Breathing and sneezing
Cradle cap
Damp and sweaty heads
Dry skin
Fingernails and toenails
Fluff in the eye
Hernias
Hiccoughs
Lumps and bumps
Nappy rash
Skin rashes and infections
'Sticky eyes'
Turned in feet and bandy legs
Vomiting
White tongue and white spots on gums
Breathing and sneezing
Sneezing
A newborn baby's breathing is not always even and smooth. At times their breathing can seem very shallow and barely noticeable, at others it can be quite deep and rapid. When a baby falls asleep, they often breathe quite deeply and quickly for a few seconds, and then their breathing generally slows right down. This can cause some parents to be concerned, possibly placing their hands on their baby's chest or abdomen, or their fingers in front of their baby's nose, to make sure they are still breathing. You may do this quite frequently for reassurance (hopefully falling short of waking the baby up to 'make sure'). However, if your baby was born premature, or you are concerned about SIDS, it can be hard to relax. Please be assured that this is a normal behaviour for a new parent! Your baby's breathing will become more noticeable as they grow and develop.
At times, a baby's breathing can sound very snuffly, loud, and almost bubbly at times, as if they have a blocked nose. Babies are natural 'nose-breathers', and as they have small nasal passages, it is common for their nose to become slightly blocked with accumulated mucus and milk. Babies will tend to clear their own noses by sneezing regularly. As long as the baby is not distressed by it, and can feed without frequently pulling off the breast or teat (to breathe through their mouth), there is usually nothing to be concerned about.