Oct
13
The time babies start to crawl varies, typically in the fifth month of baby development, they are all smiles and full of laughter. They concentrate on new discoveries and are typically mobile compared to previous months. Do not be unduly worried if your babies do not start crawling in the fifth month, it may happen a few weeks later or earlier. Remember each individual is different in their milestones. In some rare cases, they don’t even crawl and just scoot around on their butt. All these are normal and the above only refers to the average.
There are some signs that you can observe to determine if your little ones will start crawling soon. You can see that once your babies start to rock back and forth using the momentum to move forward a little at a time. This is a good indication. Your baby would likely also have learned how to turn on their tummy and try to use their hands to push themselves upwards
Their legs may be in a kicking position and tries to kick the air, you could assist by putting your hands below their feet and help them move forward, soon they will get the idea. Another way of encouraging crawling would be to put their favorite toys slightly out of reach. Rest assured that they will be straining to get it.
During this phase of baby development, it is unlikely they have started on single or double syllables. Instead, they will be listening to you talk and trying to imitate your vowels and consonants. It will appear as mumblings or babbling with more specific phonics in it. It is a fantastic indication that they are learning, and fast! Do not at this time, talk to them in baby talk. Talk to them normally as though they understand and explain your surrounding to them, pointing out to them, trees, birds, leaves, etc…
There are several advancement in motor skills development that will occur for most babies during this month. Your baby will be very good at grabbing any smaller object that they spot with their eyes. Moving objects from one hand to the other may occur. Your young one may also learn how to push objects away that they do not like. Be careful when you put baby on the couch, changing table, or any surface several feet of the ground or floor. Your baby should be able to roll over in at least one direction (if not both), or be very close to doing so.
Claire Lerner, a child development specialist with Zero to Three says, “It’s important to remember that while development tends to unfold in a typical progression - most babies crawl before they walk, make sounds before they say their first word - children develop at different rates and in different ways.” Unless you are aware of some underlying medical problems or unless your child was born premature, you may not have to worry too much. However, that does not mean that you won’t.
These are only some of the baby development stages during month four and five. To learn more about the various stages of baby development go to http://babiesdevelopments.com/
It is run and maintained by a group of nurses who is well verse in child care. If you find that some of your questions are not answered in the various blog posts. Feel free to e-mail your questions in. It also contains many other resources such as breast feeding and techniques in sleeping patterns and potty training among many others.
By: Tommy Foo About the Author:
Learn more about your baby and the development stages. Relieve your frustrations and find out coping techniques to deal difficult moments and sleepless nights. Visit [http://babiesdevelopments.com] It is founded by a group of nurses with a rich wealth of experience in baby care from infant to toddler. You can even ask questions should you have other questions
Make Money
Oct
13
Mothers particularly look online for baby coupons, where they can save money on all their baby product purchases. If you want to shop for toys or baby products for your babies, you can check the Babies R Us site and look for printable Babies R Us coupons. They have a lot of discount and freebies coupons for the whole spectrum of baby gadgets, toys, diapers, and baby clothes.
In contrast to Toys ‘R’ Us, this store serve a relatively different market, the babies. All the things that babies need are offered in their stores nationwide. They offer diapers, toys, clothes, and baby products, such as powder, toiletries, and accessories for babies. You may find online coupons for all of these types of products for your babies.
Of all their products, the baby toys occupy most of their store shelves. Toys are considered secondary, even tertiary in some households, to the basic needs of man. However, as the needs of the world continuously evolve, the role of the toys in a kid’s life has also changed. For one, they are the first things that the babies see, touch, or play with so they learn about the world through the toys that are left with them in their crib. The toys that are for educational purposes, which are called learning toys have become an essentially part of their growing days. And, parents, even those belonging to the non affluent families acknowledge this. This can explain why there are big toy companies such as Babies R Us that offer different kinds of toys to babies and kids of different ages.
Since toys are naturally a part of every baby’s life, shopping for toys has become important as well. Parents want to fulfill their kids’ youth with toys and similar objects. But, they also want to save as well. As much as possible, they buy toys that offer huge discounts and freebies in order to maximize what they can allot for such a task. This is where the coupons play their part. They help parents and relatives save big on their toy purchases through the coupons that offer discounts, freebies, and other sale baby products.
