precautions to take when baby is ill

Seeing your baby in pain or ill is very difficult for parents specially for first time parents but illness is part of life and babies get ill easily because their immune system is weak. In fact with illness, they develop immunity. As they grow older and get exposed to different viruses and bacteria, they get immune to it. When a virus or bacteria attacks for the first time, body's natural defense mechanism gets activated e.g. 

1. Body's temperature might be raised to kill the virus
2. If there is some bacteria/virus in respiratory system, body will try to throw it out by coughing that causes cough. 

Sometimes babies get well on its own in few days but sometimes it needs doctors intervention. In either case, following few tips will help you for child's fast recovery. 

• Breastmilk is best medicine for your child because Hence in illness do breastfeed your baby. if your baby is on mixed feed, try to give BM more or if your baby is on solids, you can reduce quantity of solids and feed more frequently for a while

• Since BM is tailored as per baby's needs, BM will have more antibodies when your child is ill which will help her recover faster.

• BM helps in hydration as kids don't eat or drink much while they are ill.

• Keep child hydrated. Offer more fluids. If child is suffering with diarrhea, consider giving ORS after consulting your doctor.

• Give medicine as prescribed by doctor especially don't substitute drops with syrup as the concentrations are quite different. 
• We compared syrup and drops version of one medicine and realized that drops were 4-5 times more concentrated and if we talk about the dosage then it should be 4-5 times lesser. Hence to avoid such confusions, always carry doctor's prescription to chemist while buying medicine instead of naming medicines verbally.

• Dosage of medicine is as per baby's birth weight not as per their age. So two babies of same age might have different dosage of a medicine. 

• Keep count of urine output. If it is less than usual, it could be sign of dehydration. 

• Don't force feed the child. Like adults, children's hunger also goes for a toss when they are ill. Offer small meals but more frequently.

• Take care of hygiene when child is ill. E.g. if child is having running nose, keep cleaning his nose whenever needed. Change bedsheets more often. 

• Put comfortable clothes appropriate for climatic condition. Avoid over-dressing.

• If child has high grade fever (101-102 degree F), sponging should be done with regular water to reduce temperature. Sponging is the best way to bring down temperature immediately.

• Child's comfort should be your priority while she is ill. Forget rules and disciplines for a while. Pamper them little more.

• If symptoms don't go in couple of days with home remedies, please contact your pediatrician. Child may actually need medicines. 

Tips for new breastfeeding mothers

 Breastmilk is called liquid gold for its well known benefits. No other milk or food can replace breastmilk because it is tailored as per your baby's needs e.g. If baby is ill, BM will have more amount of antibodies. If weather is hot, BM will have more amount of water in it. 

But at one or other point, all of us feel that milk supply is not sufficient for child which may or may not be true. If you are also sailing in the same boat, read post Just Parented: Milk requirement of your baby

Here we are sharing few tips for new breastfeeding mothers. 

• Skin to skin contact : Have more skin to skin contact with your baby. It sends signal to your brain to produce milk. This is very useful and scientific technique which we usually ignore. In the hospitals too, to start milk flow doctors recommend to remove baby's cloth entirely and put her on mother's breast inside her top. 

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• Feed more often : This is very important point. You have to understand that breastmilk production works upon supply demand mechanism. If you will feed more, body will produce more. Many people starts feeding FM (formula milk) when they think supply is low and wait for supply to improve. By doing this, you will always keep waiting and supply will not improve. In fact, it will deteriorate. Hence don't start formula unless asked by your doctor.

• Increase water intake : Water is main component of BM. In fact 80% of BM is water. So to improve your milk supply, have more water. You can start and end feeding session with 1 glass of water. I never had to remind myself to take more water because I was naturally very thirsty. I used to take 2-3 glasses of water while feeding. 

• Check baby's latch :  You should not put just nipple in baby's mouth. Areola (nipple+ black part of breast) should be in baby's mouth. Without proper latch, milk flow will not be proper. 

• Breastfeeding should be painless : If you feel any pain while feeding it means either latch is poor or there is some other issue that needs your doctor's attention.

• Boppy/feeding pillow : Use boppy/feeding pillow while feeding to avoid backache and try to maintain a good posture while feeding. It will help you in long run. 

• Have a balanced diet
• Add more protein to your diet : Water, protein and sugar are raw material for Breastmilk. So increasing these 3 will automatically improve your milk supply. Try to have natural sugar instead of processed one. 

