Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

How to wean your baby off breastmilk.

Breastfeeding is a special time shared by you and your little one. That’s why having mixed emotions about stopping or cutting down on nursing your baby is completely natural. But it doesn’t signal the end of the intimate bond; it just means you’re nourishing and nurturing him in different ways.

When should I wean my baby?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, thereafter you should slowly introduce them to solids.

How do I know my baby is ready?

Your baby:

  • sits up without support and has good control of his neck muscles
  • opens his mouth when he sees food coming his way
  • chews his fist
  • wants an extra milk feed
  • tries to grab pieces of finger foods and bring them to his mouth.

Before starting

Make the transition easier by taking it slowly. Weaning is easier if it’s gradual. These tips can help:

Try one food at a time

This helps your baby get used to new flavours and textures and makes it easier to spot if he has a reaction to any specific food. Baby cereal made from oats are easily digested unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.

Fruit and vegetables

Avoid focusing on fruits – doing so can encourage their taste for sweet foods and make it more difficult to introduce vegetables and other savoury foods. Pureed fresh fruit like apple, pear or banana and pureed vegetables like carrot, potato, butternut and sweet potato are good choices. If you decide to buy ready-made baby foods, always check the ingredient list carefully. Some of these are laden with ‘free sugars’ which can cause tooth decay. Make fruit purees a small part of your baby’s diet – fresh is best.

Make it a family affair

Try to eat together as much as possible, as your baby will learn from the rest of the family. Build up slowly by getting him into a routine of offering him solid food at the same time each day. The aim is to transition your baby from solely drinking milk to eating your usual family foods, so try offering smaller mashed-up portions of the food that the rest of the family is eating. However, always make sure you haven’t added any salt or sugar, or any other foods that are not suitable for babies.

Start small

Offer one or two teaspoons to get him used to tasting and swallowing more solid textures. It’s all about exploring and learning at this stage – don’t worry about getting him to eat specific amounts. It’s going to be madly messy, but wonderfully comical too. If your baby doesn’t seem interested, leave it and try again another day.

Avoid choking

Never leave your baby unattended when he’s eating, in case he struggles to swallow. Avoid giving rounded foods, like grapes and hard, crunchy and very chewy foods.

Liquids

After breast milk or formula, cooled boiled water is best. Avoid juices as it can lead to dental caries, obesity or even poor weight gain and a runny tummy.

Care for your breasts

Your breasts may become uncomfortable while weaning. Try expressing just enough milk, apply a cold compress or gel pack or consult your pharmacist for and an over-the-counter pain reliever.

If you have gone back to work, consider nursing before work and immediately once you’re home, or express your milk in a bottle from which your caregiver can feed your baby. This will prevent blocked ducts, mastitis (infection that causes breast pain and swelling on your breasts as well as fever and chills). Immediately consult your doctor if you have these symptoms. They will most likely prescribe an antibiotic to clear up the infection. Remember that you can continue breastfeeding if you have mastitis.

References

Why do some people get hangry?

Hanger is when you experience a combination of hunger and anger. In a nutshell, hanger could be compared to the grown-up version of a baby crying for milk. But why do some people become hangry?

Your body’s first instinct is to keep you alive. When you haven’t eaten for a while, the level of sugar (blood glucose) in your blood decreases. When this happens, your blood sugar becomes too low and triggers the stress hormone cortisol and adrenalin (fight-or-flight hormone). These hormones are released to rebalance the blood sugar in your body.

Although these hormones give you some energy, it’s not the good kind. It’s the kind of energy that makes you feel agitated, unfocused and even angry.

If you opt for foods with lots of carbs or sugar to give you energy, you’ll be even worse off. This is because when you eat lots of carbs and sugar, you blood sugar skyrockets, giving you a temporary rush of energy, only to crush soon thereafter.

The crash is caused when insulin tries to use your body’s glucose reserve but it’s too much for your body to handle. This just leaves you with more cravings for food.

Although feeling hangry could affect anyone, people who struggle with controlling their anger could be more likely to experience it.

What to do about your hanger

Sadly, hanger can’t be avoided entirely. The good news is there are ways to lower your chances of experiencing it.

Avoid having too much sugar

Keep sugary treats and carb-heavy foods at a minimum. Besides the usual culprits like pastries, sweets and cake, these include seemingly healthy foods. Watch out for hidden sugar in low-fat yoghurt, sauces, fruit juice, sports drinks, granola, flavoured coffee and cereal.

