Newborn babies are difficult to care for, especially for new parents, and because newborns lack means of communicating needs and pains with caregivers, parents should learn to look for these signs of illness or cause for concern in young infants.
During a newborn’s first year of life, he or she sleeps, eats, uses the bathroom, and cries. A newborn cries to indicate needs and discomforts, but if a newborn has been well-cared for: fed, changed, held and comforted and continues to cry, he or she might be indicating a greater and less visible need.
Is a Newborn Sick if He Sneezes or Coughs?
Newborn babies sneeze a lot. Sneezing alone usually isn’t a cause for immediate concern if it is not accompanied by other symptoms.
If a newborn is coughing, however, for more than 24 hours, this is a cause for concern. Bring a newborn baby to the doctor after repeated coughing for a day to check into possible sickness or unusual developments.
Can a Newborn Sleep too Much?
Babies sleep a lot. How can parents tell if their baby is sleeping too much? If a baby sleeps past a feeding time, there is no cause for concern.
However, if a newborn sleeps past his or her meal times completely and falls asleep during feedings after being woken up for them, call a doctor just to check on the health of the baby.
How to Tell if a Newborn is Eating Properly
Newborn babies’ eating patterns vary greatly from baby to baby and day to day. Typically, newborns eat small amounts often; however, if a baby is eating very little at each sitting or seems extremely hungry at feeding times, it is a good idea to call a doctor to check on newborn development.
If a newborn’s sucking seems weak or strained, call a doctor because babies may not be taking in the proper amount of breast milk or formula. This can lead to rapid weight loss and developmental stunting.
How to Tell if a Newborn is Crying from Pain
Babies cry to indicate discomfort, needs and pain. If a baby cries continually, even after being fed, changed and comforted, consult a doctor because this might be a signal of an underlying sicknesses like stomach pain or an earache.
What Temperature Indicates a Fever in a Newborn
While babies' temperatures vary slightly depending on the time of day and the baby, these temperatures can indicate whether a doctor should be consulted:
- above 100.4 degrees rectally
- above 99 degrees in the armpit
- below 96.8 rectally
- below 95.4 in the armpit
While newborns vary in their sleeping and eating patterns, understanding unusual crying, sleeping, eating and temperatures in newborn babies can help parents and caregivers know when to consult a doctor for potential sickness or unusual development.
Related Reading:
Average Newborn Baby Weight & Length
Average Age of a Baby's First Word
Average Age of a Baby's First Smile
Megan B. Wyatt - Megan B. Wyatt has a BA in English, edits fiction manuscripts and currently works as an entertainment reporter in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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