You’ve had genetic testing done, you’ve adhered to a healthy diet, and you’ve read up on how to keep your infant safe in the first few months of life. When your baby came into this world, it was the happiest day of your life. You couldn’t stop smiling, taking tons of photos, and it was impossible to take your eyes off your little one.
But now that you’re home and have gotten into a bit of a routine, you can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. You are not sure if something is wrong, and you want to know more about the signs of brain damage in babies.
No parent or expectant parent wants to think about something going wrong during the labor and the birth process. After all, it’s already intimidating enough. However, if you suspect your baby might have a problem, you need to know the signs of brain damage in infants.
The Most Common Symptoms
In some cases, the symptoms of a brain-damaged baby may take a few years to fully show themselves. However, there are a few common symptoms that will appear much sooner than others. Sometimes, these signs are immediately visible or are apparent just a few hours after birth.
If you notice that your baby has a strangely large, misshapen forehead, it may indicate brain damage.
The same goes if your child’s head is much smaller than normal, even though the rest of the body is fully developed. An abnormal spine is often also an indication of brain damage in infants. Your child may also experience seizures a few hours after birth or stiffness in the next. You may also realize that whenever you lie the baby flat on its back at bedtime, your child struggles to sleep.
Physical Signs of Brain Damage in Babies
Now that you know more about the most common signs of brain damage in infants, let’s take a look at some other physical symptoms you need to be aware of. Be on the lookout for stiffness in your baby’s neck. An infant may also have frequent tantrums and long, extreme crying fits that you might not be able to figure out the exact cause. An infant with brain damage may also have difficulty with feeding/eating.
They may also display a sensitivity to light, paralysis, or even have tremors and shakes. They may also seem tired and lethargic all the time. However, when it’s time for bed, they can’t seem to fall asleep. If any of these symptoms persist over a period of time, it is advised you seek medical attention immediately.
Possible Developmental Delays
Some of the long-term signs of babies born with brain damage are developmental delays. While other children may be responsive and progressing normally through the development process, if your child has experienced a degree of brain damage, this may not be the case with your child.
When it comes to development through infancy, the infant may have trouble learning how to crawl, how to sit up, and how to hold themselves upright without support from you or furniture. They can’t seem to grasp or hold onto objects, and they are constantly dropping things. When it comes time for them to walk, they may not display any interest in learning at all. Or, they may fall down far more often than is normal.
As the child gets a bit older, you may notice that they can’t seem to feed themselves or even get dressed on their own. Before you get to this stage, however, you need to have your baby tested for possible brain damage. But first, you need to know what could have caused it — and what to do next.
Possible Causes of Infant Brain Damage
There are several potential causes of brain damage in babies. Some are caused by a complication during pregnancy due to something that you could not prevent or control.
Devastating problems like a uterine rupture, which is especially common in mothers who have already have a C-section, usually cannot be prevented.
The same goes for something like placental abruption. This happens when your baby is not able to get enough blood from the mother due to a sudden separation of the womb and the placenta. Oligohydramnios, a nuchal umbilical cord, and placenta previa can also cause brain damage in your baby.
However, in the worst cases of all, infant brain damage is caused by improper or negligent medical care during labor and delivery.
A vacuum extraction delivery, improper forceps delivery, and even a potential infection from the hospital are all examples of things that could have been prevented. You and your baby deserve justice in horrific cases like these and others. If you have found yourself in a situation like this, it’s important to find a lawyer to represent you immediately.
Do You Recognize These Signs of Brain Damage in Babies?
No one enjoys reading an article about the signs of brain damage in babies. We also understand that, if you have recognized any of the signs on this list, you are might be absolutely terrified. Your first step should be to get your baby to a hospital for testing and treatment immediately. Try to keep calm and to wait for an official diagnosis before you jump to any conclusions. Your mind will often make things much worse than they really are.
It’s also important to note that there are many other things that these symptoms could signify as well, and not all of them are as serious as infant brain damage.
Perhaps you’re not yet a parent and are simply reading this article to be prepared. You may need additional advice on how to give your baby the best possible care — and how to advocate for your rights during delivery.
For more helpful tips and resources for parenting, check out the other blogs on Cyber Parent.