Mother She Knows

Caring for Your Baby

Baby Care and Needs

What Causes Baby to Have Yellowish Skin?

By Leave a Comment

Newborn babies are very prone to experience yellowing of skin and sometimes including their eyes too. This condition is called jaundice. Newborns and infants are very much prone to it. However, it can be cured and often gets better or completely disappears as the baby grows. In this article, let us discuss further about jaundice and what are its treatments too.

What is Jaundice?

Our body creates bilirubin to replace old red blood cells. Our liver helps in breaking down of bilirubin so it can be discharged. However, most newborns experience high levels of excess bilirubin which causes the yellowing of baby’s skin and the white part of the eyes. Symptoms of jaundice often occurs a few ours or even first few days after the child’s birth but it’s peak is 3 to 7 days after birth.

Babies who are not getting enough milk either breastfed or formula are at high risk of developing jaundice in newborns. This also includes those that are premature babies (36weeks and below), and those whose blood type is not compatible with their mothers.

How to Get Rid of Jaundice

For mild jaundice, it may take weeks before it completely disappears. Since the bilirubin can be eliminated from the body through the waste, the doctor may suggest to feed baby more frequently so that he will be able to urinate or poop more and discharge waste.

For moderate to severe jaundice, there are different types of treatment which can be done in the hospital by professionals. Of course, frequent feeding and supplimentation could still be applied along with other treatments that includes:

•Phototherapy or light therapy. Your baby (in bare skin with only diapers on) will be placed in a bed, under a special lamp that gives off light that changes the structure of bilirubin so it can easily be eliminated and discharged by the body through waste. Your baby would need to wear eye patch for protection too.

•Blood Transfusion. It can be done by getting small amount of blood from the baby’s body and replacing it with a compatible blood type from a donor. This could help in diluting the birilubin and lower its count in the baby’s body.

Seeing A Doctor

Few days from the delivery of the child, it is a must to have a baby’s follow up check up. The doctor will be able to tell if ever there your baby is having jaundice and of what level, including whatever treatment may be possible to get rid of it.

Having a newborn could get us a cloud-9 feeling, however, taking care of them is not an easy peasy thing to do. Every unusual thing we notice should be observed and brought to the attention of experts to make sure that things are well. But then, let’s not forget that this new life that was blessed to us is a very precious thing that we need to celebrate and give thank for.

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/newborn-jaundice#symptoms

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infant-jaundice/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373870

At What Age Should a Baby Use Pillow and Blanket?

By Leave a Comment

Our sleep is a lot more comfortable if we have pillows to support our neck and head plus a blanket that keeps us warm and secured. However, that is not the case when it comes to our little ones. Experts advised that when we put our babies to sleep (especially the newborns and infants), we should not put any object near them or inside the crib where they sleep. Why are these comfy objects considered dangerous for the baby? Here is an article that discusses it, and to what age will be safe to introduce these things to our baby.

Why Pillows and Blankets are Unsafe for Babies

•Blankets, pillows, stuffed toys and even a very soft mattress are considered to be factors that increases possibility of SIDS. It is said that the barer the bed/crib, the better. Babies do not need these things actually. If you think he could feel cold while sleeping at night, you can let him wear swaddles(for newborn only) or even onsie and frogsuits to make him feel more warm and secured too.

•Suffocation may happen anytime if these items gets near to your baby’s face while he is deeply asleep. It might block airways and considering that newborns and infants are still vulnerable, it could really be life-risk for them.

•Use of pillow may trigger flat-head syndrome. Flat head syndrome is when a portion of your child’s head is too flat instead of being curved. Though it is not something we want our baby to have, it is not a life-threatening and it can still be changed and cured as the baby grows.

•Pillows and blankets can cause overheating to the baby’s body as well especially if the fabric used in making it is polyster. This is not breathable. It can trap heat in between the fabric and baby’s body or head. Overheating is also a factor that contributes to SIDS.

