Seizures in babies. What are the precautionary measures?

How to identify that my child is having a seizure?

If you observe your baby is lying still and eyes are wide open staring and not responding to your call, you can guess it is a mild seizure. Mild seizures usually last from a few seconds to a few minutes.

If you observe your baby becomes unconscious, falls to the floor, and twitches or waves hands, he may be having a more serious seizure. The serious seizure will last only two to three minutes, but in rare cases they last longer, and he may lose bowel and bladder control.

There are many different types of seizures and they can last anywhere from a few moments to more than half an hour. In most cases during a seizure white foamy saliva will flow from the mouth.

What should I do when my baby is having a seizure?

• Keep monitoring the temperature of the baby. Mild seizures are caused due to high fever.
• The body posture of the baby may be scary, but do not panic and waste time. Be brave and take care of the baby. Do not leave the baby alone. Keep track of how long the seizure lasts. Call for a doctor and seek medical advise. You need to console your baby and not break down.
• If saliva is coming from the mouth, tilt the baby to one side such that the baby does not choke or consume the same saliva and it will prevent baby’s tongue going back and blocking the air pipe. Wipe the saliva that is coming from the mouth
• You will observe the baby taking deep breath. Loosen tight clothing .
• Do not try to stop the twitching movements by jerking the baby. Never sprinkle water on the baby.
• If the seizure is taking a longer time then shift the baby to a side and ensure he does not get hurt with the surroundings. Keep the surroundings free of articles. Keep away sharp objects.
• Preferably place baby on ground level to avoid fall. Avoid neck falling back in case you are carrying the baby to the doctor.
• Do not try to open your baby’s mouth or place anything between his teeth. This could injure the gums or break his teeth.
• Sometimes neighbors and elders in the family may gather around the baby and prevent fresh air from coming in. Ensure proper air circulation.
• Change clothing if baby has urinated or passed stools.
• If you have a caretaker or nanny to take care of the baby in your absence do update them about the symptoms, condition and how to handle the baby. Educate them to avoid any lapses.

The baby generally goes for a long sleep as he is exhausted. The mother can call up the Doctor and take medical advise. The baby will be dull for a day or two and resume normalcy again. Your bouncy little bundle should be kept free from infections leading to high fever.

Precaution is better than care. Therefore do your best to protect your baby and enjoy being a mother.

What causes seizures in babies?

Seizures occur when the nerve cells in the brain fire abnormally as a result of nerve damage, problems with the brain’s chemistry, or a high fever. Both nerve damage and brain chemistry irregularities can be caused by a birth defect or by an injury to the brain or nervous system, such as a blow to the head.

Febrile seizures are caused by high fever, they are harmless and common in children between 6 months and 5 years old. You need to ensure the baby has no health problems leading to an infection. Prevent baby from having fever as re- occurrence of a seizure or fits is high when body temperature crosses 101dec C. Constantly monitor baby’s temperature. If you make the baby sleep under a fan you cannot assess the temperature. Externally baby will look OK , but when you keep thermometer under the arm pit you will realize the difference.

Febrile seizures can also occur due to dehydration. Dehydration is a direct result of a previous illness that included sweating and fever. Malnutrition or a body weakened by disease or illness makes small children more susceptible to seizures.

Family history can play a role in toddlers or infants having seizures. If a family member was prone to or had seizures, especially febrile seizures, as a child this trait may be inherited.

What is epilepsy? Is seizure and epilepsy the same health issue?

Epilepsy is a condition that makes people more susceptible to having seizures. A child may have epilepsy if he has had two or more unprovoked seizures. There are many possible causes, such as head injuries, brain development disorders, infections or heredity. Usually, however, there is no detectable cause for a child’s epilepsy.

No , seizure and epilepsy are not the same. Seizure is a result of high fever and epilepsy is an unprovoked seizure.

Some people also refer this condition as convulsion or “fit”. The brain is an amazing, yet delicate structure that is able to send and receive millions of electrical messages within milliseconds. If there is an interruption in this constant flow of messages, the signals become jumbled and confused. These scrambled electrical impulses can quickly spread throughout the brain, causing a seizure. Fortunately, in seizure and convulsion, the brain eventually relaxes back into its usual pattern and the convulsions stop. Apart from some confusion, the person generally returns to normal.

