding, immediately seeking medical help is crucial. Also, if you are noticing cor infection signs including foul-smelling yellowish discharge, red skin around the cord, or crying when touching the cord of the baby.

2. Umbilical granuloma: Sometimes instead of full drying, the cord will develop a small, reddened mass of scar tissue or granuloma on the belly button after falling off the umbilical cord. This granuloma will form a light-yellowish fluid that the condition goes away in a few weeks, but if not consult with a child doctor.

3. Umbilical hernia: If the umbilical cord area pushes outward while the baby cries, it may be due to an umbilical hernia. It is a small hole in the muscular part of the abdominal wall that causes a bulge out of the tissue when abdominal pressure increases. It is not a serious problem, however, if it does not heal by itself in 12 to 18 months consult with the pediatrician.

It is difficult to determine whether your newborn is sick. Common health issues in newborns include coughs and fevers. Colds and vomiting. Newborns also commonly have skin issues such as cradle cap or diaper rash. Many of such symptoms are not serious. It is crucial to understand how to help your sick newborn and to know the health signs and signs for more serious problems. If you find your baby’s health not well enough, consult with Dr. Promilla Butani, a leading General Pediatrician in Delhi with more than 40 years of experience in child and newborn care.