What to do when newborn baby has swollen breasts?

A swollen breast is a common condition observed in babies, both male and female. Commonly seen that one or both the breast are swollen, firm and lumpy after a week of birth. Although this condition may seem abnormal, the swollen breasts usually shrink within a few weeks or months of life. The new parents will be worried at the sight of swollen breasts.

Causes of a swollen breast in a newborn baby

Mother’s hormones

Swelling of breast happens because of the hormones the baby receives from the mother during pregnancy. While the baby is in the womb, the baby is exposed to variations of hormones that a mother produces during pregnancy. These hormones are passed along to the baby and remain within the baby after birth.  These changes are triggered by hormones that travel throughout her bloodstream, through the placenta and to the baby via the umbilical cord.

After delivery when there is no more exposure to the hormones, the breast tissue will begin to shrink and become flat. This may take days and weeks. A milky substance called “witches milk” may leak from the nipples but will cease after a few days or weeks.

Breast feeding

Breast feeding also contribute to the baby’s breasts swelling due to the continuation of the mother’s hormones passing to the baby. While breast feeding may also contribute to prolonged breast enlargement and baby milk production, temporary or permanent weaning is not recommended.

Also read: 8 Top Tips to Keep your Newborn Baby Clean and Healthy

Breast buds

Swollen breasts in babies can contribute due to breast buds or lumps under the nipples. These lumps are mature breast tissue that can even secrete milk. Breast buds can occur in both male and female babies and will diminish over the first few months of life.

Infection

If the breast or nipple looks red, tender or has a colored discharge other than a milky substance and the baby has a fever, a pediatrician should examine the baby for infection. Be alert and observe any redness and pain for the baby.

Parents are advised not to squeeze or massage the swollen breasts, for this will only cause irritation and may lead to an infection. Swollen breasts in newborn babies is not a problem and will become less noticeable as your baby changes and grows.

Also read: Can I Continue to Breastfeed my Baby when I’m Back from Work?

Cultural differences

In India, the new mom is advised to squeeze or press the nipple during massage to remove the milk that is accumulated. General understanding by daimas is that if the milk is not removed, it will lead to larger breast and chest which can be a bother to your personality as you grow up and are in your teens. Usually observed in stout boys.

Elders in the family also insists to continue removing the milk for a week’s time. It will be done gently to ensure baby does not have pain.

However Pediatricians insist that the baby’s breast are not pressed, leave them alone and allow nature take its course in shrinking them.

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What are the Symptoms of Jaundice in Newborn Baby?

Most babies are sent home after 1 or 2 days of birth, parents will have to watch their new born baby for any signs of jaundice.

Symptoms of jaundice:

Jaundice first appears on the babies face and head. As the level of bilirubin increases in the blood, the body will start showing on the body and further high levels are indicated by coloration on the palms of the hand and soles of the feet.

Testing for jaundice

Simple test that can be done at home is to press your finger tip on the tip of your child’s nose or forehead. After you lift your finger if you observe the skin is white there is no jaundice. But if you see yellowish color, consult your doctor immediately.

Blood test for jaundice

Blood test is recommended to identify the level of bilirubin and the treatment to be followed thereafter based on the blood test results and the baby’s health condition.

Serum Bilirubin values

Since 97% of term babies have serum bilirubin values <13 mg/dl, all infants with a serum bilirubin level >13 mg/dl require a minimum work up.

Causes of jaundice

Excess bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) is the main cause of jaundice. Bilirubin is responsible for the yellow color of jaundice, it is a normal part of the pigment released from the breakdown of “used” red blood cells.

Normally, the liver filters bilirubin from the bloodstream and releases it into the intestinal tract. A newborn’s immature liver often can’t remove bilirubin quickly enough, causing an excess of bilirubin. Jaundice due to these normal newborn conditions is called physiologic jaundice, and it typically appears on the second or third day of life.