Eat foods that are digested slowly

Foods that are high in protein and fat digest slowly because they are absorbed by your body in stages. They also slow down the absorption of sugar in your bloodstream.

For snacks with healthy fats choose nuts, avocado slices, cheese sticks, dark chocolate and seeds. For a dose of protein have boiled eggs, peanut butter on celery sticks and grilled chicken breast strips. If you must have carbs, chose vegetables or fruits. The fibre found in fruit slows down the digestion of carbs which means your blood sugar won’t rise drastically.

If you have other carbs like wholegrain crackers for example, pair it with a protein or a healthy fat like avos to slow down digestion.

Catch some Z’s

When you’re exhausted, your stress hormone cortisol overworks itself. This causes your body to crave food. Get at least eight hours of sleep each night and stick to a bedtime. Wind down an hour before bed and switch off all devices.

Good to know

  • Try these if you often become hungry:
  • Eat small meals throughout the day.
  • Avoid junk foods, which can cause a sugar crash. Choose nutritious, high-fibre foods to keep you feeling full.
  • Exercise regularly to help lower your blood sugar. Don’t overdo it – exercise can contribute to insulin sensitivity. Stick to a 30-minute workout three times a week unless your doctor suggests otherwise.
  • Stay hydrated.

If you experience hanger more than once or twice a week, talk to your doctor and dietician.

References

Which symptoms are normal after getting a vaccine?

Your little one has just had his latest vaccines. He seems irritable, is crying and is struggling to sleep. Is this normal?

Vaccines aim to protect your child from serious illnesses like measles, whooping cough and polio. The drugs in vaccines are made from parts of the diseases it protects your child from. They don’t cause the disease, but ‘’tells” your child’s body to make antibodies (blood proteins) which fight diseases.

For example, after a vaccine for measles, if your child’s body comes into contact with measles, their body would fight the disease as they can recognise it.

Unfortunately, like with other medication, vaccines come with side-effects. These side-effects are usually harmless and will clear up. Severe reactions to vaccines are rare because the process to get a vaccine approved is rigorous and involves many safety tests.

To protect your child, it’s important to know which reactions are normal and what’s not. Here are some normal and uncommon reactions to vaccines to get you clued up.

Normal vaccine reactions

A mild reaction after a vaccine means the medicine is working. It’s also a sign that your little one’s body is creating new antibodies to fight infection. Usually, these symptoms go away on their own within a few days.

  • A slight fever.
  • Tenderness and redness where the injection was given.
  • Fussiness.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • A small, hard lump where the injection was given. This may be there for a few weeks but shouldn’t raise concern.

Vomiting, loss of appetite or drowsiness are also normal reactions, but are less common.

How to manage common side effects

If your child is experiencing any side effects, you can ease his discomfort.

  • Dress him in cool, loose clothes.
  • Give him fluids to drink.
  • Put a cold, wet cloth on the injection site to ease pain or swelling.
  • Ask your doctor and pharmacist for over-the-counter medication for pain and fever. Check the label for dosage instructions or ask your doctor if it isn’t clear.

When is it serious?

In some cases, reactions after a vaccine can be serious. This usually happens if your child has an allergic reaction. Severe reactions are rare, but it’s important to know what they are so you can help your child.

Look out for serious symptoms:

  • Swelling in the throat or face
  • A pounding heartbeat
  • Pale complexion
  • Weakness
  • Hoarseness
  • Dizziness
  • Breathing problems (e.g. wheezing)
  • Seizures
  • Uncontrollable crying for three hours or more

If your child experiences any worrying symptoms, take him to your doctor immediately. If you have any questions before your child gets any vaccination, ask them. Your doctor will be able to put your mind at ease.

References:

How to treat the yellow rash on your baby’s scalp

Are there flaky or scaly patches on your baby’s head? While dandruff may be somewhat rare in babies, cradle cap isn’t. There may be yellowish or brown scales forming on your baby’s head. Your baby may also have oily and thick crusty patches on the scalp.

Cradle cap is a common baby rash that starts at around 3 weeks of age, and affects up to 70% of infants. Bedsides the scalp, it can sometimes also be found behind the baby’s ears, eyebrows, forehead, and even on the upper torso. The good news is that it isn’t harmful to the baby, or a sign of bad hygiene, nor is it contagious.

