Top 10 Things A New Mother Must Know
Last updated on March 16th, 2021 at 03:15 pm
Here are the top things every new mother should know:
- Don’t let the baby eat dirt
(If the baby poops green…don’t worry) - Don’t let the baby eat grass
- If the baby screams when you take away the bottle, chances are you didn’t put enough rum in it
- Should a rash develop, have yourself checked out immediately
- Mother in laws who think you are incompetent give helpful
advice can become clumsy around this oughta take care of the old bat accidental kitchen spills - Teething is normal. Stay away from baby if urge continues
- Don’t try to pawn the gas smell on the baby. We all know it was you
- Mothers and fathers do things differently and that’s o.k. The baby will grow up to know the truth love you both and realize that you are always there for them I do way more
- Sucking snot out of baby’s noise is to be expected. Using a straw is not.
- If screaming and crying persist, go into another room or you will wake the baby
Do You Know What Vitamins & Supplements Your Little One Needs?
Last updated on March 16th, 2021 at 03:05 pm
The average healthy American child probably does not need much of anything to supplement their diet and the emphasis should be placed on offering a healthy diet in moderation of all portions of that diet to include fats and carbohydrates (sugar). Most regular vitamins we all hear about are needed in very small doses that are easily supplied by a varied North American diet. Having said that, there are certain groups of children who definitely need supplementation; to mention just a few, certain chronically ill children, certain children from third world countries suffering from starvation or emotional deprivation, or severely abused children in this country who have been subjected to the worst possible environmental deprivations.
The Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following for other special groups:
- Since another recommendation is to limit sun exposure in children in order to prevent later skin cancers, and this restriction can lower amount of vitamin D normally produced in sunlight, and therefore, a supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D is recommended based on sun exposure (or lack thereof). For exclusively breast fed babies, 400 IU of vitamin D daily is recommended early after delivery. For those babies drinking 32 ounces of formula a day no vitamin D supplement is recommended since all American formulas have the correct supplement of this vitamin. Whole milk also has correct vitamin D supplement but whole milk not recommended for children over 12 months of age. Check with your baby’s Doctor about the need for this vitamin. Similar recommendations are made for calcium and phosphorus intake.
- Babies who are full term and have no problems have probably received enough iron from their mothers during the last month of pregnancy to last the first 3- 4 months so an exclusively breastfed baby should begin Iron supplementation beginning at age four. Iron in breast milk is only partially absorbed. Preterm and developmentally disabled children are also at higher risk for Iron deficiency while formula fed infants will receive the proper amount of iron as long as they continue formula. Fortunately, it is common place for Pediatricians to check a blood count as an indication of iron status at age 9- 10 months and again at around 15 months and if anemia is found iron can be added to the diet. The bottom line again is to check with your Doctor for the need and amount of iron needed for your infant and child.
- Large amounts of certain vitamins such as A, C, D and K has never been shown to provide any beneficial effects in normal healthy North American children and can be toxic– this is not a case of “if a little is good a lot is better”- often times this is not the best policy for anything.
- As far as other vitamins (such as A & B) are concerned, I stick with my original paragraph that most healthy children eating a fairly well rounded diet over all, (not day to day) does not need any extra vitamin supplement at.
Homeopathic supplements for children are very popular now but there are no adequate recommendations for amount used and frequency for children and therefore should be used with caution; further knowledge and research is needed.
Other complementary medical treatments have no definite guidelines for use in children, but certain children may benefit from their use.
Always involve your child’s Doctor when considering going beyond the established guidelines in your children.
Urinary Tract Infections in Children – Part II: Analyze & Treat
Last updated on September 2nd, 2019 at 07:43 pm
In my last post (Urinary Tract Infections in Children – Part I) I discussed the importance of urinary tract infections, how they might present in children of various ages, and testing to verify the presence of these infections. This post will pick up with further diagnostic measures and treatment.
Once an appropriate sample of urine is obtained, it will then be analyzed in two different ways. A chemical analysis and microscopic exam is done to see whether those elements that might suggest urinary tract infection are present; white cells, protein, blood, etc. The second thing that is done with the urine is to take a culture specimen of the urine and attempt to grow bacteria out of it. This is the true litmus test for urinary infections, as chemical analysis might suggest infection but if there is no bacteria in the urine no true infection is present. The culture can take up to 3 days for a result and therefore in a child who has typical symptoms, the use of an antibiotic may be decided temporarily on the urinalysis alone until the results of the culture are available. A simple bladder infection, which is much more common than a kidney infection can be easily treated with a short course of antibiotics, during which time the symptoms usually resolve completely. Kidney infections, if severe, may take a lot longer and may require intravenous antibiotics.
