Children are more likely than adults to encounter the problem of helminth infestation. However, worms in infants are a fairly rare occurrence. Despite this, such a pathology can still develop, and therefore parents should be fully armed and know exactly what means will help the newborn. It is also necessary to pay attention to the first symptoms of the pathology in order to begin appropriate treatment as early as possible.

An infant may well develop worms. Most often these are round types that attack the digestive system. In second place in terms of frequency of occurrence are Giardia - these are microscopic organisms that affect not only the intestinal area, but also the gallbladder.

Of course, worms in newborns are a big problem that can appear due to the following factors:

• contact with a dirty surface or any object, such as shoes, floors or toys;
• playing in a sandbox, objects picked up from the ground - that is, those that are potentially infected;
• communication with infected animals – both street and domestic;
• eating raw, unwashed fruits and vegetables, as well as any other poorly processed foods introduced as complementary foods.

Any of these factors can cause a baby to develop worms. However, the appearance of pathology is not always as obvious as we would like, so the symptoms deserve special attention.

The first symptoms of worms in a baby

• stool disorder;
• itching in the anal area, which worsens at night or in the morning;
• the appearance of plaque in the tongue area;
• the appearance of circles around the eyes;
• drooling at night, in which parents may find wet marks on the pillow, approximately in the mouth area.

In addition, direct symptoms may be accompanied by very poor, slow weight gain. The more symptoms presented were identified in a child, the higher the likelihood that he has worms.

As indirect symptoms, pay attention to allergic reactions and a sharp decrease in immunity. The fact is that their settlement in the baby’s body will be accompanied by the release of their waste products into the intestinal cavity. We are talking about toxic substances that destabilize the intestinal microflora, aggravate the process of digestion of food, and also significantly reduce immunity and provoke a significant allergic reaction in the body. At the same time, the baby will face constant allergies, even to the most familiar foods. Taking all this into account, worms in infants should be treated as quickly as possible.

Treatment methods for newborns

The recovery process in infants can be carried out exclusively with drugs that contain a component called albendazole. Nemozol is characterized by the lowest degree of toxicity and high efficiency for a newborn child. This product is produced in the form of a suspension. For an infant 10 months and older, deworming may involve using a product such as Zentel.

It is necessary to remember that:

1. It is acceptable to use Piperazine for a child of one month or more. It is completely safe and harmless, and therefore is prescribed even to women who are breastfeeding.
2. The dosage of medications against helminths, as well as the specific regimen of use, must be established either by a pediatrician or an infectious disease specialist. In this case, criteria such as age, weight category, and the baby’s overall health condition should be taken into account. The degree of infection with worms and their specific type are also taken into account.
3. Treatment of helminthiasis in an infant can be carried out with additional correction. It involves the use of not only probiotics, but also other antihistamines. Such a repeated course of reinfestation is usually carried out after at least 10, but not more than 14 days.

In order to cope with the occurrence of worms in an infant, the use of enterosorbents is acceptable. Such names guarantee successful cleansing of the blood, as well as the intestinal area.

Additionally, enzymes can be used that normalize the children's digestive system. Vitamin and mineral components, which make it possible to improve the overall immune background, will be no less useful.

Briefly about folk remedies

As an additional measure of influence on the baby’s body, folk remedies can be used. It is first important to ensure that they are hypoallergenic and harmless. That is why they can be introduced into a rehabilitation course only after consulting a pediatrician. It is also recommended to use any of the indicated products and recipes at the initial stage in a minimum dosage.

So, such products as pumpkin seeds, nut peels, cloves, as well as garlic and wormwood are characterized by a high anthelmintic effect. Experts point out that:

1. For a baby, such a characteristic as the taste component of the drug is very important, because a bitter and tasteless medicine is not easy to swallow even for an adult, for example, wormwood. In this regard, in the process of treating worms in infants, ground pumpkin seeds are actively used.
2. Raw dried seeds or, for example, nut shells are ground together with the peel using a coffee grinder. The resulting powder does not have a bitter aftertaste, and therefore is quite suitable for daily use.
3. If necessary, any of the presented compositions can be mixed into milk or, for example, a grated apple or a small amount of freshly cooked porridge can be added to it.

Could there be consequences?

If the parents did not start treatment for worms in the newborn on time, alas, certain consequences can be diagnosed. First of all, this is a worsening of the digestive system, which increases the likelihood of developing gastritis, indigestion, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. Also, the child’s immune defense is worsened, as a result of which the body becomes extremely weakened. The baby becomes highly prone to colds, as well as infectious and other diseases.

