Question 1

Eye Care Tips To Keep Your Child&#x27;s Vision Healthy And Strong

Accepted Answer

Q. What&#x27;s the safest way to take out tiny irritants, such as an eyelash or dust particles, from my child&#x27;s eye?Ask your child to blink rapidly. This will generate tears and may help the foreign body come out by itself.Washing your child&#x27;s eyes with water may also help.You may also use saline drops prescribed for the eye to get your child&#x27;s eye to tear up.If these methods don&#x27;t work, it&#x27;s best to take your child to an ophthalmologist to remove the foreign body. Do not administer any other drops or ointment in the eye without the advice of a doctor. Using your hand or any other tool to remove the foreign body or rubbing the eyes may cause abrasions.Q. I&#x27;m worried that too much screen time may affect my 6-year-old&#x27;s eyesight. Is there anything I can do to protect his eyes from screens?&#xA0;If possible, use larger screens like a TV or a laptop rather than a phone.Remember the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, ask your child to look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.Ask your child to take a break every 45 minutes and walk around for 2 to 3 minutes.Get your child to build the habit of blinking their eyes now and then. Encourage outdoor activities.Q. Can I apply homemade kajal to my 1-year-old daughter&#x27;s eyes? I&#x27;m a big fan of kajal and would like my daughter to wear it.It&#x27;s better to avoid applying anything to the eyes. But if kajal is essential for cultural or religious functions, use a reputed brand, preferably on the skin of the lids. If any signs of allergy like itching, red eye, or discoloration of the skin appear on using kajal, stop applying it immediately and consult an ophthalmologist.Q. When my 12-year-old wakes up in the morning, his eyes are puffy. The puffiness goes away on its own later. Is this normal?Puffy eyes could be caused by a lack of sleep, dehydration, allergies, or increased salt intake. Temporary puffiness, with no other symptoms in the eyes or elsewhere, can be ignored. If there&#x27;s any other sign of discomfort, it may indicate an eye disease and therefore must be checked by an ophthalmologist.Q. My 5-year-old is wearing corrective spectacles for nearsightedness (myopia). Are there exercises to improve his eyesight so he can stop wearing them in the future?The eye power of a child with myopia usually increases during the growing years and stabilizes by the time the child reaches the age of 18. There&#x27;s no scientific evidence to back the claim that eye exercises can prevent myopia progression. Encouraging outdoor activities is believed to help control progression to a certain extent. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops to decrease the rate of progression of myopia.Also Read:Ensure Your Child&#x2019;s Vision with These Eye Care Tips for Children!

Question 2

A Pediatrician&#x2019;s Guide: Baby Sleep, Solid Food Introduction, And Diaper Rash Management

Accepted Answer

Dr. Deepak Ugra addresses concerns about your baby&#x27;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&#x27;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&#x27;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&#x27;s passing urine seven times or more in 24 hours, it means she&#x27;s getting enough feeds. If she&#x27;s feeding well when awake and is sleeping through the night, it&#x27;s fine. If you&#x27;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&#x27;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&#x27;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.&#xA0;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&#x27;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&#x27;s nose. When you&#x27;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&#x27;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&#x27;re considered unsafe. (The gel shouldn&#x27;t be swallowed by your baby. But when you apply the gel on your baby&#x27;s gums, he&#x27;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&#x27;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&#x27;t be left in that position unsupervised.Dr. Deepak Ugra is a consultant pediatrician at Hinduja Hospital, Khar, Mumbai.

Question 3

Is Your Child Sleep-Deprived?