If a child gets a significant number of infections over a relatively short period of time, or an individual infection appears to be very severe, or a significant infection occurs in an infant or very young child, then it is necessary to explore the problem much deeper in terms of further testing the child. This can be done in one or more ways to be determined by your doctor and the radiology department;
One method is a simple non invasive sonogram wherein a sound waves “picture” is taken of the entire urinary tract. Another method is called a VCUG, voiding cysto-urethrogram in which a small catheter is placed into the bladder through the urethra (the exit from the bladder to the outside), a small amount of dye is placed in the bladder in order to outline the anatomy of the lower urinary tract( bladder and ureters -tubes that go from the kidney to the bladder). A functional picture of the lower tract can be obtained by radiologocally “watching” during and after urinating. Two further tests can be done to more clearly evaluate the anatomy and function of the kidneys. Both involve the injection into the blood stream of a substance that will be taken up by the kidney, delineating structure and function.
A history of repeated urinary tract infections is not an uncommon problem. If something has been found that can be surgically corrected to prevent further infections, this choice may be made. This situation is less common than finding nothing abnormal on the testing in a child who still gets repeated infections. Certainly this situation, as in anyone with repeated infections, will need to be monitored very carefully by your Doctor.
The bottom line in handling urinary infections is to prevent them from ascending up the urinary tract and potentially injuring the kidneys, for this will ultimately lead to a certain amount of loss of function of the kidneys; something better prevented than treated.
Urinary Tract Infections in Young Children – Part I: Diagnosis
Last updated on September 2nd, 2019 at 07:45 pm
Urinary tract infection (bladder, Kidneys) is a very common issue in children and sometimes not the easiest to diagnose. The symptoms depend on the age and sex of the child, and the location of the infection and these symptoms can vary across the board. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are more common in females as a rule but during the first year of life, when it is most difficult to diagnose, the incidence is just about the same in males and females.
Sometimes there is an anatomical problem with abnormalities in the kidney or bladder or both that children can be born with, but most of the time these infections occur de novo. An infection is defined as bacterial growth in the urine in the presence of appropriate symptoms. If there are no symptoms, the presence of bacteria might only mean colonization, eg: there are bacteria in the urine but have not caused a body reaction yet. Under certain circumstances even colonization needs to be treated.
During the first year of life, one might only see a very irritable, cranky baby with or without fever and the source of those symptoms is “hidden” sometimes even to the best and most experienced physician. Therefore, during the first year of life the suspicion for a UTI is very high and the urine might be checked more often than it would in an older child with the same symptoms. As you can imagine, obtaining a “clean” urine specimen is very difficult so a variety of methods have been devised. If one merely “catches” the urine as it is produced externally this stands a significant chance of being contaminated by bacteria living on the skin. The best ways of obtaining a reliable urine specimen is somewhat invasive but at least your doctor can rely on the results of the evaluation. These consist of either a bladder catheterization, where a small tube is passed up into the bladder and a urine specimen is obtained or a supra pubic needle aspiration where a needle on a syringe is passed through the lower abdominal wall and a urine sample is obtained. The urine sample is obtained by a reliable lab or sometimes in the Doctor’s office by means of a urinalysis and a culture of the urine to be sure there are bacteria in it and what kind it may be so as to choose the correct treatment. This culture can take 2- 3 days to complete.
This is a very large and important subject so I will stop here and take on the topic of treatment of UTIs and possible further diagnostic procedures in my next entry.
How To Prepare When You Are Expecting Healthy Twins
Last updated on September 27th, 2018 at 02:09 pm
If you’re pregnant with more than one baby, a healthy diet and lifestyle will help you cope with your pregnancy and give your babies the best start in life.
The advice for keeping healthy in pregnancy is similar whether you’re expecting twins, triplets or just one baby. Eat well, take gentle exercise, drink lots of fluid and, if you feel stressed, get support from friends and family, or talk to your midwife. It’s also important to attend all your antenatal (*prenatal) appointments so your maternity team can keep a close eye on you and your babies.
Healthy eating with a twin pregnancy
Expecting two babies doesn’t mean you have to eat significantly more than during a single pregnancy. However, it’s normal to put on more weight than a woman who is only carrying one baby.
Aim to eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. These will help you avoid constipation and provide a range of vitamins and minerals.