What are the symptoms of a seizure?

The symptoms and degree of seizure varies from baby to baby. It depends on the baby’s physical condition . Listed below are the general symptoms observed for babies during a seizure.

• jerking movements of the arms and legs
• stiffening of the body
• wide open eyes staring at one particular point.
• White foamy saliva coming from the mouth.
• loss of consciousness
• breathing problems or breathing stops
• loss of bowel or bladder control
• falling suddenly for no apparent reason
• not responding to noise or words for brief periods
• appearing confused or in a haze
• nodding the head
• periods of rapid eye blinking and staring
• sleepiness and irritable upon waking in the morning

During the seizure, the child’s lips may become bluish and breathing may not be normal. The movements are often followed by a period of sleep or confusion.

You need to carefully observe your baby’s behavior and inform the pediatrician. This will enable the doctor to assess the situation and diagnose accordingly.

Do seizures cause brain damage?

Minor seizures or Febrile seizures are considered harmless if it lasts for less than 5 minutes. But seizures longer than that need medical intervention as they can damage the brain. Children having repeated seizures with high fever are affected in the long run . They will not be at par with all kids at school. Do not pressurize him to study. The baby’s mental growth will be retarded, the memory of the baby is also affected. Take extra care and do your best  to ensure baby does not get high fever.

What should I do if I think my child has had a seizure?

Consult the doctor and check if the baby has to be brought to the hospital right away. Usually doctors refer for an ElectroEncephaloGraph (EEG) to record his brain’s electrical activity. I had a tough time to watch my baby when the technician was attaching electrodes to my baby’s head, but the procedure is painless. From the results, your doctor will be able to tell whether your child has had a seizure, whether he’s likely to have one again, and whether he needs further tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, or a consultation with a neurologist. There will be crests and troughs on the graph. The technician notes down all baby’s activities in that duration for example: if the baby coughs , sneezes and moves body to eliminate wrong interpretation.

There is nothing you can do at that time. Stay with your child until the seizure stops. Baby will go in for a long sleep as he is exhausted. Follow medical advise and medications religiously.

These are situations in a parent’s life when you need to gear up and stand by each other. Both the parents need moral support. This article is written to prepare you in case a situation develops. Your baby’s going to be fine.

Constipation in baby- Home remedies

Motherhood is a great joy and to have a smooth transition you need to know few essentials of baby care. One common problem observed with new moms is constipation in babies. You cannot see your little one writhing with pain and you certainly need help. I’ve collated a few points to make it an easy experience for you.

Symptoms:

• You can understand the baby has constipation when baby cries and keeps the legs upwards. Baby’s face turns red crying in pain.
• The stomach becomes larger due to no passage of stools and will vomit if fed in addition.
• The baby will be gasing too. At times the baby will pass hard stools , and will be restless due to no relief.
  

Why does constipation happen

• For the first few days the baby will pass meconium, which is a dark green or black substance. Only by the third day, regular bowel movements will begin. If your baby’s stools don’t get regular, or if he or she is still passing meconium, this could be a sign that your baby may not be getting enough to eat. You need to increase supplement for feeding the baby.
• Insufficient water intake when you switch over to new supplements vs breast milk
• Change in formula or weaning. Diets low in fiber