• Fenugreek (methidana), fennel (saunf) and cumin (jeera) water : you can soak 1 tbsp of all these 3 ingredients overnight and boil it in the morning and then have it empty stomach. It helps in improving milk supply as well as improve digestion as well.

• Oats & Dalia : Many old age myths suggest that it helps in improving milk supply. Although there is no scientific evidence that it increases BM supply but these are easy to cook as well as nutritious breakfast and hunger pang options. 

• Don't restrict your calories : To maintain a good BM supply, don't restrict your calories too much. Don't follow any fad diet. Balanced diet is the key for a good milk supply. While breastfeeding, it is natural to feel hungry but you should try to eat clean. Instead of eating junk, eat healthy food e.g. for midnight hunger, keep roasted makhana, dry fruits with yourself. Healthy and nutritious food will enhance quality of milk and will keep you fit as well.  

• It is believed that certain supplements enhances the milk supply especially if taken during first 6 weeks.
• Shatavri powder
• Lactonic granules
• Lactobite

Febrile Seizure

What is febrile seizure?

• Febrile seizure is a convulsion that occurs among children aged between 6 months and 5 years who develops fever with body temperature above 100.4 F(38C).Peak age of having it is 12-18 months. It is the most common type of seizure that is triggered by fever. 
• During the convulsion, baby might have unresponsiveness, up-rolling of eyeballs, clenching of teeth, frothing from mouth or tightening or jerky movement of limbs.
• Most of these episodes are brief and last for less than 5 minute and stop on their own.
• Most febrile seizures stop by age of 5 years.
• It is not epilepsy and it will not affect brain development and intelligence of child.

Why some children get febrile seizure and other don't?

Well, unfortunately science doesn't have answer to this question yet. It usually occurs when child develops fever because of viral or bacterial infection such as urinary tract infection, ear infection or any flu. 

Seizure occurs due to abnormal increased electrical activity in brain. During febrile seizure, due to rapid rise of temperature. sudden and dysregulated increase in electric discharges in the brain lead to unconsciousness with shaking of limbs.  

Precautions that needs to be taken if child develops fever next time

1. Keep a record of child's temperature. Best is to chart it. 
2. To prevent discomfort to the child, avoid overdressing and put the clothes appropriate for climatic condition.
3. Ensure adequate intake of fluids to prevent dehydration.
4. Tepid sponging should be done if temperature is above 102 degree F.
5. Paracetamol should be administered in the dosage recommended by pediatrician. Paracetamol would help to reduce temperature.
6. Don't substitute paracetamol drops with syrup as concentrations are different. 
7. Clobazam may be administered in selected cases as per recommendations from pediatrician. It increases the threshold of having seizure hence risk is minimized but it can't be completely avoided.
8.  The cause of fever must be identified and appropriately treated. 

What to do if child develops convulsion(seizure)

1. Most important, Don't get frightened when child develops convulsion. I know it is easier said than done.
2. Record the event if possible. This will help your doctor to understand the type of seizure.
3. Child should be placed in a lateral position on floor or safe hard surface.
4. Loose the clothes around the neck to prevent airway obstruction.
5. Don't feed anything including medicine by mouth as child may aspirate the medication.
6. Don't place any metallic object in child's hands or mouth(e.g. spoon) to control convulsion. It will only worsen the situation.
7. Most of the seizures are controlled in 3-5 min but if it doesn't happen then administer midazolam nasal spray in the dosage advised by your pediatrician and take the child to nearest hospital for further management. 

What is the risk of having another episode of seizure?

Around 40% of children with febrile seizure will have a recurrence episode. Probability of having recurrent episodes is higher among those with one or more of the following :

1. Age at the onset before 18 months.
2. Seizure occurs within 1 hour of fever
3. Seizure occurs at a lower temperature.
4. One or more of first degree relatives(parents and siblings) has a history of febrile seizure

Risk of epilepsy in children with a history of febrile seizure

• Risk of epilepsy with simple febrile seizure(if seizure lasts for less than 15 min and it only occurs with fever) is 1% which is same as with general population. Hence there is no additional risk after simple febrile seizure.
• Risk of future epilepsy may increase among those with a complex febrile seizure (if episode of seizure is more than 30 min or jerks involve only one side of body)

Effects on intelligence/performance of children with multiple episodes of febrile seizure

1. Febrile seizure don't affect intelligence or school performance.
2. Studies suggest that those with multiple febrile seizure episodes have comparable intelligence to their siblings who do not have a febrile seizure. :)
3. children with prolonged febrile seizure episodes who are prone to future epilepsy may have mild effects.

