Palak Vyas

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is also known as cot/crib death. As per the name, it is a sudden unexplained death of a child under 1 year of age with no explainable reasons after a thorough biopsy. SIDS is more likely to occur between 2 to 4 months of infants. SIDS is more prevalent in boys. Most SIDS deaths occur in the winter. Causes: The cause of SIDS is unknown. Researchers believe that low levels of oxygen or a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood might be the reason behind SIDS. When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe exhaled carbon dioxide and so the CO2 levels rise in the blood. Risk factors of SIDS:<ul><li>Sleeping on the stomach.</li><li>Being around cigarette smoke while in the womb or after being born.</li><li>Soft bedding in the crib.</li><li>Multiple birth babies (being a twin, triplet, etc.).</li><li>Premature birth.</li><li>Having a brother or sister who had SIDS.</li><li>Mothers who smoke or use illegal drugs.</li><li>Being born to a teen mother.</li><li>Short time period between pregnancies.</li><li>Late or no prenatal care.</li></ul> Diagnosis: A baby is determined to have died from SIDS if no cause of death can be identified. Treatment: There is no treatment available for SIDS as of yet. Preventive measures:<ul><li>Put your baby to sleep on his back.</li><li>See that you don’t put extra pillows, blankets or bumper pads in the bed with the baby.</li><li>See the baby doesn’t get too hot.</li><li>Always use a firm sleep surface for baby’s the bed.</li><li>Keep your baby away from smoke and smokers.</li><li>Use of pacifiers reduces risk of SIDS, although the reason is unclear.</li></ul>

Here are SIDS Causes, Risk factors, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

All about Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Prachi Shah

Children tend to get fussy while eating food because either they are not hungry or because they are irritated with something else. Follow these to keep your cool and to prevent this from becoming a habit: <ul><li>Remove the food without making or passing a judgement. Do not scold your child. Offer the same food at the next meal or snack time.&nbsp;</li><li>Keep your attitude friendly and relaxed. This will help your child to understand that eating is a pleasurable way to satisfy hunger rather than a battleground.</li><li>Small helpings of food may be better accepted by your child. Second helpings can then be offered if appropriate.</li><li>Do not try to bribe children to eat food they do not want with the reward of a pudding or sweet snack.&nbsp;This will only make matters worse.</li><li>It may be useful to adopt the approach that a food refused is ‘not liked today’. If a food is refused, try it again a few days later. Changing the way a food is given, may make it more acceptable.</li><li>Consider possible reasons for the food refusal, such as drinking continually throughout the day, or frequent large snacks between meals, as both of these can reduce the appetite for main meals.</li><li>Never force a child to eat. Your child will gradually learn to eat.</li><li>Make sure the child eats with the entire family.</li></ul>

You can gradually make your fussy eater child accustomed with all kinds of food.

