How your breasts produce milk

In the first few days after the birth, your breasts produce colostrum , a protein-rich food that supplies your baby with valuable antibodies against infection. Once you begin to produce milk on around the fourth day, your baby will naturally stimulate your body into producing a plentiful supply for his/her dietary needs.

The key to a good milk supply is feeding your baby when he/she wants to be fed - and in the early days that may mean at one – or two – hourly intervals. Breast milk production works on a demand and supply system: the more often your baby nurses, and the more he/she takes, the more your breasts will produce. Supplementary bottles of formula milk will undermine this system: if your baby’s hunger is satisfied by a bottle, he/she won’t be eager to suck and your breasts won’t get the stimulation they need.

Breast milk isn’t all the same. At the beginning of the feed, your baby takes foremilk, which is watery and thirst-quenching. Then he/she gets to the hindmilk, rich in calories and more satisfying. This is why it’s important to let his/her suck for as long as he/she wants to at each feed: otherwise he/she will soon be hungry again.

What you need to do

All you need to do to produce enough milk is to eat a good, balanced diet with plenty of protein, to drink whenever you are thirsty – have a glass of juice or milk on hand while you feed – and to rest as much as you can. Your baby’s natural appetite will do the rest.

You need a lot of energy to produce breast milk, so this is not the time to diet – you will feel run down and exhausted. Follow your appetite, and make sure you get the extra calories you need from fresh, vitamin – rich foods rather than “empty” carbohydrates. While you’re breastfeeding you need to take a vitamin D supplement containing 10 micrograms (mcg). Everything else you should get by eating a varied and balanced diet.     

Nappy Rash

Nappy Rash: What is it?

Nappy rash is an inflammation of the skin on a baby’s bottom. It may occur if your baby has been left in a dirty nappy for too long, because as urine and faeces are broken down ammonia is released, which burns and irritates her skin. It can also be due to an allergy to soap powder used when washing fabric nappies. A similar-looking rash may be caused by thrush, which can affect the mouth, as well as the nappy area. Thrush usually starts in the creases at the top of the legs.

Nappy Rash: Symptoms

1. Red, spotty, sore looking skin in the nappy area
2. Smell of ammonia

Child care topic: safety in the car

1. Make sure the car seat installation conforms to ISOFIX.
2. Never let any child travel unrestrained. Always strap your child into her seat with the safety harness.
3. Never travel with your baby in your lap or your arms
4. If your car has air bags, do not put the baby seat in the front passenger seat. Children are always safer in the back seat.
5. If you have an accident, replace your seat belts, your child's car seat, and the seat's anchorage kit: they may have been damaged.
6. Never buy second-hand car seats, harnesses, or anchorage kits for the same reason.

Having an operation for your child

If your child is old enough to understand, it will help to explain what will happen on the day of her operation. Ask the doctor how the anaesthetic will be given (it may be injected or inhaled through a mask). If inhaled through a mask, you will be allowed to stay with your child while he/she is given the anaesthetic, and also be allowed in the recovery room after she wakes up. Try to be with his/her after the operation since she may be frightened.

1. Warn your child that he/she will not be allowed to eat or drink anything on the day of his/her operation
2. Tell your child that he/she will be dressed up for the operation in a hospital gown, and will wear a bracelet with his/her operation
3. While he/she is still in the ward, your child may be given a “pre-medication” (pre-med) to make him/her sleepy
4. Tell your child that she will walk or be wheeled in his/her bed to the anaesthetic room, where he/she will be given an anaesthetic. He/she will fall asleep

First signs of illness

Even if your child has no definite symptoms, you will probably know when he/she is not feeling at his best. He may look pale, be clingier than usual, cry or whine, or seem very irritable. He may be off his food. When your baby is teething, don’t assume that the symptoms are due to this. All symptoms should be taken seriously in a baby under a year old- babies can become ill very quickly. If your child is over a year old, keep a check on how his symptoms progress over the next few hours.

