CHWO Foundation

A new born baby can be difficult to handle even when they are feeling fine and well. However, a baby suffering from a cold can be irritable, kicking up a storm, crying themselves hoarse and raising their parents’ anxiety levels to a boiling point! There are several medicines available that your pediatricians will advice you give your child to cure the ailment but as the age old saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Curing a baby’s cold takes at least 10 to 15 days as their body need to develop the immunity required to beat the virus. Watching your child suffer through those days is a harrowing experience any parent would want to avoid. This is why it is important to know the cause of your little one’s running nose.

It could be that your baby is allergic to dust or something that is being fed to him/her. This can be identified if the cold keeps recurring even after it has been cured. You should consult a doctor in such a situation to prevent the condition from escalating. Anther cause of babies catching a cold is their diapers not being changed regularly. Staying wet for prolonged duration leads to infections which is why parents need to pay specific attention. If both parents are working and have to leave their child at a day care centre, it could be that he/she has contracted a cold from another child.

A baby needs to be kept warm and dry as far as possible. Dry your little one well after giving him/her a bath, especially the hair. Dress the baby in warm clothes or wrapped up in a cloth or blanket. A baby’s body is used to warmth, considering they spend a good nine months in their mother’s body. It takes them a bit of a time to get used to the external environment. Sudden changes in temperatures can cause them to develop a cold as well. Also, keep your baby away from gusts of cold air, whether it is from the air conditioning or a fan. Keep an eye for these causes and take relevant preventive actions to keep your baby healthy and smiling.

Kids really look forward to summer vacations. It is a time to spend days out in the playground, having a lot of fun in the sun. However, kids tend to get so engrossed in having fun that they forget to have water regularly and this could lead to dehydrations. Kids sweat a lot while playing outdoors during summertime and loose a lot of fluids in the process. Not having sufficient intake of liquids can lead to dehydration and weakness. In more severe cases, children can suffer from heat stroke, break down and damage in muscles which ends up affecting kidney function. Which such serious effects of not consuming enough water, the responsibility falls on the shoulders of parents to ensure their child is rehydrated regularly.

There are several symptoms of dehydration that can help parents identify that they need to pay special attention to their child’s water in take. The first sign would be sallow and sunken eyes that look dry. The child may cry but it will be tearless. A child should be urinating at least four times in a day. If you notice a reduction in this frequency, your child may be suffering from dehydration. If the urine smells strongly and is darkish yellow in color, it is a confirmation of dehydration. Another way of testing your child for dehydration is to quickly pinch the back of his/her hand. If the color takes a long time to return, then it is a sign of dehydration.

To ensure that your child is well rehydrated during summer, keep reminding them to drink water. If needed, take water out to them and make sure they take a break from their outdoor activity to rest and replenish their liquids. Parents need to make sure that the child takes in plenty of plain water in addition to juices. Having fizzy drinks and soda does not count as water intake. Try to keep your child indoors during peak heat times, from noon till mid-afternoon, when they are likely to loose maximum fluids. Always carry sufficient water with you when you take your kids out so you don’t have to rely on external sources.

It has been proven that a patient who feels confident and comfortable in hospital, generally recovers and responds well to treatment, so the choice of a Children’s Hospital is especially important, as the child can’t choose themselves.

The choice needs to be made deliberately, rather than emotionally, particularly if the hospital stay is going to be a little lengthy and involves a child. Look at a hospital room, will it be comfortable, and allow and overnight guest? You may want a private room with peace and quiet where you can sit with your child. Bringing your laptop and reading material is smart, but check to make sure there’s no interference with medical equipment. If you get the go ahead, Dell Coupons have great offers on laptops if you don’t own one.

Another important factor is how the staff interact with their young patients. What will your child’s doctor’s role be? Will he work closely with you? Your choice may be limited by your doctor or your insurer. You’ll need to check with them before choosing a hospital. You’ll need to find out what hospitals your doctor and insurers are affiliated with.

You will also need access the medical condition your child will receive care for at the hospital. Not every hospital offers every service like cancer research, open-heart bypass or diabetes specialty wards. Check that hospitals have adequate equipment, or the specialists have multiple years of expertise.

It is important to check the hospital’s track record. Is the hospital meeting quality standards and patient safety? Is it accredited by the Joint Commission? Is it conveniently located for you and your visitors? Is the hospital clean and comfortable? What do the charges include and what is covered by your insurance?

Do the necessary research and ask the questions until you have peace of mind about your choice of hospital for your child’s welfare.