What causes cradle cap?


When the scalp makes too much oil, it traps the skin flakes and prevents them from naturally shedding, leading to those yellowy scales.

The cause of cradle cap in babies is unknown, but dermatologists believe the mother’s hormones are likely to play a role. This is because hormones can be passed to a baby through the placenta before birth or through breast milk when the baby feeds.

Another possibility is that oil glands are more active in babies because their own hormone levels are high during the first year of life.

The presence of a type of yeast called Malassezia, which is normally found on the skin, is produced by oil glands, and this may also be a factor.

Most mild to moderate cases of cradle cap aren’t itchy or painful. Severe cases can be. In most severe cases, your baby could lose some of their hair with cradle cap. But even in those rare instances, any hair that your baby loses will grow back after the rash has cleared.

Treat the oily skin

Shampoo regularly


Shampooing your baby’s scalp daily can help treat and prevent cradle cap. Use a gentle baby shampoo without fragrances to help prevent skin sensitivities.

Apply oil


Baby, coconut or mineral oil can help soften the scales on your baby’s skin. Apply a very small amount; just a few drops and massage it directly into the scales.

Brush your baby’s scalp


To help remove scale build-up, gently brush or massage your baby’s scalp with a baby brush or comb. Avoid scratching or picking at the scales as it can worsen the condition.

If all else fails, see a doctor


Cradle cap is often mistaken for another dry skin condition, eczema. While eczema can be itchy and irritating, parents may be unaware that their baby has cradle cap. If your baby’s skin becomes red and inflamed or if your child has a fever, you’ll have to take your little one to a doctor.  Cradle cap shouldn’t bleed easily or be extremely itchy, and your baby shouldn’t be unwell from the condition either.

If symptoms persist and there seems to be no improvement with treatment, see a doctor.

References:

How to wean your child from sucking their thumb

Babies have natural sucking reflexes. This is why you often find them putting their thumbs or fingers into their mouths. This also happens before they are born, while still in the womb.

Since thumb-sucking makes babies feel secure, some develop this as a habit when they’re in need of soothing or going to sleep as they get older.

Finding ways to help your child stop the habit will be beneficial to their dental health in the long run.

Help your child wean off thumb-sucking

Many thumb and finger-sucking children have a gap between their upper and lower teeth. Their jaw development changes and this can often lead to speech problems.

Habitual thumb sucking prevents the tongue muscles from developing correctly, making it difficult for your child to pronounce sounds like “s” and “th”. Prolonged thumb-sucking can also deform your child’s upper dental arch, causing a cross-bite, protruded teeth, and/or an open bite. The extent of these consequences will depend on the duration of the habit, the frequency of it, and the way in which the thumb is placed into the mouth.

Harmful effects of thumb-sucking include:

  • Deformities: Oddly shaped fingers or thumbs.
  • Infections: Due to the constant soaked areas, the skin gets irritated and infected.
  • Social: The child may be teased at school.
  • Dental and facial: The intense negative pressure that is created in the mouth affects the facial muscles, teeth and the jaws. The upper jaw becomes more “v” shaped. The upper front teeth flare outward. The lower front teeth tip inward.

Changes to the structure of the jaw can affect your child’s speech, chewing, swallowing and facial appearance.

Coping with your child’s habit

Studies have shown that most children want to stop by the age of six and all they need is guidance. Your role as a parent is to guide them without any pressure. Be firm but calm. Support them every step of the way.

Make your child aware of the habit


The habit may be an unconscious one and you need to help your child identify it. Calmly point out what you don’t like about the behaviour and why. Educate them about “bad” germs that live on their fingers and that go into their mouths and make them sick. A little exaggeration may help!

Keep track

Observe and identify when and how often your child sucks his thumb. This will help determine how serious the problem may be.

Distract him

By identifying the exact times your child thumb-sucks, you’ll know when to quickly intervene by offering him something to occupy his hands, like doing a puzzle or playing with a ball.

If bedtime is when they’re most likely to thumb-suck, offer the child a soft ball to squeeze instead. You may need to create a reward system and replace the ball with a little treat each day!

Control the temptation
Topical bitter substances, bandages and glove-like devices can also be used on the offending finger.

Dental appliance

Placing a fixed appliance in the child’s mouth (over the age of 6) can stop the habit in its tracks. It has a “gate” or “crib” like wire that lies behind the upper front teeth and prevents the thumb from getting to touch the palate.