Calling the doctor

If you think you don’t know what is wrong with your child, phone your doctor and describe your child’s symptoms to him, and tell him/her age. The doctor will tell you what to do, and will know whether your child needs medical attention.

Degree of urgency

Whenever you are instructed to call the doctor, you will be told how quickly your child needs medical help

Call for emergency help immediately

This is a life-threatening emergency. So call for an ambulance, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Call your doctor now

Your child needs medical help now, so contact your doctor straightaway, even if it is the middle of the night. If he can’t come immediately, call for emergency help.

Consult your doctor as soon as possible

Your child needs to be seen by a doctor within the next 24 hours.

Consult your doctor

Your child should be seen by a doctor within the next few days.  

Picking up a newborn baby

If you are a first-time parent you might find picking up and holding a newborn baby a little daunting at first because your baby seems too delicate to handle. But as long as you provide proper support, you will find that he/she is perfectly safe and loves being held.

Always put your baby on her back to sleep to sleep. She will be at lower risk of cot death and chocking than if she sleeps on her tummy or her side. However, when she is awake, she should spend some time each day lying on her front.

Picking up your newborn baby: Step by Step

• To pick up your baby, slide one hand under her lower back and bottom and the other under her head and neck.
• Lift her gently and slowly so that her body is supported and her head can’t loll back.
• Carefully transfer her head to the crook of your elbow or your shoulder so that it remains supported.

Building a loving relationship with your baby

Right from the beginning, your relationship with your new baby is an intense, two- way on that will grow into a real and lasting love. Bring him/her up close to your face to talk and coo to him/her- the baby will look intently back at you, gazing raptly at your face. Eye contact always plays a big part in falling in love, and it is the same with you and your baby. Try sticking the tip of your tongue out when you are looking at each other; he/she will quickly learn to respond by doing the same- this is real two-way communication. He/she will reward your efforts to calm him/her by quietening at the sound of your voice. And when he/she is miserable, she will want you to hold and comfort him/her.

cleaning baby boy

At nappy changes and bath times, wash or wipe around your baby’s penis and scrotum to clean away any obvious soiling. After a nappy change you can use a damp cloth or cotton wool. While your son is a baby, his penis will self-clean to some extent. Don't try to pull back his foreskin to clean as you won’t be able slide it back. 

Your baby’s foreskin will be attached to the head of his penis. The foreskin will separate from his penis by the time he’s two. You don’t need to help it along and you’ll probably do more harm than good if you try. Forcing back the foreskin may cause it to tear, which can hurt your baby and leave scarring. It may also cause problems for your little boy later on. If your baby has been circumcised, you can keep his penis clean as a part of his normal bathing. After the bath you could put some petroleum jelly on his penis to protect it from rubbing against his nappy. 

Cleaning baby girl's genital area

Your baby’s genitals are very delicate, so cleaning this area needs extra special care. You can wash your baby’s penis or vagina with just water for the first couple of weeks. After that, you can add a little mild pH neutral baby cleanser to the water or wash your baby's genital area with a gentle, moisturizing soap. If, at any stage, your baby's skin is dry, you could add bath emollient solution to the water when you bath him. 

Changing the diaper of a baby girl will take slightly longer than that of a little boy. Little girls have more folds in their genital area that can breed bacteria and infection if not cleaned well. Clean your baby girl as soon as you discover she has soiled her diaper. Remember to keep a well-stocked supply of diapering materials on hand so you do not have to make a run to the store with a dirty-diapered child in tow.

Newborn baby bathing time for girls spread the labia and using a moistened cotton ball, gently wipe between the labia. When cleaning around the vagina always wipe from front to back. You may notice that secretions and diaper creams collect and cake between the vulva and the outer labia. This area requires the most cleansing. A normal egg-white vaginal discharge is common between the inner labia and vagina. It is not necessary to clean away this normal discharge.

Infectious illnesses in children -Parvovirus B19

Incubation period:

 1-20 days. 

