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9 Easy and Effective Home Remedies for Stomach Pain in Babies
As mothers, we know it’s always distressing when you see your baby cry continuously. And the worst feeling is the helplessness which surfaces when you don’t know how to ease the pain he is feeling or why he is even crying in the first place. In many cases, the reason may be an upset tummy.
Stomach pain is a common problem in babies. Their digestive systems are still getting used to solid/liquid food, so they may often experience issues like gas, reflux, acidity, diarrhoea, vomiting, and constipation. Although it is a minor health problem for adults, it can still cause a lot of discomfort to a little baby, and thus, must be adequately taken care of.
Common Causes of Stomach Ache in Infants
There may be many causes of stomach aches. Some stomach aches may be mild and may heal without any treatment, while some may require medical intervention.
1. Gas
Pain due to gas affects almost every baby at some point or the other, whether he is breastfed or bottle-fed. It is especially prevalent in infants between 1 to 4 months of age, due to their underdeveloped digestive systems.
2. Incorrect Feeding
If the breast or bottle is incorrectly positioned, the baby may swallow too much air, causing him discomfort later.
3. Overfeeding
If you feed your baby too much of food, it can lead to various health complications, such as deterioration of the digestive system, pain due to bloating and pressure on the stomach, and vomiting.
4. Sensitivity to Certain Foods
Some babies may be allergic to ingredients in the formula milk they drink or certain foods. Such allergic reactions can be triggered when your baby has the food itself or has traces of it through your breast milk.
5. Lactose Overload
This happens when your little one gets too much foremilk (milk at the beginning of a feeding) which is rich in lactose but low in fat. This results in the lactose not being properly digested as there is not enough fat to slow down the process, creating excessive gas.
6. Underdeveloped Digestive System
As we discussed above, infants have digestive systems which won’t have developed enough to process the food, gas, and stool. Their microflora (unique microorganisms that live inside the gut), which help in the digestion process and strengthen the immune system, are yet to be created. This may also be a cause for gas in your little one’s tummy.
7. Gassy Vegetables
Breastfed babies may also have gas if their mothers start consuming vegetables like cauliflower, beans, onions, and cabbage. If you’re having such foods, it may be best to cut back on them to see if it makes a difference to your baby.
8. Constipation
Changes in a baby’s diet, feeding habits or water intake may produce dry and hard stools. This may cause abdominal pain in constipated babies.
9. Reflux
Babies between one and three months of age usually spit out a small portion of what they have consumed soon after feeding. This is because the valve between the food pipe and the stomach is not fully developed. The ‘spit’ sometimes reverses back into the mouth and throat, leading to stomach pain afterwards.
10. Colic
If there is an obstruction in the baby’s intestines or excessive wind, it can result in a stomach ache.
Best Home Remedies for Stomach Ache Relief in Babies
There are various natural remedies you can employ to soothe your little one’s tummy, but patience is of utmost importance. Don’t panic; your infant is the one who needs your help the most!
The best thing to do is to wait for some time, observe your baby, and judge the severity of the condition. Usually, stomach ache eases with time. If not, there are a few natural remedies you can follow to ease your baby’s tummy ache.
1. Chamomile Tea
Give your baby some warm chamomile tea (one cup of water per teabag). Doctors say that the chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties will help in easing stomach pain as it loosens the muscles of the upper digestive system, relieving contractions and reducing tummy cramps.
2. Warm Compress
Another way to ease stomach aches is to gently press a warm compress against your baby’s abdomen when he starts crying due to stomach pain. The procedure can be repeated 2-3 times during the day and night.
3. Yoghurt
If your baby has a stomach ache due to diarrhoea, then good bacteria are being lost in the stool, which is needed to balance the nutrient intake in the stomach and intestines. Yoghurt contains bacteria which can replace those which are lost, and feeding your baby with yoghurt can help bring the digestive process back to normalcy.