Taking all this into account, parents should under no circumstances neglect complete and timely treatment of worms. This is what will make it possible to improve the general condition of the baby and eliminate the likelihood of complications.

The temperature of a newborn is a very important indicator of the health of the baby; there are many reasons for its increase, and they are all very different.

In our article, we will try to understand what temperature is considered normal in a newborn, find out the reasons that cause its increase and understand in which cases it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

Let's find out the norms

Normal body temperature of a newborn may fluctuate:

• in the armpits - 36-37°C (37°C in a newborn is the upper limit of normal),
• rectal (in the rectum) - 36.9-37.4°C,
• oral (in the mouth) - 36.6-37.2°C.

Parents can notice the highest temperature readings in their baby from 6 to 10 pm, and the lowest body temperature is characteristic of the early morning hours.

Why can the temperature change so much?

In a newborn baby, most of the body systems, although formed, are still immature, which is completely true for its functioning. thermoregulation systems. It is because of this immaturity that newborns are very sensitive to environmental conditions : They freeze and overheat easily, so it is difficult for them to maintain their body temperature at 36.6 °C, even when it is around 24-25 °C.

Enough measure temperature accurately your baby can use a digital electronic thermometer or a pacifier thermometer, but do not forget about the possibility individual body temperature fluctuations .

To determine the individual norm of changes in the temperature of a newborn baby, try measuring his temperature when he is healthy and calm 3 times a day (morning, afternoon and evening).

Reasons for rising temperature

We’ve sorted out the norms and individual characteristics of temperature increases, but why is the thermometer still showing a frightening 37.8°C?

Among the most common causes of fever in newborn babies is called:

• overheating when wrapped;
• staying in direct sunlight or in a very hot room;
• improper drinking regime;
• constipation;
• high physical activity;
• prolonged crying;
• infectious diseases;
• inflammatory processes.

When you can't hesitate

The baby's temperature has risen, the parents called the doctor and are anxiously awaiting his visit, trying their best to alleviate the baby's condition.

Pediatrician Maria Savinova will tell you how to do it correctly : « Before the doctor arrives, try to create conditions for the baby that will alleviate his condition: ventilate the room, reduce the air temperature to 21°C , if possible, humidify the air as much as possible, do not wrap the child up, if the baby cries, try to calm him down, because Crying may cause the temperature to rise even more; breastfeed your baby if he wants. Rubbing a child with cold water is not recommended - this can cause convulsions and muscle tremors, as well as taking medications.”

But there are a number of signs when an increase in temperature in a newborn requires immediate response and you need to call an ambulance:

• a child under 3 months of age has a temperature in the armpit above 38°C and it is not possible to call a local pediatrician;
• the temperature continues to rise every 20-30 minutes and does not go down;
• convulsions appear, the body is tense, the child rolls his eyes;
• the baby cries, does not take the breast, has become lethargic, and has diarrhea or vomiting;
• the child does not urinate or his urine has become cloudy or acquired an unusual color;
• the baby's skin has turned white or acquired another unusual shade;
• chronic diseases of the child.

Each of these signs, combined with an elevated body temperature in the baby, is a reason to call an ambulance as soon as possible, because the sooner the doctor examines the child, the easier it will be to solve the problem.

Remember that you can’t get up just like that, there is always some reason for this, which can only be determined by a doctor, who must be contacted immediately.

Take care of your baby and be healthy!

WORLD OF A CHILD

A newborn baby perceives the world around him as a stream of rapidly changing sensations. All feelings, sounds, images are unfamiliar to him and are not interconnected. The baby has no sense of time, sensation and cannot separate himself from the world around him. His system of thinking lacks cause and effect. Events happen as if on their own, independently of each other. The child is hungry and hears his own crying. Is this cry born within his being or comes from somewhere outside? Maybe both the crying and the feeling of hunger disappear because mom came? The child does not know the answer and cannot ask a question...
Because distress causes crying and crying is followed by comfort, a connection between these events is gradually built in the child's mind. He sees you at his crib and already feels that a feeling of comfort and peace will come. After some time, the baby will begin to intuitively feel safe, knowing that his desires will be satisfied. As your child's trust in you increases, your confidence in your abilities increases. You are already able to correctly assess his inclinations, you know his strengths, you can adapt to the pace of the baby’s development and satisfy his needs. You now become the most important person in his life who understands his needs and character.
During the first days and weeks, the bond of love between you and your baby grows stronger. This warm and tender relationship will be his first lesson in love. Throughout his life, he will draw energy from them and build relationships with the outside world on their basis.

