Baby Care

Archive for the ‘Baby Health Care’ Category

Most of the parents before the birth of their first child have no experience in raising children. When they are on their way to create a family way, a lot of questions on child-raising, and in general on this matter appear. When parents begin to understand that the child entirely depends on their care and attention, they are attacked by fear, because they are often not prepared to answer many questions concerning the child. This emotion can only be overcome after studying all that is necessary for the child in detail.
In the period up to four months takes place the child’s adaptation to the world. He/she almost always sleeps. Then he/she gradually starts waking up for a long time. This is the time when parents must be very sensitive to the child, because at this time he/she can not do without you. He/she needs help in everything. The more he/she grows up, the more he/she begins to show interest in the outside world. At this time the child starts crying, because it is the only signal that he/she is able to make in order to attract attention. He/she begins muttering and shaking hands. At this time, he/she learns rising head, playing with his/her hands and sucking fingers. Baby begins to show signs of pleasure, writhing body. He/she responds to loud sounds.
In the period up to eight months, the child begins to explore the world around him/her. He/she already feels when he/she is home. It is his/her territory and he/she likes to be there with mother and father. At this time, he/she begins to recognize and respond to their name. He starts holding objects with his/her hands, rising the head and chest. He/she can laugh and squeak. He/she understands the separation from parents.
From eight months to a year the child becomes more independent and physically strong. He/she crawls around, trying to explore all around, without missing anything. He/she is constantly sticking his/her head in various subjects. Now baby feels his mother and wants her always to be near. At this time the child already can: show the objects and voice the gestures to express emotions by crying, play happy games, creep, stand for a long time, hold objects in his/her hands, worry about the presence of strangers, eat with his/her hands and look for items that interest him/her.
From a half year child begins walking. At this time all the senses are already developed, only the sense of danger is a little behind. He/she starts walking literally everywhere, so it is required to be very careful. Child shows interest in other children, he/she wants to play with them. In this period of life, children are able to: pronounce some words, follow the instructions, dance, play with toys, climb stairs, etc.
From birth to 18 months takes place the most intensive growth of the child. During this time he/she learns many new things. This rich period of learning will never repeat in his/her life. At this period parents should provide the child with care and attention, as well as help him/her in discovering this world.

Human body is a well-established system of interaction mechanisms and natural nutrients. Everyone must be considerate to all the processes taking place inside him, and be able to recognize signals that our body sends. After all, if we treat ourselves with care and love, our body responds to us in return.
Conversely, if we do not notice the signals sent by our body, then over time it just stops sending them. And we won’t be able to treat ourselves. Mostly women must think about this when planning a child or when they are already pregnant. Every mother wants a beautiful, healthy and strong baby. If a woman eats properly and fully receives the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals, she can count on a powerful little fellow. If you are planning a child, then you should think about a special pregnancy diet.
Remember that baby gets all the vitamins and minerals necessary for its growth and health from his mother. Woman’s body contains trillion different cells. In order to control their normal functioning pregnant women should constantly receive vitamins and other beneficial substances. This can be done only through well-balanced meal. Do not forget that during pregnancy a woman is experiencing tremendous overload, because her body is working for two.

Every cell in the body carries out its role, so it is important to provide nutrients to each of them. The interaction of these cells, in general, provides a healthy, strong baby.
One of the most important elements is iron. It is present in large quantities in the blood. Above we said that our body is a unique tool of interaction. Therefore, the lack or decrease of one substance in the chain entails a decrease in another. The lack of this element impacts on the overall state of health. When pregnant women have iron deficiencythey will have headache, uterine cramps, etc.
So you see how the lack of one substance leads to serious consequences. Now imagine that there are several substances. If the expectant mother does not want to be exposed to such diseases and harm your child, she should supply the body with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Carelessness may entail dire consequences (the loss of the fetus or the birth of weak and sick child).
Expectant mothers should carefully select vitamin supplements, because they are different on the content of the most indispensable substances. Take supplements containing magnesium and vitamin D. In the body, these two substances play a huge role. First, they provide the bones with calcium. Second, calcium and magnesium support to the optimum performance of the muscles. Do not forget that the main muscle is the heart, but it feels more pressure because it works for both. Therefore, the recommended dose of magnesium for pregnant is about 500 mg per day. It is noteworthy that the amount of magnesium is not shown in blood tests. Because it is contained in the cells themselves, and its level in the blood is consistently supported by the bones and the muscles. Woman must ensure adequate consumption of magnesium. However, magnesium can provoke diarrhea, so its use splits throughout the day.
We think these examples are enough to see how the selection of vitamins and minerals is needed for healthy expectant mother and baby.
In this issue there can be little things, so take everything with utmost seriousness and responsibility and your child will be grateful.

