Palak Vyas

The best guideline is this simple one: Dress your newborn in the same number of layers you’re wearing yourself, plus one. For winters:<ul><li>Think layers. It’s always best to layer baby’s clothing, which traps heat between the layers. Thin cotton clothes work well, maybe a long sleeved shirt and pants or even a snowsuit if your little one is going to be in very cold temps. Cover up. Make sure that your baby is completely covered from head-to-toe. Make sure you have gloves, a woollen cap, thick socks and snow boots handy in times of the need.</li><li>Don’t forget blankets outside. If you’re headed out in the stroller, his plus-one layer can be a blanket and/or his stroller’s rain cover, which will keep out the elements and keep in some heat.</li><li>Beware of overheating. Babies dressed in too many layers (of blankets or clothing) are at greater risk for overheating and SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). If you’ve been out, remove your baby’s winter clothes as soon as you come inside (yes, even if (s)he is asleep!).</li></ul> For warmer weather dress your baby accordingly:<ul><li>Reduce the number of layers: When the sun is out and temperature is warm, use lighter fabrics that are breathable. Allowing your baby’s body to breathe and not get too hot.</li><li>Choose Quality Fabrics: Focus on purchasing quality fabrics that are less likely to irritate your baby’ skin. Cotton is usually the recommended fabric because it allows the baby’s skin to breathe easily.</li><li>Choose Loose clothing: Always opt for loose fitted clothing that will allow your baby’s skin to breathe. It has been found that tight fitting clothes don’t give ample space for your little ones sensitive skin to breathe. They are more likely to break out in a rash because of overheating.</li><li>When shopping take note of the tags and what the material of your baby’s clothing is made of.</li></ul>

Dress your baby in a way that (s)he remains cheery all the time.

Weather and clothing

Samiksha Choithani

Thumb sucking is normal among children under the age group of 2-4 years. It is comfortable and soothing for children. But, the habit can create a problem in jaws and affect a child’s speech. Here is how you can stop the habit of Thumb sucking: a) Begin with bed time, try to limit the time that your child sucks thumb on bed. If the child sucks for few hours try to reduce it to an hour or few minutes.b) Do not get angry and point every time the child sucks thumb, instead praise the child when (s)he is not sucking the thumbc) Identify the cause, If your child sucks thumb when in stress, identify the real issue and provide comfort in other ways — such as giving a comforting hug or positive wordsd) Do note scold or criticise or compare your child’s habits with other children instead just give gentle reminders.For some children it is too difficult to give up, do not worry about it.Too much pressure on child can delay the process.&nbsp;

A regular habit or not, thumb sucking can cause problems in a child's speech.

Dealing with Thumb sucking habit

Ravina Sewani

When an insect flies into your child’s ear, it is possible that it might die while inside the ear. But it’s also possible that the bug might remain alive and try to burrow its way outside of your ear. This can be painful, irritating, and worrisome. If the insect is alive, the buzzing and movement of the insect is loud and painful. The insect inside the ear causes:<ul><li>Inflammation</li><li>Irritation</li><li>Bleeding</li><li>Infection</li><li>Redness</li><li>Swelling</li><li>Discharge from the ear, including blood or pus</li><li>Damage to the eardrum</li><li>Hearing loss</li></ul>Apart from insects or flies, babies and young children are known to put small objects in their ears like candy and beans. Treatment:<ul><li>If an insect has entered your child’s ear and if it is alive, kill it before you try to remove it. To kill the insect, put a few drops of warm (not hot) baby oil or vegetable oil in the ear. Tilt and gently shake your child’s head to dislodge the bug. Remember to not use this method for anything other than an insect, and don't use it if your child is in pain, the ear is bleeding, or if (s)he has tubes in his ear.</li><li>Using a cotton swab or other probing object can push the insect farther into the ear and potentially damage the middle ear or eardrum. So, never use those.</li><li>If the insect is dead, you might be able to remove it by flushing it out of the ear by using water and a syringe.</li><li>If you are worried that you cannot do this on your own, immediately rush to the nearest doctor or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist.</li><li>The doctor will use an otoscope to peer within the ear and determine if it is an insect or not. They may use tweezers to grab the insect and remove it from the ear. Alternatively, they may use gentle suction or flush the ear canal with warm water and a catheter. Children may need to be sedated during this process.</li><li>Your doctor might also prescribe antibiotics if there’s severe damage done to the ear canal of your child.</li></ul>

Apart from insects or flies, babies and young children are known to put small objects in their ears like candy and beans.