Motor skills

A newborn baby is not able to eat or move independently, but he is far from helpless. He enters the world with a fairly large set of behavior patterns based on unconditioned reflexes. Most of them are vital for the baby. For example, if a newborn baby is stroked on the cheek, he turns his head and looks for the pacifier with his lips. If you put the pacifier in your mouth, your baby will automatically start sucking on it. Another set of reflexes protects the baby from physical harm. If your baby covers his nose and mouth, he will turn his head from side to side. When any object comes close to his face, he automatically blinks his eyes.
Some reflexes of a newborn are not of vital importance, but it is by them that the level of development of the child can be determined. While examining a newly born baby, the pediatrician holds him in different positions, suddenly makes loud sounds, and runs his finger over the baby’s foot. By how the child reacts to these and other actions, the doctor is convinced that the newborn’s reflexes are normal and the nervous system is in order.
While most of the reflexes inherent in a newborn disappear during the first year of life, some of them become the basis for acquired forms of behavior. At first, the baby sucks instinctively, but as he gains experience, he adapts and changes his actions depending on specific conditions. The same can be said about the grasping reflex. A newborn baby clenches his fingers the same way every time, no matter what object is placed in his palm. However, when the baby is four months old, he will already learn to control his movements. He will first focus on the object, then reach out and grab it.
We tend to believe that all newborns begin their development from the same starting point, but they differ markedly from each other in the level of motor activity. Some children are surprisingly lethargic and passive. Lying on their stomach or back, they remain almost motionless until they are lifted and shifted. Others, on the contrary, show noticeable activity. If such a child is placed face down in a crib, he will slowly but persistently move towards the head of the crib until he hits the very corner. Very active children may reflexively roll over from their stomach to their back.
Another important difference in newborns is the level of muscle tone. Some children look very tense: their knees are constantly bent, their arms are tightly pressed to their body, their fingers are tightly clenched into fists. Others are more relaxed, the muscle tone of their limbs is not so strong.
The third difference between newborns is the degree of development of their sensory-motor system. Some children, especially young ones or those born prematurely, are very easily disturbed. At any, even the most insignificant noise, they shudder with their entire being, and their arms and legs begin to move erratically. Sometimes, for no apparent reason, a shiver runs through their body. Other babies look well developed from birth. They seem to know how to put their hand in or near their mouth and often do this to calm themselves down. When they move their legs, their movements are orderly and rhythmic.
The different levels of development of motor skills, muscle tone and sensory-motor system that are observed in newborns reflect features in the organization of the nervous system. Children who are active, well developed and have normal muscle tone are considered easy children by their parents. Passive, underdeveloped children with sluggish or, conversely, too tense muscle tone, which is observed in the first months of life, are much more difficult to care for. Fortunately, thanks to the caring care and patience of their parents, most children overcome these difficulties and quickly catch up with their peers in their development.

Ability to see, hear, feel

A child is born with an innate repertoire of reactions that help him adapt to the world around him. He squints his eyes when a bright light comes on or an object comes close to his face. Over a short distance, he can follow with his gaze a moving object or a human face.
A newborn child also has the innate ability to receive new information through his senses. It is curious that he even shows certain preferences among what he sees. In general, babies prefer dotted configurations and are particularly attracted to moving objects and black and white combinations. Think about the amazing properties the human eye has. It is difficult to resist the conclusion that a child initially has a unique ability to establish eye contact with his parents.
Along with innate visual abilities, the newborn also has remarkable hearing. We are not only confident that the baby hears from the moment of birth, but there is every reason to assume that he hears while still in the womb. The newborn turns his head in the direction from which the sound is coming, especially if it is an unfamiliar sound, and, conversely, turns away from repeated, loud or continuous sounds. Even more amazing is the fact that a child is able to distinguish a human voice from any other sound. In other words, in addition to the innate ability to look into your eyes, the child also has the ability to hear your voice. However, despite the fact that a newborn is able to perceive sound and turn in the direction from which it is coming, its visual and auditory systems are not sufficiently coordinated. If a child hears a noise whose source is right in front of him, he will not instinctively look for it. Such coordination takes time to develop. By giving the child the opportunity to get acquainted with objects that attract his attention both by their appearance and their sound, parents lay the foundation in the baby’s mind for the ability to connect what he sees with what he hears.
So far we have been talking about the child’s ability to see and hear. Now it’s time to talk about other sensations: taste, smell and touch. Children love sweets and refuse salty, sour and bitter foods. In addition, they turn away from strong and pungent odors.
It is also known that newborns react to various types of touch. While vigorous rubbing with a terry towel excites the baby, a gentle massage can put him to sleep. By running your fingertips or a piece of soft silk fabric over your body, you can bring it into a state of calm wakefulness. It is especially pleasant for the baby to feel the touch of human skin. Many mothers who breastfeed their children say that the baby begins to suck more actively if his hand lies on the mother’s chest.
We have described several typical ways in which children respond to different types of stimuli, with the child's reactions to them manifesting differently depending on specific conditions. Dr. Prechtl and Dr. Brazelton, as well as other researchers who study newborns, note that children have different levels of excitability. This level of excitability determines the behavioral characteristics of children. When the child wakes up, he may be calmly awake or actively awake, or he may scream or cry.
How a newborn reacts to what is happening in the world around him depends most of all on the degree of his arousal. A child who is in a state of calm wakefulness, hearing the bell, will immediately stop his actions and try to turn towards the sound. The same baby, in an excited or irritated state, may simply not notice the bell.