 Home remedies suggested

• If your baby is on external milk feeds then increase water consumption for the baby. Give water that is pre-boiled and brought to room temperature after cooling. Increase baby’s water consumption to increase fluid in bowels.
• When you plan to change the baby’s food, consult the doctor .
• If baby is struggling with pain you can feed prune juice. Best recommended is prune juice. Prunes should be soaked overnight and the water can be given in a bottle. The baby will by natural reflex start sucking the liquid.
• You can add ¼ tspn of castor oil in breast milk or supplement and feed the baby , it will act as a laxative.
• If baby has not passed stool give a warm bath. In a wide tub, take warm water such that baby can be placed into it. Massage the tummy gently downwards and the crying baby become silent due to the effect of warm water and massage.
• Try cycling method that is gently shift the baby’s feet towards the stomach and back down just like pedalling a cycle in sleeping position. The posture will enable the baby pass stool after few attempts.
• You can apply Vaseline to the baby at that area to ensure smoothness and skin does not cut when hard stools are passed.
• You get medicines like Milk of Magnesia that is taken orally. Give ¼ tspn of Milk of Magnesia with 2 spoons of milk. You need to wait for some time and alas … baby has cleared his tummy. Remember to keep lot of cleaning material close by and a room freshener to clear the air.
• Glycerin suppositories are sold over the counter in medical shops. Affix one suppository when the baby indicates signs for the need to pass stools. Laxatives and Suppositories are not recommended in the long run as the natural bowel movement is not going to work. Baby will find this convenient. Basically a problem of mind set when the baby grows.
• If the problem is to do medically then the doctor will prescribe medicines for short term relief.

 General tips:

• Take the crying baby into the arms and carry him around. Keep rocking the baby in your arms. This will be soothing for the baby. If the baby is breastfed, the mother can continue to feed the baby for more times.
• Consult the pediatrician and update the concerns and your observations . Keep a count of the diapers consumption per day and the frequency of stools passed. This data will help the doctor assess the situation and diagnose accordingly.

Tips to manage your baby when sick

If you observe your baby is not active and is not responding to the environment , it indicates the baby is unwell due to some reason and you need to act promptly to avoid the situation worsen. Baby will not be the usual self, will not take feeds as usual, vomiting, watery motions and will keep crying.

You need to prepare a list of observations prior to visiting the doctor to ensure you do not miss out the essential queries and information. Remember your pediatrician is your guide and you need to share all the observations of the child for a better diagnosis.

Here are a few symptoms to watch out, this will help you assess if your little one is sick.

• Does your baby have temperature (hot body)?

If you touch and feel your baby’s neck or forehead with the back of your palm you will not be able to assess if the baby has temperature. If the baby is sleeping under the fan or in a cool room you will not be able to identify the temperature. Therefore you need to check baby temperature with a thermometer.

Put the thermometer under the armpit. After a minute note the temperature. Add 1 deg to that reading and you will understand the temperature of the baby.

As the baby is small do not place thermometer in the mouth. It is very risky. These days digital thermometers and single use disposable thermometers are available.

It is very important that the temperature should not exceed 101 deg Centigrade and above . Few children will be affected with seizures. Therefore keep a vigilant eye on the baby. You can sponge the baby with a moist cloth(dipped in regular water).  Do not use chill water as the baby will shiver due to the sudden dip in temperature.

• Feeding is sufficient?

You need to watch out the fluid intake of the baby. If you feel the quantity is significantly lower than a normal day you need to consult the doctor and update the other observations. If the quantity of fluid intake is less marginally you can increase the intake gradually and continue to monitor baby.

• Baby is crying excessively ?

You need to watch if your baby is crying unusually . By now you are in a position to distinguish the cry when baby is hungry or sleepy. The child can be managed by feeding or rocking in a cradle and put to sleep. If the child is in pain or if unwell due to some problem , the child will not stop crying and will demand for your presence all the time. The cry will sound shrieking and with pain. You need to consult the doctor and explain symptoms.

• Baby is having difficulty in breathing?

A normal healthy baby will take shallow and easy breaths. The baby will sneeze, and sniff to clear the passage.

If you observe that your baby’s breath is unusual with a whistling noise, it is wheezing . This indicates that there is an obstruction to the flow of air leaving the lungs.

This condition is anticipated mostly in cold weather, winter. If your child is having difficulty to breathe i.e deep breathing you need to consult the doctor. There could be mild chest infection which heals with medication only.

• Is your baby vomiting ?

Babies vomit sometimes after feed when they are in god health too./ If you observe the vomiting has increased and in larger quantity , do not panic consult the doctor. Usually in such cases the liquid will have foul smell indicating bowel obstruction.

• Is your baby passing watery motions / stools ?

