The post Lower your newborn’s allergy risks by exposing him to dirt and bacteria appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Researchers from Johns Hopkins tracked the health of 467 inner-city newborns from Baltimore, Boston, New York and St. Louis over a three-year period.
They also measured the pollution levels in the subjects’ homes.
By three years old, children who had been exposed to mouse and cat dander as well as cockroach droppings within their first year of life wheezed significantly less than those who hadn’t.
It took exposure to all three allergens, cat, mouse and cockroach, to shape the children’s immune responses and this had to happen within the first year to benefit from the protective effect.
“Our study shows that the timing of initial exposure may be critical,” says study author Robert Wood, M.D., chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. “What this tells us is that not only are many of our immune responses shaped in the first year of life, but also that certain bacteria and allergens play an important role in stimulating and training the immune system to behave a certain way.”
Children unexposed to the three allergens in question developed wheezing problems at a rate of 51 percent, while wheezing occurred in only 17 percent of children with exposure.
In the case for good bacteria, normally associated with microbes that inhabit the digestive system, infants living in bacteria-rich homes were less likely to develop environmental allergies later on.
The study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
(AFP Relaxnews)
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]]>The post Video: Tips to alleviate reflux in newborn babies appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>To alleviate reflux, Paediatric Nutritionist and Pampers Institute Member, Claire McHugh, believes that you should hold your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after each feed. She shares some of her other tips with new parents in this YouTube video.
Helpful advice and tips from the Pampers® Institute are available at www.Pampers.co.za and on www.youtube.com/PampersZA . Receive emails with information tailored to your baby’s age by subscribing at www.Pampers.co.za/registration and connect with us at www.facebook.com/PampersSA
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]]>The post Eczema in babies: A mom’s survival guide appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>The term eczema is often used to refer to a broad range of symptoms generally characterised by red, irritated, dry and itchy skin, most often caused by atopic dermatitis.
While some experts maintain eczema to be a generally inherited condition, worsened by hormone levels, stress and aggravating environmental factors, other experts argue that eczema is purely the result of sensitivity to allergens in our immediate environment.
What is certain is that eczema is always accompanied by inflammation of skin which results in redness, swelling and even open wounds in the affected area.
Research has shown that nearly one in five children is troubled by this condition at some point in their early years, while only 2% of adults are found to suffer from it.
While no cure for eczema currently exists, there are various treatments available. While common treatment for eczema has historically been topical steroid cortisone creams, many mothers prefer to steer clear of cortisone medicines for the very reason that these creams can potentially lead to thinning of the skin, amongst other harmful side-effects.
A growing number of mothers are seeking more holistic and natural approach to the management of their child’s eczema. A natural alternative to cortisone, which has produced amazing results in the medicinal herb, Buchu, has been deemed as “Nature’s Wonder Pain Reliever and Anti-Inflammatory” by Professor Patrick Bouic (Journal of Natural Medicine, 2004).
Extensive scientific research has proven the formulated organic Buchu oil contained in BuchuLife First Aid Gel to have potent anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Anecdotal evidence has shown this product to be an effective systematic treatment for eczema in children and adults.
For more information visit www.buchulife.com or www.facebook.com/buchulife
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]]>The post Is your white noise machine damaging your baby’s hearing? appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>When you work on changing your baby’s sleep habits, start where you want to end. This means that you shouldn’t automatically include white noise in your sleep regime if you don’t have any reason other than “everybody’s doing it”.
Tired parents always need to be reminded of the safe way to do things. Swaddling is great, but you don’t want to overheat a baby or restrict the hips or do it past eight weeks. Car seats are great, but they can actually cause infant deaths if not properly installed.
Similar caveats are true for white noise.
Surprisingly, a baby’s cry can reach a level of 100 dB (as loud as a lawnmower and ten times louder than a hair dryer). This is probably why loud sounds, like a vacuum cleaner and hair drier sounds, have been recommended by pediatricians and parenting books for decades to calm fussy babies.
But, it is very important to remind parents to only use very loud noise during infant crying.
Doctor Karb points out three critical points that were left out by the study:
When considering white noise for babies, it is extremely important to consider the benefits of proper sleep.
Poor infant sleep causes parent exhaustion, which may lead to potentially dangerous situations including;
By enhancing sleep (and reducing crying) low pitched, rumbly white noise may help prevent these very serious problems.
