Shubhrajit Ghosh

After birth, almost all babies go through different health problems frequently. Though it is difficult to see your baby struggling with diseases, your pediatric doctors will guide you to keep your baby healthy.
In this article, you’ll get to know about some typical child issues, affecting your child now or in the future.

1. Colic

Colic is one of the most common pediatric conditions. It is the period of extreme crying that lasts for at least three hours and happens more than three times a week, normally in infants between two weeks old to four months old. There is no exact cause of colic, but it may be due to indigestion or prejudice to certain foods like milk or wheat.

2. Cold and Flu

Kids are weaker to colds and the flu than adults. They have immature immune systems, so they are weak to fight an infection independently. Child specialists can help keep kids healthy by vaccinating them against these conditions if necessary and prescribing some important medications for fever or pain relief when appropriate.

3. Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacterial conjunctivitis usually occurs as redness, watery eyes, and discharge from one eye or both. Touching your child with dirty hands or other objects can lead to bacteria conjunctivitis. It can also happen due to extreme exposure to bright light.

4. Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a typical skin ailment that results from long contact of the diaper area to urine and/or stool. It can be happened by a lack of air circulation, sensitivity to specific types of diapers, and food allergies.

5. Jaundice

Jaundice is a disease that causes a yellowish color of skin, eyes, and/or whites of the eyes. It can be caused by newborns’ liver not working effectively to release bilirubin from blood or insufficient breastfeeding.

6. Ear Infections

Ear infections are very familiar in children, this is why pediatricians recommend their checkups every six months. They occur when fluid builds up behind the eardrum, leading to pain, redness inside your child’s ear(s), fever, and other symptoms.

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best pediatrician in newtown kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best pediatric clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

Skin is the largest part of the body, so it is crucial to guide your child few important tips to keep a healthy complexion. Setting a solid skin-care routine will help control particular issues in the future. Kids are generally revealed to high grades of dirt and germs, so it is important that they learn how to care for their skin rightly. Reading the article you will know about 6 important tips to protect baby’s skin.

To help care for your baby, pediatricians suggest the following tips:

1. Keep your baby out of the sun: 

You should control your baby’s time in the sun as much as possible. When you take them outside, try to save their skin from the sun, even in the winter.

a. keep your baby in the shade as much as possible
b. put your baby in a hat that covers the neck and ears
c. dress your baby in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs
d. limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest

2. Keep your baby clean:

You should give your baby regular baths but not every day. Two to three times a week. Use lukewarm water and mild bathing your baby, fragrance-free baby soap, and shampoo. Only apply soap to unclean places, such as the wrinkles in the neck and diaper area, and rinse off after cleaning.

3. Change dirty diapers as soon as possible

Whenever your baby will get wet, change their diapers immediately to prevent rash.

4. Trim your baby’s nails. 

Trim your baby’s nails whenever they get sharp because long nails can cause scratches to your baby’s face and body.

5.Keep baby’s blankets, sheets, and clothing clean: 

You should maintain your baby’s sheets, and clothes clean always using fragrance-free detergents.

6.Help prevent heat rash :  

Heat rash can occur if your baby gets overheated.
To prevent heat rash, you should keep your baby’s skin cool and avoid using oil-based products. A cool bath can help relieve any itchiness and clear the rash.

You should contact your pediatrician if the rash does not improve within 3 days if the skin is still infected, or if your baby develops a fever of 100°F or higher.

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best child specialist near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best pediatric clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

If it is the first time for you then taking care of a newborn is a challenge. Ten ways are explained below that will assist you in taking care of a newborn baby:

Feeding:

Feeding your baby on time is very important. You need to feed your baby every 2 to 3 hours. For the first 6 months, an infant should be fed only breast milk. Breast milk contains essential nutrients and antibodies that are necessary for a baby’s survival and growth. Hold the breast near your baby’s lips until she latches on firmly and starts sucking. If the baby latches correctly, the mother will not feel any pain in her nipples.

How to Hold Your Newborn

While holding your newborn, it is very important to ensure that you are supporting your baby’s head and neck with one hand.

