I have two major questions about my newborn daughter. She is two weeks old. Im nervous and panicky.?

Question

First Question,

The baby hiccups alot. What can be the reason for that?

Second Question,

The baby soft spot is going inwards like denting in. Everytime I lay her down, she starts to cry like in pain. What can be happening?

Answer 1

My son hiccuped a lot when he was a newborn, too. My pediatrician said that hiccups are not a big deal. All babies get them, some babies (like mine) get them a lot. Sometimes it's due to overstimulation, but my son would get them after he ate. Apparently it doesn't bother them like it does us. I wouldn't worry, it didn't seem to bother my son but sometimes I'd hold him and rub his back, maybe more to comfort myself than him!

Not sure what to tell you about the soft spot. I've heard that denting in can be caused by severe dehydration, but I'd think that you'd notice if it were that bad, like dry, cracked lips, etc.. My son's soft spot dents in a little bit and my ped says that it's normal. I don't know, however, why she'd cry everytime you put her down except maybe she just really wants to be held. Try a sling or a carrier like Baby Bjorn, it might help give your arms a rest! (Just don't bother with the Infantino sling, it sucks.)

Hope this helps! Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 2

Hiccups is absolute normal, do not worry about this and the soft spot sounds a bit worrying, the way you describe it its like the child is malnourished, if the bub is healthy it shouldnt be denting inwards it should be flush. Im not saying that anything is your fault but maybe there is an underlying problem, I dont want to panic you but it would be a good idea to get it checked, it might be alright but just for your own peace of mind. Is there a nurses hotline you can call, im sure that they can help you over the phone.

Answer 3

I don't think you should be concerned about the hiccups. Both my children hiccupped a lot when they were newborns. There is a link below where you can read more about hiccups.

An easy home remedy to curing the common hiccups is to hold (very gentle) pressure with the fingers on the forehead just above the eyebrows. This pressure "may" help cause the hiccups to go away. (If you try this with your baby, please use a very, very gentle pressure.)


About your second question
Soft spots are usually flat, but may bulge when your baby cries and you may be able to notice the pulse.

Fontanelles are soft spots on baby's head which, during birth, enable soft bony plates of the skull to flex, allowing the head to pass through the birth canal. Fontanelles are usually completely hardened by a child's second birthday.

Parents may worry that their infant may be more prone to injury at the fontanelles. In fact, although they may colloquially be called "soft-spots", the membrane covering the fontanelles is extremely tough and difficult to penetrate.


As to what can be happening "everytime" you lay her down and she starts to cry - [have you been holding her for two weeks solid every time she cries?]

after you feed and burp her, make certain that there is nothing sharp sticking her in the bedding, clothing and diaper, lay her down and try to get some rest yourself. She may be sensing your discomfort and crying in response.

see the child study below about Newborn Sleeping Positions

If your baby fusses a lot when sleeping on her back, try swaddling her, or try putting her on her side with a rolled up blanket for support. For many babies, this is enough to make them comfortable. If your baby is sleeping on her back, do be
sure to give her some waking time on her tummy, to help with muscle development, and to give her a new perspective on life!

Answer 4

The baby soft spot will often be lower than normal... I would not be too concerned about that unless she continues the crying..

I think she may have wind.. sometimes when you lay a baby down the wind pain can get worse which is why they burp babies after a feed...

Just put her over your shoulder and continue to gently pat her on the back to see if she burps. Often they may just be liking the attention as well, don;t be fooled into thinking babies are not the most cunning creatures on the face of the earth.. they all know at a very early age how to get what they want.
See if she may still be hungry, burp her, sometimes bathing can help if she has wind, soothing music, etc.. dont worry, this is the beginning of the rest of your life filled with worry and guilt over mothering skills! Keep smiling, you are doing wonderfully!

Answer 5

remeber baby hiccups even in the womb, and there isn't even air in there. The soft spot goes in and sometimes you can even see it pulse, all normal, The crying in pain when you lay her down to me makes me think of colic, colicy babies like to be held all the time. and cry like they are in pain ALOT. Take a deep breath being a parent is hard work. You will be nervous an panicky for the next couple of years but the first year is the hardest. Your baby can sense your emotions

Answer 6

Hiccups - burp her better, if that does not help try a little mileacon {not right spelling I am sure} If that does not help check with Dr at next visit it may be reflux {but be aware this is over diagnosed!}

Babies cry when you lay them down. It probably has nothing to do with the soft spot, but Call your OB or her Dr during normal hours and ask just to be on the safe side. My bet is that she is just mad because you laid her down and she already has learned how to cry to get what she wants. The soft spot will remain soft for awhile, and it is normal to have a little indention.

Unfortunately it takes 6 to 8 weeks for babies to go into deep sleep before RIM sleep, right now she RIM's first which makes her arouse very easy. Trust me when I say this when the transfer happens life gets better for you. Our girl slept 12 hours the night it changed over. Unfortunately I talked with a mom at the mall today who said her little girl did not sleep through the night till she was 3. I hope better for you!

A sleep help that worked for us was to gently pat our baby in the same rythem as a heartbeat. If she was "rowdy" we would tap a bit faster then gradually slow it down. Mom would always get mad at how well I got our girl to sleep till I showed her what I was doing. For us this worked like a charm! Long pat short break short pat just like a beating heart. Never had to do it over 90 seconds!

Answer 7

First off, congrats on your little girl! Now, hiccups - totally normal. Don't worry about them. The soft spot, has it always been like that? Is baby breastfed or on artificial milk? What I've learned and have been told is that when the soft spot goes in like that, it means the baby is dehydrated. Check her mouth - is it dry? Does she have enough wet/poopy diapers? I believe it's 6-8 per day for that. If breastfeeding, don't pop her off, let her finish when she is done. Don't look at a clock. Let her guide you. Check out www.lalecheleague.org for more info on that. If none of this works for you, call your ped. See what he/she has to say.

Answer 8

I'm an ICU nurse. Hiccups are competely normal. They are a sign of stress in premature infants but common in term infants. No worries...don't do "gripe water" and all of that stuff....it's okay!! You can feed her right through them, as well.

The fontanel "denting in" is somewhat concerning to me. If she is not having normal wet diapers and her mucus membranes (such as inside her mouth) appear dry, please get her to a doctor immediately!!! She might be dehydrated. If it sinks just a little (and all the above are fine), that is probably okay, but I would still recommend you call your questions to a pediatrician, not the internet!!!

Being a new Mommy is tough...hang in there!! Always call your ped with questions!! That's why they have nurses that answer the phones!!!

Answer 9

Both normal. Newborns often get hiccups....their lungs and digestive systems are 'learning' to function out of the womb. While in the womb, they were filled with fluid.

Soft spot? Yes, they can "sink in" a little, but don't worry too much about it, the bones in her skull are not yet fused there, and only skin covers that part of her little head.

If you are truly worried, make an appointment to see the Pediatrician...just to put your mind at ease.

Answer 10

Hiccups is normal, just like when we have them. Try keeping her up right rather than laying her down. She has air trapped....just like we would!
I think u should speak to your health nurse about her soft spot. The crying when you put her down may be that she just doesn't want you to put her down and wants to be held, but I would still ask a health nurse to be sure and have your baby checked out.

I hope this helps....