When a baby cries, increase the sound level – for a few minutes – to the level of a vacuum cleaner. And, for safe naps and all night sleeping keep the sound to the level of a soft shower.
White noise should only be used where it is needed. You don’t have to start off with a white noise machine just because your friend uses one with her baby. White noise in itself will not automatically calm your baby if he or she is crying, nor will it teach them to sleep.
About the Author: Good Night is a child and baby sleep consultancy that specialises in helping parents with children who struggle to sleep soundly. For more information, visit: www.goodnightbaby.co.za
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]]>The post Help your baby through his first cold appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Small children develop colds for a number of reasons;
Colds are difficult for babies, as they can’t tell you what’s wrong. So how do you know if your baby has a cold, or something different?
For the first few days of a cold, your baby may be fidgety, irritable and hard to settle. Once a congested nose kicks in, they’ll tend to prefer trying to breathe through their nostrils even when they are blocked. As a result, they will find it hard to feed so may be a little off their food.
Like adults, sneezing, coughing, a hoarse ‘voice’ or cries and red or watery eyes may be signs.
There is still no cure for the common cold. So while you wait for the symptoms to go, you can try the following to make your baby more comfortable:
Warm baths and showers
To ease congestion (and make them feel better) a hot, steamy and humid environment is perfect. Just a few minutes will help, though half an hour or more will do wonders.
Whether you bathe them and relax them, or just take them into the bathroom while you shower yourself, it should help, and will clean away some of that horrible ‘ill’ feeling.
Vaporisers and humidifiers
These do the same job as a steamy bathroom, but can be left in your child’s room at night. Night time is the worst time for a cold, as lying down worsens congestion. Humidifiers will help to combat a blocked nose, but for additional help, try propping the mattress up using a few folded towels so your baby sleeps at a more upright angle.
Saline nasal drops OR breastmilk
Sometimes, that congestion just won’t budge. Saline nasal drops can help this but should be used carefully. Make sure that any nasal solutions you use are pure and do not contain any decongestant medication.
Breastmilk can double as a nasal solution as it is pure, and full of goodness. If the area underneath the nose is getting sore, use petroleum jelly to protect it.
Offer more feeds
If your baby is finding it hard to feed, their fluid intake will be down. But when you have a cold, the first thing you need is more drink and nourishment.
Little and often is the best way to feed, and for toddlers you should offer drinks, ice pops, even frozen breastmilk ice cubes and runny, liquid based foods regularly.
Watch out for signs of dehydration, and if you’re worried about their fluid intake, seek help.
Be there to comfort and keep wiping their nose
Often all an ill and confused child will want, is reassurance from you. So just be there to keep wiping noses, cuddle and soothe. Even if you feel helpless you’ll be helping more than you know!
If your baby’s symptoms do not improve after a few days, they have a high temperature (over 37°C), they refuse to feed, pull on their ears a lot, or they shows signs of a rash or hives, take them to a doctor immediately.
They may have a more serious condition, infection or even an allergy.
Dehydration may rapidly become a concern if babies are taking in less than half of their normal feed amount. Always seek professional advice if you are unsure.
Do not give your baby cold treatment medications unless prescribed, as these are usually designed for adults and can cause damage to young children.
If you must use decongestants, apply them to fabrics in small amounts, not sensitive skin. Ensure these fabrics will not be exposed to little faces as they can cause skin discomfort.
Within a week, your baby’s symptoms should be easing and they’ll be back to their old selves. Colds are a part of growing up however, and they are sure to have (and get through) many more in future.
About the author: Suzanne Gibbard is a mother of three and owner of Bundles of Joy, a company that sells christening gifts and new baby gifts.
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]]>The post Babies shouldn’t die of a broken heart, says Hudson Initiative appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Around 1 in every 100 babies is born with a heart defect, and in South Africa, many of those go undetected. It’s estimated that at least one in every five babies who dies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was an undetected CHD sufferer – but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Cardiac surgeon Professor Robin Kinsley says advances in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery have made it possible for survival into adulthood for the majority of babies born with congenitally malformed hearts, but this is not the case on the African continent.
“Here, this is a dream as roughly 280 000 neonates born every year on the continent are left untreated, demonstrating the natural history of the congenitally malformed heart by default,” he says. “This is due in point to lack of finances, lack of locally developed personnel and proper understanding of the problem.”
