Why is my newborn baby required to have a hearing test within the first 24 hours of birth?
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Newborn-Hearing-Screening.aspx
What exactly is vitamin K? Why does my baby need it after the birth?
Vitamin K assumes a fundamental part in blood thickening. Some babies are born with inadequate amounts of vitamin K since it doesn’t cross the placenta easily, and breast milk contains very little. This puts them at risk of a rare, but potentially fatal, condition—vitamin K deficiency bleeding of the newborn (VKDB), where bleeding can occur in the nose, mouth, and sometimes in the brain. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every newborn baby receive a single vitamin K intramuscular injection, especially for those that are breast-fed.
My baby sleeps all the time. Should I wake him every 3 hours to be fed?
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Rest assured that your baby won’t starve himself. After your baby’s initial alertness following the birth you may be surprised at how much he sleeps and you may worry that he isn’t getting enough to eat. In the first few days, your baby only needs small amounts of the pre-milk colostrum. A teaspoon’s worth of this thick and creamy, antibody-rich substance that your breasts produce is perfect for his very small tummy. However, it is fairly good practise to put your baby to the breast every two to three hours at first. This is not to get him into a feeding schedule—it’s far too early for this—but to help you both develop your technique, and to stimulate your breasts to produce milk. While your first breast milk arrives on average about three to five days after the birth, the more your baby nurses, the faster your milk is likely to “come in.”
Why does my baby breathe so noisily when he sleeps?
Your baby breathes in and out through his nose only, which means he can breathe comfortably during a long feeding. However it also means that if mucus is blocking his nasal passage, he may snuffle and snort to clear it, or make a wheezing, whistling sound while he breathes. He may gurgle if the mucus makes its way to the back of his throat. Since his air passages are still very small, it’s easy for them to get blocked. Babies also spend about half their sleep time in “active” sleep, when dreams occur, so they tend to be more restless and noisy. Young babies may also have periods during sleep when they stop breathing altogether for a few breaths, which can be for as long as 10 seconds, then revert to shallow and rapid breathing before resuming normal breathing. This “periodic” breathing is especially common in babies born prematurely, but can also occur in full-term babies, and is a passing phase. Noisy breathing that is intermittent is nothing to worry about, but if your baby is persistently noisy, or his breathing seems very laboured and fast, he flares his nostrils, makes a barking or rasping sound, his breathing pauses for longer than 10 seconds, or he has a blue tinge to his skin, seek medical guidance.
What checkups will my baby have when I leave the hospital, and in the early weeks?
You’ll visit your baby’s new pediatrician at his office during the first few days that your baby goes home.
During the appointment, your pediatrician will want to know how feeding is progressing, especially if you are breastfeeding. At this first appointment, he will also examine all aspects of your baby's health and well-being, including the hearing, vision, and hip-joint tests she had at the hospital. Pediatricians are an invaluable resource for help and advice, and they are available to assist you during this critical time. If you need assistance establishing breast-feeding, the pediatrician is an excellent resource. If you have any concerns about your baby's sleeping patterns or whether she is sleeping too much or too little between feedings, consult with your pediatrician. The doctor will also consider
your child Throughout her first year of life, your baby will be weighed at regular intervals. The paediatrician will also chart your baby's height, weight, and head circumference, allowing for the observation of growth patterns over time.
My baby is gaining very little weight. Should I be worried?
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It's natural to be concerned if your baby isn't gaining weight. Seeing a baby's weight steadily rise is a reassuring sign for parents that they are on the right track. Some babies, however, are simply slower to gain weight. Your baby is probably fine if he is happy, alert, responsive, and reaching milestones. If you are concerned, consult your pediatrician, who can examine your baby's growth chart. More checks and investigations may be recommended if your baby's growth has dropped two percentiles or has fallen below the third percentile. Failure to gain weight usually occurs when a baby isn't getting enough calories or his body isn't properly absorbing or using nutrients. There is frequently a straightforward explanation. If your baby has been sick, he may have lost weight, and it may take a few weeks for his feeding to resume. Alternatively, he may not be latching on properly, which can have an impact on his milk intake. If this is the case, consult your doctor or a breast-feeding consultant. If your baby is formula-fed, make sure the bottle has the proper powder-to-water ratio so he gets the nutrients he needs to grow and thrive. Slow weight gain can be caused by a milk intolerance or allergy, reflux, or, in rare cases, a medical condition.
Little weight is being gained by my infant. Do I need to worry?
If you believe your baby isn't gaining weight, it's simple to worry. Parents might feel confident that they are doing everything right by observing their baby's weight gradually increase. However, some infants simply gain weight more slowly by nature. Your infant is probably fine if he is content, attentive, responsive, and meeting milestones. Consult your paediatrician, who can examine your baby's growth chart, if you're uncomfortable. More tests and investigations may be advised if your baby's growth has fallen two percentiles or below the third percentile. When a newborn doesn't obtain enough calories or his body isn't adequately absorbing or utilising nutrients, weight increase is typically unsuccessful. There is frequently an easy explanation. If your infant has been ill, he may have lost weight, and it may take a few weeks for him to resume eating normally. Alternatively, he might not be latching on correctly, which could impact how much milk he consumes. Consult a breastfeeding specialist or your doctor for advice if this is the situation. In order to ensure that your baby receives the nutrients he needs to develop and thrive when receiving formula, make sure the bottle is prepared with the appropriate amount of powder to water. Slow weight gain can occasionally be brought on by reflux, a milk allergy or intolerance, or, less frequently, a medical problem.
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