Allow your dentist to assess your child at an early age.

References:

Does your baby’s cough sound like a dog’s bark?

If so, it could be croup. Croup is a viral illness that makes your baby’s voice box and windpipe swell. The high-pitched or barking cough develops when air is forced against a narrowed.

The smaller your child is, the more noticeable the sound. Some children with severe croup get a harsh, tight sound while breathing in. This is called stridor.

When does it happen?


The virus that triggers croup can be passed on by breathing in respiratory droplets from a cough from an infected person, or from playing with toys that have the virus on them. Croup normally affects infants and children between the ages of six months and three years. As children grow, so do their airways. Therefore, children older than six don’t often get diagnosed with croup.

What are the symptoms?


You may notice the typical symptoms of a cold, like a runny nose and fever. Usually, the barky cough begins at night and gets worse when your child gets upset and cries. Croup usually lasts for around five days.

How is croup diagnosed?


The doctor will usually listen for a cough and stridor. They may also ask if your child has had any recent illnesses that caused a fever and congestion, and whether the child has a history of croup or other breathing problems.

He may also perform an X-ray if the croup is severe and doesn’t get better after treatment. An X-ray, in this case, will help show the top of the airway narrowing to a point, which doctors call a “steeple sign”. This is a narrowing of the airway below the vocal cords.

Home treatment for croup

If your child wakes up in the middle of the night with croup, try to keep him calm to help ease his breathing. Crying can make croup worse.

For a fever, medicine like paracetamol, or ibuprofen for kids older than 6 months can help make your child more comfortable. Ask your doctor for guidance before giving your child any medication.

Help your child breathe in moist air. This can make him feel better.

  • Use a cool-mist humidifier or run a hot shower to create a steam-filled bathroom where you can sit with your child for 10 minutes. Breathing in the mist will sometimes stop the severe coughing.
  • In cooler weather, take your child outside to help ease symptoms so they can breathe fresh air.
  • Make sure your child is well-hydrated. If needed, give small amounts of liquid more often using a spoon or medicine dropper. Children with croup should also get lots of rest.

When to call the doctor


If you’re concerned that your child’s croup is not improving, contact your child’s doctor, especially if you see the following symptoms:

  • A sound that gets louder with each breath.
  • If your child speaks or makes verbal sounds for lack of breath.
  • Seems to be struggling to catch his breath.
  • Has blue lips or fingernails.
  • Has stridor when resting.
  • Drooling or extreme difficulty swallowing saliva.

References:

Does your child have meningitis? Know the danger signs

Spotting meningitis can be tricky, and it can be easy for your little one to develop it without you knowing. That’s because the early warning signs and symptoms are almost identical to the flu.

Don’t worry though. By getting to know the signs and symptoms, you can ensure your child gets the right treatment before it becomes serious. Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges; the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses, and sometimes by illness and certain medication. It spreads like colds and flu, when someone who’s infected touches, kisses, sneezes or coughs on you.

Common signs:

  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Drowsiness.
  • A small appetite.
  • Confusion and disorientation.
  • Sensitivity to bright light.
  • Fever.
  • Headache.
  • Neck stiffness.

More severe symptoms include coma and seizure.

Watch out for these signs in toddlers: 


A refusal to be fed, irritable when picked up, a fever, and a bulging soft spot on their head, and moaning and crying.

Preventing meningitis is the best way to work against it. Remember, not every child gets the same symptoms and they can appear in any order.

Make sure your little ones wash their hands often with soap and warm water. Encourage this, particularly after using the bathroom; when they’ve been around other kids, and when they’ve been in contact with a sick person. Teach them not to share food, utensils and drinks with anyone who is, or has recently been, sick.

If you suspect your child or anyone else has meningitis, you should:

  • Take them to your doctor immediately.
  • If you can’t get there right away, call a doctor and describe the symptoms.
  • Go to the nearest emergency room if your doctor isn’t available.

Treatment


If a doctor suspects your child has meningitis, he will do tests. A sample from the spinal cord is usually taken. This can show signs of inflammation and infection due to a virus or bacteria. Blood samples may also be taken to check for bacterial infections in the blood. Sometimes, imaging of the head is done to check for swelling and inflammation around the brain.

There are two kinds of meningitis, viral and bacterial. Depending on which kind your child has, he’ll be treated a certain way.