Infectious period:

 A few days before the rash appears (children are no longer contagious when the rash appears).

Infectious illnesses in children -German measles (Rubella)

Incubation period: 

15-20 days. 

Infectious period:

 from one week before the rash first appears until at least five days after it's gone.

Symptoms:

• It starts like a mild cold.
• A rash appears in a day or two, first on the face, then on the body. The spots are flat (on light skin they're pale pink).
• Glands in the back of the neck may be swollen.
• Your child won’t usually feel unwell.
• It can be difficult to diagnose rubella with certainty.

What to do:

Infectious illnesses in children -Whooping cough

Incubation period:

 6-21 days. 

Infectious period:

 from the first signs of the illness until about six weeks after coughing starts. If an antibiotic is given, the infectious period will continue for up to five days after starting treatment. Antibiotics need to be given early in the course of the illness in order to improve symptoms.

Symptoms:

• The symptoms are similar to a cold and cough, with the cough gradually getting worse.
• After about two weeks, coughing bouts start. These are exhausting and make it difficult to breathe.
• Younger children (babies under six months) are much more seriously affected and can have breath-holding or blue attacks, even before they develop a cough.
• Your child may choke and vomit.
• Sometimes, but not always, there will be a whooping noise as the child draws in breath after coughing.
• The coughing fits may continue for several weeks, and can continue for up to three months.

Infectious illnesses in children -Mumps

Incubation period:

 14-25 days. 

Infectious period:

from a few days before starting to feel unwell until the swelling goes down.

Symptoms:

• A general feeling of being unwell
• A high temperature
• Pain and swelling on the side of the face in front of the ear and under the chin. Swelling usually begins on one side, followed (though not always) by the other side
• Discomfort when chewing
• Your child’s face will be back to normal size in about a week. It’s rare for mumps to affect boys’ testes (balls). This happens more often in adult men with mumps. If you think your child’s testes are swollen or painful, see your GP.

Infectious illnesses in children- Measles

Measles

Incubation period: 7-12 days. 

Infectious period: from around four days before the rash appears until four days after it's gone.

Measles Symptoms:

• Measles begins like a bad cold and cough with sore, watery eyes.
• Your child will become gradually more unwell, with a temperature.
• A rash appears after the third or fourth day. The spots are red and slightly raised. They may be blotchy, but not itchy. The rash begins behind the ears and spreads to the face and neck, then the rest of the body.
• The illness usually lasts about a week.
• Measles is much more serious than chickenpox, German measles or mumps. It's best prevented (by the MMR vaccination). Serious complications include pneumonia and death.

What to do:

Infectious illnesses in children- Chickenpox

Incubation period:

 Between 1 and 3 weeks

Infectious period:

 The most infectious time is 1-2 days before the rash appears, but it continues to be infectious until all the blisters have crusted over.

Symptoms:

• It starts with feeling unwell, a rash and a slight temperature.
• Spots develop, which are red and become fluid-filled blisters within a day or two. They eventually dry into scabs, which drop off. The spots appear first on the chest, back, head or neck, then spread. They don’t leave scars unless they're badly infected.

What to do:

eating for a healthy baby

Start your baby on healthy eating habits early and you may never have a “white food only” kid. The more texture, flavor and variety you offer to your baby, the more likely you will have a life long healthy eater.

I generally recommend that new babies start solids at 5 months of age. At 5 months, they can usually sit in a highchair or on your lap with minimal assistance. Before 5 months, your baby will likely just flop to one side or another when placed in a highchair. Start with root vegetables, lentils and iron rich cereals. Sweet potatoes, yams, and squash are all great first foods. Lentils, my favorite, are full of iron and are truly an excellent super food for baby. Make the food taste good. If it doesn’t taste good to you, it doesn’t taste good to them.

