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Infants from their birth to 6 month age need only breast milk for their nutritional needs.

It meets your baby's needs in first 4 to 6 months, provided you are eating a healthy diet. The breast milk is the best milk for new born children because 1. Mother's breast milk is a complete food for babies. 2. It gives extra immunity to the body of the baby and protects them from illnesses. 3. It is hygienic as it is free from contamination and supplies nutrients to the infant in almost correct amount and proposition. A newborn baby needs breast feeding 8 to 12 times per day i.e. every 2 to 4 hours. The number of feedings will decrease as the baby gets older. When the baby reaches to four months age, he can be fed 4 to 6 times per day, at each feeding the child consume increased quantity as his need grows. Recent report in Epidemiology reports that the longer infants are breastfeded, the less likely they are to become overweight as teens. A baby should be breastfeded for at least first 6 months. If the child cannot take breast milk or if there is some problem in breast feeding, then fortified formula milk can be given. If a newborn baby does not start taking breast milk, then the milk from the breast can be taken out and fed to the child. Formula milk can also be given to such babies who need breast feed training.

Why Breast Milk is the best? 1. Breast Milk vs. Infant Formula Milk
Breast milk is better than infant formula milk. Although both breast-fed and formula-fed babies seem to develop similarly, scientists at the University of Illinois say that breast milk contains immune-protective components that make a breast-fed infant's risk lower for all kinds of illnesses, reports the June 2010 issue of the American Journal of Physiology, Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2. "Breast milk is responsible for higher IQ and leads to lesser chances of having diabetes, hypertension and asthma. It has long term advantages even when the baby grows up into an adult and therefore ensures longevity," says Dr Arun Soni, consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital's Department of Neonatology. 3. Prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding makes kids smarter and improves their academic performance, suggests a research by Dr. Michael Kramer, Professor of Pediatrics and of Epidemiology & Biostatistics in the McGill University Faculty of Medicine, and published in the Journal Archives of General Psychiatry (2008).

Vitamin D & Breastmilk


The mother's milk is deficient in vitamin D, it containg only about 25 IU per liter. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the infants on breastfeed should be given vitamin D supplements of 400 IU/day shortly after birth and continue until they consume 1,000 mL/day of vitamin D-fortified formula or whole milk. Consult your Doctor. Infants who receive vitamin D supplementation have an 80% reduced risk of developing type 1 diabetes over the next twenty years. Vitamin D deficiency makes the bones soft that can be easily bent in children of 6 to 18 months age.
vitamin d deficiency symptoms

When to Start Giving Solids to Infants


The expert recommends that you should introduce solid foods when your child is 4 to 6 months old. But if there is a family history of food allergy and if the child is satisfied with breastfeeding, you can delay the solids until 6 months of age. You should not delay solids past 6 months as the breast milk or formula milk cannot meet out baby's nutritional requirement as the baby grows. The reasons for introducing solids are:

1. At this age, because your baby's natural iron stores begins to decline, iron enriched cereals become necessary. 2. Milk alone is not sufficient for energy requirement. 3. Chewing develops the muscles required for speech.

Is Your Baby Ready for Solids


Your baby is ready for solids when he has good control of head and neck. If the baby wakes up during night or looking for more food after a full breastfeed, you should start solids. Foods that can be given to the babies when they reach the age of 4 to 6 months are iron-fortified baby cereals, ragi powder, suji (sooji, semolina), and raw plantain powder cooked in milk, mashed fruits (apple, pear, banana or avocado), and mashed vegetables (pumpkin, potato, carrot or zucchini) soups. At first start with cereals of soft, smooth texture mixed with breast milk or formula milk to a thin consistency. When the baby learns to control it in his mouth, the cereal may be mixed to a thicker consistency. Never give cereals in the bottle. Solid feeding 1. Week Start with 1 teaspoon of cereal once per day after breast of bottle feed. 2. Week Give 2 feeds per day after breast or bottle feed. 3. Week Add pureed fruits to the cereal for one feed and the other feed only cereal. 4. Week Add pureed vegetables as a third meal per day. Points to Note for Solid Feeding 1. Start solids slowly with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon at a time. Increase the amount gradually. 2. When your child start eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time, you can give the solid food at the second feed. 3. First start with a single food and watch for 4-5 days for any food allergy. Then give second food and watch for any allergy. If you observe any signs of food allergies, consult your doctor. 4. Give soils after a breastfeed or bottle feed. 5. Start giving water to your baby. 6. No meat, chicken or fish before 6 months. No eggs before 8 months. No cow milk before 12 months. It has been found that children who are given cow milk before 12 months have a chance of developing type 1 diabetes as they grow. Note the growth of the baby. In 5 months time, the infant's weight should generally double his birth weight. Some of the information on this age has been compiled from the Golden Circle (Australia) Fact Sheet on Feeding your baby solid foods. Prevention
Constipation in Infants and Children

