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Cough in Babies - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Newborn babies are prone to viral infections like cough and the common cold because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight viruses. A persistent cough in babies can lead to a painful throat along with aches and shivers. To help get rid of these symptoms, it is important to know the causes and symptoms of cough, and how it can be prevented.
Video: Cough in Babies – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hIWoZO-rS0
Types of Cough
There are four types of cough that affect babies: wet cough, dry cough, croup cough, and whooping cough. Here is an overview of the cough types and what they mean for your child.
Croup Cough
Croup is a disease associated with a dry, woofing, and harsh cough. In this condition, the child suffers from a swollen upper trachea or windpipe. The swelling below the vocal cords is responsible for the barking sound. You may also notice that the child makes a high-pitched sound during breathing, known as stridor.
Dry Cough
This is a broken cough resulting from infection due to cold or influenza in babies. It affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose and throat. You may notice that such a cough gets worse in warm temperatures or the moment the child retires to bed.
Wet Cough
A wet cough occurs when phlegm and fluid secretions accumulate in the lower respiratory tract, which comprises the windpipe and lungs.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
A child with whooping cough will show symptoms comparable to normal cough, but it worsens with frequent bouts of coughing, especially during nights. The recurrent coughing fits will be followed by a series of 5 to 15 abrupt coughs one after the other. The child may take deep breaths that sound like whooping.
What Causes Cough in Babies?
A baby's cough is a response to the mucus in the system as a way to get rid of it, and also is a reaction to the irritation caused by the swollen airways and throat. There are several reasons for coughing in babies, but the most common reason is cold or flu.
1) Cold
A cold can result in a cough, and the baby will be troubled by a runny or stuffy nose accompanied by watery eyes, sore throat, and fever.
2) Flu
Flu is similar to a common cold. In this condition, the baby will have a runny nose, fever, and can also experience diarrhoea or vomiting. The cough because of flu will be dry and not 'chesty', meaning that your baby will have lesser mucus to cough up.
3) Croup
If the baby is suffering from croup, the swollen airways will cause coughing. With narrow airways, babies will find it difficult to breathe.
4) Whooping cough
The child will cough up a lot of mucus and make a 'whoop' sound while breathing in air. It is generally a bacterial infection.
5) Asthma
Asthma can be one of the reasons for the baby to begin coughing. A baby suffering from asthma will have tightness in his chest, and a wheeze while breathing in and out.
6) Tuberculosis (TB)
Continuous coughs that refuse to go away can be a sign of TB. A cough resulting from TB will stay for close to two weeks. A baby might cough blood out, feel breathless, and show loss of appetite, accompanied by fever.
7) Viral infections
These can lead to conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
8) Choking
If you notice the child coughing all of a sudden and wheezing because of a blockage in the nose or throat, it could be because he has inhaled a foreign object.
Cough Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of cough should raise an alarm for parents because it could be the cause of a serious illness as well. The symptoms vary according to the cause of the cough. Some of the symptoms are given below:
A cough as a result of cold is loose and may form mucus. It gets worse at night because when the child lies down, mucus drops from the back of his nose and mouth into the windpipe. At times, the cough might stay for up to six weeks even when other symptoms of cold have gone.
A cough resulting from asthma is mostly worse at night. It could be accompanied by wheezing and breathing difficulties.
In case you notice a barking, hoarse cough, it is a possible sign of croup.
If your child has just recovered from a cold but is troubled with bouts of coughing for many weeks after the cold, it could be whooping cough. The condition can get serious and the child may appear somewhat blue because of temporary oxygen deficiency during breathing.
If a child less than a year old keeps coughing and has breathing difficulties, these could be symptoms of bronchiolitis.
Tests for Cough
Most children having a cough don’t require any tests. You can find the cause of cough by keeping a note of the history of coughs in your child. Also, note the other symptoms that accompany the cough. Generally, cough tests for babies which are prescribed by doctors include a chest X-ray for checking pneumonia.
Treatment for Baby Coughing
If your child is experiencing coughing fits too often, you can consider the following treatments:
1. Feeding soups or hot liquids can give relief from discomfort and irritation in the chest and can loosen mucus.
2. It is suggested that the child be allowed to inhale air with moisture. You can ensure this in the following ways:
Keep a cool-mist humidifier where your child rests.