We understand our child

The period of infancy is the time when both the child and parents adapt to each other. Caring for a baby forces adults to organize their daily routine in a new way. The newborn adapts both physically and psychologically to life outside the mother's body. An integral part of this process is the child’s self-regulation. He learns to independently regulate the degree of his activity, so as to smoothly transition from sleep to wakefulness and vice versa. In the first weeks after the birth of your baby, you will spend a lot of energy trying to help your baby master these transitional states.
A wide-awake child reacts to sounds by looking intently at the faces of those around him, and seems to have an attentive and intelligent gaze. At such moments, the baby’s energy is aimed at perceiving information, and then the parents have the opportunity to engage and communicate with him. However, too intense exercise can tire your child out. The newborn cannot get out of the state of excitement on his own. Therefore, it is especially important that parents feel in time that the baby needs rest. If his mouth wrinkles, his fists clench and he nervously moves his legs, then it’s time to rest.
Periods of activity and rest in a child’s life should alternate. By creating the right daily routine, you will help your baby move from one state to another in a natural way. After feeding, for example, you can hold him in an upright position, leaning him against your shoulder, or pick him up and gently rock him.
Sometimes a child can come to a state of rest even after a strong cry. If the awakened baby begins to be capricious and it is clear that he is about to cry, parents, as a rule, try in every possible way to prevent this. However, in some cases it will be more appropriate to give the opportunity to shout properly. Apparently, crying relieves stress in a child and helps him move from one state to another. Even if he cries immediately after a nap, missing the state of calm wakefulness, after crying he can find it.
However, as a rule, it can be very difficult for a newborn to come out of the screaming state without outside help. All children need help to calm down. However, each of them requires an individual approach.
Some children become quiet if their parents carefully take them in their arms or wrap them in a warm, soft blanket. Others, on the contrary, become irritated by any restriction of freedom and calm down much more quickly when they are placed on a flat surface, without covering or impeding their movements. Most babies enjoy being carried or rocked. However, each child must have his own approach. Consider which of the following methods is best for your child.
. Walk around the room holding the baby to your shoulder.
. Hold the baby in weight, rocking from side to side.
. Hold it at your shoulder and rhythmically pat it on the back.
. Place the baby on your lap and rhythmically move them up and down or from side to side, or gently pat the baby's buttocks.
. Sitting in a rocking chair, place the child face down on your lap or, pressing it to your shoulder, hold it in an upright position, slowly rocking.
. Rock quickly and rhythmically in a rocking chair.
. Place the baby in the stroller and push it back and forth.
. Take a walk with your child in a stroller or a special backpack.
. Place the child in a hanging hammock at home and rock it gently.
. Take your child for a ride in the car.