Treatment for jaundice

Most babies who are well and healthy need not undergo treatment. As the liver matures, it will break the bilirubin into other chemicals which can be passed out through the gut.

However Phototherapy (or light therapy) is recommended for babies whose level is getting higher. Light energy helps change the bilirubin that is just under the skin into a different chemical which is more easily passed out of the baby’s body (excreted). Babies may need phototherapy mandatorily for 48 hrs with breastfeeding the baby every 2 hrs to remove excess bilirubin from the body thru’ urine or stool. Phototherapy is safe and effective. The process followed is:

• Babies will be placed in a warm covered cot. They may be able to stay in their mother’s room or they may need to be moved to the ward nursery.
• They will have eye shields placed over their eyes.
• They will be nursed naked so that the maximum amount of light can fall on their skin.
• More number of feeds while the baby is having phototherapy.
• You will be encouraged to continue to care for your baby as much as possible.
• Blood tests are usually done daily to work out if your baby still needs phototherapy.

Examination for jaundice

Your baby should be examined for jaundice between the third and seventh day after birth, when bilirubin levels usually show peaks. If your baby is discharged earlier than 72 hours following birth, make a follow-up appointment to look for jaundice within two days of discharge.

Consult a doctor when you see the following symptoms:

• Your baby’s skin becomes more yellow
• Your baby’s skin looks yellow on the abdomen, arms or legs
• The whites of your baby’s eyes look yellow
• Your baby looks less energetic or sick or is difficult to awaken
• Your baby makes high-pitched cries
• Your baby isn’t gaining weight or is feeding poorly
• Your baby develops any other signs or symptoms that concern you

Jaundice lasts more than three weeks. After you complete phototherapy you can continue sunlight therapy. Take the baby to indirect sunlight early in the morning. The sun rays is also good to reduce the color for the baby.

Parents should not panic. Be alert and identify symptoms at the early stage. Do follow-up visits to the hospital after birth for routine checks.

Happy parenting!

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Also read:

How to Treat Jaundice in New Born Baby
What to feed when my child has watery motions – Diarrhea
Umbilical cord care: Basics for a New mom
Vaccines for your baby – Immunization schedule
What are the Soft Spots on my Newborn Baby’s head?

 

Symptoms and Signs to identify Crossed Eyes in a baby

Crossed eyes are also called Strabismus, a condition in which both eyes do not line up properly. The individual having this condition will have each eye focusing on different objects and in different directions. The disorder is common in children, affecting children below 6 years. Causes of this condition is not known, but it tends to generally run in families.

Crossed eyes can also occur for adults, mostly due to factors like brain tumor, retina damage, diabetes, or a stroke. Crossed eyes can usually be corrected with eyeglasses and / or surgery.

Types of Crossed Eyes

Two types of crossed eyes are commonly seen in children. One appears in infancy and the other develops as a child grows older.

Crossed eyes that appears in babies during their first year of life is known as Infantile Esotropia. One eye may cross more often than the other. It typically runs in families and usually requires surgery to correct.

Acquired Esotropia occurs in children between the ages of 2 and 5 and can usually be corrected with eyeglasses.

Causes of Crossed Eyes

Main causes for crossed eyes to develop is when the numerous muscles around the eyes do not work in conjunction because some are weaker than others. When the brain receives a different visual message from each eye, it ignores the one coming from the weaker eye. If the condition of the weaker eye is not corrected, you may lose site with time.

Crossed eyes can also occur later in life and is also triggered by physical disorders such as a brain tumor or an eye injury. If you have a lazy eye or are farsighted, it is also possible to develop crossed eyes as an adult because your eyes must strain in order to focus on objects. People with brain or nervous system disorders such as cerebral palsy are more likely to have strabismus.