Accepted Answer

Q.&#xA0;My baby is 6 months old and I rock her to sleep. The problem is she takes a long time to fall asleep at night and I get exhausted by the end of it. My husband wants to sleep-train her, but I hear that it involves letting my baby cry for a long time. So, I am hesitant to try it. What is your advice?&#xA0;-Raagini, BombayI agree with your husband, you should try to sleep-train your daughter. Your baby likes the rocking and has gotten used to it. It will only get more difficult for you if you continue with this habit. I would suggest that you rock her for a few minutes, then put her down in her crib. If she cries, do not pick her up right away. If the crying persists for about five minutes or so, then rock her for some time and put her back in the crib again. Allowing your child to cry for some time will not cause any harm to her. Harden your heart and just do it.Q. My son is a year and a half old and still wakes up three to four times in the night, breastfeeds, and goes back to sleep. What steps can we take to make sure he sleeps better? Some people are saying weaning him may help, but I am not sure if that will help solve the problem.- Raghavi, ChennaiChildren wake up in the middle of their sleep for many reasons, the most common one being hunger. So, please feed your child (breastfeed or give him something to eat or drink) before he goes to bed. Avoid breastfeeding him when he wakes up in the middle of the night. Instead, create alternative behavior like giving your child a pacifier or a bottle of water. When your child knows that he is not going to be able to breastfeed when he wakes up, he will start sleeping through the night. Another reason for children waking up at night is bedwetting (even if your child is wearing a diaper). So, check your child&#x27;s diaper and make sure he is comfortable, and change it if needed.Q. My one-year-old child sleeps for about 11 hours at night but hardly sleeps during the day. At best, it is for 30 minutes. I fear he is not getting enough sleep. How do I help him nap better during the day?- Madhumitha, CoimbatoreChildren have different sleep patterns. A one-year-old child should get about 12 to 14 hours of sleep. Your child is almost there. He is getting about 11.5 hours of sleep in total, which is acceptable. Going by what you are saying, it looks like your child is an early consolidator, which means he sleeps predominantly at night. This usually happens by 2 or 3 years of age. That&#x27;s a good sign. So, there&#x27;s nothing for you to worry.Q. Can you describe a healthy bedtime routine? It is not easy to get my two-year-old daughter to bed. I want to make sure I am doing the right things as a parent.- Ram, HyderabadYou can read a book to your child or let your child listen to some soothing music (on a low volume). Make sure the lights are dimmed while doing these activities. Also, give your child a glass of milk at night to make sure she doesn&#x27;t get hungry at night. Avoid exhausting routines such as rocking your child, as this may become an expected routine. It would be best to allow your child to sleep separately rather than co-sleeping in a bed.Q.&#xA0;My daughter is a year and a half old. For the last four weeks, she has been going to sleep only at 3 a.m. and gets up around 11 a.m. We try putting her to sleep from about midnight. She takes a nap during the day from 3 p.m. to about 6 p.m. Earlier, she used to sleep from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. We don&#x27;t know what caused this sudden change, but we desperately need a solution!- Prabhu, ChennaiIt is hard to figure out what exactly caused the change in your child. But my first tip to you would be to completely avoid an afternoon nap for your child. Getting your child tired by the end of the day is key. If she skips her daytime nap, it is unlikely that she will stay awake till 3 a.m. At night, dim the lights, latest by 9. Make sure the environment is quiet; do not give toys. If you co-sleep with your child, I would suggest that you and your spouse go to bed after making sure your child is not in any discomfort. She will most likely follow suit soon enough.&#xA0;About the author:Dr Ramakrishnan is an American-Board certified sleep specialist and founder &amp; director of Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences, Chennai.