Sounds, as well as movements, have a calming effect on children, but here, too, kids have their own preferences. Some people calm down more quickly when they hear the continuous sounds of a clock ticking, a washing machine, sounds that mimic a heartbeat, etc. Others respond better to soft conversation, monotonous singing, or a quiet whisper. There are also children who like music - lullabies, recordings of classical works, melodies from music boxes.
So far we have talked about how caring and loving parents help newborns adapt to life outside the womb. In turn, the child also influences the lives of adults. He helps them adjust to their new role as parents. With the birth of a child, they acquire a new social status, and a very close relationship is built between them and the baby.
A child can communicate about his internal state in only two ways - smiling and crying. The development process of these methods is almost the same. In the first weeks of a baby’s life, they appear as if by themselves, which reflects his reaction to the physiological processes that occur in his body. A cry is a sign of discomfort or pain, a smile is evidence that the child is at rest and enjoying himself. Gradually the balance begins to shift. Crying and smiling are increasingly regulated by external factors, and as a result, the child begins, of course, without words, to directly communicate with his parents.
It is especially interesting to observe how the smile changes in the first one to two months of a child’s life. Initially, a wandering smile appears on the baby’s face during sleep. Then, at two weeks of age, he begins to smile when his eyes are open, which usually occurs after feeding. In this case, a smile, as a rule, is accompanied by a glassy, ​​absent look. By the third or fourth week, qualitative changes occur in the smile. The child responds to the loud voice of the parents, with whom he establishes visual contact, and in the end the baby rewards the adults with a very conscious smile.
A child who is happy, calm and in touch with his environment most of the time instills confidence and optimism in parents. A nervous and capricious baby, who is not easy to calm down, despite the caring attitude of adults, causes them much more problems. Those parents who have their first child often associate the child’s irritability with the fact that they are inexperienced and do not know how to handle him correctly. As soon as they understand that the baby’s increased excitability depends on the internal physiological processes occurring in his body, they will regain self-confidence. This will help them get through the challenges that await them in the first weeks of a child's life. Through trial and error, parents gain experience and find their own way to calm their baby - swaddling, vigorously rocking, or simply giving him the opportunity to scream for a while until he falls asleep. It is very important that parents understand from the very beginning that the difficulties experienced by the child in the first year of life are in no way related to the characteristics of his behavior and character in the future.
During the first month of a baby's life, most parents sometimes experience negative emotions. A young mother suffering from constant crying, childbirth and sleepless nights may become depressed or irritable towards other family members. The father, despite his proud smile, may sometimes feel that the baby not only limits his freedom, but also deprives his wife of attention and care. As children get older, they sleep longer and parents adapt to different daily routines. After the first difficult period, when the relationship between parents and baby is just developing, family members will be able to fully reward each other with the joy of communication.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR NEWBORN

The most difficult task facing a newborn child during the first month of his life is to adapt to conditions outside the mother's body. Most of the time the baby sleeps. Having woken up, he begins to behave in accordance with his internal physiological state. Periods of active wakefulness, when the child is ready to perceive new information, are rare and short-lived. Therefore, you should not plan activities with your newborn in advance, just try to use the opportunity. This opportunity appears when the child is full and in a good mood. Remember that children have different thresholds for excitability, and if you overtire your baby, he may begin to worry, scream and cry.

Practical advice

Engage your child no more than necessary
He needs human warmth, and therefore he loves to be held. Try to find out how your baby feels about this. Some babies become nervous and irritable when held for too long. It happens that a fussy baby calms down if he is placed in a comfortable children's backpack. However, if the baby is very rarely held, he may become lethargic and apathetic.
Change baby's position
When your child is awake, try to vary his positions. Let him lie on his stomach for a while, then on his back or side. Being in different positions, the baby will learn to move his arms and legs.
Children's calendar
Hang a calendar and pencil near the changing table or dressing table. You can record each new achievement of your child in a separate column.
Enjoy the time you spend with your baby
Laugh and have fun with your child. Sometimes he seems to be able to express his joy.
Don't be afraid to spoil your child
Try to quickly fulfill his wishes. If you give your baby enough attention when he needs it, he won't bother you again.
Handle your baby with care
When returning home from the hospital, bring your newborn in a comfortable, reliable car.

Game time

Vision
Attach a moving musical toy to the baby's crib
In those moments when the baby is awake and in a good mood, he will fix his gaze on the toy and follow its movements. This will spark your baby's interest in the world outside the crib. Moving musical toys especially attract the attention of children.
Move the flashlight back and forth
Cover the flashlight with red or yellow plastic. Slowly move it from side to side in front of the child lying on his back. At first, the baby will hold his gaze only for a moment, but then he will begin to follow the flashlight.
Show your tongue
Some two- to three-week-old babies can imitate adults when they stick out their tongues. Try this.
Hearing
Hang a bell
Hang the colored bell so your child can see it move and hear its sound. This will allow the baby to associate a beautiful sight with a pleasant sound. If you hang a bell over the crib, the baby will first look at it for a while and then fall asleep.
Dance to the music
Your baby will enjoy the familiar rocking and shaking he's already used to. Listen to music while holding your baby and dancing quietly.
Shake the rattle near your baby
Gently shake the rattle to the right and left of the baby. Do it quietly at first, then louder. After some time, the baby will understand that the sound he hears is coming from somewhere outside. He will begin to look for the source of the sound with his eyes. (Putting a few dry peas into a juice can makes a great rattle.)
Touch
Place your finger or rattle on your baby's palm
Place your finger or rattle on your baby's palm. The baby will wrap his fingers around them.
Exercises
Leg exercises
Place your baby on a firm mattress (a crib or playpen mattress will work fine). Let your baby move his legs and arms for a while. If he starts to cry, try to calm him down by gently rocking him.