You can even let a warm shower run in a closed bathroom and sit in it with your child once the room is filled with steam for around 10 minutes.
You can try keeping a wet towel in your child's room.
3. A child with a dry cough or croup cough may feel better after inhaling cool air. The cool air will lessen the inflammation in the respiratory tract. You can try this in the following ways:
Keep your windows open to let the child breathe in the cool and humid air.
You can also take your child on a drive with the car windows open.
You can let the child snuffle the vapour from a freezer or open refrigerator.
4. You can give cough medications after consulting a paediatrician.
5. There are vaccinations for whooping cough for children. But remember, even after the vaccination, there is a possibility that the child may develop a mild degree of the disease.
Make sure you consult your child’s paediatrician for all the above options.
Effective Home Remedies for Cough in Infants
You can find some relief for your coughing baby by turning to these effective baby cough remedies available at home:
Breast milk: If possible, breastfeed your baby because breast milk contains antibodies which help the baby’s body build immunity against germs, viruses and bacteria.
Massage with infused coconut oil: Heat half cup of coconut oil with one pearl onion, 2-3 tulsi leaves and one betel stem. Switch off the gas and add a pinch of camphor. Applying this oil on areas such as the chest, neck, and underarms can ease nasal congestion and trigger an open and smooth airflow.
Garlic and carom (ajwain) pouch: Garlic and carom seeds are good for cold treatment because of their anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. For this, dry roast two big cloves of garlic and one tablespoon of ajwain. Once it cools down, place the mixture in a clean muslin cloth to make a tight pouch. Keep the pouch hidden under the baby’s pillow or cot. The aroma from the pouch can help in opening up the blocked nose and provide relief from congestion. You can also heat the pouch a little bit and gently rub it on your baby's chest. Make sure the pouch isn't too hot, though.
Massage with mustard oil infused in garlic and carom seeds: For this, take about one-fourth cup of warm mustard oil infused with crushed garlic. Massage this oil on the soles of the baby’s feet and chest. A pinch of carom seeds can be added to this too. Mustard oil has a warming effect that helps soothe congestion.
Turmeric paste: Mix some turmeric powder in water to form a paste and heat it in a ladle. Apply the paste on the chest, forehead and feet. The heat from the turmeric can absorb the mucus and provide relief.
Eucalyptus oil: This oil has expectorant properties (helps bring up and expel mucus) and can be used for cold relief. Add 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil in cotton and keep it in the baby’s room.
Tomato and garlic soup: These ingredients, when added to soup, help in strengthening the immune system and preventing the occurrence of cold and cough.
Ajwain water with jaggery: Ajwain contains antimicrobial properties. Boil one cup of water with a pinch of ajwain and one teaspoon of jaggery. Then strain, cool, and give one teaspoon once a day for cough relief.
Carrot juice: Carrots contain beta carotene and choline which are effective against asthma. Give your baby carrot juice diluted in boiled water.
Kesar tilak: This is a traditional remedy in which a few threads of saffron (kesar) are rubbed to form a paste and applied on the sole and forehead of the baby at night. It is believed that it helps in absorbing the water stored in the baby’s forehead.
Hair oil made from drumstick leaves: Heat half a cup of coconut oil and add some drumstick leaves (that are rich in Vitamin C). When the leaves release their oils, cool the mixture. You can use this oil on the baby’s hair during bouts of cough, cold and congestion.
Chicken soup: Chicken soup can relieve cold symptoms, congestion, and cough.
Honey: It is known for its mucolytic effect or its capability to soften dry cough. You can administer a spoon of honey for soothing your baby's cough. Make sure you administer this remedy only if your baby is older than 1 year as honey can trigger botulism (a kind of poisoning) in babies under 1 year of age.
Ginger and tulsi: Crush ginger and tulsi to extract the juice, and add honey before giving it to your baby.