4. Massage Using Mustard Oil
Lay your baby on his back and gently massage his tummy using mustard oil. Apply it around the baby’s navel in an anti-clockwise direction. This will help stimulate the digestive system and move around the trapped gasses in your baby’s stomach. Massaging your baby every day is quite important.
5. Burping
Burp your baby after every feed by tapping gently on his back, while his head rests on your shoulder. If your baby doesn’t burp easily, try the ‘football hold’. Place him face-down on your forearm, with his legs straddling your elbow. Rest his chin in your hand and apply gentle pressure while stroking his back. This should release the excess air which may have gone inside while feeding.
6. Bicycling
When your baby is lying flat on his back, move his little legs in a bicycle motion, back and forth. The rotation will help release the gas from his tummy and lessen his pain.
7. Asafoetida
Take a pinch of asafoetida and dissolve it in warm water. Apply the paste gently around your baby’s navel. It will relieve gas and ease your baby’s stomach ache.
8. Rock Your Baby
Rocking your baby while he is crying from stomach pain can help your baby pass excess gas. Since crying only causes him to swallow more air which creates more gas, the most important thing to do is to stop your baby from crying as soon as possible.
9. Foot Reflexology
Some techniques can be applied to several nerves in the feet, which will create a sense of relaxation in other parts of the body. The tummy region corresponds to the central arch of the left foot. So, take your baby’s left foot in the palm of your right hand and while supporting the ball of his foot, apply steady pressure with your thumb. This will help your baby relax and ease his tummy pain.
There are other home remedies as well, such as ginger water, aniseeds, peppermint tea, and honey, but those mentioned above are mostly quite effective, as they have been tried and tested by mothers all around the world. It is always best to use natural remedies so that your little one’s system isn’t harmed by any external agents.
Now, sometimes you might see that your baby is still experiencing stomach pain even after trying all the above measures. He may still be crying and feeling discomfort due to gas or stomach pain. In such cases, it is very important that you consult your paediatrician immediately if you notice your baby continually displaying the following symptoms:
His crying pattern changes suddenly and/or he cries continuously at a high pitch.
He has a fever and a bad cough too - A stomach ache, along with a fever, can either be due to a virus, or in serious cases, be an indicator of pneumonia. It’s best to take action at the earliest if your little one has a temperature.
He vomits or has diarrhoea - If there is blood in the vomit or if it is green in colour, it requires immediate attention.
He has blood in his stool or urine - While constipation can result in some blood showing up in a baby’s stools, too much blood too often could indicate a serious infection or disease.
He’s losing weight - If your baby gets stomach aches often and seems to be losing weight because of this problem, it may need further checking into, just to be on the safe side.
The paediatrician can then put your baby on proper medication if the case is a little more severe than a simple stomach ache.
As babies grow up, they become less susceptible and more immune to gas problems and stomach issues. It is completely natural and in most cases, pass by quickly without too much trouble and with the help of simple home remedies. But also, it is of equal importance to know when to seek help too. If your baby exhibits worrying signs, take him to the doctor immediately.
Also Read:
Teething and Vomiting in Babies
Wind in Infants
Using Gas Drops for Babies Read more
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10 Tips On Personality Development For Kids
Every child has a unique personality with which he or she is born, but, the surroundings in which the child grows, plays a major role in shaping this personality. Parents, teachers, and caregivers have a perpetual responsibility to influence the child in developing positive personality traits. Here are ten things you can follow with your child right from a young age, to groom them into strong and confident youngsters.
Video: 10 Tips for Personality Development in Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ_KWkFJpDA
What Exactly is Personality Development in Kids?
There are many facets to a child’s personality beginning with their own confidence, courage, and self-esteem to how they treat and respect others. Between the age of three and six, you can see the personality of your child developing. This is the right time to inculcate in them some values and practices that grooms them into positive individuals. As children learn and model the behaviour of their parents, you become the single biggest influencing factor in your child personality development.
Ways to Develop Your Child’s Personality
Many parents think that lecturing their children about the do’s and don'ts at regular time points, is the best way to influence their personality. Children do not pick up values from endless lectures, but from mirroring your behaviour. Therefore, the best way to give them a confident upbringing is to subtly push the agenda of positive personality traits, in small day to day actions. Here are some ways by which you can do it.
