Problems with feeding
During the first week of life, feeding is a key aspect in a baby's development. If your newborn is persistently vomiting after being fed, constantly rejects milk via breast or bottle or does not suck well, it may be due to difficulties in breastfeeding or digestion, so your baby should be checked out by a professional.
Changes in sleep or mood
The baby’s behaviour during the first days of its life is an indicator of its well-being. A newborn who is very irritable or cries inconsolably or, at the other end of the scale, sleeps for long periods, is lethargic or does not respond to stimuli, could have a problem. If the baby has difficulty waking up to eat, for example, this may be a sign of infection or an imbalance that requires medical attention.
Changes in skin colour
Changes in the skin colour of a newborn may be normal or may indicate that something is wrong.
Neonatal jaundice (icterus), notable by the yellowish colouration of the skin and eyes, is common in newborns, with the icteric colour often advancing towards the chest and extremities. However, if it intensifies or appears in the first 24 hours of life, this may not be normal.
Similarly, cyanotic skin (bluish tone) on the lips, face and extremities may indicate oxygenation or circulation problems.
Pale or greyish skin could be associated with an infection or anaemia.
In all cases, a professional should be consulted to assess the newborn.
Fever or changes in body temperature
The temperature regulation system of a newborn is still immature, so changes in body temperature can be warning signs. If the baby’s temperature goes above 38°C or is persistently at 37.5°C for at least 4 hours, despite you taking measures to cool the baby by removing clothing or placing them in a cooler environment, you should go to the emergency department.
Absence of bowel movements or urination
The rhythm of babies’ bowel movements and urination is an important indicator of their health. If the baby has had no bowel movement in over 4 days or does not urinate in a period of 12-24 hours, you should go to the emergency department.
A lack of urination may indicate dehydration, inadequate intake or problems in the urinary system; while a lack of bowel movements could be due to a problem in intestinal transit.
Umbilical cord condition
The umbilical cord goes through a natural process of drying and falling off in the first few days of life. You should check its appearance during this period for any signs of infection. If the periumbilical region is red, swollen or has a foul-smelling discharge, this could be due to an infection that requires medical treatment; so you should go to the emergency department.
If in doubt, specialists recommend you should go to the emergency department for a professional evaluation. In the first few days of life, early detection of any problem can make a big difference to the baby’s health.
The paediatric emergency service at Hospital Clínic Barcelona is open 24 hours a day and is prepared to care for newborns in their first 7 days of life. During this period, it is essential for parents to be alert to certain signs that may indicate their baby has a health problem and needs urgent medical attention.
