Ask the expert: common problems in new babies in primary care

What you need to know

• Constipation in newborns can be defined as distress on passage of hard stools ordinarily fewer than three times a week

• For a baby with jaundice, consider the onset of jaundice, risk factors for developing hyperbilirubinemia, gestation, and whether the baby is feeding well, when deciding whether to refer for onward assessment

• Refer to secondary care babies who present with noisy breathing associated with poor feeding, respiratory distress, grunting, or those with suspected anatomical abnormality on examination

• Co-sleeping in bed increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and the risk is higher still on a sofa or chair

BMJ Learning

To obtain accredited continuous professional development points, complete the full BMJ Learning module at https://new-learning.bmj.com/course/10062664. The module contains seven additional questions submitted by users of BMJ Learning, related to feeding, reflux, sticky eyes, sepsis, and heart murmurs.