How to keep your Baby Healthy during Weather changes?

It is a common observation that baby falls sick when weather change occurs. Even adults at home are down with viral fever, colds and fever due to infections. Follow these simple steps to keep your baby healthy and prevent baby from getting sick.

Breast feed and Immunize:

Your baby’s immune system will be strong with breast feeding and following the immunization calendar  promptly. Do ensure to breastfeed your baby for the first six months and also ensure the vaccinations schedules are adhered to.

Dress for the weather:

Dress your baby as the weather demands. In summer preferable choose light colors and light wear. In winters dress the baby in layers such that you can add or remove clothing as the weather change occurs and the sun is up. Ensure your baby is dressed comfortably.

Bathe your baby safely:

Maintain less gap for the baby after a massage to avoid catching a cold. The solution is to avoid exposing your baby to sudden temperature changes. Ensure there is no contact with cool or chilled air during massage or bathing process. Select baby’s bath time when the baby is least likely to feel cold. Dress up the baby and then only put on the fan. Follow precautions while putting on the AC or air cooler.

Provide a Balanced diet:

Maintain a balanced diet when your baby moves to solids. A good diet provides vitamins and minerals she needs to help fight infections. If the child is a fussy eater, make sure she gets enough vitamins and minerals.

Follow hygiene:

Babies are very sensitive and catch infections quickly from people passing by too. Therefore ensure you maintain a hygienic environment and avoid sneezing, coughing with the baby around. Wash hands with disinfectant prior to handling the baby.

Cleaning Baby accessories:

Ensure toys are not left on the floor. If washable clean them. Ensure the rooms and surroundings are not dusty. If your baby goes to a Day care center inform and create awareness to maintain hygiene while feeding and handling the baby. Restrict movement of street wear inside the rooms. Seek support from other parents to practice hygiene.

Inspite  of all your best efforts your little one may fall sick once in a while. Your precautionary measures will keep the baby free from repeated illnesses. Getting sick is a way to challenge baby’s immune system. Do not delay visit to the doctor upon observing symptoms of sickness, cold, diarrhea, vomiting etc.

Hope you have a better understanding to keep your baby healthy during weather changes. Irrespective of the season, do not be worried over small illnesses observed. Take good care and avoid baby falling severely sick as it will take time to recover from any illness however minor it may sound.

Do not break down. Be alert when the baby has fever and give medications timely. The baby will be back with bouncing energy to make you happy.

Almond Oil is Ideal for Baby Massage

Baby massage is very important for the growth and development of a baby’s body. There are a lot of oils available in the market. The recommended ones are coconut oil and almond oil. Almond oil is known as badam tel.

Coconut oil can be used on babies all round the year. Commonly used in southern states of India. Almond oil provides moisturizing effect. In winter due to external cold the new born baby’s skin become dry. Selection of oil is very critical as the baby’s skin is very sensitive and if the oil is of poor quality baby may get rashes.

Massage plays a very important role, it makes baby’s bones and muscles strong and develops healthy body. You can start massaging on baby when the new born is 10 to 15 days old. Oil massage stimulates respiration, circulation, digestion and elimination. After an oil massage and warm water bath babies will have a sound sleep. They will remain active, relaxed and cheerful. Massage is also thought to help relieve gas,  colic and constipation problems; it also helps heal the infant during illness by easing congestion and pain.

Massaging encourages the bond between mother and child. The gentle strokes of the mothers hands gives warmth to the baby and the mother and baby bond strengthens. Ensure baby does not put his hands and feet into the mouth during massaging as there are chances the oil can get inside. Do not pour oil into the ears and nose while massaging. Initially baby will show dislike to massaging. But as the days go by the baby will take it as part of his exercise routine .

Almond oil is used on baby’s skin and head too. Almond oil helps hair growth and strengthens the hair roots. The skin becomes nourished and glows. Almond oil has a light, sweet scent and contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E, as well as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Almond massage oil is an excellent choice for use on babies because it is naturally rich in emollients and pure enough for sensitive baby skin.

Massaging almond oil on baby’s scalp will moisten the dandruff flakes and you will be able to wash it off within a weeks time. Almond oil makes the skin soft, supple and baby’s skin will glow with radiance.

It is recommended to take your pediatricians advice in case you want to shift to a new oil. Use oil in its pure form to avoid contamination and addition of minerals in the oil.

Do not mix different varieties of oil to massage the baby. Wash the oil completely during the bath to avoid any remnants on the baby making it uncomfortable and sticky. Read the instructions mentioned on the label pack. Also consult the elders in the family for guidance.

The prominent oils used in different parts of India are Olive oil, Sesame oil, Ghee in addition to coconut oil and almond oil. Almond is the king of nuts and therefore the price of oil is higher than the other oils used for babies. A little more care to the baby’s skin and hair will have long lasting results.  Baby skin care has to begun from the early days itself , never know your baby may grow up to be a famous personality.