Is it true that milk-teeth are formed from milk?

This is Hippocrates’s viewpoint, who named these teeth in this way. In general, the doctor was not far from the truth: breast milk contains calcium that is the main element which participates in building bones and teeth. In “cow milk” this important element is not less but it is practically not absorbed by children. Hence the conclusion: breastfeeding your child you will guarantee him/her healthy teeth in future!

As an additional source of calcium pediatricians recommend giving the child curds in the second half of his/her life, and its rapid absorption contributes to vitamin D – do not forget to give it to child? According to the doctor’s instructions!

Why do children cut teeth at the wrong time?

The child, who is born weak, with low weight and is often ill in the first months of life having signs of rickets, delayed dentition is associated with adverse factors acting on the body.

But what if the baby is healthy and there is no sign of teeth in 9-12 months? Find out when you cut teeth. Program of delayed cutting of milk-teeth is usually written in the genes.

Child cuts teeth not in common order – what is it?

It is believed that the child’s health isn’t so much connected with the time he/she cuts teeth, but with the order of teething. If it is broken, pay attention to this fact and visit pediatric dentist. In general, first children cut one of the lower incisors, and then two upper teeth, followed by lateral incisors in the opposite order – first the upper, then lower.
Dentists calculate the number of teeth that child should have, according to observations: in 7 months he/she cuts one tooth, 8 – two, 9 – three and so on. And this is the minimum!

How should I guess that my child is cutting the first tooth?

The earliest symptom is the increased formation of saliva. It begins to run like a river for a couple of months before the cutting due to irritation of nerve endings. Nature prepares the child to chewing solid food. It runs down the chin and neck going into the neck folds, stimulating children’s tender skin – it should be wiped all the time, or rather, soak through the soft gauze cloth. Once there was an urgent need for apron-bib, you should know: first tooth is on its way.

If the teeth are cut, it means that the baby will be ill soon?

Dentition is a natural process, during which the temperature should not rise. Anxiety, which causes the baby tooth cutting, as well as the associated sleep deprivation and malnutrition weaken the immune system and make the child vulnerable to infection – respiratory and intestinal. Try to minimize contact with outsiders.

How to facilitate the process of teething?

Inflammation of the gums in a place where the tooth is seen you can use gels with anesthetic and removing redness and swelling elements. In a series of Karavaeva balsam there is a special kind of vitamin for infant gums: it contains plant extracts to provide anesthetic effect with the effect of light freezing: cold, relieves the pain, has anti-inflammatory effect and simply distracts the child from unpleasant feelings.

How child should be fed at this crucial moment?

With the first tooth the sucking reflex turns into the need to chew and bite, so one liquid and soft food now can not help. At each feeding, give your child a piece of dried bread, slice of cucumber or cooked but not up very soft carrots, apple quarter-without skin and seeds. Chewing gum improves blood supply, trains and strengthens the teeth appeared, improves the power of those that must cut.

Do I need to clean the baby teeth?

Previously it was believed that up to 2-3 years there is no need: it is impossible to teach such children to use the brush. However, children dentists have revised the previous installation. It turns out that the science of properly brush his teeth your child should learn under the supervision of parents from the first tooth up to 10 years – only in this age you can trust him/her with the brush at the complete disposal.

Where are the yellow spots on the teeth carved and why enamel is not smooth, but wavy?

Newborn lower incisors are often uneven – in the form of a beautiful wave. Over time, the ripple is smoothed out, erased when chewing. Another thing is a thinning of the enamel on the incisors themselves. It takes this kind because of calcium deficiency and infections, which suffered a mother during pregnancy, or other adverse factors operating at the time favorite of baby teeth, as well as due to disease and malnutrition in the child.

Especially harmful is tetracycline that causes teeth to turn yellow, dark and violates their growth: pediatricians try not to use it at an early age. If the color and surface of the incisors do not look typical, consult with pediatric dentist. In order to strengthen the enamel, pediatricians are advised to arrange with the teething child “calcium subsidy” – in two weeks to give 3 times a day for 1 / 3 tablets of calcium gluconate. You should grind them and add to food.

