If your child does not like milk or takes time to have a glass of milk every morning, do not get impatient. Threatening the child is not a solution.Calcium is important for bones and milk intake is important for a child’s health, so you can try these techniques or give alternate sources of Milk: <ul><li>Keep offering milk at each meal.</li><li>Make a smoothie with Banana or make almond milkshake.</li><li>You can pair milk with cornflakes or healthy cereals.</li><li>Give a handful of almonds and oranges as a substitute.</li><li>Sprinkle some sesame seeds in salads or add them when you knead a roti dough.</li><li>Give plenty of curd or yogurt/cheese/ghee - these are good substitutes of milk.</li><li>Don’t start with a full glass and insist on finishing it; try small quantities and gradually increase the intake.</li><li>You can even pair it with you child’s favourite biscuits or cookies.</li><li>Give them options of colourful glasses to choose from so as to make the milk consumption appealing.</li></ul> REMEMBER the goal is to fulfil the calcium need in a child's body. So if your child dislikes animal milk, you can try almond or coconut milk or given him/her alternative sources of calcium.

If your child does not like milk or takes time to have a glass of milk every morning, do not get impatient.

What to do if child does not drink milk?

Ravina Sewani

Perfume allergy or alternatively known as fragrance allergy is the body's allergic reaction towards fragrances used in perfumes, deodorants, detergents, cosmetic products, soaps, shampoos, and cleaning products. The allergy is towards the ingredient of the fragrance rather than the fragrance itself. Because fragrance is found everywhere, it is quite difficult to keep your child away and protected from fragrance at all times. Fragrance allergy is one of the main causes of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Allergic contact dermatitis causes eczema and blistered skin at the contact points. After the acute phase, the skin turns scaly and takes some weeks to be repaired. Some children are sensitive to fragrances while some are allergic to them. Both are different from each other. Fragrance/Perfume Sensitivity:Perfume sensitivity, is a reaction to something that irritates your body. Sensitivity doesn’t necessarily trigger an immune system response. There might be a rash on your baby's skin which goes away after a few hours. The body usually gets rid of the irritant via sneezing so your child might sneeze a bit. A few mild symptoms of a perfume sensitivity can include:<ul><li>sneezing if the perfume is sprayed near the face and airways (nose, mouth, and throat)</li><li>itching, running, or stuffiness of nose</li><li>nasal mucus dripping down the back of the throat</li><li>persistent cough</li><li>headaches</li><li>nausea</li></ul> Fragrance/Perfume Allergy:An allergy towards a fragrance/perfume means that your body identifies the ingredient in the perfume as a foreign substance. The body then releases an inflammatory reaction to help fight off the substance as if it’s a bacterial or viral invader. This immune system response develops itchiness or a rash. Symptoms of Fragrance Allergy:<ul><li>mild to severe headache</li><li>burning sensation on skin</li><li>skin irritation, itching, and rashes</li><li>sneezing, coughing and runny nose</li><li>breathing difficulties, dizziness, and fatigue</li><li>muscle aches</li><li>watery, red, and itchy eyes</li><li>wheezing</li><li>inability to concentrate</li><li>swelling</li><li>nausea and vomiting</li></ul> Fragrance allergy also triggers migraine attacks in children suffering from migraines. Here are some severe, emergency symptoms to watch out for:Swelling in mouth, lips, or tongueAnaphylaxis Prevention:<ul><li>Try your best to keep your child away from the sources of fragrance.</li><li>Use fragrance less products for your kids.</li></ul> Diagnosis:A patch test is the best way to confirm an allergic reaction towards fragrance, and it is commonly performed in a dermatologist’s office. Patch testing helps to identify which substances may be causing an allergic reaction in a patient. Treatment:<ul><li>Medications</li><li>Topical creams</li><li>Light therapy: Blue or red light can help eliminate any bacteria irritating your child's skin or to reduce the immune system response.</li><li>Moisturising lotion or cream</li></ul>

Allergic reactions to fragrance/perfume are common than we know. Proper precautions will make your child's life easier.

