Newborn & Baby Care: What Every Parent Should Know

The first few weeks with a newborn can feel overwhelming. One minute your baby is sleeping peacefully; the next, they are crying, feeding frequently, producing strange-looking poop  or developing a rash you've never seen before.

For new parents, it can be difficult to know what is part of normal newborn development and what may require medical attention.

The good news is that many newborn behaviours and changes are completely normal. However, there are also certain signs that should never be ignored.

In this practical guide, Dr Rakhee Yadav, Consultant Paediatrician at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital, explains some of the most common newborn concerns parents encounter—from feeding and crying to jaundice, baby poop, rashes,  reflux—and the important red flags parents should know.

1. Feeding: Is My Baby Getting Enough?

Newborn babies have small stomachs and often need to feed frequently. Whether your baby is breastfed or formula-fed, feeding patterns can vary from baby to baby.

In the early days, most newborns feed approximately 8–12 times in 24 hours, although some babies may feed more frequently.

Rather than focusing only on how many minutes your baby feeds or how many millilitres they take, look at the bigger picture.

Ask yourself:

• Is my baby feeding regularly?

• Is my baby alert enough to feed?

• Does my baby consistently fall asleep during feeds?

• Are the numbers of wet diapers increasing as the days go by?

• Is my baby gaining weight and growing appropriately?

• Does my baby appear satisfied after feeding?

For breastfeeding mothers, frequent feeding does not automatically mean that you have insufficient milk. Newborns may cluster-feed, particularly during growth spurts.

However, a baby who is consistently difficult to wake for feeds, feeds very poorly, has significantly fewer wet diapers or is losing weight should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

A useful rule for parents: Don't judge milk intake by crying alone. Look at feeding, urine output, weight and your baby's overall behaviour.

2. Crying: Why Is My Baby Crying So Much?

Crying is your newborn's main form of communication. Your baby may cry because they are:

• Hungry

• Wet or uncomfortable

• Too hot or too cold

• Tired or overstimulated

• Seeking comfort

• Experiencing gas or tummy discomfort

• Simply needing to be held

Some babies have periods of intense crying, particularly during the first few months. This can be exhausting for parents, but crying does not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong. This could also mean the baby is entering the Colic phase. 

Try the basics first:

• Feed your baby

• Burp them

• Check their diaper

• Reduce stimulation

• Cuddle them

• Try gentle rocking

Never Shake a Baby

If prolonged crying is becoming overwhelming, place your baby safely on their back in their cot and take a short break while your spouse, partner or another trusted adult helps.

Never shake a baby, even if you are feeling frustrated or exhausted.

When Should Crying Be Checked?

Seek medical attention if your baby's crying is:

• Sudden or unusual

• Inconsolable

• Associated with fever

• Accompanied by vomiting or breathing difficulty

• Associated with a swollen abdomen

• Accompanied by poor feeding or unusual sleepiness

A parent's instinct is important. If your baby's behaviour is significantly different from normal, it is reasonable to have them assessed.

3. Jaundice: When Is Yellow Too Yellow?

Jaundice causes the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow. It is very common in newborn babies, particularly during the first two weeks of life.

It occurs because a newborn's immature liver takes time to process bilirubin, the substance responsible for the yellow colour.

Mild jaundice often appears after the first day of life and gradually improves over the next two to three weeks.

However, newborn jaundice should not be judged by looking at the skin colour alone. A bilirubin level may need to be measured, particularly if your baby is premature, very young or appears significantly jaundiced.

Seek Medical Assessment If:

Your baby:

• Develops jaundice within the first 24 hours of life

• Becomes increasingly yellow or the yellow colour spreads rapidly

• Is difficult to wake or unusually sleepy

• Is feeding poorly

• Has fewer wet diapers

• Has very pale, grey or chalky stools

• Has unusually dark urine

• Has jaundice that persists longer than expected

Do Not Use Home Remedies Without Medical Advice

Do not give your newborn water, sugar water or traditional remedies to treat jaundice unless specifically advised by your doctor.

4. Baby Poop: What Is Normal?

Newborn poop can look surprisingly different from what parents expect.

The first poop  is called meconium. During the first few days, babies pass a thick, sticky, dark greenish-black poop .

As feeding becomes established, the  poop gradually changes. There can also be considerable variation between babies.

Breastfed Babies

Breastfed babies may have poop  that are:

• Yellow or mustard-coloured

• Soft or loose

• Contain small "seedy" particles

Formula-Fed Babies

Formula-fed babies often have poop  that are:

• More formed

• Brown, yellow or greenish

Don't panic over every colour change. Green stool can occur in otherwise healthy babies.

What matters is your baby's feeding, growth and overall condition.