In ancient Rome there was a custom to begin each meal with eggs, and it was so widespread that the phrase “from egg” has acquired a new meaning; it became a proverb with meaning “to start something again.”
So, it’s very good to start your day with eggs. You may say – every day an egg – hard boiled, scrambled, fried, finally – it is monotonous and boring. But let us remember the following: an egg contains 6 grams protein, 15 g fat, 85 mg phosphorus, 25 mg calcium, 1, 2 mg iron, as well as a set of valuable vitamins.
For example – one egg contains a fifth of the daily human need for vitamin A. Egg-white has a high value. Two eggs satisfy a significant part of the daily protein requirements. But that’s not all. The most unique piece of egg is an egg shell, which composition strikingly coincides with the composition of bones and teeth of man. Moreover, it stimulates red blood cells, which are especially valuable after radiation injury.
Hungarian Medical Research showed that the shell contains everything necessary for the organism micronutrients, including copper, fluoride, iron, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, zinc, etc – about 27 elements!
But especially I’d like to mention calcium. As you know, its lack, especially in the bones, is one of the most common metabolics today. As a result – rickets and incorrect growth of teeth among children, the curvature of the spine, bad teeth, brittle bones among adults.
The disorder of ring exchange is often accompanied by anemia, susceptibility to colds, allergies, herpes on the lips,lowering resistance to the action of radiation. In women, this list is complementary to various aches and weakness when giving birth, agony of uterus muscles. But they especially feel the lack of calcium during pregnancy. How many women have lost their teeth, while breastfeeding their child!
The drugs – calcium chloride, gypsum, chalk – are ineffective because they are poorly digested by the body. But the egg shell by 90 per cent consists of calcium carbonate, which is easily digested. So the conclusion arises: to try to make the shell of medical product. However, in pharmacies of western countries the powder of egg shell has been sold since 1970.
Meanwhile, the recipe is simple. Fresh chicken eggs should be pre-washed with warm soapy water, thoroughly rinsed. In most cases, the shell does not require additional sterilization. However, for young children they must be put for 5 minutes in boiling water. Next, carefully remove the lining of the film and dry a little, removing a dark ventilated place. Usually within a few hours it is well dried.
Now you need to crush in a porcelain bowl making it powder. It is noticed that when using the grinder or metal utensils; it is less active.
A child from 6 months to a year should use a dose of powder; that is, with the tip of a knife, from one year to two years – twice as much. By 5.7 years you can give your child half of the shell of one egg, and child over 14 years (as well as adults), not more than one.
It’s very important to note that before you give a child this powder, add a few drops of lemon juice. Lemon juice makes an instant chemical reaction – you can hear the characteristic hissing. As the shell contains calcium salts, lemon juice helps to turn them into a form that is well absorbed by the body.
The use of this drug is shown primarily in the skin lesions on the type of eczema, which is observed among many children affected by exidative diathesis. I want to warn: the effect appears not earlier than 3-4 weeks, but sometimes takes two or three months. So be patient.
The parents very often ask this question: when to take this powder – on an empty stomach or after meal? In this case it does not matter. It is possible to add it to food.
Egg shell has a positive effect in rickets and anemia. It helps to enhance hematopoiesis in bone tissue, accelerates healing in orthopedic disorders such as congenital hip dislocation, osteoporosis (softening of bones). Both children and adults should use egg shell powder in order to avoid having brittle nails and hair, bleeding gums, constipation, irritability, insomnia, hay fever, asthma, urticaria.

The shell is used in all cases when a lack of calcium in the body is noticed, as well as for prophylactic treatment:
- In pregnancy;
- Children from 1 year to 6 years;
- Preferably in adolescence and early adulthood (up to 19-20 years);
- Prophylactically twice a year egg shell powder treatment is useful for adults to prevent diseases of the spine, tooth decay, osteoporosis;
- As a means of deducing radionuclides in ground contaminated with strontium-90 (using 2 to 6 grams a day);
- Receiving the powder from the shell is especially useful in the beginning of the year, when the calcium metabolism slows down.

Future mother often hears chilling stories about the entwining of child’s umbilical cord. What is it? Is it dangerous? How to avoid it? Is it possible to identify this pathology in advance? You can find answers to these questions in our article.

What is it?