Kids love sweets. Whether it is chocolates, ice creams, jelly beans or sweetened drinks, kids find it difficult to stay away from sugars. This, unfortunately, isn’t too good for their teeth! Excessive intake of sweets leads to faster tooth decay and development of cavities. This bit of information has been known for ages now. However, tooth decay not only affects children but infants too. In fact, newly erupted teeth amongst babies are highly prone to decay.

Babies start teething between 4 to 6 months of age and are around 2 years of old by the time the complete set of 20 teeth has emerged. Children use this primary set of teeth till the age of 10 to years, when this first set starts falling off naturally to make way the permanent set of 32 teeth, which are meant to last a life time. The primary set is much more fragile though and are likely to start decaying as soon as they erupt if not cared for properly. The responsibility of taking care of an infant’s teeth lies with the parents.

Tooth decay at this young age is also caused by the same sugars that spoil teeth among older children. Infants consume juices, formula and other sugary liquids through baby bottles. The sugar gradually coats the child’s teeth and starts breaking down the enamel that protects the teeth from decay. Once the enamel is eroded, the teeth become vulnerable to attacks by germs which erode the calcium that forms the teeth, leading to cavities.

To prevent tooth decay amongst infants, parents can follow simple steps. Of course, infant teeth have to be carefully brushed well no matter how tiny they are! It is also a good practice to rinse the infant’s mouth thoroughly with water after every meal to prevent sugars from depositing in the teeth. Infants should not be allowed to fall asleep with their baby bottles in their mouth. This prolongs the exposure to teeth to sugars as the liquid flows directly over the teeth and stays there till whenever the child wakes up. Parents should try to ensure their infant’s mouth remains clear of sugars as far as possible.

Cases of childhood obesity are growing in the US with one in every five children being over weight. Being over weight at a young age not only impacts a child health and growth but also takes a toll on their self confidence and character development. Obesity hampers physical development and restricts a child on indulging in sports and activities. It is difficult to control your child’s weight once it has crossed the threshold of obesity which is why it is all the more important to manage your child’s weight in the early stages.

It is good news for your child if obesity does not run in the family. Genetics play a major role in weight management and non-genetic obesity is easier to rectify. Childhood obesity is generally caused by lifestyle habits. The kind of food your child consumes and his/her level of physical activity play a big part in your child’s health and weight. With fast foods being the rave amongst children, having a healthy diet is vital for managing weight. It is not the quantity but the quality of food being consumed that determines weight gain in children. Experts advice parents to ensure that the food their children consume is low on calories and high on nutrition. Avoid foods that are rich in fats, carbohydrates and sugars. This would include most fast foods, food that has been fried chips, fizzy drinks and sodas and so on. Although it is tough to keep a child completely off such foods since they love them so much, kids should be encouraged to have salads, vegetables and fruits so that the quantity of fattening food is reduced. This ensures a more balanced and nutritious diet that helps control weight.

Parents should also encourage their kids to take up more of sports and outdoor activities from an early age. TV and video games are popular among kids and though they provide entertainment, require minimum physical activity. A balance of diet and physical workout will promote good health in your child.

Nappy rashes – every parent expects them but not all know how to deal with them, far less prevent them. The fact that diaper rashes occur so commonly among infants does not necessarily make them acceptable. Babies suffer a lot of discomfort when they develop rashes and it can get painful. Following simple measures can help prevent nappy rashes and keep the infant nappy happy.

Infants, especially new born babies can dirty their diapers anywhere from 6 to 12 times in a day. It is important that babies remain dry all the time so parents needs to check diapers on an hourly basis throughout the day and at least once or twice in the night. If the diaper is dirty, it should be changed immediately. Dirty diapers not only keep the babies skin wet but also breed germs that can cause severe infections. Before putting on a fresh diaper, wash your baby thoroughly but gently, especially between skin folds. Avoid using soap as they make the babies sensitive skin dry up and crack, furthering the chances of a rash. Use a very mild soap if absolutely necessary. Washing the areas with plain lukewarm running water will not only clean but also sooth the baby.

Once you have washed and cleaned the baby, allow him/her to dry off. You can gently pat (never wipe) the wet areas with a very soft cloth, catching the water between skin folds as well, and then let the baby rest without a diaper for a few minutes. This will naturally dry the baby and will allow the skin to breath. Once the baby is completely dry, apply a protective cream over the area. Petroleum jelly is a good option; it hydrates the skin and provides a coating which prevents urine/ stool from affecting the skin. There are other creams and ointments available too but chose wisely. Avoid applying powder, especially talcum, as these may be inhaled by the baby. When putting on a fresh diaper, make sure it is not too tight for the baby as friction with skin will cause rashes. Diapers should allow the babies skin some breathing space, whether cloth or disposable.

