Jaundice in Healthy Newborns

February 16th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Mothers may often observe that jaundice in healthy newborns may also be expected. This may be referred to as physiological jaundice which may go away after a week or two. However, if mothers observe that the yellowish skin color persists longer, they may bring their babies to their doctors for proper diagnosis as there might be some serious liver disease. Babies who also develop jaundice within the first 24 hours of life would require medical attention.

Jaundice in healthy newborns may be caused by the building up of a yellow substance in the blood which is called bilirubin.  This substance should be processed by the liver so that it may be excreted from the baby’s body though the stools. However, the building up of bilirubin in the bodies of some babies may be too fast and their livers are not able to process it. This condition may happen because there are more red blood cells found in newborn babies and these cells have shorter lifespan. The breaking down and the removal of this yellowish substance take a little longer time to happen.

Jaundice in healthy newborns may occur at about 60% of them. There may be more cases of such condition especially with pre-term babies. Some healthy newborns who are breastfed may also have jaundice until they are about a month old. However, mothers have to seek medical assistance if they observe the condition for more than two weeks or their babies only start having jaundice after seven days of life. Mothers should also bring their babies to their doctors if they observe that the stools of their babies are chalky white.

In most cases, jaundice in healthy newborns may be corrected through light treatment or phototherapy. This may facilitate the removal of the bilirubin substance in their blood. In severe jaundice conditions, blood transfusion may be recommended. This process will replace the baby’s blood with one that does not have any bilirubin. If babies do not receive immediate medical attention when severe jaundice has been detected, they may develop some complication known as kernicterus. This may happen when the bilirubin substance enters the brain and this can cause damage or death in the brain.

Physiological jaundice in healthy newborns may be expected because their body systems are still developing. Once the bilirubin disposal body system matures, the extra red blood cells decrease and the jaundice go away. This type of jaundice in healthy newborns generally causes no harm. However, premature babies are more prone to this because their bodies have lesser ability to deal with the extra bilirubin.

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Newborn Babies with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

January 15th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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Most mothers have fears of having newborn babies with a cleft lip or a cleft palate or both. A cleft lip is any opening on the lip. A cleft palate is also an opening but in the roof of the newborn’s mouth. These physical defects are results of incomplete development while the baby is still inside the mother’s womb. The lips as well as the palates develop on each side on the first trimester and normally come together to create two fused vertical lines and become the upper lip. The two sides of the palate also follow the same process of coming together. Cleft palate as a birth defect should be treated using surgery so that the newborn will not have any problems with feeding, speaking and hearing.

Although medical experts are not sure what really causes cleft lip and cleft palate, there are some factors that may contribute to these birth defects and to happen while the fetus is developing. Among the suspected factors include the use of medication during pregnancy as well as the use and abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs. Pregnant women who are smoking and who may be exposed to radiation as well as to infections may also be likely to have babies with these birth defects. There are times when these physical defects are caused by genetic factors.

Pregnant women have to see to it that they keep themselves healthy even before getting pregnant. Those who have some family history of cleft lip or cleft palate may want to opt for genetic counseling. Cleft palate may not readily be seen upon birth unlike the cleft lip that can be seen right away. The location of the cleft palate may determine the extent of problems that the newborn babies may encounter especially with feeding. Though ultrasound may at times detect the occurrence of a cleft palate at about 14-16 weeks during pregnancy, it may not always find the problem even when used to diagnose pregnant women and their unborn babies.

Newborn babies with cleft palate may be treated with surgery by the time they reach 12 months. Other babies may have to undergo several surgical procedures until they reach their teens. There may also be other problems that should be treated as well. These may include problems with speech, hearing or even with teeth as well as sinus and ear infections. Other babies may have also some problems that are related to the surgical procedure that has been done.

Newborn babies with cleft lip or cleft palate conditions may not be easy for the parents as well. However, they can seek some support groups who are undergoing similar problems. Family and friends may also give their love and support to make things more bearable for the baby and for the parents as well.

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Babies with Sleep Problems

January 10th, 2012 Posted in Babies
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There are many factors that may be considered when it comes to babies with sleep problems. Parents are advised to have their babies checked by their pediatricians. There may be some health or physical conditions that may be affecting the sleeping patterns of their babies. Parents also have to check the environment where their babies sleep. The sleeping area may not be comfortable and noisy or there are other distractions as well. They will also have to check that the room where their babies sleep has the right temperature, not too warm but not too cold either. The home atmosphere may also affect the sleeping patterns of babies. It is important that all family members including the babies live in a harmonious and tension-free home.

Babies with sleep problems need to be cared of properly especially with the correct feeding. Parents have to see to it that their babies are dry and comfortable as much as possible. They may also need to cuddle and reassure their babies from time to time. This is essential in the development of their babies. Parents may also put some soft and cuddly toys around their babies when they sleep. This may add to their feelings of assurance whenever they have to sleep alone.

Parents having babies with sleep problems may need to try soothing activities. They may sing lullabies or nursery rhymes which they can do together with some gentle back rubbing to put them comfortably to sleep. It is necessary that babies are put to sleep at the same time every night especially when they are growing. They will be able to learn about the routine and it would not be too difficult to put them to sleep at night. Although letting the baby cry is natural, parents have to check first what is making him or her uncomfortable. Parents are now advised to put babies on their back to sleep rather than the usual sleeping position on their stomach.

Babies with sleeping problems may be given other relaxing activities before bedtime such as a warm bath. There are those that would feel comfortable when they are wrapped with soft baby blankets especially for younger babies. Some parents are not able to cope with the stress of handling babies with sleeping problems. As such they may seek some help from their support groups or they may ask someone to help them when they are too tired to deal with the problem. Babies may cry throughout the night but they simply are communicating something that they cannot yet understand and verbalize. If there are no underlying medical conditions that may be causing it, parents will have to learn how to handle babies with sleeping problems.

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