Question 4

Cuts, Colds And Sprains: First Aid For Children To Treat Common Injuries At Home

Accepted Answer

Dr Atish Laddad, an experienced pediatrician, answers your questions on common injuries and conditions that can be safely treated at home.&#xA0;Q. My 2-year-old daughter falls from the bed quite often. I noticed a slight bump on her head the last time. I asked her if her head ached, and she said yes, but she was playing as usual. I would like to know how I should treat a bump on her head so that I am prepared the next time it happens. When should I take her to the doctor?It&#x27;s very common for children, especially babies and toddlers, to bump their heads as they&#x27;re just learning to roll over, crawl, or walk. If your baby has encountered a minor head injury due to a fall, you must immediately wash the affected area with mild soap and water. In case bleeding occurs, use a sanitized cloth and apply pressure for about 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. Apply ice wrapped in a towel to the area for about 20 minutes. If swelling persists, you must apply the ice compress again after an hour. You can also give painkillers if necessary, after checking with your child&#x27;s pediatrician. If you notice a problem with breathing or severe bleeding, take your child to her pediatrician as she may require immediate medical attention.Q. My 6-year-old son often falls while playing and gets hurt. How do I clean his bleeding cuts or wounds? Also, how can I stop blood loss?Children are active and endure falls and wounds now and then. If your child has suffered injuries inside the mouth, you must give him an ice cube to suck on to help reduce the bleeding and inflammation. For wounds that have occurred outside the mouth, wash the area well with soap and water, but never scrub. Apply an antibacterial lotion or cream. Never blow on the injury as this can cause germs to grow and spread.Q. My 5-year-old son sometimes develops low-grade fever (99&#xB0;F to 100&#xB0;F). He&#x27;s a little dull and tired when he has a fever, but is otherwise okay. What should I do to keep the fever down? When should I take him to the doctor?Ensure that your child is dressed in light, comfortable clothes when he has a low-grade fever. Don&#x27;t make him wear excess clothing, as it might trap his body heat and cause a rise in his body temperature. Always make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, juices, or popsicles, particularly when he&#x27;s under the weather. You can also give him a warm water sponge bath.Despite taking these measures, if your child&#x27;s fever lasts for more than three days or he has a fever of 100.4&#xB0;F (38&#xB0;C) or higher for more than a day, seek medical help immediately. Fever can also be a sign of an infection that must be treated immediately. You must seek the help of a pediatrician in case your child has become fussy, is crying continuously, and has been refusing to take feeds.Q. My son&#x27;s nose bleeds in winter when the air is dry. What first aid should I give for a nosebleed? Can it be prevented?While nosebleeds in children can be uncomfortable, they&#x27;re usually nothing to worry about. Nosebleeds are more common during the winter, when the heated indoor air may dry out the nasal passages and make the tiny blood vessels inside them more delicate. If your child has bleeding in the nose, take a tissue or a moist cloth and use it to stop the blood. Gently tip your child&#x27;s head forward (do not lean the head backward, as this can make the blood run down the throat). Pinch the soft part of your child&#x27;s nose, and ask him to inhale through his mouth. To prevent nasal bleeding, you can get your child to use a saline nasal spray two or three times a day, after consulting with your pediatrician.Q. My 7-year-old son is hyperactive and falls often. I would like to know what first aid I should give him if he sprains his ankle.Ensure your child rests the sprained part till it&#x27;s less painful. After this, wrap an ice pack or a cold compress in a towel and place it over the bruised part as soon as possible. Do this for about 20 minutes, four to eight times a day. You must support the injured part with an elastic compression bandage for at least two days. Raise the wounded part above the level of your child&#x27;s heart to reduce swelling.Q. I get anxious every time my son coughs or has a stuffy nose. And how do I manage and treat his cold at home?Cold signs typically are mild, such as an itchy throat, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and a fever that&#x27;s not too high. A child with a cold will typically feel quite well, and have a good appetite and normal energy levels. Some home remedies that you can consider to treat colds include giving your child a spoonful of honey to help settle the cold, saline sprays, sufficient fluids, a healthy diet, and using a humidifier.Also Read:Learn about common home accidents and injuries in children. Discover essential safety tips to prevent accidents and ensure your child&#x27;s well-being. Read our expert advice now!

