No baby gets through the first few weeks of life without one or two problems cropping up that you may need to discuss with your midwife or doctor.

What do I need to look out for in Week 0?

Jaundice. Jaundice is caused by the buildup of a substance known as bilirubin in an infant’s blood. Jaundice will typically begin 24 hours after birth, peak on day 3, and fade by day 10. The signs of jaundice include the yellowing of your baby’s skin and the whites of their eyes. Around 60 in 100 babies will experience neonatal (newborn) jaundice, which a midwife or doctor will monitor, though it’s generally harmless. The treatment involves lots of feeding (every 2 to 3 hours) and some time spent beside a sunny window. If jaundice doesn't clear up, your midwife will likely suggest a check-up and a blood test. In severe cases, babies are treated in hospitals, sleeping under ultraviolet light to allow the bilirubin to pass through the body. If the jaundice appears before your baby is 24 hours old, call your midwife immediately, as your baby may need urgent treatment.

Dehydration. It’s possible for babies to become dehydrated in their first week if a parent hasn’t noticed their baby is not feeding properly. This could be caused by a problem with their latching onto the breast or simply not feeding enough. Look out for dry nappies and a sunken fontanelle (the non-bony area on the top of your baby’s head). If the dehydration is severe, they’ll lose 10% of their body weight, have dry lips, and be too tired to feed. If you’re worried about dehydration, speak to a medical professional immediately.

As a side note, some babies are very docile in their first week and won’t demand food, so make sure to feed them at least once every 3 hours during the day and once every 4 hours at night.

What should I look out for in week 1?

Noisy breathing. It’s really quite normal for babies to snuffle and snort, especially during sleep. Though it may sound very odd and even alarming, try not to worry. They’re just trying to clear up their nasal passages of mucus.

Babies are also very susceptible to common colds, and these can be quite uncomfortable for them. Babies don’t breathe through their mouths until they reach 6 months, and their noses can often become blocked, given that they spend so much time on their backs. So, you should expect more crying and less sleep if they’ve caught a cold. Try placing a towel under their mattress (at the head end) to help the mucus drain into their stomachs rather than gather in the nasal passages. You can also use saline drops, one or two in each nostril, to help clear the passages before feeding. These can be used from birth.

Colds can become serious if a baby is swallowing mucus and vomiting a great deal as a result. This can lead to their becoming dehydrated, so look out for signs and contact a medical professional if need be. If your baby is pulling faces and crying at feeds, they might be struggling to feed and breathe at the same time, so speak to a doctor or midwife. Or they may struggle to breathe due to a congested nose or airways.

Irregular breathing. Though it can sound a little scary to listening parents, it’s actually very common for babies to have irregular breathing patterns. They may even hold their breath for as long as 10 seconds before starting again. However, if your baby holds their breath for more than 20 seconds, they should be assessed by a medical professional immediately.

What should I look out for in week 3?

Reflux. Reflux is the spitting up of milk that most babies will experience. If your baby is putting on weight and the spitting up doesn’t seem to bother them, there’s really nothing to worry about. If your baby spits up a lot, keep bibs and lots of muslins around for cleanups. Burping and winding, lots of small feeds, propping up your baby’s mattress at the head end, and holding them upright for 30 minutes after a feed can all help.

Some babies are quite sensitive to reflux, so if your baby isn’t putting on enough weight or their spit-up is bloodstained, see a doctor. A medical professional will offer advice and a treatment that will help keep your baby safe. Reflux generally disappears completely by 12 months.

What should I look out for in week 4?

Pyloric stenosis. This is a rare condition, but it can be quite serious. It can run in families and, curiously, more commonly affects first-born male babies, although not exclusively. Pyloric stenosis is caused by the ring of muscle between the stomach and duodenum thickening, blocking the stomach’s outlet. As a result, your baby’s stomach fills with milk until eventually they throw up most of their feed (often called projectile vomiting as the milk lands a few feet away from the baby). You will also notice infrequent bowel movements as well as poor weight gain. See a doctor quickly if you notice any signs.

While pyloric stenosis sounds a little scary, know that it's entirely curable.

What are the common problems to look out for week by week?

For Unii’s Newborn Journey, we flag common problems to look out for week by week.