When to Visit a Doctor
Most coughs in babies get better in a few days with the help of care and rest. However, if your baby shows any of the following symptoms, you should visit the doctor:
If the child is suffering from a dry cough which lasts for more than four days
The dry or wet cough is accompanied with a cold and fever, wheezing, and spells of coughing
The child is wheezing rapidly, groaning, turning blue, or rapidly retracting and expanding his stomach
The child is experiencing a loss of appetite and weight
How to Keep Baby Away From Cough
You can protect your child from cough in the following ways:
Make sure your child is covered up if the weather is cold
Seek treatment for asthma if that is the trigger of persistent coughing
Protect against infections with appropriate vaccines
Don’t let the child eat whole nuts or play with small objects that can be easily inhaled. This will prevent choking
Ensure basic hygiene like washing hands to stay away from cold and flu germs
Ensure that your child is in a room with appropriate levels of humidity
These tips can go a long way in preventing the recurrence of cough in your child.
Resources and References:
Fatherly
WebMD
Also Read: Dry Cough in Babies Read more
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20 Healthy Foods for Toddlers to Gain Weight
It is essential for parents to be on top of their game to see if the growth chart of their baby is showing a significant rise as per their age and gender. You may find your toddler eating well, but not gaining too much weight. It is not a cause for concern. Some children have a high metabolic rate and burn calories faster. So, it is important to supplement their diet with food rich in vitamins and minerals that will sustain their active lifestyle. Undernourished children tend to suffer from fatigue, irritability and slow development. A nutrient-dense diet can help them put on weight and also get the required vitamins, minerals, and proteins for steady growth. On the other hand, being overweight could lead to obesity, which could further lead to several lifestyle illnesses at a young age. Fat is necessary for a child’s diet, but it is the right kind of fat that aids the development of their brains and hormones.
Foods to Increase Weight in Toddlers
Toddlers will get increasingly fussy with their diet as they get independent in their ways. Parents will often find themselves dealing with picky eaters as they want variety in their diet. Food served to toddlers must cater to their developing taste buds while providing them with the necessary nutrients to stay active and achieve a healthy growth rate. Here are a few tips to help you include different kinds of nutrient-rich food to your toddler’s diet to ensure that he remains healthy.
1. Breast Milk
Breast milk is the best food for a baby until the age of six months, and even a year. Breastfeeding is needed up to six months for the child to get maximum nutrition and gain weight. To feed a baby, a mother must eat food rich in protein, vitamins and minerals to increase milk supply. A lactating mother is recommended to have a powder made of cumin and fennel seeds with desi ghee, fenugreek leaves and dill leaves.
2. Cereals/ Chapattis /Boiled Vegetables
At about two years of age, you can start with finger foods that your child can eat by himself. Try feeding some breakfast cereal like cornflakes soaked in milk. You can also serve some chapati or stuffed vegetable paratha spread with ghee and cut into small pieces. If you eat meat, serve with some shredded pieces of chicken.
3. Fruits
Banana, chikoo (sapota), mango, custard apple are some great choices of food that can be given as cut fruits or added to milkshakes, custard or ice cream. You can make smoothies with these fruits sprinkled with honey powdered nuts and curds. Bananas are a natural source of energy and carbohydrates, containing 105 calories.
4. Vegetables
Add a lot of green leafy vegetables to your child’s diet. Spinach, fenugreek leaves, carrots, pumpkin, beans, and others are a rich source of minerals and vitamins. Try to include one serving of each of these vegetables every day. Peas are rich in vitamins and dietary fibre and a great source of food for high calories.
5. Eggs
Eggs are rich sources of protein and beneficial in terms of adding calories, too. Eggs can be served boiled, fried or made into an omelette. Another great way to add eggs to your diet is by adding them to custard, pancakes or fillings for chapati rolls. French toast is another great option for the intake of carbohydrates and calories.
6. Fish/Meat/Poultry
Fish is a great source of Omega 3, which is highly beneficial for brain development and hormone production. They are rich in proteins and vitamins. Chicken is rich in cholesterol, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, Vitamin B6 and B12. Fish can be added to curries, dosa or sandwiches. Chicken can be served as a stew or soup or added to rice in the form of curry.
7. Paneer & Cheese
You can make thick paneer at home with whole milk. Chop these into bite-size pieces and offer as finger food to your child. An ideal snack to eat without any accompaniments, it can also be added to parathas as a filling or in curries with rice. Cheese is another food that is rich in calcium and also helps kids put on some healthy fat. Cheese can be had by itself or added to sandwiches, chapatis or pasta and makes a wonderful combination of taste and nutrition.