Symptoms and Signs of Crossed Eyes

Crossed eyes condition is common for newborn babies, but if it persists beyond 3 months of age, it is best to see a doctor

Symptoms may be constant or appear only when you are tired or not feeling well. Your eyes might point inward or outward or focus in different directions. Other symptoms noticed are impaired vision, losing depth perception and having double vision.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Crossed eyes

If you observe symptoms of crossed eyes, consult the doctor and follow recommendations.

Early diagnosis of crossed eyes is important for preventing vision loss. In young children, it is best to have an eye examination before 3 years. If other physical symptoms appear along with crossed eyes, your doctor may examine your brain and nervous system for the presence of other conditions, such as cerebral palsy or Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Treatment for Crossed eyes depends on its severity and cause. If you have developed a lazy eye, you might need to wear a patch over your stronger eye to force the muscles of your weaker eye to work harder. Other common treatments include eye glasses, surgery, eye exercises and eye drops.

A big relief for parents is that crossed eye can be treated quickly if identified in childhood. Be alert with your babies and make corrections on time.

Do you have any other inputs to identify crossed eyes in an infant . If so, please add a comment and, if you like the post, feel free to share it with your friends. You can also visit our Facebook page and Google plus page for more insight.

Also read:

How to Handle the New Born Baby?

Ear infection in a newborn baby

The importance of Setting a Baby’s routine

How Memory Develops for your Baby

 

Best 8 Weaning Foods for your Baby

It is generally observed that mothers are eager and enthusiastic to start giving their babies foods other than breast milk. When the time approaches to make the change, she keeps guessing as to “what food will be ideal for my baby”?.

Listed below are the best 8 weaning foods for your baby. These foods will be easy for your baby’s little tummy and is the best weaning option.

Important Weaning Foods for your Baby

Juices:

Preferably start with fresh and clear fruit juices, ensure filtering. Select fruits that is available all through the year. Apple is the best choice. Peel an apple, cut it into small pieces and  boil it in a pan. When cooked mash the apple with a flat spoon or your hand and use a strainer for filtering. Collect the juice in a container. Feed spoonfuls of the clear apple juice to your baby in the beginning.

Also read: Tender Coconut water is better than Baby’s Formula Milk

Remembering the popular saying,”An Apple a day keeps the doctor away”

Dal pani:

You can soak mung dhal/ split Green gram in water for 3 hrs. Drain the water, wash and cook in double the quantity of water. When the dal has cooked and turns soft, drain the cooked dhal thru’ a strainer and when lukewarm offer few spoonfuls at a time.

You can start with these liquids till the baby is six months old. Offer the below foods when the baby is over six months.

Fruits:

If your baby enjoys having fruit juice shift to apple puree. Peel the apple, cut into small pieces and cook in a shallow pan. Mash it with a flat ladle when hot. When it cools serve your hungry baby. You can try the same recipe with a pear also.

An over ripe banana can be mashed and fed without any lumps. Feed your baby and he is definitely gonna enjoy. You can serve orange juice too after filtering.

Gradually alternate with papaya, mango and chickoo (sapota). Always remember to introduce one fruit at a time to avoid indigestion.

Related reading: Feeding Ripe Mango will Protect your Baby from Summer heat

Vegetables:

Vegetables like carrot, potato, tomatoes are a good start. Make sure the veggies are washed properly, peeled and then cooked. Carrots and potatoes can be hand mashed and fed with a little salt, Tomato should be peeled and filtered. Spinach can be started after about 2 weeks. Wash the leaves in running water. Chop the leaves, cook along with other vegetables. Mix with ghee, salt and serve. Bottle gourd, Pumpkin, Yellow cucumber can be slowly included in the menu.

Also read: Recipes for Baby food

Soups:

Boil the vegetables in a pressure cooker. Mash them and strain the contents to remove larger pieces and avoid choking. Add a pinch of salt. Introduce clear vegetable soups when the baby is 8 months old. Include carrots, beetroots, tomatoes, beans gradually.

