Question
The baby’s mouth often appears purple, along with her hands and belly, especially when the weather turns cold. She has a cold constitution, and I’m worried there might be a heart problem.
Answer
The primary consideration for a baby’s blue lips is that the baby might be feeling cold, commonly known as ‘catching a chill.’ In this case, it’s important to dress the child in appropriate warm clothing, preferably cotton, to prevent skin allergies. Another possibility is that the baby may be anemic. In such cases, it’s advisable to supplement the baby’s diet with foods rich in iron, such as egg yolks and liver puree, which are excellent for iron supplementation in infants. It’s important to add more of these types of foods to the baby’s diet. There is also a scenario where the baby might be experiencing hypoxia, which can cause the baby’s lips to turn blue. For babies with such conditions, it’s best to have a reliable oxygen concentrator at home to handle any special situations that may arise. Additionally, it could be that the baby has a heart problem. The blue lips in infants are a major external manifestation of congenital heart disease. In this case, it is essential to take the child to the hospital for an ultrasound to check the child’s heart development. Also, in daily diet, it’s recommended to eat fewer cold foods (such as mung beans, bitter melon, and watermelons) and more warm foods (such as apples, fresh shrimp, beef, and mutton). Avoid eating too much fried or deep-fried food. Furthermore, consume more fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C (fresh spinach, naturally grown tomatoes, or kiwis), drink plenty of warm water, and eat more nuts like peanuts and walnuts.