8. Dried Fruits and Nuts
Nuts are great snacks and energy boosters, benefiting your child’s growth in many ways. Walnuts, peanuts, almonds, raisins, black currants, dates, and dried apricots are great options to include in your child’s breakfast. Try offering them nuts or dried fruits as an alternative to chocolates and candies. They will compensate for the sugar cravings and balance the nutrition intake at the same time.
9. Avocados
Avocados are dense in the amount of fat and calories they possess, and this composition makes it an ideal healthy food for toddlers and kids. One of the best high-calorie food for toddlers weight gain, avocado tastes great in soups, dips, sauces, spreads and smoothies. The soft and pulpy texture appeases kids.
10. Ragi
A great Indian food for weight gain in toddlers, ragi is served in porridge form to babies from at the age of 3 months. A porridge of ragi boiled in water with jaggery and ghee could help toddlers gain weight. Ragi is filling and keeps babies' tummies full for a long time.
11. Starchy Vegetables
Starchy vegetables like potato and sweet potato are rich in healthy fat. Potatoes are an excellent source of energy and carbohydrates, and kids love mashed potatoes and cheese. Sweet potato is rich in beta-carotene and sugar. Mashed sweet potatoes taste great with lentils, milk, cheese or even just plain.
12. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter has natural oil and fat content, thereby, making it rich in calories. You could spread peanut butter on toast, biscuits, fruits and sandwiches. For toddles allergic to peanuts, try other nut spreads like hazelnut spread, almond spread or soya spread.
13. Olive Oil
Olives are rich in oil, which are dense in good fat. So if you want your baby to put on some weight, try cooking their food in olive oil to see some amazing results.
14. Peach
Peaches are rich in Vitamin A, dietary fibre, niacin and a great source of Vitamin C. You can puree peaches and serve in the form of milkshakes and smoothies.
15. Ghee
Another important ingredient in Indian food, ghee is considered as one of the best foods to increase weight and also aid digestion. It is recommended to feed babies about one teaspoon of ghee in their food every day. Start with a few drops at first and gradually increase it. Home-made ghee is the best, so try to use it while cooking curries and other recipes for your toddler.
16. Pear
A great source of dietary fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and iron, a pear can be had in the form of puree. Make a puree of apple and pear for your 3-month-old baby and top it with some cinnamon powder for additional flavour.
17. Whole Wheat
Whole wheat is also another great ingredient for digestion with low fat. You can use whole wheat and make pancakes, porridge and chapatis for your baby. Alternatively, broken wheat or dalia can also be used to make porridge with some milk.
18. Oats
Oats are high in magnesium, thiamine, phosphorus and manganese. It is low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Oats can be whipped into porridge, kheer or pancakes for toddlers. Top the porridge with some dry fruits and nuts for an enhanced taste.
19. Lentils Like Moong Dal and Udad Dal
Moong dal and urad dal are powerhouses of calcium, protein and EFA that help to develop the brain. Moong dal can be added to kichdi with rice and topped with a dollop of ghee. Toss in some vegetables to meet their daily servings. Udad dal can be used to make idlis, a healthy steamed food rich in carbohydrates and protein.
20. Full-Fat Milk/Curd/Yoghurt
Add full-fat milk to your baby’s kheer, porridge and halwa for extra calories. Set curd from full-fat milk and serve to babies above seven months of age. You can use curd in fruits and smoothies.
Things to Remember for Healthy Weight Gain in Toddlers
Include five portions of fruits and veggies daily.
Give three meals with three interspersed snacks every day.
Add plenty of fluids to their diet - six to eight cups a day which includes water, juices, soups etc.
Avoid sugary drinks like sweetened juices and shakes, cola, etc., which are full of empty calories that can lead to fat gain
Most often, it is simply a matter of increasing the calories in a child’s diet. What is important to remember is that this need not mean your child will be undernourished or unhealthy. Many parents tend to supplement the diet with sugary and fried food to help kids increase weight. This will destroy the appetite for tasty and nutrition-rich food.
