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How to Clean Infant Tongue
Your newborn may not have teeth yet, but that doesn't mean you don't give importance to his dental hygiene. Along with optimal nutrition, it is very important to maintain healthy dental hygiene in newborns. Most new parents ask how they can clean their babies' tongue because it's not an easy task! If you have a baby in your house, he might cry while you clean his tongue, thus making the job harder for you! But it is important that you clean his tongue and keep his mouth healthy and fresh.
Why Do You Need to Clean Your Baby’s Tongue?
One of the simplest, yet most important tasks of our everyday oral hygiene involves cleaning the tongue. But in newborns, this simple task can be quite difficult to perform. Proper cleaning of the tongue regularly helps prevent bad breath and bacterial accumulations and lowers the risk of oral infections and gum diseases.
You should clean and massage your baby's mouth even before the eruption of teeth as cleaning and massaging the baby’s gums in the initial stages can help in the process of teething and ensure proper dental hygiene.
How to Clean an Infant’s Tongue
Whether or not your baby has teeth, you need to clean his mouth and tongue and maintain proper oral hygiene. If you want to know how you can clean your baby's tongue, follow the steps give below.
In order to clean your baby's tongue, the first thing you will need to do is clean your hands. Ensure that your hands are clean before you start the procedure. You can clean your baby's tongue using a gauze or finger cloth wrapped around your fingers. You can even use tongue-cleaners available in the medical stores.
For instance, if you take gauze, moisten the gauze with warm water and wrap it around your finger. Then rest your baby in a comfortable position by cradling him in your one arm and use your other hand to clean the mouth.
Gently open your baby's mouth and put your finger inside to clean the tongue.
Once you put the finger inside, gently scrape the tongue in a circular motion.
After cleaning the tongue finish the procedure by massaging the baby's teeth (if he has teeth) and gums in a gentle manner.
You can also use gum cleaners to remove the build-ups. However, if the cleaners fail to remove the build-ups, then consult the doctor for further advice. Avoid using a fluoride paste or fluoride items as the baby can ingest the fluoride in it.
This cleaning procedure needs to be performed at least once a day preferably after feeding.
Doctors recommend using soft brushes that are specially designed for babies to clean a baby's tongue and cavities. If you want to use one for your baby, it is suggested that you consult a doctor and choose the one suggested by your baby's doctor.
Things to Keep in Mind
In order to ensure proper oral hygiene for your baby, here are certain things that you will need to do.
As soon as your baby's first tooth erupts, you must take him for regular dental visits. Regular dental visits are recommended as soon as the baby's first tooth becomes visible (which generally happens between 3 and 9 months of age).
Get a complete dental examination of your baby and fluoride status review as per doctor’s advice.
If you have any concerns related to your child's dental health, speak to your dentist about it. If you have any concerns related to nursing or bottle-feeding for your baby, discuss with your doctor.
Follow the dentist’s instructions on how to keep the infant’s mouth clean.
Additional Tips to Clean Your Baby's Tongue
You already know how to clean your baby's tongue step-by-step, but we have some more tips that will provide answers to any query you may have concerning oral hygiene for your baby. The tips stated below are more like precautionary measures - so don't skip them!
Using water is the best way to clean the baby’s tongue. Use a piece of soft gauze or cotton cloth to dip into warm water and clean the tongue. However, make sure that the water is not too hot for your baby as it may hurt your baby.
Engage your little one in any interesting activity while cleaning his tongue.
Another alternative is to use glycerine to clean the baby's tongue. The glycerine used here is not the same as the one you use on your body, especially in winters. To clean your baby's tongue, you can buy glycerine from a pharmacy. A small drop of glycerine would be enough to clean the baby's tongue.
If you see white particles glued to the baby’s tongue, then it can be cleaned using a tiny drop of toothpaste but be sure to rinse it off thoroughly or else your baby might swallow the toothpaste.
Clean the gums and the inside of his cheeks thoroughly while cleaning the tongue.
Some babies become cranky and do not allow to clean their mouth. If your little one is irritable while you clean his tongue, wait until he is in a good mood.
Last but not least, take your baby for regular dental visits.
FAQs
1. When Should I Start Brushing My Baby's Teeth?
You can start brushing your baby's teeth as early as his first tooth erupts. You can use a clean, damp cloth, a gauze pad, or a finger brush to clean his first teeth and tongue. Once his teeth start erupting, gently brush his teeth in the morning and before his bedtime.
2. Can I Use Toothpaste to Brush My Baby's Teeth?
You can use a fluoride toothpaste to brush his teeth, however, the amount of toothpaste used should not be more than a smear or the size of a rice grain.
It's never too early to start paying attention to the oral hygiene of your baby. Cleaning your baby’s tongue and teeth will go a long way in ensuring proper oral hygiene - so clean your baby's mouth on a regular basis and keep him happy!
Also Read: Oral Thrush in Babies Read more
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Cramping and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
Couples who are trying to conceive can now successfully do so through IVF in which the viable eggs retrieved from a woman are combined with sperms in a lab setting and then implanted back in her uterus. As a woman undergoes IVF, her body can respond to the treatment but there are some chances of side effects like cramping, spotting, and headaches. Cramping is usually a recurring side effect of the IVF process which can manifest as a reaction to fertility medicines or due to the collecting and transferring process.
Is Cramping during IVF Normal?