Perfume allergy

Allergic reactions towards celery are triggered when the body perceives the proteins in celery as a threat.Allergic reactions to celery may range from Oral Allergy Syndrome to severe allergic reactions.Allergic reactions towards celery are very rare but it is better to always 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:Seek help from a healthcare expert to get your chid diagnosed of the celery allergy. The doctor will examine your child’s symptoms, medical history, family history, and may suggest a few tests like skin prick tests, blood tests or Oral Food Challenge. Precautions:<ul><li>Develop a habit of reading food labels for the ingredients. Teach your child the same.</li><li>Teach your child to mention about the allergy whenever he/she goes to visit someone.</li><li>Avoid consuming all forms of celery (raw or cooked) including celeriac (the root of celery), celery seeds or celery salt (used for flavouring).</li><li>Inform your child's school of your child's allergy to celery. You can provide your child’s school with necessary medicines and adrenaline auto-injectors (AAI) as the school might need these when your child shows allergic reactions suddenly.</li></ul> Foods to avoid:Canned soup, stock cubes, crisps, mar-mite, sandwiches, and salad

Celery is a marshland plant with long fibrous stalk. Even though celery allergy is not very common, it is better to stay aware.

Celery allergy

Palak Vyas

Feed both of your babies at the same time, it will save your time too. However, babies are individuals, so one twin may want to nurse every three hours, and the other, every two hours. Tips to feed twins at the same time:<ul><li>Consider a nursing pillow: There is a specially designed pillow available in the market for nursing twins at the same time. You can also use two regular pillows or rolled-up towels.</li><li>Find the right nursing position. Try positioning both babies in the football hold (along your side) or the cradle hold (across your chest), using the pillow to support their heads. Or combine the cradle hold and the football hold, again using the pillow for support. You can use trial and error method until both you and your babies are comfortable.</li><li>Alternate breasts:&nbsp;Switch breasts for each baby at each feeding to stimulate both breasts equally. Keep alternating breasts with babies, so the babies get equal eye exercises and stimulation. By practising this method, equal amounts of milk is produced in both breasts.</li><li>Focus on your latch. With twin babies, there are much more chances of sore nipples due to continuous nursing. Soreness is usually caused by a poor latch. So if your nipples are extra tender, try a prescribed cream to ease the pain and spend extra time working on your latch with each baby.</li></ul>

For the first few weeks, infants need to breastfeed eight to 12 times per day. That is once every two to three hours, day and night.

