Baby and toddler symptoms you must not ignore
When it comes to your baby or toddler's health, sometimes it can be tricky knowing what is normal and when you should worry.
Sometimes it’s difficult to know whether or not your baby or toddler’s sore throat or persistent cough requires a trip to the doctor. Often, you’ll need to follow your gut when it comes to your baby’s health. But what is normal and when should you worry? We look at a handful of baby and toddler symptoms that DO require immediate medical attention.
Snoring
Most babies will make snuffling or snoring noises of some sort when they sleep – particularly if they have a stuffy nose. In general, this is perfectly normal. If, however, if your baby snores, is restless at night, and overly tired during the day, he may have obstructive sleep apnoea. Child development expert and father of eight Dr William Sears, explains that if your baby’s tonsils or adenoids are enlarged, they can block the upper airway passages during the night, which can cause sleep apnoea. A visit to your paediatrician or an ear, nose, and throat specialist can provide a quick diagnosis, and should this be the case, surgery may be recommended.
A puffy face
In your newborn, a puffy face and swollen eyelids are completely normal. After all, your baby has just passed through that narrow passageway of your pelvis. However, if your older baby has a puffy face, it could be a sign of allergies. According to the Allergy Foundation of South Africa (AFSA), allergies are on the increase and children seem to be the most affected. According to research, about 40% of all allergy suffers are children. And, reports AFSA, a third of all South Africans will develop allergies at some point during their lifetime. This includes asthma, hay fever, eczema, food allergies, or a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis. It’s important to be aware of what could spark an allergic reaction, as well as what the symptoms are. The severity of a reaction can vary, such as a puffy face or sniffing and sneezing, to severe, which includes skin inflammation, vomiting, swelling, and problems breathing. A severe reaction is considered a medical emergency.
Turning blue A blueish tinge to hands or feet, particularly this time of the year, can simply mean your baby is cold. However, a blue colour around the lips and face generally means your baby is not getting enough oxygen. Dr Sears says if this is accompanied by coughing, rapid or labored breathing, fever, vomiting, and wheezing, your baby could have pneumonia. If your baby starts to look blue over the first few months of life, accompanied by shortness of breath, a fast pulse rate, and gets tired easily, this could mean a heart defect. Either way, a baby with a blue face is cause for concern and is considered a medical emergency. Get help fast.
Slow growth
Each baby is different, and you may find your baby doesn’t reach milestones at the recommended age or stage. More often than not, weight gain is linked to feeding practices during the first six months of life. This is why you need to have regular clinic checks in the first few months of life – to ensure that your baby is healthy and growing. Don’t forget, your baby is a blend of you and your partner, and if you are both small, chances are your baby will be, too. Any issues will be picked up during the clinic visits. If your baby’s height falls below the third percentile, there could be cause for concern. Potential causes could be a thyroid problem, an issue with the endocrine system, or a heart condition.
A headache
It’s very difficult to know if your baby has a headache, particularly under the age of one, as this can’t be communicated to you. However, symptoms of a headache include a poor appetite, pulling on the ear, inexplicable crying, or lethargy. According to the Child Neurology Foundation and Dr Carl Crosley, occasional headaches in children are common and affect almost half of all children by the age of seven. Headaches are often associated with illness, such as a cold or an upper respiratory infection. If your baby has a fever, cold hands, and feet, is fretful, drowsy, floppy, and unresponsive, has pale, blotchy skin, unusual crying or moaning, is vomiting, and has tense, bulging fontanelle, seek immediate medical attention as these are all signs of meningitis.
Not engaging with the outside world
If you are concerned that your baby doesn’t seem to register you or the outside world, he may not be able to hear or see you. Don’t forget, it can take a few weeks for your baby to focus on visuals and sounds. He may startle when he hears a loud sound, but will only start turning towards that sound from about eight weeks. By three months of age, your baby should be communicating and interacting with you. If you are concerned, speak to your paediatrician or clinic sister, as not responding to you could be a sign of a hearing or sight problem. Autism is also a concern, but the experts say this is only picked up around 12 to 14 months of age. According to Autism South Africa, the incidence of autism seems to be on the increase, affecting one in 168 births and is four times as common in boys than girls. The onset is generally from birth, or before the age of three years. However, hearing and sight issues should be ruled out first, before autism is a consideration.
Six other symptoms you should never ignore:
- High fever (babies shouldn’t get fevers within the first three months)
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Breathing problems
- Continuous crying
- Extreme fatigue or listlessness
- Jaundice