Umbilical Cord Stump Care

An important part of newborn baby care in the 1st month is caring for the umbilical cord stump. Bath your baby 2-6 hours after birth with lukewarm water. Keep your baby’s navel area clean and dry.

Diapering

Changing diapers repeatedly is a vital part while taking care of a newborn baby after delivery. If your baby is having adequate breast milk or formula, she will wet at least 6 to 8 diapers in a day, so change her diaper often, as soon as it feels full.

Bathing

Bathing a newborn is a light task. The bath is usually given 2-6 hours after birth in a healthy term baby weighing more than 2500 g. However, bathing can be delayed in specific situations like winter. In the case of low birth weight infants, bathing should be delayed until the cord has dropped off. You should start bathing your baby 2 to 3 times a week after the cord stump dries and slips off.

Massaging

Massaging is a terrific way to connect with your baby. It also helps in easing the baby to sleep and in improving blood circulation and digestion. Spread a small quantity of baby oil or lotion on your hands and gently massage her body. Keep eye contact with your baby and talk to her while massaging. A perfect time to massage the baby is before her bath.

Sleeping

Newborns need to sleep for about 16 hours a day in the first 2 months. They usually take naps that are 2 to 4 hours long and wake up if they are hungry or wet.

Trimming Nails

Newborn nails expand quickly. The baby may scratch her own face or body with her hand movements. So it is crucial to keep your baby’s nails trimmed. Trim the nails gently when the baby is asleep but make sure not to trim the nails too deeply.

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best child specialist near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best pediatric clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

Sinusitis is a kind of infection. These infections generally happen after a cold or with allergies. There are 3 types of sinusitis:

a. Short-term (acute). Short-term sinusitis means when infection lasts less than 12 weeks.

b. Long-term (chronic). These symptoms stay longer than 12 weeks.

c. Recurrent. This means the infection comes back periodically.

Causes:

Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and allergens can cause sinusitis. 

a. The common cold.

b. The flu (influenza).

c. Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria.

d. Haemophilus influenza bacteria.

e. Moraxella catarrhalis bacteria.

f. Nasal and seasonal allergies.

Symptoms:

a. Stuffy nose

b. Thick, colored drainage in the nose

c. Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drip)

d. Headache

e. Cough

f. Pain or soreness over sinuses

g. Fever

h. Loss of smell

When to Seek Medical Care?

See a doctor if your child has

a. Severe symptoms, like severe headache or facial pain.

b. Symptoms that get worse after improving.

c. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.

d. Fever longer than 3-4 days.

Treatment

Your baby’s doctor will determine if your child has a sinus infection or not by asking about symptoms and examining. Doctors do not use antibiotics for many sinus infections. Most sinus infections usually get better automatically without antibiotics. However in some severe cases doctor give antibiotics. This completely depends on the severity of symptoms.

How to Feel Better

Some ways are mentioned below to help relieve sinus pain and pressure of your child:

a. Put a warm compress over the nose and forehead to help relieve sinus pressure.

b. Use a decongestant or saline nasal spray.

c. Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower.

Ask your pediatrician about over-the-counter medicines that can help you feel better.

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best child specialist near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best pediatric clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

What is acute bronchitis in children?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the big breathing tubes, which is called bronchi, in the lungs. The illness can be acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis means that the symptoms usually develop quickly and don’t stay long. Most cases are mild.

What causes acute bronchitis in a child?

Usually acute bronchitis is caused by a viral infection. It may also be caused by bacteria or things, such as dust, allergens, strong fumes, or tobacco smoke.

In children, the virus is the most common cause of acute bronchitis. The sickness may develop after a cold or other viral infection in the nose, mouth, or throat . Such illnesses can spread easily from direct contact with a sick person 

Symptoms of acute bronchitis in a child

The most common symptoms are as follows:

a. Dry or mucus-filled cough

b. Vomiting or gagging

c. Runny nose, often before a cough starts

d. Chest congestion or pain

e. An overall body discomfort or not feeling well

f. Chills

g. Slight fever

h. Back and muscle pain

i. Wheezing

j. Sore throat

Which children are at risk for acute bronchitis?

