It’s rare for infants to develop infections in the first six months of life because mothers pass on antibodies to the baby through the placenta and breast milk. Mothers naturally develop these antibodies after exposure to common bugs, which protect their newborns from infections. After six months, the infant’s immune system starts designing its own antibodies to common bugs. However, bottle-fed and improperly weaned babies are more susceptible to infections in the first six months. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize breastfeeding to ensure that all babies receive the necessary protection.
Weaning is the process of gradually transitioning the baby from breast milk to common family foods, and it’s recommended to start weaning by six months. Providing adequate breastfeeding and following a proper weaning process can help strengthen an infant’s immune system and reduce their risk of developing infections.
Common health emergencies that one might encounter in the first 6 months.
Newborn babies can be vulnerable to various health emergencies in their first six months of life. As a parent, you should be aware of the common health problems that your baby might encounter and know when to seek medical help. Below are some of the common health emergencies and their management.
- Nasal Blocks: It’s common for infants and newborns to have a nasal block, mainly due to the regurgitation of milk into the nasal passage. They may present with excessive crying, noisy breathing, fast breathing, or irritability. Use saline nose drops and clear the nasal passage using a nasal aspirator or a mucus suction bulb. You can buy these devices here. Seek medical help if the symptoms do not show improvement within three days of nasal saline drop use or if there is poor feeding, fast breathing, or the baby is dull.
- Vomiting: It’s common for newborns to spit out some milk. Sometimes, the milk spit out is fresh milk or it could be curdled. This is because of the regurgitation of milk. To minimize this discomfort, ensure that they are not overfed, and babies are burped after a feed. Seek medical help if there is persistent vomiting associated with weight loss or poor weight gain.
- Loose Stools: It’s common to see loose stools in babies during the first three weeks, called transitional diarrhea. One can differentiate infective diarrhea from transitional diarrhea by looking out for these features: in transitional diarrhea, stools are watery, golden yellow in color, frothy, and non-foul smelling. One can pass up to 15 times a day which might last for a few weeks to months. Transitional diarrhea indicates that breast milk secretions have been established, and this condition does not need any treatment, it settles over time. Seek medical help if there is any foul smell, blood, or dark green stools.
- Rash: 90% of the rash in newborns is normal and self-limiting. Even if the rash recurs, there is no need to worry. Applying oils or moisturizers will be sufficient for most rashes. Most of the rash is due to exposure to environmental allergens to the sensitive skin of the newborn. Seek medical help regarding the rash only if there is any pus collection associated with red tender swelling below the rash. Seek medical help if there is a rash around the umbilicus or any secretions from the umbilical stump.
- BCG Scar: BCG is a live vaccine administered for tuberculosis. One can see swelling around the injection site 4 to 8 weeks following the vaccination, which starts as a small swelling and increases in size to ooze some secretions and forms into a scar over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. There is no reason to worry about this. Seek medical help if there is any swelling in the armpit on the limb vaccine was administered.
- Umbilical Infections: Any erythema or redness around the umbilical stump with secretions from the umbilical area indicates that it is infected. It’s advisable to seek medical help when in doubt. Another common issue with the umbilical stump is delayed falling of the stump. If the stump does not dry up and falls within a week, it’s advisable to seek medical help. After the umbilical stump has fallen, if there is any secretion from the stump that is watery or pus-like, it’s advisable to seek medical help. You can try to clean the area with an alcohol swab or antiseptic solution. If there is no improvement, need to rule out an umbilical granuloma. Umbilical granulomas are small remnants of the stump, if present they need to be cleared by using salt as cautery. Applying salt over the granuloma, for 3 minutes, 3 times a day for 3 days will completely cure the problem.
In conclusion, it is important to be aware of the common health emergencies that newborns and infants may encounter in the first few months of life. Seeking prompt medical attention when necessary and taking preventive measures can help ensure the baby’s health and well-being. As a parent or caregiver, staying informed and prepared can help you handle any situation that may arise.
About the Author
One of our leading pediatricians, Dr. Srihari, is a recognized expert in the field and has been treating children for about 18 years. His exceptional skills and expertise have earned him a reputation as one of the best pediatricians in Bangalore. At Revive Hospitals, we take pride in our patient-centric approach, which is focused on providing quality care to children and their families. Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a team of highly qualified doctors and nurses who are committed to delivering the best possible care to our young patients.