In 14 th week of pregnancy, the placenta and the umbilical cord are finally formed. This is a structure that carries out the function of exchanging between a mother and a child. After birth, when cutting the umbilical cord, the child begins to live independently, and only navel recalls his close relationship with his mother.

Umbilical cord is a long “rope” (from 40 to 60 cm and a thickness of 2 cm), consisting of connective tissue, inside which there is an umbilical vein and two arteries. Single umbilical vein, leaving the placenta, enters the abdominal cavity of the fetus through the umbilical ring and carries oxygenated blood, nutrients and drugs that have passed the placental barrier. The blood of waste products of the baby enters the artery and then through the placenta – the mother’s body. In case of the length of vessels (usually this depends on the genes), we can face the problem of “long cord” (70 cm), one of the complications of the fetus and the formation of knots to overgrow.

Why the entwining of umbilical cord happens?

Myths:

Among pregnant women there is a belief: during pregnancy they mustn’t knit or weave, it is fraught with the umbilical cord entwine around the neck of the fetus. This belief emerged long ago, when the birth was taken by midwives. Women in those days were busy mainly with handicrafts: sewing, weaving lace knitting. Children with entwined umbilical cord around the neck were often dying – mostly due to the lack of proper experience of midwives. So only knitting was to be blamed. In fact, knitting is a great way to calm nerves, and simultaneously prepare nice and warm “clothes” for a future baby.

During pregnancy, women often hear that raising arms can lead to entwining of the umbilical cord around the body of the child. The same is said about the active gym. In fact, you should know that raising hands for a short period of time is not dangerous for your baby as well as correctly selected gymnastic complexes.

Reality:

At present, predisposing factors are the intrauterine fetal hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), mother’s frequent stress (elevated levels of adrenaline in the blood), which leads to excessive mobility of the child, and the presence of polyhydramnios gives him/her the ability to perform a greater range of motion. Therefore, future mothers should not be alarmed if their baby’s umbilical cord is entwined. The most important aspect of this problem is the child’s condition – he/she suffers from hypoxia or not.

How to recognize the existence of entwined cord?

Diagnostic algorithm for establishing entwined cord is as follows. First pregnancy, fetal CTG study, during which the likely symptoms of umbilical cord entwining are identified: in this case reveals the characteristic shape of the curve CTG with periodic deceleration of heart rate during movements of the fetus. Using only this method it is already possible to identify signs of hypoxia. Next, the ECG investigation – ultrasound (in many hospitals there is ultrasound without CTG). This manipulation is informative already in the second trimester. The most accurate method in the study of utero-placental and fetus-placental blood flow is Doppler – definition of mathematical indices of blood flow (the speed, etc.). If you suspect the hypoxia problem in a health of a fetus, all these studies should be repeated for several times, as the baby constantly moves before birth and the entwining can disappear.

How the entwining of the umbilical cord can affect the childbirth?

Entwining of the umbilical cord can be single and multiple, loose and tight, isolated and combined (around the neck and limbs of the fetus). The most common kind of entwine is isolated, single, loose entwining around the neck of the baby, that usually does not pose danger to it.

If entwined cord at the time of birth is confirmed, depending on its type, an obstetrician-gynecologist chooses the optimal tactics for giving a birth to the child. The heartbeat of the fetus is monitored on average every half hour during labor and after each attempt. If the heart rate of the baby does not correspond to normal, the doctor may apply stimulation to speed up birth. Immediately after birth the head obstetrician relieves neck of the loop cord, thus preventing its strong tension and disturbance of blood flow through it.

Only a dual or multiple entwining of the umbilical cord van be hazardous. Such case during pregnancy is considered to be a sign of a fetal hypoxia. In case of a tight entwining and the emergence of shortening of the umbilical cord during the second stage of labor there is tension, narrowing the vascular lumen, leading to a sharp decrease in blood supply to the tissues of the Child (acute hypoxia and asphyxia). Also, the tension of the umbilical cord during birth is fraught with premature detachment of the placenta. Therefore, the period after 37 weeks in the presence of such entwine often produce elective caesarean section, and if the fetus is the menacing advance of that date, the operation can be done earlier.

Is it possible to avoid the entwining of the umbilical cord?

In order to avoid this complication, future mother is recommended to minimize stressful situations, often to be in the open air, do gymnastics and do not forget about breathing exercises. All these aim to ensure that the child will not have lack of oxygen, ie hypoxia, which causes increased motor activity of the fetus. In addition, you must promptly and accurately implement all the doctor appointments, take the survey – this will allow to suspect a problem and to prevent undesirable consequences.