At 5 months, I recommend you feed your baby food just once or twice a day. At 6 months, it is time to start on a true meal routine. Your baby should be eating 2-3 x/day by 6 months and 3 x/day by 7 months. Introduce ground lamb and beef, and continue with those lentils, while introducing black beans as well as other legumes. These foods are rich in iron and healthy fats. Your baby needs these for optimal brain growth and development.

Cesarean delivery section

Cesarean delivery — also known as a C-section — is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen and a second incision in the mother's uterus.  

A caesarean section is an operation in which an obstetrician makes a cut through your belly and uterus so that your baby can be born. A C-section is the surgical delivery of a baby that involves making incisions in the mother's abdominal wall and uterus. Generally considered safe, C-sections do have more risks than vaginal births. Plus, you can come home sooner and recover quicker after a vaginal delivery. However, C-sections can help women at risk for complications avoid dangerous delivery-room situations and can save the life of the mother and/or baby when emergencies occur.

C-sections are done by obstetricians (doctors who care for pregnant women before, during, and after birth) and some family physicians. Although more and more women are choosing midwives to deliver their babies, midwives of any licensing degree cannot perform C-sections. A Cesarean section (C-section) is surgery to deliver a baby. The baby is taken out through the mother's abdomen. In the United States, about one in four women have their babies this way. Most C-sections are done when unexpected problems happen during delivery. These include

Cold and flu in newborn baby

Cold and flu are the common names for overlapping syndromes of respiratory infection caused by a number of viruses. According to Family Doctor, the two are mainly differentiated by onset and severity: Flu symptoms usually onset abruptly and are more severe. Cold symptoms onset over several days and are typically milder. Cold and flu symptoms may appear differently in newborns than in older infants and children. Systemic symptoms of colds and the flu, according to Family Doctor, include fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headache. Rectal temperature between 100.4 and 102 degrees F is characteristic of a cold. Higher temperatures usually indicate flu. A newborn cannot tell you that he is experiencing fatigue, muscle aches or a headache. Therefore, a caregiver must be attuned to other signs, such as lethargy, irritability and fussiness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a newborn who does not want to be held or who is difficult to rouse needs to be seen by a doctor.

Natural remedies to ease baby cold

• Saline drops are a great way of unblocking bub’s nose and keeping nasal passages clear. You can buy saline and syringe kits from the chemist. Simply put a few drops of saline into bub’s nose and use a washcloth or syringe to remove any mucous.
• Steam is a well-known remedy for unblocking a congested nose. A humidifier with a few drops of eucalyptus oil can help loosen bub’s blocked nose and keep the air moist to prevent nasal congestion. If you don’t have a humidifier you can create the same effect in your bathroom. Simply run the hot water taps in the shower for a few minutes with the bathroom door closed. The steam in the bathroom can assist in unblocking bub’s nose and reducing congestion.
• Keeping bub’s head elevated can also assist with congestion. Try putting a folded towel underneath the cot mattress to keep bub’s head slightly elevated while sleeping. Here are 4 germ-fighting tips to help keep your kids and home clean:

Breastfeeding strategies

Breastfeeding should be pleasant for both mother and baby, and your baby's distress does not indicate a pleasurable experience. While food allergens in your diet can pass through your milk and affect your baby, it doesn't sound as if that's happening in your case. Infants with food allergies (generally to dairy or wheat products in the mother's diet) have diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain after, but not during, feeding.

Gastro esophageal reflux (GER) is also a common cause of pain associated with eating, but, similar to food allergies, the pain from reflux usually occurs immediately or shortly after eating. It sounds as if your suspicions that an overactive milk ejection reflex is responsible for your baby's upset are correct. During breastfeeding, there is usually a balanced supply and demand -- you supply the exact amount of milk that baby needs at a rate he can swallow and digest. Even though some nursing mothers do deliver more milk than a baby can handle at one feeding, by 3 months of age the supply and demand usually clicks in. It sounds as if this balancing has not yet happened for you. You should continue working with your health care provider and pediatrician to find out the exact source of your baby's nursing discomfort. In the meantime, here's how you can help him feed more comfortably:

Top 5 Essential Health care tips for children

1. Healthy breakfast 

               Insist on serving the breakfast for your kids which must be heavy and well balanced. Since it is the most important and essential meal of the day. Thus, you should include most of the essential supplements that your kid needs for the day. Some of the essential supplements are listed below.

