Looking after a new baby is one of life’s greatest gifts, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without its stresses. In fact, as you’ve likely come to realise, there seems to be a lot to stress about as you try to give your baby the best care possible.
While it’s true that there’s plenty to be cautious about, worrying never does anyone any good. Instead, you should simply do your best to arm yourself with the facts.
In this article, you’ll learn about ten of the most common medical issues babies can suffer from and what you can do to treat them.
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1. Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is one of the most common ailments a baby can face. It presents as red, inflamed skin around the attachment points of the diaper and the creases of the skin, and is usually caused by spending too much time in a soiled nappy.
It’s uncomfortable for your baby, but it isn’t serious; the issue usually clears up shortly after the area has been washed and thoroughly dried, and you can use barrier cream with zinc oxide to speed up the process.
2. Dry Skin
Another common issue for babies is dry skin. This often occurs in the first few weeks, but can happen consistently throughout the baby’s first year.
With dry skin, you’ll usually notice that the skin peels, and it’s likely very itchy. The issue can arise from too much bathing, so if you notice your baby has it, try cutting back to a three-times-per-week schedule.
A baby’s dry face rash can also occur during the early months, whether it’s due to the issue stated above, allergies, weather, or so on. A gentle moisturizer usually helps a lot in these instances.
3. Ear Infections
Ear infections are one of the most common complaints, and they typically begin to increase in frequency around toddler age. Often, the child will try to itch their ear or pull on it out of discomfort, and the area around the ear may be visibly inflamed.
If you notice these sorts of signs, take them to the doctor; they’ll provide a proper examination and determine whether or not they need antibiotics.
4. Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition characterized by a yellow hue in the eyes and skin; it’s certainly something you’d notice quite obviously if it happened. This occurs due to high bilirubin, which is a yellowish pigment the body produces as it begins to break down old red blood cells in the body.
It’s usually nothing to worry about and resolves on its own (breastfeeding helps), but take your baby to the doctor if you notice anything for a professional opinion.
5. Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are a very common problem for young children. There are many different types, and their exact cause usually can’t be pinpointed, but most are the result of common seasonal bugs.
As is the case in adults, most colds simply heal on their own, but you can help things along by using a humidifier in the baby’s room to speed up the loosening of mucus (just make sure the one you use is safe for babies). If your baby develops a severe hacking cough or fever, however, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
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6. Oral Thrush
Thrush is a type of fungal infection that presents as white patches on the tongue and walls of the cheeks. The cause is an overgrowth of yeast, and it can happen at any time, but most commonly after a round of antibiotics has been used to treat something else.
Head to your doctor if your baby experiences this problem (they’ll likely prescribe antifungals), and make sure you sterilize anything going in your baby’s mouth.
7. Gas
Every baby will experience gas and bloating at some point, and while they’ll likely cry a lot when it happens, it’s generally harmless. It happens as your baby’s digestive tract struggles to process food, and you’ll likely notice that their belly looks visibly distended.
The remedy is time and burping your baby after feeding.
8. Constipation
Constipation is a common ailment across all ages, but it can be particularly prevalent in babies. It often occurs if your baby has eaten something their body isn’t used to, or simply due to the fact that they’re not yet used to processing solid foods.
Make sure you follow a plan for weaning your baby off liquids and onto solids, and don’t start too abruptly. If constipation has already set in, you can try some gentle stomach massages to help ease things along.
9. Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is another name for seborrheic dermatitis, which is a common skin condition resulting in a flaky red or orange rash that usually occurs on the scalp (though it can occur on other areas of the body, such as the creases of the arm and around the ears).
It can be quite uncomfortable for your baby and so needs treatment promptly. Gentle bathing can help restore the skin to its natural condition, and if it’s bad enough, the doctor can provide a medicated cream to help.
10. Colic
And finally, there’s colic, which is essentially extended periods of crying that can seem like they never stop. There’s no direct cause of colic, and in many cases, it’s simply something the child will have to go through.
What eases colic will be different for each baby, but a mixture of rocking, cuddling, and pacifiers tends to be the best bet. Of course, there could be another reason they’re continually crying, so be sure to investigate these first (it could be any of the above issues, in fact!).
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand the most common ailments that young babies experience. This is just an overview, however, so be sure to do some further research so that you’re clear on the variations in how each of these issues can be present.
Acting early usually provides the best outcome, so being prepared is essential!
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