Every pregnant woman looks forward to her unborn baby’s first kick. It’s exciting, tangible evidence that you really do have a baby growing inside you and a reassuring sign that your pregnancy is going well.

The early weeks

Although you won’t feel it, your baby is already quite active by 12 weeks. Her body moves and jerks, she hiccups and exercises her tiny arms and legs. By 16 weeks, her movements are stronger and more complicated. She can punch, kick, squirm, do somersaults and even suck her tiny, fully formed fingers.

Those first kicks

At around 16 weeks, experienced mums-to-be realize that the fluttery sensation in their tummy isn’t wind, but their baby. Women describe this feeling as being like air bubbles, butterfly wings or pinging elastic bands. As first-time mums don’t know what to expect, most won’t recognize these sensations until 20 weeks or later.

Your baby’s private gym

From around 22 weeks, your baby’s movements will become stronger and more frequent. He’s now on her very own exercise regime; bending, stretching and wriggling to strengthen his muscles and bones and develop his motor ability. You may feel a short jab as he kicks the wall of your womb (uterus) or a squirm as he shifts into a more comfy position. There may be a regular pattern to this as babies tend to settle in certain positions. Before 34 weeks, a large proportion of babies will be in the breech position, so you may get some forceful kicks to your bladder or the top of your cervix.

Getting familiar

As your pregnancy progresses, you’ll begin to recognize certain moves: you may feel a series of small jerks as your baby has an attack of hiccups. A sudden noise may make her jump, or she may become active and excitable if you’re angry or frightened, as the hormone adrenaline passes to her via the placenta. Many expectant mums complain their babies are most active when they sit down or when they go to bed – this may be because when you are still and quiet, you are able to identify the kicks more easily.

Preparing for b-day

At around 34 weeks, your baby’s movements will start to get less pronounced because he’s got less space to move around. By this stage, most babies are spending a lot of time in the head-down position, so you may get the odd painful kick in the ribs. Take comfort in the fact that this means he’s getting ready for birth. You’ll soon be meeting a baby whose movements and habits you already know so well.

If the kicks stop

If your baby’s pattern of kicking changes or you don’t feel any movements for a while, it isn’t necessarily a cause for worry. Sometimes, when a baby changes position, his movements may be harder to be recognized or perhaps he’s sleeping while you’re awake.

However, you know your baby better, so if you’re at all concerned about his movements, or lack of them, see your midwife or GP straightaway. The doctor or midwife will listen to his heartbeat to make sure that all is going well. Your midwife can also give you a kick chart, which helps you count your baby’s first 10 movements each day. As long as these 10 kicks happen by roughly the same time each day, you should have nothing to worry about.
By 32 week, your baby will be moving about 375 times a day!

At the end, I want to remind future mothers: the first movement of the small baby is not only an indicator of its condition, but also the unique experience that a woman may have only in this short, but happy period of his life.

Contact your doctor immediately if:

fetal motor activity is ceased for 12 hours or more;
excessive movements in the intensity increase for several hours and does not stop when you change posture.

There is no need to bathe the child on the first day of leaving the maternity house. First, before leaving he/she probably had a hygienic handling of all the rules. Secondly, the child is very tired: the first action in his/her life, a lot of new sensations, so let him/her rest. But the second day water treatments at home should be a nightly ritual for both baby and parents. Previously, during the first bathing, grandmother gives her/him a gift.
The most common and comfortable place for bathing the child in our apartment is a kitchen, at least – a bathroom. Make sure that all the windows in the apartment are closed, so as to avoid the draft. Then heat the air in the room for bathing. In summer you can stay relaxed..
You will need usual kitchen table covered with a blanket, top diaper, then a large terry towel or a sheet (which will wipe “bather”), buckram (not to wet your terry towel), diaper for swimming. Other necessary things are a diaper, clothing, tools for processing umbilical wound and cosmetics (oil, cream, powder).

First AERIAL BATHing

Place the child on the belly, do a little massage in the form of light rubbing, turn back, make a charge for hands (to the sides and top) and legs (bent, straightened).

BATHROOM?

Before bathing, baby’s bath (large or small) should be thoroughly washed. You should agree that to do this with a child tray would be much easier. But do not buy too small bath: kids grow quickly, and it is not very convenient to keep the child in a small bath, where the hands do not turn around.

