Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
Got a question? Our expert is here to help.
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These questions were answered by Dr Chua Mei Chien, consultant neonatologist at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Got a question? E-mail us at magyoungparents@sph.com.sg.
I’ve tried every trick in the book, but my new baby still cries endles sly. What’s wrong?
Does that happen more than three hours a day, and more than three days a week for a stretch of three weeks? If she is, she could be suffering from colic, which typically occurs between the ages of two weeks and four months.
Another sign is that the “witching hour” tends to occur around the same day each time, typically in the evenings No one knows why some babies are colicky, but you can try swaddling her (with her legs flexed) or rocking her gently while you sing lullabies.
You can also hold Baby in an upright position or use white noise from the round of a fan, vacuum cleaner or washing machine. Alternatively, try gripe water, colic drops or tummy massages.
My newborn sounds terribly phlegmy. What can I do to help her feel better?
If your little one has a lot of mucus, it could mean that the room is too cold or that she might have an upper respiratory infection.
Babies delivered by Caesarean section may also have more “waterlogged” lungs than those who were born though a normal vaginal delivery. The latter process squeezes the chest and helps expel fiuid form the lungs. That extra fluid will be absorbed by her body within 24 hours.
Use saline nose drops to help relieve phlegm. Alternatively, you can suck out the mucus manually with a bulb syringe. Switch off your air-conditioner and use a fan to cool the room instead.
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