Samiksha Choithani

Babies sometimes have their favourite side, and only prefer to take feed from one breast. At times it is because that particular side produces more milk or sometimes it is the side that produces less. The baby might avoid the most productive side as (s)he may not want the milk to gush out quickly that forces them to gulp fast.<ul><li>You can try offering one breast first, and then the second. Pump on the side that is not preferred by the baby as the baby might get frustrated if you forcefully offer both sides.</li><li>Keep a track of urine, stool and weight of the baby, if that is on track, let the baby feed on his/her preferred side and you can pump the other side.</li><li>If the baby isn’t gaining weight, try to feed the pumped milk from the other breast or try new positions to make the baby feel comfortable on both sides.</li><li>If the problem is with nipples, the baby may prefer to latch the one that is fully engorged. Try to talk to your gynaec, they will help you to pull the nipple on the other side (it is little painful) but once done, baby and mommy will be comfortable throughout the breastfeeding journey.</li></ul>

Many babies have a favourite side to feed on. However, if you are experiencing a problem with that, the situation can always be improved.

When baby prefers one breast!

Itching can result due to various reasons:<ul><li>Skin allergies</li><li>Food allergies</li><li>Dandruff</li><li>Skin disorder</li></ul> <ul><li>It is advisable to consult your paediatrician or doctor for itching before you apply any skin products to your child.</li></ul> Remedies for itching:<ul><li>Avoid scented soaps, lotions, and bubble baths.</li><li>Change out of wet or damp clothing immediately after exercising or swimming.</li><li>Moisturising the skin with a good moisturiser.</li><li>See a doctor when the itching persists for more than 2 weeks, when there is inflammation and when itching affects the entire body.</li></ul>

Itching, if not treated at the right time can intensify and irritate a child. It is better to consult your paediatrician at the right time.

Itching problem in children

Ravina Sewani

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

Palak Vyas

Begin brushing your baby’s teeth from the time they start appearing. Even in the absence of teeth you can wipe their gums with soft clean cotton cloth carefully. Brush their teeth with clean small soft bristled toothbrush using small circular movements. Change their brush every 3 months. Cause of bad breath could vary:<ul><li>Sometimes, infections can cause bad breath. If your toddler has an infection at the back of his throat, such as tonsillitis, this can make his breath smell foul. Other symptoms of tonsillitis include a sore throat and coughing. Your toddler’s bad breath will disappear when the infection clears up.</li><li>It’s also possible that the smelly breath is because your little one has a blockage in his nose. That could be because he has a cold or sinus infection.</li><li>If your toddler sucks or chews on a blanket, or sucks thumb, it could lead to developing bad breath.</li><li>If your toddler has persistent bad breath, take him for a check-up at the dentist.</li></ul>

It is important to maintain proper oral hygiene since day 1. Bad breath is an indication of poor oral hygiene.

Taking care of Bad breath

Uneven supply of milk totally depends on mother and child’s comfort, if the baby is comfortable in feeding on one breast, the body naturally produces milk in the same breast. It is upon the mother and the child to decide whether they are comfortable feeding from one or both the breasts. If both of you are comfortable, continue the process. But, if you are willing to have even milk in both the breasts, here is something you can try:<ul><li>Babies tend to suck the breast that produces more milk; you can try to feed your baby from the slow side/less productive side. Encourage this habit to have an equal supply for future feedings.</li><li>Massage the less productive breast.</li><li>Try to pump the less productive breast after each feed.</li><li>Try new feeding positions that could be comfortable for baby while feeding on the less productive breast.</li></ul>

Do not worry about this as it will only make this problem worse.