If you observe watery motions , abnormal smell too, nappies getting wet often. Baby is not active. This is due to the disturbance in digestion. This occurs when babies fall from a height or the effect of unhygienic conditions. Watch out for blood in the urine or stools. You need to ensure fluid intake sufficiently. Consult the doctor for further advise.

Baby may cry excessively due to colic pain or constipation .Baby will remain restless.You can follow home remedies for constipation.

• Any rashes, redness on the body?

Watch out for any rashes or redness on the body. It could be skin allergy due to food or clothing, condition called measles / chicken pox. Consult the doctor and take necessary treatment.

Generally when babies are unwell, babies will not sleep and will be restless. The eyes may look drowsy , at times they may not go to any other family member too. Basically check blood circulation by pressing the tip of the toe and releasing after a few seconds. If the toe tip turns red then it is a healthy sign. Nothing  to worry at all.

Best of luck !! Do take good care…

 

New Moms Newborn Basic Baby Care Tips

Congratulations !!

You are a mother of a new born baby. This is a time to enjoy the experience of motherhood along with your family. A new mom can have a lot of queries and clarifications in the day to day proceedings. Bringing up kids is a major challenge, a huge responsibility . A mother needs to be vigilant and always keep an eye on the baby.

Grandparents and parents guide the new born mother to conduct all basic activities for the child. The key activities to be done in a day are:

Breast feeding

Breast milk is the best feed for your baby. It is proved to be the best as there is a special bond between mother and child. The more your baby nurses the more milk you will have. Ideally the mother also will come back to shape after her delivery with breastfeeding.

For some mothers the milk will not be sufficient to feed the baby , in such cases you can opt for the best quality milk formula. The only watch out is following hygienic practices and be disciplined in the approach. You need to sterilize the bottle and nipple in between feeds. Clean the child’s mouth with a moist cloth or towel . Do not leave the bottle in the child’s mouth as it can result in tooth decay.

Use a bib or towel while feeding the child. This will avoid unpleasant smell for the baby and the baby will not be irritated due to dryness and sticky feeling. Burp the baby after and between feeds. Religiously give water 1 or 2 oz ( boiled and cooled) or distilled water 2 or 3 times in a day.

Oil massage

Indian women believe in giving the baby oil massage daily in the early hours of the day. Coconut oil or oil of reputed brands can be applied on the baby’s entire body and head. Steps to be followed:

• The baby is made to lie on its back on the legs or in case not comfortable on a rubber sheet.
• Oil is taken in both palms and applied on the head in a circular motion to ensure the head is round and not flattened. This will help mold your head with a good shape.
• You need to apply oil externally and pull the nose upwards gently to make it a bit pointed and long. Usually baby’s are born with a flat nose.
• You need to apply oil on the chest and stomach and ensure it spreads all over the body. The next step is to squeeze out the nipple of the baby. Some white fluid will come out when pressed.
• Apply oil on each had and gently fold the hand together on the chest and back two to three times.
• Next is the legs. Hold your baby’s legs straight and close to each other. Then, with both hands start massaging your child’s thigh down to his knees then to his legs massaging from the outside to the inside. Fold legs at the knee and back. This will strengthen feet and prevent being bow-legged afterwards.
• Keep monitoring the baby . If you feel that the child is not enjoying then stop for a while and then continue. Keep him engaged with sounds of toys etc.You can keep talking to the child. This develops a bond between you and your child.
• Make the baby lie down for 15 to 20 minutes.

