Newborn Health: What You Should Look Out For
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When your little one comes into the world, you might think that you’re well-prepared for everything that comes your way. But the truth is that no matter how many books you read, doctors you speak to, or mommy bloggers you follow, you will encounter a few surprises along the way that will leave you clueless. Lucky for you, there is a lot of information out there to help you understand your newborn and their needs.
As parents, there is nothing more important to you than your newborn being in the pink of health. And we are here to tell you what’s normal, what you should look out for, and how you can identify your newborn’s good health. Scroll below as we discuss a few important aspects of your newborn’s health that you may overlook under normal circumstances:
Posture
During the first few weeks after delivery, your baby’s posture is similar to their posture in the womb during the final stages of pregnancy. They tend to keep their fists clenched, elbows bent, arms and legs held close to their body, and hips and knees flexed. It’s also important to note that infants born prematurely tend to display differences in their posture and appearance compared to full-term babies (1).
Breathing
During the first week or so after birth, there’s pretty much nothing else an infant does other than sleeping and feeding. A primary concern of many new parents is their infant’s breathing pattern, primarily because of the increased awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, there’s no need to panic if your infant’s breathing is somewhat irregular compared to that of an adult. A healthy infant should ideally take about 40-60 breaths per minute — their breathing might be slightly slower when asleep (2).
Face
If you’ve ever observed a newborn baby’s face, you’ll notice that it’s puffy and distorted. Due to the pressure, rough trip through the birth canal, and the fluid accumulation, your newborn’s facial features can be quite strange — folded ears, flattened nose, or a crooked jaw are not things you should worry about. Over time, they will take shape, and your baby will be cuter than ever (3).
Eyes
Those cute little eyes that twinkle with hope and happiness are worth all the pregnancy woes! Most newborns keep their eyes closed for the most part, but when they open them, you can see that their eyelids are puffy. While infants can see as soon as they open their eyes, they find it hard to focus and get a clear picture which is why their eyes seem crossed for about one to three months. When you hold your newborn in an upright position, they might find it easier to open their eyes (4). So, take advantage and hold your baby up when you want to see those tiny precious eyes!
Ears, Mouth, Nose
Like we mentioned earlier, a newborn’s ears may be distorted because of the pressure they undergo while being forced out of the birth canal during delivery. A baby’s ear has not developed thick cartilage when they are born, so it’s not uncommon for your infant to have temporarily folded ears (5).
When your baby opens their mouth, you might notice tiny drops of harmless cysts found in their mouth. These spots are known as Epstein Pearls, and they usually go away on their own within a few weeks after birth (6).
Newborns have narrow nasal passages, which makes their breathing sound like they have chest congestion or a cold. But don’t worry too much — talk to your doctor and use saltwater nose drops or a bulb syringe to clear out the nasal passage if necessary (7).
Skin
It’s natural to find blemishes, rashes, and bruises on your infant’s skin. Typically, the skin of a healthy newborn has a thick and waxy substance called the vernix that covers the skin. Vernix protects your baby’s skin from the amniotic fluid, which can easily be washed off after the baby’s first bath. If your baby is born prematurely, their skin would be more transparent and thin, while a full-term baby’s skin would be thicker. By the second or third day, your baby’s skin will become lighter and somewhat dry and flaky — it’s normal, so don’t freak out (8).
Having a newborn can be scary. There are tons of things you will probably freak out about, and that’s normal. But with the guidance of your doctor and some extra love and care, your baby will be taken care of the best way possible. So, if you’re unsure of what you’re supposed to look out for when your infant arrives in this world, we hope our article helped you and gave you an idea. How many of these signs have you observed in your newborn? Comment below and let us know!
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