1. Stay Away from Labelling
Words make the world. When, as parents, you decide to brand your child for certain behaviour, you unconsciously make the child believe that he or she is indeed like that. Labelling the child closes their options of correcting themselves also. This may lead to low self-esteem and even imitating this behaviour with others around them. Remember to always be cautious with your words especially while correcting your child’s mistakes.
2. Be a Good Listener
Children crave for attention all the time. As kids grow they become more and more independent. Pre-schoolers and toddlers tend to express themselves more by talking, especially during the time when their language skills are developing. As parents, you can give a patient hearing to their stories, to make them feel confident and secure in your company. This sets precedence for them to be good listeners themselves and also develops their confidence.
3. Be Gentle on Their Shortfalls
Many parents expect their children to excel in everything they do. When children do not match up to their expectation, they express their disappointment on their child through many ways by accusing them of not being competent enough. Each child has a unique capability and as parents, you must identify and encourage it. You can give gentle assistance to improve the child’s shortcomings without reducing their confidence in themselves.
4. Refrain from Comparison
Comparing your child with other friends, relatives and neighbours, can do a great deal of damage to your child’s personality. Constantly comparing the child to someone sends a message to the child that he or she is not good enough. Children get confused about their own identity and start mimicking others. Respecting the child’s individuality is undoubtedly the first and foremost step in building their confidence and bringing the best out of them.
5. Model the Right Behaviour
Children learn what they see, more than what they hear. Therefore, practically implementing things that you advocate will leave a lasting impression on them. Starting from little things like arranging the books back on the shelf to being polite to guests, children follow what you do. If there is any hypocrisy or disagreement in your behaviour children pick it up very quickly. Therefore, is very important to practice what you preach.
6. Let them Play
Free play has drastically reduced among the children of this generation due to so many reasons. Nothing can teach values like sharing, caring, team spirit and resilience like playing a sport. Sports and games are the best personality development activities for kids. Sadly many parents today shield their children from field play and even restrict them from taking up any sport. For an overall physical and mental of your child, you must involve them actively in a sport. It is also great for children to unwind every day from the stress of academics and remain cheerful.
7. Limit the Screen Time
Gadgets are a new age problem that many parents struggle with. Studies have shown that too much screen time impacts their intellectual and social development. Playing games on the gadget lead to addiction and in turn less time for social interaction. Spend more time with your child playing games and travelling, to divert them from gadgets and give them a real-life experience of things around them. Teach them to value their surroundings and people more than the virtual things they see.
8. Chalk Out the Rules
Giving clarity to children about their responsibilities is essential for a healthy understanding in the house. Sometimes parents fail to communicate what they expect from the child and end up accusing them of their misbehaviour. When the rules are straight, the child learns to align its behaviour with the expectations, slowly and steadily. It may take times for children to tune themselves to the set of rules, but continuous adherence to a code of conduct makes it a habit, eventually.
9. Encourage Independence
Parents of toddlers usually assist the child with all their work to an extent that they stop encouraging the development of any individuality or independence. While it is important to be caring and nurturing, it also important to teach kids to slowly manage their simple responsibilities. For things like packing their bag to school or brushing their teeth or doing their homework, you can encourage your child to do it independently with minimum supervision. This not only trains them in essential life skills but also improves their sense of responsibility.
10. Practise Gentle Parenting
Physically reprimanding your child or yelling at them for their mistakes are going to make things worse for you and the child. Many times, children take the yelling to heart and do not register the corrective action that they are expected to take for a mistake. Gently and patiently explaining to them the consequences of their wrongdoings, will be an effective way of bringing the desired change in their mind. When you yell at your child, he or she obliges out of fear and do not understand the consequences of their action. Explaining to them or even sometimes letting them experience the results of their actions, helps them understand the cause-effect relationship.