When only one breast produces milk

Following are the guidelines to be followed regarding the milk intake of a child: <ul><li>Ideally the child should be compulsorily breastfed till the age of 1 year.</li><li>In case if the mother’s milk is not enough or if she’s a working mother and is unable to feed the child, external milk can be given.</li><li>As external milk, give formula milk. You can give formula milk based on your budget and child’s nutrition requirements. Formula milk is rich in proteins and DHA which help in brain development. There are several formulas for milk available - STANDARD formula like Lactogen and Dexolac. PREMIUM formula is also available in market which is very similar to the mother’s milk with DHA and ARA like Enfamil and Nan Excella pro.</li></ul> <ul><li>In any case, DO NOT give animal milk to your child before one year. The proteins in animal milk and human milk are completely different which can lead to consequences. A child can be given animal (cow/goat/buffalo) milk after 1 year.</li><li>A child can be given semi-skimmed milk after 2 years of age. However, do not give complete skim milk to a child under 5 years.</li></ul> <ul><li>There is no age limit for breastfeeding. A child can be breastfed till one or two years or even more than that as long as both the mother and child are comfortable. But sometimes it so happens that even after one year, the child considers mother’s milk as the sole source of food and does not intake any external food.</li><li>REMEMBER that after one year, the child’s nutrition need should be fulfilled 70% by outer food and 30% by mother’s milk.</li><li>When the child feeds on mother’s milk for a while, his/her hunger is satisfied but the child does not get enough nutrition. Hence, such a child can stay malnourished and can lose weight. In such cases, doctors can advise the mother to wean off the child at least during the daytime so that the child starts eating properly and gets proper nutrition.</li></ul>

It is important to breastfeed a child till 1 year. It is not advisable to give formula milk before the age of 1 year.

Milk for babies - Mother's milk, Formula milk or Animal milk

Infectious diseases that spread from person to person are said to be contagious. Contagious diseases can spread through insect bites or by ingesting contaminated food or water. Contagious or communicable diseases include: Flu, Common cold, Hepatitis A and B, Measles, Cholera, Rubella, Lice, Mumps, Chicken pox, Cough, Meningitis, Strep throat, Conjunctivitis. To avoid communicable diseases:<ul><li>Ask your children to wash their hands often with soap to reduce the risk of catching any infection. Specially before and after taking food and after using toilets. You too should maintain proper hygiene while preparing food. Tell them not to keep touching their eyes, nose or mouth with their hands.</li><li>Get your child vaccinated for rubella, measles, diphtheria, typhoid on due time.</li><li>Keep your child at home when he or she is ill. If they have any of the symptoms like fever, diarrhoea, or vomiting, don’t send them to school. Sending them to school can worsen their own health plus they may cause infection to other&nbsp;healthy children.</li><li>While you prepare food, use disinfectant and cleaners to clean kitchen surfaces.</li><li>Make sure they don't share their personal items like a toothbrush and comb either with friends or siblings. Avoid sharing drinking glasses and dining utensils too.</li><li>If you are travelling out of the country, go see a doctor first. Ask your doctor about any special vaccination such as yellow fever, cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B etc.</li></ul>

It is very important to take proper precautions to stay away from communicable diseases. Children catch diseases faster than adults as their immune system is weaker than adults.

Precautions for contagious disease

Few allergic reactions are known to worsen existing conditions like asthma and a few are known to cause asthma problems.Not all children develop asthma due to allergies. Children with a family history of asthma or children with eczema are at a higher risk of developing asthma.Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the smaller air passages in the lungs. The common triggers of asthma:<ul><li>Cold or flu</li><li>Allergens like dust or pollen</li><li>Cigarette smoke or other irritants</li><li>Gastrointestinal reflux</li><li>Stress, continuous crying or laughing, physical activities are also known to trigger an asthma attack.</li></ul> Diagnosis of asthma is based on symptoms, family history and medical history of your child, previously known allergies, etc. followed by medical asthma tests which may include x- ray, blood tests or allergy tests. Please note, it is important to get your child diagnosed of asthma problem only by a healthcare expert. Symptoms of Asthma include:<ul><li>Coughing</li><li>Wheezing</li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Uncomfortable tightness in the chest</li></ul> Seek medical attention immediately if you notice these symptoms in your child:<ul><li>Gasping for breath or trouble speaking</li><li>Deep breath/inhalation that shows the abdomen sucked in</li><li>Increased rate of breathing</li><li>Given the close link between allergies and asthma, it is important to identify the source of allergy and manage it effectively.</li><li>Allergy shots (Immunotherapy) may be advised if your child's asthma is due to allergens like pollen or pet dander.</li><li>Asthma treatment is based on the severity and frequency. An inhaler with a holding chamber/spacer may be prescribed by your child’s paediatrician for a quick relief during an asthma attack. Always seek medical help if you think your child might have asthma.</li><li>According to studies, omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil are known to reduce inflammatory conditions like asthma in children. For children with fish allergies, an alternative source for omega 3 fatty acids is algae.</li></ul>

Asthma and allergy are closely related hence it is important to take proper precautions.