Kids are usually very hyperactive. The younger they are, the more difficult it is it to make them stay in one place. Getting your toddler to go to bed at the end of the day can be a testing task. “Just 10 more minutes” is a common plea from children who refuse to go to bed at a fixed time. Then there are the tantrums you may face if you insist and take a stricter stance. If a child goes to bed angry, chances are he/she will sneak out within no time, leading to another chase. So ho do parents, who probably too tired at the end of the day themselves, cope with a child who refuses to go to bed? Here are a few simple steps that you can follow that will help you put your child off to bed and off to sleep!

To begin with, it is important that you set a routine, a fixed bed time that your child is asked to adhere to. Setting a bedtime that is too early is a guarantee that your child will not be ready to sleep. So be reasonable. You will need to start reminding your child that it is almost time for bed at least 30 minutes earlier so that the child can be mentally prepared. Ask him/her to wind down their activities instead of asking to pack up suddenly. This can put your child in a bad mood which is never good before bedtime. You should ensure pre-bedtime tasks like changing into night clothes and brushing of the teeth are done before bedtime. You could also make story reading a habit as this soothes the child. You should make sure the child’s sleeping environment is safe, comfortable and does not include too many distractions. If your child is afraid of the dark, night sounds or “monsters”, provide a night light and do a mock check of the room and assure the child you will check on him/her again later. These will sooth his/her fears and help the child fall asleep. Praise your child for not troubling you and encourage similar behavior everyday.

Enurisis, commonly known as bedwetting, affects a lot of young children. It most commonly occurs in children aged below 6 years but can continue into teenage years as well. One must understand that bedwetting is just a phase that passes with time. Children mostly do not have any control over it so it is unfair to blame and punish them if they wet their bed. Doctors have not been able to isolate any causes for bedwetting and it is seldom related to mental stress. However, if not handled carefully, bedwetting can impact a child’s emotional health and self-esteem.

Bedwetting can be very embarrassing for children. They feel humiliated when this happens at home and refuse to go over to friend’s places or to camps, in order to avoid a recurrence there. Although the bedwetting phase passes, a child needs to lot of emotional support from his/her family while this lasts. It can be a frustrating time for parents too but you should remember not to scold or punish your child as he/she has no control over it. Instead, parents need to reassure the child that this a common syndrome that inflicts many kids and that it will go away with time. Comfort the child by telling him/her that it is nothing to be ashamed about. They will feel a lot better if you could give them examples of other family members who went through the same phase and how they coped with it.

Encourage your child to urinate just before going to bed. It is also a good practice to set an alarm to wake your child sometime later in the night to urinate.  Control fluid intake by having extra water during the day and lesser during the night. Reducing amounts of fluids in the bladder at night lowers the chances of bedwetting. If your child has wet the bed, instead of yelling, ask him/her to help with changing and cleaning the sheets but clarify that this is not a punishment. This will help reduce guilt in the child.

The human body naturally creates earwax in the outer ear canal, between the outer and middle ear parts. Earwax is the body’s way of protecting the ear from infections, making a waterproof coating that keeps the ear drum from getting damaged. Earwax prevents particles and dust from entering and injuring the ear. Although most people know the function of earwax, they don’t realize that the earwax is only produced in necessary qualities and should not be cleared. ‘Cleaning’ the ear is still considered a common hygiene practice, even though it has potentially hazardous implication. Among children, regular clearing of earwax can lead to infections, ear damage and in severe cases loss of hearing.

The ear constantly produces earwax that sometimes accumulates and gets passed out to the outer ear. This does not require specific cleaning as the wax generally gets washed off each time you bathe. If you notice residue earwax in the outer ear of your child after bathing, you can clear it by simply wiping it off using a towel or a soft cloth. You should never try to deep clean the ear by inserting cloth or cotton swabs into the inner ear canal. Although there are several over the counter products like ear buds that can be used to clean your child’s ear, you should only use these to clean the other ear. Inserting objects into the ear can cause damage to the ear canal or drum, in addition to clearing away necessary earwax.

In a few rare cases, the child’s ear does end up producing extra earwax. Discourage the child from inserting fingers into the ear. If your child complains of itchiness or pain in the ear or you notice an excessive growth of earwax which may be hindering your child’s hearing, take the child to a doctor who will be able to diagnose and treat any infections. Under no circumstances should you try and remove excessive earwax from the child’s ears yourself, always get it done by a professional. Following these steps will help you keep your child’s ears healthy and free from infections.