Overview
There are some common health problems in newborn babies like colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting. They may also have skin problems, like diaper rash or cradle cap. However, if you breastfeed your baby and wash your hands, your baby will have lesser chances of getting these problems.
These problems are not very serious but still it is important to know how to keep your baby away from these problems and diseases. In our country, 3 out of 100 babies may suffer from these problems or diseases.
Some problems in the newborn babies
The several problems that might occur in a newborn baby. Here are some problems below:
1. Low birth weight
If your baby is weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at the time of birth, then this is referred to low birth weight. Around 40 percent of the babies in our country weigh less than 2.5 kgs after birth. However, these babies usually suffer from low birth weight or premature birth.
They face difficulty in drinking milk from the mother’s breast, get jaundice and their temperature mechanism becomes abnormal.
2. Infections
The immunity power of your baby after taking birth is quite low. Their skin is very sensitive and can easily get infections. So, make sure to wash your hands and also advise your relatives to do the same before touching the baby.
However, there are different patterns of infections in a baby like pneumonia, blood infection, and brain infection. In certain cases, the baby needs to be kept to the NICU.
3. Jaundice
Jaundice in a newborn baby results in the yellowing of the baby’s skin and eyes. It is a very common problem and can occur if your baby has a high level of bilirubin. It is a yellow pigment that produces during the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Although, jaundice in newborn babies disappears within 2 to 3 weeks. If it lasts more than 3 weeks, it can be a serious condition. In this case, the doctor keeps your baby under a phototherapy light. However, if your blood group is negative or ‘o’ positive, then the red blood cells of your baby will break down rapidly.
4. Lung infection
This may also refer to a syndrome named infant respiratory distress syndrome. It usually occurs in premature infants and is caused by structural immaturity in the lungs. It can also be a consequence of neonatal infection. As a result, it may form a genetic problem with the production of surfactant-associated proteins.
5. Birth defects
Birth defects are classified as structural, functional, and developmental. Structural defects are the defects when any body part of your newborn bay is missing or deformed. The most common structural defects are, heart defects, an opening or split in the lip or roof of the mouth, the spinal cord is not developed, and clubfoot.
On the other hand, functional or developmental birth defects mean a body part of your baby is not working properly. As a result, it causes disabilities of intelligence or development.
Conclusion
There are many other problems that your newborn baby may face after or during birth. However, here are some of the most common problems which you need to know. If any of these problems or diseases arise, make sure to consult the doctor immediately.