Insect flying into child's ear

Acrophobia is the fear of heights that can cause anxiety and panic among children. Causes:<ul><li>Acrophobia is sometimes developed due to a traumatic experience in early years of a child’s life. Like falling from a great height, or closely watching someone from high place.</li><li>Acrophobia, can also develop without a known cause. In these cases, genetics or environmental factors may play a role.</li></ul> Physical symptoms:<ul><li>Increased sweating</li><li>Chest pain or tightness</li><li>Increased heartbeat</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Headache</li><li>Shaking and trembling</li><li>Feeling dizzy</li><li>Numbness</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Upset stomach</li></ul> Psychological symptoms:<ul><li>Experiencing panic when the child sees high places</li><li>Child experiencing extreme fear of being trapped somewhere high up</li><li>Experiencing extreme anxiety and fear when the child has to climb stairs, look out a window, or drive along an overpass</li><li>Worrying excessively about encountering heights in the future</li></ul> Diagnosis:<ul><li>A mental health expert can diagnose phobia; keep a regular track of your child’s behaviour/health in particular situations and with objects.</li><li>Phobia diagnosis is based on diagnostic guidelines and a thorough clinical interview. If you feel that your child has a phobia, take him/her to a healthcare expert. Your child's doctor will either ask you or your child about the symptoms. The doctor might also take a medical, psychiatric, and family history.</li><li>Your child's doctor might also use the diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).</li></ul> Treatment:<ul><li>Exposure therapy: In this type of therapy, your child will work with a therapist to slowly expose himself/herself to what (s)he is afraid of. For acrophobia, your child might start by looking at the pictures from the point of view of someone inside a tall building. The therapist might make your child watch video clips of people crossing tightropes, climbing, or crossing narrow bridges. Eventually, your child will progress and might go out onto a balcony or use a stepladder.</li><li>Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): In CBT, you child will work with a therapist to challenge and reframe negative thoughts about heights. This approach may still include a bit of exposure to heights, but this is generally only done within the safe setting of a therapy session.</li><li>Virtual reality (VR): It is a treatment where your child will be exposed to computer simulations of heights. Getting the experience of a heighted place in the virtual world can help your child get over his/her fear in a setting that feels safe.</li><li>Modelling: In this method, the child sees other person facing the situation without fear and panic.</li><li>Medicines like tranquillisers and antidepressants (prescribed by a doctor) can be helpful along with the above treatments.</li></ul>

Acrophobia is the fear of heights that can cause anxiety and panic among children.

Acrophobia - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

Parenting is indeed a tough job and we always thrive to learn skills that can make us a better parent. Parenting is a natural relationship that goes stronger with every passing day with your child. While we may ensure we do not commit any mistakes that can hurt our child, here are some of them we should totally avoid: <ol><li>Neglecting child: Hectic work schedules and domestic responsibilities may keep us busy but avoiding our children will make them feel disinterested in society and people around them. Remember, giving them a substitute (games or smart phones) is not the solution; a child feels happy and empowered only with a parent’s attention.</li><li>Disrespecting the child: Never insult them; they are too young and tend to make many mistakes. Even if the mistake is in front of guests or a large crowd, it is always better to explain it to the child when alone. Shaming will undermine a child’s confidence.</li><li>Comparing hurts: Although it may not be intentional, comparison will lead to jealousy. Also it lowers the self confidence. The child starts liking himself/herself lesser. Hence, avoid comparing your child’s behaviour or work with their friends or siblings.</li><li>Fighting in front of children: Research shows that children who grow up observing their parents fight at home are more likely to bully others. It is difficult to avoid arguments but make sure the disagreements do not turn into a fight (in front of children). One of the parents can decide to discuss it when the child is asleep or is in school.</li><li>Protecting your child more than required: Let them face situations and experience difficulties in solving problems. It is difficult to resist but try it, the child will be independent and will avoid making same the mistakes again. Do not solve problems for your child on a regular basis.</li><li>Scolding the child excessively: If you constantly scold your child for their mistakes, (s)he might either go completely silent or will behave recklessly in the future. Try to understand their viewpoint and let them know that it’s only human to make any mistakes and that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them.</li><li>Disciplining the child in front of everyone: If you keep on scolding/yelling at your child to be disciplined in front of others, it scraps them off of their self-confidence.</li><li>Not showing affection.</li><li>Lack of support.</li><li>Not praising them for their achievements.</li><li>Not talking about their feelings.</li><li>Not giving them a choice.</li><li>Not spending time.</li><li>Lack of trust.</li><li>Hitting your child.</li><li>Threaten to leave your kids behind.</li><li>Lie to your child.</li></ol> These are very basic pointers but parents unintentionally tend to overlook them. From time to time, take a break and reflect on your parenting and you will be good to go.

