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Stomach Pain in Babies
Tummy aches can arrive out of the blue and hit your baby hard. Stomach aches are quite a common condition in newborns. Since the baby is unable to articulate the feeling of pain, it always results in him crying. But deciding what is bothering the baby is no child's play. A stomach ache can be due to various health issues, and we have listed some common causes of stomach ache along with symptoms and causes.
Common Symptoms of Stomach Ache in Babies
Some signs to look out for in your baby to see if he has a tummy ache:
Acting more fussy or grumpy than usual
Crying an unusual amount
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Squirming or tensing up of muscles
Disturbed sleep
Not feeding regularly
Common Reasons for Stomach Pain in Babies with Remedies
Here are some of the causes of stomach ache in babies:
1. Colic
Colic is characterised by incessant crying in infants. It occurs in babies who are 2- 3 weeks old and can last till they are 4-5 months old. It can also be called newborn gas pain. If your baby cries for as long as 2 hours a day for three days a week, it could be colic.
Causes
The causes of colic are not known exactly. It might be caused due to inhalation of excess air or indigestion. Some also wonder if some babies might be intolerant toward substances present in mother's milk.
Symptoms
The baby might arch his back and bend his knees while crying. The abdominal muscles might get tensed, and baby might pass excess gas.
Treatment
Warm baths, warm compress on the tummy, knee push up exercises can ease the pain and help relieve the excess gas. There are no medications to treat colic. If it is severe, seek your doctor's advice. Fennel tea, basil tea, and peppermint tea are home remedies for your child's stomach pain caused due to colic. These natural substances have antispasmodic and anti-flatulence properties useful for treating gastrointestinal problems. If you do plan to give your baby any of these types of tea, ensure that you consult your paediatrician regarding side-effects, dosage, and how it should be given to your baby.
2. Constipation
Constipation commonly occurs in babies who have started solids. If your baby appears uncomfortable during a bowel movement or hasn't had one in three days, it might be constipation.
Causes
It can be due to a milk allergy, lack of fibre in the baby's diet, not having enough water, or due to holding in of bowel movement.
Symptoms
If the baby is constipated, the poop might come out as dry, hard stools. Also, look out if your baby is straining to poop. Any colour changes in the poop such as red, black, or maroon can be a cause of worry.
Treatments
If your baby has started on solids, give him foods that can ease constipation, such as pear, prune, oatmeal, and peas. Light exercises can also help; lay your baby on his back and move his legs in a cycling motion. Use an infant glycerine suppository if the doctor says it's safe to do so since it provides lubrication for the baby to pass stools.
3. Reflux
This happens when the passageway between the oesophagus and stomach is not working properly. Reflux occurs when the food from the baby's stomach comes back up and causes the baby to spit it out. It is also called gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and is rarely serious.
Causes
Reflux can occur due to an immature lower oesophagal sphincter (LES), which is a ring muscle that passes the food down the oesophagus and keeps it down in the stomach. Immature LES can open up and cause the food to come up.
Symptoms
Symptoms include gagging, choking, coughing, wheezing, and spitting up food. Reflux also causes babies to cry a lot during and after a feed.
Treatment
Frequent feeding can help. Also, keeping the babies head at an elevation using pillows after a feed is a good idea. Doctors might also prescribe medicines to reduce the acid in the stomach so that the discomfort during throwing up is reduced.
4. Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea leads to the watery stools. It can cause dehydration in babies.
Causes
It is commonly caused due to exposure to a virus known as rotavirus. Bacterial strains such as campylobacter, salmonella, escherichia coli can also cause diarrhoea. Another common cause is contaminated food and parasites.
Symptoms
Runny stools along with general signs of discomfort or fever.
Treatment
Since diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, intake of fluids in the form of water or breast milk is important. Consulting a doctor is highly recommended since you could receive a prescription for paediatric oral rehydration. Also, if your baby has started to take solid foods you must ensure that you give him healthy and light foods.
5. Intussusception
It is a rare condition that causes abdominal pain in babies and can occur when the baby is around 8-14 months. This occurs when one part of the intestine slides into another causing blockage and pain. This cuts off the supply of blood and other fluids.
Causes
The causes of this condition in infants are not clearly known, while in adults, this can be caused due to a tumour.
Symptoms
Your baby might pull up legs towards the stomach, vomit frequently, and pass dark, bloody stools containing mucus.
Treatment
Consult a doctor; your baby will likely have to go through an x-ray called barium enema that can push back the intestine.
6. Temporary Lactose Intolerance
This intolerance occurs when the body does not produce lactase enzyme that breaks down the sugar present in milk and other dairy products.