Myths about Personality Development in Kids
The word 'Personality' is often misinterpreted. It is a myth that a child's personality is limited to the appearance. Parents emphasise on clothes, grooming and health, oblivious to the fact that these are just one aspect. The child's outlook towards life, knowledge, social skills, interpersonal skills, and much more contribute towards the building of a balanced personality.
Do remember that personality development is a long drawn process in which may experience some temporary setbacks. A consistent effort towards inculcating positive values, behaviour, and attitudes is sure to pay off in the long run as you bask in the satisfaction of nurturing a well-rounded individual.
Also Read: Top 10 Tips on How to Make a Baby Smart and Intelligent Read more
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Easy Answers for Awkward Tween Questions
The barrage of questions that come from children can be embarrassing to say the least. Putting them off will only make them get their information from less reliable sources. How to answer your teen’s awkward questions? Give reassuring answers as the honest truth is what they'll appreciate.
When your little babies are learning to crawl, you can't wait for them to utter their first words. But, before you know it, they've grown up into pesky tweens. This is the time when they start to ask questions that can get a tad bit embarrassing. Questions about bodily changes and dreaded sexual queries can be especially awkward. Don't shy away - follow these tips to answer uncomfortable questions.
Answering Your Tween's Awkward Questions Confidently
1. That pubic age!
Your tweens begin to find hair sprouting in places other than on their heads and they turn to you for answers. Remember, they're still children so calmly respond with words that their young minds are able to understand and accept. The simplest answer is to tell them it's all part of growing up. That should keep them satisfied, at least for a while!
2. Your daughter sets sail
Your daughter has reached puberty and begins her first menstrual cycle. You're left with the task of explaining the changes happening in her body. If you don't really want to go into details, you could start with the basics. Tell her its nature's way of cleansing and strengthening the body. Once she becomes older, you can explain to her the mechanics of her menstruation.
3. Using sanitary products
Once you've explained menstruation to your daughter, explaining the use of pads, tampons and menstrual cups should be a piece of cake. However, what you may not anticipate is to have to explain the use of these products to an inquisitive son. An easy enough answer would be to tell him that just like how he requires extra padding when playing sports and games, so does your daughter. That should kill his curiosity for a while!
4. Boy, oh boy!
As your son grows older, the changes in his body are bound to fire up some embarrassing questions that you'd rather not answer, if you had the choice. Your husband can be the one to satisfy your boy's curiosity, but if he isn't around, just remember there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Questions of erections can be answered by telling him that sometimes the genital stands up and it's all a part of growing up. Topics on masturbation, meanwhile, can be answered by telling him that while the act itself is normal, it's private.
5. When boy meets girl and girl meets boy
If your kids are at that age where they begun to notice the other gender, it's time to have a talk. Being overprotective will only make them back away but too much freedom isn't the solution either. Teach your children to behave with dignity, and treat their partners with respect!
Whatever the questions, the key is to listen to your children without judgement. Don't let an awkward tween question turn into an awkward moment. Welcome your tween's concerns with calming assurance. You want him or her to be able to come to you for help, not find it somewhere else. Read more
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5 Real Moms Tell Us Exactly How They Rekindled The Romance in Their Marriage
What changes after a baby comes into your lives, you may ask – well, everything! It's a newfound responsibility, a new world altogether. And just like many other new parents, you must have heard several things about how your marriage is going to take a whole new turn and how things will be different between you and your partner now on. How much of it is true and how much isn't - it's time to debunk some myths!
The responsibilities that come with a baby are often connected to changes in marriage, and rightly so. But taking this for granted and believing that romance will never be back is an incorrect and harmful approach! In our motherhood journey, we need the support and love of our husband. He needs us too, as a partner and friend, along with the mother of his child. This is why it is important to make that extra effort to keep the romance alive and remind each other of the love you share.
So, are you ready to #RekindleTheRomance? Check out these adorable stories on how to bring romance back after kids, as told to us by 5 real moms, and start putting these tips to use!
