While your baby is getting used to a new world

While you are experiencing the excitement of reuniting with your baby, he or she is trying to adapt to the new world they have just entered. The best way to make this not-so-easy process easier for both your baby and you will be to be aware of potential illnesses. Of course, there is no way to describe the indescribable joy of holding the world's most beautiful miracle in your arms. Moreover, if you have waited a long time for this miracle or if you have only recently reunited with your baby after a difficult process... While experiencing such intense emotions, certain diseases that are perfectly normal to see in newborns can cast a shadow over your happiness. For example, the baby's adaptation to the external environment after birth may not always be easy in the womb, and therefore medical support may be needed.

Since the immune system is also weak, infections can occur in newborn babies. However, do not let these problems discourage you! Most diseases in newborns do not cause any health problems in the future when treated appropriately. However, we must remember that if left untreated, they can lead to permanent issues in the baby. Therefore, drawing attention to accurate and timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, Medistate Kavacık Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Specialist Dr. Fatma Çakmak Çelik states that it is primarily important for parents to be well-informed. As parents, it is natural to become concerned about even the smallest problem in your baby. However, Dr. This article, in which Çelik discusses some problems that newborn babies may encounter, will guide you and alleviate your concerns.

Neonatal Jaundice

Jaundice, which occurs due to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, arises from the breakdown of red blood cells. Since a newborn has a high red blood cell count, bilirubin levels are also high. Bilirubin is metabolized in the liver and excreted from the body. Problems during this transition period can also cause jaundice. Most neonatal jaundice is physiological, poses no harm to the baby, does not require treatment, and resolves on its own. However, blood incompatibility between mother and baby, bleeding in the baby, and certain infections in the baby can cause pathological jaundice and may require treatment. Sometimes, bilirubin can rise to very high levels in the blood and cause damage to the brain. Therefore, babies with jaundice should be closely monitored and appropriately treated when necessary. In treatment, phototherapy and, if necessary, blood transfusion are administered. If the baby cannot feed properly in the first days of life, jaundice may also occur in this case. Therefore, the mother should receive proper breastfeeding education, and the baby should be fed frequently in the first days.

Polycythemia

Polycythemia is the condition in which the density of red blood cells in the blood is higher than normal. This condition can cause damage by impairing nutrition to organs and tissues. Polycythemia occurs with a frequency of 1-5% in newborn babies. The frequency of occurrence increases in cases such as maternal diabetes, large baby size, or fetal growth retardation. The treatment for the disease is partial blood exchange.

Wet Lungs (Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn)

The placenta, which meets the baby's needs in the womb, also performs the function of filtering the blood. After birth, the placenta's function ends and the baby must now adapt to the external environment and use its lungs. As the baby prepares for birth, that is, when labor approaches, the fluid present in the baby's lungs is absorbed by the body. Thus, after birth, the baby breathes in air that fills its lungs. However, if the fluid cannot be absorbed, the lungs cannot fill with sufficient air. In this case, the baby may experience difficulties such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, and cyanosis. As the name suggests, in the majority of cases, the disease is temporary and easily overcome. However, sometimes this disease is not as harmless as its name suggests; it may require respiratory support by being placed in an incubator in an appropriate neonatal intensive care unit. Although this treatment carries a very rare risk of losing the baby, the majority of babies monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit recover and are discharged. Encountering these issues while waiting to hold your baby is, of course, an extremely difficult situation. However, it will be a relief to know that the vast majority of babies recover.

Gas Pain (Infantile Colic)

Colic is defined as uncontrollable crying episodes in a healthy infant that last more than 3 hours, occur on 3 or more days a week, and continue for at least 3 weeks. Colic is not a disease and does not cause long-term harm to the baby. Generally, in babies born at term, colic begins 2-3 weeks after birth. Normally, babies cry when they are hungry, startle, come into contact with something cold, or get wet. However, a baby with gas pains cries without any apparent reason at the same time each day. These cries are louder than normal crying, start suddenly, and stop abruptly. During gas pains, the baby turns red and pulls its legs toward its body. However, let's also note that this challenging period, which exhausts the family, ends for most babies after 4 months. Dealing with a colicky baby is certainly not easy. Therefore, during this period, it is very important to support the mother and help her rest.

Why Do Some Babies Experience Gas Pain?

Although there are some theories about why gas pains occur more frequently in some babies, the exact reason is not known. However, one thing is certain: if the mother smokes during pregnancy or after birth, the risk of colic increases. The baby's gender, whether it is breastfed or formula-fed, and whether it is the first or last baby do not affect the frequency of colic.

There are also those who interpret colic crying as a way for sensitive babies to self-soothe. Towards the evening, these babies can no longer tolerate more noise and sound, and the colic crisis begins. According to another theory, disruption in the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut may cause colic. Therefore, some babies may benefit from probiotics.

What Should I Do If I Have Gas Pains?

You should definitely consult your baby's doctor. After listening to your concerns, your doctor may deem it necessary to perform tests to rule out other potential problems. They can help you with what you can do during gas pains and may recommend a gas drop.

To Cope With The Pain Of Gas…

First, comfort yourself by knowing that colic is temporary. Here are ways to comfort your baby when gas pain starts; Swaddle them loosely. Make sounds that let them sense your presence. Hold them in your arms and keep them close to your heart; change their position in your arms (e.g., face down). Hold them in your arms and walk around the house. Play the sounds of a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner for them (you can find these sounds online). Have your baby move their legs in a pedaling motion. After a warm bath, massage their belly with baby oil. Take a short car ride with your baby.

In newborn babies; Colic occurs in 8-40% of cases, Neonatal jaundice in 60% of term-born babies and 80% of preterm babies, and Polycythemia in 1-5% of cases.

References:

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Neonatal Jaundice Clinical Guidelines.

• World Health Organization. Newborn Health Overview.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant Health and Development.

• Turkish Neonatology Association. Neonatal Monitoring and Treatment Guide.