How to Nebulize

How to Nebulize your Baby

It is the process of medication administration via inhalation . It utilizes a Nebulizer which transports medication to the Lungs.

Illness Like:

Pneumonia
Asthma
Bronchitis
Allergies
Breathing difficulties
Wheezing, etc

In babies we are using mask method .It’s more useful because it’s more comfortable and effective method for baby’s

Reason behind that is the babies are more restless and crying also.

Preparing to use a nebulizer for baby

First check Nebulizer is working or not and any loose connections. Clean all parts of nebulizer like nebulizer mask, tubing’s and medicine cup then wipe it dry.
Wash your hands under running tap water for 20sec with soap or you can use hand rub.
Place the medication into the nebulizer. Unscrew the top of the nebulizer cup and put the prescribed medication into the nebulizer. Many types of respiratory medications for nebulizer treatments come in pre-measured doses. If yours is not pre-measured, measure out the exact amount prescribed for one dose. Secure the top tightly to prevent the medication from spilling out.
Attach the mouthpiece. Secure it to the nebulizer cup. Although different manufactures may have slightly different jet nebulizers, most mouthpieces will attach to the top of the nebulizer cup. Most nebulizers have mouth pieces instead of face masks, since masks can lead to facial deposits.
Connect the tubing. Attach one end of the oxygen tubing to the nebulizer cup. On most types of nebulizers, the tubing will connect on the bottom of the cup. Connect the other end of the tubing to an air compressor used for nebulize
Keep the mask on baby nose and hold it.Hold the baby. Sitting in your lap and make sure the mask is in correct place.
Using an aerosol mask as an alternative to a mouthpiece for baby’s and young children. Aerosol masks attach to the top of the nebulizer cup or medicine cup. (The mask comes in paediatric and adult sizes.
Set up an activity to occupy baby during the nebulizer treatment. Showing some toys etc may help the child sit still for the length of the treatment. Ideally, hold the child in your lap since the child should be sitting straight up to receive the optimal dosage of medication.
The time duration of the inhalation is [5-8 mint]
Wipe the baby face with small soft towel.
Clean the nebulizer as directed by instruction.
Hand wash.
The mask and medicine cup should be washed with warm water .If it possible to soak the pieces in a warm water for 20mints and disinfect it. After disinfect it make it dry and keep it in proper place

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Teething Tips

From the time your child’s first tooth emerges to how much pain it causes, teething is a different experience for every child. Here’s how to spot the signs that your baby is teething so you know how to treat the discomfort.

These are common signs of teething:

Drooling
Swollen, bulging gums
A tooth visible below the gum
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Trying to bite, chew, and suck on everything
Rubbing her face
Rejecting food
Grabbing her ears

If your teething baby seems uncomfortable, consider these simple tips:

Rub your baby’s gums. Use a clean finger or moistened gauze pad to rub your baby’s gums. All you need is a clean finger for this old-fashioned teething remedy. Gentle counter-pressure from Mom or Dad applied to a baby’s sore gums can help ease the pain of teething
Keep it cool. A cold washcloth, spoon or chilled teething ring can be soothing on a baby’s gums. Don’t give your baby a frozen teething ring, however. Contact with extreme cold can be harmful. Try hard foods
Use cold or frozen objects. Giving cold or frozen objects to your baby to chew on can help distract them from crying. In addition, it puts the baby’s mouth and gums at ease. Another useful remedy for teething babies is ice cubes.
Soothe Painful Gums. Normally, babies are able to find items they can chew on to help relieve the pressure
Give Painkillers in a Safe Way if advised by Doctors.
Create a Nice Environment.
Feed Soft Foods.
Maintain Bedtime Routine.
Deal with the Cry.

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Great tools- Rocker/ Strolley/ Pram

Key difference: Baby Pram and Stroller, are wheeled devices which are used to carry children. A baby pram is like a cradle in which babies can lie, whereas a stroller is like a chair in which babies can sit upright.

Rocker:

A bouncer is a seat suitable from birth until about 6 months that doesn’t rock, but is slightly flexible so that it moves slightly when you push it or when your baby kicks as she gets older. A bouncer usually has a bar with toys and lights, and some have music and vibrating options to help soothe your baby.