Also read: Wheat flour porridge

Cooked foods:

You can start a wholesome meal with cooked rice and split green gram / moong dhal. Take equal amounts of rice and mung dhal. Heat the mung dhal and keep aside. Wash rice and dhal and cook in pressure cooker with a little turmeric and salt. Season with jeera in desi ghee. You can add vegetables and spinach leaves pressure cook along with rice and dhal and serve the baby.

Related reading: Your Baby’s First Taste of Solids

The above mentioned weaning foods will ensure your baby is getting the required nutrition and baby is healthy in all seasons.

Also read: What to feed when my child has watery motions – Diarrhea

Take care of your little one. Best wishes!!

Qualities of a Good Baby Sitter

In recent times both parents are employed and need to resume duties immediately after maternity leave it becomes very essential to balance home , the baby and work without interrupting the schedules and compromising on quality of work. New moms depend on baby sitters to take care of the kids in their absence.

Finding a babysitter, daima (in Hindi) is a big challenge for the parents. You need to feel confident that your baby is being taken care of properly and comfortable having her in your house when you are not around.

Best traits in Baby sitters

• Responsible, Regular and dependable
• Neat and tidy
• Replace things in its allocated place. Abides by the rules given
• Leave reminders / notes for follow-up
• Basic presence of maid, instantly respond during an emergency
• Patient, calming, loving, have fun with the kid, caring and compassionate
• Keeps you informed, able to handle basic communication
• Mature and do not get carried away by visitors / hawkers / marketing personnel
• Descent background to ensure baby listens to good language
• Possess at least one good reference prior to selection.

The parents can observe if the baby is getting along with the baby sitter. The search for a reliable person should start well in advance such that the baby and the babysitter can get to know each other. The new mom and the grand parents can observe in the background.

Parents should exercise patience

Explain all key requirements to the babysitter to get familiar with the surroundings. There are plenty of reports about the consequences of not interviewing the babysitter. There are cases where the caretaker will consume all good food and neglect the baby.

Avoid all these situations with proper verification of babysitter’s background. Also check for references, should be foolproof. Handover emergency contact numbers, printed list will be advisable. Keep your immediate neighbors informed about the change.

Keep valuable articles in a safe place. In the beginning parents also need to have patience and extend support such that the babysitter settle down. Be understanding and supportive. Keep a list of medications that have to be given in case of fever or cold.

Instruct them to keep tiny things out of baby’s reach. Be attentive and alert. Minimize mobile calls and watching TV programs. You will be lucky if the babysitter is a trained personnel in First aid and CPR.

Do not expect them to do house chores. They are welcome to teach the baby rhymes and guide in growth of the baby.

You can assess how good your babysitter is by the body language your child exhibits when they are around. If they are disturbed and withdrawn, it indicates that the baby is worried and not able to adjust. Beware of such symptoms.

Do you have any more suggestions for the qualities of a Good Baby Sitter. If so, please add a comment and, if you like the post, feel free to share it with your friends. You can also visit our Facebook page and Google plus page for more insight.

8 Top Tips to Keep your Newborn Baby Clean and Healthy

A newborn baby brings lots of happiness and stress too with its arrival. As they say that the parents are going thru’ a new set of responsibilities, sleepless nights, coping up with extra members in the family, guests and new crew of support services.

Newborns have to be cared for and most importantly closely monitored for any slight changes. A lot of healthy hygiene practices have to be followed at home and should be implemented by all family members including supporting team. There are plenty of do’s and don’ts that have to be strictly adhered to ensure newborn baby is clean and healthy.

The basic needs for a Newborn baby are:

Bathing a baby

Babies can be given a bath daily unless the baby is sick or had an immunization schedule. In winters when the external weather is extremely cold you can opt for a wipe with a towel dipped in luke warm water. You can wash the baby’s hair daily though it is not mandatory. Weekly twice you can apply a mild shampoo for the hair and use a mild soap. However, you need to monitor that the water does not enter the newborn baby’s nose, mouth, eyes and ears.