Parenting is indeed a tough job and we always thrive to learn skills that can make us a better parent.

Avoiding Negative Parenting Practices

Fatherhood is a biological and an emotional sea of changes. Starting a few months before childbirth, testosterone levels lower as prolactin, vasopressin and other hormones increase rewiring a man’s brain to prepare him for fatherhood. Entire area of man’s brain grows and develops in response to hormonal changes in the first year of a child's life, which allows him to care for a newborn. There is an increased sensitivity to crying, a deeper capacity to bond emotionally and a greater responsiveness to another’s needs. Men and women can experience depression very differently. Symptoms which might indicate poor mental health of a father:<ol><li>Increased anger and conflict with others</li><li>Increased use of alcohol</li><li>Frustration or irritability</li><li>Violent behaviour</li><li>Significant weight gain or loss</li><li>Isolation from family and friends</li><li>Being easily stressed</li><li>Increase in complaints about physical problems, like headaches, digestion problems, fatigue</li><li>Problems with concentration or motivation</li><li>Loss of interest in work, hobbies and/or sex</li><li>Working constantly</li><li>Self doubt</li></ol> Some of the factors that can contribute to depression in new or soon-to-be fathers include:<ol><li>Personal history of depression</li><li>Family history of depression</li><li>Worries about being a parent</li><li>Feeling overwhelmed with expectations in your role at work and your role as a father</li><li>Financial problems</li><li>Lack of social and/or emotional support</li><li>Stress in relationship with family or spouse</li><li>Missing attention and/or sex from partner</li><li>Lack of sleep after the baby is born</li><li>Feeling excluded from the bond between mother and baby</li></ol> Diagnosis:Your mental healthcare professional will ask you to fill up a depression-screening questionnaire to confirm whether you have depression or not. Following are a few ways which you can follow to take care of your stress and emotions:<ol><li>Work on building stronger bond between you and your partner. Understand her needs and desires and talk about your own too. Feel free to express in front of your partner or family or friends.</li><li>Develop a support team from your family. Ask for help. Say YES when they offer.</li><li>Take time for yourself. Have some “me-time” either watching TV, going for a movie or taking a short break from work and spending time doing things you like.</li><li>Talk to other families who have experienced the same.</li><li>Spend time with your baby to develop your own confidence.</li></ol> Treatment:<ul><li>Talk Therapy: PPD is a severe form of clinical depression. Your psychiatrist might suggest you to see a counsellor who will ask you questions about your life. It is important that you answer them honestly. These sessions will help you gain a different and healthier perspective about things. Therapy is different and personalised for everyone but these are a few topics which you might touch in your sessions: your feelings, your beliefs, your behaviour, your life pre and post birth. There are 2 types of talk therapy:</li></ul><ol><li>Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: You and your counselor work together to identify, then change, thoughts and behaviors that are harmful to your mental health.</li><li>Interpersonal therapy: Your therapist helps you better understand how you behave in your relationships and how to work through any problems.</li></ol> <ul><li>Medication: Antidepressants are drugs designed to treat depression, including postpartum depression. They work on different chemicals in your brain.</li><li>Self-care: Get more sleep and exercise, eat healthy foods, do fun activities and relax. Doing these things can help to boost your mood.</li></ul>

A parent's mental health is of the top most priority when it comes to parenting. A healthy mental space leads to a happy and healthy bond between a parent and a child.