Buying Tips:

Modern gliders take up more room, but they come with comfy cushions. Add an ottoman so you have a place to rest tired feet.
When you shop, give each rocker or glider a test ride. It should move smoothly and silently. You don’t want your sleeping baby awakened to a symphony of squeaks and creaks.
The seat should be big enough to comfortably fit you and your growing baby.
Make sure the headrest is high enough so you can lean back against it. You’ll appreciate that feature during those exhausting late-night feedings.
Choose an easy-to-wash fabric. You’ll want it to come clean after baby spit-ups and spills.
Choose a colour that helps calm baby. Blue or green are good color choices.

Strolley:

A vehicle for moving a baby around that consists of a small bed supported by a frame on four wheels.

Buying Tips:

To keep baby secure, look for a T-shaped buckle that goes around your baby’s waist and straps between the legs.
The stroller should have brakes on the back wheels and locking front wheels.
When buying a stroller for two, tandem models (where one baby sits in front of the other) are easier to manoeuvre than side-by-side.
The stroller seat should recline all the way back for your new-born, and adjust back up to a seat as your baby grows.

Pram:

A pram is designed to carry new-borns and younger babies, usually while they’re lying down. It’s sturdy and generally can’t be folded flat. A stroller is lightweight and collapsible, ideal for older babies. A buggy can be a pushchair or a stroller, depending on who you ask!

Buying tips:

If you’re always on the go, buy a lightweight umbrella stroller. Just make sure it fully reclines.
Need a place to hold all your baby gear? A full-sized stroller will give you more storage room.
It should be solid, with a wide wheel base. When you push lightly on the handles, it shouldn’t tip backwards.
Make sure you can open the stroller easily with one hand. You don’t want to wrestle with it while holding baby in your other arm.
To keep baby secure, look for a T-shaped buckle that goes around your baby’s waist and straps between the legs.
When buying a stroller for two, tandem models (where one baby sits in front of the other) are easier to manoeuvre than side-by-side.

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How to Wean a Baby and Start Solid Foods

Weaning a Baby off Breast Milk and Starting Solid Foods

Weaning is the gradual process of introducing semi-solid food while continuing with breast milk or infant formula milk.

Weaning means introducing a range of foods gradually until your baby is eating the same foods as the rest of your family.

When to start weaning:

The ideal time to start weaning is after 6 months of age.

How to know a baby is ready for weaning:

Baby shows interest in foods and can sit up.
Baby opens his mouth when food is offered.
Baby can turn head away when he is full.
Baby can pick up foods for self feeding.

Important points should be kept in mind while preparing and feeding a baby :-

Allow the infant to become familiar with the food before trying to give another.
Introduce one food at a time.
Give very small amounts of any new food at the beginning.
Use a very thin consistency when starting solid foods.
Variety in choice of foods is important.
Give freshly prepared food. Allow the baby to feed self, using their fingers, as soon as they show an interest.
Encourage the baby to chew, even if they don’t have teeth, by giving finger foods.
Finger foods provide chewing practice and encourage babies to feed self. It is a gradual process of introducing first Liquid foods followed by Semi solids and Solid foods.

Process of weaning:

First start with Liquid Foods(Milk, Fruit juice, Soups, Dal water)
Then start with Semi-Solid Foods (Mashed banana, Rice flour, Khichdi, Kheer)
Lastly include Solid Foods(Rice, Roti, Dal with vegetables, Bread)

Important dos and don’ts:

Use only clean utensils
Cooked food should be covered to protect it from the flies and dust
Use prepared feed within half an hour
Discard unused feed
Never leave baby alone when eating.
Figure out the foods the baby is allergic like nuts,soy,gluten,cow milk etc.

Introducing Solids For Babies

According to the World Health Organization the right age to wean our baby is around six months .Till six months babies get enough nutrition from breast milk. Some babies though are hungrier and start losing or not gaining weight beyond 4 months, and they would have even started crawling by then, if this happens we would recommend weaning at or after 4 months of age. However, introducing solid foods before 4 months is not recommended, as your baby can not digest food properly.