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Constipation

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Drink lots of water, at least 8 glasses of water daily. Eat foods with dietary fibers such as prunes, figs, cereals, fruits, and nuts to prevent constipation. Eat an apple daily with its skin. Guava when eaten with seeds provides roughage to diet can give relief from constipation. Avoid starchy foods. Reduce intake of foods with sugar and white breads and foods prepared with white flour (maida). Do some regular physical activity, otherwise you have a chance of irregular bowel movements.

Home Remedy for Constipation in Adults


You may use the following remedies for constipation, one at a time for a week or so and see its result. If it does not treat your condition, you may try another one. 1. Drink 1 liter of water in the morning before you eat or drink anything. 2. Drink a glass of warm water with 1 tsp honey and juice of 1/2 a lemon/lime in the morning before you eat or drink anything. 3. Drink 1/2 tsp honey in 1/2 cup warm water 2-3 times a day to cure constipation. 4. Liquorice (mulathi) is a natural laxative. Chew a few sticks daily. 5. Take 3 tsp of psyllium husk (Sat Isabgol) in milk or warm water at bed time. This will give you great relief and over a period of time, it will cure your constipation. Metamucil is nothing but psyllium husk, finely powdered and flavored. 6. Soak one date overnight in half a cup of water. Next morning mash the date and drain the water. Drink 1 teaspoon of this water four times a day. 7. Mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup orange juice and drink to cure constipation. 8. Put some curry leaves (curry patta) in hot water for a few minutes and then take out. Mix them with honey and eat. 9. Eat at least 350 g of grapes daily. The combination of the properties of cellulose, sugar and organic acid in grapes makes it a laxative food. Eating grapes tones up the stomach and intestines and relieves the most chronic constipation. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins soaked in water can be used. Diabetic people should not use grape therapy. 10. Put Senna pods (6 to 12 for adults and 3 to 6 for children) in water and drink this tea. 11. Bale fruit is the best natural laxative. 12. Drink 1 Tbsp of corn syrup added to 4 glasses of water. 13. Mixed castor oil (about half a tsp) with equal quantity of honey and drink daily. Juice Laxative: 14. Mix 1 cup tomato juice, 1/4 cup carrot juice, and 1/2 cup sauerkraut juice and drink. 15. Triphla is a very good herbal remedy for constipation as it is both a purgative laxative and a lubricating bulk laxative. Triphala is composed of Harada (haritaki), Amla (amalaki, Indian gooseberries) and Behada (bibhitaki). You can try triphla capsules from health stores. Chebulic myrobalan (Haritaki, Harida, Harar, Chebulic myroblan, Black myroblan, Harada) has been used in India for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, heart-burn, piles, hemorrhoids, dyspepsia, and liver disorders. There are other herbs for constipation herbal remedy.

Constipation in Infants and Babies


It is common in infants that they do not do poo for 4-5 days. You should not worry if the infant is not uncomfortable. If the baby is purely on mother's milk, then it is highly unlikely that the baby will be constipated, unless the mother has changed her diet or taken any medicine. If the mother is constipated, then the baby may also show the signs of constipation. So mother should try to treat her constipation. 1. New Born Babies or Infants: Stimulates the sphinctors (muscles) in the rectum of the baby by inserting the tip of a thermometer into the babies rectum and slide it back and forth. It really works, but do it very carefully after you take mthe nadvise of your doctor. 2. Dip a small piece of cotton in glyderine and insert it in rectum. 3. Mix few drops of castor oil with a tsp of mother's milk or lukewarm water. Give this once a day to the child, adjust the dose according to the age of the child. 4. For Babies: Give 2 tsp once a day of homemade ghee (clarified butter) with 1/8 tsp of sugar and juice of black currents soaked overnight in water. 5. Soak 6-8 raisins in hot water. When cool, crush well and strain and give the child to eat. It helps to regulate bowel movement. Heat rash symptoms, pictures, causes, treatment and home remedies are given below.