1. A Family Hug
Hugging is one of the most romantic things a couple can do. It gives you a sense of closeness like nothing else. This mom from Coimbatore has taken the concept of a hug further - she, her husband, and her daughter do a family hug! What a wonderful way to tell the important people in your life what they mean to you!
"This is the most romantic thing he (my husband) introduced to us. We often do a family hug which is 3 of us tightly hugging each other at the same time. It's so romantic, comforting and a secured feeling!"
(Nirmala Rathi, Coimbatore)
2. Sex After Childbirth
Many relationships suffer on this account after the arrival of a baby: painful sex. This mom from Dehradun shares a heartening experience wherein she was willing to explore intimacy again, after childbirth, but talked to her husband about how it could take time. She knew that the body goes through several changes during pregnancy and delivery, and sex can be painful for some time. But as long as you keep a channel of communication with your husband and take things slow, the same magic can be recreated once more.
"For the first two three times, we used a lubricating jelly as I was feeling sensitive, and this can make sex much more comfortable. When I did feel ready, then also we didn't try to rush things. We tried a position that didn't put too much pressure on where I was feeling sensitive."
(Aarushi Sundriyal, Dehradun)
3. Dinner Invitation
Okay, so this may seem like an old trick, but its charm never subsides: a dinner date! No matter how difficult it is, try and schedule a dinner date at least once a month. This mommy from Ahmedabad has a fantastic trick to make the date even cuter.
"A fabulous romantic dinner date with hubby (always works)! Make a handmade invitation card for a planned dinner - it just adds much more attractiveness!"
(Krupali Shah, Ahmedabad)
4. The Thrills Of Love
This mom has a very interesting take on why marriage often takes a backseat after a baby arrives. She says it's the 'thrill' that goes missing and this is what we need to target. Her solution is a lot of fun - and we must say, worth trying out at once!
"The thrill of love is what goes missing after a few years and a baby...To rekindle this, just add naughty surprises frequently to your daily ordeal. Leave your lingerie in his closet to be easily found or just send him a seductive text randomly. The thrills and joys of love will resume leaving you wanting each other more."
(Sanchita Bhartiya, Uttar Pradesh)
5. Little Things, Every Day
We have saved this one for the last for a reason. It is the simplest to do but it has the most far-reaching consequences. This mom tells us how it's the little things that make a world of difference in a marriage. You don't need fancy gestures to prove your love, or you may not find time to be overtly romantic. But as long as you do little things with love, all is set.
"It’s the little thoughtful gestures and kindness that reflect in our daily actions which keep romance alive in our marriage. No matter what we never stop using the magic words ‘I Love you’ and ‘Sorry’ often, and God has always been an inseparable part of our family. We always remember that day when we took our vows and promised to be together 'Till Death Do Us Part'!"
(Angelina Troy, Mumbai)
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexpert water leak from baby eye....what is that
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. blocked naso lacrimal duct kk. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. loop of cord is seen round the neck in growth scan is it a problem at the time of delivery
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
58 mins ago
A. single Loop okay no problem wait. 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
Puja Kumari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
58 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert My baby is 4months old he is having fever after vaccination . how many days would the fever remain? can I give him medicine
Puja Kumari
Trying To Conceive
38 mins ago
A. vomiting ka kya karan ho sakta
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
34 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
Can we have sex during pregnancy and is it safe?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
33 mins ago
A. okay no problem if you don't have any risk factors ko. 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
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
25 mins ago
Q. Dr meri baby 12 month running hai uska weight 6 kg hai uska growth nahi ho pa Raha hai to kya kare or over active hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
23 mins ago
A. ok see c. if the baby is not having proper height and weight it means that baby is having failure to thrive baby needs investigations like TSH and other related test to find out the reason
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 mins ago
Q. mere twins baby hai boy nd girl one month 8 days when I check eye and ear which month
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
11 mins ago
A. For the query asked needs consultation with doctor for proper guidance so it is better that the doctor will guide you the correct way .
Online consultation can also be taken jjand the expert will give you the proper answer .
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