Breastfeeding twin babies

Peanut allergy triggers an immune response towards the proteins present in peanuts. It is one of the most common food allergies.Peanuts grow underground and are different from tree nuts.Please note that having a peanut allergy does not mean being allergic towards all nuts.Peanut allergy is usually developed in early childhood but can develop later in life as well. Diagnosis:Never self-assume that your child has peanut allergy. Always get your child diagnosed by a healthcare expert. The doctor may recommend that your child undertake tests like skin prick test, blood test or food challenge. It is important that these tests are performed under medical supervision as these tests might trigger an allergic reaction. Who is at risk?<ul><li>Family history: Your child has a higher risk of developing peanut allergy if it runs in your family.</li><li>Existing allergy: Having one food allergy may sometimes lead to some other food allergy to develop.</li></ul> Symptoms of peanut allergy:<ul><li>Itching</li><li>Rashes</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Diarrhoea</li><li>Swelling of the lips or tongue or face</li><li>Throat constriction</li><li>Difficulty in breathing</li><li>Peanut allergy may sometimes also cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis which constricts the airway passage and requires immediate medical attention.</li></ul> Myths about peanut allergy:1. Myth: Peanut allergy is more common than other food allergies in children.Fact: No, Peanut allergy is not 'the' most common food allergy. Egg and milk are more common food allergies. 2. Myth: Peanut allergy is only developed in childhood and then stays on for life.Fact: Even though it is common in childhood, peanut allergy can develop at any age. A small percentage of children tend to outgrow peanut allergy but in most cases, it is permanent. 3. Myth: The allergic reaction develops immediately and of same intensity every time.Fact: In most cases, the reactions begin within minutes but in some cases, the allergic reaction might take a few hours as well. Also, the intensity of the allergic reaction is also not the same every time. 4. Myth: I can diagnose my child’s food allergies myself.Fact: While you can gauge your child’s allergic symptoms, they should always be diagnosed by healthcare expert. Commercial home test kits for self-diagnosis are not recommended as they may not be of the required standards. 5. Myth: If a dish or a food product does not list peanut, then it is safe.Fact: No, you must clarify and always pay close attention to the ingredients in a food product or a dish which is served to your child. Teach your child to develop the same practice as well. 6. Myth: Peanut allergy can be cured permanently.Fact: Researches are going on but there are no permanent cures for peanut allergy as of now. 7. Myth: Consumption of trace amounts of peanut-based food won't cause any problem.Fact: No, even a trace amount of peanut-based food can cause a severe reaction. Prevention:<ul><li>Studies suggest that if infants are introduced to peanut-based food then the chances of developing the allergy later are less. But such steps should always be taken under proper guidance of your child’s paediatrician.</li><li>Introducing peanuts in your baby’s diet:</li><li>If your child has any other food allergy already, it is better to first consult your child’s paediatrician and then introduce peanuts under doctor’s guidance.</li><li>You can introduce peanuts in your baby’s diet when your child starts eating solid food. Introduce peanuts in the form of a puree and not as whole. Observe for 10 to 30 minutes after feeding for any allergic reactions. If you find something wrong, consult your child’s paediatrician soon.</li></ul> Steps to take after reaction against peanuts get triggered:<ul><li>If your child has mistakenly consumed a food containing peanuts, the immune reaction gets triggered a few minutes to an hour.</li><li>The immune reaction varies every time and varies from child to child.</li><li>These immune reactions range from mild (itching or rashes) to severe life-threatening ones (breathing trouble or 'Anaphylaxis').</li><li>When your child shows mild reaction: Give your child doctor recommended medicines and take him/her to the doctor once your child starts feeling better.</li><li>When the reaction is severe: Give the medications recommended for such a condition as soon as possible and seek medical attention immediately.</li><li>Always keeps medications of allergies handy for your child.</li></ul> Therapies or treatments commonly used to treat peanut allergies:<ul><li>Antihistamine medicines for mild allergic reactions</li><li>Use Adrenaline auto-injectors (AAI) for severe allergic reaction like anaphylaxis. It is an injector pen that releases a prescribed dosage of adrenaline into the blood.</li><li>Always keep AAI handy because only AAIs can be used in treating severe cases of allergy reaction. Learn how to properly use an AAI on your child. These injector pens are usually used on the outer mid-thigh muscle.</li></ul> Following few alternative therapies are being tried as a long-term cure:<ul><li>Skin patch: It is a small adhesive patch which can be used topically on skin. It releases peanut proteins in small amounts into the blood. These are used to protect against accidental cases of exposure or consumption of peanuts.</li><li>Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): In this therapy, peanut protein based foods are given in small amounts to children known to have peanut allergy. Gradually the amount of such foods is progressively increased to develop tolerance against peanut proteins. Note: Do not go for this therapy without consulting your child’s paediatrician as this method can have serious consequences.</li></ul> Outgrowing peanut allergy:<ul><li>It is very rare that children would outgrow their peanut allergies as peanut allergies tend to stay on for life.</li><li>Peanut and other nut allergies:</li><li>Peanuts are legumes so it is rare that children with peanut allergy would develop allergies to tree nuts (eg. walnuts, almonds).</li><li>Sometimes, children with peanut allergies might develop allergies to other legumes like lupin or sesame.</li></ul> Foods to avoid or things to take care of if the child has peanut allergy:<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>Be careful about the possibility of cross-contact; especially when visiting a restaurant.</li></ul> Check the labels/ingredients of:<ul><li>Ice creams, candy, nougat, pancakes, egg rolls, and salad dressing</li><li>Sauces such as pesto, gravy, chilli / hot sauce, and enchilada sauce</li><li>If there is equipment sharing between peanuts and other nuts, be careful about the same.</li><li>Food or drinks such as hot chocolate, cookies, pudding, pies or other baked foods</li><li>Vegetarian food labelled as meat substitutes</li><li>Pet food (cross-contact risk) or compost used as fertiliser may also contain peanut shells (cross-contact risk).</li></ul>

Peanut allergies tend to stay on for life so it is very important to stay conscious and aware all the time.

