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Saffron During Pregnancy: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More
Pregnancy has the potential to transform your physical and mental well-being to a great extent. Saffron is great during pregnancy, as it promotes positive emotions and possesses certain medicinal qualities that help deal with the symptoms of pregnancy. Saffron helps cope with feelings of anxiety, stress and stomach pain and is often recommended to pregnant women for its many qualities. However, like most things, saffron too may pose problems if it is not taken in moderation. Read on to discover the benefits, uses, and side-effects of saffron during pregnancy.
What is Saffron?
Saffron is the dried stigma of the crocus sativus flower. It is a thread-like structure that contains pollen, located at the centre of the flower. The saffron plant bears four flowers, from which the styles and crimson-coloured stigmata are collected and dried. A single flower contributes only three strands of saffron, and it takes approximately 14,000 saffron strands to produce one pound of saffron. A lot of effort and labour goes into harvesting these saffron threads, thus, making it one of the most expensive spices in the world.
It is cultivated mostly in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions, and in India, this flower is only grown in Jammu & Kashmir. This exotic spice is referred to by different names based on the languages used in India, like saffron, kesar, koung, zaffran or kumkumapoovu.
Saffron is regarded as ‘The Golden Spice’ because it not just adds a unique aroma and flavour to food but also aids in health issues like digestion by forming a protective coating in the digestive tract. The yellow-orange colour imparted to the food containing saffron is a result of the carotenoid pigment crocetin present in it.
It is used in many beauty treatment creams, as it has certain medicinal properties and soothing effects on the skin. It helps the skin regain radiance and glow and helps maintain an even texture. Also, because of its antioxidant properties, it effectively slows down the ageing process. A commonly believed myth is that consuming saffron during pregnancy helps the baby have a fairer complexion.
Is it Safe to Consume Saffron During Pregnancy?
Yes, consuming saffron in pregnancy is safe because it has numerous medicinal properties. It helps to relieve stress, aches and pains, mood swings, and pregnancy discomforts. However, saffron also has certain adverse effects if taken in large amounts. It can trigger contractions and cause premature delivery. Here are a few precautions to keep in mind when adding saffron to your diet:
• Consume saffron only at the onset of the fifth month of gestation, as the pregnancy is stable at this time, and the risk of endangering the baby due to premature contractions is reduced.
• Use only two to three (mention only 1-2) strands, at most, in any preparation, as excessive saffron may adversely affect your health.
• Saffron for pregnant women should be sourced only from a high-quality vendor to eliminate any risk of artificial colouring or impurities.
Benefits of Saffron For Pregnant Women
Saffron is essential and highly recommended during your pregnancy because of its medicinal nature. Its primary advantage is that it helps in digestion by forming a protective coating in the digestive tract. When consumed in moderation, the benefits of saffron during pregnancy include the following:
1. Reduces Mood Swings
Pregnancy triggers several hormonal changes in your body, and that has a profound effect on your feelings. You may go from being cranky at one moment to being impulsive or emotional in another. For such times, saffron can come to your rescue. It acts as an anti-depressant and boosts the blood flow to your brain. Consuming saffron results in the production of the hormone serotonin that elevates your mood. It also reduces the stress hormone, cortisol.
2. Manages Blood Pressure
A woman’s heart rate can speed up by 25% during pregnancy, causing fluctuations in blood pressure. Saffron possesses potassium and crocetin that help in lowering your blood pressure. This feature can be beneficial during pregnancy.
3. Calms Morning Sickness
Morning sickness often leaves you feeling dull and lethargic. Anecdotal evidence proves that saffron-infused tea often helps combat nausea and dizziness.
4. Aids In Digestion
Majority of women suffer from stomach aches during pregnancy. Digestion slows down during pregnancy and an expectant mother may require some stimulating agents to ease the process. Saffron is known to boost the blood flow to your digestive system, and thus, helps to enhance your metabolism. This, in turn, aids in better digestion. Saffron causes the formation of a protective coating in the digestive tract. This extra layer helps to soothe the gastrointestinal acidity and also lessens bloating.
5. Gets Rid of Cramps
A pregnant woman experiences cramps ranging from mild in the beginning to near severe before delivery. Throughout the pregnancy, the bones and muscles stretch and shift to accommodate the growing baby, and this can cause pains and cramps in the stomach and pelvic joints. Saffron is a natural painkiller. It relaxes the muscles, which helps to relieve stomach pain and soothe cramps.