Baby bathing

• Make sure you have brought all items required for the baby prior to bathing.
• Bathe the baby in hot water that is above luke warm temperature. Apply baby soap daily and baby shampoo twice in a week.
• Be extremely careful while handling the head as it is still not straight. You need to balance very carefully. Remember the baby’s head is very soft and therefore be cautious while bathing.
• The baby can be wiped dry and put on baby powder all over the body. Use a powder puff. In India eyetex is applied on the eyebrows for helping growth of thick and shapely eyebrows. We also place an eyetex bindi ( a dot with the tip of your tiny finger)on the cheek and under the feet, this will ward away evil eyes and it is believed that the child will not have any problems in its growth.
• Wipe your baby’s outer ears with a cotton balls or wash cloth but don’t try to clean the ear canal itself. The ear wax will come out unsurprisingly since the ear is naturally self-cleaning. But if you feel the baby is irritated then ask the doctor about it.
• Like ears, the nose is also self-cleaning and needs no special care. Just wipe the outside preferably with wet wipes or wash cloth. Don’t use cotton swabs, tissue or even your fingernails.
• Put on baby clothes and diaper. The mother can feed the baby and put him to sleep. The baby will sleep comfortably for 2 hours minimum.
• You need to have a round pillow to ensure the head does not get flattened. Keep changing positions of the head after some duration.
• This schedule of massage and bathing can continue daily for two months. In case baby has slight temperature avoid washing the head.

General routine tips:

• In the evenings you can sponge the baby with a wet towel properly squeezed.
• You should clean your baby’s umbilical cord with 70% ethyl alcohol 2 times a day or every diaper change. Never let water pass or enter the umbilical cord.
• At birth, infant’s nails are typically overgrown. The ideal time to trim them is when the baby is fast asleep. If not done the baby may scratch their own face
• If the nails are neither long nor short, it is still better to put on mittens on your baby’s little hands just to be safe.
• As soon as the baby can see things though not yet clear, they begin to focus their eyes on objects. Sometimes, this causes them to appear as crossed eyes where just one eye focus on what he is looking at while the other just seems aimed anywhere. These eye movements mean he is still learning to use his eyes. But still it would be better to just close his eyes and restart his focus on objects.
•  While sleeping, make sure that your baby’s head position is changed regularly. For example, if his head is on the right side for an hour then try to have his head on the left side after and so on. It would also be better if his pillow is comfortable enough for his head to move around. This is to prevent from having a baby’s head with flat side.
• Once a day or after feeding if necessary, make sure to clean your baby’s mouth with a clean wet washcloth or an infant brush where you put your finger in it. This could prevent mouth and tongue infection brought about by milk leftovers.
• When dressing your baby, use clothing with an easy-on and easy-off feature as much as possible. This could be wide neck openings or necks with snap closings. Fairly loose sleeves and a minimum fastening should be necessary. Preferably use material like cotton, spun that is soothing and comfortable. Avoid clothes of glittery and non absorbing texture as the baby is on its back for a long time.
• These are just basic tips for new moms out there. If there are things that you are in doubt about your baby’s condition that needs immediate attention, don’t hesitate to immediately call your baby’s pediatrician. They  are the true guides and will help you in the development and well-being of your baby.
• You can create a network of new moms and keep exchanging your learning’s to the others too.

 

How To Make Your Home Safe For Kids

It is a tough activity to keep your child at one place after he turns onto his tummy and when the child starts to walk around . Mother is all excited observing the changes happening in the child’s progress. She needs to prepare for keeping her home safe for the child and proofing all probable sources of risk associated in the vicinity of a house.

Children are injured mostly in the surroundings of home. The common injuries include: falling down stairs, banging their heads, pulling objects on top of themselves, getting seriously burnt or even falling out of windows that haven’t been properly shut or locked.

The seriousness of the incident can result in permanent disability or loss of life. Making your home as safe as possible will allow your child to have a gala time in his space and be occupied in his activities and as parents you can have peace of mind.

Parents have to keep an eye on the child always. Watch out when you are not in normal routine…look out for the following situations like attending a function, guests at home, demands of older siblings. There are no completely child-proof containers, so make sure that anything risky or dangerous is locked away or well out of reach to an inquisitive and agile child.

Remember to keep your First aid box stocked and locked, in a prominent place such that others in the family knows about it, basically out of the reach of children. Understand how to respond in an emergency.

Here are some tips to make your home safe for kids:

Falls

• Install baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. At the top of stairs, mount safety gates into the wall because a toddler’s weight is enough to push over a “pressure-mounted” gate.
• Get rid of walkers. Maximum injuries are directly attributed to walkers. If there is delay for the child to walk, use walker but ensure supervision.
• Don’t place a baby on any surface next to an open window – a lot of babies fall from windows. Keep furniture and other potential climbing structures away from windows.