This is the reason why parents should be practical with their choices, especially on things by which the need is considered marginal. In this case, toys are not basic needs, but are important part of developing the kids’ minds and learning skills. In addition, the ones that are considered basic to the needs of a baby, such as diapers and other utilities, may become damaging to a parent’s budget. For you to make practical decision, avail of the discount coupons to save on your purchases, whether on diapers or the toys of your babies.
The coupons also present a practical choice for non-parents. If you are attending a celebration for someone else’s babies, you can also use the printable Babies R Us coupons to shop for your gift. Remember to maximize the saving opportunity by choosing a good gift for the baby.
By: Gunawan Harinanto About the Author:
Asbestos Cancer
Oct
7
When a baby arrives from the womb to the outside world, there are so many sights, sounds and sensations to adjust to. Babies are so sensitive to their bodies, the environment and everything around them. Oral thrush in babies can make this delicate time hard for both babies and their moms.
Yeast cells are resilient little creatures; without the right approach, it can be frustrating and difficult to treat oral thrush in babies. Between changing diapers, waking up a night, feeding your baby and so many other responsibilities in caring for a newborn - oral thrush can seem downright overwhelming.
If you suspect your baby has thrush, take note of some of the most common symptoms of oral thrush in babies:
*creamy, cottage-cheese like overgrowth in baby’s mouth (tongue, gums, inside the cheeks, etc.)
*baby is more fussy or irritable than normal
*difficulty feeding or nursing
*loss of appetite
*yeast diaper rash (a yeast diaper rash is usually an angry, red rash with a very distinct border - it’s also more persistent than a normal diaper rash.)
*Mom has symptoms of yeast (vaginal yeast, breastfeeding thrush, etc.)
The warm, sweet environment of your baby’s mouth makes a perfect environment for the yeast cells to grow, invade and develop into oral thrush. Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, there’s plenty of sugar for the yeast to eat - either as lactose in breastmilk or the added sugars that are used in formula.
However, all babies have warm, sugar-rich mouths - so why do some babies get thrush and others don’t? One of the most common factors is the use of antibiotics during labor and delivery. Antibiotic use has become extremely common; unfortunately antibiotics make both mom and baby much more susceptible to yeast overgrowth. Moms may also pass yeast onto baby during the delivery. Premature birth and use of steroids are other risk factors.
If you take your baby to the pediatrician, most likely you’ll be given a prescription for Diflucan, Nystatin or another anti-fungal drug. Personally, I don’t recommend the use of these drugs for oral thrush in babies - for three main reasons:
1.) I’ve seen even severe, persistent cases of thrush be cured with completely natural and harmless methods
2.) Why unnecessarily expose babies to drugs with potentially harmful side effects?
3.) The drugs do nothing to restores your child’s immunity to yeast; the thrush can just grow right back - or grow invisibly, where you can’t see it.
Even many common home remedies for oral thrush in babies really need to be looked at carefully for safety - for example, the popular thrush home remedy, gentian violet, is a known carcinogen. I recently came across a news report that the FDA had cracked down on seafood imports from China due to the presence of three contaminants - including gentian violet. I personally would not use gentian violet in my child’s mouth.
I’ve also seen products advertised for oral thrush in babies that use other questionable ingredients as well. For example, I’d steer clear of anything with colloidal silver, tea tree oil or oregano oil. These remedies are just not appropriate for a baby, for reasons too detailed to cover here.
I’ve been it the natural health industry for 15 years, so I was really surprised when I confronted thrush at how hard it was to find a truly safe and effective remedy for oral thrush in babies. After a lot of research and collaborating with other health professionals, I was able to develop a highly effective and completely safe approach to treat infant thrush quickly - and permanently.
The key to curing oral thrush in babies lies in killing the yeast with completely safe, truly non-toxic remedies while simultaneously restoring your baby’s natural yeast defenses. This approach not only gets rid of the thrush, it also results in a healthier, happier baby who is more resistant to any kind of infection - fungal, bacterial, or viral.
By: Rebecca Haworth About the Author:
Rebecca Haworth is a professional health writer with more than 15 years of experience in the alternative health industry. Her ebook, “The 3 Day Thrush Cure” is specifically designed to help breastfeeding mothers and babies suffering from thrush to
“cure oral thrush in babies“ quickly and naturally. Visit
http://www.GetRidofThrush.com for more information.
