Roseola infantum in children

Roseola is a disease very similar to German measles. Babies and young children are most susceptible to this disease. It is probably caused by a virus and is not particularly contagious.

What are the causes and symptoms of roseola infantum

Babies and young children are most susceptible to this disease. It is probably caused by a virus and is not particularly contagious. The incubation period could be anywhere between five to fifteen days. The disease usually lasts for 3 to 6 days.

Lactose Intolerance in Infants

Sometimes lactose intolerance is mistaken with food allergy in babies. Therefore, parents of babies must understand what lactose intolerance in infants exactly is. Read on to find more about the causes and symptoms of lactose intolerance in infants and what parents should do when they observe the symptoms. 

Before starting it is vital to know what exactly lactose intolerance is. Lactose is a type of sugar that is actually found in milk and other dairy products in different proportions. Lactose intolerance is found in some infants and they are unable to digest lactose. It is a matter of deep concern as this is the major source of energy for infants especially in their first few months.

Milk is very essential for healthy bones as well as nerve tissues. So, babies suffering from lactose intolerance have frequent watery stools and the child gets deprived of the major source of energy. When the child is deprived of energy, the energy is provided to him by the stored fats of the body and the result is weight loss.

First Aid For Electric Shock

Children, especially toddlers, love sticking their little fingers anywhere and everywhere, especially into plug points and sockets. The human body is a good conductor of electricity, and contact with a live power source can cause significant burns, or may interfere with the heart's electrical system.

Everyone has received minor electric shocks sometime or the other, which are no cause for concern. But once in a while, a lose wire or a faulty household appliance can shock the life out of you - literally. Most of the fatal electric shocks happen at home.  

• Here's what you can do if it happens in your home.  
• The victim usually gets stuck to the source of the electricity, and it is important that you first separate him from the electrical source. 
• Turn off the power supply switch and disconnect the plug. It's best to simply turn off the main power supply or pull out the fuse. Often, simply turning off the switch may not stop the flow of electricity. 
• In certain circumstances it may be quicker to simply pull the victim away from the electrical source. 

Foreign Objects

"Foreign" means "originating elsewhere" or simply "outside the body." Foreign bodies typically become lodged in the eyes, ears, nose, airways, and rectum of human beings. Both children and adults experience problems caused by foreign objects getting stuck in their bodies. Young children, in particular, are naturally curious and may intentionally put shiny objects, such as coins or button batteries, into their mouths. They also like to stick things in their ears and up their noses. Adults may accidentally swallow a non-food object or inhale a foreign body that gets stuck in the throat. Even if an object like a toothpick successfully passes through the esophagus and into the stomach, it can get stuck inside the rectum. Airborne particles can lodge in the eyes of people at any age.

Foreign bodies can be in hollow organs (like swallowed batteries) or in tissues (like bullets). They can be inert or irritating. If they irritate they will cause inflammation and scarring. They can bring infection with them or acquire it and protect it from the body's immune defenses. They can obstruct passageways either by their size or by the scarring they cause. Some can be toxic.

Children and Flu

Influenza is an acute infection caused by any of three types of viruses (A, B, or C). Type A strains are associated with the most severe disease. Flu is an acute infection of the airway tract in the nose and throat that can sometimes spread down into the lungs. Flu in adults is a frequent cause of acute respiratory illness. Flu, however, affects people of all ages. Children are among the groups most at risk for developing flu and its complications and are more likely to spread the infection to others. Flu season begins every year mainly in late fall and early winter and usually spreads widely. The peak season for the flu in the northern hemisphere is from November through March.

The flu is caused by one of three types of influenza viruses. Types A and B are responsible for the yearly flu epidemics, and type C causes sporadic illness. Type A is further divided into different subtypes based on the chemical structure of the virus. Influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread when someone either inhales infected droplets in the air (coughed up or sneezed by an infected person) or when someone comes in direct contact with an infected person's secretions (for example, kissing, sharing of handkerchiefs and other items, and through use of objects such as spoons and forks).

Entertaining Your Newborn

You're home from the hospital, and for the first few weeks, you're main goal is to survive; little to no sleep, healing from labor, house guests, no time to eat, and of course, you're trying to figure out how to care for this tiny, helpless little being. But you do survive! And a few weeks later, once you get into the groove, you start wondering what you're supposed to be doing with your bundle of joy when she or he isn't sleeping, eating, crying, or filling that little diaper.

Stimulating your baby's senses is an important task for you, just as all the other essentials. Babies learn about the world through us, so we need to present it to them. Also, experts suggest that showing your baby different colors and shapes help them to develop their sense of vision. So one way you can entertain your baby is to hold different toys close to them. Remember, infants can only see about 12 inches in front of them, so make sure they can see what you're holding.

Overcoming breastfeeding problems

It is common for some moms to have some problems with breastfeeding. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Most problems can be easily treated or solved. If you have a breastfeeding problem, contact a lactation consultant. This is a person who specializes in breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding (nursing) your baby can be a comfortable and relaxing experience, But it takes time and practice. Start breastfeeding your baby in the hospital, right after birth. Request the help of a lactation consultant or nurse to get you started. Read about breastfeeding before your baby is born.

NIPPLE SORENESS

It is common to have some pain or discomfort when your baby first latches on and begins feeding in the first few days or weeks. Some breastfeeding mothers describe nipple soreness as a pinching, itching, or burning sensation. Over time, you should feel little discomfort or pain when breastfeeding.

Nipple soreness may be caused by many things, including:

• Poor feeding techniques
• Wrong position of the baby when breastfeeding
• Not taking care of your nipples