6. Protects Against Heart Disease
Saffron has a magical property of protecting you against heart diseases. During pregnancy, women tend to consume more than the required amount of fatty foods to satisfy their increased appetite. This can have a detrimental effect on their cardiovascular system. The antioxidants, crocetin and potassium present in saffron help reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels in your body.
7. Cures Respiratory Illness
Saffron possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help dilate the nasal airways. It also reduces the swelling and inflammation in the lungs. As a result, you can breathe clearly. Saffron can also aid pregnant women suffering from asthma by removing any blockage that is present in their lungs and trachea.
8. Reduces Hair-Fall
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy often result in increased hair fall. A widespread practice among many pregnant women is applying a paste of milk, saffron and liquorice to reduce hair fall. The antioxidants in saffron nourish the hair, making it stronger.
9. Aids in Better Sleep
As the pregnancy progresses, sleeping becomes a challenge, with the mother tossing and turning all night to comfortably accommodate the growing belly, deal with the effects of hormonal surges, and reduce the discomfort of stretching bones. All these factors together cause cramps, pain and discomfort. During such times, you can have saffron-infused milk. Saffron contains mild sedative properties that help promote sleep and enable you to feel relaxed. Drinking saffron with milk is known to improve your quality of sleep.
10. Heals Skin Problems
Many women claim that consuming saffron helps them fight common skin problems. These include pimple breakouts, melasma, and acne that arise during pregnancy. Saffron is a blood purifier, and an effective solution to skin problems caused by impurities in the blood.
11. Helps Avoid Congestion Due to Allergies
Often, your immune system is compromised during pregnancy. You become vulnerable to infections and allergies, as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Saffron helps in easing your cough, asthma, allergies and nasal congestion. Besides, applying a paste of saffron and sandalwood helps to bring down fever.
12. Helps Experience Movement of the Baby
As per ayurvedic scriptures, saffron tends to increase your body heat, causing a rise in your body temperature. This, in turn, results in the movement of the baby inside you. It's always a pleasure to feel your baby move in your womb.
When to Consume Saffron During Pregnancy
Saffron is believed to be an appetite booster and helps in digestion. Yet, it is advisable that you consult your ob-gyn and dietitian before consuming saffron during pregnancy.
It is recommended and considered safe to consume saffron during the second trimester, mostly from the fifth month onwards. Healthcare providers should instruct expecting mothers on when to consume saffron during pregnancy so that they consume it in the right amounts.
Eating saffron during pregnancy increases the body heat, which in turn raises the frequency of uterine contractions, so having it during the night time is ill-advised as your body will be running a lot of processes during this time.
Saffron is believed to induce contractions, and in extreme cases, may cause spontaneous miscarriage. Doctors recommended that a dose of not more than 1 strand per day, as any more than that may prove to be risky and affect your baby causing preterm labour or even miscarriage. Although it has high nutritional value, it is advisable to be aware of when to eat saffron during pregnancy to avoid any harm or adverse reaction.
How to Consume Saffron During Pregnancy?
You now know that saffron is safe to be used in pregnancy, but in a limited amount. It is important that expectant mothers are well informed about how to use saffron during pregnancy. Saffron is primarily consumed in two forms:
Soaked Saffron
This is the most common way of using saffron at home or by commercial cooks. The saffron threads are gently crushed and transferred into water, milk, or broth. It is left to infuse for about 10 to 15 minutes before being consumed or added to a recipe.
Crumbled Saffron
This form of saffron is best suitable for use in nutritious soups and salad dressings. You can crumble the saffron strands with your fingers and use them directly in different preparations.
Once you have prepared the saffron, the next step is to utilise them in dishes. If you’re wondering how to eat saffron during pregnancy, worry not, as there are plenty of ways to consume it. Saffron forms an important part of the Indian cuisine as it is used in dishes like kheer, lassi, biryani and many other traditional sweets. Here's how to use saffron during pregnancy:
Saffron With Milk
Calcium is a highly important mineral for the growth and development of your baby. On entering the fifth month of pregnancy, you may add saffron strands to your milk. Else, you may grind the almonds, pistachios and saffron strands and add the paste to your milk. You can drink the saffron milk in the morning.