Everyday affairs

Feeding time
Keep a good mood
Regardless of whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, try to do it in a way that makes both your baby and you feel calm and comfortable. Remember that your baby knows better than you when he is full, so don't try to force him to eat a little more. Avoid coercion so as not to lose the child's trust.
Reach out and touch
While your baby is eating, gently stroke his head, shoulders and fingers, then he will associate feeding with your gentle touches. Some children love to listen to singing while eating, while others, when they hear their mother’s voice, stop sucking. If your baby is easily distracted, hold off on singing until after meals or while your baby is burping.

Bathing
First baths
Bathe your baby in a baby bath. (Ask your doctor before giving your baby your first bath.) While bathing, hum softly while rubbing gently with a soft sponge or cloth. If your baby is slipping and needs soft bedding, place a towel in the bottom of the tub.
Communication through touch
After swimming, it is good to have a massage. Using baby cream or vegetable oil, gently massage your baby's shoulders, arms, legs, feet, back, stomach and buttocks. Keep doing this as long as your child is in a good mood.
Swaddling/dressing
Kisses on the tummy
When changing your baby's diapers, gently kiss his tummy, fingers and toes. These gentle touches help your baby become aware of his body parts. At the same time, he not only feels his body, but also feels your love.
Undress the child
Don't wrap your baby up. If the room is 20-25 degrees, he will feel good in a light shirt and diaper. Children overheat, sweat and feel discomfort if they are dressed too warmly.

Time relax
Turn on the radio for your child
When putting your baby in the crib, turn on the radio, tape recorder, or start a music box. Quiet music will calm him down.
Record the noise of the washing machine on tape.
Instead of buying an expensive toy that makes sounds, record the noise of your dishwasher or washing machine on tape. The monotonous hum that the child hears will help him calm down and fall asleep.
Give your baby a musical toy
If, from a very early age, a child associates sleep time with a soft musical toy, it will become an integral element of this process.
As they get older, some babies resist being put in their crib, and this toy will help them calm down and fall asleep.
Use a pacifier
Give your baby a pacifier before bed. Children who are accustomed to a pacifier from an early age are able to fall asleep on their own. If your baby refuses the pacifier, you can only put it in his mouth for a few minutes at first until he gets used to it. If your child continues to persist, find another way.
Walking in a stroller
If the weather permits, take your child for a walk, pushing him in a stroller. Constant movement will help him fall asleep.
A game of shadows
Children often wake up at night. Leave the night lamp on - the soft light will allow the child to observe the bizarre outlines of surrounding objects.
Diapers and soft pillows
Over the last few months of utero, the baby has become accustomed to sleeping in close quarters. Therefore, he will feel good if he is swaddled or covered with pillows. Many stores sell hanging hammocks that can be attached inside a regular crib. Some of them are equipped with a special device that creates the illusion of the mother’s heart beating in the child. The rhythmic sounds remind the baby of those he heard while in the womb; this calms him down and he falls asleep.

Is your newborn baby healthy? What do you need to know about a newborn when going to the hospital?

Thank you

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Healthy newborn: general information, birth weight, concepts of premature and post-term newborn

Considered healthy newborn, born at 37 - 42 weeks, with a birth weight of 2.5 - 4.0 kg, who does not require resuscitation and does not detect any physical defects upon first examination by a neonatologist in the delivery room.

If a child was born at 36 weeks and 6 days or earlier, he is considered premature, if more than 42 full weeks - post-term. Gestational age is calculated from the first day of the woman's last menstrual period and is measured in weeks. Conditions of prematurity and postmaturity are often associated with many different diseases, including life-threatening ones, so such children must be observed by an experienced neonatologist.

Children weighing less than 2.5 kg at birth are small, and those weighing more than 4 kg are large. Even if the baby was born on time, its weight may not be normal. Such children also require closer attention and in-depth examination.

Height, circumference of the head and chest of the newborn

In addition to body weight, in the delivery room a newborn is measured using a stadiometer and a measuring tape to measure the body length and circumference of the head and chest. These indicators make it possible to assess the harmony of the child’s physical development, identify some hereditary diseases, endocrine pathology and damage to the central nervous system.

Normally, the height of a newborn at birth is 45-56 cm. On average, about 50 cm. It is logical that premature babies have a shorter height - this is not a sign of inharmonious development.

The circumference of the chest is measured with a measuring tape, which is placed behind the corners of the shoulder blades (the lowest point of the shoulder blades), and in front above the nipples. Normal values ​​for the chest circumference of a full-term newborn are 33-35 cm.

