Thursday, September 17, 2009

Health Tips for September 17

Health Tip: Signs That Baby Is in Pain

Young infants may cry a lot. And new parents may not know exactly what's wrong.

The University of Michigan Health System lists these warning signs that your new baby may be in pain:

  • A more insistent cry that lasts longer than usual, or a cry that's higher in pitch.
  • Silence doesn't always mean baby is fine. Very sick or premature babies may not have the energy to cry.
  • Making unusual faces, such as wrinkling the brow, squeezing eyes closed, getting deep creases around the nose, grimacing or holding the mouth open.
  • Stiff or tense posture, with limbs completely stretched out or pulled tight into the body. Babies may also wiggle or squirm, or be "floppy" as if they've lost muscle tone.
  • Fussiness or irritability that can't be soothed or comforted.
  • Not eating or not sleeping.

Health Tip: Swaddling Your New Baby

A fussy baby may be soothed by a technique called swaddling, in which the infant is wrapped tight in a blanket with arms close to the body.

The Nemours Foundation offers this guidance for new parents:

  • Spread out baby's receiving blanket, folding over one corner slightly.
  • Place your baby on his or her back, with the head placed above the folded corner.
  • Take the left corner and pull it across baby's body, tucking the corner beneath baby's right arm.
  • Pull up the bottom corner over the feet so it rests just below baby's head.
  • Take the right corner and wrap it around baby's body, tucking it beneath baby's back on the left side. Now, only baby's head and neck should be exposed.

No comments: