Dads JourneyMedical disclaimer: This guide is general information, not medical advice, and it hasn't been reviewed by a doctor. If your baby has trouble breathing, turns blue or gray, or is limp or hard to wake, call your local emergency number right away.
Most newborn quirks are normal: grunting, hiccups, sneezing, irregular breathing and changing poop colors all show up in healthy babies. The real warning signs are trouble breathing, a fever, poor feeding, or a baby who is hard to wake. Here are 12 things that worry dads, and exactly when to stop wondering and call.
Normal vs. call the doctor: the quick table
| What you see | Usually normal | Call the doctor if |
|---|---|---|
| Grunting | Short grunts while sleeping or pooping | Grunting with every breath, flared nostrils, or skin pulling in between the ribs |
| Hiccups | Frequent, baby seems unbothered | Baby is distressed or they come with forceful vomiting |
| Breathing | Fast, then a short pause, then fast again | Long pauses, blue or gray lips, or labored breathing |
| Poop color | Black tar, then green, then yellow or mustard | Red, white, gray or clay-colored, or black after the first days |
| Spit-up | Small amounts after feeds | Forceful projectile vomit, green or bloody |
| Skin color | Mild yellow tint that fades in the first 1 to 2 weeks | Deepening yellow, or yellow on the belly and legs |
| Temperature | Under 100.4°F (38°C) | 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, in a baby under 3 months |
Swipe the table sideways to see more →
The 12 things, one by one
1. Newborn grunting
Newborns grunt a lot. They're learning to use their muscles to pass gas and poop, and they're noisy sleepers. Occasional grunting is normal. Grunting with every breath, plus fast breathing or flared nostrils, is not.
2. Newborn hiccups
Hiccups are normal and often bother you more than the baby. They're common after feeds. Try burping, or just wait; they stop on their own.
3. Sneezing
Sneezing clears tiny nasal passages and doesn't mean a cold. A cold shows up with a runny nose, cough or fever.
4. Newborn breathing that looks irregular
Newborn breathing is often irregular. Many healthy newborns breathe quickly, pause for a few seconds, then start again, which is called periodic breathing. Typical newborn breathing runs roughly 30 to 60 breaths a minute. Count for a full minute while baby is calm. Call right away for long pauses, blue or gray lips or face, or ribs visibly pulling in with each breath.
5. Baby poop color
Baby poop color changes fast in the first week: black tar (meconium), then green, then yellow or mustard. Our full baby poop color guide covers each stage. Red, white, gray or clay-colored poop needs a call to the pediatrician. In the Dad's Journey app, the Poop Analyzer lets you snap a photo for a quick read and log it with feeds and sleep, but it doesn't replace a doctor for anything on that list.
6. Startle reflex
Baby's arms flying out at a loud noise is the Moro reflex. It's normal and fades around 3 to 6 months. Swaddling can help while it's strong.
7. Spit-up
Spitting up small amounts is normal. Burp mid-feed and keep baby upright afterward. Call about forceful projectile vomiting, green or bloody spit-up, or a baby who isn't gaining weight.
8. Jaundice
A yellow tint to the skin and eyes is common in the first week. Call the pediatrician if the yellow deepens, spreads to the belly or legs, or baby is very sleepy and feeding poorly.
9. Sleeping a lot
Newborns sleep about 14 to 17 hours a day in short stretches. That's normal. Ask your pediatrician how often to wake baby to feed, and call if you can't wake them. Our newborn sleep routines guide covers the rest.
10. Baby acne and peeling skin
Little bumps, tiny white dots (milia) and peeling skin usually fade on their own over weeks. Keep skin clean and skip heavy lotions unless your pediatrician suggests one.
11. Odd head shape and the soft spot
A cone-shaped head after birth is common and usually rounds out. The soft spot may pulse gently. Call if it bulges noticeably when baby is calm or looks sunken.
12. Crossed or wandering eyes
Eyes that drift or cross sometimes in the first couple of months are normal as vision develops. Ask your pediatrician if it continues past a few months.
What is never "just normal"
A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months is always a call to the doctor, day or night. So is refusing feeds, very few wet diapers, or a cry that sounds unusual. If a baby is also crying inconsolably, see what to do when your baby won't stop crying. For more hands-on practice, read our 10 newborn skills every dad needs, including how to take a temperature.
Is it normal that my newborn grunts all night?
Yes, usually. Newborns grunt, squirm and make odd noises while sleeping, especially as they pass gas. Call if the grunting comes with fast breathing, flared nostrils, a blue tint or poor feeding.
Is it normal that my newborn has hiccups every day?
Yes. Daily hiccups are common and harmless in healthy newborns. Call only if they cause distress or come with forceful vomiting.
Is it normal that my newborn's breathing sounds irregular?
Yes, often. Short pauses of a few seconds followed by quick breaths are common in healthy newborns. Call right away if pauses are long, or lips or skin look blue or gray.
Is it normal that my baby's poop is green?
Yes. Green poop is common in the early days and with some feeding changes. Red, white, gray or clay-colored stools are the ones to report to your pediatrician.
When should I call the doctor about my newborn?
Call for a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, trouble breathing, poor feeding, a baby who is hard to wake, yellowing that is spreading, or anything that feels wrong to you. If it's an emergency, call your local emergency number. You can also ask the AI assistant in Dad's Journey to help you sort out what to ask, but it doesn't replace your pediatrician.
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For concerns about your baby's health, contact your pediatrician or local emergency number.