Calcium rich foods

         Include calcium rich foods such as milk, soy milk, yogurt, etc in your child’s diet as they help in bone development. Deficiency of calcium can lead to weakness in knock knees, bones, sleep disorders, etc.

Protein rich foods

         Include protein rich foods such as eggs, chicken, etc in your child’s diet as they help in muscle growth. However, the protein intake must be in required quantity, because excess intake of protein can cause kidney problems.

Whole grains and green vegetables

             Include lots of whole grains and green vegetables in your child’s diet. They help build stronger immune system and blood vessels and lowers the risk of falling prey to diseases and infections.

Iron rich foods 

         Include iron rich foods (all green leafy vegetables) in your child’s diet as it the main component of blood. Deficiency of iron leads to anemia which can cause other health problems and illness which is very common among kids.

Dental Care Tips for Children

These days in the fast moving life where everyone is so busy there is hardly anytime left to take care of our body, teeth, etc. Even if we take good care of ourselves, it is important that we do not overlook the dental care of our kids.

It is extremely important that you understand the basics of children’s dental and oral care, because at this stage of dental care you are going to lay down a healthy and a strong dental care for the future. One best way which can help you to familiarize with the oral care needs of your child so that they have strong dental habits in the future is that you can educate yourself with the various fundamentals of children’s dentistry.

Oral Hygiene

It is important that the children’s brush your teeth twice and regular dental checkups are important in building good oral hygiene at an early age.  It is important that you brush your child’s teeth until they are big enough to do so. Brush your child’s teeth the right way. Select a small and a soft brush and pea size tooth paste is enough as it will not interfere in your brushing and it will not form much foam also.

Preventing Tooth decays by Cavities

Tooth cavities can be easily be prevented by good oral health, however some additional steps can be incurred to maintain your child’s tooth against the attack of cavities. You can use toothpaste which contains fluoride. As soon as your child’s permanent teeth have erupted it is important that you speak to the dentists about the application of sealants. Sealants are clear and a protective coating applied on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects against the cavity from shielding against the bacteria and plague. They are mostly placed on the back teeth, because these are the areas where there are more chances of being attacked by cavities.

If you leave your child alone home

Every parent eventually faces the decision to leave their child home alone for the first time. Whether they are just running to the store for a few minutes or working during after-school hours, parents need to be sure their children have the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely. Being trusted to stay home alone can be a positive experience for a child who is mature and well prepared. It can boost the child's confidence and promote independence and responsibility. However, children face real risks when left unsupervised. Those risks, as well as a child's ability to deal with challenges, must be considered. This fact sheet provides some tips to help parents and caregivers when making this important decision.

Children left unsupervised or in the care of young siblings are at increased risk for accidental injury and behavioral and academic problems. Florida law does not have a hard and fast rule about when children can be left home alone, but instead expects parents to take all of the circumstances into account when deciding what level of supervision is needed.

If you do leave your child home alone, remember to do the following:

Coughing and wheezing in children

Coughing and wheezing are common symptoms of childhood illness. They do not usually mean your child has a serious condition, although they can sound awful and may be distressing for you and your baby . Coughing is a normal, healthy and important reflex that helps clear the airways in the throat and chest.  Chronic cough is typically defined as a cough lasting more than four weeks. This is because most acute respiratory infections in children resolve within this interval. Other schemes define chronic cough as one that last more than eight weeks but also recognize that a relentlessly progressive cough often warrants evaluation prior to eight weeks. 

