Have you ever realized sitting can harm your baby? Often babies sit in odd postures while playing, once they learn to sit. And we ignore them little realizing the negative effects of such postures. What seems to be a normal way of sitting can have detrimental effects on your child.
The most common W sitting position of babies (legs folded backwards from the knees forming a ‘w’ shape when looked from the front, as shown above) can have drastic effects on your child’s development at a later stage.
The W position is common among children, and is considered normal when children are below two years. However, if this posture becomes a habit continuing beyond two years, it can influence the development of the child.
According to the Pediatric Therapy Center in the US, children who continue to sit in the W position beyond their second year may fail to develop the strength and balance required for motor skills such as running and jumping.
Besides, if you let your child continue sitting in this position, he can develop “pigeon toes”. It’s a condition in which kids walk with feet turned inwards, either one or both the feet. So, let’s understand how W-sitting causes more harm than you thought.
According to the Pediatric Therapy Center in the US, children who continue to sit in the W position beyond their second year may fail to develop the strength and balance required for motor skills such as running and jumping.
Besides, if you let your child continue sitting in this position, he can develop “pigeon toes”. It’s a condition in which kids walk with feet turned inwards, either one or both the feet. So, let’s understand how W-sitting causes more harm than you thought.
So, before W-sitting becomes a habit for your child, make sure you unlearn the habit in him and be consistent at it. And ensure everyone, including your spouse, caregiver or the caretaker at daycare, is on the same page.
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Article written by Kalpana M
Signs And Symptoms Of ADHD In Toddlers:
The number of children getting a diagnosis of ADHD is on the rise these days. In fact, 1 in 10 children in the USA today get a diagnosis of ADHD. Nobody is sure about the reason behind this surge in the number of ADHD cases. Some feel that the number have not increased, it is just that today we have better diagnosing tools and can catch the problem before it becomes too big.
ADHD (or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a mental disorder. People with ADHD are commonly impulsive and disorganized. They cannot stay focused and make realistic plans.
Children with ADHD also have low self-confidence and suffer from troubled relationships and poor academic performance.
Toddlers are notorious for their inability to concentrate. But sometimes what seems like typical toddler behavior may be a glimpse of things to come. According to studies, about 40% of children with ADHD show clear signs of problems related to attention by age four!
That is why it is important to keep a close eye on toddlers and preschoolers to make sure that something serious like ADHD is not hiding behind the mask of normal toddler behavior.
Are you worried about your toddler’s seemingly out-of-control behavior? Do you think he may have ADHD? Well, there are ways to find out!
Though most doctors do not diagnose ADHD in children at toddlerhood, it makes sense to try and catch the problem as soon as possible. The sooner you seek help, the easier it will be to deal with your child’s ADHD. Remember, ADHD today is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder among preschoolers.
Here are some telltale signs of ADHD in toddlers and preschoolers:
While most toddlers and preschoolers have a short attention span, those with ADHD cannot concentrate on one task for more than a minute or two. So, if you see your toddler avoiding activities that require sitting still for more than a couple of minutes, treat it as a warning sign.
Is your little one famous as the chatterbox of the group? Does he make more noise than other kids his age? Well, these are also early signs of ADHD.
Toddlers are ridiculously difficult to discipline. But little ones with ADHD refuse to follow simple instructions, even after repeated warnings. So, if your preschooler goes on to climb on things after you tell him not to, and even after he experiences negative outcome, he may have ADHD.
It is a beautiful sight to watch little kids play. But next time your toddler is playing, watch if he can hop on one foot. Most kids with ADHD cannot hop on one foot by age 4.
One common complaint most parents with ADHD kids is their constant motion. Little ones with ADHD have a tough time staying still. Is your toddler constantly on the move? Is he kicking or jiggling his feet even while sitting? Does he twist around on his seat? These are all telltale signs of ADHD in toddlers and preschoolers.
Fearlessness is a wonderful virtue. But for kids with ADHD, it can be the road to injuries! Toddlers with this mental disorder often get into dangerous situations due to their lack of fear. No matter how many times a toddler falls from the couch and hurts himself, he will do it all over again. It is almost as if they have no concept of pain.
Most toddlers suffer from stranger anxiety. But those with ADHD take next to no time to warm up to strangers! So if you thought your toddler is super friendly, well, it actually may be a pointer towards ADHD!
