Remedies for common baby issues

Being a new parent is not easy and obviously, a lot of people are fighting to give you advice here and there; and mothers and fathers are googling how to deal with some common situations. And is it a must that every issue need to head to the doctor immediately?

Yes. I would say Yes! If you are really unsure, going to the doctor is the best approach each parent should take.

Here's however a list that one can adopt in mild situations. Please always consult a professional if you do not know what to do.

Jaundice

The yellowish tint in newborn’s skin which appears first on the face then also on the rest of the body is jaundice. It develops when the liver is unable to flush out bilirubin (a waste product from the normal breakdown of red blood cells). Many babies have a case of “early jaundice” which begins on the second or third day of life and starts disappearing when the baby is 7-10 days old.

Remedy : Breastfeed your baby as often as possible as most jaundice is caused by not taking in milk especially when milk does not come in during the first few days after birth.

Doctor Time : If the situation does not improve, doctors may recommend exposing your baby to special florescent-type lights, a kind of phototherapy or sunbathing at home. If there is a fever, see a doctor immediately.

Cradle Crap

Cradle crap appears as yellowish, greasy and scaly patches of skin most commonly on the baby’s scalp, but it also can be found on the face and body. It is caused by a build up of oil as well as the shedding of skin cells. It usually disappears during the baby's first year. It is harmless but the itch can cause irritation to the babies.

Remedy : It can be removed by rubbing olive oil gently into the affected areas and letting it sit for 10 minutes and use a baby comb to brush gently on the scalp before washing it off with a mild baby shampoo.

Doctor Time : If the area shows redness and signs of infection and/or there is a bad smell, these can cause your baby great discomfort. The doctor can prescribe lotion to sooth the irritation.

Colic

Colic is the name given to long, unexplained bouts of crying in a baby and cannot be soothed by burping - usually beginning between the second and third weeks and disappearing by four months. No one can really explain what causes colic.

Remedy : Helping a baby with colic is primarily a matter of experimenting. Different babies are comforted by different measures. You can try and see which works best. 

1. If you are bottle-feeding, try to burp your baby in between and after her feeds. 

2. You can also used anti-colic teat that will reduce the air intake while bottle feeding.

3. Carry, cuddle and gently rock your baby when she cries. A soothing rhythmic movement helps a baby relax and go to sleep. 

4. Massage her tummy. 

5. Go on a car ride.

6. Some babies are less colicky when taken off cow’s milk formula. A change to other formula for two milks is worthwhile trying if all else fails.

Doctor time : Consult a doctor if colic is recurrent or when your baby has a fever, recurrent vomiting or diarrhoea.

Fever

Fever occurs when body temperature rises above its normal level and this might varies by individual and time of day. A fever is a sign of the immune system at work and usually indicates an infection.

Remedy / Doctor Time : See a doctor to be examined. Give plenty of fluids. You can also put a cooling pad on the baby’s forehead to lower the temperature.

Cold & Flu

When your child has a cold, most likely he will have watery eyes, sneezing, coughing or running nose.

Remedy : You can relieve their stuffy nose by using saline nasal drops or spray. Offer plenty of fluids to keep his throat and mucus membranes moist. Check with doctors before any medication. 

Doctor Time : It is best to see a doctor whenever your child catches a cold or flu so that doctor can diagnose and prescribe the appropriate medication.

Constipation

Parents should look out for constipation symptoms when your babies have a hard abdomen and painful passing of stools that are hard and dry. Normally, when passing motion, baby will cry. Constipation is common when your baby is first introduced to solids. For some babies, it’s also common that they don’t pass motion every day. As long as the stools are relatively soft and there doesn’t seem to be discomfort, parents might not be too worried.

Remedy : To relieve constipation, increase baby’s fluid intake. Parents can also explore massaging the stomach area but bear in mind not to use too much force.

Doctor Time : If the problem still persists, consult a doctor.

Diarrhoea

The symptoms of diarrhoea are frequent bowel movements and the stools appear watery, loose and smelly. Look out for stools that contain mucus and are a different colour from normal stools. As diarrhoea depleted the body of fluids, it can lead to dehydration. Parents should look out for warning signs such as crying without tears, lack of urination, a sunken fontanel and loss of skin elasticity. For newborns, passing of frequent loose stools 6-8 times a day is normal in the first week of life and usually occurs during or after each feeding. You need not be too alarmed.

Remedy : Ensure proper hygiene and give plenty of fluids.

Doctor Time : If diarrhoea persists and accompanied by vomiting, see a doctor immediately.

Diaper Rash

Diaper rash happens when babies’ skin is prolongly exposed to urine and faeces. In the early phase, the irritated skin turns red. And if not treated, bacteria and yeast fungus will invade the inflamed skin. Red spotty areas, some of which may contain pus will appear and spread to over surrounding areas. The rash patches normally appear on the baby’s bottom and groin area.

Remedy:

1. Expose your baby’s bottom to air as much as possible.

2. Change the diaper more frequently. Even the baby can sleep through the night, it is recommendable to change the diaper every 3-4 hours. Do these till the rash clear up.

3. Clean the diaper area gently and do not use strong soup. 4. Use a diaper rash cream to apply on the affected areas.

Prevention : Always change the diaper frequently. Remember to wipe clean the bottom and let it dry before putting on a fresh diaper. You can also apply a barrier cream after each nappy change.

Doctor time : If the problem still persists and is causing the baby great discomfort, consult a doctor.

Splitting up and Burping

It is normal for babies to spit up a small amount of milk especially after feeds or between feeds. It is due to excessive slackness in the muscle ring located where the feeding tube (oesophagus) and the stomach meets. If your baby is happy and putting on weight, you should not be worried.

Prevention : Avoid rocking your baby just after a feed.