Custom T-Shirt Prining
Oct
6
Ever wonder why every time we describe a baby, the word “cute” almost always pops up? I think it has been coded into our genetic makeup that babies are, first of all, cute. Ask yourself, how many times have you associated “cute” to babies? I looked up the definition of cute at dictionaryDOTcom and it said “beautifully small, attractively pretty.”
So, is it their smallness that makes them beautiful then? Are they attractive because they are tiny? Maybe so, but I beg to disagree with that thinking. For me, babies are cute because they’re so fragile yet so wonderfully alive. Imagine looking at the many flowers in a well-tended and rich garden. I bet you will say that the flowers are pretty and beautiful, but not possibly cute. Flowers are small but they aren’t cute when they are in a setting like that. Now, imagine a small, parched, and bare clearing with a single rose in the middle in full bloom. What comes to your mind? Cute. Not all the time - yes I know - but most of the time people will say it’s cute. Why? Because it’s a miracle that a rose can bloom in that kind of environment.
Yes. To me, babies are miracles; and that makes them cute. Small, fragile, and weak, yet full of promise. It’s like magic. No one has more potential than a baby. Seeing them smile even when things aren’t going well is a lesson, a reminder that there is still hope. Their weakness is their strength. This weakness has the power to turn a reluctant parent into a protective one. Hearts of stone turn to jelly when touched by a baby.
The more they grow, the more they become less cute; soon they’ll be beautiful, lovely, stunning, or just plain normal. As they grow up, their fragility decreases, they grow stronger everyday. Maybe that’s why we love photographing our babies. Maybe it’s because we like to preserve their cuteness. Maybe it’s also to remind ourselves what a fine job we did in raising them from fragile little things to energizer bunnies (kids) and then to fully independent individuals who might someday be raising babies as cute as they were. How cute is that?
By: Anneleise Deane About the Author:
I have several baby-related articles at Baby Pillow [http://baypillows.com]. I love writing, specially about cute things like babies and baby pillows. I use that site as a repository for my articles. Do come visit. Thanks.
Foreign Exchange
Oct
6
The babies born under the sign of the Capricorn are very wise and they will definitely make you happy. They love competitions and they have a very developed sense of humour. Your baby born in Capricorn can be excellent in politics and in business, being capable of developing very high personal standards. Give them a lot of love and affection and cherish their tendencies of personal development. The activities which make them laugh will help them develop these traits.
The babies born under this sign are very hard-working, responsible and sensitive and they value what they do very much. They also value what the others think about them and the way they act towards them. They are ambitious and they need constant insurance from the very beginning. Prepare them for the greatest successes and help them master new skills, giving them the opportunity to manifest them in public and privately. For instance, you can teach them to eat alone and to use the knife and fork.
If your baby has any difficulties in taking the first steps, don’t let them be frustrated and teach them to keep trying if they can’t make it from the very beginning. Don’t forget to congratulate them when they start talking and when they learn to go to the toilet or use the pot.
The babies born in Capricorn don’t like sleeping in the afternoon and they don’t like sitting. They are far too focused to waste any precious time. They are very practical and oriented and they are willing to work hard to get the results they want. Therefore, teach them to use their time properly and don’t lose them from your sight.
By: Anna Daniels About the Author:
Beauty Care
Oct
2
More and more studies are proving that food has a large impact on our overall health and may even determine which diseases and ailments we will get later in life. The more we are aware of the importance of our food choices the earlier we can teach and protect our children. Of course there is always a balance to strike between what’s good for our body and what’s good for our taste buds and lifestyle. Here is a description of the most important nutrients for your child’s development and which foods meet their needs.
Iron
Babies are born with their own source of iron, but this will be depleted after six months. Iron is absorbed best if it is from meat, however the vegetarian baby can increase iron absorption by eating foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, berries, spinach, tomatoes) with meals. Giving milk separately from meals also promotes absorption. Vegetarian iron rich foods include pureed apricots, molasses, fortified cereals, refined lentils, beans and green vegetables.
Calcium
Breast milk or formula provides all your baby’s calcium needs initially. Calcium helps teeth and bones and promotes overall strength. Good sources later include: cow’s milk, fortified soy milk and orange juice, cheeses, molasses, dark green vegetables, beans, lentils and tofu.
