The heart is an essential organ that is primarily responsible for the delivery of blood and oxygen to all body parts, ensuring that every organ and tissue can properly function and has sufficient energy for the same. Although newborns have a fully developed heart at birth, it is necessary to develop heart-healthy habits from the very first day to ensure that cardiovascular health is in good shape. If you wish to seek advice from an expert schedule an appointment with Dr. Manvinder who is an expert in Pediatric Cardiology Services and Pediatric and Neonatal Cardiac Surgery. In this blog, we will have a look at the functions of the newborn heart as well as some practical pieces of advice for parents and caregivers to improve and maintain heart health in their newborns.
Understanding the Newborn Heart:
At the moment of birth, a newborn’s heart experiences essential changes as it adapts to live outside the womb. The newborn heart has four chambers: there are two atria and two ventricles similar to that of an adult but much smaller in size, each of them with a specified function of pumping blood and circulating it around the body, providing pure blood everywhere in the body. The most common difference between the newborn and adult heart is that an adult heart has no openings, while the baby heart has two small openings called foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, which usually close within the first few days or weeks following birth.
Functions of the Newborn Heart:
The major function of the newborn heart is to deliver oxygen-rich blood to different parts and organs of the body and at the same time to eliminate carbon dioxide and waste products from within the body. Also, the heart of the newborn is responsible for blood pressure regulation, water and electrolyte balance as well as metabolic function. By making sure that the newborn heart functions optimally and normally is the cornerstone of improving the general health and well-being of the baby to have a healthy fulfilling life.
Heart-Healthy Habits for Newborns:
1. Breastfeeding:
Breastfeeding helps to deliver newborns with the needed nutrients and antibodies that promote cardiovascular health, increase immunity against diseases and promote growth for the newborn. Sufficient breastfeeding reduces the chance that the newborn will develop cardiovascular diseases in the future and ensures overall health and well-being.
2. Skin-to-Skin Contact:
A skin-to-skin connection between newborns and their mothers or caregivers develops a healthy bond and also stabilises the heartbeat rhythms and normalises the breathing patterns of the newborn. This kind of action is beneficial for cardiovascular health and also for the emotional balance of not only the baby but also the whole family.
3. Maintain a Healthy Environment:
To promote the cardiovascular health of newborns, it is necessary to set up a safe, healthy, clean and productive environment for babies. Ventilation should be adequate, the air temperature should be comfortable, and exposure to smoke, pollution, and other harmful gasses should be eliminated at all times.
4. Regular Check-ups:
Have a paediatrician who is reliable or a health care provider who is an expert in the field to conduct regular checks on the infant’s development and growth. With the doctor performing these medical checks frequently, they can identify heart problems and initiate precautionary measures and effective treatment for the same.
5. Promote Physical Activity:
While newborns may not directly be involved in formal physical activity, don’t forget to include gentle movements and simple exercises from time to time to enhance motor development and cardiovascular health. While the baby is still young, try including activities with a healthy purpose that will aware the baby about movement and physical fitness.
6. Avoid Exposure to Harmful Smoke:
Harmful smoke exposure results in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory problems in newborns. Make sure your home is not a place to smoke, is away from any public smoking areas and limit the exposure to environmental tobacco smoke as well as other air pollutants.
7. Practice Safe Sleep:
Try to provide the safest sleep atmosphere for newborn babies by putting them on their backs to sleep, using a firm yet soft little mattress, and with soft bedding, cushions, and toys for the crib. Safe sleep practices reduce the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and promote heart health in the young child.
Conclusion:
Promoting heart-healthy habits from the earliest stages of life is very essential for supporting optimal cardiovascular health in newborns. By combining breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, maintaining a healthy environment, scheduling regular check-ups, promoting physical activity, avoiding exposure to harmful smoke, and practising safe sleep, parents and caregivers can lay the strong foundation for a lifetime of the best heart health for their newborns. If young ones encounter a heart problem then you can reach out to Dr. Manvider who is the Director and Head of the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon. He is an expert in this field and has helped several infants and their families to solve major heart complications with the best treatment solutions. By prioritising cardiovascular health for newborns from the start, we can ensure that newborns grow and thrive, setting the perfect healthy tone for a healthy future ahead.