Bacterial


Severe bacterial meningitis is very serious and must be treated immediately with antibiotics. It helps reduce the risk of complications like brain swelling and seizures. The type of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria that caused the infection. The sinus may be drained if there’s a build-up of mucus and infection.

In some cases, doctors may give an antibiotic to someone who’s been around an ill person with bacterial meningitis to prevent them from developing the disease themselves.

Viral meningitis


Unfortunately, antibiotics can’t be used for viral meningitis, but mild cases usually clear up on their own. It can be treated with bed rest, plenty of fluids and over-the-counter pain medication.

References:

Bedwetting teenager? Here’s what you can do

Wetting the bed is expected amongst young children. When you’re a child, you’re still learning to listen to your body when it comes to visiting the toilet. But you grow out of this, right?

As kids grow older and their bodies develop, messages between the bladder and brain become clearer, allowing the child to wake up when their bladder is full. The majority of children master bladder control by the age of 5, but for others, this can take a lot longer.

If your teen has this problem, they’re not alone. Bedwetting can be common amongst teenagers and it happens for several reasons.

Reasons for bedwetting:

A small bladder

If you have a small bladder, it may not be able to hold much urine. This can cause bedwetting.

Your genes


If you or your partner were prone to bedwetting as a child, there’s a good chance your child will become a bedwetter. If both of you were bedwetters, it’s even more likely.

Stress


Some experts believe that stressful events could lead to bedwetting. These events may include changing schools, moving to a new city, parents going through a divorce etc.

Your diet


Some foods that are high in salt. Drinking too much fluid before bed can also cause bedwetting.

Unusual sleep patterns

Many teens ignore bedtimes or don’t get enough sleep every night. This makes them likely to want to take naps and sleep late on weekends, causing an erratic sleeping pattern. This kind of sleep pattern can interfere with the brain’s normal sleep-wake cycles which tell you when you need the toilet.

Medical issues


If your child has a medical condition like a urinary tract infection (UTI), a symptom could be bedwetting. Other conditions include diabetes and constipation.

Help your child beat bedwetting

  • Encourage your teen to use the toilet before bed so he can empty his bladder. An empty bladder means he’s less likely to wet the bed.
  • Limit drinks before bedtime.
  • Talk to your doctor about your child’s bedwetting. He may suggest medication or other solutions. Some treatments work by decreasing the amount of urine released from the kidneys or increasing how much urine the bladder can hold. Always ask your doctor about any risks of taking medication before giving it to your teen.
  • Try a bedwetting alarm. Bedwetting alarms have a moisture sensor that makes a buzzing or beeping sound to wake your teen if it senses your child is about to wet the bed.

Good to know


Bedwetting can cause embarrassment and self-esteem issues, particularly in teens. If bedwetting affects your child’s social life (e.g. prevents him from attending sleepovers), then you may need to take him to a therapist. Talk to your doctor who can refer you to one.

If your child is experiencing ongoing bedwetting after you’ve tried different treatment options, it might be a medical condition. See your doctor immediately in that case.

References:

Does your child have autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental conditions that affect communication and behaviour. It’s called a “developmental condition” because signs show up in the first two years of life.

The symptoms usually include ones that show challenges with social skills, behaviour, speech and non-verbal behaviour. These signs usually appear between the ages of two to three. It can also be found in children as young as 18 months.

Major risk factors for ASD is having a sibling and/or elderly parents with ASD, very low birth weight and a genetic disease like Down syndrome.

Common symptoms for autism differ depending on what kind or level of autism you have. Common symptoms include making little eye contact with people, having difficulty communicating with others and repeating behaviour, words and phrases.

Other symptoms in a child may include:

  • Hardly showing enjoyment over things or events.
  • Showing facial expressions that don’t match what’s being said by others.
  • Not looking at or listening to others when they speak.
  • Struggling to have a back and forth conversation.
  • Using an unusual tone of voice.
  • Struggling to understand another person’s point of view and being unable to understand other people’s actions/reactions.
  • Getting upset by slight changes in routine.
  • Being highly sensitive to changes in light, noise, clothing and temperature.

Besides these, those on the spectrum may also have strengths like excelling at maths, science music and art. They may also have excellent memories and be able to retain information for long periods.

