Baby Health Care - Know What To Do!

Each new baby brings so much joy but also uncertainty in the area of baby health care. Even when you have had a baby before, you often forget what different symptoms mean just because it’s been awhile since you had to think for a child this young.

The following is a list of common ailments babies can suffer from that will help you recognise them and know what to do. Always seek medical attention if you are unsure. I am by no means a doctor. Just a mum of two children who wants to help you not to worry!

Bowel Motions: If you’re breastfeeding motions occur several times a day or once every few days, that’s normal. Colour is greenish-yellow, consistency ranges from fluid to soft. What’s not normal for baby health is hard stool and very fluid stool like urine. Bottle fed babies have firmer and more frequent stools, from four times a day to once every two days. What’s not normal for them is watery stool. If your baby is experiencing diarrhea then moms you can add probiotics into your diet. For more information on probiotics and great recipes go to http://1stprobiotics.com

Colic: If your baby is crying for most days for two or three hours non-stop, usually in the afternoon or evening, chances are it’s colic. Colic starts in the first month, peaks around 6 – 8 weeks and usually stops around 12 – 16 weeks. We don’t fully understand the causes, but studies show that breastfeeding mothers’ diets may hold the key.

You can care for your babies health by eliminating high allergy foods like egg, milk, fish, wheat, junk food may reduce the crying.

Meanwhile it is very stressful. There is a fantastic 100% natural homeopathic medicine called Colic Calm which you can also use once you’ve eliminated the diet issue. You only need to give it to your baby once and then it is quite fast acting! You can purchase it online and it definitely makes a difference between nursing a baby in pain for nights on end and being able to sleep soundly yourself!

I wish I had discovered it sooner with one of my babies! We must have gone through weeks of evenings with non-stop crying.

General crying: There are a number of different reasons why your baby might cry and you can find a detailed explanation on Why Babies Cry by clicking here.

It’s not too complex because for babies, it is their way of communicating. Once you know what the different cries mean (sometimes that involves going through the different options one by one!), then you can address it and your baby is happy again.

Eczema: Babies can get a mild form of adult eczema and this is quite common in newborns and will usually fade after they are 16 weeks old. This is also linked to mum’s breastfeeding and their diets. You will see scaly patches on your baby’s cheeks, eyebrows and crusting around the hair-line (cradle cap). If it gets infected, the skin will crack, weep and need medical attention.

Treat the first signs with Vaseline or sorbolene. Don’t use soap on it or any other commercial baby lotions or bath-wash. If it worsens you really need to go see your local chemist or naturopath for some safe alternatives.

HERE IS SOME MORE ADVICE FOR PARENTS….

Nappy Rash: mainly caused by dirty, wet nappies left on too long. Other causes are babies with sensitive skin, eczema, thrush, colds and viral illnesses. The bottom will usually show signs of redness, inflamed skin, blistering or ulceration. Urine will make things worse and it can cause babies to be quite unsettled and uncomfortable during the night.

The best way to deal with this baby health care issue is to make sure you change the nappy often, avoid soaps and toiletries in that area including baby wipes. Instead use plain water and cotton balls followed by a thick zinc and castor oil barrier cream. If you use cloth nappies then try to avoid using the plastic overpants which will cause them to sweat.

Oral thrush: this is a yeast infection that is common to newborns and looks like patches of cheese curd on the inside of their mouth and tongue. It’s usually harmless but can be painful and cause the baby to have difficulty feeding. Ask your chemist for some antifungal medication.

If it’s passed through the system it will then cause a yeast-infection nappy rash and can be caught from breastfeeding if the mother has a yeast infection on her nipple. The infection usually disappears after a month.

Reflux: This is due to the valve that stops the stomach’s contents from back washing not working properly yet. Milk and stomach acid can rise up and spill from the mouth. You usually notice it straight after feeding so try and keep your baby upright and still during and after.

For babies that suffer from more severe reflux try to give shorter feeds and take breaks in between and when putting them to bed have them lie on a sloping mattress that rises at the top end. To cover all bases, Colic Calm is also a great remedy for reflux. Speak with your paediatrician and try this natural homeopathic remedy before you resort to prescription pharmaceuticals.

Other Skin Problems: Milia are tiny white lumps on the face and they are caused by secretions in the skin glands. They are really common and appear in over 40% of newborns. They are quite harmless and disappear on their own with no treatment. Don’t be tempted to try and bust them like pimples!

Red Milia is usually heat rash and is best treated by keeping baby in cooler, less humid air and by putting on light cotton clothing.

If your baby gets red splotches with a white bump in the middle, this is called erythema toxicum. It occurs in 50% of newborns and disappears in two weeks. Avoid lotions with these skin problems. Just gently wash them in warm water and carefully drying is the best treatment.

Settling and Sleeping: The best way to get a good nights sleep yourself and ensure your healthy baby is getting the right amount of sleep is to follow a routine designed for you baby’s age. There is a great routine example here that I have used and apart from the odd cold or tooth, it has meant my babies have slept through the night from quite a young age and not grown out of it.

In fact, one is now a toddler and we can take him anywhere and he will go to bed at the right time almost every time! Children need routine for their own security and comfort and wellbeing.

Teething: The causes for this one are obvious but you can tell a tooth is coming when your baby gets a red cheek, starts dribbling more than usual, has a low apetite, can get irritable and develops a tendency to chew on things. Teething rusks and toys with liquid centres stored in the fridge a great. Experts say that teething is not meant to cause temperatures or diarrhoea so look for other reasons for these type of symptoms

To access a great forum and chat to other moms about these issues see Mumszone...

Mumszone - A site for all parents and those trying to conceive. Offers interesting articles, a friendly discussion forum, regular competitions and much more.

So here’s to hoping there was something there that helped you understand baby health care and what was wrong with your precious little one. Just another step in organizing our family and living the life you love together!

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