• If windows are not locked, put stoppers on them so they can’t be opened by more than 10cm. The best place to put them is at the top of the window
• If possible place grills for the windows

Pulling things over oneself

• Toddlers will naturally grab hold of a dangling tablecloth to help themselves stand up. If you are using a tablecloth, make sure you fasten it to the table with pegs or clips so a child can’t pull the cloth and everything on the table over him or herself.
• If you are using shelves and bookcases to store baby things, make sure they are anchored to the wall to prevent your baby from pulling them over.
• Some children may try to use book shelves as a climbing frame. Make sure all shelves are fixed securely to the wall so they can’t topple onto a child.
• Ensure the drawers of the cupboard are latched / locked. This will prevent the child pulling the drawer and throwing objects onto himself.

Swallowing – Congestion

• All medicine, tablets, vitamins and herbal remedies should be locked in a medicine cabinet or other cupboard, so a child can’t get to them and swallow them – colorful pills are very attractive to children. Remember that medical poisonings can be extremely serious.
• Keep away small articles of the older siblings eg: building block, coins, marbles that can choke the baby.

Suffocation

• Dispose of plastic bags, such as those used by dry cleaners, purchase of groceries to protect your baby from suffocation.
• Keep soft quilts and pillows out of your baby’s crib and play area. Soft bedding can lead to suffocation.

Drowning

• Use toilet lid locks to prevent children from falling in and drowning in the bowl. Keep door of bathroom and toilet closed. Do not place buckets of water in the child’s areas.
• Keep external tank lids of water tanks closed at all times. Safer for younger siblings too. (observed in apartments – parking areas)
• Children love playing with running water but it only takes 10cm (4 inches) of water for a small child to drown. Basically if a small child’s face goes underwater, they will automatically breathe in so that they can scream and this will fill their lungs with water.
• Children also lose their sense of direction underwater, so they can’t react by pulling their head out or standing up as an adult would do.
• Put bath and basin plugs out of reach, so that a child can’t fill up the bath or basin.

Cuts

• Keep pens, scissors, letter openers, staplers, paper clips and other sharp instruments in locked drawers.
• Check for unsafe toys. Avoid ones that have lead paint, sharp edges, brittle plastic parts, damaged upon usage, strings or chains.
• Keep knives and cooking tools in locked drawers in the kitchen.
• Attach cushioned corner edge protectors or plastic covers to the sharp corners of coffee tables and desks. This may not look attractive, but it could save your child from serious injury.

Burns from hot objects

• Keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach of children. Extinguish and dispose of cigarettes properly. Domestic fires pose one of the greatest risks to children. Children playing with matches and lighters frequently start house fires.
• Always check bath water temperature with your wrist or elbow before bathing your baby.
• Do not carry hot water container till the bathroom. Major accidents are reported with child rushing in and the hot water splashing all over.
• Disconnect and keep away hot iron boxes after pressing clothes from the reach of the children
• Installing a cord holder, which will make the cord too short to reach over the edge of the table or work surface. You can also simply make electrical cords shorter to avoid pulling the electrical gadgets.
• Make sure that saucepan handles are turned inwards so children can’t reach them.
• Ensure your stove is on elevated platform and the oven latch is locked. Put a fire guard or grate over the oven glass.
• You may want to adjust the thermostat on the boiler while your child is still a toddler – so if they turn on a tap, they won’t be scalded with very hot water.

Electrical burns

• Avoid electrical immersion dippers for heating water.

• Reinstall all electrical sockets in your house above a toddler’s reach. Install baby-proof plugs in electrical outlets and keep your baby away from electrical cords.
• Electrical accidents are always very serious. They can cause severe third degree burns or even death.
• All power sockets should be secured with a plastic covering that a child can’t remove.
• Find out if there is a safety relay or circuit breaker in the house and if there isn’t, have one installed.