Postpartum Depression in Fathers

Children have a more delicate skin than adults so burns and scalds affect them severely. Burns and scalds are not the same. Burns are caused by dry heat, for example, by an iron or fire. Scalds, on the other hand, are caused by wet heat, for example, hot water or steam. Burns and scalds cause:<ul><li>Red or peeling skin</li><li>Blisters</li><li>Swelling</li><li>White or charred skin&nbsp;</li></ul> Burns are of 3 levels - first, second, and third degree burns:<ul><li>First degree burns are mild causing pain and reddening of the skin. Second degree burns cause redness, swelling, pain, and blistering. Third degree burns cause white, blackened, or charred skin that may be numb.</li><li>First degree burns can be treated at home. Second and third degree burns need medical attention immediately.</li></ul> A few things to keep in mind before treating burns at home:<ul><li>If the source of the burn is electrical, do not touch your child. First turn off the switch.</li><li>If the source of the burn is anything hot or due to any chemical, remove the agent and run cool water over the burn.</li><li>If your child's clothing is on fire, make them stop running, cover their face, drop them to the floor, and extinguish the fire with a blanket. If your child is old enough to understand instructions, ask them to stop walking/running, cover their face with their hands, drop to the floor, and roll on the floor to put the fire out.</li></ul> Treating burns and scalds at home:<ul><li>Soak the burn in cool (not cold) water for at least 15 minutes. Do not use ice.</li><li>If there is any clothing attached with the burn, do not peel it. Cut the extra clothing around it.</li><li>Cover the burn using a clean cloth or an antibiotic ointment.</li><li>Do not pop any blisters.</li><li>If your child is experiencing pain, ask your child's paediatrician to prescribe medication for the pain.</li></ul> Preventing burns:<ul><li>Kids are curious by nature so it is up to parents to take proper precautions which will prevent injuries from burns and scalds. Here are a few things to keep in mind:</li><li>Keep the water temperature for bathing young children between 37 to 38 C.</li><li>Do not leave kids unsupervised in the bathroom or kitchen.</li><li>Keep hot drinks and handles out of reach of children.</li><li>Never carry hot things when holding children.</li></ul> Call the doctor if:<ul><li>The burned area is charred or white.</li><li>Electric shock or chemicals caused the burn.</li><li>The burn is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or a joint.</li><li>The burn covers 10% or more of the body.</li></ul>

Children have a more delicate skin than adults so burns and scalds affect them severely.

Burns and Scalds

It is not very uncommon for mothers to feel depressed after childbirth. This is called 'Postpartum Depression' (PPD).Childbirth is often followed by a jumble of powerful emotions, from excitement and fear to anxiety and difficulty in making decisions. Most new mums experience “baby blues” which include mood swings, crying spells, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. But some moms experience a more severe form of depression known as postpartum depression (PPD).&nbsp;While baby blues are short-term, postpartum depression can be long-lasting and can severely affect a woman’s ability to care for herself or for her family. Some of the common symptoms a woman experience during PPD may vary, and they can range from mild to severe:<ul><li>Feeling sad, empty, and hopeless</li><li>Excessive crying</li><li>Difficulty bonding with your partner or baby</li><li>Withdrawing from social life</li><li>Loss of appetite or eating too much</li><li>Not being able to take care of yourself or the baby</li><li>Inability to sleep (insomnia) or oversleeping</li><li>Having trouble concentrating or make decisions</li><li>Frequent headaches</li><li>Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy</li><li>Intense irritability and anger</li><li>Thoughts of harming your baby</li><li>Suicidal thoughts</li><li>Doubting that you're not a good mother</li><li>Feelings of guilt and worthlessness</li><li>Restlessness</li><li>Severe anxiety and panic attacks</li></ul> Reasons of PPD in women:<ul><li>physical changes of pregnancy</li><li>excessive worry about the baby and the responsibilities of being a parent</li><li>a complicated labour and childbirth</li><li>lack of family support</li><li>financial difficulties</li><li>loneliness, not having close friends and family around</li><li>a history of mental health problems</li><li>hormonal changes, due to a sudden and severe drop in oestrogen and progesterone levels following birth</li><li>changes to the sleep cycle</li></ul> Diagnosis:Your mental healthcare provider will ask you to fill up a depression-screening questionnaire to confirm whether you have depression or not. Following are a few ways which you can follow to take care of your stress and emotions:<ol><li>Work on building stronger bond between you and your partner. Understand her needs and desires and talk about your own too. Feel free to express in front of your partner or family or friends.</li><li>Develop a support team from your family. Ask for help. Say YES when they offer.</li><li>Take time for yourself. Have some “me-time” either watching TV, going for a movie or taking a short break from work and spending time doing things you like.</li><li>Talk to other families who have experienced the same.</li><li>Spend time with your baby to develop your own confidence.</li></ol> Treatment:<ul><li>Talk Therapy: PPD is a severe form of clinical depression. Your psychiatrist might suggest you to see a counsellor who will ask you questions about your life. It is important that you answer them honestly. These sessions will help you gain a different and healthier perspective about things. Therapy is different and personalised for everyone but these are a few topics which you might touch in your sessions: your feelings, your beliefs, your behaviour, your life pre and post birth. There are 2 types of talk therapy:</li></ul><ol><li>Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: You and your counselor work together to identify, then change, thoughts and behaviors that are harmful to your mental health.</li><li>Interpersonal therapy: Your therapist helps you better understand how you behave in your relationships and how to work through any problems.</li></ol> <ul><li>Medicine: Antidepressants are drugs designed to treat depression, including postpartum depression. They work on different chemicals in your brain.</li><li>Self-care: Get more sleep and exercise, eat healthy foods, do fun activities and relax. Doing these things can help to boost your mood.</li></ul>