Saffron in Rice Preparations/ Soup
Saffron may be added to soups and rice dishes to enhance the flavour. 1-2 strands will be sufficient to impart colour and flavour
Saffron With Water
You can simply put a strand of saffron in your glass of water and drink it. It will help in your digestion
Side Effects of Saffron
Saffron has massive benefits for pregnant women, but it comes with its share of side effects. Consumption of saffron in high doses can be hazardous for expectant mothers, as it leads to uterine contractions and can cause the following issues:
Miscarriage
Saffron tends to increase body heat and temperature, leading to increased uterine contractions. This can result in miscarriage during the early weeks of pregnancy. It is recommended that you start consuming saffron only in your second trimester, and after consulting your gynaecologist.
Hypersensitivity
In many cases, pregnant women complain of experiencing anxiety, dry mouth, nausea and headaches on having saffron. If you are facing such problems, it is best that you avoid saffron.
Vomiting
Saffron can also lead to vomiting in some women. Vomiting doesn't just make you feel miserable, but deprives you and your baby of essential nutrients. So, ensure that you do not have such an adverse reaction to saffron. If you do, you must avoid consuming it.
Saffron Poisoning
Saffron poisoning may occur when a person consumes high doses of saffron, that are equal to or more than 12g. This is characterised by yellowness of skin, eyes and mucus membranes, numbness, bloody diarrhoea, nose bleeds, bleeding lips and more.
Contractions
Increased intake of saffron stimulates the uterus, increasing the frequency of contractions. This can lead to premature labour.
• Dizziness
Owing to the sedative property of saffron, consuming it in higher doses can result in a feeling of dizziness.
• Allergies
Women who are sensitive to certain foods and have a history of being allergic to Olea, Lolium, Sasola plants are at risk of further allergies on eating saffron.
• Bleeding From Eyelids, Nose or Lips
Depending on the stage of pregnancy you are in, and your experience of allergies and saffron consumption, there are possibilities of complications like bleeding from the nose, lips or eyelids.
• Numbness
The high amount of saffron intake may also cause numbness in some women. Numbness is a tingling sensation in hands and feet and can occur in eyelids and lips too.
• Jaundice / Diarrhoea / Haemorrhaging
Taking in a large amount of saffron often causes toxic reactions in the body, resulting in conditions like jaundice, haemorrhage and diarrhoea.
• Blood in Urine or Stool
Discharge of blood in urine or stools can be a frightening sight for a pregnant woman. However, it could be a possible side effect of high saffron intake.
Other Things to Remember
Saffron is often sold in adulterated forms and can be harmful to pregnant women and their babies. It is important to get original saffron and only from trusted sources. Some precautions or things to remember for consuming saffron safely during pregnancy are:
Buy Packaged Saffron
Local shops may sell these saffron strands in loose form. But for precautionary measures during pregnancy, it is best to buy only the packaged ones.
Go Through the Label
Before buying the saffron, make it a point to check the expiry date of the packet and ensure that it is a certified brand.
Check for Originality
You can differentiate between pure and adulterated saffron by the colour itself. Pure saffron is crimson red and has a soft orange-red tip. Whereas, if you find the saffron completely crimson, it is most probably fake or adulterated.
Saffron Grades
Grading of saffron is done based on their colour. The highest graded saffron has the deepest tone and is the costliest. Also, the higher grade of saffron has the best aroma. You may enquire about the grade of saffron to select the best available one.
Artificial Colouring
Ensure that the saffron you buy does not possess any yellow or white threads. If it does, it means that the pack is an adulterated one, made up by mixing it with other parts of the flower.
Choose saffron strands over powder form
Buy fresh saffron strands rather than in powdered form, as they may lose their antioxidant properties to a certain extent on being powdered. Also, it becomes easier to check their genuineness. You may immerse a few saffron strands in warm water to check for authenticity. Original saffron takes about 10 to 15 minutes before its colour bleeds, whereas the fake ones bleed colour the moment you immerse them in any liquid or food.
Storing saffron properly is essential to maintain its nutritional properties for a longer time. You will certainly want to store the saffron in a way that it retains its properties because it is expensive. It needs to be stored in an airtight container in a cool place, hidden from sunlight. This helps the saffron to preserve its flavour for minimum of six months. You may wrap the saffron in foil to ensure further protection. It is best to keep this airtight container in the refrigerator. To prevent saffron from absorbing atmospheric moisture, you can add a ground sugar cube to it. You can use the saffron strands for up to a minimum three years if stored properly as described above.