Other common injuries

• Fix a wedge or hook on doors to hold them permanently open, so that a child can’t get their fingers trapped. Magnet doors latchers are available in the market
• Windows to have grill / mesh, avoid falling out or throwing objects out.
• If you are using a crib make sure the space between crib slats is no more than 2-3 inches.
• Keep your baby away from blinds or drapery cords.
• It’s also easy for children to get their fingers trapped in drawers or doors. They don’t have complete control over their actions, they can easily slam a drawer shut on their hands.
• Fix a stopper to the drawers to prevent them being pulled out completely or fix a safety catch to prevent a child from opening the drawer or cupboard at all.
• Fix a catch on the fridge door – so that a child can’t get their fingers trapped, or even worse, climb inside. If the door is closed by accident they would quickly suffocate.
• Loose carpets and rugs are dangerous for children who are just learning to walk because they could easily trip over them. Put rubber matting or stoppers under the carpets and don’t put down loose rugs until the child is older.
• If there are openings between the steps, these should be blocked up to prevent your child from falling out underneath or getting their head stuck.
• A child’s head can also get lodged between the banister rails if they are more than 7.5cm (3 inches) apart.

How To Avoid Older Children Feel Jealous

Older children may feel jealous when a new child arrives in the family until they are 4 to 5 years of age. This happens as the child was receiving all attention of his parents , friends, grandparents and all of a sudden the focus has shifted onto the new babe. There will be lot many visiting home and bringing gifts, new clothes for the baby  and the older child feels left out. This is known as sibling rivalry.

If the older child is three years and below, he will try to grab the attention of parents by doing similar activities like the younger one. He will become fussy and will become more dependent for all activities which he had been doing himself with minimum guidance. Further irritation will be expressed by wetting the bed, soiling the clothes, being adamant and crying etc. This will keep the mother diverted towards him. These are few examples of the older child’s behavior .

If the child is between three to five years he’ll resort to thumb sucking, avoiding potty, spilling things, refusing to eat etc. He may retaliate by trying to hurt the baby, make big noise with the toys , and so on.

The parents on the other hand should recognize the child’s pranks and be patient and gradually make him accept his little sibling. Never scold or beat the kid, situation will deteriorate as the older kid will become even more difficult to manage the kid. He may get back at the child by pinching, making loud noises etc. Handle the older child with affection and apply the below mentioned tips tactfully.

A few tips on how to prevent the older child feeling jealous.

• Prepare your older kid about the baby’s arrival. Hint him about your tummy growing and there is a baby coming to give him company. You can also make him feel the baby’s movements.
• Involve the older child during purchase of articles for the baby’s room. Appreciate him for the activities he is doing independently. Make him believe that he is big and can sleep on his own in another bed / room. Slowly shift him to another room prior to the baby’s arrival.
• In case he is of age to be put up in a nursery , admit him such that he is in the company of other kids too. Help him pick his own clothes.  Keep your child informed with whom he’ll have to stay when you are in hospital.

• When you are in hospital, call your older child on a regular basis. If hospital permits children to visit, make him visit you. Talk to him such that he does not miss you. Enquire about his food friends and school.
• Ensure your baby get a special outing and refreshments to celebrate baby’s arrival. Inform him that the baby is a present for the older child and he needs to take good care.
• When the baby comes home ensure he is not left out. Ensure all visitors and family members address him also along with the kid. Make him realize that this is his little babe and he is the Big Brother. Involve him for baby decisions.
• Make sure you spend quality time when he is back from school. Talk to him about his day and the events that occurred. Guide him with the home work.
• If you ask him to speak slowly , he’ll do just th the opposite, therefore handle him tactfully by mentioning that good children will obey and be good. He’ll immediately lower his voice and not be troublesome.
• Allow the older child to sit close and observe the baby. Permit him to talk to the baby. Keep a constant eye on the children when they are together.

Best of luck…do take care…enjoy motherhood !!

How Will Your Baby’s Teeth Appear

When your baby is almost 4 months you will observe your baby is constantly dribbling, there is saliva coming out of the mouth and baby is biting onto hard surfaces of toys or even the nipple of your breast, you will get a hint that it is time for the tiny teeth to appear.