Your child may have a dry cough that does not produce any phlegm but in a chest infection this will develop into a more obvious cough and the child will bring up phlegm that may be green or yellow in color. It can become bloodstained. Younger children may be off their food and may suffer from diarrhea. Older children will complain of chest pain when they breathe. The pain is usually sharp and worse on taking a big breath in. The breathing may be shallow and rapid.

Child safety in your home

Home is a special place when you are growing up. It’s a place to explore, to have adventures and to play. The home is also the most common place for young children to be injured. Most accidents are predictable and preventable. Try to make the home environment as safe as possible before your baby arrives and again before your child starts crawling. You must always ensure the inside of your home is safe. You must also consider hazards found in outdoor areas, particularly the driveway, front and rear gardens, pool and barbeque areas, garden sheds, play areas and cubby houses.

One of the best ways to reduce the risk of injury is to make some physical changes to the house. Look at your home and think about what the obvious risks and hazards are. Remove the risk or hazard, if possible, or add a safety product to minimize the chance of injury. For example, if you have a low table with sharp corners, you can attach corner covers or you can simply remove and temporarily store the table elsewhere.

Before considering what safety products you need, remember you can always change the layout of a room to help create a safer environment. If you are building or renovating your house, you can incorporate specific safety features in your design. The time to start making some changes or additions is well before your baby begins to crawl. 

Door and stove barriers

Use a door barrier or a safety gate to keep a young child out of the kitchen, particularly at busy times such as when dinner is being prepared. A safety gate/barrier will allow children to play safely in an adjacent room, but still enables you to see what’s happening on the other side. 

Skin problems in babies

Skin problems in infants are very common. The outer layer of the skin (the epidermis) is immature in the newborn, which causes the skin to be more susceptible to irritation and illness. Many skin problems are treated with over-the-counter medications and some need a prescription. Regardless of the diagnosis, parents should be aware of symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be started to relieve the child's discomfort.

Eczema is an extremely common skin condition which affects babies, young children and adults of all ages. The severity of eczema can vary from mild to one that causes dreadful itch, discomfort, disfigurement and distress. While there are many different types of eczema, the most common is atopic, which is usually inherited. Atopic eczema sufferers are more prone to developing other allergy-related conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and hay fever.  In the case of babies, eczema can be successfully managed by avoiding allergens, irritants and other triggers. As well as through the application of moisturizing creams and emollients and use of medicated preparations, such as steroid-based ointments and creams.  

Bladder, kidney and genital problems in childern

A few genital and urinary tract defects are inherited from parents who have the disorder or carry the gene for it. However, specific causes of most of these conditions are unknown. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to these defects. A family with an affected child should consult a genetic counselor, geneticist or a physician who is familiar with genetic disorders. These experts can discuss what is known about the cause of the specific defect and what the risks may be that the defect or disorder will occur again in subsequent offspring.  Many birth defects involve the genitals and urinary tract. These defects can affect one or more of the following structures:

• Kidneys, a pair of organs that filter wastes from the blood and form urine
• Ureters, two tubes, each one leading from the kidney to the bladder
• Bladder, the sac that holds urine
• Urethra, the tube that drains urine out of the body from the bladder
• Male genitals, including the penis, prostate gland and testes
• Female genitals, including the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries

Abnormalities of the genitals and urinary tract are among the most common birth defects. Some of these abnormalities are minor and may cause no symptoms (example: having two ureters leading from one kidney to the bladder). Such minor defects often go undiagnosed unless the child has an X-ray, ultrasound examination or surgery for a related or unrelated problem. Other abnormalities can cause problems such as urinary tract infections, blockages, pain, and kidney damage or failure. 

Abdominal pain in children

Abdominal pain is a symptom of a variety of medical conditions. In majority of cases, it is due to comparatively harmless causes, which can be treated without admission to hospital. In less than 5% of the cases, the situation is an emergency and immediate hospitalization is required. Stomach aches are one of the most common ailments amongst babies, children and adults. And although they can vary in nature from mild to extremely painful, the vast majority of tummy aches pass quickly and is not a symptom of anything more sinister than gas or indigestion.

