Warning signs for newborns

Childbirth can be stressful for the baby. Newborns must make many physiologic adaptations immediately after birth and anything can happen. There are certain warning signs you need to watch out for and  these include the following :

• Breathing problems that can result in a rapid breathing rate over 60 breaths per minute or a blue coloring that does not go away. Newborns usually have irregular respirations so you need to count a full minute. There should be no pauses longer than about ten seconds between breaths. You should also take note of wheezing, grunting or whistling sound while breathing.
• No bowel movement for the  first 48 hours.
• Poor feeding or sucking.
• No urine output in the first 24 hours.
• A rectal temperature of over 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) or less than 97.5 degrees F (36.5 degrees C).
• Retraction or pulling in of the ribs with respirations .
• Yellowing of the white part of the  eyes, chest or extremities.
• Drainage, odor or bleeding of the umbilical cord.
• Vomiting especially when its yellow or green in color.
• Any signs of sickness  such as cough , diarrhea and poor color.
• Irritability , twitching or crying  that doesn’t improve with cuddling and comfort.
• A sleepy baby who cannot be awakened enough to nurse or bottle feed.