What is Heat Rash?


A heat rash, also called prickly heat (Miliaria crystalline, Miliaria rubra, or Miliaria profunda, in Hindi Ghamoria), is a skin disorder that is caused by heat and sweat. Prickly heat rash usually occurs in hot and humid weather during summers. The following heat rash pictures shows that the rashes can spread to a large part of the body.

The heat rash in children look like adult heat rash. Heat rashes commonly occurs to those who suffer from excess sweat. It generally occurs in covered skin parts such as back, neck, shoulders, abdomen, armpits, upper chest and groin in adults and children. The face, soles and palms are generally not affected. It produces prickly 'pins and needles' sensation on the skin, so it is called prickly heat. The heat rashes can happen to anyone of any age. However, heat rash is most common in babies since their sweat glands are under developed and do not function efficiently. Infant's diaper rashes develop due to prickly heat. In infants, the rashes can be on their neck, shoulders, chest, head, back, armpits and groin.

What does heat rash look like?


Heat rashes are tiny red bumps on the skin at the affected parts of the body. (See the photo of heat rash)

What causes heat rashes?


1. The main cause of prickly heat rash is poor hygiene. When the sweat glands (ducts) become clogged or blocked by dead skin cells or bacteria, they become inflamed at the opening due to accumulation of sweat and natural oils inside the skin, causing itching and rashes. 2. Tight-fitting synthetic clothes of nylon and polyester trap sweat and heats up the skin, so prickly heat is common in people who wear such clothes in summer. 3. Obese people are more susceptible to heat rashes. 4. Prolonged exposure in the intense sun can cause rashes. 5. In India, it is believed that people who eat things like pickles and mangoes in summer excessively, can have prickly heat. 6. In infants due to underdeveloped sweat ducts. 7. Physical activity and hard work 8. Some medications such as high blood pressure and acne medicines. 9. Bacteria

Heat Rash Symptoms


The symptoms of heat rash affected are very clear. 1. The skin is covered with small blisters (bumps) (see the heat rash pictures), in countless numbers. The heat rash can be clear bumps, red bumps, intense itching, prickly sensations like goose bumps. 2. There is no inflammation in the rash but the rashes can be painful. The skin becomes very itchy and irritating and one cannot stop scratching them. The itching can worsen by heat. 3. The person may have little or no sweating at the heat rash affected areas, because his sweat glands are clogged in those areas.

4. The person may feel fatigued and tired.

Prevention & Remedies For Heat Rash


Once you have heat rashes, then you want to know how long does heat rash last and how to get rid of them. The treatment of heat rash is the same for babies, children and adults. Heat rashes usually go away in a few days on its own without any medical attention. Severe cases of heat rashes can be treated at home with some care. The best protection against heat rash is its prevention. Following are home remedies for curing prickly heat rashes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Stay away from the sun. Wear white and loose cotton clothes. Dark colors absorb heat. Do not cover heat rashes, allow moisture to dry so that they can heal faster. Sprinkle non-scented talcum powder or better corn starch or baking soda. This will absorb moisture. Cool your skin with ice, rub ice on the affected area. Take ice in a cloth and put on the skin for a few minutes. Drink plenty of fluids, mainly water. Eat high water content fruits and vegetables to cool the body. eat water melon, apple, pineapple, lemon and orange. Rub the juice of a lemon over unbroken skin after bathing may help to prevent heat rash.

Relief from Itching From Rashes


9. Keep the skin clean and dry. Take bath twice during summers to get rid of sweat and to prevent the rash from spreading further. Dissolve some baking soda or oatmeal powder in the bath water to treat itchiness. You can use a mild antibacterial soap for the bath. Do not use a towel after the bath, allow the skin to dry in air. You can use a cool compress by dipping a cloth in a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda added to one cup of cold water. Place the cloth over the rash for 5-7 minutes, 5 times a day. 10. Take an aloe vera leaf and take out its pulp. Apply it on the affected area to get relief from itching. 11. Apply olive oil to soothe the rash. 12. Apply cucumber pulp on the skin, it has extremely soothing properties. 13. Do not apply any creams that keep the skin warm and moist. Apply calamine lotion, it has very soothing properties. 14. Vitamin A and C supplements can be taken.

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