Protein
Babies require more protein than adults because of their rapid growth. A one year old child needs about 15 grams or two cups of protein per day, such as milk, cheese, beans, tofu, fish, poultry and lean meats. Combination foods such as grains (bread, pasta, rice) with beans, lentils, avocados, cheeses or tofu will provide the balance needed for vegetarian babies.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is usually found in animal products, such as meat and chicken. Other non-meat sources include dairy products and eggs, as well as fortified foods such as soy milk and cereals.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is made from the action of the sunlight on the skin. Most children in warm climates receive adequate Vitamin D (20-30 minutes a day, 2 to 3 times per week). Dietary sources of vitamin D include dairy products, eggs and fortified foods. Breast milk or formula will provide vitamin D in the beginning stages. Some pediatricians recommend vitamin D supplements.
Fiber
Most of your baby’s fiber needs will be met with fruits and vegetables and cereal. Be careful as a diet too high in fiber and whole grains can fill up a child before their nutritional needs have been met and interfere with absorption of minerals such as zinc, iron and calcium. Too much fiber may also cause diarrhea or an upset stomach to your baby.
Zinc
Zinc is important for healthy immune systems and growth. Offer your child plenty of food rich in zinc such as wheat germ, lean meats, milk, lentils, beans, peas, corn and soybeans. Zinc, like iron may be a problem for vegetarian babies because of poor absorption.
Fat
Infants receive 40 - 50% of their calories from fat, through breast milk or formula. After the first 12 months, your baby will receive fat from whole cow’s milk. After age two, the Pediatric Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends reducing fat calories to 30% or less of total diet. This is the time to switch from whole milk and dairy products to low fat versions. Healthy fat sources include walnuts, canola oil, avocado, milk, cheese and yogurt.
Antioxidants
These are important early on as they prevent damage to developing DNA. The average American family eats only 50% of what is recommended. Vegetables and fruits are the best source of antioxidants including: sweet potatoes, carrots, kiwi, broccoli, avocados, and blueberries.
Water
Babies get water from formula and breast milk early on. However once solids are introduced they may need more liquids to aid swallowing. Water is needed for hydration as children become more active.
The nutrients listed above are good for all ages. While they contribute to your child’s development they also keep adults healthy and free from diseases. You are the expert when it comes to your family and child. If you have a concern, trust your instinct and find someone to help you with health and nutrition questions and problems - pediatricians, nutritionists, dieticians, and lactation consultants are the perfect resources. Typically steady growth is best proof that your child is getting the right amount of food.
By: Lisa Barnes About the Author:
Lisa Barnes is the founder of Petit Appetit, a culinary service devoted to the palates and health of infants and toddlers. She teaches in-home private cooking classes to parents, nannies, mothers’ groups, and parenting resources throughout Northern California and is the author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook (published by Penguin Books, March 2005).
Her mission is for children to eat more healthfully, and parents to feel empowered to provide tasty and healthy food for their family. Good food should be about nutrition and taste, and bringing the family together.
For more information on Petit Appetit or The Petit Appetit Cookbook go to http://www.petitappetit.com
Free Phone Calls
Sep
26
Acid reflux in babies is also referred as gastroesophageal reflux which describes the condition where food and stomach acid flow back up into the esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter or the ring of muscles in the bottom of the esophagus opens and closes to allow the food to enter the stomach. To release gas after meals, the lower esophageal sphincter opens. Not only does it allows gas to escape through the mouth, but this ring of muscles also sometimes allow the stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus and out through the mouth. This can often be seen when babies spit up, or when grownups vomit. Normally, this should not be because the flow of food through the esophagus should always flow down and not up. In this case, acid reflux is then the condition. This may be treated by some medication or lifestyle change.
Acid reflux in babies most often occur during or shortly after you feed them. It can also occur when they cough, cry or strain. And this happens during the baby’s first three months in more than half of all infants. This condition does not require treatment because it usually disappears between 12 and 18 months of age. However, in some cases where the symptoms of reflux are severe, then a treatment is needed.
The most common symptoms of acid reflux in infants are: frequent spitting up, vomiting, refusing to eat, constant crying, wet burps, frequent hiccups and coughing, irritability when feeding, bad breath, frequent waking and poor sleeping habits. You may observe your baby’s eating and sleeping habits to assess the need for a visit to the doctor.