Disclaimer:  This post is not a substitute of medical treatment. Please consult to your pediatrician and follow his/her advice. We are just another parents like you. Since our child has got one episode of seizure, this topic is so close to our heart and we thought of writing a post on febrile seizure after doing proper research.

All you need to know about choking and gagging in children

This is very important topic to understand for new parents who are going to start solid journey of their little ones. Choking and gagging is considered same most of the time but they are not. In fact they are completely opposite. To the first time parents, it may look same but for your child's safety it is important for you to understand difference between two.

Choking  Choking occurs when baby's airway is blocked due to some obstruction in air passage and child may not be able to breathe.

Gagging: It is a natural phenomenon that prevents choking. In fact gagging reflux is not present only in babies, it is there in adults too. To understand gagging, imagine what happens when you take tooth brush too far in the mouth. you feel like vomiting, pushing it out. Right? This is gagging. Because of this reflex, we prevent choking otherwise we may choke accidently. Same reflux is present in babies too but it is triggered at the front of tongue and as they grow it shifts to back. That is why babies initially gag more especially in the beginning of weaning process. Gagging occurs because baby is not yet skilled with chewing or moving food in mouth and they may get choked accidently. Gagging prevents choking to happen. How beautifully and smartly nature protects our little kids from choking.  

How to differentiate between two: Just follow this simple rule

Loud and Red let them go ahead, silent and blue they need help from you.

If baby is active, coughing and his face turn red, it is gagging but if she has gone completely silent and face is turning blue, it is definitely not gagging. Baby is choking. Help them immediately without delay of single second.   

Should I help/interrupt my baby while gagging: No, not at all. Your baby doesn't need your help while gagging. In fact by interrupting you may make situation bad for them. They can actually choke if you try to interfere. Just remember, gagging is completely safe and a natural process. So you just need to relax and wait for baby to spit out. After it is done, you can gently rub baby's back and give them a close hug but please don't intervene while gagging.    

How to avoid choking

• Whole nuts, grapes, blueberries or fruit of similar shape, candy, chips are choking hazards. So don't offer them whole. 
• nuts should be offered in powdered form
• grapes, blueberries etc. should be quartered (cut horizontally and then vertically).
• candy should also be crushed before offering.
• Keep a close eye on child while eating whether you follow BLW or traditional weaning. Never ever leave an eating child because God forbid, if baby chokes he will not be able to make noise. 

What to do if child is choking

God forbid such thing never happen with any child but I believe in "hope for the best and prepare for the worst." Hence as a parent we should know what to do if child accidently chokes.

check this video for first aid and CPR on choking baby

things you should carry while traveling with baby

Travelling with baby can be overwhelming especially if it is first time. In this post, I would share all the necessary items you should carry for a hassle free travel. 

Things to be kept in diaper bag for easy access 

• Diapers
• Wet wipes
• Garbage bags ( Just in case baby poops or to keep spoilt diapers)
• Feeding bottle (For bottle fed babies) 
• Medicine box
• Paracetamol/crocin drops for fever
• Thermometer to measure temperature
• Diaper rash cream ( I use sudo cream for diaper rash This cream is a multipurpose cream. It can be used for sunburn, itching etc.)
• Coconut oil for Summers and olive/mustard/almond oil for winters.
• Colic aid for colic pain or acidity in children. 
• Nasoclear for blocked nose
• Mamaearth tummy roll on for colic pain
• Any other urgent medicine that is prescribed by your doctor e.g. if child has history of febrile seizure, it is advised to keep a particular medicine(skipping name intentionally) within reach 
• Medicine for loose motion/cough/cold/vomiting etc. (depending on weather)  prescribed by your doctor. 
• Set of clothes( if children spills water, milk, food etc.)
• Few toys or books to keep child engaged.
• 1-2 dry sheets(helpful for diaper changing)
• Bib

Food items during travel

• Water bottle/sipper/open cup - I use straw bottle during travel to avoid spilling otherwise at home I prefer to use open cup
• Dry items for munching  
• Raisins
• Roasted makhane (foxnut)
• Amla candy
• Home made biscuits
• Meal and snack items (depending upon travel time)

Things to be kept in reach during long travel

• Bottle sterilizer (for cleaning bottles)
• Bottle warmer

Things to be kept in luggage

• Footwear (Slippers/sandal/shoes etc.) 
• Feeding bottle (if baby takes feed by bottle) 
• Bottle sterilizer. It is very helpful.  I have not personally used it as my son is exclusively breastfed baby but I have heard very positive reviews from my mommy friends. 
• Bottle warmer (again for bottle fed babies to warm the milk). This is helpful for long travel
• Dry sheets
• Shampoo
• Body wash
• Towel
• Muslin cloth
• Handkerchief or soft cloth for cleaning baby
• Diapers
• Nail clipper
• Moisturizer
• Oil (I use coconut oil in summers and olive/almond/mustard oil in winters)
• Sunscreen (especially required in summer or at beaches)
• Clothes as per weather.