But a child complaining of non-specific stomach pain is not something that is easily ignored. A child in pain can become easily upset so it helps if you understand the type of stomach ache your child is suffering from, what has caused the stomach ache, some simple remedies as well as when you should be concerned.

Some of the common causes of stomach ache are:

Indigestion – commonly known as ‘tummy upset’, it is caused by bad food habits like overeating, drinking too many fizzy drinks or eating junk food. Drinking warm water, keeping hot water bottle over the stomach or taking antacids may help to relieve the pain.

Constipation – This may cause stomach ache, nausea and vomiting. The stools are hard and dry. A high fibre diet and gentle laxatives helps to relieve the condition.

vomiting and diarrhea in babies

Vomiting and diarrhea occur in children commonly. The most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in children is a stomach or intestinal infection, typically caused by a virus, but occasionally can be caused by a bacteria or parasite. These viruses are contagious, so typically other children or family members will have it as well. Other illnesses that can cause vomiting and diarrhea include:

• Strep throat infection
• Urinary tract infection
• Respiratory or sinus infection
• Meningitis
• Ear infection
• Appendicitis
• Milk or food allergy
• Side effects from oral medications
• Warning signs 
• No urine for 8 to 12 hours or a small amount of dark urine.
• Increased lethargy
• Excessive sleepiness
• Dry mouth, lips and no tears on crying
• Vomiting of blood or bile
• Blood in diarrhea.
• Severe headache, neck pain or stiff neck
• High fever or persistent fever
• Child just not looking well
• Treatment of Vomiting and Diarrhea

constipation in new born babies

A new born baby will usually have his/her first stool within 24 hours after being born. But some babies who suffer from constipation have trouble with this. They may either have infrequent stools or dry, hard stools which are difficult to pass. Sometimes when a parent is faced with a crying baby who is obviously uncomfortable assume that their child has colic. But while colic is a common, temporary condition, severe constipation in new born babies can be a serious problem.

New born babies who are constipated may strain while passing stool, drawing the legs up towards the stomach and going red in the face from the effort. In a worst case scenario, the passing of a hard stool can cause a tear in the rectal wall, sometimes leading to bleeding. These symptoms naturally are a concern for the parents, not to mention distressing for the baby. Here are some remedies for constipation in new born babies:

• For the first few days of its life, anew born baby will pass a dark green or black substance called meconium. By the third day, regular bowel movements should start. If by this time the baby’s stool has not got regular and he/she is still passing meconium, then this could be a sign that the baby is not getting enough to eat.  
• Switching from breast milk to formula could be another reason for constipation in new born babies.
• If a baby is bottle fed, it could be that a particular brand is not agreeing with its digestion. Different formulas should be tried to find the one that suits him/her best.

Breathing problems of a newborn

Babies who have breathing problems exhibit certain symptoms that show they are in distress. The normal rate of respirations for a newborn is between 40 and 60 breaths per minute, although this may slow when a baby is sleeping or may be faster if she is crying. Health care professionals who work with newborn infants are specially trained to recognize breathing problems and to provide treatment for a newborn in distress.

Babies who are having breathing problems may breathe at a rate greater than 60 breaths per minute despite the absence of crying. Babies may also use muscles of the abdomen, between the ribs or near the neck to breathe, which indicates they are working harder to get air. Other signs of breathing problems include a bluish color around the lips, grunting while exhaling and flaring of the nostrils.

Transient Tachypnea

Transient tachypnea of the newborn occurs when amniotic fluid inside the baby's lungs remains after delivery, causing breathing difficulties. According to Penn State Children's Hospital, a baby's lungs are filled with fluid that may be squeezed out while coming through the birth canal. Lack of crying, a very fast or precipitous delivery or birth by Cesarean section can all increase a baby's chances of having retained fluid in the lungs.