The statistics get scarier when you hear that globally, twice as many children die from congenital heart defects each year than from all forms of childhood cancer combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHD.
The Hudson Initiative faces a long, arduous road – one that is starting with awareness, will encompass a growth in research funding and the collection of funds to help families who cannot afford the surgeries needed to help their babies, and will end in the creation of Hudson’s Law.
To explain the end goal, detecting CHDs is as simple as administering a test, called Pulse Oximetry, which measures how much oxygen is in a baby’s blood, after the baby is 24 hours old. This dramatically increases their chances of survival, says Andrea Slater, the driving force behind The Hudson Initiative.
“This is the most important part of our focus: We’re going to make sure that screening for heart defects become as normal a scan as the Downs Syndrome check at 20 weeks. We’re going to make sure that Pulse Oximetry tests are performed on all newborn babies before they are sent home. And we’re going to make sure that the terms CHD and congenital heart defect is no longer foreign or misunderstood,” says Slater.
“If mothers are armed with the information they need to protect their babies from CHD-related issues, these deaths could potentially be avoided. CHDs are scary but they’re not the end. CHD babies live. They thrive. Post-surgery, hope is very much alive.”
Ultimately, the Initiative will realise the introduction of Hudson’s Law, which will see Pulse Oximetry testing becoming compulsory. In the meantime, the initiative is raising money to fund CHD awareness campaigns and pay for Pulse Oximetry testing in infants. The long-term goal is to pay for surgeries needed by babies whose families who cannot afford them.
Interested parties can sign a petition and spread the word by visiting www.hudsoninitiative.org. They can also be part of the social media campaign using the #JustAsk hashtag, which prompts expectant mothers to do three things:
“Our journey with Hudson was a very real, very painful, very testing and an extraordinarily fulfilling one. We like to think he chose us because he knew we would do something to address the concerning statistics around the sheer number of babies who are sent home with undiagnosed CHDs. We’re going to change things on behalf of the boy who changed our world.”
About the Author: Andrea Slater is mother to a CHD angel and all she wants is to help other tiny people get a fighting chance in this life. Readers are welcome to visit her blog for more on Hudson’s journey. For more information visit www.hudsoninitiative.org
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]]>The post How to unblock and clean your baby’s stuffy nose appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>This is very uncomfortable for them, especially because they are unable to blow their noses – most children are only able to do this from the age of about four.
In healthy babies and toddlers, mucous moisturises and cleans the nasal membrane, but when illness occurs or when there are environmental irritants that cause allergies, such as pollen, pollution or smoke, the mucous production in the nose increases and often becomes thicker, resulting in a stuffy nose.
There are a number of ways to clear a blocked nose…
Saline solution is safe to use on babies and toddlers. Tilt back the baby’s head so that the nostrils are easily accessible and the baby is comfortable. Gently administer a drop into each nostril. Wait a minute or two for the solution to flow into the nasal passages. The baby may sneeze or cough out the mucous. If the baby doesn’t, use a nasal aspirator to draw out the mucous, which should be looser due to the saline solution. Keep tissues handy.
An aspirator is a wonderful tool for clearing a snotty nose. Ensure that the aspirator is clean and dry and that you have washed your hands before using it. Place the tip at the opening of the nostril and gently clear the mucous. Do the same in the other nostril. Use tissues to clear away the mucous. Wash the aspirator immediately after use.
For babies aged one month to a year, topical nasal decongestants offer relief. Due to the fact that they are administered at the area of discomfort, and not ingested, topical nasal decongestants have minimal side effects and risks. They open the airways to help the child breathe and often also reduce swelling and limit the production of mucous, keeping the nose clearer for longer.
A paediatrician or a doctor should be consulted before administering a topical nasal decongestant. Also, don’t use the same bottle on multiple children as this can pass germs on from one child to the other. Ensure that you use the correct decongestant strength and dosage for the child’s age.
A humidifier will help moisten the air, especially in areas of the country that are usually dry, and help the child breathe easier.
For more information consult your Health Care Practitioner.
About the Author: Iliadin offers a range of saline products suitable for babies, toddlers, children and adults. Products include Iliadin® Saline Metered Spray and Iliadin® Saline Drops. Available at pharmacies nationwide.
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]]>The post Four truths about having a child with Down Syndrome appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>If I knew then what I know now, I would have been jumping for joy for being given the honour to raise such an incredible human being.