Fussy eaters and giving food to them

Ravina Sewani

Milk allergy, also known as Cow Milk’s Protein Allergy (CMPA) is an immune response triggered against the proteins present in the milk which the body perceives as a threat and mounts a reaction.Even though milk allergy is one of the top food allergies, your little one is less likely to develop a severe reaction. Symptoms:<ul><li>Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing or dry cough</li><li>Eczema (a dry, itchy rash) or hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)</li><li>Redness of the skin around the mouth or eyes</li><li>Itchy mouth, ear canal or lip swelling, odd taste in the mouth</li><li>Nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain</li><li>Severe reactions include loss of consciousness, chest pain, turning pale, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or anaphylaxis.</li></ul> Diagnosis:<ul><li>Always get your child diagnosed by a healthcare expert and never on your own. Never self-assume that your child has peanut allergy. Commercial home test kits for self-diagnosis are not recommended as they may not be of the required standards.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician may recommend that your child undertake tests like skin prick test, blood test or food/drug challenge. It is important that these tests are performed under medical supervision as these tests might trigger an allergic reaction. Along with these tests, your child’s paediatrician will also examine your child's medical/family history, existing conditions like asthma and eczema.</li></ul> Cow Milk Protein Allergy can be present in two forms:Breast-fed children can develop CMPA before they turn 6 months, and rarely after they are a year old. Most children either outgrow this allergy and some learn to tolerate this. Children with eczema, asthma or hay fever have a higher likelihood of developing CMPA. Children develop CMPA due to one of these reasons – formula milk containing cow milk’s proteins, breastfeeding mother consuming cow milk, or a child consuming cow milk. Cow milk's allergy can be present in two forms:<ul><li>An 'immediate response' from minutes to hours and a 'delayed' type onset over hours to days. The “delayed” type is more common in children.</li><li>Fortunately, most children outgrow cow milk’s allergy in their early childhood.</li><li>Keep in mind that well-boiled or heated milk does not alter the structure of CMP or make it any less allergic.</li></ul> To alleviate CMPA, breastfeeding mother should cut off products containing CMP from her diet until the child is weaned off from breastfeeding completely. For formula milk, your child’s doctor may prescribe hydrolysed formula that breaks the proteins.Majority of the children with CMPA can tolerate baked food due to the process of different ingredients binding together. A doctor may advise you to introduce baked-milk under medical supervision to improve your child's CMPA. If your child is able to tolerate it, a 'milk ladder' may then be recommended. A milk ladder is a structured approach to reintroduce milk protein products and is tailor-made for each child. Please make sure to inform your child's school, caregivers, or places frequently visited by your child's milk allergy and the possible alternatives in the diet. Milk allergy and lactose intolerance:<ul><li>Milk allergy is completely different from milk intolerance.</li><li>Milk (lactose) intolerance triggers abdominal symptoms like diarrhoea, gas, or cramps due to the absence/deficiency of an enzyme called Lactase that helps in digestion of milk sugar called 'Lactose'. Lactose intolerance can occur at any age but more commonly seen in babies and young children following infections, medications, or inflammatory bowel conditions.</li></ul> Alternative to cow’s milk:<ul><li>Consult your child’s paediatrician before selecting any alternative of milk for your child.</li><li>Milk from other mammals like sheep, goats, buffalo may also cause allergic reactions as they share similar proteins with cow's milk at varying levels.</li><li>Amino Acid-based Formulas (AAF) are recommended for children with a severe sensitivity to milk proteins.</li><li>It is not recommended to give other types of milk like rice milk, almond milk, soy milk to babies as it is not safe to use in children during weaning period.</li><li>Formula based on soy proteins may be advised for infants over 6 months of age.</li></ul> Foods to avoid:<ul><li>If your child has CMPA, it is recommended to avoid milk proteins. As milk proteins may be found in the following food/food products, you must identify the variants too.</li><li>Dairy products like yogurt or curd, pudding, cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream, custard, butter, ghee, whey, etc.</li><li>Certain food or drugs containing casein or its variants, lactose, lactulose, lactalbumin, lactoalbumin phosphate, lactaglobulin, lactoferrin also have cow's milk proteins.</li></ul> Other potential sources are:<ul><li>Chocolate, candies, nougat</li><li>Ice creams</li><li>Bakery products</li><li>Some medications/supplements</li><li>Artificial butter flavour</li></ul> Cow milk’s ladder:<ul><li>Milk Ladder is a guide to gradually introduce cow milk proteins in children who have milk allergy. This is basically a reintroduction.</li><li>The first step of the ladder is to introduce baked products, progressing to less-treated milk products. It ends with a more allergenic form of cow's milk protein.</li><li>It is observed that few children can tolerate baked or well-heated milk.</li><li>The milk ladder may have eggs, soy or wheat. If your child is allergic to any other food, it is advisable to consult your child’s paediatrician for alternate options.</li></ul>

Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies.

Milk allergy

Allergy to soy is developed due to the trigger of immune response against the soy proteins which the body considers as threat.Allergic reactions to soy are usually mild and the anaphylactic reaction from soy is very rare.Studies also show that many children outgrow soy allergy in later life but it is better to stay careful. Symptoms:<ul><li>Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing or dry cough</li><li>Eczema (a dry, itchy rash) or hives (reddish, swollen, itchy areas on the skin)</li><li>Redness of the skin around the mouth or eyes</li><li>Itchy mouth, ear canal or lip swelling, odd taste in the mouth</li><li>Nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or stomach pain</li><li>Severe reactions include loss of consciousness, chest pain, turning pale, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or anaphylaxis.</li></ul> Diagnosis:Get your child diagnosed by a doctor. The doctor might examine your child’s medical history as well your family history. The doctor might also suggest one of the tests - skin prick test, blood tests or an Oral Food Challenge to confirm whether your child has an allergy to soy or not. Precautions and treatments:<ul><li>Develop a habit of reading the food labels for ingredients and allergy information.</li><li>Teach your child to mention about the allergy whenever he/she goes to visit someone.</li><li>Inform your child’s school about your child’s allergy to soy. You can also give the medicines prescribed by your doctor to the school which they can use in case of sudden allergic reactions.</li><li>Be careful about the possibility of cross-contact; especially when visiting a restaurant.</li><li>Your child’s paediatrician might prescribe antihistamine medicines to fight against allergic reactions due to soy. Always give medications for allergy under proper guidance of the doctor.</li><li>Always keep the allergy medication handy for your child.</li></ul> Foods to avoid in case of soy allergy:<ul><li>Cold-pressed, expelled or extruded soy oil, Natto, Soy cheese, Soy milk, Soy yogurt, Soy sauce, Tofu</li><li>Some of the formula milk contains soy or soy derivatives so it is advisable to consult with your child’s paediatrician before deciding any formula milk for your child.</li><li>Some children can tolerate highly refined soy oil.</li><li>Soy is also a hidden ingredient is some of the pet foods and beauty products like soaps and moisturisers.</li></ul>

