7 Common Newborn Health Issues and How to Manage Them – Insights from a Maternity Hospital in Raipur

Having a newborn is a welcome event, but it also brings with it challenges, particularly relating to newborn health. Most infants have common conditions that are cause for worry for new parents. But with the proper information and medical advice from a maternity hospital, such conditions can be addressed well.

At the Best Women Hospital in Raipur, specialists provide comprehensive care to ensure newborns receive the best medical attention from birth. In this article, we’ll discuss seven common newborn health issues and how to manage them, offering insights from expert pediatricians and maternity care providers.

1. Jaundice in Newborns

What is Newborn Jaundice?

Newborn jaundice is a normal condition causing a yellowish color on the skin and eyes of a baby resulting from excessive bilirubin in the bloodstream. It normally occurs within 2-4 days post-delivery and also tends to be more frequent in premature infants.

Causes of Jaundice

Poor liver development

Premature birth

Incompatibility of the blood type between mother and child

Blood-testicular (breast) failure to suckle properly (breastfeeding jaundice)

How to Manage It?

Frequent feeding: Helps to expel excess bilirubin from the baby's body.

Phototherapy treatment: Infants are treated with a specific blue light that degrades bilirubin.

Blood exchange transfusion (only in severe rare cases).

A Best Women Hospital in Raipur conducts neonatal jaundice tests and modern treatments such as phototherapy for quick recovery.

2. Colic and Excessive Crying

What is Colic?

Colic is a period of intense crying in an otherwise normal baby, usually for over three hours daily, three times a week, for three weeks or longer.

Reasons behind Colic

Buildup of gas in the stomach of the baby

Immature digestive tract

Discomfort or overstimulation

Food intolerance (if the baby is breastfed)

How to Control It?

Burp the infant after feeding to expel trapped gas.

Give gentle massages and warm compresses on the belly.

Provide a pacifier to calm the infant.

Get relief from colic by consulting a pediatrician at the Best Women Hospital in Raipur.

3. Newborn Respiratory Distress

What is Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)?

A few newborns, especially premature infants, can breathe with difficulty because their lungs are not fully developed. Respiratory distress can manifest as fast breathing, grunting, or flaring nostrils.

Causes of Newborn Respiratory Distress

Premature birth (lungs not fully developed)

Infections such as pneumonia

Meconium aspiration syndrome (baby breathes stool before birth)

How to Manage It?

Oxygen therapy to support breathing.

Surfactant replacement therapy for premature infants.

NICU treatment for serious conditions needing ventilator therapy.

A Best Women Hospital in Raipur provides the entire NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) that offers life-giving treatments for newborn respiratory distress.

4. Feeding and Latching Issues

What Are Feeding Problems?

Newborns may have difficulty with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding because of inadequate latching or poor sucking reflexes. This may lead to weight loss and dehydration if not treated immediately.

Causes of Latching and Feeding Problems

Tongue-tie (limited movement of the tongue)

Prematurity (poor suckling reflex)

Mother's milk supply problems

How to Deal With It?

Seek advice from a lactation expert at the Best Women Hospital in Raipur.

Experiment with different breastfeeding positions.

Use breast pumps or formula feeding if necessary.

Monitor for dehydration signs like fewer wet diapers or weight loss.

Early intervention and support from a pediatrician or lactation expert ensure that newborns receive adequate nutrition for proper growth.

5. Infections in Newborns

What Are Newborn Infections?

Babies are highly vulnerable to infections due to their immature immune systems. Common newborn infections include:

Sepsis (blood infection)

Pneumonia (lung infection)

Meningitis (brain infection

Causes of Infections

Premature rupture of membranes (water breaking early)

Mother’s infections during pregnancy

Exposure to home or hospital bacterial exposure

How to Manage?

Antibiotic treatment for an immediate bacterial infection.

Good hygiene and hand wash at home.

Regular check-ups with pediatricians to catch infection early.

Neonatal screening for infection in the Best Women Hospital in Raipur for providing early diagnosis and treatment.

6. Allergy and Rashes on Skin

What Are Normal Newborn Skin Conditions?

Delicate skin on newborns makes them prone to rashes, peeling, and dry skin. Some newborn skin problems include:

Diaper rash

Baby acne and eczema

Cradle cap (scalp condition of scaly patches)

How to Manage It?

Utilize hypoallergenic baby products.

Change diapers regularly to avoid diaper rash.

Moisturize to avoid dryness.

Consult a pediatric dermatologist if rashes do not go away.

A Best Women Hospital in Raipur offers newborn skin care tips and treatments to maintain a baby's healthy skin.

7. Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth Complications

What is Low Birth Weight?

Infants with birth weight less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) are considered low birth weight and need additional medical attention.

Reasons for Low Birth Weight

Premature labor

Inadequate prenatal nutrition

Preexisting medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes

How to Control It?

NICU therapy for premature infants with respiratory or feeding problems.

Fortified breast milk or formula for additional nutrition.

Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin) to maintain body heat.

A Best Women Hospital in Raipur offers sophisticated neonatal care to enable low-birth-weight infants to grow up healthy.

Conclusion

Newborn illnesses are prevalent yet controllable through skilled medical intervention and proper counselling. Preemptive care, routine check-ups, and early interventions can make mother and child both healthy.

For complete maternity and newborn care, come to Kamla Women's Hospital, the Best Maternity Hospital in Raipur, with skilled pediatric, obstetric, and neonatal care for safe delivery and healthy babies.