Also Read:
Weight Gain Foods for Babies & Kids
Iron Rich Foods for Babies and Toddlers
Fiber Rich Foods for Babies
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Experts Reveal Why Reducing Screen Time for Your Kids Has Become the Need of the Hour
If there’s one hot topic grabbing eyeballs everywhere on the internet today (quite ironically, to be honest!), it’s ‘screen time and its ill effects’. While we all concur that the Internet has been a big blessing in our everyday lives, it’s also the reason we feel a little close to helpless when the WiFi or 4G symbol disappears off our phones! And with the trickle-down effect in play, it’s the next generation, i.e., our kids who are now falling prey to the influence of these devices, day by day. If your own child now needs to focus on a screen while you feed him or need to keep him busy, screen time is definitely doing him more harm than you think!
Why Has Reducing Screen Time Become Such a Big Deal?
Reducing screen time for kids has become a general talk-point, and with good reasons. While it’s obviously beneficial that a child knows how to operate technology (and a matter of pride for the parent as well), it’s hardly the most important thing a child should learn in the first few years of his life. Especially up until the ages of five to six, a child’s brain is rapidly developing, feeding off every cue it receives. These can come from the world around the child, the people and things he interacts with, the places he visits and so on. Now, imagine how your child’s development can get affected if a majority of these cues come from electronic devices instead!
Major Problems Associated With Excessive Screen Time
The following are a few of the major problems that have been linked to excessive exposure to screen time at an early age.
1. It can affect a child’s sleep schedule and body clock.
The blue light emitted by digital devices can mimic sunlight, thereby throwing the child’s body clock out of sync. This is because exposure to blue light can suppress the hormone melatonin, which influences the body’s sleep-wake cycle. The lesser the melatonin levels in the child’s body, the more it can disrupt his sleeping patterns, especially if he’s exposed to screens at night. And there’s no need for us to explain why a growing child needs his sleep!
2. It can hamper speech development and affect attention span.
While this too is a space where more research is needed, it was presented in the May of 2017 at the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting that the more kids were exposed to screens early on in life, the more likely it was for them to begin talking later in life. For each 30-minute increase in screen time (on handheld devices in particular), the increased risk of delayed expressive speech development was shown to increase by 49 percent. Experts have also noted a rise in cases of children speaking too little or late, with one of the probable causes being an excess of screen time exposure.
3. It can lead to behavioural problems in kids.
Given that children are sensitive to the influence of electronics, stress reactions induced by screen time has been linked to aggressive and disturbed behaviour in them. A recent study conducted in Canada also revealed that kids who had more than 30 minutes of screen time a day (i.e., two hours and above) seemed more likely to have problems like a poor attention span, or be prone to ADHD. Additionally, f the content the children are exposed to is not age-appropriate or is problematic, it can affect their behaviour and development as well.
4. Increased screen time equals lesser time spent on physical activity.
We’re sure this doesn’t require much explanation, because this applies to grown-ups as much as kids. While our generation depended on parks and gatherings with friends for playtime, very young children today get their share of entertainment from their parents’ smartphones. A lack of unstructured rigorous play and plenty of exercise can wreak havoc upon on a child’s growing and developing body, including problems with posture and excessive weight gain. In fact, a lot of the restrictions placed on screen time also stem from the basic logic that kids need to be watching and sitting less, and running around more!
What the Experts Have to Say
We spoke to three experts who shared their inputs on screen time and its effects on children. All three were of the opinion that screen time definitely had more cons than pros when it came to how kids were affected by it.
According to Kuhoo Gupta, an Early Childhood Educator and Parenting Coach at The K Junction, one of the frequent complaints parents today have is of how their kids are unable to master the pencil grip. She blames this primarily on the use of handheld devices, whereby kids are unable to refine their fine motor skills and only get used to the ‘swiping’ or ‘tapping’ motion to get work done. This is something that she says will definitely affect kids once they join school, when improving their penmanship will come into the picture. She also mentions how lack of physical exercise stunts the child’s physical development, especially that of the leg and calf muscles which are exercised by outdoor play.
Dr Priyanka Yadav, who’s currently practising as a Consultant Psychiatrist at Noida, and Dr Rashmi Prakash, a member of the Australian Psychological Society licensed from the AHPRA, have the same opinions when it came to the negative effects of screen time. They stress on how exposure to screen time has led to cases of delay in speech development, hyperactivity, inattention and depression in kids recently, which mainly occurs due to a lack of social interaction. They also mention the importance of physical play for kids, for their healthy development, and how screen time was cutting into that beneficial activity.