Soy, like peanut belongs to the legume family but a child who has a peanut allergy will not necessarily be allergic against soy and vice versa.

Soy allergy

Children, just like adults, have a sweet tooth, and it is normal for them to want desserts and cookies instead of carrots. If you notice that your child’s diet consists mostly of processed foods, try and buy healthy snacks so that your child has fewer unhealthy options. But there is no need to fret over a dessert every now and then. All food is good food as long as it’s in moderation. Keep the following points in mind if your child is eating too much of sugary food: <ul><li>A habit is a habit, whether it is eating sugar or sucking a thumb or watching TV or even eating 2-3 candies daily. So the way a habit is formed, likewise it can be ridden off too.</li><li>Eating sugar is very harmful for a child because it will cause tooth decay, make him/her obese and leave the child malnourished.</li><li>Parents can use some easy tricks like first of all keeping the sugar jar where the child doesn’t find it easily.</li><li>Avoid bringing and storing candy in the house so the child doesn’t find them easily.</li><li>You can start using jaggery in the dishes to avoid sugar, wherever you can and that way it becomes a healthy option.</li><li>A child of this age can be easily distracted. For a few days if you distract him/her, automatically (s)he will forget asking for sugar.</li><li>For initial days it may become hard but you should stay firm and not give up.</li><li>Ask for help and seek support from family members so they don’t give your child sugar whenever (s)he asks.</li><li>You can always replace sugar with other natural sweet substances such as dates and raisins.</li><li>Eat healthy as a family. Never exhibit any behaviour which encourages the child to eat sugar. Keep your actions in check.</li></ul>

Sugar is a very tempting food item. Keep the sugar intake in check since the first day a child learns to eat; this way things will not out of hand.

Dealing with a child’s sugar eating habits

Congestion occurs when extra fluids (mucus) accumulate in the nose and airways. Congestion may give your baby a blocked nose, noisy breathing or mild trouble in feeding. Mild congestion is common and is not much of a concern. But if your child breathes 60 breaths per minute, (s)he is struggling to catch breath. In this case, take them to a paediatrician immediately. Symptoms of congestion:<ul><li>Coughing</li><li>Wheezing</li><li>Grunting</li><li>Thick nasal mucus</li><li>Discoloured nasal mucus</li><li>Noisy breathing</li><li>Sniffing</li><li>Trouble eating</li></ul> Causes of congestion:<ul><li>Allergies</li><li>Cold/flu</li><li>Asthma</li><li>Premature birth</li><li>Pneumonia</li></ul> Treatment of congestion:<ul><li>Give your baby a warm bath but try to keep it short for 5-10 minutes and once you are done quickly wipe the baby's body, apply moisturiser and dress your baby as soon as possible.</li><li>Keep feeding your baby regularly and monitor for wet diapers.</li><li>Add one or two drops of saline to their nostrils.</li><li>Use a humidifier in the baby’s room by the bedside to keep away the dryness in weather. It will add moisture in the air of the room and will help clear congestion.</li><li>Gently massage their nasal bridge, forehead, temples, and cheekbones.</li><li>Remove potential allergens or pollutants from the home's air by vacuuming up pet hair, not burning candles or incense sticks and not smoking.</li><li>Wipe away excess mucus with a soft, dry tissue or cloth.</li></ul>

Congestion can make a child uneasy and cause difficulty in breathing.

Dealing with the problem of congestion.