To know if your baby has severe or mild acid reflux, ask your doctor to make a diagnosis base on your description of your baby’s symptoms and feeding history. For the doctor to make a diagnosis, a physical examination will be needed, and this may also include lab tests, esophageal pH monitoring, and using anr endoscope where a tube with a camera is inserted into your baby’s mouth to see if there is narrowing or inflammation in your baby’s esophagus.
If you’re baby has been diagnosed with acid reflux, the doctor will advise if a treatment is needed depending on the severity of the reflux because some reflux will disappear on it’s own as the baby grows older, so there will be no need to conduct any treatment. However, if the reflux gets more serious, a series of prescription medications can be prescribed to help treat acid reflux in babies. They can be antacids, acid suppressors and acid blockers. But remember that you should always discuss treatment options with your doctor before beginning any treatment to ensure that your baby is safe.
By: Jim Kesel About the Author:
Debt Consolidation
Sep
21
Lets talk about bringing home that new baby. This small little wonder that you are holding on to can be amazing and also a little over whelming. There are so many things to know. I am going to tell you how to do the simple things and tough things to make your life a lot easier. You want to make sure you do everything right. It is all so new to you.
First let’s talk about feeding time. Some mother’s breast feed the baby. How do you know if they are getting enough to eat? You’re not measuring the formula like you would in a bottle. When the baby attaches to the nipple keep an eye on the time. Newborns to not eat too fast. Most of them anyway. Try to nurse about 10 minutes, burp them and then let them eat on the other side for about 10 minutes. If the baby is still hungry, then you can more the time up in 5 minute intervals. I have children of my own. I have a couple that ate just a little at first and I have one that could not and would not stop eating. That is why it is important to watch the time. If they over eat then they will throw it up and have a tummy ache.
Now lets talk about mothers that feed the baby with a bottle. As most hospitals tell you, start out with a 4 oz bottle. Mix the formula, and then drip it on your wrist on the underside. If you do not feel anything, the temperature is perfect. If it is cold, then the bottle is to cold, if it burns you, then it will burn the babies’ mouth.
Here are simple things to know about new born babies.
o They like to stay wrapped in a blanket tightly. They are used to being in the mommy.
o They hate bathes. Do not worry if they cry or scream at bath time. It is a bit scary to them at first.
o Don’t forget to turn them backward in the car in the back seat. I know that it is hard to reach them, but this is the safest and the law.
o Sometimes when you are very busy and can’t play, put them in their car seat and sit them in front of the TV. All the flashing colors keeps them busy. This will NOT turn them into a coach potato.
o When the baby is fussy at night and cries all night this is a problem. Make sure that if you are breast feeding you do not have any caffeine. Sometimes they just want to feel you close. I would feed them, burp them and take them to bed. I would only do this for about the first month. My kids did NOT sleep with me.
o A baby with colic can be a challenge. I have learned that changing the environment helps a lot. Move into another room, go outside or another place. They are feeling ache and something hurts. I would sometimes give them a little Tylenol and take a night walk. This would help wonders.
These are some great ways to help new parents. Some of the littlest details help so much.
By: Mary Hooser About the Author:
I have a lot of more helpful books and information on my web site to help parents with babies, fussy babies and babies that won’t sleep. there are parenting guides and much more. You can check it out on
http://www.mchproducts.com
Restore My Credit
Sep
20
From pediatricians to new parents everyone knows how much newborn babies enjoy music. Whether it’s the gentle cooing of mommy, a soft lullaby or even classical music babies are often soothed and comforted by the pleasing sounds of music. You can always find traditional baby music that will play standard lullabies and nursery rhymes but babies respond to all kinds of musical styles and the baby market now includes classic rock music from all-time great bands including the Beatles, U2, Bob Marley and Coldplay.
Good music is good music, whether it’s classical, jazz, rock or hip hop. Parents are often surprised to find their little one moving about happily in his crib when they are playing bands they like. Good taste may be an inherited trait. Now, with amazing music collections from several licensed manufacturers you can play your favorite bands music for your baby in gentle and soothing tones that will have your baby rocking in happy delight.
These clever music CD’s transform timeless rock songs into soothing instrumental lullabies that feature glockenspiels, vibraphones and other soft instruments that will gently introduce your newborn to modern rock classics such as “In My Place”, “With or Without You”, “Strawberry Fields” and “Lively up Yourself”.
Many new parents have their own ideas on how to raise their child and want to be more creative and adventurous in their upbringing techniques. Of course they are paying attention to all the basics but who says babies will only enjoy standard lullabies? Why wouldn’t a young infant or toddler enjoy the timeless sounds of the Beatles and Bob Marley too?
