Most newborns (and their tired parents) are in the hospital for 48-72 hours before they head home on their new journey. Whether you’re a new parent or you’ve been down this road before, that’s not a lot of time to soak in all the knowledge the hospital nurses are trying to impart.
One of the top questions I’ve gotten from parents is “what should I watch for in my newborn and when should I worry?” I’ve written this article to answer that question but please don’t worry. While these tiny bundles of love seem so fragile, they’re actually incredibly resilient. I don’t want you spending all your waking hours inspecting your baby for signs of illness - they’ll catch your eye so don’t stress.
Signs of Illness in Newborns
- Abdominal distention. Most babies have big, round bellies and it’s adorable. This is normal as long as their belly is soft. If it feels firm or hard, or if your baby cries when you push on their tummy, give your pediatrician a call.
- Jaundice. Newborn jaundice (when bilirubin levels are high) is common. Jaundice appears as yellow skin, most easily seen on the chest or face, and sometimes yellow eyes. Your pediatrician will already have a plan in place for monitoring your baby’s bilirubin levels but if you notice increased yellowing, make sure your pediatrician knows.
- Umbilical cord bleeding or infection. Your newborn’s umbilical cord will fall off on its own within 1-3 weeks after delivery. Before it falls off, just keep it dry and fold the diaper underneath the belly button. When it falls off, you may notice a tiny bit of blood but it shouldn’t be actively bleeding. If it is bleeding, call the doctor. Also call if you suspect an infection around their belly button - although it is rare, signs are reddened skin around the cord or belly button, or foul-smelling yellow discharge from the cord.
- Respiratory distress. Babies breathe faster and more irregular than adults. If you notice “panting” and then a slight pause, this is normal (and yes, sometimes scary!). The pause should be less than 10 seconds and is more apparent in preterm infants. However, if the pause is longer than 10 seconds or you notice any of the following signs with their breathing, call the pediatrician: grunting or making noise while breathing, nostrils flaring in and out, breathing faster than 60 times per minute, any bluish discoloration around their mouth or nose, or retractions (appears as if the skin is sinking in below the ribs or collarbones).
- High or low temperature. If your baby has a rectal temperature of less than 96.8 ℉ or higher than 100.4 ℉, call the doctor. Outside of either range may be a sign of infection in these little guys and gals.
I hope everyone stays healthy over there and you're enjoying all the snuggles!
