When you have a new baby, it's normal to be concerned for his health and wonder if everything's as it should be. First you'll need to figure out what he's trying to tell you with his cries, and then you'll want to know if you're doing everything you can to comfort and soothe him. Luckily, it doesn't all have to be a mystery. There are some key things to watch out for that will ease your concerns and ensure optimum development and health for your baby.
Growth
Your baby's doctor will be monitoring your child's weight gain and growth over the first few months, when he's growing faster than he ever will again. By the time your baby is 4 months old, he'll probably double his birth weight, and by a year, he'll triple it.
To ensure that your baby is thriving, a general rule of thumb is that he should gain an ounce a day for the first three months, or 2 pounds a month. From month 4 until his first birthday, he'll gain 0.7 oz per day, or 1 lb 5 oz per month.
Fever
Keep a rectal or underarm thermometer on hand to take your baby's temperature if he feels warm or is acting fussier than usual. If your infant is less than 3 months old and has a rectal temperature over 100.4, he has a fever. This is considered a medical emergency in a newborn that age, so you'll need to call your baby's doctor right away.
Colic
Colic is a name given to symptoms rather than the cause of them, since it's not always known what causes an infant to act colicky. It affects 10 to 25 percent of all newborns and is characterized by recurrent and inconsolable crying in a baby that is well-fed and healthy. The crying or screaming can start suddenly, be accompanied by abdominal pain, and often lasts a few hours, once or twice a day.
Colic usually starts when the infant is 2 or 3 weeks old and reaches its peak at 6 weeks of age. After that, it usually gradually gets better on its own and is resolved by the baby is 3 to 4 months old.
Reflux
Many babies spit up after eating, either because they've been fed too much or because the valve between the stomach and esophagus isn't fully developed yet. As long as the baby is still gaining weight, it's usually not a concern. Feeding him less, burping him often and not jostling him after he eats may help.
If the problem continues until he is a year old, it might be an indication of GERD, or gastrointestinal reflux disease. If this is not diagnosed properly, that could lead to poor growth, bad breath, recurrent pneumonia, asthma, sinus congestion and difficulty breathing.
Cradle Cap
If your newborn has dandruff, redness, or thick crusting or scaly patches on his scalp, he may have cradle cap, or infantile seborrheic dermatitis. It can also be found on the eyelids, nose, ears and groin, but it isn't contagious and won't bother your baby.
Washing your child's scalp every day with a mild shampoo and loosening scales with a soft brush or washcloth should make it go away. If not, your child's doctor might suggest a medicated shampoo or lotion.
Baby Acne
Acne affects people of all ages, including newborns; many of them, especially boys, get acne on the cheeks, chin and forehead. There is very little you can do to prevent it or to treat it. The small red bumps usually develop within the first three to four weeks of life and are more noticeable when a baby cries.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy are the usual cause, but occasionally it can be due to a hormonal problem. It's usually temporary, and all you need to do is wash your baby's face with warm water a few times a day and then gently pat it dry. Consult your baby's doctor if the acne doesn't clear up on its own within three months, as a medicated cream or another treatment may be recommended.
Milia
If your baby has tiny white bumps on his nose, chin or cheeks, it's not acne; it's a common condition called milia that affects boys and girls equally. About half of all babies get it, and many babies are born with it. Like acne, there's little you can do to prevent or treat it.
Milia are the result of tiny flakes of skin getting trapped near the surface of the skin. It usually disappears within a few weeks, so if it's still there after three months, let your baby's doctor know. In the meantime, treatment is exactly the same as for acne.