Causes
This condition occurs in infants with gastrointestinal ailments such as stomach flu and diarrhoea. These ailments can damage the lining of the small intestine making it difficult to digest lactose.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms are diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, and gas.
Treatment
Don't give your baby any dairy product for a few days and discuss your baby's condition with a paediatrician.
7. Motion Sickness
If your baby gets sick almost during car trips, it might be motion sickness. It usually causes stomach problems in babies, accompanied by sickness. But motion sickness is rare in babies who are less than two years of age.
Causes
Motion sickness occurs when there is a disconnect between what the baby sees and what they sense with the motion-sensitive parts of the body, such as ears and nerves.
Symptoms
Motion sickness is usually accompanied by tummy aches and nausea. The feeling of nausea can cause the baby to salivate more and drool. The baby might turn pale too.
Treatment
Take short breaks in between your journey. Also, plan your travel to coincide with the baby's nap time. Ensure that the car does not smell. Fresh air will do a lot of good.
8. Appendicitis
It is an inflammation of the appendix that rarely occurs in newborn babies. The appendix is an appendage at the lower right corner of the abdominal cavity; when blocked, it swells up and causes pain.
Causes
The inflammation occurs when bacteria get trapped in the appendix by hard stools or a large nymph node compressing and blocking the opening. This causes swelling, that, in turn, increases the pressure and causes sharp pain.
Symptoms
Your baby will cry incessantly from the pain. Other symptoms include fever, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhoea.
Treatment
Surgical removal of the appendix is the only solution, to prevent the appendix from bursting. There is no need to worry since this is a common condition experienced by many people.
9. Paediatric Hernia
This is a condition that occurs when the small or large intestine slides out of the abdominal cavity causing discomfort and infection. There are two types of a hernia possible, inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia. When the intestine slips into the inguinal canal and causes swelling around the groin, it is called an inguinal hernia. An umbilical hernia occurs when the intestine slides out of a damaged abdominal wall behind the navel.
Causes
Weak abdominal muscles are the main factors leading to a hernia. In boys, it occurs if the inguinal canal is not closed properly and a part of the intestine moves into the canal.
Symptoms
A hernia is characterised by a full rounded belly, vomiting, pain, and fever.
Treatment
Surgical intervention is required for this condition. A hernia might also close on its own over a period, but the pain can cause a need for medical intervention.
10. Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection can occur in infants as early as 12 months. It causes pain in the lower abdomen. A bacterial infection anywhere along the tract can lead to this condition.
Causes
The infection commonly occurs when bacteria from outside gets inside the bladder or urethra. This condition is not caused by lack of hygiene.
Symptoms
Fever, crying during urination (that indicates pain), and odd-smelling urine are some of the symptoms.
Treatment
Antibiotics are used to treat this infection. Consult a doctor to get a prescription for an antibiotic suitable for the baby's age. Also, take care to complete the entire course of antibiotics to completely cure the condition.
Tips to Soothe Your Baby's Stomach Ache
Give him a tummy massage, by gently massaging your baby's belly in a circular motion to relieve the stomach ache.
A warm bath may help in relaxing your baby and soothe his tummy ache as well.
Remember to burp your baby after every feed to prevent gastric issues and stomach aches.
Move your baby's legs in a cycling motion to help him pass gas.
Stomach pains in babies can be due to a lot of reasons, but it is rare that the pain is due to a serious disease or condition. Most of these pains can be treated at home or go away after a while. Consulting a doctor is essential not only to determine the cause for the pain but also to find the suitable treatment that will relieve the pain.
Also Read: Stomach Pain in Kids Read more
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The Yoga Diet - Sattvic Diet That Balances Your Body and Soul
A sattvic diet, also referred to as the Yoga diet is one which does not include the flesh of any living beings or any food items which may increase energy, such as onion, garlic and a few types of pulses. The concept of this diet also emphasises on moderate eating and includes food items that are pure in nature and which energise our body as well as our mind.
What Is the Yoga Diet?
Yoga diet, also is known as yogic diet lays stress on vegetarianism, excluding onion and garlic. It is also termed as 'lacto-vegetarian' which basically means the exclusion of meats and fish but includes dairy products and honey. The diet belongs to the 'sattva guna', and following this diet is believed to achieve a healthy balance of body and mind.
Benefits of Yogic Diet
Yogic diet, or sattvic diet benefits the body, mind and soul in innumerable ways. Few of them are as follows.
In the yogic diet, it is a rule to start the day with a glass of warm water with lemon juice in it. This cleanses the body and helps it to get rid of harmful toxins. By the process of regular detoxification, organs in the body can function well, as a result of which the body is devoid of ailments and diseases.
