Breastfeeding/
Formula feedingFoodCommon Health Issues
Nappy rash, Teething, Scratches, Colic, Reflux.
Although this is a very broad subject we felt it was necessary to list a few common ailments that some babies may get. We must point out that this is not medical advice & should not be taken as such. We aren't responsible for your children...you are :) But if your after tried & true solutions for nappy rash then you've come to the place where you will find this & other suggestions.
Nappy Rash - I thought we may as well start with this one seeing as though it is a very common one. Before putting anything on nappy rash, I'd try giving your baby some regular nappy free time...or as we call it in our household "Free Willy Time". If you breast feed, put some expressed milk on it & let air dry. Try some of our recipes for homemade baby wipes & add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil or Eucalyptus Oil . There are also many creams on the market that are safe for baby to use. If rash is severe, you know what to do...go to your Child Health Centre or doctor's surgery.Teething - Not exactly what some would class as an issue, but it can certainly make for a very upset baby. If your baby appears to be experiencing pain as the teeth are coming through, try the good old, cool teething ring or cool wet face washer from the fridge. It is recommended that you do not use these from the freezer, because the extreme cold can damage their delicate new skin & gums. I found that my son received comfort from teething rusks. The rusks also help promote chewing & biting which is great jaw exercise & to learn the fine art of chewing their food! They can be stored in the fridge so they are nice & cool for babies gums.
Scratches - Sometimes their nails can grow so fast that we don't always get a chance to clip them before they can hand out some pretty decent damage to themselves...or to us, especially if they are going through the 'grabbing your face & pulling it' stage. The greatest solution to this (& just about everything else) is breast milk! It's nature's iodine! Doesn't matter if it gets in their eyes or if they wipe it off & stick their hand in their mouths! Although, if you don't breast feed or have weaned off, there are some great lotions available from the chemists that are lanolin based & safe for baby. Speak to your chemist about what ones they recommend. Also, Pawpaw ointment is another popular choice to use on babies & children. Babies nails can be clipped from birth. Sometimes it is easier to gently nibble your babies nails down, rather than struggle with them and clippers.
Colic - Another common condition in babies. Sharp abdominal pains & cramps that are usually worse in the afternoon & evening. Colicky babies pull their knees up or stretch them out. The cause of all this is due to a still developing digestive system This can be quite painful for them, & although it usually subsides around the 4 - 5mths, it is hard to see your baby crying in so much pain. There are a few natural remedies on the market, such as Gripe Water (I'm sure a lot of us remember that one!) and Infant's Friend. Gripe Water no longer contains alcohol. A few home remedies are a teaspoon of warm water, & soft rubbing on their backs. Try to go in an anti-clockwise direction if your baby is on your lap facing away from you, the reason for this is because of the way our large intestines flow, and we don't want it going backwards. This isn't a huge issue, but it is handy information to know. It isn't highly recommended to pat babies that suffer from colic on the back, because the patting action can break up air bubble into more air bubbles & make the problem worse. I shudder when I see some mother's banging away on their babies backs! The size to 'thump' ratio doesn't work out that well for the baby if your "patting" can be heard in the next room. A great way to do it if you choose to pat, is to keep the heal of your hand on the babies back & just lift your fingers and palm of your hand.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should take a look at your diet. Some foods can irritate the condition, for example, caffeine, peas, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, oranges, orange juice, spicy foods(not that it is a good idea to have very spicy foods while breastfeeding anyway), alcohol (another one to be avoided or to be consumed at a bare minimum), capsicum (known as peppers in some parts of the world), onions, garlic, stone fruits such as peaches, cherries & dairy products. If you consume a number of these listed, you could try avoiding them one at a time to see if the condition eases. That way you can find the culprits. After about 10mins of feeding, take the baby off & burp them. If bottle feeding, try using a teat with a small hole for a young baby & try one with a bigger hole for an older baby. There are a lot of anti-colic bottles and teats on the market you may like to try. I have used the Heinz Baby Basics ones that are curved & have big teats for my baby who suffered from colic & found these helped. Try placing your baby facing down over your lap with a rolled up towel under their bellies, sometimes this pressure can help relieve the pain. You may also choose to rub their backs in an anticlockwise direction while they are in this position.
Colicky babies tend to want to feed more often than non-colicky babies. Mostly this is just comfort sucking, and if your breastfeeding, it can be quite demanding on your time. This I know from personal experience. If your baby is a comfort sucker, perhaps they will find comfort in the use of a dummy. These come in all different sizes to suit the age of the baby. Clean the dummy regularly by rubbing with salt & rinsing well or sitting it in a bowl of hot water. Try not to clean a dropped dummy by sticking in your mouth. This will only transfer more germs onto the dummy.
Reflux - Reflux is caused when the top muscle, or valve, at the top of the stomach is immature, permitting the feeds to come back up. Usually, as the child develops, the muscle becomes stronger, and the reflux improves. There are a few different things you can do to help reduce it's severity. Burp your baby often to reduce the amount of air trapped in the stomach. Give them smaller feeds, to avoid over eating & try to avoid excessive activities (like running around) after each feed. Also try not to put any pressure on their bellies after eating. Dummies are said to also help.
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TeethingThe information contained in the pages of Aradiia.com are a guide only & are not designed to replace medical advice. For any medical advice, see your local Child Health Clinic or doctor