 |
|
|
|
   |
|
|
| For
baby gift ideas, new born advice,
new born health, child care,
baby
nutrition, nappy services,
post natal depression, baby forums,
breast feeding, and more... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author: Connie Limon
It is sometimes difficult to know exactly when to call the doctor if your baby
seems sick or even when to seek emergency care. Babies cannot tell us when
something hurts.
Some specific signs that may require a call to your doctor include:
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in mood
• Changes in skin color
• Tender navel or penis
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Constipation
• Upper respiratory infections
• Ear pain
• Rash
• Eye discharge
• Minor injuries
Signs and symptoms that require emergency care include:
• Bleeding that can’t be stopped
• Poisoning
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing
• High fever
• Head injuries
• Sudden lethargy or inability to move
• Choking
• Unresponsiveness
Constipation:
Infants who have not had a bowel movement in three days are most likely
constipated. Infants usually pass about four stools a day. Breast-fed infants
have even more bowel movements than formula-fed infants.
What to do about infant constipation:
• 0 – 2 months: Call your doctor for advice
• 2+ months: Give the infant 2-4 ounces of water twice a day. If constipation
does not improve, try 2-4 ounces of fruit juice – such as grape, pear, apple,
cherry or prune – twice a day.
• 4+ months: If already eating solid foods, feed him or her baby food that is
high in fiber such as peas, beans, apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, plums or
spinach twice a day until constipation improves.
Never give mineral oil, stimulant laxatives or enemas to infants.
Infant constipation is rarely due to an underlying condition. It usually occurs
with the transition from breast milk to formula or from strained foods to table
foods. However, if constipation persists, call your doctor.
Cradle cap is another common condition in babies. Cradle cap can usually be
prevented by shampooing your baby’s hair every few days with a mild baby
shampoo.
Cradle cap causes scaly patches on a baby’s scalp; however, cradle cap is quite
harmless. It looks awful, but it is harmless. The patches may be thick, yellow,
crusty or greasy. It is most common in newborns, and often clears up on its own
within a few months.
You can wash your baby’s hair once a day with mild baby shampoo, and loosen the
scales with a small, soft-bristled brush before rinsing off the shampoo. If the
scales do not loosen easily, rub a few drops of mineral oil onto your baby’s
scalp. When the oil soaks into the scales after a few minutes, then brush and
shampoo your baby’s hair as usual. Do not leave the oil in your baby’s hair; it
may allow more scales to accumulate.
Time to call your doctor is if frequent shampooing does not help or the scaly
patches spread beyond baby’s scalp. Older babies may require a prescription
antifungal shampoo if they acquire scalp ringworm infections. Scalp ringworm
infections resemble cradle cap and would require calling your doctor for
specific advice.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It is not
intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not
use the information in this article to diagnose or treat any health problems or
illnesses without consulting your pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult
a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your
child’s condition.
Written by: Connie Limon. Visit us at
www.babiesandtoddlers1.com.
About Babies and Toddlers is a collection of articles all about babies and
toddlers available for information, education and FREE reprints to your
newsletters, websites or blogs. |
|
|
|
|
www.newbornbaby.com.au - Free
baby photo gallery and information for new
mums and dads on health, nutrition, baby gift ideas,
baby advice, new born
baby directory, shopping and
more.
www.newbornbaby.com.au covers US,
Australia, UK, India, Canada and Germany.
www.newbornbaby.com.au - Free
online photo gallery for your baby.
From gifts for your new born baby to
the design of your own photo gallery for your baby.
|
|
| New Born Advice | Baby Photo Gallery |
Baby Directory | Baby Gift
Store | Contact & Support
| Advertise |
Sitemap |
Disclaimer | Copyright 2008 |