At What Age is Safe to Use Pillow and Blankets?

Study shows that the best time to introduce pillow and blankets to your baby is when he reaches 24 months or 2 years of age. By this time, he is already in control of his body. Even when he is asleep, whenever he feels uncomfortable, he can already detect the need for him to shift his position. Though, as parents, it is still the best for us to check on them from time to time or even just a couple of times especially if they already sleep through the night.

Caring for our baby requires paying attention to all details and ask experts or professionals for advise because what may seem fine to you may cause danger to that little being. It is best to be cautious to ensure safety all the time.

Why Does My Baby’s Neck Stink?

By Leave a Comment

Infant’s stinky and raw neck is a common problem faced by mommies of infants and newborn babies. It really requires for mommies to be keen to details and pay attention to everything about the baby. These things don’t usually happen to adults, so mommies are asking what’s making their baby’s neck raw and smell aweful or how can they prevent and cure this issue. This redness and stinky neck folds of babies are also called Neck Cheese. Find out more about it in this article.

What’s Causing Cheese Neck

Baby’s skin around their neck are often in folds, especially those babies who are chubby. Considering that babies are drinking milk constantly, there’s a big chance that every now and then, their milk would drip from their mouth to their neck folds. Along with it, every day dusts, sweat, and dirt may get trapped into those folds as well. Through time, it can irritate the skin of the baby, causing it to become red and raw. The mists in it can trap bacteria as well, and so, the more it becomes stinky.

How to Prevent and Cure Cheese Neck

•To prevent it, make sure that every after feeding, you wipe your baby clean including the neck folds to make sure of getting rid those milk.

•When giving your baby a bath or cleaning him, make sure you include the neck part too. Poke your fingers into the folds to wipe off those white particles in the folds. Make sure not to rub it though since it could be painful for the baby.

•Every after bath or cleaning time, make sure you dry baby’s neck folds and get rid of the moistures that can trigger cheese neck too. Keep it dry and clean.

•You can use bib or maybe any other clean clothes to put under your baby’s chin when breastfeeding or even when bottlefeeding too. The excess milk that may drip to the folds will be caught into the bib and won’t get into the neck folds.

•To cure it, again, cleanliness and proper hygiene is a big factor that can help. Make sure you do it properly without irritating the skin further.

•In my experience, my baby’s pedia recommended Drapolene Cream that i can apply to my baby’s neck folds every after bath, once he is already dry. For me that worked well. We were able to get rid of it after a few days.

•I have also read that vaseline and other doctor-recommended ointments and creams could help too. If you have done the cleaning and it doesn’t seem to get better, you can always ask for recommendations from experts too.

Who wouldn’t want to cuddle, kiss and giggle a baby, right? It is our job as mommies to keep our babies clean and smell good. The more, keep them away from any issues like the cheese neck or milk neck. Aside from the fact that it could be stinky, it sure is painful for the baby. So, keep that baby clean, dry, healthy and happy!

What Second Hand Smoke Can Do to Your Baby

By Leave a Comment

The world has always been warned that cigarette smoking is dangerous to our health. It is the cause of life-risky diseases such as lung and esophageal cancers, heart disease, stroke, aneurysm and a lot more. If smoking has been dangerous to adults who are smomers, how much more and what could have been its effect to the second hand smokers especially the babies? Is it as life-threatening to children as it is to adults? Let’s find out.

Effects of Secondhand Smoking to Babies

•Respiratory Infectons. Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoking are much more prone to develop respiratory infections and lung diseases.

•Ear Infectons. Experts speculaten that when a child is exposed to secondhand smoke, the tube in his ear may become blocked up or inflamed. This can cause for water and dirt to be trap inside the ears making it an ideal place for bacteria and infections.

•Asthma and Allergies. Children are more probe to asthma and allergies once exposed to secondhand smoke. Not only because of the toxicity of the smoke but also because of the contained harmful chemicals in it.

•Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This refers to sudden death of healthy infants (below one year old) during sleep. There is no scientific reason for it but secondhand smoking is one of the factors that researchers see as a contributing factor.

•Sickly Children. With the exposure in secondhand smoking, children are more prone to getting sick. They could easily get cough, wheezing, bronchitis and even pneumonia.

How to Save Children from Secondhand Smoke

•From pregnancy, avoid smoking or avoid being in the same room with someone who smokes. Even if the baby is still inside you, he is unsafe from all the hazardous things you could encounter like secondhand or thirdhand smoking.

•Newborn babies are very vulnerable. Protect them. Never let anyone smoke around you. Even inside the car with windows down, it is still unsafe. Completely eliminate smoking from your daily lives. The child’s welfare should come first.

•When going out into the public, always be vigilant and check if the place you are in designates a smoking area or not. Children are helpless so stand up for them.

•Ask relatives, friends, nannies, baby siyters and care givers to step outside when they smoke. Inform them that you don’t allow smoking near your children.

•As early as toddler stage, teach your kids to avoid people who are smoking. Make them understand how dangerous and risky it is for their health.

It takes a very consistent effort and sacrifice to be able to raise our children. They are supposed to be well taken cared off. Take the responsibility to save and protect your children from secondhand smoke risks.

Why You Shouldn’t Kiss an Infant’s Face

By Leave a Comment

What gestures do we usually use to show love and affection to little ones? Hugging, kissing, verbal compliments, giggling and the likes. But, do you know that it is really not advisable to kiss a newborn’s or infant’s face, lips, not even hands. Frustrating, trully. Especially for Momma’s like me. Everytime my baby is sleeping right next to me, or when im cuddling with him and he stares back at me, or just simply when he makes a cutie face look, i surely want to dive and shower him with kisses. How I’d giggle and want to kiss those cheeks soundly. But no, I’d rather not risk it. Why? Why should we be cautious with this thing? Read on to find out why.

The Risks of Kissing a Baby

•Cavities

Streptococcus Mutans is a kind of bacteria present in a person’s saliva. When you kiss a baby, it can be passed on to him and it can cause cavities in his teeth. Oral hygiene is very important especially when you are around the little ones.

•Cold Sores Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type1

An adult who has stronger immune system may be unaware that he is carrying such virus. However, a baby who has never had any antibodies and immunity to fight against these viruses will surely be in trouble. Cold sores and blisters may develop around the mouth area and spread in the face. It may even get worse if unattended.

•Allergies

A woman who is wearing cosmetics and lipstic that has a strong chemicals on it might trigger allergies to babies. Also, someone who has been out for a meal might still got bits of food around his mouth and would trigger allergic reaction when he showers kisses to the baby.

•Respiratory Syncytial Virus

This virus causes Respiratory and Lung Infections. Considering that it is highly contagious, babies are vulnerable to it. An adult’s simple cough and cold could already be a different case when it comes to babies. When someone is sick, he should not get around to babies without any protection like mask.

•Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

This disease is very common among children. It can easily be passed through close contact, touching and kissing. It’s symptoms includes sores especially in mouth, hand and feet, children feel extra tired, they might experience sore throat, and fever might come too.

In Handling Kids and Babies, Remember to:

•Maintain your good hygiene. As a mother or someone who handles the baby daily, you should be clean all the time too.

•Wash hands or sanitize hands before handling babies especially newborn and infant.

•Keep baby clean all day long by wiping with wet wipes and baby wipes. Keep him fresh too.

•Tell people around you to practice hand washing and sanitizing too before they touch the baby.

•Educate people near that kissing the baby is a No No. Make them understand why too.

Handling newborn and infants requires extra care and attention. They are the most vulnerable when it comes to germs, virus and bacteria around us. Practice the do’s and don’ts. It is better to contain our affection and overwhelming feeling towards the baby by ourselves than put them at risk. No regret will ever come first so better take precautions seriously.