After bathing the baby dry the baby completely with a dry towel. Make sure you clean dry the hidden area under creases- especially armpit and groin. This will keep away infection or peeling of skin

Read: New Moms Newborn Basic Baby Care Tips

Care for the cord

After your baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut close to the body in a painless procedure, leaving a 2 to 3 cm short umbilical stump. Your baby’s umbilical cord stump will dry up and eventually fall off within 10 to 21 days. There will be a fresh wound and it will take a few days to heal.

Read: Umbilical cord care: Basics for a New mom

You need to take good care of the umbilical cord area. This area is delicate and will need a little extra attention until the cord stump naturally falls off. Apply medication as prescribed by your baby’s pediatrician.

Taking care of eyes, nose, ears

There is no specific need to clean the eyes, ears and nose, however you need to wipe them with a wet towel externally. Avoid putting Kaajal in the eyes. You can apply kaajal on eyebrows. If you observe some dirt like substance in the ear or nose, gently clean with a ear bud without going much deeper.

Keeping private areas clean

During baby massage the common practice is to squeeze the breasts of the newborn baby to remove a milky substance otherwise the boys will have huge breast when they grow up. At times the foreskin on the penis of the baby is pushed back as a part of cleaning. These actions can result in serious infections and should be avoided unless handled by experienced hands.

Read: Taking Care of a premature baby

Trimming nail

Preferably trim baby’s nails when the baby is asleep. Nails grow quickly and if uncut can cause scratches for the baby. The nails of a baby may be trimmed with a clipper or baby scissors. Do not bite off the nails as it is not a hygienic practice.

Read: How to trim baby’s nails

Cutting hair

Baby’s hair grow fast and few babies have thick hair and it will start falling into the eyes and cause irritation. In certain communities, it is a practice to shave the head, soon after birth or after the baby is one year old. If cutting the hair is delayed you can use baby clips and secure hair.

Shaving the hair is also practiced in Indian communities, religious and scientific reason for removing the birth hair. Apply sandal wood paste mixed in homemade turmeric paste for cooling the scalp, this is followed commonly.

Read: Shaving a baby’s head makes the hair grow thicker and stronger

The same holds true for ear piercing. It is safe to wait till the baby has received its triple injections to tonsure the head or pierce the baby’s ears. This helps prevent tetanus.

Read: Vaccines for your baby – Immunization schedule

Keeping clothes clean

The newborn baby’s clothes need to be segregated and washed daily in water containing an antibacterial solution like dettol and some mild detergent, either by hand or in the washing machine. They should be sufficiently dried in a machine or in the sun to kill all germs. Once dry, the clothes should be folded and kept inside the cupboard, free from contamination. Change the clothes when damp after a feed or after baby passes stool or urinates.

Read: The importance of Setting a Baby’s routine

Handling the baby

There will be lots of friends and relatives visiting hospital and home after the baby is born. Make sure that anybody who handles the baby washes his/her hands with a good antibacterial soap or hand wash. Make sure civil footwear is left outside the baby’s room to minimize contamination.

Read: How to Handle the New Born Baby?

Clean and sterilize feeding bottles and other accessories

Feeding bottles should be sterilized in boiling water early in the morning and should be left in the vessel with water and a lid. You should have a good set of bottles to avoid any shortcuts and bypasses during cleaning. After baby’s feed empty the bottle, wash and keep aside. All the bottles and nipples needs to be sterilized again prior to use.

Read: How to Clean and Sterilize Bottle Feeding Equipment &

Dispensing and Preparing Formula for baby

Baby toys are major causes of infection. You need to wipe them with soap and water and ensure they are away from floor. Keep away toys that have sharp edges or are damaged, they could be dangerous.

Read: Choking prevention and First Aid for Babies

A common advice

It is a known fact that newborn babies are delicate and prone to infections quickly even with slight weather changes therefore you need to monitor the flow of relatives and friends visiting the hospital and home. Ensure baby’s room is airy and well lit.

