Conditions:

Jaundice

For the first week of life your newborn's still immature liver has trouble breaking down a yellow substance.As a result, your baby's skin color turns yellow. This yellow tinge usually disappears in 7 to 14 days. If it persists or worsens beyond the first week treatment may be called for.

Sometimes my doctor advises us to expose our baby into morning sunlight between 6am to 9am for 15 to 30 min. After 9am can be already harmful to your baby's skin.

When exposing your baby to sunlight make sure that his/her eyes are against the sun's rays.

Rashes

Newborns may have a number of rashes that are generally harmless and disappear on their own. Small white spots called milia, caused by blocked ducts may appear around the nose. Newborns may also suffer from acne- like rashes caused by maternal hormones, and they may develop blotchy red spots with raised white or yellow centers, resembling heat rash. Like milia this require no special treatment.

My baby experienced this too and my doctor said it is normal. In addition he also adviced us to use CETAPHIL to as my baby's facial soap. Its a gentle skin cleanser and does no harm to my baby. Instructions given are to leave the solution on my babies face for 30 min. then wash.

Birthmarks

Caused by extra blood vessels or pigment deposits. Birthmarks with a wide range of color and shapes are common among babies.

Colors:
1.Blotchy pink or Purple marks (stork bites)- fade during the 1st year
2.Strawberry mark- grow 1-2 yrs, fade in 7th yr
3.Unraised purple marks (port- wine stains)- cover a large area, need cosmetic treatmetn
4.Coffee colored discoloration (cafe au- lait marks)-flat profile
5.Blu gray bruise like marks (mongolian spots)- common in dark babies; near the base of spine,;no connection with Down syndrome; disappear in several years.

Delivery marks
Elongated, reddish marks on the baby's cheeks or forehead, caused by obstetrician forceps, and small purple bruises, caused by blood vessels ruptured during delivery, normally disappear after a few days.

Eye irritation
Birth pressure may cause tiny blood vesels in a newborn's eye to burst and may also cause puffiness around the eyes. Both conditions disappear by themselves. the eye ointment given to babies to prevent infection may also cause a temporary yellowish discharge from the eyes. If this persist, then you pedia may recommend using a washing solution.

Cross- eye
Also known as wandering eyes, this is because the muscles that controls the eyes for movement are not yet coordinated. If your babies eye cross all the time or if the appearance persists for several months then your baby should be examined by an eye specialist.

Mouth problems
In the first few weeks after birth, most babies develop a mouth infection known as thrush. Caused by a fungus that can be transmitted by unwashed hands and unsterillized botles. Thrush looks like a white coating of cottage cheese. The infection can be treated with antifungal medications to prevent it from spreading to the mother during breast feeding.

Vigorious sucking in pacifiers and bottles can cause blisters on your baby's upper lip. Harmless white cysts called Epstein's pearls, may appear on the palate or gums. Both conditions are noninfectious and disappear on their own.

Protruding navel
A weakness in your newborn's abdominal muscle wall may result in umbilical hernia, a painless swelling near the navel. They should not be compressed or strapped down in any manner. Most heal within a year's time without special treatment.

Bowel problems
Before a newborn makes his first normal bowel movement, the greenish black substance called meconium that filled his intestines must be eliminated. If not within 24 hours, the nursery staff will alert the doctor. Some first stools may also contain traces of blood. No treatment is necessary.


Hicupping and sneezing
Hiccuping can cause a newborn to spit up, it is normal in newborns and no cause for concern. Nursing or giving your infant warm water may help. Sneezing is also normal since its the only way for newborn's to blow his nose.

Natal teeth
Occasionally a baby is born with a tooth already in place, usually a lower incisor. A healthy tooth may not be extracted, but if the x- ray shows a weak tooth, removal may be recommended to prevent swallowing.

Cradle cap
Newborns commonly suffer from flaky, peeling scalps. Its dandruff- like symptoms can be treated with baby oil or with special shampoo.