Newborn Care: Common Health Concerns
Newborn Care: Common Health ConcernsYour baby’s health will be checked right after birth and will continue to be checked during your stay at thehospital and at your baby’s regular Pediatrician visits. During the hospital stay, your baby will have 3 newbornscreening tests. The first test is a blood test that looks for rare but serious disorders that can be treated ifdetected early. You will get the results of this test shortly after your discharge. The second is a hearingscreening. And the third is a screening for congenital heart defects. The results of the hearing and congenitalheart screenings are known immediately.Depending on where you live, these tests may be repeated soon after discharge at your Pediatrician’s office orlab. A common newborn health concern is Jaundice, which appears as a yellow tint in the baby’s skin. It iscaused by a substance called bilirubin. Jaundice usually appears on the second or third day after birth, peaksand then goes away, disappearing before the end of the second week. If you notice your baby looks yellow ortan, call your baby’s healthcare provider, and a test may be ordered.Mild jaundice is considered harmless and occurs in about half of all full-term babies. But if the bilirubin levelsare high, the child may be treated with phototherapy, your baby will be placed under special lights or laid on orwrapped in a small blanket which has fiber optic lights in it. This is often done in the hospital, but in somecases, it can be done at home. Every baby should have a healthcare visit soon after birth.“We’re here for our appointment.”“Ok, and what is your Doctor’s name?”At your appointment, your healthcare provider will check your baby’s overall health and development.“Heart and lungs sound really well, really healthy.”Your healthcare provider will probably tell you to limit your newborn’s exposure to other people’s children andto anyone who is sick for the first few weeks. Immunizations are very important for your child’s health.The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns receive the Hepatitis B vaccine within thefirst 24 hours after birth. Other immunizations will be given at your baby’s checkup at two months, again at fourmonths, then at six months.It is very important to get all of your child’s immunizations on time. Immunizations protect both your baby andyour community from many serious diseases; some that can be life-threatening, especially for a newborn.Follow your Pediatrician’s recommendations for immunizations and keep a record of them.You may want to ask your health care provider when to call for help. Call your healthcare provider if your babyhas a temperature of one hundred point four degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or ninety-eight degrees Fahrenheitor lower.“If you’re worried about your baby, your baby feels warm, even if you’re not getting that temp, it stillworth calling.”When you do call, your health care provider may ask you how you took your baby’s temperature. This can bedone either in the rectum or under the armpit. Never attempt to take an infant’s temperature orally.Other times to call your healthcare provider include when: Your baby’s breathing changes; Your baby isvomiting; Her skin has turned yellowish; He refuses to eat through two or more feedings in a row; Your babyThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER59057C EN NewbornCareCommonHealthConcerns.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2Newborn Care: Common Health Concernshas had watery diarrhea three to four times; Your baby has not had a wet diaper for eight hours; Or when sheis unusually sleepy and difficult to wake up.It is also a good idea to keep a list of important numbers by the phone, like your health care provider, yourbaby’s health care provider, poison control, and family and friends to contact in an emergency.If you notice anything unusual, or are concerned about your baby’s health, don’t hesitate to call your baby’shealth care provider. And be sure to keep appointments for your baby’s regular checkups... to make sure yournewborn is healthy and developing well.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.VER59057C EN NewbornCareCommonHealthConcerns.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
© The Wellness Network