Which Stool Colours Are a Red Flag?

Seek medical advice if your baby's stool is:

White, pale grey or chalky: This can indicate a problem with bile flow and requires prompt assessment.

Bloody or black after the newborn meconium period: This should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

You should also seek medical attention if your baby has persistent watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal swelling or appears unwell.

5. Newborn Rashes: When Should I Be Worried?

Newborn skin can be unpredictable. It is common for babies to develop different types of rashes during their first few weeks.

Some harmless newborn skin conditions include:

• Erythema toxicum — red, blotchy spots that can come and go

• Milia — tiny white bumps, particularly around the nose

• Baby acne — small pimples on the face

• Heat rash — tiny red bumps in warm or sweaty areas

• Dry or peeling skin — particularly during the first few weeks

Most of these conditions improve without special treatment.

Avoid applying multiple creams, oils or traditional preparations to your newborn's skin unless recommended by a healthcare professional.

When Should a Rash Be Checked?

See a doctor if your baby develops:

• Blisters

• Pus-filled lesions

• A rapidly spreading rash

• Purple or bruise-like spots that do not fade when pressed

• A rash associated with fever

• Significant skin peeling

• Swelling of the lips or face

• A rash accompanied by a baby who looks unwell

If you press a red or purple rash and it does not temporarily fade, particularly when your baby is unwell or has a fever, seek urgent medical assessment.

6. Reflux: Is My Baby Vomiting?

Many babies bring up small amounts of milk after feeding. This is often normal infant reflux, sometimes called possetting, because the muscle between the stomach and oesophagus is still developing.

A baby who spits up but remains comfortable, feeds well and gains weight appropriately is usually not experiencing a serious problem.

Simple Measures That May Help

Depending on your baby's individual situation, simple measures may include:

• Avoid overfeeding

• Offering smaller amounts more frequently if advised

• Burping your baby during and after feeds

• Keeping your baby upright for a short period after feeding while awake and supervised

• Avoiding tight clothing around the abdomen

Important: Sleep Position Still Matters

Even babies with reflux should sleep flat on their backs on a firm, flat sleep surface.

Do not routinely prop up the mattress, use pillows or place your baby on their tummy to treat reflux.

When Does Vomiting Need Urgent Assessment?

Seek medical attention if your baby has:

• Green or bilious vomiting

• Blood in the vomit

• Repeated forceful or projectile vomiting

• Increasing abdominal swelling

• Poor feeding

• Fewer wet diapers

• Poor weight gain

• Marked lethargy or unusual sleepiness

7. Newborn Red Flags Every Parent Should Know

Newborns can become unwell quickly, and they may not always show obvious symptoms.

Parents should seek urgent medical assessment if their newborn has concerning symptoms, including:

Fever

A baby under three months old with a temperature of 37.58°C andor above requires prompt medical assessment.

Breathing Difficulties

Seek medical attention if your baby is struggling to breathe, breathing unusually fast, making abnormal breathing noises or showing signs of increased effort when breathing.

Poor Feeding

A significant change in feeding, especially if your baby is difficult to wake for feeds or is refusing feeds, should be assessed.

Reduced Wet Diapers

A noticeable reduction in urine output can be a sign that your baby is not getting enough fluid.

Unusual Sleepiness or Reduced Responsiveness

If your baby is unusually difficult to wake, floppy or less responsive than normal, seek medical attention promptly.

Other Significant Changes

Parents should also seek advice if their newborn appears significantly different from their usual self, particularly if several concerning symptoms occur together.

Trust Your Instincts

It can be difficult to know what is normal when you are caring for a newborn for the first time.

Not every cry, spit-up, stool colour or skin change means something is wrong. At the same time, parents should not ignore significant changes in their baby's feeding, behaviour, breathing or appearance.

You know your baby better than anyone.

If something feels significantly different from your baby's usual behaviour, it is reasonable to seek medical advice—even if you are not sure whether the symptom is serious.

The Bottom Line

The first few weeks with a newborn come with plenty of questions. Frequent feeding, crying, changes in stool and mild reflux can all be part of normal newborn development.

However, certain symptoms—require prompt medical assessment. Rather than trying to diagnose every symptom at home, focus on your baby's feeding, urine output, breathing, alertness, behaviour and overall appearance.

When in doubt, speak to your paediatrician or healthcare professional.

About Dr Rakhee Yadav

Dr Rakhee Yadav is a Consultant Paediatrician at KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital. She provides care for infants, children and adolescents, helping parents navigate common childhood health concerns and understand when symptoms may require further medical attention.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If your newborn is seriously unwell or you are concerned about their symptoms, seek medical attention promptly.