Children having a higher chance of developing critical bronchitis are those who have:

a. Chronic sinusitis

b. Allergies

c. Asthma

d. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids

e. Exposure to secondhand smoke

f. Have other serious health conditions

When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?

Consult your child’s pediatrician if your child’s symptoms get worse or new symptoms develop like – 

a. Have a high fever

b. Can’t keep liquids down

c. Aren’t eating or drinking

d. Aren’t having wet diapers

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best child specialist near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best childcare clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is when you feed breast milk to your baby, It is also called nursing. The experts strongly recommend breastfeeding for 6 months.

Signs Your Baby is Hungry

One of the most common ways to know whether your baby is hungry is to cry. Other signs are as follows :
a. Licking their lips or sticking out their tongue
b. Moving their mouth or head to look for your breast
c. Putting their hand in their mouth
d. Opening their mouths
e. Fussiness
f. Sucking on things

Benefits of Breastfeeding for the Baby :

a. provides the ideal nutrition for infants
b. It has a perfect mixture of vitamins, protein, and fat – for your baby to grow.
c. The antibodies, released from breastmilk, help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria.
d. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of asthma or allergies
e. Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea.
f. Breastfeeding improves the immunity power of your baby.
g. If you breastfeed your baby for 6 months to 1 year, then your baby will gain proper weight.

Breastfeeding Benefits for the Mother

a. Breastfeeding burns extra calories, which helps you lose pregnancy weight faster.
b. Breastfeeding also lowers your risk of breast and ovarian cancer
c. It may lower your risk of osteoporosis.
d. The oxytocin hormone, released from breastmilk, helps your uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce uterine bleeding after birth.

How is Adenovirus Infection Treated

Three important tips, called the ABCs of breastfeeding, will help you and your baby get comfortable with the process:

a. Awareness. Watch your baby’s signs of hunger, and breastfeed whenever your baby is hungry. you may be nursing 8 to 12 times every 24 hours during the first few weeks. Hungry infants move their hands toward their mouths, make noises or mouth movements, or move toward your breast. Don’t wait for your baby to cry. That’s a sign they’re too hungry.

b. Be patient. Breastfeed as long as your baby wants to feed each time. You should not hurry your infant through feedings. Infants generally breastfeed for 10 to 20 minutes on each breast.

c. Comfort. This is key. Try to relax while breastfeeding. Get yourself comfortable while breastfeeding your baby.

You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s illness. You should observe a few Important things below to look for with adenovirus infections in your child:
a. Fever, particularly fever >104°F or fever for longer than 5 days.
b. Difficulty breathing
c. Symptoms of dehydration (less than 3 wet diapers in a 24-hour period)
d. Decreased activity and alertness
e. Poor sleep, chest pain, ear drainage

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best pediatrician near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best childcare clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

How To Safeguard Your Child From Adeno virus

Usefulness of Child Vaccination

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can cause several types of infections. Currently, there are more than 50 different adenoviruses identified. From this article you will get to know about the adeno virus and how to safeguard your child from adeno virus

How and where do adenoviruses spread?

Adenoviruses mainly spread through close contact with the infected person, respiratory droplets through the air, and contact with contaminated surfaces. They can cause infections mainly in children under 5 years old.
Children at this age generally put items into their mouths and are less used to practicing hand washing. Virus outbreaks can also occur at schools and contaminated pools.
Once a child gets exposed to adenovirus, the incubation period is generally 2 days to 2 weeks before symptoms start.

Common symptoms include 

a. fever
b. cough
c. sore throat
d. runny or stuffy nose
e. red or watery eyes
f. Chest cold
g. Pneumonia
h. Ear infection

Sometimes it can also cause stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Rarely, it can affect your nervous system, which leads to the condition of encephalitis and meningitis.

Can Adenovirus be prevented?

The best prevention of Adenovirus can be practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding close contact with sick people, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
You should try to clean and disinfect your child’s toys often. You should also advise your child to cover their mouth while coughing or sneezing. Besides this, you also observe your child so that they avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

How is Adenovirus Infection Treated

a. adenovirus infections can be treated at home with your Doctor’s advice.
b. You can take care of these while your child is recovering.
c. Make sure your child gets enough sleep
d. Get plenty of fluids

When should you consult your doctor?