Packed with multiple benefits, saffron is a beneficial addition to your pregnancy diet. Consulting a dietitian or doctor will help in determining the optimum quantity of consumption and guard against any side-effect. Give in to your love for saffron in moderation, and reap the benefits it has to offer! Read more
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Your Baby This Week : 17 Month Week 2 Old
Does your child ignore you when you ask him to do something? Try not to lose your temper. At this age, it is best to choose your battles carefully. Making a big deal over the little things, like pulling the petals off of a flower, or the spread of newspapers around the house will inspire your child to test your limits even further. Save your lectures for the really big “no-no’s”!
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Blindness in Children - Causes, Signs and Treatment
It can be argued that seeing is the most important out of our five senses, as life without sight is something that any of us would dread. Sight is something to cherish lifelong and may slip away if you do not take care.
Blindness or vision impairment has been observed in many children, as they grow older. Living without sight can be hard to adjust to, but it has to be done if the child wants to live as normally as possible. If you feel that your child is not responding as they should to light or moving objects, it could be an indication of the onset of vision impairment. So in this article, let us take a look at what blindness is, what its causes are and how it can be treated.
What is Vision Impairment?
Vision impairment covers a lot of conditions, and it does not necessarily mean that the child cannot see anything. Vision impairment may refer to complete loss of vision, or partial loss of vision (so that children are able to see to some extent but maybe not clearly) or even to colour blindness and related disorders. It can occur at any age - the onset does not have to be from a young age. In many cases, the problems last only for a short while and then vanishes, but in other cases, they may stay or even deteriorate as time passes.
There are two types of vision impairments:
1. Low Vision
Low vision means that the child can still see something, but cannot see all the things that a child of his age is supposed to be able to see. This can refer to blurriness, reduction of the field of vision or reduction of sight. Colour blindness also comes under low vision, and it means that the child will not be able to see some specific colours.
2. Blindness
In legal terms, children with blindness are not able to see at 6 m what a child with no vision problems can see at 60 m, or if the field of vision is less than 20 degrees in diameter. Compared to that, a normal person can see up to 180 degrees.
How Does Your Kid See?
The organ of sight is the eye, which consists of various parts like the retina, cornea, lens, iris and the optic nerve among many others. All of these parts have a function to carry out, and when they work in tandem with the brain to collect images by focusing light, the child can see. If any of these parts are faulty, it results in loss of vision, either complete or partial, in the child.
Causes of Childhood Blindness
There can be many causes of blindness in children, ranging from accidents to genetics. Some of these are:
In premature babies, blindness can occur because the brain was deprived of oxygen for a time. This causes the death of the brain cells that are responsible for controlling vision resulting in blindness.
If there occurs any bleeding in the brain, blindness can occur.
Vitamin A is very important for the eyes to work well, so a deficiency in that can cause loss of vision. However, this kind of vision loss is reversible.
If the optic nerve has not developed well enough in the child, blindness can occur.
Genetics can be a reason too and blindness can be passed to the child hereditarily.
Accidents in which foreign object come in contact with the eye can also cause blindness.
Congenital cataract is one of the leading causes of treatable blindness in children.
An early onset of diabetes in the child can result in conditions like diabetic retinopathy, which can cause a gradual loss of vision.
Signs and Symptoms of Blindness in Kids
It can be hard for children to explain at a young age that they cannot see properly, so looking for symptoms can help you understand if the loss of vision has occurred. Some of the symptoms are given below.
The pupils of the child may be unequal in size.
The pupils may have white colouring, rather than the black colour.
If you place an object or in go in front of the child, his eyes may not move.
Eyes crossing frequently when that did not occur earlier.
Eyes do not seem to focus on anything.
The eyes of your child bulge, or move in rhythmic, uncontrolled movements.
The child has become clumsier, with him knocking things over or bumping into stiff with increasing frequency.
Your child seems to avoid tasks that require concentration and good vision.
Your child squints and blinks too frequently.
Your child may seem to sit too close to the TV or keep a book to close to his face in order to read it.
How is the Diagnosis Done?
If you come to the conclusion that your child may be becoming visually impaired, it is important that you go visit a doctor right away. In order to stop or possibly reverse the situation, you have to get a diagnosis as quickly as possible. You need to pay a visit to the general practitioner or the paediatrician with your child so that the doctor can check the eyes of your child. He might then refer you on to a children’s eye specialist, or a paediatric ophthalmologist. The eye doctor will do more tests on your child, and try to lay a hand on what the problem is. In case the doctors say that there is nothing wrong with your child but you still cannot get rid of that nagging feeling, there is no harm in getting a second opinion.
