Caring for a newborn is a significant challenge for new parents, and the journey of raising a child is often filled with questions and worries. Dr. Chan Yan Wing, a paediatrician and father of two, deeply understands the situations and problems parents face in their daily childcare. His professional medical knowledge, combined with his own practical experience, can help expectant and new parents better understand their baby's healthy development, easing their childcare doubts and anxieties.
Dr. Chan Yan-wing, a doctor, can relate to the experiences of new parents in raising their children, receiving countless questions from parents daily. "I once received a late-night message at three in the morning from a mother asking what to do after her baby sneezed three times. These minor issues are a big deal for new parents. As a paediatrician and a father of two children (an eight-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter), I hope to share my parenting experiences with you all from daily life." His new book, "Nurturing a Healthy Baby! A Doctor Dad's 100 Questions and Answers on Parenting", compiles 100 common questions before and during pregnancy from a medical knowledge and personal experience perspective. Earlier, he also explained newborn health knowledge to expectant parents at a prenatal seminar. Here's a summary of some key questions and answers to share with you.
Will a newborn baby have jaundice?
Most babies develop physiological jaundice three days after birth, which is very common. This is caused by the infant's liver not being fully developed and the bilirubin levels in their body being slightly higher than in adults. The jaundice is at its peak between the fourth and sixth day after birth; on the seventh day or later, the jaundice levels gradually decrease, and most cases require phototherapy (commonly known as 'light treatment'). If jaundice appears within twenty-four hours of birth, or if the symptoms persist for more than three weeks, it is considered abnormal. Our biggest concern is the possibility of pathological jaundice, which may involve bile duct obstruction. At this point, a blood test is needed to measure the direct bilirubin level, which reflects the basic condition of the baby's liver function.
How to tell if your baby is full?
A: This can be assessed based on two objective factors. (1) Frequency of urination. Generally, newborns urinate once after every feed, wetting approximately five to six nappies a day. If the baby is urinating too little, or if the urine is orange in colour, this indicates dehydration due to insufficient feeding.(2) Weight changes. Three to four days after birth, babies experience a slight physiological weight loss (commonly known as ‘shedding water’), with their weight typically being 7 to 10% less than at birth. If the weight loss exceeds 10%, this indicates dehydration.
A: Why are babies often bitten by mosquitoes until they are red and swollen?
Many parents mistakenly believe that "infant erythema toxicum" is like mosquito bites. In fact, erythema toxicum is a common rash in newborns, especially appearing in the first two weeks after birth. It presents as small, white, granular bumps surrounded by red patches, typically on the cheeks, body, and limbs. The symptoms can come and go, usually disappearing naturally after about two weeks.
A: What should I do if my baby hasn't had a bowel movement in two days?
As the digestive systems of newborns take time to adapt, it's normal for them to not pass stool for three days and to pass foul-smelling wind constantly during this period, so parents needn't worry too much. As long as the baby's tummy doesn't look excessively bloated, there's no problem. If the baby hasn't passed stool for about seven days, then you will need to help them pass stool.
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The information provided above is for educational and reference purposes only. If you have any medical concerns,
You should consult a paediatrician and not rely solely on the information provided above.
