Common Newborn Ailments & When to Worry: A Guide for First-Time Nigerian Mums
Every new mum has that moment of panic: "Is this normal?" From sneezes to rashes and strange sleeping patterns, it's genuinely hard to know what's typical and what needs urgent attention. Here's a rundown of the most common newborn health issues, how to manage them at home, and the red flags that mean it's time to call the doctor.
Colic
Long, intense crying — often in the evening — with your baby pulling their legs to their chest and clenching their fists, unsoothed by feeding, burping, or rocking, is typically colic. Holding your baby upright after feeds, gentle rocking or swaddling, and tummy massages or bicycle leg movements often help. Vomiting (not just spit-up), high-pitched crying, or an arching back are signs worth mentioning to your doctor.
Jaundice
Yellowing of the skin and eyes, especially in the first 7 days, is common and usually mild — frequent breastfeeding helps flush out the excess bilirubin, and it typically resolves on its own. It's worth seeing a doctor if the yellowing spreads to the arms and legs, your baby is very sleepy or refusing to feed, or jaundice appears after day 7.
Baby Acne
Small red or white bumps on the cheeks, nose, or forehead, usually appearing around 2–4 weeks, are baby acne. Clean with lukewarm water, skip lotions or oily creams, and it clears on its own without medication — unless the rash spreads or looks infected, or your baby seems irritable or is scratching at it.
Hiccups
Rhythmic, jerky sounds during or after feeding are usually just hiccups. Burping your baby after feeds and holding them upright for about 20 minutes afterward helps. If hiccups don't stop and seem to bother your baby, or come with choking or breathing trouble, that's worth checking with a doctor.
Constipation
Straining with hard, pellet-like stools, or fewer than 3 bowel movements a week after week 6, can signal constipation. For formula-fed babies, double-check the dilution ratio, and a gentle tummy massage or bicycle leg motion can help things move. Blood in the stool, or a baby who's visibly uncomfortable or refusing to eat, needs a doctor's attention.
Fever
A temperature over 38°C (100.4°F) is a fever. Strip your baby to a single layer and offer breastmilk or formula more frequently. Any fever in a baby under 3 months needs immediate medical attention — this one isn't a wait-and-see situation. The same goes if your baby is listless, feeding poorly, or breathing rapidly.
Breathing Noises or Sneezing
Noisy breathing, nasal congestion, or frequent sneezing are usually nothing to worry about — a saline drop and suction bulb for a stuffy nose, along with a dust-free, well-ventilated room, usually helps. Struggling to breathe, flaring nostrils, or blue-tinged lips or hands are emergency signs — seek medical help right away.
Umbilical Cord Care
The cord stump usually dries and falls off within 1–2 weeks. Keep it dry and exposed, cleaning gently with a damp cloth if needed. A foul smell, pus, or redness and swelling around the navel are signs to get it checked.
A Few General Tips
Keeping a simple health diary of symptoms and doctor visits helps you spot patterns, and having a trusted paediatrician you can reach easily makes a real difference in stressful moments. It's worth being cautious about relying solely on Google or WhatsApp groups for medical decisions — and trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's always worth saying so.
Newborns are delicate, but so are new mums. Most baby ailments are common and treatable — with calm observation, gentle care, and the right support, you'll build real confidence in handling the tougher moments.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a fever in a newborn an emergency?
Any fever (over 38°C/100.4°F) in a baby under 3 months requires immediate medical attention — this is not a wait-and-see situation.
Is newborn jaundice normal?
Mild jaundice in the first 7 days is common and usually resolves with frequent breastfeeding. See a doctor if yellowing spreads to the arms and legs, your baby is very sleepy or refusing to feed, or it appears after day 7.
What does colic look like in a baby?
Long, intense crying — often in the evening — with your baby pulling their legs to their chest, not soothed by feeding, burping, or rocking. Vomiting or a high-pitched cry are signs to check with a doctor.