You also need some protein foods, such as lean red meat, well-cooked eggs, and nuts and seeds. Dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are important for calcium.
If you feel peckish, it’s best to fill up on healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit, low-fat yoghurt or sandwiches filled with grated cheese, lean ham or mashed tuna. Try to avoid foods with empty calories, such as sugary snacks, crisps and fizzy drinks.
You’re more at risk from anaemia during a twin pregnancy. You’ll be offered extra blood tests and may be offered iron supplements. Good sources of iron include lean red meat, leafy green vegetables, beans and fortified breakfast cereals.
Read more about healthy eating in pregnancy and foods to avoid in pregnancy.
Staying active with a twin pregnancy
Gentle exercise will help you tone your muscles and protect you from aches and pains. Exercises that won’t overstress your joints are recommended, such as swimming, walking, antenatal yoga, pilates and tai chi.
Doing pelvic floor exercises regularly will help your pelvic floor get back to normal after your babies are born. Even if you’ve had a caesarean birth, you pelvic muscles can still be weak from your pregnancy.
Read more on how to keep active in pregnancy.
Common pregnancy health worries with twins
- It’s not necessarily true that you will have more morning sickness if you’re expecting twins.
- Although some women expecting twins or more report lots of morning sickness, others don’t experience any.
- If you do experience morning sickness, you may find it helps to eat little and often, and to avoid getting hungry.
- You’re more likely to experience piles and varicose veins during a multiple pregnancy, because of the weight of your babies pressing on the blood vessels of the pelvic area.
- Pressure from your womb (uterus) pushing on your stomach may make you more prone to heartburn and indigestion as well.
- You may also find you have backache and pelvic pain, particularly later in your pregnancy. Speak to your midwife, who may refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist.
- If you register with Tamba** on their website, you can download their Healthy Multiple Pregnancy Guide for free.
For more information on how to have a healthy pregnancy, feel free to read:
Editor’s Note: * Clarification Provided for our U.S. Readers
**Resources Available Outside the UK
- Marvelous Multiples: provides links to support organizations throughout the world for expecting parents and families of multiple births.
From www.nhs.uk
Is There a Cure For Common Baby Cradle Cap?
Last updated on August 20th, 2018 at 05:51 pm
Cradle cap is the greasy, yellow scaly patches that sometimes appear on the scalps of young babies.
It is common, harmless and doesn’t usually itch or cause discomfort. Do not pick at the scales as this can cause an infection.
Cradle cap is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene or an allergy.
It usually appears in babies in the first two months and clears up without treatment within weeks to a few months.
What does cradle cap look like?
Cradle cap is easy to recognise by the large, greasy, yellow or brown scales on your baby’s scalp.
The scales flake and may make the affected skin look red. Sometimes the hair will come away with the flakes, but it will grow back.
It usually occurs on the scalp but can also affect the face, ears, neck, nappy area and armpits, and behind the knees.
Treatment for cradle cap
Most cases of cradle cap clear up on their own without the need for treatment within weeks to a few months.
Tips to help reduce the build-up of scales on the scalp:
- regular washing of the scalp with a baby shampoo, followed by gentle brushing with a soft brush to loosen scales.
- soften the scales with baby oil first, followed by gentle brushing, and then wash off with baby shampoo.
- soak the crusts overnight with white petroleum jelly, or vegetable or olive oil, and shampoo in the morning.
If these methods don’t work, speak to your pharmacist about using a greasy emollient or soap substitute, such as emulsifying ointment.
There is usually no need to see your GP (*pediatrician) if your baby has cradle cap. However, you may want to ask them for advice if there is swelling to the scalp or if the cradle cap spreads to other parts of the body.
Special shampoos
You can buy special shampoo for cradle cap from a pharmacy. Always read the instruction leaflet to check it’s safe to use on your child.
Avoid getting the shampoo in your baby’s eyes. If you’re unsure about using it, speak to a pharmacist for advice.
Treating an infection
If these home treatments don’t lead to any improvement, your doctor may recommend an antifungal cream.
A mild steroid cream may also be recommended in some cases where the baby has a nappy rash.
When to see your GP (*Pediatrician)
Speak to your GP if your baby’s cradle cap:
- itches
- swells
- bleeds
- spreads to the face or body
What causes cradle cap?
It’s not clear what causes cradle cap, although it may be linked to:
- high levels of an oily substance called sebum on affected areas
- a reaction to a yeast called malassezia on the skin
Cradle cap is a type of seborrhoeic dermatitis, a common irritation that affects oily skin in children and adults.
