There are so many things that are hard for a newborn baby to describe, one of which is pain. A toddler or an older child might be able to describe with sounds and gestures how the pain feels or tell whether it comes and goes. A child of the age of talking can complain of pain or talk outright about the pain he or she feels.
However, the signs of pain in a baby are hard to detect. A newborn’s loud and persistent cries might be the onset of a serious illness. Sicknesses in a child, especially one that can’t express himself or herself, can result in prolonged, frequent cries.
So, good parenting requires that parents watch out for the signs of pain in their baby. These signs may help decide whether the child’s pain is mild, moderate, or severe. A baby with severe pain will show some of these behaviors making it easier to look for respite for him or her.
These signs lead to changes in a child’s usual behavior. A child may eat less or be restless or experience prolonged crying without falling for any comforting overtures. Facial expressions of a baby, such as a furrowed brow, a wrinkled forehead, closed eyes, or an angry appearance can be a result of pain.
Disruption of the newborn sleep schedule such as waking often or sleeping more or less than usual can be as a result of bearing pains in the body of the child. Sleep can be unpredictable in babies, but drastic changes may indicate pain or illness.
Also, a parent can look for signs of injury or illness like swelling, bruises, or bleeding, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or crying excessively when being fed. Also, a frequent check for sharp objects sticking to the skin or an insect bite is very important.
Babies feel pain like adults but it’s dependent upon good parenting to detect it and take care of it.