The satvik diet not only keeps one physically fit, but also mentally agile. It is a diet which balances the body, mind and soul, thereby resulting in longevity of life in an individual.
The yoga diet believes in eating in moderation, therefore the yoga diet for weight loss is one of the best ways to lose fat, and it also strengthens your body’s immunity power at the same time. Following the diet along with a few minutes of yoga, pranayama or some physical activity will keep you away from all types of lifestyle diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
Sattvic diet includes green leafy vegetables, fruits and sprouts and is devoid of heat inducing foods like meat, fish, onion, garlic, etc. Therefore, it does not take much of hard work for the digestive system to digest the food; the end result of which is proper bowel movement, clear skin, etc.
Sattvic foods include ghee, coconut oil, sprouted seeds, etc. These make the food tasty. Moreover, the good fats in the diet help in keeping your brain healthy and your memory sharp.
Basics of Yoga Diet
Listed below are some of the basics of yoga diet plan.
1. Food has to be Sattvic
The food should be pure and fresh, one that helps the body to sustain and calms the mind. The sattvic diet includes food that will keep a person healthy, physically as well as mentally agile and balanced in both body and mind.
2. It Comprises of Vegetarian Food
The diet includes all types of vegetables except onion and garlic which induces heat in the body. The presence of only green and leafy vegetables in the yoga diet makes it easily digestible, thereby resulting in a healthy digestive system. Exclusion of meat/flesh of animals keeps the body from too many toxins and uric acid which may result in various diseases like gout, cancer, skin diseases, etc. This also keeps the heart healthy. Non-vegetarian food like animal protein is full of unhealthy fats which gives rise to high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
3. The Food Ingredients Should Be Organic
Since a satvik diet emphasises on fresh and chemical-free ingredients, it is best to use organic products for yoga diet recipes. This also includes dairy products made from the milk of organically fed cows and buffaloes.
4. The Food Should Always Be Fresh
Food that is eaten on a yoga diet should not be just prepared from organic and fresh ingredients, but it should be freshly cooked; this means the food cooked cannot be refrigerated and eaten later. It has to be eaten right after it has been cooked.
5. Food Should Be Eaten at a Set Time Everyday
The meals eaten in a yogic diet should be eaten at the same time every day. Like for instance, if breakfast is eaten at 7 am, then it should be so every day. This makes the body expect food during that time, and thus it becomes easy for it to function better.
6. Meals Should Be Eaten 2 Hours before Practicing Asana or Sleeping
Food needs time to get digested, or it can affect your bowel movements as well as other organs, giving rise to diseases and obesity. Therefore, in a yoga lifestyle diet, it is mandatory to eat two hours before you practising yoga or going to sleep.
7. Fasting
Another important rule in a yoga diet is - fast for a day every week. The fast can either be without any food and liquid, being only on liquids or eating fruits and fruit juice.
8. No Intake of Caffeine or Alcohol
People on a sattvic diet should abstain from tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco or artificial sweeteners.
9. No Place for Ahimsa
People who are on a sattvic diet should religiously practice ahimsa or non-violence. This is the reason why diet forbids the intake of animal protein. You can do so by not just excluding non-vegetarian food from your diet but also practising small things which will make a difference to the environment. For example, keeping small pots of water for birds to drink from, keeping some bird food in the balcony or window sill, refraining from cutting down trees, and planting trees in your area, etc.
10. Abstain From Unhealthy Thoughts
It is not just the abstinence from certain food items or violence, but also from bad thoughts. Practising meditation and yoga regularly is the best way to avoid such thoughts.
Foods to Eat When You Are on Yoga Diet
The following are foods that should be eaten while on a yoga diet.
All types of fruits which have ripened naturally.
Every green and leafy vegetable; however, there should be no use of onion and garlic.
Whole grain products like rice, oats and wheat.
Dairy products like milk, ghee, curd, paneer, cheese, cream preferably made from the milk of those cows, goats and buffaloes that are given organic fodder.
Sesame, coconut, olive and sunflower oil
Unsalted nuts and seeds
Herbal teas, honey, lemon juice without artificial sweetener and preferably with rock salt.
Cinnamon, cardamom, mint, basil, fennel, turmeric, ginger and cumin to make food appetising.
Legumes
Sprouted seeds
Alkaline foods
Mostly uncooked food or foods which have been cooked less to retain the nutrition, and foods that have less oil and spices.
Foods to Avoid When Following Yoga Diet Plan
The foods that you should abstain from while on a yogic diet are the following:
All types of non-vegetarian food like animal protein, fish and eggs.