The Golden Weaning Rules

Get the order – Always start with carbohydrates first and then protein. For vegetarians it is pulses and legumes unlike non vegetarians who can introduce chicken, fish and meat, and fats are the last food to be introduced to babies. Never introduce egg white or cow’s milk in to their diet until the age of 1 year.
Start weaning with either fruits or vegetables pureed, or rice or raagi cooked using plain boiled water. After a week or so, move to vegetables such as carrot or sweet potato, or vice versa if you have started with the cereals first.
Don’t mix flavours- Start your baby on single rather than mixed food’s. Mixing flavours at this stage can blur a child’s sense of taste. You can use a part of the vegetables you cook for yourself, just puree them individually for the first couple of months of weaning.
Encourage for self-feeding. The aim is to get your baby to feed himself as soon as he can pick up and hold food.
Increase their water intake. When baby’s starts on solids they need more water. Avoid any other drinks apart from milk, fruit juices is another good source of water.
Know when they have had enough. If you are using a spoon, and after eating well your baby turns his face away or looks down, then stop feeding. It is a sign that you are over feeding him.
Eat with them. Put your baby in a high chair as soon as he can sit up unaided and have him eat with you. Eating with the family will encourage your child to try a wider range of food items.

Salt: Never add any salt to the foods you give to your baby because their kidneys cannot cope with it.

Sugar: Sugary foods and drinks are not recommended for babies under a year, as they can encourage a sweet tooth and lead to decay when teeth come through.

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How to Breast Feed a Baby

Mother’s milk is perfect and uniquely made for the growing baby’s needs. Giving Mothers milk makes a big difference to both baby and mothers health.

Good for the mother:

Helps womb (uterus) come back normal size and reduces bleeding.
It naturally uses up about 500 extra calories a day so mums who breast-feed often find it easier to lose their pregnancy weight.
It reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Breast-feeding acts as a natural family planning method.
It saves money – formula feeding can cost.

Good for the baby:

All Nutrients required for the first six months, Easy digestion.
Helps baby pass motion easily.
Provides immunity.
Readily available, usually sterile. No danger of allergy
More convenient, requiring no preparation and costs nothing.
Reduces chances of getting some illnesses later in life .
Make you closer with your baby.
Formula milk is made from cow’s milk and other ingredients: So does not help protect baby from illness and diseases.

First Feed:

A healthy baby has put to the breast half an hr to 1 hr following normal delivery.
Following caesarean delivery, a period of 2 to 3 hrs may be sufficient for the mother to breast feed the baby.

Getting ready for Feeding:

You should clean the nipples and breast with cotton soaked in warm water.
Wash your hands prior to breast-feeding.
You and baby should be in a comfortable position during breast-feeding.

What can provide comfortable environment during feed?

You can sit on a chair or bed with back supported so that you will feels comfortable.
You could raise the feet or knees, if you needs to but should not bend over the baby.

How you should hold the baby?

Wrap the baby in a wrapper.
Support the neck, shoulders and back.
You should hold the baby close to you.
He should be able to tilt his head back easily.
Make sure baby’s head and body in a straight line.
If not, the baby might not be able to swallow easily.
Hold the baby’s whole body closes with his nose level with the nipple.
Baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast from underneath the nipple.
Placing your baby with his nose level with your nipple will allow him to reach up and attach to the breast well.
Let the baby’s head tip back a little so that his top lip can brush against your nipple. This should help the baby to make a wide-open mouth.
When the baby’s mouth opens wide, his chin is able to touch the breast first, with his head tipped back so that his tongue can reach as much breast as possible.
With his chin firmly touching and his nose clear, his mouth is wide open and there will be much more of the darker skin visible above the top lip than below his bottom lip. The baby’s cheeks will look full and rounded as they feed.

Nipple feeding is wrong:

When the baby isn’t correctly attached and just sucks the nipple, you feel feeding is painful, the nipples can get damaged, and the baby won’t be able to get enough milk.
Baby will not be satisfied
Milk production reduces
Cracked nipples may happen.
If baby is not attached correctly, stop avoids pulling him off your breast. Instead, break the attachment by inserting your little finger into the corner of her mouth, between her gums. Gently take her off the breast. Then make the latching perfect and start feeding.

How to make the baby burp

When babies suckle they swallow air, which can make them uncomfortable.
Burping is a process by which you can help a baby bring this air up and feel comfortable.
First spread a cloth (burp cloth) on your shoulder
Hold the baby on your shoulder or chest and rub its back
You can also or rub baby’s back while the baby sits or lies on your lap.
These positions will also help comfort a restless baby or a baby that cries more than usual.

Usually you will hear a burp noise.It is normal for babies to bring up some fluids when they burp.

If you put the baby to sleep without burping they may vomit and that may enter the lungs causing difficulty in breathing.