Postpartum Depression in Mothers

When your child suddenly has blood running down from their nose, it can be startling. While nosebleeds in children seem dramatic, they’re not usually serious.&nbsp;Nosebleed is caused by the rupturing of tiny blood vessels inside the nose, known as capillaries. There are a few common culprits behind a child’s bloody nose:<ul><li>Dry air: Dry air irritates and dehydrates nasal membranes.</li><li>Scratching or picking: Irritating the nose by scratching or picking can expose blood vessels that are prone to bleeding.</li><li>Trauma: When a child gets an injury to the nose, it can start a nosebleed. Most aren’t a problem, but you should seek medical care if you’re unable to stop the bleeding after 10 minutes.</li><li>Cold, allergies, or sinus infection: Any illness that includes symptoms of nasal congestion and irritation can cause nosebleeds.</li><li>Bacterial infection: Bacterial infections can cause sore, red areas on the skin inside the nose and in the front of the nostrils. These infections can lead to bleeding.</li><li>In rare cases, frequent nosebleeds are caused by problems relating to blood clotting or abnormal blood vessels. If your child experiences nosebleeds that aren’t related to the causes above, raise your concerns with your child’s doctor.</li></ul> Treatment:Make your child sit on a chair. Follow these steps to stop a nosebleed:<ul><li>Keep them upright and gently tilt their head forward slightly. Leaning their head back could cause blood to run down their throat. It will taste bad, and it can make your child cough, gag, or even vomit.</li><li>Pinch the soft part of the nose below the nasal bridge. Have your child breathe through their mouth while you do this.</li><li>Try to maintain pressure for about 10 minutes.</li><li>You can also apply ice to the bridge of the nose, which may reduce blood flow.</li><li>Make your child rest or play quietly after a nosebleed. Encourage them to avoid blowing their nose or rubbing it too hard. Knowing how to slow and stop a nosebleed is a useful skill for any parent.</li></ul> Treating frequent nosebleeds:While some children will only have one or two nosebleeds over a span of years, others seem to get them much more frequently. This can happen when the lining of the nose becomes overly irritated, exposing blood vessels that bleed at even the smallest instigation. If your child has frequent nosebleeds, make a point to moisturise the lining of the nose. For moisturising the lining of the nose, consult your child’s doctor. You child’s doctor may recommend using:<ul><li>A nasal saline mist sprayed into the nostrils a few times a day</li><li>Rubbing an emollient like Vaseline just inside the nostrils on a cotton bud or finger</li><li>A vaporiser in your child’s bedroom to add moisture to the air</li></ul> Call your doctor if:<ul><li>Your child’s nosebleed is the result of something they inserted into their nose</li><li>They recently started taking new medicine</li><li>They have severe bruising all over their body</li><li>You should also contact your doctor immediately if your child’s nosebleed is still bleeding heavily after two attempts at 10 minutes of continuous pressure. You’ll likely need to seek medical care if your child is complaining of headache, or feeling weak or dizzy.</li></ul> Prevention:<ul><li>Since most nosebleeds in kids are caused by nose-picking or irritation from hot dry air, using a few simple tips may help your kids avoid them:</li><li>Keep your child's nails short.</li><li>Keep the inside of your child's nose moist.</li><li>Make sure your kids wear protective gear during sports.</li></ul>

When your child suddenly has blood running down from their nose, it can be startling. While nosebleeds in children seem dramatic, they’re not usually serious.

biting nail parenting concerns

Parenting issues are a part of the everyday parenting journey. Following article(s) might help you with your concern(s).