Processed food like white sugar, maida etc.
Junk, oily and fried food
Onion, garlic, or food which is spicy
Artificial sweeteners
Soda or fizzy drinks
Alcohol
Caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee, etc.
Foods made or heated in a microwave
Stale food
Refrigerated items
Tobacco
The sattvic or yoga diet is the best type of diet to follow if you wish to have a healthy body along with a peaceful mind. Combine this type of diet with yoga and meditation to enhance the powers of a yogic diet. For people wanting to lose fat, a good yoga diet chart for weight loss will make a difference. Practice a sattvic lifestyle, and you will never look back!
Also Read:
Healthy and Portable High Protein Snacks
Negative Calorie Food - Benefits and Diet Plan
Powerful Natural Antibiotics That Fight Against Infection Read more
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Why Messy Play Is Important For Your Toddler
Cut down your paranoia about your child's health when he plays in the dirt. This is a whole new way of exploration for him and science has yet to prove that messy activities for toddlers can be harmful to their health. So, go get your hands dirty with your munchkin!
If you have the luxury of living in a house that has open spaces like a lawn or a backyard, then let your child explore mud, water, sand, leaves and whatever else he wants to (under supervision). If you live in an apartment, then open areas like the kitchen, the bathroom, or the nearby park to your child for his messy explorations. Let the child engage in messy play and see how it helps him in more ways than one:
Messy Play for Toddlers - The Way it Works
1. It Actually Benefits Their Health!
Grubby activities for toddlers actually improves the immune system of the child. Making friends with germs is going to help your kid's immunity in the long term, so let him get his hands dirty in that gooey clay moulding activity. All you need to ensure is that once the play is over, his hands are washed thoroughly with an effective antiseptic soap.
2. It Helps in Motor Skills Development
Messy fun for toddlers actually helps honing in your child's motor skills. Playing with clay and combining things and creating shapes out of it contributes to the mental development of your child.
3. It Improves Their Ability to Think
Activities that are downright messy helps in fuelling your child's imagination. The 'cause and effect', exploring different objects of different kinds, and putting them together will make your 14-month-old's messy play actually educational.
4. It Triggers Their Senses!
When a toddler feels grass or mud underneath his feet his senses actually act up. He gets a real hand experience of what senses are all about. The different textures, the sounds of nature and the visual differences are all ways of learning the concept of senses. Little wonder, children playing with playdough, jelly, and even paint learn to explore their senses better.
5. It Inculcates The Habit of Cleaning Up
Messy play ideas for toddlers aren't just enriching when the toddler is engaged in it but also after the play is over since the toddler adopts the habit of cleaning up too. As a parent, you must teach and encourage your toddler to clean up the mess he has created. You could help him in the process, but he should realise that the 'cleaning up' bit is his responsibility.
So, stop worrying about your child picking up infections and the trouble of cleaning up the mess. Think about the fun your toddler will have indulging in these activities and the contribution of these activities on his overall development. Once you're convinced about these, cleaning up will be never a hassle. Read more
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. hllo am in 34 week of pregnancy,cramps in my hand and foots,my pulses is very fast,i feel tiredness internally,are these symptoms are normal
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. get investigations particularly hemoglobin level. 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
10 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. please check the temperature and get the investigations. fever can be because of different reasons most of the times viral bacterial sometimes due to less immunity there can be recurrence better to treat only with paracetamol if the fever more than 100degr
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
9 hours ago
Q. Now I am having pain till then my miscarriage has been done at home
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
9 hours ago
A. I’m sorry I’m unable to understand your query as you haven’t given any detail about it so whatever the situation is you should get a check with your gynaecologist the doctor would be able to give you better help in whatever treatment of precaution you need to require further
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
4 hours ago
A. hello dear this is not about which is better this is all about your body and the condition of the baby no doubt the normal procedure is the painful but side effect are not there but after C6 you have to be little more careful and you have to take more precaution but again I am saying that this is not about the better one this is about the condition of your pregnancy
Santu has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
1) till how many days after delivery baby needs to keep on uterus temperatures/warm temperature?
2) Can baby & mother both take bath after 24 hours of delivery?
Santu
Mom of 2 children
2 hours ago
A. It depends on moms and babys health I feel and suggest It's better to check with your doctor and follow their advise. That would be one of the best and safest option for your baby as of now. Take care.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. dual marker test is for what purpose??
shilpi Bhandari
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1 hour ago
A. The double marker test helps determine whether the unborn baby has any risk of developing neurological abnormalities or mental disorders
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