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Babycare – Ear and Nails

Nail Care

The baby’s nails are softer then the adult nails
Babies nails are sharp and a newborn, who has little control over his flailing limbs, can easily end up scratching his own face.
Longer nails also easily become ingrown, and in turn, infected.
Little fingernails grow so fast you may have to cut them as often as a few times a week.
Toenails require less-frequent trimming.

Procedure:

Wash your hands.
The best time to trim nails is while he is sleeping, and after a recent bath when they are still very soft.
Press the finger pad away from the nail to avoid nicking the skin, keep a firm hold on your child’s hand as you clip, and cut straight across.
It might be easier and safer to use a nail file.
Clean the Baby hand with wet wipe and Replace the articles.
Wash your hands using 7 steps.

Ear Care

How to clean ears of a baby

You don’t need to clean the inside of your baby’s ears. Wash behind his ears where spit-up milk can run.
It’s OK to get water in your baby’s ears.
Don’t try to dry the inside of your baby’s ears with cotton swabs (Q-tips); you can damage the eardrum.
Because a cotton swab is often what causes a wax buildup in the first place, you should never use one to clean a baby’s ear canals,
To get the water out, just gently turn her head to the side and let the water run out, then dry the outside of the ear with a soft towel.

How to take care of ear piercing?

We need to take precautions before and after piercing the ear.

The main precautions which we should follow before piercing is:-

Avoiding blood thinners: – Aspirin, alcohol and excessive amounts of caffeine are all blood thinners, so we should avoid these things the day you get pierced. If ignored it can leads to bleeding.

Precautions after piercing the ear:-

There are numbers of precautions to be taken after ear piercing. Hygiene is important to avoid the infection. Other precautions are: –

Wash your hands with antibacterial soap to avoid chances of infection.
Avoid touching the pierced area often.
Starter earrings- do not remove them prematurely; piercings may close or heal improperly.
Do not change the earrings for the first time eight weeks after getting pierced.
Do not use soap as it is harmful for healing ear piercings. It can dry out your skin and make more susceptible for developing a piercing infection.
Be careful with items that could snag your earrings. Hats, scarves, and other items that may catch on your earrings should be worn with care.
Avoid getting shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products on your ears, since the ingredients in these products could lead to an infection.
Sleeping with ear against the pillow can irritate your piercings.
Clean them three times a day
Clean both the front and the back of the piercing; making sure the entire area gets covered.
Gently rotate the earring two or three times to make sure the antiseptic gets inside the piercing.

See a doctor if there is any pus discharge, excessive itching, redness, and extreme pain are signs of an infection. Either remove the earring immediately yourself, or if it is too painful, have a doctor remove it.

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Content Courtesy : Portea

Baby Safety

Baby Proofing is the act of making an environment or object safer for children.

Safety Tips for Toys

Walkers: Avoid them, as they are associated with high chances of head injuries.
Choking hazard: Do not buy small toys or toys with detachable parts less than a one rupee coin for children less than 3 years .Never give young children small balls, balloons – as a baby might swallow them or choke on them while playing with them.
Magnetic toys: Keep magnetic toys with powerful magnets, away from children under six years.
Toxic Chemicals: Avoid toys made of PVC plastic and lead painted wooden toys when buying a wooden toy specifically ask if the paint on it has lead in it.
Noise: Children’s ears are sensitive. If a toy makes sounds loud for your ear then it is probably too loud for your child.
Strangulation Hazard: Strings, plastic bags and ropes can get entangled around your child’s neck.

Around the house

Put rubber mats to prevent slipping. Check the furniture is stable. Keep heavy object such as books , electrical items, coins, house hold things, etc keep in a safe place. Keep the house clean it prevent infections.
In The Kitchen, in lower cupboard contain non- breakable things and plastic items. Keep sharp items like knife, scissors etc keep in upper cupboard .Keep the place clean . Don’t allow baby to come inside kitchen. Close the kitchen door always.
In The Bathroom, all beauty products ,cleaning products like floor cleaner, soap powder, toilet cleaner, soap, shampoo etc keep in a lockable cupboard where baby hand not reach. Keep your bathroom clean. Close the bathroom door always.