To measure the circumference of the head, you need to place a measuring tape at the back of the most protruding point of the back of the head, and in front, hold it directly above the eyebrows. Normally, this figure is 33 - 37.5 cm; it should not exceed the chest circumference by more than 2-4 cm. Measuring the head is an indispensable procedure in diagnosing diseases of the central nervous system. During the first week of life, the head must be measured every day. Normally, during the first month of life, the head grows no more than 3-4 cm; if the head grows more intensively (more than 0.3 - 0.5 cm per day), this indicates the development of hydrocephalus, a very serious disease. This rule does not work for children in the first days of life. During the first 24 hours, the circumference of the head may increase by 1.0 - 1.5 cm - this is the head regaining its normal shape after passing through the narrow birth canal.

Newborn's first cry

Immediately after birth, the child freezes for a few seconds and does not respond to any external stimuli. This state is called “catharsis” of the newborn. Some philosophers believe that it is at this moment that a soul is implanted in a child. After which the newborn takes his first breath and makes his first cry. The first cry of a newborn should be loud and emotional. And most importantly, the baby should cry within the first 30 seconds after birth. If this does not happen, he needs resuscitation.

Apgar score

At the end of the first and fifth minutes of a child’s life, a neonatologist evaluates the child’s condition using the Apgar scale based on 5 signs: skin color, breathing, heartbeat, muscle tone and reflexes. The maximum possible score is 10 points. A newborn with an Apgar score greater than or equal to 7/7 is considered healthy. If the score is lower, the child requires immediate resuscitation. This means he may need additional oxygen for breathing, artificial ventilation and chest compressions. In these cases, the baby is weaned from the mother and the entire complex of resuscitation measures continues until the child’s condition stabilizes.

Newborn's first meeting with mother: skin-to-skin contact

Immediately after birth, a healthy newborn is wiped dry with a diaper, put on a hat and socks to prevent heat loss, and placed on the mother’s stomach. Mother and child are covered with a common blanket, so that there is skin-to-skin contact between them. Such close contact should last at least 1.5-2 hours. All necessary procedures associated with the newborn’s first toilet can be postponed, and the first examination by a neonatologist takes place directly on the mother’s chest. It has been reliably proven that this simple procedure reduces the incidence of illness during the newborn period, promotes milk production in the mother and the development of maternal instinct.

Newborn's first feeding

While on the mother's stomach, the newborn usually finds the breast independently or with the help of a midwife within the first half hour and begins to suck. The first feeding should not be forced: the breast should be offered urgently, but not aggressively. Some babies are not ready to start eating right away; just holding them at the breast is enough.

Newborn body temperature

The body temperature of a newborn is usually measured 15 minutes after birth, and then 2 hours later, when mother and child have already been transferred to a shared ward. A body temperature of 36.5-37 C is considered normal. In the first hours after birth, the child is prone to hypothermia. To avoid this, a newborn should always wear a hat and socks. Loose clothing and skin-to-skin contact will also help keep you warm. Tight swaddling and bathing, on the contrary, contribute to hypothermia of the newborn, so these practices have already been abandoned in many maternity hospitals.
In the next 24 hours, the child is more prone to overheating. If a newborn has a fever, the first thing that needs to be assessed is: is he dressed too warmly?

Newborn skin color

Immediately after birth, the newborn's skin has a bluish tint. The first breath saturates the blood with oxygen and the skin begins to turn pink. In the first hours of life, a slight blue discoloration of the hands and feet may persist, which gradually disappears. After an hour and a half, many newborns' skin turns bright red. This is not a pathology, but is associated with the peculiarities of capillary development. In full-term newborns, the redness disappears on the second day, in premature newborns it lasts longer. The most frightening sign is pale skin. White skin in newborns is always a serious pathology.

Head shape and fontanel

A newborn's head is often asymmetrical (only babies born by cesarean section can boast of a perfectly straight head). Often a large dense lump is noticeable on it. This is the so-called “birth tumor”. It will resolve on its own in a few days without any treatment. Single points of hemorrhage on the birth tumor are not a cause for concern. The same small hemorrhages can appear in the eyes, especially if the birth was long and difficult. They also go away on their own over time.

Just above the forehead, along the midline of the head, the newborn has a soft, pliable area - a large fontanel. In this place, the cranial vault has not yet completely ossified. The normal size of a large fontanel is 1-3 cm. A larger fontanel can occur in premature, immature children, as well as with increased intracranial pressure (in this case it also bulges). Children with a small fontanel usually develop normally, only in some cases it leads to the development of a neurological problem. Some neuropediatricians prescribe such children to “cry for 5 minutes – 3 times a day.” During crying, intracranial pressure increases and the bones of the skull “diverge,” promoting the growth of the head.

