How to Spot the Early Signs of Birth Injuries in Newborns

When you bring your baby home, the last thing you expect is to question whether something went wrong during delivery. But in some cases, the earliest signs of a birth injury may be subtle or dismissed altogether. Knowing what to look for in the first days and weeks can help you advocate for your child early, seek medical answers, and, when appropriate, begin exploring legal options if the injury was preventable.

This post will walk you through the early warning signs of birth injuries, what may cause them, and what to do if you suspect something isn’t right.

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🍼 What Is a Birth Injury?

A birth injury refers to any physical or neurological damage a baby suffers during the labor and delivery process. While some minor injuries resolve on their own, others, like brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, brachial plexus injuries, or cerebral palsy, can result in long-term or permanent disabilities.

These injuries are sometimes caused by avoidable medical mistakes, including:

• Delayed emergency C-sections

• Improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuums

• Failure to monitor fetal distress

• Mismanagement of umbilical cord complications

• Failure to recognize high-risk conditions

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🚨 Early Signs to Watch for in Newborns

Some symptoms may appear immediately after delivery, while others surface in the days or weeks that follow.

1. Unusual Muscle Tone

• Floppy limbs (hypotonia) or very stiff muscles (hypertonia)

• Baby feels unusually "limp" or overly rigid

• Baby has trouble keeping limbs in a natural, relaxed position

2. Poor Reflexes or Movement

• Weak or absent Moro (startle), rooting, or grasp reflexes

• Only moves one side of the body (favoring one arm or leg)

• Does not respond to touch or sound as expected

3. Feeding Difficulties

• Trouble latching or sucking

• Choking, coughing, or gagging during feeds

• Signs of aspiration or excessive reflux

4. Seizures or Abnormal Movements

• Twitching, trembling, or jerking motions

• Repeated facial grimacing or body stiffening

• Episodes of staring with eye fluttering or body tension

5. Breathing Problems or Extended NICU Stay

• Labored or irregular breathing

• Baby required oxygen or resuscitation at birth

• Low Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes

6. Excessive Sleepiness or Irritability

• Baby sleeps too much and is hard to rouse

• Unexplained fussiness, discomfort, or high-pitched crying

• Difficulty calming or feeding due to distress

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⏳ Why Early Signs Often Go Overlooked

Birth injuries aren’t always obvious right away. Doctors may attribute delays or symptoms to “normal newborn variation,” especially if symptoms are mild or the delivery notes appear routine. This is why parental intuition matters—if something feels off, trust your gut and seek a second opinion.

Additionally, many symptoms mimic common infant behaviors, making it even more difficult to know when to be concerned. However, when these symptoms appear in combination or persist over time, they should never be ignored.

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🧠 What Conditions Could These Signs Point To?

Depending on the cause and severity, early signs may be linked to serious birth injury diagnoses, including:

• Cerebral Palsy (CP) – often caused by oxygen deprivation (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or HIE)

• Brachial Plexus Injuries – such as Erb’s palsy, often from shoulder dystocia during delivery

• Intracranial Hemorrhage – brain bleeding from trauma during birth

• Facial Paralysis – from nerve damage due to delivery tools

• Skull or bone fractures – sometimes from misuse of forceps or forceful extraction

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🩺 What to Do If You Suspect a Birth Injury

✅ 1. Talk to Your Pediatrician

Share your observations and ask for a detailed evaluation. Be specific about what you’ve noticed and when symptoms began.

✅ 2. Request Developmental Screenings

Early intervention can begin as early as a few weeks old. Request a referral for a physical therapist, neurologist, or developmental pediatrician.

✅ 3. Obtain Medical Records

Request full records from your delivery, including Apgar scores, fetal heart monitoring strips, NICU notes, and labor & delivery charts.

✅ 4. Consult a Birth Injury Attorney

If you believe your baby’s injury could have been prevented, speaking with an experienced birth injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options. Most consultations are free and confidential.

➡️ Schedule your free birth injury case review

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🎧 Listen to Our Podcast: Ep 2 – Signs Your Baby May Have Suffered a Preventable Birth Injury

In our newest episode, we dive deeper into the early signs of birth injuries, how to recognize potential red flags, and what to do next if something feels off.
🎙️ Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.
👉 Listen to Episode 2 now

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📌 Related Posts

• Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Birth Injuries on Families

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Final Thoughts

Spotting the signs of a birth injury early can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Trust your instincts, seek answers, and know that resources are available to help your child thrive. If you suspect medical negligence may be to blame, you deserve to know the truth, and your child deserves support.