Holding your newborn in your arms for the first time is an unreal feeling. They come into this world as bearers of happiness and love. Your bond and connection to them is almost natural, and that also helps you notice even the minutest changes in their mood.
However, close observations can soon spiral into paranoia, leading you to overanalyzing the little things. You suspect their breathing has sped up or that they’re crying from pain, and that you should be doing something about it. Worried and anxious for answers, new mothers turn moles into mountains.
But being worried is natural; it just shows that you care about your baby’s health. Instead going on a Google searching spree that is going to put more doubts in mind than answer them Qualia Mind review, you should read the following guide to know if your baby really is healthy.
You do not see signs of birth injury
Newborns are delicate. The delivery process is complicated and a slight negligence on part of the doctors or nurses can lead the baby to develop an incurable birth injury. After delivery when the baby has been wiped dry and dressed, make sure to look for any significant injury signs. If the delivery clinic staff weren’t too careful during the process, your child could develop any of these birth injuries or complications: brachial palsy, bruising, swelling, facial paralysis, fractures and dislocations, Cephalohematoma etc. In case of negligence, you can sue the hospital by contacting the folks at Birth Injury Justice Center, who will guide on the treatment options and compensations you are owed.
They get hungry often
A newborn has not much else to do except feed. So if your baby is feeding 8 to 12 times a day then you’ve nothing to worry about because that’s a healthy intake of milk.
Babies are born with an instinct to suck on something that touches the roof of their mouth. This is known as the sucking reflex. The process of feeding is aided by this reflex. If this reflex is working fine, they’ll be feeding throughout the day.
You are changing around 6-8 diapers a day
Breast milk is easily digested. So, your newborn should be passing stool around 3-5 times a day and should be passing urine about 6-8 times a day. A diaper change every two to three hours is a sign of health in babies. This number should increase as they start consuming more breast milk or formula.
You should also be observing your newborn’s urine and bowel movements to determine their health. In a healthy newborn, the color of the urine should be light yellow or slightly dark yellow. The darker the yellow, the more concentrated the urine, which is not what you want for your newborn.
The color of the urine, the lightness or darkness of the yellow, signify how dehydrated your baby may be. For stool, the colors brown, tan, yellow, and green are all normal in a healthy baby. If the stool is red, black, or white, set up an appointment with the doctor immediately.
Your baby is gaining weight
From birth to about 6 months, a baby grows half to one inch a month and may gain 5-7 ounces a week. Make a note of your baby’s growth on every visit to the doctor. But do not worry, all newborns are different. Don’t be obsessive about the numbers because not all babies are supposed to neatly fall into the standard weight and height ratios.
Your baby responds to sounds
A healthy baby begins responding to different voice stimuli in their environment. When something, like the television or a toy, makes a sound, it makes them look toward it. When you talk lovingly to your baby, it might look at you with that innocent gaze, unable to comprehend your words, but listening attentively to the sound of your voice. This reveals that their hearing is fine.
Your baby looks at patterns and movements
Newborns can see between 8-12 inches. Many parents install hanging toys for babies over their strollers and beds. The movement the toys make catches their attention. A newborn can completely zone when a rotating fan catches its eye. If your baby is paying attention to movements and patterns, you have nothing to worry about.
Your baby responds to people’s expressions
It is heartwarming to see your newborn smile at you. If your newborn is reciprocating your smiles with one of theirs, then it’s a sign of health. It indicates emotional and social development. With time, they’ll start developing spatial and people awareness. By two months’ time, your baby should be able to make eye contact and break into a smile.
They have gained a little control over their body
Newborns have no coordination when they’re born and move and feel like jelly. However, they start slowly developing control of their head and limbs.
In about two months, your baby’s head should start feeling firmer than before. The baby shouldn’t require as much support for holding their head straight. By 3-4 months, your life is going to get a little tricker, as they will start turning over and lying on their stomach. You should let them lie on their stomach when they’re awake, but make sure you supervise.
Conclusion
Not all newborns develop the same way. Your attention to their health is natural and completely normal. But don’t let overthinking get the best of you. Consult regularly with a doctor, especially if you spot signs that are not easily explainable. Apart from that, the signs mentioned above are good indicators of your baby’s health, and that you have nothing to worry about.