Toddlers with ADHD often display aggressive behavior with their peers. Many even end up dismissed from playschool or daycare because of their aggression.
The fearless attitude we discussed above also leads to several injuries among toddlers with ADHD.
Toddlers with ADHD often experience sleep disorders. If your toddler wakes up at night frequently and has trouble falling back to sleep, it may indicate a deeper problem.
Toddlers and preschoolers with ADHD also display poor motor control and working memory compared to other kids of their age. They seem to have no problems with verbal learning memory or picture identification.
It is normal for toddlers to exhibit one or two of these signs. But if your toddler’s behavior encompasses a majority of the points mentioned here, there is a high chance that he may have ADHD.
So, seek an appointment with your doctor if you suspect that your toddler may have ADHD. Timely intervention and treatment can go a long way towards giving wary parents some relief while helping their kids lead a normal life.
Toddlers and preschoolers are too young to go on medication. It is always a better idea to explore other options before putting your kid on drugs in any case.
With regular parental training and school-based intervention, ADHD can be managed to a large extent among toddlers and preschoolers.
Apart from that, there are some steps you can take to manage this debilitating mental disorder and find some form of normalcy at home!
Finally, relax! Taking care of a child with special needs is hard work. You need to stay healthy and positive if you want your little one to live up to his potential.
So, no matter how tough it gets, and it will get tough with an ADHD child at home, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
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Article written by Chhandita Chakravarty
Asthma is a disease caused due to the inflammation of lungs and bronchial airways. It can affect one’s ability to breathe normally. This condition can be found in any age.
However, spotting asthma in toddler can be very tricky. Understanding its causes, symptoms and treatment can help you prevent or immediately treat this condition.
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases found in children. If your toddler too suffers from it, try and arrest the problem by knowing about it well.
Here are few causes that might result into asthma:
Asthma attacks can be scary and dangerous too. Any acute asthma patient can experience these attacks.
Here are a few symptoms that you may look for in your toddler to know if he suffers from asthma:
Please note that these symptoms vary majorly from one toddler to another. These can also get worse or improve with time. If you find your toddler constantly complain of the above symptoms, seek your doctor’s help as soon as you can.
As mentioned earlier, diagnosing asthma in toddlers can be very tricky. Here are a few ways your doctor might use to diagnose asthma.
Many a times, doctors even prefer to wait and see if the symptoms subdue with time. Certain medications may also be given to check if they bring some relief. This is largely done because the long term effects of asthma medicines on young toddlers are yet to be known.
Thankfully, asthma in toddlers can be cured. Your first and foremost priority should be to find out what triggers asthma in your toddler.
You must also prevent asthma attacks in every way. Once you know the triggers, you must consult your doctor and find out ways to prevent the triggers in everyday life.
Apart from these your doctor may recommend:
Take care of the following to prevent or control cases of asthma in your toddler:
Asthma can be downright frightening for both you and your toddler. It is crucial for you to offer best support and help to steer your toddler clear of asthma. You must realize the importance of patience and long-term planning to cope up with this crisis and help your child.
As your toddler grows up, the asthma conditions might go away. This may happen due to various reasons, one of which is bigger air passages after growing up. So don’t give up hope. Visit your doctor regularly and keep a serious and close tab on your toddler.
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Article written by Akruti
Any parent with a baby under three months of age should be wary of newborn congestion. A stuffy nose or cold in a newborn can take a turn for the worse due to their weak immune systems. If your newborn is experiencing a stuffy or runny nose, make an appointment with your pediatrician.
In infants over three months of age, a stuffy and runny nose is not as major an issue. It’s easy for little noses to become congested because there isn’t much space. There are over 200 different cold viruses, and your baby doesn’t have any immunity to them until they pick them up. The average adult has between two and four colds a year. Just imagine how many of those your sensitive baby can develop! A runny nose doesn’t always mean a cold, however. In the winter, your baby’s nose tries to protect itself when you go out into the cold air. It creates more mucus to keep their nose moist and clear of particles.
Discovering that the snot coming out of your baby’s nose is a rainbow of colors can cause a lot of nervousness. Should you call the pediatrician? Should you take them to the ER? Before you make any decisions, find out what the color of your baby’s mucus truly means.