When you seek out music for your baby you’ll be surprised at how many of your favorite bands have given their permission to have their music transformed into baby lullabies. In addition to classics including the Beatles, Beach Boys and Bob Marley you can also find terrific baby music from bands you’d never expect such as Guns n’ Roses, Aerosmith, Green Day, Metallica and even Nine Inch Nails. You’ll be amazed at how effortlessly the hard rocking sounds of these classic bands have been fused with soothing instruments and lullaby song structures to turn rock anthems into your newborn’s favorite music.
Suppose you’re a little younger and classic rock wasn’t your thing. No worries. Baby rock music can also be found from pioneering alternative acts including the Cure, the Pixies, Radiohead and Bjork for those parents who like to keep their cool in the family. For the playfully aggressive tyke you’ll also find great tunes from Smashing Pumpkins, the Ramones and the Rolling Stones including “Start Me Up”, “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “Cherub Rock”.
Everyone will have the soothing lullabies babies are expected to enjoy but for a clever and refreshing change of pace don’t forget the bands that made you happy and excited. Chances are if your kid is anything like you they too will appreciate the music that had an impact on your life too. And what better way to introduce infants and toddlers to such great music then with the help of soothing lullaby instruments.
By: Kevin McLaughlin About the Author:
Kevin is a professional writer with over 20 years experience in copy writing, advertising, journalism and marketing.
Criminal Lawyers
Sep
17
Cradle cap is a condition whereby patches of greasy yellow flakes and small pimple-like bumps appear on the scalps of healthy babies. Sometimes it may appear on the eyebrows, ears and other areas where sebaceous glands are located. It can occur in any baby, and appear during the early weeks of life and will clear by the sixth month. Some dermatologists think that high levels of maternal hormones are transmitted to the baby during the final weeks of pregnancy. This makes the sebaceous (oil) glands in the baby’s skin hyperactive which trigger overproduction of sebum which not only overstimulates the growth of new skin cells but also binds the old skin cells into flakes and crusts. It often has a mild unpleasant smell and does not cause any discomfort to the baby.
Some doctors recommend leaving it alone but I prefer to treat it early because I have seen many cases whereby the crust becomes so thick that whenever it is rubbed, large chunks of hair comes off leaving a very red and raw looking area. Treatment is to apply a liberal amount of baby oil to the affected area about 20 minutes before the baby’s bath. This will allow the crust to become soft and easy to remove. During the bath, apply a little baby shampoo to the head and using a soft hair brush or face cloth, gently brush or rub the crust off. Do this once a day until the crust has been completely removed. Sometimes it may recur after a few days so continue to wash baby’s hair in the same way. Once the baby’s sebaceous (oil) glands settle down the condition will disappear.
N.B. The oil application must be shampooed out to prevent an oily buildup which may make the condition worse. Do not try and remove the crusts and scales with the tip of a fingernail.
Heat rash consists of tiny blisters filled with sweat. It forms when the pores become blocked and prevent the sweat glands from releasing the sweat or when heat and humidity exceed the ability of the sweat glands to cool the body. Babies are especially vulnerable because their ability to sweat is not fully developed and they often wear or lie on waterproof materials. It normally develops around the neck, face, armpits and sometimes on the chest and back.
Western medication includes applying calamine lotion and antihistamines for severe itching. Sometimes applying a light dusting of corn starch powder may help to relieve the itchiness. Chinese traditional remedy is to bath the baby with boiled dried bitter gourd vine daily for 3 days.
It is best to prevent the condition from developing by dressing the baby in light cotton clothes especially in warm or hot weather. Avoid laying the baby on a plastic covered mattress or pad. Do not apply moisturizing cream or lotions or use bath oils for babies under 3 months as these products may clog the pores. Do not over wrap the baby in layers of clothes and swaddling blanket.
Nappy rash is often due to infrequent nappy change causing irritation from ammonia which is released when bacteria starts breaking down the contents of a dirty nappy. It could be due to an allergy to your washing powder or fabric conditioner if your baby wears cloth diapers or a food/drug allergy especially antibiotics. The genital area, buttocks, groins and sometimes the upper thighs will look red and inflamed. It can be dry or moist and sometimes look pimply. Babies with nappy rash may be very fussy and cries frequently or does not seem bothered at all.