Read: Use an Air Conditioner(AC) or Air cooler for a newborn baby?

The mother should also take care of overall health and the food intake to ensure being healthy and also making sure of the baby’s well being. Take medicines on time and recover fast. Follow hygiene practices to keep breast clean by washing with soap and water frequently prior to breast feeding.

Best wishes!! Happy motherhood !!

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5 Essential Tips to Prevent Diaper Rashes

Diaper rashes for babies are painful ,the babies are irritated and restless. Diaper rashes can be prevented with timely action and proper care. Here are few essential tips to prevent diaper rashes for the baby.

Choose the diapers wisely:

Quality of product should be given preference to than fragrance and cost. Avoid diapers that promise fragrances as they are bound to be treated with chemicals that may irritate your baby. Do not use wipes that are dipped in alcohol or other pleasant fragrances. Rinse your baby’s bottom with a wet cloth dipped in warm water. If you are using cotton nappies that are made at home , do wash them thoroughly to remove the detergents.

How to Make a Cloth Diaper for the Baby?

Ensure your baby’s bottoms clean and dry:

Change baby’s diapers frequently. Monitor the diaper for stools or urine. Avoid long contact with the poop and urine. During nights also watch out if the diaper needs changing. Clean your baby’s private parts with a wet cloth dipped in warm water, pat dry and replace the diaper. Take care not rubbing the privates vigorously. Also as part of good hygiene practices sanitize your own hands before and after every diaper change.

Disposable diapers or cloth

Weaning process- Be cool:

During weaning process introduce one food at a time. Watch the baby for any visible changes i.e allergies or rashes. If you observe redness then discontinue with that food. Continue to breast feed as it will build immunity for the baby and reduce rashes if any.

Your Baby’s First Taste of Solids

Check the size of the diapers:

Always buy a pack of diapers that fits your baby. This will ensure better air circulation and baby will be comfortable. In case you are using the home made ones make sure you do not tie it tight over the baby’s waist. In summers or during humid weather let the baby be without the diaper for some time when asleep. This will make the baby feel free and give some fresh air. Cover with a light cloth. Do monitor to avoid insect bite etc.

The importance of Setting a Baby’s routine

Select best baby products:

When the baby is patted dry after a nappy change do apply baby powder. In case you observe rashes do consult the pediatrician. Follow medication as recommended by the doctor. You may apply moisturizers on the baby’s skin. Check for the “best use before” dates on the pack while purchasing diapers. Cover the diaper pack after you have take out diapers to avoid dust contamination and itching for the baby.

Take precautions for the baby and avoid diaper rashes. Keep your baby healthy and active.

Please add a comment and, if you like the post, feel free to share it with your friends. You can also visit our Facebook page and Google plus page for more insight on other articles.

You may also like to read:

How to keep your Baby Healthy during Weather changes?
How Memory Develops for your Baby
Vaccines for your baby – Immunization schedule
It is not safe to use an AC or Air cooler for a newborn baby?

Do Toys Support Development for the Baby

Toys are the child’s best means for being engaged. Toys keeps away boredom and therefore it is important to have a variety of toys such that the child has enough attention and is engrossed while playing with them.

Toys are colorful, makes pleasant noises, in different shapes and sizes, in different textures – Soft material and hard ones too. Whatever be the size and shape you need to monitor for the safety of the kid. Keep away tiny or loose pieces from the babies too avoid choking risks.

Read the instructions while purchasing the toys. There should not be any sharp projections, too much noise generating toys. Choosing toys is important to maximize your child play and encourage physical and intellectual growth.

Toys enhance movement and motor skills

Toys help co-ordination and balance, build arm and leg strength. There are push and pull toys, ride on toys eg: a small car which moves on wheels. Advised to avoid battery powered ride-on toys. Playing with balls, kicking the ball with hands and legs are also great fun, the child gets good exercise. There are rockers like the horse which helps move forward and backward. The child learns of new toys and also imbibes the technique of operating each of them.