Clear is the most common type of snot and should not be any cause for alarm. This typical snot color could simply be your baby’s natural way of removing particles from their nose and keeping them out of their lungs. Clear snot can also be a sign of allergies, a reaction to cold or dry air, or the first signs of a cold.
Snot that has a white color is more common in babies over the age of one. The white color is caused by dairy consumption and is nothing to worry about. Milk makes mucus thicker, and babies and toddlers tend to consume a lot of dairy. As babies get older and turn into kids, white mucus can be a sign of dehydration.
Snot can turn yellow when it has been sitting in your baby’s nose or sinuses for a while. At first, this is nothing to be concerned about. It does not mean that your baby currently has a sinus infection. Snot can also turn yellow as a cold progresses into the thick snot phase. If your baby has yellow-colored snot for more than two weeks, consider making an appointment with your pediatrician to prevent a sinus infection from developing.
If your baby’s light yellow snot turns to a neon or bright yellow color, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician. This color may be a sign that your infant has already developed a sinus infection.
Your baby’s snot can turn green as a cold progresses, just like it can turn yellow. Green snot can also occur at the end of a sinus infection. If you see green snot in the mornings when your baby wakes up, there isn’t any need for worry. As you baby sleeps, bacteria collect in the mucus and turns the snot a green color. However, if your baby has green snot all day for several days, you should schedule an appointment with your pediatrician to have your infant examined for a sinus or other infection.
Colors ranging from bright red to orange and brown are all indicators that there is blood in your baby’s snot. Brown colors mean that older, dry blood is coming out of your baby’s nose. Brighter red colors are signs of new blood. Everyone’s nose, including an infant’s, can bleed without any major reason. In the winter or dry weather, it is very easy for nasal passages to crack and bleed. There is no need to be concerned unless your baby has blood in their snot for several consecutive days. If that happens, schedule an appointment with your pediatrician.
Snot tinged with black or gray is a sign that your baby has been around air pollution of some kind. Things like campfires, smoke, dust, dirt and other particles can get caught in your baby’s snot. Even though your baby shouldn’t be around health hazards, this colored snot is a good thing! That is what snot is made to do. Your baby’s body works to prevent unhealthy particles from getting into their little lungs and causing problems.
Sometimes, your little guy or gal gets so plugged up that they need a little help. Say hello to a baby snot sucker! Or, more specifically, a baby nasal aspirator. You may have seen these little, pointed plastic bulbs at the hospital when your baby was born. These baby nose suckers are a safe and natural way to remove all of the excess snot from your baby’s nose.
Squeeze the bulb before inserting it into your baby’s nose to get rid of the air.
Insert the tip of the bulb one-fourth to one-half inch into your baby’s nostril.
Point the bulb tip toward the back of your baby’s nose.
Let go of the compressed bulb slowly to suck up the snot.
Remove the bulb from your baby’s nose and turn it so it’s pointing towards the floor.
Squeeze the bulb with some force into a Kleenex to get rid of the mucus.
Make sure to clean your baby’s nose sucker after each use with soap and water to prevent mold buildup.
If your baby is congested and exhibits any of the below symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Your baby is younger than three months old
Your baby isn’t having as many wet diapers as usual
Your baby has a temperature of 100 degrees for more than three days
Your baby is experiencing ear or sinus pain
There is yellow eye discharge
There is a cough that lasts for more than one week
Your baby has green snot for more than two weeks
Will not drink fluids
Has a cough that causes vomiting or skin changes
Coughs up blood
Has problems breathing or is turning blue around the lips or mouth
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Article originally posted on unitypoint.org
Image credit: Bountifulbaby
Not all rashes are the same
Your baby’s skin has a wealth of unique cell potential, but it is also delicate and undeveloped: it doesn’t yet function as a complete protective barrier, and can easily become irritated.
Babies as young as a few days old do develop rashes as their fragile skin adapts to a new environment. Most rashes are harmless and go away on their own.
This guide may give you a better idea of the cause of the rash, but don't use it to diagnose your baby's condition. It is important to note that rashes that are accompanied by symptoms such as a high temperature of 38C or above, irritability and a lack of energy, shortness of breath, drowsiness and fits (seizures) can be symptoms of some other illnesses such as meningitis. See your doctor for proper diagnosis and receive necessary treatment when in doubt.