Diagnosing Autism

Diagnosing autism can be difficult as there’s no medical test for it. Doctors usually look at a child’s behaviour and development to check for symptoms. For example, a doctor may play with a child to check how they behave with others and if they struggle to learn. Parents are often interviewed about how their child learns, speaks and behaves. Treatment for autism depends on the needs of the child and the symptoms they suffer from. Although autism can’t be cured, there are a few treatment options to help manage the effects of autism.

How to manage Autism

Occupational therapy

This helps your child learn life skills he may struggle with, like feeding himself, bathing and interacting with people. It aims to make your child as independent as possible.

Speech Therapy

Autism can also affect speech, with children either struggling to talk, not talk, grunt, cry or just repeat words that others around them use. A speech therapist can help your child with communication, by teaching them how to use an electronic “talker”, signing, typing, or picture boards. The degree of the intervention depends on the degree of speech impediment, which will be prescribed by the therapist.

Sensory integration therapy

If your child is easily upset by loud sounds, interacting with others or bright lights, this therapy can help him learn to adjust to these kinds of sensory information.

Medication

There’s currently no medication that can treat autism. However, certain medication may be given to help manage symptoms like insomnia, depression and trouble focusing.

Good to know           

  • All children should be checked for any delays or disabilities during regular doctor’s visits. They should be ideally checked at nine months, 18 months, and 24 or 30 months.
  • If a child is at high risk for developmental problems, more checks should be done.
  • Studies have shown that medication is most effective if done alongside behavioural therapies.

References:

Could your baby have Hirsprung’s Disease?

Hirschsprung’s disease is a condition where the large intestine makes it difficult for stool to pass through it. It’s usually found in babies and is present at birth.

Between the fourth and twelfth week of pregnancy, the foetus develops nerve cells in the digestive tract. When these cells don’t grow sufficiently past a specific point in the intestine, digested food and stool can’t move through that part of it.

After this happens, Hirschsprung’s Disease develops, and your baby becomes constantly constipated and unable to have normal bowel movements.

This condition is found in approximately one in five thousand births. Males are more vulnerable than females and children with Down syndrome are at high risk.

Symptoms of Hirschsprung’s Disease differ depending on the severity of the condition. Signs commonly show after birth but may also appear later.

Common symptoms in a newborn:

  • Not having a bowel movement within 48 hours after being born
  • A swollen stomach
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation or gas

How is it diagnosed?

Abdominal X-ray
This is to check if the baby’s bowel area is blocked.

Contrast enema
The large intestine is examined with an X-ray to check for abnormalities. The rectum is coated with a substance so that the intestine will be seen on the X-ray machine.

Rectal biopsy
For this procedure, a sample of the cells in the rectum is examined under a microscope. The aim of this exam is to check if the cells in the intestine have developed properly. This isn’t a painful process and a suction rectal biopsy can be done while your little one is in bed.

How is it treated?

As Hirschsprung’s Disease is a life-threatening one, it needs treatment, usually in the form of surgery. Surgery involves removing all or part of the colon and is called a colectomy.

There are different kinds of colectomies:

Pull-through procedure
The surgeon removes the part of the large intestine where nerve cells are missing and connects it to the healthy parts of the anus. This procedure is usually done very soon after a baby is diagnosed.

Ostomy surgery
This procedure changes the route that the stool takes to exit the body when a piece of the bowel is removed. This means that a part of the intestine is brought through the abdominal wall so that stool can leave the baby’s body without going through the anus. After surgery, a removable collection pouch, called an ostomy pouch is worn outside the baby’s body to collect stool. Parents will need to empty the pouch a few times a day. Ostomy surgery is often done with babies who have a severe case of the disease and need to get better before having the pull-through procedure.

Good to know:

  • After having a colectomy, a baby will need time to heal.
  • Stools may be loose and frequent at first after surgery. Clean the anal area carefully to remove any loose stools.
  • Apply rash creams or lotions to help prevent irritation on your little one’s skin.
  • For older children, they may struggle to understand when they need a bowel movement. Talk to your doctor about techniques that can be used to help them to become more aware of this.

References:

My child is choking! What do I do?!

Kids are always on an adventure of self-discovery, experimenting with everything in their path. As part of this learning process, children between the ages of one and five often put objects in their mouths. This is a normal part of exploring their surroundings.

But what happens when the adventure turns into a nightmare, and your child starts choking?