Your baby’s first teeth show between four to six months. For few kids the teeth appear as early as three months and also around twelve months too. You will first see two bottom teeth appear from the gums and later followed by four upper teeth in the next four to eight weeks. This is the time when the baby is fussier.

There will be soreness and swelling of gums resulting in the drool. Few babies have redness and will be crying for long durations due to pain. These symptoms will be seen three to four days before the initial teeth comes out of the gums and will vanish once teeth have appeared. For some babies the transition is smooth, they do not have the irritation.

You can give thick slices of carrot, dry bread ( rusk / croutons) to nibble. Toys like teething rings are available. This will keep the child engaged and will provide some relaxation .Ensure no contact of these items on floor during usage.

Your child will continue to get new teeth until he has all twenty of his primary teeth when he is three years old. The normal pattern is appearance of four new teeth every four months.

Proper care should be administered for the baby teeth or primary teeth. This is very important as these teeth hold space for the future eruption of permanent teeth. If a baby’s teeth is removed too early or teeth decays, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can be regained only through orthodontic treatment.  Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits and weaker teeth.

Tips for dental care:

• Initially you can clean your child’s mouth with a moist cloth or thin towel.
• Standardize feeding habits ( breast feeding)
• When baby is around six months, use a small soft – bristled brush . Tooth paste will not be required for the baby until he attains one year.
• Provide safe objects for the baby to nibble, the tendency of the child is to put anything around .
• Consult your doctor in case you feel the pain is not being managed .
• Do not put your child to sleep with a bottle , since the sugar in the milk will pool around the teeth all night and cause cavities.
• If your baby is bottle fed, wean the child by the first birthday. This will avoid teeth raising higher.
• Once baby is one year old you can apply a little toothpaste the size of a groundnut such that he will experiment
• Teach the child to gargle mouth after brushing and also after meals to avoid food particles getting stuck.
• Train the child to brush twice a day – morning and before bed time at night.
• Provide a balanced diet. Save foods with sugar and starch along with basic meals. If not they will get stuck in between teeth and lead to tooth decay.
• Dental care can begin when the child is one year old. Include check up of pediatric dentists at least once in six months.

Best of luck…and Happy teething !!

How To Select Right Furniture For Your Kids…Tips

If you are a parent of newborn baby and on the look out for making your little one comfortable, you need to spend some quality time in research and discussing with other parents who are experiencing a new baby. You can take feedback, evaluate the pros and cons and make the final investment.

You can spend time visiting shops or check for all offers on baby furniture online. You can check out for all colors, designs and latest models in the sites.

Basically all safety aspects should be reviewed prior to selecting a furniture set. These days designer baby rooms can be ordered. This will include wall painting , curtains, sun screens and all items associated for the kid.

If you want to re-use family furniture or the older siblings cradle etc. check for all connections, nuts and bolts, sturdiness prior to usage.

When you buy a crib make sure it is a large one. The child should be able to sleep and play in it. The slats of the crib should only be 2 to 3 inches apart to avoid getting hands and legs getting stuck. The drop down door should be sturdy and function properly, no screeching noise when used. The mattress should fit in properly.

Usually the crib and cradle will have toys hanging from above which will make noise upon movement to attract the child .

When you buy a cradle check that there are no sharp edges. Cradle is advantages as it is mobile and can be moved to rock the baby in another room too.

Due to space constraints parents opt for convertible or folding baby furniture. Make sure the locks and latches holding the legs are firm and durable. Check for all surfaces, avoid sharp corners. It is a great idea to have a crib in the day and a cradle in the night.

You need to have a large dresser such the drawers can be locked. Clothes , toys etc can go in and there will not be any scattered on the floor. There should be locking provision for the lower ones  such that once they start toddling they do not mess things around.

You can provide all the comforts for the little child coming into your lives. Proper planning and research will enable you select the best baby furniture and enjoy your time with the baby nursery.

You can make the room attractive by creating a photo wall. The progress of the child can be captured in various pictures and affixed .This will give a flashback of events and remind us that the child is growing and can keep the child engaged gazing at her own image.