Infant and Newborn
Infants have a cry reflex that is a normal response to stimuli, such as pain or hunger. Premature infants may not have a cry reflex. Therefore, they must be monitored closely for signs of hunger and pain.
Crying is an important way for infants to communicate. But, when a baby cries a lot, it may be a sign of something that needs treatment.
A reflex is a muscle reaction that happens automatically in response to stimulation. Certain sensations or movements produce specific muscle responses.
Newborn fingernails and toenails are most often soft and flexible. However, if they are ragged or too long, they can hurt the baby or others. It is important to keep your baby’s nails clean and trimmed.
Newborn head molding is an abnormal head shape that results from pressure on the baby’s head during childbirth.
Normal baby stools are soft and loose. Newborns have stools often, sometimes with every feeding. For these reasons, you may have trouble knowing when your baby has diarrhea.
Birth weight is the first weight of your baby, taken just after being born.
It is hard when your baby is sick. Common health problems in babies include colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting.