Effect of Blindness on a Child
Blindness does not just affect the eyesight of your child- it can influence other areas of his personality, too. Some of the effects of loss of sight in children are given below.
He might have difficulty communicating, as it is difficult for him to see people waving or gesturing.
Socialising becomes difficult too, as he cannot play because of clumsiness associated with loss of vision.
He might be unable to tell the difference between day and night.
Your child might not try to move, as he cannot see the interesting objects placed in front of him.
Learning to write and read becomes difficult, too.
Treating Blindness in a Child
Loss of eyesight is common in children, so it is extremely important that you start treating it from an early stage. You need to keep a few things in mind during treatment, though.
Pay the doctor a visit if you suspect something off with the eyesight of your child, and definitely remember to go for routine check-ups.
Be sure to mention all the signs that made you feel that your child may be going blind to the doctor.
In some cases, surgery might be the answer to the problem. In many others, contact lenses or glasses might be the solution.
Nutritional deficiencies can also cause partial loss of vision, so always provide a healthy diet for your child.
Raising a Kid with Blindness
Partial blindness is not something that should concern parents too much, as the solution is glasses or laser surgery in most cases. In case the child is totally blind, then it can be harder to raise your child- the condition is usually untreatable. You should always be supportive of your child- you have to remember that your child has no problems in other areas of life or development. You just need to care for your child a little more.
Blindness is a serious problem, so you should always visit the doctor as soon as you think there is something wrong. A healthy diet, glasses and surgery can solve most problems in this area- but if your child is completely blind, you have to ensure that no other part of his life gets collateral damage due to his condition.
Also Read: Excessive Eye Blinking in Kids Read more
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Mixed Fruit Gujiya
Gujiyas are festive sweet dumpling made from maida, khoa and dry fruits mixture. They are deep-fried in ghee and dipped in sugar syrup. It is commonly made on the occasion of Holi across the country. In contrast, these mixed fruit gujiyas give a healthy twist to your traditional recipe, so you do not need to count your calories. Fruits will impart a natural sweet taste and make it more nutritive. Also, if we bake instead of frying, we can cut off the oil too.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
10 People
30 Minutes
30-40 Minutes
Ingredients
For The Outer Pastry Case or Shell
2 cups plain flour (Maida)
1 tbsp (tablespoon) melted ghee
cold water as needed
salt to taste
For The Fruit-Khoa Filling
1 cup crumbled mava (khoa)
2 medium apples
1 pear
2 plums
1/2 tsp (teaspoon) cinnamon (dalchini) powder
1/2 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder
2 tbsp chopped almonds, cashew, raisins, chopped dates, chiroungi seeds
2 tbsp grated coconut
Method
For The Outer Pastry Case or Shell
Step 1
In a large bowl, sieve the flour and salt together.
Step 2
Add melted ghee.
Step 3
Rub the ghee in the flour with your finger tips, till the mixture resembles bread crumbs or coarse meal.
Step 4
Gradually add cold water and knead the flour into a smooth dough.
Step 5
Cover and keep aside for 30 minutes.
For The Fruit Khoa Filling
Step 1
Heat a pan and add the chopped fruits along with chopped dates.
Step 2
Stir on a low flame for 10-12 minutes.
Step 3
Add the spice powders and mix well.
Step 4
After 4-5 minutes, add the khoa and stir the mixture.
Step 5
The khoa would begin to melt. Stir continuously.
Step 6
Add the chopped dry fruits and mix.
Step 7
Allow the khoa to melt completely, once done, turn off the flame.
Step 8
Keep the mixture aside for cooling.
Preparing The Mixed Fruit Gujiyas
Step 1
Make medium sized balls of the dough.
Step 2
Roll into a round puri shape of medium thickness.
Step 3
Put a few tablespoons of the fruit-khoa filling on one side.
Step 4
Apply water on one of the outer edges.
Step 5
Cover and press the edges together.
Step 6
Cut out the excess dough from the edges using a knife or pastry cutter.
Step 7
Make all the gujiyas this way and keep them on a thali or plate.
Step 8
Brush them with ghee and cover them with a damp cloth.
Step 9
Preheat the oven to 180 C.
Step 10
Arrange the gujiya’s on the baking tray and bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes until brown and crisp.