What is a rash?
A rash is a generic term that describes any form of skin irritation, itchiness or redness.
Here are 7 common conditions:
1. Minor Irritations – Drool and heat rash
Drool rash: Red, dry, and/or chapped areas appearing around the mouth and cheeks (especially babies using pacifier). May also appear in the folds of baby's neck, behind ears, on chest or thumb if your baby sucks his thumb.
Heat / Sweat rash: Babies get overheated easily in our tropical hot and humid weather, and may develop rashes on their face, skin folds in the neck and arms, legs, armpits, groin, etc. Keeping your baby dressed in light, loose clothing during hot weather may be helpful.
What does it look like?
Image credit: Babyrashclinic
What to do?
When to see a doctor?
When there are scabs or extensive/oozing lesions, when your baby is having trouble sleeping or is irritable, or if his skin does not improve after a few weeks of treatment.
Continue reading on page 2 for more skin concerns...
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
2. Baby Acne
Baby acne is usually related to hormones, and it is believed that babies get their maternal hormones that were passed through the womb. It usually appears in the first two to four weeks after birth. Baby acne is harmless, non-infectious, does not itch or hurt and usually goes away within a few weeks without treatment.
What does it look like?
Image credit: Motherhow
What to do?
Does breastmilk help?
There are anecdotal examples of using breastmilk to treat baby acne. However, breastmilk may cause baby’s acne to become more pronounced. It’s observed by some parents that when their babies spit up milk after a feed, more acne appears around the mouth. The same thing can occur if his skin is irritated by saliva, or if he is overheated or fussy.
When to see a doctor?
When you cannot confirm it is baby acne or when it doesn’t clear within two to three months.
Continue reading on page 3 for more skin concerns...
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
3. Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
Eczema is a generic term for any dermatitis or skin inflammation or itching. It is often used to describe atopic dermatitis, an increasingly common skin problem that leads to extreme dryness, itchiness and skin discomfort. Usually caused by genetic and environmental factors, it often appears at the age of three months then improves after a few years.
Extremely dry, eczema-prone skin is deficient in lipids, a fatty substance that normally maintains the protective skin barrier. As a result, one is more vulnerable to the elements. This vulnerability is caused by the immune system’s heightened sensitivity. Atopic dermatitis is more likely to occur among children with allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and food allergies.
How does it look like?
Image credit: MummySG and Naturallyhealthyskin
What to do?
Treatment involves the daily use of medications (if necessary) and specific dermo-cosmetic products. In addition, diet and daily hygiene can help relieve your baby’s condition:
Hygiene and bathing
Home environment
Clothing
Diet
?
When to see a doctor?
Eczema is a chronic condition and unlike baby acne, milk or heat rash, it requires proper diagnosis and treatment. Consult a doctor if the rashes bear the symptoms of an eczema or if one or both parents have history of eczema.
Continue reading on page 4 for more skin concerns...
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
4. Diaper Rash
The diaper area’s very delicate skin can easily become irritated, especially during the baby’s first year of life. Up to 60% of infants are affected during the first 12 months.
Friction from diapers, contact with faeces and urine, teething, introduction of solid foods, diarrhea, infection and certain medications can all cause diaper rash.
While generally harmless, diaper rash must not be neglected. It can become painful for your baby and if poorly treated, can lead to more severe sores requiring medical care.
Prevention is better than cure!
What does it look like?
Image credit: Healthyspectra
What to do?
When to see a doctor?
When your baby’s diaper rash begins oozing, if he has trouble eating, persistent diarrhea or a skin rash, or if his condition doesn’t improve after three to four days of treatment.
Continue reading on page 5 for more skin concerns...
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
5. Hives
Hives, also called urticaria, are often caused by an allergic reaction triggered by a food or a drug. Hives are usually itchy, vary in size and often go away within 24 hours or less, but are irritating and unsightly. It’s important to avoid whatever substance or food that triggers hives. They can last a few days with old ones fading and new ones appearing.
How do they look like?
Image credit: Babycenter and Lifewithgremlins
What to do?
When to see a doctor?
If baby has trouble breathing or swallowing, get emergency care right away.