WATER TEMPERATURE
Here there are different views. The most stable and popular of them is 37 degrees of Celsius. You can look at a water thermometer, or simply omit your own elbow into the water.

Soap and sponge

Doctors advise to use baby soap and a soft sponge once a week. It is especially important to use soap, if baby wears diapers. All “complex zones” need careful washing.

Oil, cream or powders?

Everyone should decide for himself/herself. Powder removes excess moisture, but sometimes it causes additional irritation. Oil does not always suck in easily. Now there is a big and diverse choice of children creams. You can choose what best fits your child.

”COMPLEX ZONES”

In order avoid from any problems, you should have to know and inspect these zones after each bathing:
behind the ears;
neck folds (front and back);
armpits;
elbows;
hands;
navel;
under the knees.

Any cream with zinc will help you solve any disorder.

Crust

Often crust appears on the baby’s scalp. Do not try to remove all at once; in this case, you’ll risk injuring the skin. Typically, if you rub this place with baby oil, then it will be remove when combing. But it is better to consult with a pediatrician, because this can be the first sign of diathesis.

Nails

You should cut the child’s nails when needed (approximately every 3-4 days) with the help of scissors with rounded ends. I used to do it after feeding when the baby is full and happy, and its movements are lazy. Perhaps you will find your “appropriate” time.

Ears

Clean the child’s ears as soon as needed. Make a cotton tube, moisten with oil and neatly remove sulfur. For older kids you can use cotton swabs, but shove them very attentively. Sulfur is usually located almost outside of the ear canal.

Every morning

In the morning washing for babies is as important as for adults. For this you’ll need hydrogen peroxide, bandage, cotton sticks, boiled water. In the hospital it was possible to observe the daily manipulation of nurses when they treated the newborns. Now we’ll remember everything. Umbilical wound you should be process with cotton swab dipped into hydrogen peroxide (the same we do after bathing). Eyes should be rubbed with a cotton swab dipped into the boiled water, in the direction from ear to nose. For each eye we take a separate swab.

Human skin is a complex mechanism, which has many important functions. So taking care of its health and normal operation should be from the first days of life. The skin of a newborn is very different from adults’ and requires very special care.

General functions of the skin can be defined as follows: the barrier and protective, heat regulatory, receptor (tactile, temperature, superficial pain sensitivity). Multiple functions of the skin require some attention to the tools that are used to take care of it. And when it is the baby’s skin, then the important features of the skin come out:

soft, flabby, stratum corneum is thin, consists of 2-3 layers of cells (Vulnerable skin),

weak basement of membrane (epidermis loosely linked to the dermis),

impaired function of sweat and sebaceous glands,

skin is covered with a secret with the medium reaction to close neutral.

In accordance with these properties of skin you should select children’s cosmetics. Cosmetics for babies can be divided into several categories:

for daily hygiene,

bathing

for changing diapers,

to protect the skin from the sun.

Means for the daily care for children include lotion, cream and oils. Lotions are designed to cleanse and moisturize the skin. Creams, which composition may include glycerin, beeswax, mineral and castor oil, Panthenol, zinc oxide, vitamins A, D, E, C, natural plant extracts, oils, etc., can strengthen the protective function of the skin, they soften, moisturize the skin. Some creams have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory action. They are recommended for use under the supervision of a physician. It is better to use oil after bathing. It creates a special protective film on the surface.

The process of bathing usually brings great pleasure to the child. The correct selection of cosmetics is very important. First you should use baby soap. It contains a minimal amount of alkali, which prevents excessive drying and irritation of the skin. You can use special gels for bathing. You can wash his/her hair with children’s shampoos. Their main advantage is that they do not irritate the mucous membrane of the eyes and bathing passes without tears.

The most common danger in the first months of child’s life is diaper dermatitis. Diaper dermatitis is inflammation of the skin associated with the use of nappies (diapers), the response to mechanical impact, pressure, maceration after prolonged contact with urine and feces, the remains of soap.