Step 11
Turn them a couple of times so that the Gujiya’s get evenly baked.
Step 12
Serve Hot or warm.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size 29.4 g
Calories
127
Calories from Fat
47
Total Fat
5.2 g 8%
Saturated Fat
0.8 g 4%
Trans Fat
0.0 g
Cholesterol
2 mg 1%
Sodium
10 mg 0%
Potassium
11 mg 0%
Total Carbohydrates
18.4 g 6%
Dietary Fiber
0.3 g 1%
Sugars
10.8 g
Protein
1.8 g
*Based on a 2000 calorie diet
Nutritional details are an estimate and should only be used as a guide for approximation.
Tip :
Cut the fruits in small cubes and always cook them on low flame.
You can even deep fry the Gujiya in moderately hot oil till they are golden browned from all sides.
You can coat these gujiyas with sugar syrup to add extra sweetness.
You can even bake it in microwave – It takes 18 minutes for the Gujiya to bake in convection mode in the microwave
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Preventive Measures for Accidents in Toddlers
Parents must childproof the house, when there is a growing toddler at home. There are some injuries and accidents that a child is prone to, the most dangerous ones being electric shocks, eye injuries and puncture wounds. It is important to be well-aware of the preventive steps to avoid any mishap and also have knowledge of the treatment that follows any unfortunate incident.
There are many common injuries and accidents which toddlers are vulnerable to. Cuts and scrapes, bumps and bruises, are common reasons for toddlers to cry. However, there are some more injuries which parents need to be careful about. Electric shocks, puncture wounds and eye injuries are some accidents which can harm your child severely.
Accidents Toddlers are Prone to and Ways to Deal with them
Electric Shocks
If a child touches any source of electric current, either by his finger, foot or mouth - the current flows through his body. It can cause a split-second sensation, a serious injury or a burn, depending upon how long it was held on to and the type of current.
Some electric shocks are minor and do not cause long-term damage. However, the current which is strong, can enter the child’s body at one point and leave at another, damaging all the tissues on its way.
A child who suffers an electric shock may get skin burns, muscle contractions, headache, weakness, numbness or tingling, hearing impairments, etc. A bigger shock may leave the child unconscious, may stop his breathing, may give cardiac arrest, or even damage his brain and organs. Sometimes, it causes death too.
Immediate Action and Treatments
If you happen to observe your child getting a shock, then immediately shut of the mains or remove the fuse. If you are unable to do so, then try to break the connection of your child from the current by using nonmetallic substances like wooden objects. If he is not breathing, give him a CPR and call for emergency immediately.
At times, the child may get burns on the skin due to shock. If the burns are very minor you can apply ointments or ice and take him to the doctor. If not then take him to the emergency immediately.
Preventive Measures
Till your child learns to stay away from electrical objects, cover them with plug covers and place furniture in front of them, wherever possible, which cannot be moved by your child.
Replace frayed wires at your home, if any.
Ensure all electrical cords are out of your child’s reach.
Don’t let him go out to play or swim during lightening.
Ensure all appliances at home are labelled by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.
Watch over for electrical poles and downed wires when you are out with your child.
Eye Injury
The most common eye injury is when some foreign particle gets into the eye of your little one. In such a scenario, the immediate step is to ask him not to rub his eye. This would prevent him from scratching his cornea, which is the surface layer of an eye. Make your child blink several times to dislodge the particle. If it still doesn’t go, wash your hands, pull your child’s lower eyelid slightly down and the upper eyelid slightly up to see if you can locate the particle. If it has got embedded in the eye, you may need expert help. Take your child to the doctor immediately.
Treatment
If you see the object floating in the eye, gently remove it with a cotton swab or use an edge of a clean cloth.
If this doesn’t help, try to wash the eye gently with light splashes of luke-warm water.
Preventive Measures
90% of the eye injuries can be prevented. The common reasons for which children procure eye injuries are mishandling of toys, falling from beds, stairs or some other furniture, pokes with tools like pencils or forks, coming in contact with harmful chemicals like paint and cleansers, and even automobile accidents. You must childproof your home in order to avoid such malicious accidents. Remove hazards which could be dangerous for your toddler or keep them out of his reach.
When to Seek Expert Help
When the child's vision turns doubled or blurry.
When he feels constant irritation in his eye.
When he gets bothered by light or if it causes pain in the eye.
When his one eye does not function like the other one.