Clothes required in summer 

• Summer cap
• Vest
• shorts
• sleeveless/half-sleeve Shirts/t-shirts
• full length bottom (to wear in AC)
• full sleeve t-shirts or shirts (for wearing in AC)

Clothes required in winters

• Cap (cotton/woolen)
• Inners
• Full bottom
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sweaters
• Jacket
• Shoes
• Socks (cotton/woolen) 
• Gloves/mittens (if your child wears)
• Blankets

If you are carrying winter clothes, keep few spare sets as clothes doesn't dry easily in winters.

I prefer to put my son full length clothes during travel even if it is summer to protect from Air conditioners, dust and sun. 

Things required for teething baby

• Teether
• Muslin cloth to massage gums
• Slice of cold cucumber/carrot
• Teething sticks
• Bib (for drooling babies) 
• Some extra hankies to clean drooling baby's mouth.

Following things are good to carry if you are going to stay for long duration or going on a long vacation

• Mattress protector
• Baby Bather if you use
• Potty seat

Quick healthy snacks idea for kids

Snacks are important part of kids diet and if it is not well planned, children end up eating junk (biscuits, chocolates, chips etc.). Hence I am going to share quick healthy snacks idea for kids that don't require much work.

1. Roasted makhana
2. Roasted peanuts
3. Fresh cut seasonal fruits
4. Curd with seeds
5. Home-made raw paneer
6. foxnut-Coconut ladoo (recipe)
7. Home made biscuits
8. Boiled potato
9. Boiled sweet potato
10. Toast with peanut butter
11. Boiled channa 
12. Boiled sweetcorn
13. Sautéed/boiled raw banana
14. Dates & raisins
15. Milk shake
16. Fruit smoothie(fruits blended in curd)
17. Overnight oats
18. Fresh coconut water
19. Boiled rajma chaat
20. Boiled soya chunks

All above options require no to very little preparation or you can do preparation in advance. If you have some spare time for preparation, you can consider following items too : 

1. Sautéed seasonal vegetables (mushroom, potato, carrot, paneer, taro-root(arbi), cauliflower, broccoli, capsicum, zucchini etc.)
2. French fries
3. Aloo, vegetable or channa tikki
4. Besan, multigrain or ragi cheela
5. sautéed paneer
6. Idli if you have batter prepared
7. Atta/sooji/ragi halwa (I always keep roasted sooji ready so that I can quickly make sooji halwa)
8. makhana kheer
9. Ragi/oats/wheat porridge
10. Custard
11. Ragi banana bread(recipe)

Check this post for list of food options for your child

nipple biting during breastfeeding

Infants, toddler usually bite while breastfeeding for the sake of fun or for soothing when they are teething. Initially moms may find it cute because that naughty smile is just priceless but honestly in longer run, it can be very difficult to breastfeed if baby bites. I have come across some moms who wants to wean off breastfeeding because biting pain is unbearable. 

Here are few techniques that worked for me. 

1. When baby bites, don't smile, laugh or cry in pain otherwise it will become a game for them and children love playing games. Simply unlatch them and say a strict no.

2. They can bite if and only if latch is shallow. In deep latch baby can't bite so whenever child starts to loosen the latch, completely unlatch him and firmly say No.  This way child will understand in just couple of days that he will not get milk if he tries to do this. 

3. If baby is teething and biting for relief, massage his gums with clean damp cloth multiple times in a day preferably before feeding.

4. But if you are already in a bad position and nothing seems to work for you, consider using nipple shield for breastfeeding. 

I would like to repeat it again that please don't cry or make any sound when baby bites I know sometimes it can be unbearable but trust me it will solve your problem in just few days. If you get pain in nipple due to biting, apply nipcare ointment(easily available on medical shops) or moms co cream after each feeding.

My son is 19 months old now and I am still breastfeeding him and in this entire journey, he has bitten me few times. He tries to bite sometime but I am a smarter than him :P and don't give any reaction hence he has to leave the idea.