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Taking care of a newborn can be draining if you’re a new parent. Although being a mother is wonderful, you’re often concerned that your baby is constantly catching infections and health problems.
Even though some of these problems are not serious and can be dealt with at home, as a new parent, especially if you are single, you may find it difficult to deal with them alone. Rather than getting worried, you should consult a doctor in this situation.
Here are some of the most common problems and solutions for infants.
Birth Injuries
A baby’s head or face can sometimes sustain minor, temporary injuries at birth. Examples include bruises, swellings, lumps under the skin caused by fluid or bleeding, blood in the eyes, and nerve injuries.
What to do: An unfortunate fact of the delivery process is that many infants suffer from minor injuries. In most cases, these injuries heal on their own without treatment. In other instances, quick and proper treatment could help – so consult your doctor immediately if you suspect an injury.
While most injuries resolve without treatment or show immediate signs, nerve injuries may take a while to show symptoms. If the nerve damage is too severe, your child can suffer a lifetime of disability.
For example, children with cerebral palsy may feel limited in their movements. They may exhibit hypersensitivity to touch, floppiness, abnormal posture, jerky movements, shaky gait, or a combination of these symptoms. If this is the case with your child, get legal assistance. You can also get a free case review from some reputable law firms.
Colic
Is your child having difficulty taking a short nap? Or are you having trouble understanding why the baby is crying? They might be suffering from colic. The condition occurs when stomach acids regurgitate into the baby’s esophagus.
If your baby continues to cry after three months is a sign that your child might suffer from colic. Consulting a doctor is always the best option. Depending on your doctor, a smaller, more frequent feeding or medication may be prescribed.
What to do: Feed your baby frequently, and make sure your little one burps well. Your baby will benefit from cuddling, talking, or singing. If your baby’s crying does not stop or his or her feeding pattern changes, consult your doctor.
Cold & Flu
Children’s immune systems are delicate. Therefore, they are very likely to contract infections such as the flu from their surroundings. If your child exhibits cold and flu symptoms such as running noses, coughing, sneezing, etc., you should immediately consult a doctor. Young children can develop pneumonia from a simple cold or flu if left untreated.
In cases of flu and cold, the doctor may prescribe medicine that is safe for infants. If you are unsure whether a medicine is safe to give to a child, consult a doctor first.
What to do: If your baby has a cold, make sure they stay hydrated on milk. In case of fever, call your doctor immediately, especially if your baby is under three months old. Whenever your baby has a cough or bronchitis, make sure he or she gets plenty of rest, and consult your doctor if there is vomiting, a high fever, or if he or she becomes listless or refuses to eat.
Ear Infections
An ear infection is another common issue that can be extremely uncomfortable for infants. A child with an ear infection will usually tug on his or her ears, won’t sit still, or cry nonstop.
When germy fluid accumulates in the ear, it presses against the eardrum, causing an ear infection. A doctor may prescribe medications to treat your child’s infection quickly and relieve his or her discomfort.
What to do: Most ear infections can be treated without antibiotics, but some do require them. If your child seems to have an ear infection, your pediatrician can diagnose it and prescribe the right treatment for him or her.
What you can do is, cover the outer ear with a cold, wet washcloth for mild infections to ease discomfort until pain medication takes effect. Warm compresses can help alleviate pain for some children. Put a warm washcloth over it and wait until it cools down. Additionally, keep your child hydrated, keep their head elevated, and watch for ear discharge.
It is normal to experience pus discharge when you have an ear infection. In most cases, this heals on its own after the ear infection has been treated. Meanwhile, you can wipe the pus with a damp cloth. It is important not to plug the ear with cotton to avoid infecting the ear canal lining with pus.
Constipation
Having constipation in children younger than a year is quite common. Most of the time, this is due to a change in their eating habits. Children are introduced to solid foods during the first year of their lives as part of their daily diets. This results in irregular bowel movements. It is possible to solve the problem by using some home remedies. Making changes to their diet is one such measure.
What to do: Immediately see a doctor if you see blood in their diaper. In addition, if constipation persists despite dietary changes, an underlying health issue could be the cause.
Make sure that you monitor your baby’s bowel movements, and if the stools seem harder than normal or if they show any signs of discomfort, then you should take your little one to the doctor.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea – frequent, watery bowel movements – is the opposite of constipation. Various factors, including food allergies, bacterial infections, or medications, can contribute to this. A doctor’s advice is necessary if your child is experiencing diarrhea since it can dehydrate them. In addition, if there is blood in the stool, we recommend you notify the pediatrician.
What to do: Make sure your baby is hydrated with milk and consult a physician if symptoms persist.
Conclusion
There’s not much you can do to prevent mild illnesses from occurring as your child grows up. However, if you’re concerned about your child’s health, you should see your doctor.
Additionally, always seek medical advice if you see any signs or symptoms of a disease in your child. If you have a good pediatrician on your side, you won’t have to worry when your baby is sick.
Selecting a good family doctor ahead of time can save you a lot of worries and put your mind at ease to know your young child is in good hands.
By Marlene Coleman
– is a passionate blogger who love to write on digital marketing, Business, technology and finance related topics. Also, a reader and loves to share quality content prevalent on the web. She is a featured author at UpLearn.
Member since October, 2021
View all the articles of Marlene Coleman.
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