Teething Troubles

Usually the first tooth to appear is one of the lower middle ones also called the lower central incisor, between four to seven months of age. Teething has different effects on different babies. When it is accompanied by swollen and tender gums, you can do the following to ease the baby’s discomfort. 

	Massage the gums with your finger.
	Cold is soothing for the gums. So give the baby an icy teething ring or rub a refrigerated carrot on the gums.
	A drink of cold water may help.
	Use a soft toothbrush to brush the teeth.
	Use sweeteners with caution, as they promote tooth decay.
	Ensure that your baby does not fall asleep with the bottle. This can lead to a condition called ‘nursing caries’.
	In case the baby is excessively cranky and has a temperature, check with your doctor.
	Fluoride is very valuable in building strong teeth. Ensure you begin Fluoride supplements, if needed.

Ear Infections

Children offer get a middle ear infection after a cold, flu or upper respiratory infection. This infection is termed as 'otitis media', and may manifest itself in a fever, irritability, loss of appetite and even vomiting. Please consult with your doctor to start the right medication which could include an antibiotic to treat the bacteria and paracetamol to relieve the fever. 

Right out of the mouths of babes 

Spit-ups 
Spit ups or bringing up of milk right after a feed is a very common phenomenon in babies in the first 3 months of their life, regardless of whether the baby is breastfed or formula fed. It is completely harmless and probably occurs because the muscles are weak and digestive system is still delicate. The contents brought up may seem a lot to the mother, but in reality it is only a small amount. Babies normally outgrow this by the time they can sit up or even later. It is not a cause for concern, unless the baby is not gaining weight or is cranky and shows signs of other symptoms as well. To avoid frequent spit-ups, you can do the following:

	Burp the baby to release any air trapped inside.
	Check the nipple-hole size- If it is too big, the baby is swallowing milk too fast. If too small, the milk flow is too slow and thus the baby is taking in more air.
	Try and avoid excessive activity and play after feeding.
	Avoid feeding the baby too much at one time. Space out the feeds into smaller and more frequent ones, to see if it makes a difference.
	Keep the baby upright for about 30 minutes after the feed. Also, avoid feeding the baby when he / she is lying down.

Vomiting

Vomiting involves the ejection of stomach contents through the mouth. In terms of volume, it can be much more than a few mouthfuls. If vomiting persists, please consult with the doctor, especially if it accompanied by fever, inability to retain even water or fluids, refusal to eat, incessant crying, blood in the vomit or a greenish color to the vomit.

Coping with Emergencies


Burns and Scalds

Remove all clothes immediately.

If burn is on arm or leg, dip in cold water. If it is in any other part of the body, apply a clean cloth dipped in cold water.

Call the doctor.

Do not try and tackle blisters.

Do not apply any ointment or powder to the burnt area. Cover it loosely with a sterile gauze pad till the doctor examines the baby.



Poisoning

If your child has swallowed something, contact the doctor immediately.

If the doctor instructs, only then make the child vomit. Vomiting in cases such as swallowing of acids, petrol, insect sprays can cause more harm.


Head Injury

The tell tale signs of a head injury are as follows:

Loss of consciousness.

Convulsions.

Bleeding from nose, ears or mouth.

Continuous Vomiting.

Inability to move.

In all the above cases, call a doctor immediately. 

Cry Baby -Why do babies cry?

Crying is the first sound that the baby makes when he/she enters this world. Crying is the only means of communication that a baby can express. Babies cry for different reasons, and soon a mother will be able to distinguish a cry for discomfort from a cry of hunger! Some common reasons for crying are:

Crying while feeding- This happens when they gulp too fast or take in air during feeding. Check the flow of milk, and take a short break to burp the baby in between.

Hunger- The most common cause of crying.

Physical Discomfort-Baby may be wet or in pain or distress.

Infant Colic- Colicky crying spells may occur at any time, but can get worse in the evening. They normally stop by 3 months.

Exhaustion and Fatigue- Some babies cry due to exhaustion, especially when they are sleepy.

Allergy to Formula- Certain babies are allergic to the milk protein in Formula Milk. Check with the doctor for options available. 


Consoling the Cry Baby

	Talk or sing softly to the baby.
	Rock her/him in your arms.
	Wrap the baby securely in a blanket.
	Try and burp the baby to release gas.
	Go for a ride in the car or for a walk with the baby in the stroller.

In case the baby does not keep quiet, and the cries are unusual and persistent, call the doctor.