Baby Health Care

Common Newborn Baby Problem - SCALP

The head of a newborn baby is large and may be moulded from the passage through the birth canal. There are two soft spots (fontanelles) where the bones have not yet fused. The large fontanelle at the front of head closes within 18 months. The smaller fontanelle is at the back of the head and closes within 8-12 weeks. The skin over these spots is strong, so don't be concerned about touching these spots.
Baby’s Hair may or may not be present at birth. It might gradually fall out during the first weeks and be replaced by new hair.

Cradle Cap

This is as normal as any dry or peeling baby’s skin problem. It is not a form of dandruff and has nothing to do with incorrect hygiene practices. Cradle cap is a cementing of brown-yellow crusty material on the baby’s scalp, often concentrated over the anterior fontanelle.

To remove the crust, massage warm baby oil well into the scalp and leave for a couple of hours (or overnight). Comb your baby's hair against the direction of her hair growth to gently dislodge the crusts. Wash her head well with a gentle baby shampoo. Regular brushing and shampooing (even if your baby has little hair) may help prevent cradle cap. Don't be concerned about massaging the soft spots (fontanelles). They are covered by a very tough membrane and there is no threat of damaging them with normal handling.

Common Newborn Baby Problem – EYES

Your baby's eyes may be red and his eyelids puffy from the pressures of birth. Tears are not usually present at birth, they appear at about six weeks. Changes in the colour of the eyes are common in the first six months. Blocked tear ducts, sticky eyes, and squints are the most common eye problems.

Blocked Tear Ducts

Most baby> cry without tears until they are about six weeks old. Once tear secretions begin it is quite normal for a baby's tear ducts to become blocked. If your baby's tear ducts are blocked his eyes will look wet. A blocked tear duct usually rights itself within six months but a little gentle massage and eye cleansing may help it along. If your baby's eye becomes infected or if the duct has not unblocked itself after six months you should consult your doctor.

Sticky Eyes

This is a very common mild infection that appears as crusting on the eyelids and eyelashes and often produces a yellowish discharge. Regular bathing of the eyes with cotton balls dampened with warm sterile water or normal saline will help. Gently wipe your baby's eyes, using one cotton ball for each wipe, from the inside corner outwards. If you feel an infection may be present, consult your family doctor.

Squints

Many baby appear to have a squint in the early days of life. If your baby has a wandering aye this will usually correct itself as he strengthens and learns to control the muscles around his eyes. You can expect the correction to occur by the time your baby is six months old. If one eye has a permanent turn then you should consult your doctor at once, as early treatment is essential - and highly successful.

Common newborn baby Problem – EARS

It is normal for your baby to produce ear wax. It is not normal for your baby's ears to produce anything else. If you notice a pus discharge, treatment is urgent, so consult your doctor immediately. Ear infections are quite common. They develop in the middle ear that is situated behind the ear drums.

Ear Infection (otitis media)

Ear infections can occur after a head cold. If your baby has an ear infection you will need to take her to the doctor. Your doctor will usually prescribe oral antibiotics and paracetamol for pain and fever.

Ear Cleansing

Gently remove visible dirt and wax around the outer surface of your baby's ear. To avoid probing deeply into her ear canal. use cotton buds with a safety rim.

Common Newborn Baby Problem - NOSE

A newborn baby’s nose looks flat. Breathing is often irregular - either slow and deep or fast and shallow. Babies sneeze and cough to clear mucus. The nose, chin and neck may have tiny white spots called milia. These are quite normal and will disappear within two weeks of birth.

Nose Cleansing

Gently remove visible mucus and dirt around your baby's nasal flares with cotton buds or the corner of washcloth. To avoid probing deeply into his nose, use cotton buds with a safety rim.

Common Newborn Baby Problem - MOUTH

Epstein's Pearls

Some baby may have yellowish white spots on the roof of their mouth at birth. They are not uncommon and are no cause for concern. They will disappear without treatment.

Teething

Some baby are born with teeth, but this is the exception rather than the rule. You can expect your baby's first tooth to come through when she is 5-6 months old. Teething can cause some pain and discomfort in the gums that can increase salivation and dribbling. Teething may make your infant grizzly, put her 'off her food' and may alter bowel motions. Paracetamol for pain and fever and a teething ring or teething gel for relief of the discomfort may be helpful. Give her a soft toothbrush to suck so that she can get used to it before proper teeth cleaning commences at around two years of age.

Sucking Blisters

These are made by the baby herself from the sucking action while feeding. They will disappear in their own time as the lips toughen.

Oral Thrush

Thrush is caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. They appear as patches of white on an otherwise pink tongue which don't disappear and which bleed if you try to remove them.
It may have been introduced as your baby entered the world through your birth canal or later by contamination from a teat, bottle, dummy or hand. It is quite common and easily treated with cream prescribed by your doctor. Thrush can sometimes be painful and it is advisable to seek your doctor's advice.

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Baby Development :

Baby Health Care :

Common Illnesses 1 : Cold, Cough, Croup, Diarrhea
Common Illnesses 2 : Ear infections, Fever
Infectious Disease : Chicken pox, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Roseola, Whooping Cough
Common Problem : Scalp, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth
Other Issues: Vomiting, Constipation, Natural Medicine
Immunization

Baby Skin Care :

Common Skin Rashes : Eczema, Nappy rash, Miliaria, Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Common Skin Blemishes : Milia, Dry skin, Cradle cap, Cheek rashes.
Common Skin Marks : Port wine stains, Strawberry marks, Stork bites, Mongolian blue spots

Baby Massage : Baby Massage

Baby Stuff : Baby Stuff

Soothing & Sleeping :

Soothing 1 : Crying, why is baby crying, how to soothe
Soothing 2 : When soothing fails, soothing equipment
Sleeping 1 : Sleeping Trough, developing a routine, solving sleep problems
Sleeping 2 : Co sleeping, Baby's bed, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Baby's Nappy :

Baby Bath : Baby Bath

Breastfeeding :

common newborn baby problems