Dr Prakash also explains her personal disagreement with educational apps. She states that such lessons can always be learned in the future, while actual developmental lessons which stem from social interaction and unstructured play cannot be replaced with online education. According to her, kids up until the age of three or so should not receive many instructions while playing; which is essentially what an educational app does. And in a much more impersonal style than when it comes from actual people!
Can Screen Time Cause Addiction in Children?
Of the several negative effects associated with screen time, the scariest one of the lot has to be the claim that screen time has the same effect on children that cocaine can have! Research in recent times has shown that screen time leads to a spike in the level of dopamine (simply known as the ‘feel good’ chemical), that triggers the behaviour of ‘wanting more’. It’s the same chemical released while taking a bite of sinfully delicious food, while checking social media updates, and as mentioned, when cocaine or any other such substance enters the body.
So what does all this mean? Basically, the more the child has of something he likes (the substance or phenomenon that’s hitting the brain’s ‘pleasure centre’), the more the dopamine level in his body increases. This motivates him to keep having more of the thing that’s providing him joy, which in this case, is screen time.
But since the child’s brain is still in its early developmental stage, an excess of dopamine can strain the brain’s reward system. This, in turn, can cause the child to turn to something that can help spike his dopamine level, since it can’t be derived from natural causes. And that’s probably why your little one can’t get enough of watching his beloved Peppa Pig or Baby Shark on loop!
So What’s the Recommended Amount of Screen Time for Young Kids?
Too much of anything can obviously take its toll, especially on a young child’s developing brain. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
Zero hours of screen time for kids younger than 18 months (excluding video calls)
Quality programming that the child and parent should watch together if he’s between 18 to 24 months of age
An hour of co-viewing high-quality programmes if he’s between 2 to 5 years of age.
While this too is subject to constraints and conditions, these time periods can be a good starting point for you to implement screen time limits with your child. Another thing you can try is having a No Screen Day, keeping your child away from the screens altogether. Indulge in traditional methods of fun that do not require a screen at all and use this opportunity to bond with your little one. Once you try it, we're sure you're going to implement it more often!
Precautions and Remedial Measures
Whether or not there’s enough evidence yet to prove that screen time can be addictive for kids, we’re sure you don’t want your kids to prove this hypothesis right in any way! If your little one is already hooked to the TV or your smartphone, implement these remedial measures at the earliest.
1. Go cold-turkey!
While the effects of completely banning screen time can last for a week or so (and yes, you can expect severe withdrawal symptoms), this measure can work better than most in the long run. Dr Prakash suggests this measure from experience, which she reveals has seen success in getting kids de-addicted from screens. However, this shouldn’t come across as punishment to the child. If anything, this should offer him a chance to get bored, which would then force him to use his imagination and make use of his time in other ways. You can always use this opportunity to bond with your child with old-school methods of storytelling, singing songs, etc.
2. Wean him off screen time, bit by bit.
If a one-stop shot seems a bit too painful, wean the child off screens a little at a time. However, ensure that you do this with utmost strictness. When an hour needs to come down to half an hour, make sure your child’s whines and cries don’t tempt you into letting him have a few extra minutes on the screen!
3. Stop using phones to distract your child.
It’s quite helpful to use a screen to quickly distract a fussy child who won’t obey you or eat what’s on his plate. But it’s exactly this behaviour that slowly builds up over time into a habit, causing kids to retaliate when their requests for screen time are denied. Again, resort to traditional methods to entertain your child or grab their attention, while keeping the phone aside.
4. Link what he sees to the real world.
It’s obviously impossible to keep your child guarded from screens forever, but what you can control is what he watches. Make sure your child consumes quality content while on the phone or while watching TV, and whenever possible, try and build a connection to his environment. For example, you can show him the different fruits and veggies he saw on a show in your kitchen, enact his favourite songs, and so on.
5. Keep screens away from the bedroom.
Let your little one catch up on all the sleep he needs for his development. Reduce any digital consumption at least an hour before bed and ensure that no kind of screens are in his bedroom (or yours, if you co-sleep). And for those of you thinking about that alarm you set on your phone, well, the good ol’ alarm clock can also work just fine for that!