As they grow you can choose toys that involve hand-eye coordination. The child will gradually adapt to the toy placement of various structures with practice. You can select toys that makes patterns, coloring on art books and using crayons. Stacking and building toys with arrangement of shapes and placing the shapes in corresponding blocks.

The child can play with toys associated to the kitchen, doctor articles, teaching kit, showing their interest towards a particular task or profession. Children at a very young age play musical instruments from the inclination to music and musical instruments.

Toys enhance language skills

For improving language skills it is advised to select books with pictures. The child can be made to understand with images and will be able to correspond to the requirement quickly. As the children are curious you can make an effort to read stories to them and share good values and idealogy.

Mothers who are carrying can follow this for the unborn child too. Listening to good music and talk only fosters good qualities in an individual. As child grows up, he will not be interested on the same toys. You need to select toys as per the age. Children will be keen on sports kit and want outdoor stuff. You can let the child have fun in open air provided close monitoring.

The toddlers learn to balance and place articles. At times the babies will cry and weep when they are unable to place the shapes successfully. They get attracted to colors and shapes. Babies do learn to align and bridge toys over one another. When there are more than one baby around they will want to play with the same toy or choose the same color even when there are spare ones around. A sense of ownership starts building in them. Parents can teach kids to share and nurture qualities that will become the foundation of one’s character.

Toys are a great medium for the child’s growth and development. The trick lies in selecting the right toys that truly supports the child’s physical and intellectual growth.

Also read: How to make your home safe for kids

How to Make your Child Swallow Tablets Easily

Most of the children have difficulty swallowing pills / tablets and capsules.  Tablets are given for kids when they are extremely sick and the medication is essential to bring down the illness / infection. When the baby is small doctors prescribe syrups and tonics with a pleasant taste, color and aroma to attract the kids. But as the child is above 6 years doctors prescribe tablets to take care of the health problem.

When the child is sick the parents have a tough time to ensure the child has taken the medication. Parents become desperate and try various tricks to make sure baby swallows the medicine. In my childhood days I remember my parents powdering the tablets adding with sugar and asking me to just gulp it down with a mouthful of water. Some attempts were successful and some failed. The pungent smell of antibiotic is very strong and the sticky taste when the tablet melts on the tongue makes it all the more difficult.

As a mother of a child I have gone thru’ several experiences myself and would like to share a few tricks to the young parents. At times I’ve stuffed the tablet in a piece of banana or diluted in soda to disguise the tablet. It is a good idea for parents to teach their kids the technique of pill swallowing before they really need it. A sick or cranky child will not cooperative to learn swallowing a tablet.

Train your child the technique of pill swallowing

Parents can help child swallow a tablet by gradual practice. You need to experiment it with tic-tacs that come with sweet and minty flavors. Place the tic-tac on the tip of the child’s tongue. Give a glass of water filled to the brim. Ask your child to sip in water and quickly tip head back. The tic-tac pill will be washed to the throat and swallowed with the gulp of water without the tongue being involved. This can be tried for children above 6 years.

Parents can also experiment with small peppermints, soft cake decorations, sugar candies (sugar coated soft ones) such that it does not get stuck in the throat.

With capsules (which float), you do just the opposite. Have your child look down at the floor instead of up at the ceiling while you slip the capsule into her mouth. Have her swallow while still looking at the floor. The capsule should float to the back of her mouth and roll down her throat with the water.

The child can have as many practice trials as she needs. Most children find swallowing these balls surprisingly easy, so the first attempt is almost always a positive one. Praise the child for both effort and success.

Few suggestions to make tablet swallowing easy

• Keep a calm and positive attitude.
• Eliminate distractions during medicine taking time. Close the door, turn the TV off, etc. allowing the child to concentrate on the job at hand.
• Be patient. Some normal children can’t accomplish pill-swallowing until their late teens!
• Some tablets are easier to swallow if they are broken into halves. Check with the pharmacist first, however, to make sure a divided pill does not lose its effectiveness.
• Encourage the child to do better. Avoid negative comments.

