Baby Diaries, A Guide for New Mothers: Part 5 - Baby's Health Irritations
A continuation in the series (10 parts) of Baby Diaries
Young babies are susceptible to mild health irritations. If you’re not sure about the severity of the situation it’s best to consult your health professional right away. It’s better to pay a visit to the doctor and be turned away for being too panicky, than risk infection from diseases that may permanently harm your baby. Your health visitor will no doubt inform you about all the inoculations your baby should receive and when, and will teach you how to spot real illnesses when they occur. In this section we will discuss some mild health issues and how best to deal with them at home.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Both at the same time is always bad news and should be taken very seriously. However, sometimes baby will get an upset stomach which doesn’t seem to affect his/her general health. When this happens baby’s motions will be loser and smellier than usual. There may even be traces of mucus in the stool. Many times mild diarrhoea can be due to something the mother may have eaten while breastfeeding. Vomiting, on the other hand, can occur when baby is too full or have a cough. My last baby was sick on a regular basis because she had a persistent, dry cough. If her stomach was full and she had a coughing spell she would be thoroughly sick – and I’m not talking about posseting (discussed below).
In the case of mild diarrhoea or vomiting, feed as normal, especially if you’re breast feeding. This is because young infants tend to dehydrate at a faster rate than adults. Older babies will benefit from cooled previously boiled water (if they refuse milk). If problem persists, contact your doctor and they will keep baby properly hydrated until the illness subsides.
Young babies are susceptible to mild health irritations. If you’re not sure about the severity of the situation it’s best to consult your health professional right away. It’s better to pay a visit to the doctor and be turned away for being too panicky, than risk infection from diseases that may permanently harm your baby. Your health visitor will no doubt inform you about all the inoculations your baby should receive and when, and will teach you how to spot real illnesses when they occur. In this section we will discuss some mild health issues and how best to deal with them at home.
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Both at the same time is always bad news and should be taken very seriously. However, sometimes baby will get an upset stomach which doesn’t seem to affect his/her general health. When this happens baby’s motions will be loser and smellier than usual. There may even be traces of mucus in the stool. Many times mild diarrhoea can be due to something the mother may have eaten while breastfeeding. Vomiting, on the other hand, can occur when baby is too full or have a cough. My last baby was sick on a regular basis because she had a persistent, dry cough. If her stomach was full and she had a coughing spell she would be thoroughly sick – and I’m not talking about posseting (discussed below).
In the case of mild diarrhoea or vomiting, feed as normal, especially if you’re breast feeding. This is because young infants tend to dehydrate at a faster rate than adults. Older babies will benefit from cooled previously boiled water (if they refuse milk). If problem persists, contact your doctor and they will keep baby properly hydrated until the illness subsides.
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