Peanut allergy

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.

Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) or Pollen-Fruit Syndrome (PFS) is a type of contact allergy resulting in a local reaction in the mouth or throat following ingestion of certain foods (raw veggies and fruits).This is commonly seen in children who are highly sensitive to pollen due to the cross-reactivity between the allergy-causing pollen proteins and proteins present in certain foods or vice versa. Symptoms:<ul><li>Symptoms of an OAS are common during the pollen season.</li><li>If a child allergic to pollen develops an allergic reaction in the pollen season against a specific fruit or vegetable, it is not a 'true food allergy' but cross-reactivity.</li><li>True Food Allergy is an allergy to the proteins present in the food and is diagnosed by healthcare professionals based on the symptoms, history, and tests if required.</li><li>OAS is diagnosed by evaluating clinical history, followed by a skin prick test containing extracts of pollen and the specific food if required.</li><li>Symptoms of an OAS are immediate within a few minutes, with a rapid onset of itching or swelling of mouth, throat, tongue or face. These symptoms usually disappear in a few minutes as well. The reactions of OAS are usually mild and can be treated by giving your child antihistamine medication prescribed by your doctor.</li></ul>

Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) is a local allergic reaction in mouth and throat.

Oral Allergy Syndrome

Samiksha Choithani

Newborns and infants cannot inform when they are hungry. Some of these signs are subtle hints that will tell you when the child is hungry:<ul><li>The baby is putting fingers in mouth</li><li>Sucking lips or tongue</li><li>Making little crying sounds</li><li>Getting restless</li><li>Avoids other family members and only wants to be with mother</li></ul> Some babies are too sleepy and do not show any signs of hunger, but wake them up and feed the baby at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Babies often get hungrier than usual (every hour) during the growth spurt. Growth spurt is the time when the baby is physically growing; it lasts for 2-3 days. Growth spurts occur periodically, within 7-10 days of birth, 2-3 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months.

Irritability is probably the most common signs among babies that indicates a child is hungry.

Signs that indicate babies are hungry

The feeling of blocked or clogged ears is either due to water or sir getting stuck in the ears. Water in the ears:When water enters in an ear due to any reason, the ear feels clogged/blocked. If there's too much water in the ears, surrounding sounds also get muffled. It is important to remove the water from ears because otherwise it can cause infections. You can get the water out of your child's ear, these are a few steps to follow:<ul><li>First dry out your child's ear using a soft towel. Do not push the towel deep into the ear canal.</li><li>Ask your child to tilt their head on the side of the ear which has water stuck in it and let gravity to do the work. Slightly pull their earlobes; this will straighten the ear canal helping in draining the water.</li><li>If the clogging of the ear persists, you can get ear drops prescribed by your child's doctor.</li><li>Do not use cotton swabs as they will push the dirt deep into the ear. Warn your children to not stick their finger in their ear.</li></ul> Air in the ears:The ears tend to feel full and clogged when a person is sick, or when altitudes change. To relieve from this feeling, one needs to pop their ears. Here is how you can help your child:<ul><li>Yawn: Instruct your child to yawn as many times as possible as yawning helps in opening up the ear canal hence helping the ears to pop.</li><li>Swallow: Give water to your child or a candy to suck on as swallowing activates the muscles that open up the ear canal.</li><li>Valsalva maneuver: Take a deep breath and pinch your nose shut. Keep your mouth closed and gently exhale through the nose. If your child is too young, this technique to pop the ears is not advised as it carries a minute risk of rupturing the eardrum.</li><li>Toynbee maneuver: Pinch the nose shut and with your mouth closed, try swallowing. If your child has difficulty doing this, a mouthful of water will help in swallowing.</li><li>If nothing works, consult your child's doctor.</li></ul>

The feeling of blocked or clogged ears is either due to water or sir getting stuck in the ears.

conjunctivitis health concerns

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