Asthma and Allergy

Headache is the pain or discomfort in the head. Just like stomach aches, headaches can also be of 2 types: pathological and functional.Headaches can be functional or pathological in nature. Pathological pain can be due to tumour or any other complexities, but this is rare in small children. Children usually do not get headaches. But if they do, these can be the basic reasons behind headaches in children:<ul><li>Inadequate hydration</li><li>Skipping a meal or breakfast</li><li>Not getting enough sleep. Sound sleep for a minimum of 10-12 hours is needed.</li><li>Stress due to studies pressure or any emotional conflict can also cause headaches.</li><li>Vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness</li><li>Constant use of screens</li><li>Family history</li></ul> Symptoms: fussiness, crankiness, problem in sleeping Types of headaches: <ul><li>Tension headaches: These are due to emotional stress or tiredness. This is the least serious of all. It can be due to family conflicts or problems in the school</li><li>Congestion headaches: These are due to cold or flu and usually stop when the illness is over.</li><li>Headaches after an injury: Headaches are followed by head injury for a while. With the doctor’s help, it can be cured. If your child has had an injury in the past, headaches might occur even after many years.</li><li>Migraine headaches: It is a more serious kind of headache and requires medication prescribed by a doctor. A child is susceptible to develop migraine headaches if they run in the family. Visit your child’s paediatrician for the same.</li></ul> Diagnosis: Your child’s doctor will look into your child’s headache history; carry out a physical exam and in some cases neurological exam. In very rare cases, your child’s doctor might suggest for a MRI or CT scan.&nbsp; Treatment: For children, doctors usually do not prescribe medications unless the situation is serious. Usually following remedies work for children quite well:<ul><li>Lay your child down on a bed with his/her head slightly raised, in a cool, calm, quiet and darkroom. Put on the curtains.</li><li>Apply a cold compress (a cold wet washcloth or ice wrapped in a washcloth) on the head or nape (backside of the neck). Or ask your child to take a cold-water bath.</li><li>Apply heat. Apply warm (not hot) wet washcloth on the head or nape or ask your child to take a warm-water bath.</li></ul>Note: See what works the best for your child – cold compress or heat.<ul><li>Place a cool, moist cloth across your child’s forehead and eyes. Ask your child to relax and take easy and deep breaths.</li><li>Make sure your child follows a regular sleeping and waking time daily.</li><li>Make sure that your eats on time. Low blood sugar may sometimes cause a headache.</li><li>Make your child drink sufficient water.</li><li>If your child is old enough, you can give over the counter medication after consulting the doctor.</li><li>For pain management without medication, you can ensure your child is stress-free. Make your child do exercises that help him/her relax.&nbsp;</li><li>Avoid any trigger that can cause headaches like extreme heat, insufficient sleep, hunger etc.</li></ul> When to visit the doctor:<ul><li>Daily headaches interfering with a child’s life</li><li>Headaches when coughing, sneezing, running or during a bowel movement.</li><li>Sudden headache for the first time with numbness and vomiting.</li><li>Headaches with a stiff neck and fever</li><li>Headaches after a head injury that keep coming back.</li><li>Headache accompanied by fits, fever or tiredness.</li><li>If the child is drops things from hands</li><li>Sudden deterioration of performance in school</li><li>Headaches along with pain in eyes and ears.</li><li>Headaches similar to any of the family members.</li></ul> Prevention:<ul><li>Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.</li><li>Fixed eating schedule</li><li>Make sure your child hydrated at all times.</li><li>Encourage your child to openly talk to keep stress at bay.</li><li>Observe if your child is allergic to certain foods. If so, visit the paediatrician or you can give those foods at a minimum.</li></ul>

Here are Headache Symptoms, Causes, Types, Treatment, Prevention, Diagnosis, and Remedies.

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