Newborn breathing

The newborn breathes irregularly. There may be no breathing for a few seconds and then a series of very rapid breathing movements. Sometimes the child takes a convulsive breath, followed by a noisy long exhalation. Over time, such breathing becomes less and less common. The normal respiratory rate is 30-60 per minute. A number of respirations greater than 60 per minute indicates severe lung damage.

The concept of the tone of a newborn: “fetal position” and hypotonicity

Normally, the child’s arms and legs are in a semi-bent position, symmetrical, the hands are clenched into fists, the head is somewhat brought towards the body; this is the “fetal position”, characteristic of the first months of life.
If the child is lethargic, “soft”, arms and legs hang freely, this is an unfavorable symptom called “muscular hypotonia”. It can be found in diseases of the nervous system, infections of the newborn and other serious diseases.

Sleep and wakefulness

A newborn baby sleeps up to 20 hours a day. Periods of wakefulness are usually limited to feedings. The awakened child chaotically moves his arms and legs. The eyes may be closed for the first few days. If they are open, the eyeballs move as if the child wants to fix his gaze, but he cannot do it. Sometimes you can notice a slight strabismus, which goes away on its own by the end of the first week and does not require treatment.

First stool and urination

A baby's first stool is called meconium. It is viscous, black, and resembles tar. Normally, meconium should pass on the first day; if the meconium does not pass, doctors choose a wait-and-see approach on the second day. If the intestines do not empty even then, the child is further examined to identify the causes of this pathological condition and its correction. Very rarely, healthy children pass meconium on the third day.

Sometimes meconium passes prematurely in the womb. In this case, gynecologists talk about “dirty amniotic fluid.” This often occurs with intrauterine infection of the fetus and if the mother received narcotic painkillers or “medicated sleep” during childbirth.
This is a rather dangerous condition, since meconium can enter the respiratory tract and disrupt the breathing activity of the newborn.

In the first 3 days, the newborn urinates rarely, 2-4 times a day. The first urination usually occurs between 12 and 24 hours of life. Gradually, the number of urinations increases, reaching 20-25 times by the 7-10th day of life.

What if the newborn is sick?

What if the newborn does not meet the health criteria above? Do not panic! Many diseases of the newborn period, diagnosed in time and correctly treated, go away without leaving consequences for the unborn child. Trust the health of your children to qualified specialists, but do not forget about your role. Any neonatologist will confirm that 90% of success in treating a newborn is proper care, care and attention from the mother and other loved ones, and only 10% falls on the shoulders of a specialist.

Health – what is it? Definition of health according to WHO.

The World Health Organization (WHO) gives a very wise, philosophical definition of the concept of “health”. According to WHO, health is not only the absence of physical defects and diseases, but a state of complete physical, psychological and social well-being. WHO experts focus on the second part of the definition and emphasize that the love, care and attention of loved ones are indispensable in maintaining the health of children. Even a sick child, surrounded by maternal affection, has a chance to feel healthy.

Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Don't be afraid of being diagnosed with an allergy. This condition can appear at any age, even in infancy. You could even say that newborns most often suffer from all kinds of allergies. This is due, first of all, to the fact that the baby has not yet strengthened the immune system and digestive tract.

Main types of allergies in newborns

Food. Appears against the background of non-perception of any food product, especially at the stage of the first complementary feeding. Allergies can also appear for another reason if a breastfeeding mother does not follow a diet, consumes allergenic foods, especially if she smokes or drinks.

Household. This is not only intolerance to dust or animal hair, but also a reaction to cosmetics, detergents, and laundry detergents.
Young children most often suffer from food allergies.

The reaction may appear immediately after taking the allergen product, or maybe after a few days. But food allergies are not only allergenic foods, but also overfeeding the child. Milk protein also often causes allergies.

After vaccination or taking medications, allergies may also appear. Naturally, any new formula for a baby can cause intolerance, so parents are obliged to monitor the baby’s body’s reaction after taking the formula. And, of course, heredity plays an important role.

The worst thing is that allergies reduce the immune strength of the body of an already fragile baby. As a result, it is very important to contact a medical facility as soon as possible, at the first suspicion of an allergy.

Typically, an allergy in a newborn manifests itself in the form of a skin rash and redness. Most likely, the skin will dry out. The stomach also exhibits dysfunction, colic, frequent regurgitation and loose stools are observed. But before starting treatment, be sure to consult a doctor.