The main measure to prevent diaper dermatitis is the maintenance of the skin in the diaper dry and clean. It dependsnot only on the regularity and thoroughness of care, diaper quality, increasing of the time spent without a diaper, but, of course, the individual characteristics of the skin of the newborn. The main cosmetic product that is used when changing diapers is Barrier cream. It is well suited for treatment for prevention of diaper dermatitis. It may include antiseptic and disinfectant components, as well as non-active components, which have softening, protective and hydrating properties. If diaper dermatitis increases, consult a doctor immediately. Powders should be used only to remove excess moisture. Powders are made on the basis of the mineral talc, it absorbs moisture and reduces friction of the skin. However, the need to use baby powder occurs only because of violations of care or skin diseases. Therefore, powder or talcum powder should be in the children’s medicine box.

Baby’s skin is sensitive to changes because of temperature and the impact of the environment. Therefore, each time before going to walk, use face and hand baby creams that are effective in strong wind and frost. Do not forget about summer. Sunrays are not only warmth and joy, but also can damage the skin. Solar radiation can cause changes in the structure of the epidermis, in immune cells, etc. Therefore, children under three year are not recommended to stay in the open sun. Experts believe that even in the shade you should protect the baby’s skin with the help of special tools.

Specialist’s Opinion

Changes in the skin of the baby always cause some concerns among parents, especially if it is a newborn. It should be noted that the right skin care ensures the normal development of newborn skin of the child in the first year of life and creates the necessary conditions for the further development of his/her body.

Newborn’s skin itself has a number of fundamental differences from the skin of an adult. As we know, the skin consists of three parts: dermis, epidermis and basement membrane. But children’s skin is still very poorly formed; the skin is largely immature, poorly functioning sweat glands. Therefore, children’s skin care requires careful daily care. Moreover, if the skin is protected before the birth of eldest grease, then the time of the birth of this grease is rather a defect of care and need to be removed, because it can crack, become inflamed and interfere with the normal tissue respiration.

In fact, all the basic tools for skin care of children can be divided into three categories:

Children lotion or milk,

Children cream

Children oil oil.

It is important to note that each of them in any way does not replace the other. Children’s cosmetics are high-tech products, tailored to the sensitivity of baby skin.
In the morning baby’s skin should be processed with lotion. It degreases the skin and removes dirt.

Children cream is a major component of skin care of the child. They must be used at least 2-3 times a day. I note that the smaller the child, the more you should use cream.

Oil should be used once a day and after bathing. If possible, you should cover with oil the entire surface of the skin of the child to give elasticity. Baby oil is applied to dry skin. Therefore, I would not recommend adding the oil in the water while bathing, although in many western countries this practice is quite common.

Important component of care for a newborn is a skin barrier cream. This is a special formulation which is applied under a diaper for the prevention or treatment of diaper dermatitis.
Diaper dermatitis is a frequent and widespread phenomenon throughout the world, appears as a result of friction of clothing or linen feces or urine. It is a result of improper care. Barrier creams require constant use. At each change of diaper, the cream is applied with a thick layer, even if the skin looks healthy.

Means for bathing – shampoo and soap – have to be childish (specialized).

We can not forget about the “weather” cosmetics for your baby. It is urgent to protect the skin in a strong wind, cold. But when the air temperature is below 10°C it’s not allowed to treat baby’s skin with these means. Special summer sunscreen lotions and creams require constant application on the street, even if the child is in the shade.

I will also note that the recent practice of using the same barrier creams not only for its intended purpose (under the diaper), but also on the face, arms, chest of the child is very much widespread. There is nothing criminal, but it is better to use only there. This also applies to other children’s cosmetics.

Many people do things instinctively, obeying unknown origin arising impulses. Children also instinctively try to taste everything. However, watching attentively the habits and predilections for taste of our kids, sometimes we can understand what substances are not enough for proper development of the child.

Sometimes six to ten year old children, suddenly begin to pull in the mouth any stuff. And not just drag and purposefully look for but also eat some substance. This may be chalk, clay, coal, and head of the matches or land. Someone remembers how in the village at the grandmother he/she secretly ate plaster, someone digging in the depths of memory, discovers that being a child sometimes he/she licked watercolor paints with pleasure. All of them were sweet to the taste, but for some reason they chose red and orange.

Some of us keep the style, for example, eating chalk in adulthood. Accidentally meeting “brothers” of habit, these people seriously discuss the taste differences between different brands of chalk, and argue which chalk is tastier – crayons “Antoshka”, round chalk “Lanthanum” or mild Czech chalk “Kohinor”. Many women notice a passion to the chalk during pregnancy.