Safety and Discipline

Around 9 months your baby will be naturally curious and will be moving quickly. When your see your child approaching a bad situation, remove him from the situation and say NO’ firmly. He may not yet be able to developmentally mind his parents and my repeat the act. This is not disobedience just natural curiosity and exploration. Do not punish your child, rather encourage his independence and exploration by providing a safe home.
No matter how safe your house is, children this age need constant watching unless they are in playpen or a crib.
They are prone to falling injuries. Use gates at stairs .Remove all sharp edged objects like glass –table and breakable objects from the ground.
Be sure crib mattresses are as low as possible. If the crib railing comes to children’s chest level, there are chance of your child falling from it.
Do not use table cloths, as children may grab these to pull themselves up, in turn risking falling of heavy or hot objects placed on them.
Put medicines and poisonous items like detergents, toilet cleaners etc. In high or locked up places.
Cover all electrical outlets and do not leave mobile charges etc. Hanging from them.
Turn the handles of pots and skillets away from stove edge .Keep the gas cylinder switched off when not in use.
Never leave your child alone in the bathtub, pool or bucket of water.

Baby Safety [crib or bed]

Providing a safe environment is an important part of caring for your new baby. Babies need to be safe at home and when they’re away from home. There are some simple things you can do to help keep your baby safe and secure. Always consult your healthcare professional if you have concerns about your baby.

Good sleeping habits are important for your babies physical and emotional well beings. Babies under one year of age should sleep on their backs in their own cribs.

Baby Sleeping Safety.

All infants should be put down for sleep on their backs to reduce the risk for sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also called SIDS. Give your baby a pacifier before he goes to sleep. … Avoid soft bedding that might suffocate your baby, such as pillows, blankets, plush toys, and bumpers in the crib.
When you buy a crib, it comes with those ominous words: “Some Assembly Required.” Follow the instruction manual carefully, and make sure the hardware is tightened properly and that there are no sharp edges. After you start using it, check the crib periodically to make sure nothing has come loose.

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Comforting a Crying Baby

Comforting a Crying Baby by Famhealth

Babies have crying bouts throughout the first year as this is their only means of communicating for food and comfort.

When your baby cries, your first instinct will be to pick them up. While there have been conflicting views on this topic, let your instinct guide you and do not be afraid of spoiling the baby.

Your baby is new to the world and needs to know that you are reliable and always available. However, if you feel that your baby is crying a lot and that it is making you lose patience or get over tired, get in touch with other mothers, self help and support groups or voluntary organizations which can help you find ways to cope. Let’s explore reasons why the baby may cry and what solutions are available to you.

Why Your Baby May Be Crying

If the crying sounds pitiful or different from normal, the baby may be unwell or a blocked nose could be the cause of the problem. Other possible reasons may be:

Nappy rash or sore bottom
Colic
Being too hot or too cold
During the process of bathing or dressing etc
Your own bad mood may cause your baby to react with crying bouts.
Too much fussing may be upsetting the baby

Ways to Pacify a Crying Baby

If you fear your baby may be ill, do not hesitate to call a doctor as he may prescribe some remedies such nasal drops to help the baby breathe better and thus calm down
If the baby has a sore bottom, take the nappy off and clean the bottom thoroughly. You may leave off the nappy for the rest of the day.
If your baby is suffering from colic, try not to resort to medications at first and soothe the baby by rocking or take the baby out for a walk around the block.
Avoid over heating or over chilling the baby’s room. The ideal room temperature for the baby is what is comfortable for lightly clothed adults.
The baby may be hungry or thirsty so offer a feed or water
The baby may need attention through a cuddle or may have gas that is relieved by rocking rhythmically in your arms or in a rocking chair
Wrap the baby firmly in a shawl, tucking the ends to make a bundle. This process called a ‘swaddle’ makes a baby feel safe and secure.
Another way to calm the baby is by gently patting the tummy or back to calm them or to relieve gas in the tummy.
A pacifier or something to suck ,which is sterilized properly is another common remedy
Babies love bright colorful things so distracting them with a picture book, a mirror or a new toy may also work.

Crying is a normal process, which all babies show. However, ask your health care provider if your child is showing continuous bouts of crying in spite of all your efforts. Doctor can perform an examination which can depict some medical condition which you might not be able to figure it out.

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Tag: Baby

How to Nebulize

Teething Tips

Great tools- Rocker/ Strolley/ Pram

How to Wean a Baby and Start Solid Foods

How to Breast Feed a Baby

Babycare – Ear and Nails

Nail Care

Baby Safety

Comforting a Crying Baby

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