If hives remain or become severe, it’s important to get medical care. Hives can be a sign of an internal disease.
Continue reading on page 6 for more skin concerns...
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
6. Cradle Cap
During the first few weeks of life, babies may have small yellowish crusty patches called “cradle cap” which is caused by an overproduction of sebum (skin oil). Sebum traps the dead cells on the skin’s surface, leading to the formation of crusty patches. Cradle cap has nothing to do with poor hygiene.
This condition affects two-thirds of babies and is completely benign. Cradle cap, however, is unpleasant to look at and can be become infected by bacteria or fungi.
How does it look like?
Image credit: Whattoexpect and Omnicsonline
What to do?
Continue reading on page 7 for more skin concerns...
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
7. Ringworm
Ringworm is a common fungal infection amongst babies. Contrary to its name, it’s not caused by worms. Typically, the ringworm fungus enters the child's skin through broken skin, such as a cut or scratch, a patch of eczema or through direct contact with an infected person or pet, or from contact with contaminated surfaces such as towels, toys, or clothes. It is highly contagious.
You can usually buy anti-fungal cream from a pharmacy for self-treatment, without a prescription.
How does it look like?
Image credit: Babycenter and Babyrashclinic
What to do?
When to see doctor?
When symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks.
We hope this has helped you identify your little one's skin irritation and put your mind at ease! However, listen to your mummy instincts and seek medical help if you think it’s necessary.
This initiative is brought to you by Mustela Singapore.
This article is solely for informational purposes and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any skin condition. Products recommended in this article do not represent an endorsement of those products by Pregnancy & Baby. Pregnancy & Baby makes no representation or warranty regarding any of the mentioned products. In any doubt, please consult your physician.
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Image credit: Parenthub
Babies are seemingly both magnets for and causes of germs and viruses due to their immune system that’s still growing, so practicing good hygiene is extremely important to keep baby happy and healthy!
Here are 5 tips that you and your partner should do to at home:
1. Wash Your Hands
It’s something that our parents keep telling us, no matter how old we are (similar to how they affectionately call us ‘boy ah’ or ‘girl ah’, even though we’re well past that age). We really should listen to them on washing hands, especially after baby’s living with us!
If we want to touch or play with baby, it’s important that we wash our hands after doing any of these:
We should use good antibacterial soap or hand sanitiser to remove harmful bacteria and germs that could cause a bunch of infections like colds, flu, diarrhoea, and more. After we’ve washed our hands, make sure to dry them properly (and regularly wash the hand towels that we use too).
2. Keep Toys Clean
One thing that babies love to do when they’re able to pick things up is to put them in their mouths afterwards. It looks really cute when they’re giggling while chewing on a TV remote (yes, I know that’s not a toy, but almost anything that they can pick up magically transforms into a toy for them), but imagine the amount of germs and dirt that’s on it!
So, step one, keep non-toys out of baby’s reach and sight as much as possible. They won’t want things that they can’t see.
Step two, keep the actual toys close to baby and keep them clean! Regularly wipe those toys down with a good, child-friendly disinfectant. For hard plastic toys, rinse them thoroughly. For soft toys, try to use the washing machine on them as much as possible, because they trap a lot more dirt and germs within them.
Step three, it might eventually be impossible or too tiring, but try your best to keep the toys in a clean storage cabinet or box.
3. Change Baby’s Diaper Frequently
Keep infections and rashes away from baby’s bum when you change their diapers ASAP after a code brown (poo). Dirty diapers are a hotspot for infections to occur, so it’s essential that you wash your hands after you get rid of them.
To treat diaper rashes, use a good diaper rash cream that’s easy on baby’s sensitive skin.
For reusable cloth diapers, you should dump them into a dry diaper pail and then wash the collected diapers every day or every other day. If you’re worried about the smell the diapers give off, try pouring a bit of baking soda onto the diapers.
When washing your cloth diapers in the washing machine, do a cold rinse first followed by a regular hot rinse with around half to a quarter of your normal amount of detergent. When drying them, you should partially dry them and then air dry them – make sure not to use your hottest drying setting too, as this will lessen the lifespan of cloth diapers.
4. Sanitise Feeding Equipment
Using a breast pump to express some extra milk for feeding later? Make sure your hands are clean before using it, and after use, ensure that all the attachments are properly sanitised and sterilised.
