Bringing a baby home from the hospital is the next happy thing a parent experiences after the baby is born. Before leaving the hospital, the doctor advices the parents to take proper care of the baby and watch out for the slightest discomfort that he might face. Since the doctor is not available to keep a direct track of the baby’s health, it is your job to go to him if you feel anything is wrong with the baby. Since you are not a medic, you probably won’t be able to decipher the signs of discomfort your baby shows, but you should always trust your instincts because you know him the best.

Here are a few signs that you need to watch out for:

  • Temperament: a smiling, happy and well-fed baby is much less likely to attract any problems than a lethargic and not-eating-properly baby.
  • Unusual crying: if your baby is crying more than normal and you are not able to console him in the normal ways, or if his crying is weak or unusually high-pitched, it is a sign of trouble. Or if the opposite happens – he doesn’t cry but becomes less active than usual, its time to call the doctor.
  • Appetite: if your baby is not taking in the normal amount of food he used to take, or is spitting more, he is probably sick. Or if he gets tired easily or loses interested in nursing, call your doctor.
  •  Abnormal bowel movements: if your baby’s stool becomes extra watery, he probably has diarrhea. In such cases, you should take care that he doesn’t get dehydrated and rush to the hospital ASAP. Opposite to this, if his stool is hard or streaked with blood or mucus, you need to call the doctor.
  • Difficulty in breathing: this is a case of major concern. Rush to the hospital immediately.
  • Fever: having fever is a normal sick state for a baby. But if your baby is 3 months old and has a fever of around 100 degrees, call your doctor. In other cases, observe your baby for a day and then call the doctor.

 

Be very careful during the first few months after the baby is born because this is the time period he is most vulnerable to diseases. Consult a pediatrician regularly and take your baby for all the regular check-ups and vaccinations.

You may also find interesting:

  1. Baby Has A Fever, What To Do
  2. Circumcision, When to Take the Doctor’s Help
  3. Important Facts About Baby Teething
  4. Stop Baby Crying
  5. Tips For Feeding A Sick Infant

Filed under: Infants Health

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