Find health information for your baby’s first year. Learn about common illnesses and conditions and how you can support a healthy immune system for your child.
Last updated
Overview
Common concerns
Learn about health-related concerns that are common among babies:
Immunizations
Vaccines are the best way to protect your child against many diseases and their complications. Find information about what vaccines your baby should receive and when.
Conditions
Read about health conditions that affect some newborns and babies:
- Dehydration: Drinking enough fluids (babies and young children)
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip
- Developmental problems: Testing
- Gastroesophageal reflux in babies and children
- Orchiopexy for undescended testicle
- Umbilical hernia in children
Conditions affecting newborns
- Newborn rashes and skin conditions
- Jaundice in newborns (hyperbilirubinemia)
- Drug withdrawal in newborns (neonatal abstinence syndrome)
- Group B streptococcal infections in newborns
Congenital anomalies
A congenital anomaly (or birth defect) is an issue with how a baby’s body parts form or function. They are present at birth but sometimes aren’t identified until later.
- Congenital heart defects in children
- Cleft lip
- Cleft palate
- Club foot
- Tongue-tie and tethered oral tissues
Colic
If your baby cries excessively, they may have colic. Although colic can be scary and frustrating for parents, it is considered normal and is temporary.
Respiratory illness
Your newborn will cough and sneeze to clear their nose and lungs, but this doesn’t mean they have a cold. Don’t give your baby cough or cold medicine unless recommended by your health care provider. A persistent cough, or a cough associated with a fever, or laboured breathing in an infant less than 3 months should always be assessed by a doctor to rule out infection. If your baby is over 3 months of age and has a cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks, or develops a fever or breathing difficulties, you should visit your doctor.
- Chronic lung disease in infants
- Comforting a child who has a respiratory illness
- Cough symptoms in children
- Croup
- Croup: Managing a croup attack
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
- Treating asthma in babies and younger children
Eyes and ears
Learn about health conditions that affect some baby’s eyes or ears.