Question 5

Summer Skincare Problems In Kids

Accepted Answer

Dr Madhur Basude, clinical dermatologist, Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital, Pune answers questions on kids&#x27; summer skincare woes.1. My 9-year-old daughter has a runny nose and sore throat throughout the summer. What can I do to help her?First and foremost, ensure her hygiene. Give her handkerchiefs or tissues to wipe her runny nose. Occasionally, ask her to blow her nose, and show her how to blow her nose gently. You need to talk to her about the safe disposal of used tissues. Also, encourage her to wash her hands after she blows her nose and after she touches the soiled tissue. This will help prevent the spread of infection. Some kids develop an allergic tendency known as atopic diathesis, which can sometimes be hereditary. As children grow older, atopic tendencies like runny nose, sneezing, and allergic rashes tend to reduce. For immediate relief, give symptomatic treatment after consulting your pediatrician or physician. For the sore throat, make her gargle with warm salt water. You can give her turmeric milk to drink. If she&#x2019;s lactose intolerant, plain warm water can be a relieving substitute. In case of escalating cough, give her a mild cough syrup after consulting a doctor.2. My 7-year-old son Vihaan sweats a lot, and it increases during summer. It leads to sweat rashes between his thighs and behind his knees. How can I keep the rashes away?Excessive sweating could be a sign of vitamin D deficiency, so it&#x2019;s important to get the vitamin levels checked. Also, rashes behind knees and between thighs indicate he might have atopic dermatitis (barrier-damaged sensitive skin), in which case avoid powders. Instead, use a barrier repair moisturizer after consulting a dermatologist. By and large, sweat rashes don&#x2019;t appear when the areas between the thighs and behind the knees are dry, cool and clean. To prevent rashes, ensure that your son is bathing regularly and is not wearing clothes that are too tight. Apply a relieving liniment oil or cream on the areas after consulting a doctor.3. My children, aged 13 and 7, keep getting painful blisters. They spend a lot of time playing outdoors. What&#x2019;s the right way to treat blisters?It&#x2019;s important to identify where the blisters are occurring and whether any blister has burst or is infected. If a blister has burst, ensure that the fluid from it is thoroughly drained before dressing the blister with a clean, dry, and soft padding or plaster. If the blister is intact, find a moist (hydrocolloid) dressing with the help of your pharmacist. A hydrocolloid dressing may reduce pain and enhance healing. In case of infection, frequent occurrences, or extreme pain, take your kids to a general physician. Do not burst the blisters on your own.4. My 3-year-old is very active. He doesn&#x2019;t like drinking water. I force him to take a few sips of water throughout the day, but I feel it&#x2019;s not enough in this hot weather. How can I keep him hydrated?&#xA0;There&#x2019;s no substitute for water when it comes to hydration. You have to inculcate in your child the habit of drinking water throughout the day. This can be done by:leading by example (drinking water in front of your child), offering a cup of water to him after every mealscheduling specific times for drinking or sipping water, e.g., immediately after he wakes up or before bedtimeencouraging him to eat water-rich fruits and vegetables (cucumbers, watermelons)using colorful bottles or cups to make the water look attractive5. We live in Rajasthan, and it gets extremely hot and dry here during summers. How do I avoid sunburn and heat boils?The simplest way to prevent sunburn is to avoid the sun when it is at its hottest&#x2014;12 p.m. to 3 p.m. If you must go out, apply sunblock according to your skin requirements (you can consult your pharmacist) and reapply on body parts regularly exposed to the sun. If at home, sit in a cool airy spot or under a fan to stay dry. Heat boils can be avoided if you follow these practices. However, if they persist, ensure that you&#x2019;re practicing good hygiene. You can place a warm compress on the affected area for about 10 minutes or so and repeat it to alleviate irritation.Also Read:Common Summer Illnesses

Wellness FAQs

Eye Care Tips To Keep Your Child's Vision Healthy And Strong

A Pediatrician’s Guide: Baby Sleep, Solid Food Introduction, And Diaper Rash Management

Is Your Child Sleep-Deprived?

Cuts, Colds And Sprains: First Aid For Children To Treat Common Injuries At Home

Summer Skincare Problems In Kids

Diaper Care For Babies

Common Health Problems In Newborns And Infants

Pubertal Changes In Girls & Boys

Childhood Skin Concerns: Expert Answers To Your Questions

Teens’ Top Questions About Puberty

Common Eye Problems In Children

Treating Sports Injuries In Children By Pediatrician Dr Jesal Sheth

A Pediatrician's Tips On How to Treat Mosquito Bites And Bee Stings In Children

When there is a head injury during child playing, can we ignore or take the child to the doctor for checking the impact of an injury?

My father-in-law just recovered from a bout of dengue. He is 73, and otherwise very active but the illness makes him feel fatigued. What do you suggest that we should include in his meals so that it does not relapse and he gets over his weakness?

My kid is 18 months old and hasn’t eaten a morsel of food in the last three months. He used to eat well till 14 months and one fine morning there was this hard stop. He has become very weak and falls ill frequently due to lack of resistance. What to do?

My 7-year-old son hates fish. I have tried so many types of preparations with different varieties of fish. Fish is a very important part of our diet at home, so what can I give him in place of fish and how can I make him develop a liking for fish?

After a long bout with viral fever, my 9-year-old has become very weak and lost appetite. What should I do to revive his health?