Common Problems.docx

COMMON PROBLEMS OF INFANT 1. COUGH Night

time cough.

time coughing is

not

Night considered

normal in babies and is usually worse at night because of baby’s sleeping position as he lies facedown, if your baby is

sick,

the

act

of coughing itself works to clear the throat and upper passages from mucus and congestion.

How to help your baby?  Make sure he gets plenty of rest.  Offer extra breastfeeds or bottle feeds. Your baby will need plenty of fluids to fight off the infection.  Give the correct dose of infant paracetamol or infant ibuprofen that prescribed by a doctor  Breathing in steam may help to relieve your baby's cough. When to go to the doctor?  Any cough, and she's younger than 4 months.  A dry cough related to a cold (a runny nose but no fever) that lasts more than five to seven days.  A dry or wet cough with a cold and a fever of 100 degrees or more.  Mild, light wheezing.  Fits of coughing

2. INFANTS COLD A common cold is a viral infection of your baby's nose and throat. Nasal congestion and a runny nose are the main indicators of a cold. Babies are especially susceptible to the common cold, in part because they're often

around other

older children. Also, they have yet to develop immunity to many

common

infections.

Within the first year of life, most babies have up to seven colds; more if they're in child care centers. Treatment for the common cold in babies involves easing their symptoms, such as by providing fluids, keeping the air moist and helping them keep their nasal passages open. Very young infants must see a doctor at the first sign of the common cold because they're at greater risk of croup and pneumonia.

A common cold virus enters your baby's mouth, nose or eyes. Your baby can be infected with a virus by: 

Air. When someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks, he or she might directly spread the virus to your baby.



Direct contact. Someone with a cold who touches your baby's hand can spread the cold virus to your baby, who can become infected after touching his or her eyes, nose or mouth.



Contaminated surfaces. Some viruses live on surfaces for two hours or longer. Your baby may catch a virus by touching a contaminated surface, such as a toy.

Risk factors 

Immature immune systems. Infants are, by nature, at risk of common colds because they haven't yet been exposed to or developed resistance to most of the viruses that cause them.



Exposure to other children. Infants spend time with other children, who don't always wash their hands and cover their coughs and sneezes, which increases your baby's risk of catching a cold.

Complications 

Acute ear infection. This is the most common complication of the common cold. Ear infections occur when bacteria or viruses enter the space behind the eardrum.



Wheezing. A

cold

can trigger wheezing, even if your child doesn't have asthma. If your child does have asthma, a cold can make it worse.



Sinusitis. A common cold that doesn't resolve may lead to a secondary infection within the sinuses (sinusitis).



Other

secondary

infections. These

include pneumonia, bronchiolitis and croup. Such infections require evaluation by a doctor.

Prevention 

Keep your baby away from anyone who's sick. If you have a newborn, don't allow visits from anyone who's sick. If possible, avoid public transportation and public gatherings with your newborn.



Wash your hands before feeding or touching your baby. When soap and water aren't available, use hand wipes or gels that contain alcohol.



Clean your baby's toys and pacifiers often.



Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then toss it. If you can't reach a tissue in time, cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm.

3. INFANTS FEVER

It’s natural for panic to set in the minute baby feels warm to the touch. Especially if its baby’s first fever, are it’s going to happen sooner or later, so your best defense is to be prepared to spot the telltale signs of baby fever. First knowing what is a fever for a baby is key: 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) or higher is not a normal body temperature for babies and therefore constitutes a baby fever.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FEVER 

Baby feels warm. “If your baby is hotter than usual, that’s a big sign of fever.



There’s a change in behavior. Note how baby is behaving. Is something off from his usual temperament? Is he crying a lot or acting generally fussy? If so, this could be a sign of baby fever.



Feeding has changed. If baby won’t take a bottle or breast, it could be the reaction to a spike in baby temperature.



Sleeping has changed. Again, baby might be sleeping more—or less—than usual. Both are signs of potential temperature change.

WHAT TO DO IF BABY HAS A FEVER. 

Give an infant fever reducer (if

approved

by

a

pediatrician). If baby is under 6 months with a fever, call your

doctor

immediately

before giving fever medicine for baby.



Keep baby hydrated. When baby

has a fever, keeping her hydrated with breast

milk

or

formula

is

super

important. You may want to offer extra breast- or bottle-feeding sessions.



Consider a sponge bath. This is one of the most effective home remedies for baby fever.



Under 3

months: A

newborn temperature of 100.4° Fahrenheit or higher must be checked out by a medical professional immediately since infection can spread more rapidly in an infant. Call your doctor at the first sign of fever. “Newborns don’t have the immunity yet that an older baby has so they can get very sick very quickly,”

4. COLIC

Baby colic, also known as infantile colic, is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for three weeks. MANAGEMENT 

Apply pressure to baby’s tummy Some colicky babies find relief when pressure is placed on the abdomen — and the power of touch alone can be very soothing for both mother and child. So place your infant face-down on your lap or upright with his tummy against your shoulder, or try the “colic

carry,” where your little one lies face-down with his belly resting on your arm. Then gently rub or pat his back as you hold him. 

Try burping your baby. If your baby's inconsolable fussiness is due to gas, sometimes burping him will help relieve the pain.



Watch what you eat. If you’re breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether you should try temporarily eliminating any foods from your diet that can cause tummy troubles, such as gas-causing cruciferous veggies (cabbage, cauliflower), acidic citrus fruits ,or allergenic foods (dairy, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish).



Ask about switching formulas. For some formula-fed infants, swapping a standard variety for one designed for sensitive tummies or one that doesn't contain cow's milk can make a difference.

5. DIARRHEA

Diarrhea isn't just a loose stool; it's a watery stool that occurs up to 12 times a day. When to call a doctor? 

Has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher



Is vomiting



Lacks energy or is irritable and doesn't want to feed



Has signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, or has not passed urine for 3 or more hours

The foods that make up the B.R.A.T diet are those foods that will help cause the bulking and hardening of the stool. These foods include grains, and certain fruits. Below are more foods that will help firm-up and bind baby’s stools when diarrhea occurs.

6. DIAPER RASH

Diaper rash is a generalized term indicating any skin irritation (regardless of cause) that develops in the diaper-covered region. Synonyms include diaper dermatitis (dermatitis = inflammation of the skin), napkin (or "nappy") dermatitis, and ammonia dermatitis. While there are several broad categories of causes of diaper rash, contact irritation is the most common culprit. While diaper rash is generally thought to affect infants and toddlers, any individual wearing a diaper Diaper rashes caused by infection with a yeast (fungus) called candida are very common in children. Candida grows best in warm, moist places, such as under a diaper. Candida diaper rash is more likely to occur in babies who: Are not kept clean and dry. The best treatment for diaper rash is to keep your baby's skin as clean and dry as possible. If your baby's diaper rash persists despite home treatment, your doctor may prescribe: A mild hydrocortisone (steroid) cream. An antifungal cream, if your baby has a fungal infection.