Some conditions are common during the first few weeks after delivery . Contact your health care provider if you notice any of these common newborn conditions.

Common newborn conditions

Abdominal distention : The bellies on most newborns stick out especially after a large feeding. However in between feedings , they should feel quite soft.  If your baby’s abdomen feels swollen and hard, and he has not had bowel movement for a couple of days and is vomiting, contact your pediatrician immediately. It could be due to gas or constipation but also it can also be the result of a serious intestinal problem,

Blue baby : Babies may be mildly blue at the hands and feet but this may not be a cause for concern. If the hands and feet are  mildly blue from cold, they should return to pink after being warmed. The face, tongue and lips may turn blue occasionally when the baby is crying hard but once the baby calms down, the color returns to normal. However persistent blue coloring accompanied by breathing and feeding difficulties  need immediate medical care. It may be a sign heart or lung problems.

Birth injuries : These are possible especially for long and difficult labor.  You can also encounter this problem in large babies. Most newborns recover from these injuries even though others  persist longer. Broken collar bones and muscle weakness are common birth injuries. These heal within a few weeks.  You can ask your health care provider about how to help your child heal quickly.

Jaundice : Many healthy newborn have a tinge of yellowing in the skin which is known as jaundice. It is caused by build up of bilirubin in the blood. It is usually due to immature liver that has not yet begun to do its job of efficiently removing bilirubin from the blood stream.

Mild jaundice is harmless but it can be dangerous when bilirubin level becomes high.  Jaundice is easily treated but if left untreated , it can result in brain or nervous system damage. Jaundice  is common in breastfeeding babies who do not nurse well. It is important for newborns to been seen by a doctor within a couple of days after discharge. This is the time when bilirubin level is highest. When the doctor determines jaundice to be present, the newborn will be treated for it.

Excessive crying : Some newborns cry excessively for no reason. If your baby is fed, burped, comfortable and in a clean diaper,  you can try holding, talking or singing to your baby to see if he will stop.  If crying persist or if it has a peculiar sound such as  shrieks of pain, it may be an indication of a medical problem. Call the doctor immediately .

Coughing : If a baby drinks very fast or tries to drink  water for the first time, he may cough a bit. This should stop as  soon as he adjusts to the feeding routine. Coughing may also be due to how strong or fast milks comes down from the breast of a nursing mom. If coughing is persistent or baby gags routinely during feeding, let your doctor know immediately.  It could be an underlying condition with the lungs or digestive system.

Forceps marks : When forceps are used during delivery, they may leave  red marks or superficial scrapes on the baby’s face and head where the metal pressed hard against the skin. These usually go away within a few days.

Sleepiness : Newborns spend most the time sleeping. This is okay as long as they wake up to eat every few hours and seem  content and is alert part of the day. However if the baby is barely alert, doesn’t wake up on his  own to eat and seem overly tired or not interested to eat, consult your doctor. This is especially important if the behavior is sudden from his usually routine.

Respiratory distress : A few hours after birth, your baby follows a normal breathing pattern and should have no trouble breathing. She may experience unusual breathing which may be due to blockage of the nasal passages. A few drops of saline  solution and the use of a syringe bulb will help resolve this problem.  However if your newborn shows signs of respiratory distress, call the pediatrician right away. Signs include :

• fast breathing
• flaring of nose
• grunting while breathing
• persistent blue skin coloring