“Prevention is better than treatment” so the best defence against nappy rash is a dry bottom.
Infantile eczema is an itchy dry scaly rash usually seen on the cheeks or chin, but may show up on the head, trunk, back of arms, or front of legs and is not contagious. It is first noticed at 2 to 5 months of age and is most common in families with history of allergies or asthma. In most cases it will settle down by the time the child reaches school age but for some it may continue to be a life long problem. The frequency and severity of flare ups can be dramatically reduced with careful daily washing using a hypoallergenic soap and applying moisturisers, topical steroids when needed. Avoid trigger factors such as excessive sweating, woollen clothing, soaps and bubble bath. Sometimes it may be necessary to give baby antihistamine if the itch is very intense and is making the baby very irritable.
Sometimes the eczema can become infected by bacteria and this causes extensive redness, swelling and weeping of the affected area. In this case it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe an antibiotic cream together with a steroid cream. Children with severe eczema usually also have hay fever and asthma.
Urticaria or hives are red or pink raised areas on the skin that are very itchy and warm to the touch. It may appear on any part of the body and usually last from a few hours to a few days, but can stay for weeks or even months in some cases. Hives are usually caused by food allergies with the most frequent culprits being eggs, shellfish, chocolate, food additives, colouring or preservatives. It can also be due to allergy to certain drugs or in response to contact with animals especially cats or from insect bites.
It may come on after exposure to extreme temperature especially heat or chemicals. Most often hives will disappear on its own after the allergic reaction is over. If it causes itching and discomfort, the doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine and calamine lotion to apply on the rashes. Avoid giving your child allergy causing food until the hives have subsided. Later try to find the offending culprit by reintroducing the food item one at a time and once you know the offending food it is important to let your child’s caretakers or school teachers know so that the food is avoided. This is because very rarely, hives can develop in the mouth and throat which can obstruct the child’s airways. You can put this information on sticker labels on your child’s feeding utensils especially in preschools when your child is too young to tell the caretakers.
Traditional Chinese therapy recommends not bathing the child as it will cause more rashes to appear and make the rash itch more. Treatment is to heat up some rice wine and apply it on the rashes 3 times a day. Most often the rashes will disappear after 2 days.
Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a skin rash with flat or raised red spots on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and sometimes on the buttocks. Often the rash will form tiny blisters which look like the chickenpox rash but it does not itch. A day or two later the child may develop sores or blisters on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks. They begin as small red spots on the tongue, gums or mucous membranes which then develop into blisters or sores.
It is caused by Coxsackie virus A16 which belongs to a group of viruses called enterovirus and is normally not serious. Infection is spread by direct contact with saliva, nose and throat discharges, fluid from the blisters or the stool of an infected person who is most contagious during the first week of the illness. All infected cases recover without medical treatment by 7 to 10 days. It is most common between ages 6 months and 4 years. Very rarely, it may be caused by another strain of Coxsackie virus EV71 whereby the child develops aseptic meningitis or encephalitis (Inflammation of the brain). This strain may be fatal as in the case in Sarawak in 1997.
Treatment is to provide relief from fever or pain from the mouth ulcers and give plenty of fluids. There is no immunization for HFMD.
Thrush or candidiasis is a fungal infection from Candida albicans. It appears as a red bumpy rash in the diaper area and the bumps are sometimes pus-filled. It may be worse in the skin folds and does not respond to diaper cream. Often the primary source of infection is in the mouth which then spreads to the nappy area from the contaminated stools. It normally starts as a couple of white patches on the sides of the mouth and if not treated quickly can spread until the tongue is coated as well. This makes it painful for baby to suckle. The creamy patches look like milk curds and therefore is easily missed. Use a cotton bud to wipe the white patches. If the patches cannot be removed it confirms that the baby has thrush therefore should be taken to the doctor who may prescribe Daktarin gel for the oral thrush and cream for the nappy area. If the infection is severe it may be necessary for the doctor to prescribe Daktacort which has a small amount of steroid in it to speed up the healing process. All feeding equipment must be boiled thoroughly for 10 minutes to prevent recurrence.
Roseola infantum or false measles is a viral illness in young children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The rash is pink and may have small flat spots or raised bumps. These spots may have a lighter “halo” around them and may turn white if you press on them.
Roseola usually starts out with a sudden high fever often over 103
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