Swallowing the various sizes and numbers of pills can be a challenge for any child regardless of age. Make this requirement an easy one for your child. Children get scared of incidents happened in the past. Train the kid with simple steps such that when the need comes he will swallow the pill with ease.

Please add a comment and, if you like the post, feel free to share it with your friends. You can also visit our Facebook page and Google plus page for more insight.

Related reading:

Thumb Sucking: How Can you Help your Child Stop this Habit

Tips to Help Your Child Overcome Bed Wetting

The Seven Important Home Management skills to Teach your Child

 

Health tips to Protect baby in Rainy season

Rainy season brings in nostalgic memories of our childhood days. The fun we had in the rain and how our parents warned us not to get wet again. They ensured we carried our raincoats, umbrellas always to avoid getting wet and falling sick. Dad always ensured the nets were tucked to prevent mosquito bites and associated illness.

Rainy season also reminds us of several crawling bugs and insects. There is greenery and colorful flowers all over. This is the time when planting takes place in the garden. Common sight of vendors with clay pots and fresh plants in the hand pulled trolleys.

With the arrival of monsoon many unfavorable diseases also set in. Diseases like jaundice, typhoid, cholera and other gastrointestinal infections also develop during this time. Common cold and cough among kids and elders is a common sight during rainy season. Babies are the ones who are prone to these diseases as the immunity is low and they are also much more exposed to the microorganisms than adults.

Following are some of the health tips which can protect the health of child during the rainy season.

• Children are highly prone to infections during rainy seasons. These infections are caused mainly due to fungal and bacterial infections. During rainy season these microorganisms get favorable environment to grow so proper care is required for the small babies. Ensure to bathe your little one at least once a day to keep her healthy. After the bath make sure that you wipe your child’s body with a cotton absorbent towel.
• Restrict your child from having outside food especially the ones sold by roadside vendors. This season is odd as it attracts infections due to improper hygiene conditions of the surroundings.
• Water should be filtered and then consumed. For small babies boil and cool water and then ensure storage is also maintained. Special care has to be taken for the water intake. Avoid outside water, carry a bottle of water when you plan going out with the baby.
• Make sure the kids do not play in stagnant and polluted water as it may lead to skin infections and other illnesses too.
• Give your child light and easy to digest food during monsoons. Basic reason is that the digestive system is weak during this time of the year and spicy/ oily foods can lead to digestion problems.

• Wash your hands thoroughly using a sanitizer before handling the food, feeding the baby. Make sure that your child is washing their hands before the consumption of food.
• Flies will be high in the external environment therefore make sure that all cooked food is covered so that the flies and other insects do not infect it.
• Avoid raw foods and always serve the kids freshly made food. Soups, stews and stir fried or baked vegetables are the good options to use during these seasons. If food is refrigerated ensure thawing and properly heating prior to serving.
• Nails are a major source of bacterial infection. Therefore trim nails on time and avoid the habit of nail biting in children; this may give rise to the infectious diseases.
• Ensure baby’s clothes are dried sufficiently. Damp clothes also lead to skin infections. The sunlight will be scanty during rainy season and it may not be possible to dry all clothes in the sun. Make sure to iron them.
• Make sure baby is covered well when you plan to take her out in unavoidable circumstances.
• Diseases like malaria, dengue are very common during this season. So wearing the full body clothes can help you to protect the child from these problems.
• Usage of mosquito net is mandatory, this will keep away from malaria, dengue and other allergies.
• Wipe floor at least twice a day with a germ free solution. Avoid strong chemicals and disinfectants at home.
• Ensure footwear is cleaned timely and removed at the entry to avoid carrying germs into the house.

Keep your premises clean and hygienic so that the infectious organisms do not harm you and your family.

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