Answered by Team ParentCircle
Dr. Deepak Ugra addresses concerns about your baby's sleep and feeding patterns, when and how to introduce solid foods, and how to manage diaper rash.
Q. My 1-month-old daughter has started sleeping through the night. Can I let her sleep, or should I wake her every few hours and feed her? She has regained her birth weight and we've been told that her weight gain is on track.
Weight record is a very sensitive parameter to assess the growth of a child. A baby regains her birth weight at 2 weeks of age. If the weight gain is appropriate, it means that your baby is getting enough nutrition and doesn't have any major medical problems. Another way to find out whether your baby is feeding well or not is to monitor her urine output. If she's passing urine seven times or more in 24 hours, it means she's getting enough feeds. If she's feeding well when awake and is sleeping through the night, it's fine. If you're still concerned about your baby sleeping for longer hours, you can try to wake her up after every four hours, and if she doesn't take feeds, you can let her sleep.
Q. My daughter is going to complete 6 months shortly, and we are planning to introduce solids. I have heard about food allergies. What should I keep in mind when I give her solid foods for the first time? If she experiences an allergic reaction, what should we do? Also, what are the foods that are more likely to cause allergic reactions in babies?
The best time to introduce your baby to semi-solid foods is at 6 months of age. Start with fruits and then introduce cereals. Although every baby reacts differently to the food offered, the most common foods that cause allergic reactions are dairy products and nuts. Your baby may show symptoms of indigestion, with or without skin rashes all over the body. These reactions usually happen on the same day a new food is offered. The food item that triggers an allergic reaction in a baby should not be given to her again. If the baby becomes very irritable or develops a breathing problem after eating new food, take her quickly to a pediatrician, who will look for allergic reactions and prescribe allergy medicines, if necessary.
Q. My 2-month-old gets diaper rash very often. Is it okay to use diaper rash ointment on her a few times every day? Is there any other home remedy that you can recommend? Also, how do we prevent diaper rash?
If your baby wears diapers, then apply a diaper rash cream on her after every diaper change. When you're buying a diaper rash cream, please ensure it contains zinc oxide. There are many good brands available in the market. Avoid using antibiotic or antifungal ointments for diaper rashes. Also, allow your baby some diaper-free time every day. The longer a baby remains in a soiled diaper, the greater her risk for diaper rash. So, change diapers often to prevent diaper rash.
Q. My 3-month-old has a stuffy nose now and then. How do I treat his nose block at home?
Small babies are obligate nasal breathers (i.e., they prefer to breathe through their nose rather than their mouth). They become very cranky if their nose gets blocked. A baby shouldn't be kept under a fan, as the direct dry-air blast from the fan can cause a nose block. Use saline nasal drops (available at pharmacies) at regular intervals to clear your baby's nose. When you're administering saline nasal drops in his nose, please wait for a few seconds after putting the drops in one nostril, and then put the drops in the other. Avoid using nasal drops containing xylometazoline. Mucus extractors are also safe and can be used by parents to suck out the mucus from their baby's nose to relieve nose block.
Q. My 5-month-old son is experiencing teething pain and irritation. He has been quite cranky because of this. How can I help ease the pain?
Teething usually starts between 7 and 15 months. It can be unpredictable, though. Sometimes a newborn may have one or two teeth. If your baby is cranky and you see that his gums are swollen, a dose of paracetamol can be given as a pain reliever. Avoid teething gels, as they're considered unsafe. (The gel shouldn't be swallowed by your baby. But when you apply the gel on your baby's gums, he'll naturally swallow some.)
Q. How can I help my 4-month-old when he is unable to pass gas? He cries and seems to be in great pain. Also, is it okay to give my baby gripe water to reduce the pain?
Gas is the end product of the digestion of carbohydrates in the milk. Every baby makes gas. Babies who pass gas feel comfortable, but those who are unable to pass gas may have a bloated tummy, experience pain, and become cranky. These babies can be given oral drops containing simethicone (available at pharmacies). Although simethicone is safe for babies, consult your pediatrician before giving your baby the drops.
Gripe water containing alcohol was very popular in the past. Today, some gripe water products have alcohol, others don't. Many people seem to give gripe water to babies, but no study has proven that it works.
Q. I have a 1-month-old son. I recently read about SIDS and found it quite scary. What steps should I take to prevent it?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can occur at any time in the first year of life, but it is most common for babies between 1 and 4 months of age. Babies born prematurely are at higher risk for SIDS. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months may reduce the risk of SIDS. Also, sucking on a pacifier can reduce the risk of SIDS, as it requires forward positioning of the tongue, thus decreasing the risk of oropharyngeal obstruction. The risk of SIDS is higher among babies who sleep on their front (sleep on their stomach) unsupervised. For this reason, a baby shouldn't be left in that position unsupervised.
Dr. Deepak Ugra is a consultant pediatrician at Hinduja Hospital, Khar, Mumbai.
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