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome.
The syndrome leads to impairments in both cognitive ability and physical growth that range from mild to moderate developmental disabilities.
That’s all it is. An extra chromosome.
Our little Dhiya was born with two holes in her heart and a dilated heart chamber. She spent the first four weeks of her life at the Park Lane Neonatal ICU learning to breathe and suck. Some of the nurses didn’t think she would leave soon, but kind Sister Pat insisted that we try breastfeeding and within four days of starting, she was discharged.
There are various myths about Down Syndrome, and since having Dhiya, I can say they are not true…
Truth: Babies with Down Syndrome can breastfeed, and do so successfully, despite their enlarged tongues. It benefits them as it would any other baby in terms of general health and improvement in cognitive ability.
Truth: Children with Down Syndrome participate fully in public and private educational programmes. There are in fact cases of Down Syndrome children excelling in many areas, such as mathematics and reading.
It is the inclusivity that is the biggest advantage to their development. At 15 months, Dhiya loved nothing more than her daily reading sessions.
Truth: These children experience a full range of emotions, just like everyone else. They respond positively to kindness and friendship and feel hurt and pain just like you and I do.
Truth: Most families report that their ‘normal’ children are more compassionate and tolerant of people because of their experience of having a sibling with Down Syndrome. The sibling relationship is generally a typical or normal one – full of love, occasional arguments, and togetherness.
Is it crawling at 11 months? Then Dhiya has done that. Is it saying ‘dada’ or ‘mama’ at the age of eight months? Then Dhiya has done that. Is it being madly in love with your two smelly brothers? Well, Dhiya is crazy about hers.
The only special needs a Down Syndrome child has, is to be loved and cared for, just like everyone else
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]]>The post Shaken baby syndrome: Why it’s never OK to shake a baby appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>This type of child abuse occurs when a baby is violently shaken, usually because he or she will not stop crying. Shaking a baby causes their brain to bounce back against their skull causing bruising, swelling and bleeding.
In simple terms, shaking a baby can lead to a severe head injury.
The medical prognosis for babies who suffer this type of abuse is poor, with death being a very real possibility.
Most often the injuries include bleeding around the brain (subdural and subarachnoid haemorrhages) and bleeding behind the eyes (retinal haemorrhages). Disability, blindness and lifelong medical care for brain damage injuries are but some of the devastating effects of the syndrome.
Babies can also suffer spinal and neck injuries.
Babies who do not suffer from debilitating effects will still spend a considerable time in hospital and will need to re-learn everything that they had previously accomplished, such as sitting and crawling. Long term effects on these babies include possible learning difficulties and behavioural problems.
Shaken baby syndrome is referred to as silent abuse because although the effects take only five seconds to appear, the damage caused is not immediately recognised by parents and caregivers.
The following symptoms occur as a response to the increased pressure (caused by swelling and bleeding) on the brain:
As the condition worsens, a baby’s skin tone will appear pale or blue and he or she may lose vision or consciousness.
While a baby will initially present with little to no physical damage, upon examination, broken and dislocated bones in the neck and spine can be identified.
Life sustaining measures are used to treat babies suffering from shaken baby syndrome. Surgery to relieve swelling and pressure is also a possibility.
While fingers cannot be pointed only in the direction of the caregiver, this type of abuse is caused often by those whom parents entrust to look after their baby or young child.
Be sure that you trust your baby’s caregiver and that he or she has a history of looking after babies well and kindly.
If your baby presents with any of the symptoms characteristic of shaken baby syndrome, seek emergency medical treatment.
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]]>The post VIDEO: Dear Future Mom appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Downs syndrome, also known as trisomy 21 is a genetic disorder caused by a third copy of chromosome 21. The syndrome presents characteristic facial features, intellectual disability and is also associated with delays in physical growth.
Downs syndrome is often diagnosed at a pre-natal screening that is carried out at 12 weeks gestation, but can be diagnosed at an anatomy scan typically conducted at 20 weeks gestation or at birth by direct observation or genetic testing.
In the touching tribute, 15 people with Downs syndrome share powerful messages with a future mom of Downs syndrome. Their spirit reminds us that Downs syndrome doesn’t need to define you and that children and adults with the syndrome also have something special to offer to the world.
Watching the touching video above is bound to put a smile on your face.
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