When pupil of one eye attains a size different than that of the other one.
Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds refer to deep wounds that are caused by sharp objects like a nail, piece of wood or metal. They are usually not very serious, but may require treatment from a physician. They are also vulnerable to infections as germs and dirt can settle in the tissue through the deep wounded surface. Your immediate response should be to see if it is a serious injury and you need to seek medical aid. Ensure that you wash your hands thoroughly before examining the wound as they may carry germs which are likely to get transferred to the injured tissues.
Treatment
Wash the area with Savlon/Dettol and rinse for five minutes at least.
Take the child to emergency room, if you feel your child needs immediate and proper medical attention.
Also, try to stop the bleeding with a swab of cotton, however, if this does not help, take him to a doctor immediately.
In other cases, when bleeding is normal, apply antibacterial ointment after cleaning and then cover it with a clean bandage. In case the toddler complains of pain, give him an appropriate dose of acetaminophen.
In case your child is not up-to-date with the tetanus shots, he needs them without a delay. This is because an open and deep wound makes him vulnerable to a serious infection caused by the bacteria that can easily enter through the wound.
In certain cases, the doctor also gives human tetanus immune globulin shots to the toddler. This one has antibodies that keep the toddler away from tetanus infection.
Preventive Measures
Childproofing the house is important; this includes covering sharp objects and keeping them away from the toddler’s reach.
Ensure all drawers with sharp edges or pointed tools like knives are at a safe distance from the child.
Make sure he does not roam around barefoot in his house
If there are any jagged pieces of a recently broken plate or glass, keep the child away from that area and clean it thoroughly.
With these easy preventive measures, your little one can stay away from harmful injuries. While implementing these changes in your home is important, it is also essential to know about the treatment and keep a first-aid box handy so that you can act efficiently when your child faces any such problem. Read more
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1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert my newborn baby girl breast is hard n feel like lump
Indhumathy Ravikumar
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. please give gentle massage on breast before bathing.. and then squeeze the curdled milk in it.. after that keep pumping the breast from time to time.. it will cure with in two weeks..
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. after c section when we start physical relation?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. after 8 weeks or after proper healing of the wounds. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rayan has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert
good morning Ma'am..
My son is 4 months old. He gets stomach pain/ gas everyday at any time.. He cries for long when he gets pain.. I am giving him Colic aid everyday from last one month.. Only after giving colic aid he stops crying... what should I do to avoid his pain and medicine??
Read moreRayan
Mom of 2 children
1 hour ago
A. Hello mam! If it is due to colic pain /gas, it is common in newborns. Make sure that you burp your baby after every feed. Don't feed just before your baby is to sleep. Make a routine like feed, play and sleep. Burp inbetween feedings. Colic pain will stop automatically at 5 or 6 months. So don't worry. Happy parenting!
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
35 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
baby having nose block.. sleeping problem
what should I do?
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
32 mins ago
A. nasal blockage can be relieved by using nasal saline drops like nasoclear saline drops in thecg nose followed by nasal aspirator to take out the secretions very ghently
steam inhalation can also be helpful in this condition
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
16 mins ago
Q. @ the time of birth baby weight 2.475kg but after completed 6weeks baby weight approx 3kg, why baby weight gain very slow, till breast-feeding milk and urinate 6-7 times and potty 2-3 times. can u please suggest why slow in progress in weight gain???
Read moreDr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
14 mins ago
A. the average birth weight of neonates is about 3 kg.
during the first few days after birth, the newborn loses
extracellular fluid equivalent to about 10% of the body
weight.
most infants regain their birth weight by the age of 10 days. subsequently, they gain weight at a rate of
approximately 25 to 30 g per day for the first 3 months of life.
thereafter they gain about 400 g weight every month,
for the remaining part of the first year. x
an infant usually doubles his birth weight (taken as 3 kg) by the age of 5 months. the birth weight triples at 1 year and is four times at 2 years of age.
the weight of ca child at the age of three years is usually
five times that of the birth weight.
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
10 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert mera baby 3 month ka h use gas bhuat banti h is karan wo bhuat rota hai
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
9 mins ago
A. Gas related problem is very common in small babies because of many factor including immaturity of the gut .
other factors include cow's milk introduction before huu1 year of age , bottle feeding, not giving proper burping after each feed.
Digestive enzymes like aglozyme drops can be given as suggested by doctor in proper dose for reliving of such symptoms .
g
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