You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about your child’s illness. You should observe a few Important things below to look for with adenovirus infections in your child:
a. Fever, particularly fever >104°F or fever for longer than 5 days.
b. Difficulty breathing
c. Symptoms of dehydration (less than 3 wet diapers in a 24-hour period)
d. Decreased activity and alertness
e. Poor sleep, chest pain, ear drainage

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best child specialist near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best childcare clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

Usefulness of Child Vaccination

For each & every parent, their top priority is to keep their child healthy. The best way to keep your baby healthy is to vaccinate at the proper time. Babies get a number of vaccinations according to their age. It is necessary to give all the vaccines to your baby. Some reasons are mentioned below why Vaccination is very important for your child’s healthy living. Reading this article you will get the complete idea of usefulness of child vaccination.

Saves lives:

Vaccines are highly recommended for infants because their immune systems remain very weak so they can save your child’s life. 

Prevents dreadful diseases

Vaccines also prevent terrible diseases like Polio which can lead to deformities in the child. These diseases can lead to paralysis, elimination of limbs, hospitalization, and also death.

Saves money:

The diseases, preventable by vaccines, are more serious. It is always better to get vaccinated before and prevent these diseases.

Vaccines are safe

All the vaccines are safe for your child. You do not need to worry about the side effects of the vaccine.

Eradicating diseases:

Vaccinations protect you as well as others. It may be a possibility that some of the diseases would no longer be seen in the future due to the vaccination process. The diseases would get suppressed.

Vaccines help in the long run:

When a baby gets vaccinated, his/her immune system becomes stronger and the child does not get ill easily. If not vaccinated, the child’s immunity power becomes weak and the diseases would effect easily on your child.

Protects others as well:

Young babies, who do not get the vaccine, get affected by the diseases like measles which can spread to their siblings or to the older people in the family. So, not giving a vaccine to your baby can affect the whole family. This repetition of diseases can lead to deadly consequences. So, Getting your infant vaccinated not only keeps safe your family but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases.

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, the best child specialist near me in Newtown Kolkata at Child & Wellness Care for the best childcare clinic in Newtown Kolkata.

Loss of Child’s Appetite

A loss of appetite in children causes worry in most parents. But, it is very much common in children. Thus, you should consult a child specialist if you notice your child losing appetite a little too often.

When Should You Worry?

If your child has normal weight and height (for their age), then there is no reason to worry but if your child is older and the loss of appetite is often, accompanied by weight loss, then you may consult a child specialist to identify the cause and correct it.

Reasons For Loss Of Appetite In Children

This stage of life, it’s almost all about breast milk. Breast milk will provide every nutrient a baby needs for the first year of life.

Slow growth rate

Changes in growth can affect the appetite in children. If any child’s growth rate is very slow then that child might need less food.

Illness 

If your child suffers from fever or any other illness then he/she may not feel much hunger.

Stress

Arguments with parents, fighting with siblings, or any unfortunate incidents like the death of the nearest one may affect your child’s appetite.

Depression

Depression also affects your child’s appetite.

Prescription Drugs

If your child is having any antibiotics or other drugs then also your child may feel a loss of appetite.

Constipation

Constipation is also another factor that affects your child’s appetite.

Lack of Exercise

If your child does not do physical activities much then also your child may feel a loss of appetite.

Anaemia

Anaemia is also another reason for the loss of appetite of your child.

Intestinal Worms

Intestinal Worms are the most important reason for your child’s loss of appetite.

Tips to improve child’s appetite

The essential tips to improve child’s appetite are listed below

Give Many Small Meals

If your child can not eat much at a time then split the heavy meal into 2-3 small meals.

Change The Meal

Include vitamin-B-rich fortified foods and iron, zinc, folic acid, and other nutrients riched food in your diet.

Breakfast

A healthy breakfast is very important for your child.

Get your child physically active

Physical activity is very important for your child. It helps to improve your child’s appetite.

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If your child is facing this type of condition, then you can connect with a qualified child specialist like Dr. Sovana Hoque, best pediatrician in Kolkata