Conjunctivitis in children is very common. Conjunctivitis causes red, irritated and sticky eyes. It is caused either by an infection (viral or bacterial) or due to allergies (irritants). Symptoms of conjunctivitis can last from 3 days to 3 weeks. If the child is younger than 6 weeks, consult a doctor immediately. Causes:<ul><li>Bacteria</li><li>Viruses</li><li>Allergy</li><li>Pollution</li></ul> Signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis:<ul><li>Redness of the white part of the eye</li><li>Irritation or itching in the eye</li><li>Bacterial conjunctivitis shows stringy discharge</li><li>More tears than usual</li><li>Swelling of the eyelids</li><li>Crusting of the eyelids or eyelashes</li></ul> Treatment of conjunctivitis:<ul><li>Viral conjunctivitis may last for one to two weeks and does not need medical treatment. It resolves on its own.</li><li>For bacterial and allergic conjunctivitis, see a doctor. Symptoms usually improve within 24 to 48 hours once treatment is started. Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually treated for five to seven days.</li></ul>You can use follow any of the following remedies to treat conjunctivitis in children:<ol><li>Salt water solution: Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to pot of boiling water. Let it cool down. Then dip a cotton ball in this water, squeeze it a bit and keep it on both the eyelids of the baby.</li><li>Potato Slice: Peel the skin of raw potato. Wash it properly, Cut very thin slices and place them on both the eyelids of your child.</li><li>Chamomile oil: Add a few drops of chamomile oil in lukewarm distilled water. Dip cotton balls in this and place it on both eyelids of the baby for 5-7 minutes. Please note that this is not recommended for children below 1 year.</li><li>Consult an eye specialist if the problem persists for more than a few days.</li></ol> Prevention of conjunctivitis:<ul><li>Ask your children to wash their&nbsp;hands often throughout the day with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wash your hands before and after using the eye drops. Also wash your hands if you come into contact with an infected person’s eyes, clothes, or other personal items.</li><li>Ask your child not to&nbsp;touch or rub his/her eyes.</li><li>Do not allow sharing of personal items such as towels, blankets, pillowcases, etc.</li><li>Wash bedding, washcloths, and towels in hot water after you use them.</li><li>Do not send your child to school or play if he has severe conjunctivitis with pus and sticky discharge.</li></ul>

Here are Conjunctivitis Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention.

All about Conjunctivitis

Dr Aliraza Khunt

It is very for children to get acne between the age of 0-6 years. Generally it affects on the onset of puberty (puberty is the age where children reach sexual maturity).But it can occur at any age out of hormonal imbalance or sensitive skin. There is no natural remedy for pimples. Things you can follow to reduce pimples:<ul><li>Make your child drink enough water.</li><li>Wash his/her face a few times during the day with clean water.</li><li>Follow healthy lifestyle.</li><li>Reduce the intake of oily, fried, and spicy food.</li></ul>

It is rare that your child would get pimples or acne at this age. If it does happen, it is always advisable to consult your paediatrician.

Dealing with acne

<ul><li>Most chemical head lice treatments aren't suitable for babies under two years old. So the best way to get rid of your little one's head lice is by wet-combing.</li></ul> 1. Make your child comfortable: Comb or brush any knots out of your child’s hair with an ordinary comb. Wet your child’s hair completely with plenty of water to straighten it so that the comb moves smoothly.2. Comb hair still using an ordinary comb.3. Change to a comb with fine teeth: Use a head lice comb and comb sections of your child's hair. Comb from the roots to the ends of the hair. Be careful while using lice comb so that it doesn’t hurt your child.4. After each comb, wipe the conditioner on to a paper towel or tissue. Check the tissue or paper towel for lice and eggs (a magnifying glass may help you to see them more easily).5. Repeat the combing for every part of the head, section by section. Comb each section at least 4 or 5 times before moving on to the next section.6. After you have combed the whole head, rinse out the conditioner.7. If you find lice or eggs, repeat these steps every day if you can manage it, but at least every 2 to 3 days. You can stop when you find no lice or eggs for 3 days in a row.8. Check the hair of everyone in the house twice a week for the next 2 weeks to make sure everyone stays clear. <ul><li>You can also use lice controlling medicated shampoos after concerning your paediatrician.</li></ul>

Children below 3 years usually do not suffer from hair lice. If they do, proper shampooing of their hair and an oil massage is helpful for them.

breastfeeding health concerns

Following article(s) will help solve your concern.