OMPHALITIS! (BELLY-BUTTON INFECTION)

What is omphalitis?

Omphalitis is a belly-button infection in newborns. It strikes in the days and early weeks following delivery, but it's rarely seen outside of the neonatal period. Parents are most likely to notice the telltale signs of infection (like pus and redness) three to five days after birth in a preemie, and five to nine days in a full-term baby.

BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER TO CHILDREN!

"Water is my main and only beverage. My mum gives me more water and fruits to eat. Not caprisone and bobo and fruit-juice,etc" -Kamsi.

Water is crucial for survival. Human beings need to drink several glasses of water each day to keep their body working properly. The human body is made of 60 percent water so drinking adequate amounts is important. Your child needs access to clean drinking water throughout the day to help maintain her health. When your child drinks plenty of water, she is also reaping several protective benefits.

MOOD SWINGS DURING PREGNANCY!

If you are pregnant or are supporting someone through pregnancy, you probably have had some experience with mood swings. You are not alone; mood swings during pregnancy are common. You may be excited about being pregnant, but you can also be stressed or overwhelmed. You may have constant worries that contribute to your mood swings.

Questions such as:

    -Will I be a good parent?
    -How am I going to manage financially?
    -Will my baby be healthy?
    -Am I doing the right things to prepare for my baby?

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA

Many of the symptoms of childhood leukemia can have other causes as well, and most often these symptoms are not caused by leukemia. Still, if your child has any of them, it’s important to have your child seen by a doctor so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

CAFFEINE AND YOUR CHILD!

Guidelines recommend that preschoolers get no more than 45 milligrams of caffeine a day. That's equivalent to the average amount of caffeine found in a single 12-ounce (355-milliliter) can of soda.

How Caffeine Affects Kids

A stimulant that affects kids and adults similarly, caffeine is naturally produced in the leaves and seeds of many plants. Caffeine is also made artificially and added to certain foods. Caffeine is defined as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system. At lower levels, it can make people feel more alert and energetic.

HEALTHY-EATING TIPS FOR YOUR CHILD!

You don't need a degree in nutrition to raise healthy kids. Following some basic guidelines can help you encourage your kids to eat right and maintain a healthy weight. Here are 10 key rules to live by:

Parents control the supply lines;

You decide which foods to buy and when to serve them. Though kids will pester their parents for less nutritious foods, adults should be in charge when deciding which foods are regularly stocked in the house. Kids won't go hungry. They'll eat what's available in the cupboard and fridge at home. If their favorite snack isn't all that nutritious, you can still buy it once in a while so they don't feel deprived.

DEHYDRATION IN BABIES!

What is dehydration?

If your baby's dehydrated, it means that she doesn't have as much fluid in her body as she needs. Babies and children are more prone to dehydration than adults, and it can happen if your baby takes in less fluid than she loses through vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or sweating. Dehydration can be mild and easily corrected, moderate, or severe and life threatening.

How can I tell if my baby is dehydrated?

CHILDHOOD DISEASES AND THEIR VACCINES!

Which diseases will your baby be immunised against?

Your baby will be immunised against the most common infectious diseases. 

The vaccines are offered routinely to every baby as part of the preschool immunisation programme, and protect against: 

-diphtheria
-flu
-haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
-measles
-meningitis B (for babies born on or after 1 July 2015)

COMMON WORRIES ABOUT IMMUNIZATION!

It's natural to have concerns about your child having immunisations, especially as there have been studies and news stories over the years questioning their safety. 

Sometimes, it's hard to know who to believe. To help you, we’ve answered some important questions you may have when deciding whether or not to immunise your child.

Will the MMR cause my child to develop autism?

There is no evidence that the MMR vaccine causes autism. Many extensive studies since have proved that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism or inflammatory bowel disease.

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN EARLY RISER!

It’s common for parents to bemoan how early their baby wakes up in the morning. But ask yourself:
-Is my baby waking before she’s had enough sleep?
-Has she had enough sleep, but is waking too early for my liking?
-Could my baby be hungry? This may be the case, especially if she’s around weaning age.To decide whether your baby is waking up before she’s had the sleep she needs, look at how she behaves during the day.
-Does she seem sleepy?
-Does she take a nap soon after she first wakes up? 

WARNING SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN BABIES!

What is emotional development?

Emotional development is all about how your baby learns to identify his emotions and develop ways of managing them. It's a lifelong process, but the foundations are laid during your baby's first year. Throughout this time, his relationship with you and the other people in his life will help him to understand and manage his own feelings. 