All these habits are not accidental. If you find your child’s habit to not quite normal “products”, this is an extra reason to think – whether the child eats with food, all the necessary substances for his/her development and growth?

The reason of “dependence on chalk” among children (and adults) can be different. But as a rule, children who secretly eat crayons from the blackboard, most likely need calcium. Because chalk is a natural source of calcium.
A child’ body, in fact, needs large amounts of calcium: 800mg per day for 1-3 years old children, 900-1000 mg for 4-6 years old children, 1100 mg – 7-10 years, 1200 mg – 11 years and older. Calcium is needed for normal development of bones, formation of healthy teeth and gums, as well as for the growth of muscles. Without calcium children quickly get tired and often sick. Calcium is also involved in many metabolic processes in the body, and its deficiency can lead to severe hormonal disorders.

The love to chalk can also be a side-symptom of anemia, or lack of hemoglobin. And then the body does not have enough iron. By the way, all the iron oxides are brown or reddish – remember about the red water-color paint? According to WHO, some 30% of the population of Earth suffers from iron deficiency in one form or another.

The most balanced set of vitamins and minerals, suitable for most children, has “Kaltsinova”. It contains calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A and D3, and B6 – all those elements, without which the normal human development is unthinkable.

Besides the obvious hazard and the potential toxicity of inedible objects, many useful substances, such as phosphorus, is very rare and little in food. Its deficiency can also be compute to predilections of taste, of course, adjusted for child’s love of sweets.

However, people who eat a lot of sweet can also have a problem – they simply do not have enough chrome. Chocolate lovers may feel instinctive shortage of magnesium. Similarly, children who like to nibble the head of matches may well compensate for the lack of sulfur and phosphorus, salt lovers – potassium and sodium, and if there is a sudden interest in the acid products – perhaps it is from lack of vitamin C. In any case, if you notice change in tastes or other gastronomic strangeness, above all, consult a doctor!

Teaching a child to use a potty is a difficult task, requiring huge patience. Be careful and mellowness, bring in the child’s sense of self-confidence. It is essential that the child himself/herself will take the initiative. Education should be free of coercion, pressure or threats. If the baby is not ready for such an important step yet – stop trying, but after some time, please try again.
Willingness to teach to the potty on the physiological and intellectual level, the majority of children occurs at the age of 18 months (for girls a bit earlier). However, only at the age of 3, children can consciously control the bladder rectal and muscles (acts of defecation and urination).
There is an idea that the early teaching to the potty does not always leave good effect on the child’s psyche, the child may become caught and self-doubt.

The main grounds on which it is possible to understand the degree of readiness to teach the child to the potty:
Baby understands simple requests, can share his/her feelings:
for example, frustration over the wet and dirty diapers;

child can walk, sit;

can take off and wear shorts and pants;

the child’s chair has become a regular, soft, decorated;

child alone removes dirty or wet diapers;

can imitate the behavior;

wakes up dry after sleep or remain dry for at least 3-4 hours during the day;

shows interest in toilet bowls and potties, tries to sit on potty, or goes to the toilet.
Perhaps the baby can’t do anything listed above, but if your child makes even a few signs – begin to teach him/her to potty.

Starting training, remember that the success of every child should be encouraged.

How to help the kid?
Dress the child with cloths which can be easily removed.

You’d better have on hand sufficient number of spare pants, diapers, toilet paper and wet wipes for babies.
The potty should be convenient, stable and not cold. Place it in a conspicuous accessible place.

If your child remain drye at least 3-4 hours during the day, replace the usual diapers with special panties Huggies Pull-Ups ® for teaching to the potty.
Pull-Ups ® have special indicators that tell mothers that a little surprise has occurred. If the baby wakes up and comes back from a walk and images still have not disappeared – it’s time to put him/her on a potty. Mothers can quickly remove them when noticing that the kid wants to potty. Pull-Ups ® are easy and convenient; they do not limit the movements of the Child, and are especially comfortable for usage during the warm season. Panties look like real underwear.

Usually, the act of defecation occurs among babies almost at the same time. Put the child on the potty after breakfast – this time is the best. Remember that everything will be very difficult, but do not leave him/her on the potty more than 5-10 minutes.
Before making pants dirty, children usually are dissatisfied, distracted from their studies, focus, strain – suggest the potty to this point. Be patient and soon you and your child will succeed. Remember that your main task is to build a proper relationship to the child in the process of the toilet.