Important facts 

According to Injury Facts 2017, choking is the fourth leading cause of accidental death. The number of children who choke on food is particularly high because of the size, shape and consistency of certain foods which make them likely choking hazards. The best way to prevent accidents is to make sure that small objects stay out of your child’s way.

If you suspect your child is choking, act immediately:

  • If he suddenly starts coughing, hasn’t been sick and has a habit of putting small objects in his mouth, there is a good chance he’s choking. Support him in a position where he’s face down. Hold his head in one hand, with his upper body on your forearm against your thigh.
  • Give him about five back slaps between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand.
  • If the object doesn’t come out, roll his face up and support the back of his head with your hand.
  • Put two fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line.
  • Give five chest thrusts, about one per second.
  • Continue cycles of five back slaps and five chest thrusts until the object comes out or when your child becomes responsive.
  • If your child is still not breathing or only gasping, start CPR.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is the lifesaving method to recover someone who shows no signs of life, meaning they’re unconscious and not breathing.

Before you perform CPR on your child:

  1. For infants, flick the bottom of the foot to get a response.
  2. If your child doesn’t respond, call an ambulance immediately.
  3. Open the airway by laying your child on his back. Tilt his head back slightly and lift his chin.
  4. Check for breathing. Listen carefully for a breathing sound of no more than 10 seconds. Occasional gasps aren’t breathing.
  5. Deliver two rescue breaths if your child isn’t breathing. With the head tilted back slightly and the chin lifted, pinch the nose shut, make a complete seal by placing your mouth over the child’s mouth and breathe into his mouth twice. For infants, use your mouth to make a complete seal over the infant’s mouth and nose, and then blow in for one second to make the chest clearly rise. Now, deliver two rescue breaths
  6. Keep going. Continue the CPR steps until you see obvious signs of life, like breathing or until paramedics are available to take over.

References

Does your child have Electronic Screen Syndrome?

Believe it or not, a child’s nervous system can become overstimulated by regular screen exposure that comes from cell phones, computers, iPads and other digital devices. These devices can cause chronic stress on the brain, which may result in various different learning and behavioural disorders.

Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS) is considered an unrecognised modern-day disorder. The interaction with screens can shift the nervous system into fight-or-flight mode, which causes dysregulation and disorganisation of different biological systems.

Once in this state, your child’s mood, behaviour, and focus can be affected. ESS isn’t limited to teenagers obsessed with digital devices; toddlers can be affected too.

The latest research suggests that around 90% of children can use an electronic tablet by the age of two. What’s worrying about this statistic is that each time a child picks up a device, changes happen in the brain that can lead to overstimulation and hyperarousal.

According to Dr Victoria Dunckley, author of Reset Your Child’s Brain, ESS symptoms typically include poor focus, irritable mood, and disorganised or disobedient behaviour. Children with ESS are easily frustrated, tearful and angry. They tend to have meltdowns over minor incidents. They often struggle in school because they can’t get their work done and may display immature behaviour that’s off-putting to their friends.

Technology is known to have a hyper-arousing effect, as it can raise dopamine levels – the feel-good neurotransmitter that also plays a role in forming addictions. Children with ESS tend to lose interest in anything that isn’t electronically based and may show little imaginative play or creative expression.

ESS risk factors

Children with ESS are drawn to their screens – so much so that it becomes hard to pull them away.

The following factors may increase the risk of ESS:

  • Younger age
  • Males
  • Behaviour disorders (like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism)
  • Psychosocial stressors
  • Addiction tendencies
  • Sensory dysfunction

Help your child

As a parent, the first step to help address this syndrome is to recognise the signs. If the following questions apply to your child, he may have, or be at risk for, ESS:

  1. Has your child progressively become defiant or disorganised?
  2. Does your child have full-blown rages?
  3. Does he have meltdowns over minor frustrations?
  4. Do they become irritable when told to stop playing video games or to get off the tablet/computer?
  5. Do you ever notice your child’s pupils are dilated after using electronic devices?
  6. Does your child have a hard time making eye contact after screen time or in general?
  7. Do you ever feel your child isn’t as happy as they should be, or isn’t enjoying activities as much as they used to?
  8. Does your child have trouble making or keeping friends because of immature behaviour?

Try to remove screen stimulation from your child’s routine. This will allow for your little one’s brain to get deep rest and will assist in rebalancing their brain chemistry and hormone levels, while at the same time, restoring their mental energy. This can help to improve his mood, focus, and behaviour in a matter of weeks.

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