Emotional development is not only an important part of your baby's personal development; it can also affect how he learns. When he's happy and relaxed, he'll find it easier to take in new information. If he feels comfortable and secure in his relationships with you and his caregivers, it will give him a safe base for exploring and finding out about the world.

DEALING WITH BATH PHOBIA IN TODDLERS!

Your child's sudden fear of water is just another example of the many unexplained and passing quirks of childhood, and it's actually quite a common one. Though you may never know what exactly triggered it, it's likely due to a new developmental awareness of her environment or some change in family routine.

When one of my children developed a sudden fear of baths, we traced it to his new awareness of water going down the drain  -- he imagined himself getting sucked down the drain, too. -says a mum.

HOW TO RAISE A HAPPY BABY!

You've made sure your baby is healthy, loved and has plenty of activities to fill her day. But do you sometimes wonder if she's happy? 

How will I know if my child is happy?

Your baby will become a master at showing you when something makes her happy or upset. Her face will light up in a smile when you enter the room and she'll wail when someone takes her favourite toy away.

STYES & OTHER EYE PROBLEMS IN BABIES!

My baby has a large red bump on his eyelid. What could this be?

Your baby probably has a stye, which is a boil that has developed at the base of an eyelash. This usually happens because the eyelash root has become infected by bacteria. 

The first sign your baby has a stye is when a red bump appears at the edge of his eyelid. The bump will then get larger and eventually burst after a few days, probably when he’s sleeping. Your baby’s stye may be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t cause him any trouble. It will go away on its own in a week or so.

IS IT SAFE FOR YOUR BABY TO CHEW ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE?

It won't harm your baby, but mobile phones can be covered in germs. Sucking or chewing on your phone could therefore lead to your baby swallowing germs and becoming ill. Besides, if you have an expensive mobile you may not want her using it as a toy or as something to mouth!

SWIMMING WITH YOUR BABY!

Getting your baby used to water early in his life makes sense from a safety point of view. Swimming is also great fun and good exercise. Here’s some advice on taking the plunge with your little one.

When can I start swimming with my baby?

It's best that you wait until six weeks after your baby's birth before you go swimming. If you go sooner, there’s a chance you could pick up an infection. If you’ve had a caesarean section or a perineal tear, your health visitor or GP may recommend that you wait longer than six weeks, usually until after your postnatal check. 

BRUISES!

Most bruises are harmless and heal on their own within a week to 10 days. To help your baby’s bruise heal, there are some treatments you can try:

If your baby’s bruise is swollen, apply an ice pack for 15-minute periods several times a day during the first 48 hours. A partially thawed package of frozen peas is useful if an ice pack isn’t handy. Make sure you wrap the package in a cloth first to avoid the cold hurting your baby’s skin.

DANGERS OF HEATING FOODS IN PLASTICS: CANCER!

You may be concerned that heating food in a microwave using plastic dishes or plastic wrap will increase your risk of developing cancer.

Many different chemicals are involved in the manufacturing of plastic, and some of these may cause cancer. It is possible that these chemicals may leach out of the container and into the food it holds.

There are a number of different kinds of plastic containers:

MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR BOILS!

If the boil on baby get worse and no pus drains, you may take your little one to a doctor for a medical treatment including:

1. Antibiotics:

    Your child’s doctor may suggest you to apply an anti-infective cream to the boil.

    If there are many painful and large boils, the doctor may recommend antibiotics.

    It is always important to finish the entire medical course as prescribed by the doctor even if the boils disappear.

    If antibiotics do not work, the next treatment will be an incision and draining the pus.

BOILS ON BABIES!

What Is A Boil?

A boil, also known as a furuncle, is a tender and red lump on your baby’s skin. It is not a serious condition, usually body’s defences fight it out with the boils. Boils usually appear on the face, neck, shoulders, thighs, armpits and buttocks. However, at times, they spread to other parts of the body causing infection.

DADS AND BREASTFEEDING!

Most expectant fathers know that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby. Breast milk contains the perfect blend of nutrients and provides babies with a wide range of health benefits. Plus, breastfeeding is free, requires no preparation or cleanup, and is a great way for a mother to bond with her baby.

But a lot of new fathers find that their feelings about breastfeeding change after the baby comes. It's not that dads don't support breastfeeding and its benefits – it's just that the whole experience makes them feel a little left out.