6. Set yourself a screen time limit!
We all know kids learn through observation, so it can easily confuse your child why he’s restricted from consuming digital media, when the same rules don’t apply to you! Parents, excessive screen time can influence you just as much as it does your kids (if you’ve ever felt your phone vibrate in your pocket or bag even when it wasn’t there, you know this is true!), so setting yourself a limit is important. There are apps you can install that will remind you when you reach your set limit, or simply keep your phone aside once home to spend time with your little one. Also, a screen time limit need not be for just a couple of hours - why not go for a No Screen Day, keeping away from the screens altogether? Once you try it, we're sure you're going to implement it more often!
7. Indulge in physical activity.
Again, this is not just for your child, but for yourself as well! Our busy lifestyles are quite sedentary, which affects our mental and physical health as well. And of course, to lead your child by example, it’s important for him to see you get your daily dose of exercise as well. As for your child, take him out to the park or garden, have him interact with other children, and let him enjoy quality time not receiving instructions from any corner.
8. Treat yourself first.
Dr Yadav puts this forth quite simply - you can’t correct or treat your child if you don’t treat yourself first. She advises parents to first relieve themselves of stress through self-help measures and even therapy, so that they don’t take it out on kids in any way. Similarly, therapy is something you should also consider for your child if he exhibits any severe behavioural symptom which you also suspect is a function of screen time.
Screen time does have its positives, provided it’s utilised in the right way and amount. But to replace the lessons that real-life experiences can provide with online ones and push kids down a rabbit hole of wanting more of screen time is signing up for trouble! Make sure you are fully aware of the content your child is consuming every time he plops himself in front of a screen. Apart from that, make sure he isn’t plopping himself in front of a screen every other time, and is rushing out to do some learning in the real world instead! Don't forget, staying away from the screens periodically applies to you too; after all, it will benefit both you and your kids!
If you think an entire day away from screens seems almost impossible, think again! Thousands of moms are taking a pledge to try and accomplish just ONE day of zero screen time for their kids. If you want to join in, all you have to do is click here to take the pledge and join the ‘No Screen Day Challenge’, and connect with other moms to see what they’ve planned!
With inputs from:
Kuhoo Gupta - The founder of 'The K Junction', Kuhoo Gupta is also a vocal coach and energy healer. She inspires and assists parents in their parenting journey through her articles, videos, and consultations.
Dr Prakash - With 15 years of global experience in the field of mental health management and training, Dr Prakash has specialised in treating patients from various ethnic backgrounds. Providing prenatal and postnatal counselling, along with parenting training, are her key focus areas.
Dr Yadav - A psychiatrist from AIIMS, Dr Yadav has a keen interest in issues related to parenting, child development, stress, and mental health. Initially trained at the Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, followed by VS Hospital, she has also worked in AIIMS, New Delhi and at a community level with the Government of UP.
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Q. left side pain kyu hota h
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Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. many times and the most common cause would be due to accumulation of milk clots and sometimes it can be neurogenic pain and sometimes it might be a partx any local mass like lymph nodes or tissue pain.
if it is not improving with simple massage as well as simple hot compressesx and expression of accumulated milk then meet your doctor at the earliest for local examination.
you can take paracetamol for pain.
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 7 months
4 hours ago
Q. I got chicken pox in my 8th week..it's just started how I can deal with it?
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. Hello dear! Chicken pox during pregnancy is a matter of concern. Consult your doctor for personal evaluation and seek medical advice. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and follow your doctor’s advice. Good luck and take care
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. is sesame seeds healthy in 37th week of pregnancy
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
2 hours ago
A. yes you can have but limited .
During pregnancy it is always advisable to have your normal routine foods and include more of sprouted grains along with green leafy vegetables and adequate water intake which helps maintain good health
Do have regular daily walking
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
29 mins ago
Q. ninth month mein kab tak delivery ho sakti hai
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 mins ago
A. anytime after full term ok. 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
17 mins ago
Q. which good formula milk or baby food for 4 months old baby
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 mins ago
A. no complementary foods below 4 months can use any branded formula milk. 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
Expecting Mom due this month
16 mins ago
Q. Iam 9month pregnant and having very painful condition due to constipation and gastric issues
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 mins ago
A. during pregnancy better not to take medicines for constipation take lot of water green leafy vegetables seasonal fruits you can try suppository if the problem is more o k o k
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