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Baby Signs You Should Pay Attention To
Babies are a bundle of joy. Despite that, the joy comes along with loads of anxiety, especially for first-time parents. You’re always wondering if your little one is feeding enough, sleeping well, and if he or she is happy and healthy.
The unfortunate part is, they don’t come with a manual. They definitely can’t speak up and tell their parents straight out if something is wrong, or if they want something. It’s all up to the parents to figure out what every little action the baby makes means. It’s natural for moms to figure out some of the signs babies make. But then, there are times that you might not be entirely sure what’s wrong with the baby – this raises concern.
This article provides you with the signs parents or caregivers should pay attention to:
Fewer Wet Diapers
From day 6 of birth going forward, a typical baby will go through 8-10 wet diapers a day. If your baby is going through fewer wet diapers, it can probably mean your child isn’t feeding well, or not getting enough milk. If your baby doesn’t make enough urine a day or has no urine at all, then that’s a call for alarm.
Diarrhea
Baby stool comes with different colors and consistencies. An occasional loose stool shouldn’t scare you. However, if the baby poops more than once after every feed, then it’s a sign of diarrhea. When infants have diarrhea, the stool appears more watery than usual, and this can lead to dehydration. Rush your baby to the hospital if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting and fever.
Can teething cause diarrhea? Yes. Sometimes, diarrhea can be associated with teething. When infants are teething, they tend to look for things to chew on to comfort their gums. They might pick up objects that are unclean and ingest germs that can cause diarrhea.
Blue skin or lips
If you notice your child’s skin or lips turning blue, you should immediately call your doctor. This change in skin color means your baby is having breathing problems, and therefore not getting enough oxygen.
Convulsions
It’s very terrifying to watch your little one having seizures. In as much as some are mild, and you may not notice since they last for a few seconds or minutes, it’s important to be careful. Convulsions in young children are mostly caused by high fevers and occur during the first 24 hrs of fever development.
To ensure your baby is safe during convulsions:
- Place the baby on his side, away from hard objects, and turn his head to one side so he won’t choke if he vomits.
- Loosen any clothing and make sure there’s nothing in the baby’s mouth.
- Contact your healthcare provider.
If a seizure or convulsion lasts longer than three minutes, call 911.
Swollen or sunken fontanelle
Fontanelle is the space between the bones of the skull in an infant. It’s the soft spot on top of the baby’s head. In the first few months of your baby’s development, the soft spot pulsates in the rhythm of your baby’s heartbeat.
A sunken fontanelle is a sign that the baby is dehydrated, while a swollen one could be a sign of something more serious such as meningitis.
It’s advisable that if ever in doubt about your child’s behavioral changes, you should immediately contact your healthcare provider.
