Which newborn symptom listed would most likely indicate a feeding issue or infection risk?

• A. Loose watery green stools
• B. Diminished sleep cycles
• C. Tachypnea
• D. Poorly coordinated feeding

Answer: (C)

Rapid breathing in a newborn is a red flag for infection or respiratory problems. When a baby breathes faster than normal, it can indicate pneumonia, sepsis, or other infections, and such illness can quickly affect feeding because the infant tires easily and has trouble coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing. This sign directly points to a potential infection risk that can compromise feeding, making it the most important symptom among the options. While other signs can relate to feeding issues or different concerns, they’re not as strongly linked to infection risk, and tachypnea most clearly signals a possible contagious or inflammatory process that could impact feeding performance.