Ensuring proper care for a newborn is crucial for their health and well-being. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
Limit Visitors: Avoid overcrowding the newborn's room with guests, as this can increase the risk of respiratory or skin infections. Ensure that everyone washes or sanitizes their hands before touching the baby, and refrain from kissing them.
Proper Clothing: Instead of wrapping the baby in a thick towel, opt for several layers of soft cotton cloth for warmth. Before using any new clothes, wash them thoroughly and dry them in the sun to ensure cleanliness.
Umbilical Cord Care: After delivery, the umbilical cord should be cut by a doctor, trained midwife, or nurse using a sterile blade. It should then be tied with two sterile clamps or thread, and a small amount of antiseptic applied to the navel. Avoid exposing the umbilical cord to heat, and keep the area clean and dry at all times.
Warning Signs: Be vigilant for any danger signs that may indicate the need for medical attention, such as:
Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or a body temperature below 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
Inability to express breast milk or lack of interest in feeding.
Frequent breathing or difficulty breathing.
Lethargy, reduced movement, or convulsions.
Jaundice or any other concerning symptoms.
If any of these signs are observed, seek medical assistance promptly to ensure the newborn receives appropriate care.
In adulthood, we commonly associate watery eyes with aging, but when a newborn or young child experiences symptoms like excessive tearing, pus buildup, or eye redness and swelling, it raises concerns.
The lacrimal gland, situated near the eye's corner bone, produces tears that moisten our eyes with every blink. A portion of this moisture drains through a small opening in the eyelid, beneath the cornea, and into the nose. However, in newborns or young children, this drainage pathway can become blocked, narrowed, or slow-moving, leading to watery eyes. This condition affects approximately 10 to 15 percent of children.
When the drainage pathway is obstructed, tears overflow onto the cheeks, and the excess moisture can become contaminated with bacteria from the surrounding air, causing redness and discharge. Unfortunately, many patients receive improper treatment due to misdiagnosis.
What to Do:
Fortunately, there's no need to panic. In most cases, blocked tear ducts resolve on their own over time, with some children seeing improvement by 9 to 10 months of age. However, depending on the severity, an ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotics. Gentle massage of the inner eye corner and maintaining nasal hygiene are also recommended.
Additionally, watery eyes in children can result from various factors such as glaucoma, corneal ulcers, swelling, injury, or allergies. While these issues may seem daunting, they are often temporary and manageable with proper treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and health awareness.