| Problem |
Causes |
What to do? |
| Crying baby |
Hungry |
Feed your baby. |
| Tired |
Rock baby gently in your arms. |
| Gas |
Burp baby during and after feeding.
Hold baby and rub his/her back while walking around your house singing your favourite tunes. |
| Boredom |
Change baby’s surroundings. |
| Uncomfortable |
Make sure baby is not too hot or too cold. Dress baby as you are, plus one layer. Your baby’s chest, tummy and back should feel warm, and not sweaty or cool.
Make sure nothing is pinching or poking baby. Even check inside clothing. |
| Smelly and damp |
Change diaper (and clothes if necessary). |
|
| Problem |
Causes |
What to do? |
| Crying or anxious mom |
Normal baby blues |
Be supportive and reassuring. Be patient. |
| Overtired and overwhelmed |
Encourage mom to nap, take over as many household chores as possible (take initiative and don’t wait for mom to ask for help), limit visitors; tell her what a good job she’s doing. |
| Postpartum depression |
Encourage mom to seek professional help if feelings of sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, fatigue and inadequacy persist. |
|
| Problem |
Causes |
What to do? |
| Breastfeeding difficulties |
Sore nipples |
Help with positioning and latch. |
| Full and/or sore breasts |
Encourage mom to keep breastfeeding, breastfeed as often as she can, get help to correct the latch and try cool compresses for comfort. Call Peel Public Health's breastfeeding desk at 905-799-7700 to talk to a public health nurse, Caledon residents call toll free 905-584-2216. Other available help includes La Leche League, or your doctor or midwife.
Don’t give up too quickly because breast milk really is the best food for your baby.
Sore or tender breasts may occur when milk comes in – this will pass. |
| Mom and baby learning what to do |
Support and encourage mom. |
|
| Problem |
Causes |
What to do? |
| Spots, blotches, red rash |
Normal newborn rash (anywhere on body) |
Nothing. It takes a while for baby’s skin to get used to air so they tend to get a lot of rashes, spots, etc. |
| Diaper area |
If it looks strange, compare notes with mom. To speak with a Public Health Nurse, call Region of Peel–Public Health 905-799-7700 (Caledon residents call toll free 905-584-2216). |
| Thrush (white spots in baby’s mouth that look like milk curds) |
Go to the doctor as baby needs medication for thrush–mom also needs to see the doctor if she is breastfeeding. |
|
| Problem |
Causes |
What to do? |
| Cone head |
The birth process |
Nothing. Baby’s head will become less pointy in a very short time. |
|
| Problem |
Causes |
What to do? |
| Anything |
Don’t know |
Call Region of Peel - Public Health 905-799-7700 (Caledon residents call toll free 905-584-2216) to speak with a Public Health Nurse Monday to Friday,
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Common Questions