Because baby will be drinking the milk that’s been expressed, the equipment that helps to express your milk needs to be as clean as possible.
You can either use a steam steriliser or a UV steriliser – both do the job well and will get rid of most of the bacteria and germs.
5. Keeping Your Home Clean
Everyone loves a clean house, and it’s especially important to keep it clean when baby’s around. You don’t need to do a 100%, top-to-bottom clean with a steamer and disinfectant every single day, but you do need to look out for areas that have the most amount of contact with food and hands. These include and aren’t limited to: the toilet, kitchen, tables, pots and pans, cutlery and utensils.
You’ll just need some hot water and detergent to clean the items that you can pick up in your hands, and disinfectant for the toilet and kitchen. Disinfect areas that have high amounts of human contact like the taps, toilet seats, and door handles.
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Having a cough is a common occurrence in children, and is usually caused by a virus such as the cold or influenza. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever, runny nose, and sore throat. Your child’s coughing is a reflex action as his body tries to expel mucus and phlegm from the windpipe, helping them breathe easier.
While hearing a child cough can be worrying for parents, looking out for certain characteristics can help decode the cause of your child’s cough and help you work out subsequent action:
Dry hacking cough
A dry hacking cough is usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection such as the cold or flu. However, dry coughing may also spell an onset of other lower respiratory tract conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Being exposed to pollutants such as smoke or dust may also trigger a dry cough in children with a sensitive airway.
Wet phlegmy cough
A wet phlegmy cough occurs when fluid and mucus is secreted in the lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs), possibly triggered by an infection. Coughing with phlegm helps removes this fluid from the body. A cough may also sound wet due to mucus which has accumulated at the back of the throat.
Wheezy cough
A wheezing cough occurs when you hear a high pitched wheeze or whistling sound when the child is exhaling. It can happen when the lower airway is blocked, as with childhood conditions such as asthma or bronchitis.
Barking cough
Croup is an upper respiratory infection which typically occurs in children below the age of 5. Children with croup will cough with a barking sound due to an inflamed upper windpipe and produce a high-pitched whistling sound when inhaling. Your paediatrician will be able to easily diagnose croup through observation and a throat examination. Fortunately, most cases can be treated at home. However, in severe cases, the child can be quite distressed and urgent medical attention may be needed.
Whooping cough (Pertussis)
A whooping cough is a contagious bacterial infection in the nose and throat which displays similar symptoms to the common cold. The cough gradually worsens and your child may experience coughing fits consisting of 5 to 15 continuous coughs followed by a “whooping” sound as he tries to inhale. While serious in young children, whooping cough can be easily prevented with the routine Tdap vaccine which is part of the national immunisation schedule. Adult caregivers are also advised to get vaccinated to prevent spread to their wards.
When to seek medical attention?
If you are concerned your little one’s coughing may be a sign of something more serious, check for other symptoms that may indicate complications. Seek medical help if you observe any of the following:
If you feel that your child’s cough does not warrant medical attention, you can try simple home-based treatments such as turning on a cool-mist humidifier and administering suitable over-the-counter cough medication to help ease throat irritation. Parents should also maintain good hygiene habits at home, ensure their child has plenty of water to drink and gets enough rest to help him or her fight the virus and build up immunity levels. However, you should also be vigilant in looking out for complications that may arise from a seemingly harmless viral infection, especially in a younger child.
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Dr Heng Siok Kheng, Paediatrician (Kids Clinic @ Toa Payoh)
Kids Clinic @ Toa Payoh
Block 177 Toa Payoh Central
#01-160
Singapore 310177
www.kidsclinic.sg
Image credit: Aquatots Swimming
There’s just something about the allure of water that draws people of all ages into it. The chance to experience a whole new world under mere metres of water while scuba diving, or to take a board to the waves above them is a tempting sensation.
Building a love for water starts from when your child is still young and fearless and there’s definitely no better time to start while they’re still a bub – they’ve spent around 9 months being surrounded by liquids, so being at home in water is a feeling that they’re still used to!
Benefits Of Swimming For Baby!
We all know that swimming is a cardio exercise that helps keep us fit and flexible as adults, but getting baby to swim regularly has benefits specific for them such as:
Tips For A Swimmingly Good Time
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