Yes, cramping after IVF is fairly common. It can take place at any point during the process of IVF treatment for many reasons. Some patient’s body can react to the undergoing hormone therapy as well as the intrusion of foreign objects entering the body to collect eggs and embed embryos with slight to moderate cramping. You may feel cramps, particularly within 48 hours following the embryo transfer. You may also notice other symptoms like light spotting and tender breasts.
The occurrence of cramping during IVF is a temporary side effect for most patients which can be tackled by the use of a heating pad and some over-the-counter painkillers. However, it is always sensible to consult your doctor before taking the painkillers so that it doesn’t hamper the embryo implantation.
Do Fertility Drugs Cause Cramping?
Fertility drugs used during IVF contain gonadotropins which are similar to the hormones the body normally releases for egg stimulation in the ovary. Hence, the use of fertility drugs can result in excess chemicals and hormones in the body due to which some patients can experience periods like cramps. Also, the medicines can have quite an impact on a patient’s reproductive organs. It can trigger fluid accumulation around the ovaries which can lead to pelvic tenderness and discomfort.
Cramps After Egg Retrieval
In some cases, women may experience cramps following the procedure of egg retrieval. The method of extracting eggs from a patient's body which involves inserting of a catheter can generate some light cramping. The severity of cramping may differ greatly between patients. The instance of cramping can last for about a week after the process of egg retrieval. It is a common side effect of the IVF treatment and should not generate any unnecessary alarm in patients.
Does Cramping Occur After Embryo Transfer?
Mild cramping after embryo transfer may occur sometime within 7 to 10 days. The cramping typically feels like the cramps experienced during menstruation. Cramping after frozen embryo transfer can produce minor cramping in the days right after the procedure. But it naturally subsides within 24 to 48 hours after the transfer occurs. Cramping immediately after embryo transfer is likely to produce anxiety in patients as they may perceive them as a sign of failed implantation. But this is not necessarily true. Cramping after embryo transfer can be a good sign and may happen when the embryo embeds itself into the uterine walls. However, it is essential to go in for a pregnancy test to check the results.
Tips to Reduce Cramping Discomfort
Some handy tips which may help reduce cramping discomfort are as follows:
1. Do Not Lift Heavy Objects After the Transfer
You may like to go easy on yourself immediately after the transfer. Refrain from lifting or moving of heavy objects. It is also suggested to avoid indulging in rigorous exercises.
2. Take Adequate Rest
Make sure you take proper rest after the transfer. Stay away from activities that may increase your stress and anxiety levels. Learn to relax with soothing music, deep breathing techniques, and remain positive.
4. Follow a Good Diet
Keep yourself suitably hydrated by getting enough fluids. Incorporate nourishing food items like fresh fruits, veggies, soups, and protein in your diet. Avoid unhealthy food and drinks like junk food and aerated drinks. You may also like to limit your intake of caffeine.
3. Take Pain Relievers
Ensure that you take your medications regularly as prescribed by the doctor. If you feel the need to take a painkiller to ease your discomfort, first, refer to your doctor to prevent any possible harm to the process. Due to the sensitive nature of the IVF process certain medicines if taken during the embryo transfer can place the patients at an increased risk of a failed IVF procedure. Therefore, it is not advisable to self-medicate.
5. Use a Heating Pad
Applying a warm compress a few times upon the stretch of discomfort may bring about some relief and can reduce the cramping discomfort considerably. You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a soft hand towel. Soaking yourself in a tub of warm water or standing under a shower of hot water can also prove beneficial in combating the distress caused by cramping.
When to Consult a Doctor
Every patient is different and can experience varying symptoms. In certain cases, some patients endure no symptoms of any kind. Having said that in case the cramping turns severe and is accompanied by heaving bleeding or sensation of nausea at any step of the IVF procedure, seek medical assistance immediately. Also, in case, the prescribed painkillers fail to bring relief from the pain of cramping, call your doctor. It may be indicative of serious issues like pelvic infection, ovarian torsion, ovarian haemorrhage, or IVF failure.
It is understandable why cramping experienced during IVF can be a cause for concern. But needless panic may not be warranted. Cramping must not always be considered a negative sign. It can also indicate successful embryo implantation. However, cramping so closely resembles the side effects of fertility drugs in the body and a negative outcome of the procedure itself that it may be difficult to establish the success of the embryo transfer. Only a pregnancy test clinically performed can ascertain it.
Also Read: Benefits of Fertility Drugs for Women Read more
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You Know You're a Happy Couple If You Discuss These 5 Things At Home
Happy couples rarely discuss others when alone. They have their topics that leave them content and ready to take on future situations. Yes, people in happy relationships engage themselves in fond memories, planning finances, and other meaningful topics. Find out the good things to talk about with your partner too!
What do happy couples NOT talk about, eh? The answer is pretty simple. They'll not be heard discussing petty affairs or complaining about those who're not around to defend themselves. In other words, they ooze happiness and their conversations make for meaningful dialogues. Being in a relationship yourself, do you also discuss all those things that happily married couples do?
Common Conversation Topics for Super Happy Couples
1. Awkward Settings That Brought them Together
Oft repeated across a happy couple’s marital journey, awkward moments that brought them together are favourite topics for sure. If you've failed to kick off the subject so far, then just go ahead and remember your sweet days too. Especially the moments when you passed notes through friends or shared slanting looks on the sly. And yes, don’t be surprised if he says that he kept mistaking your friend for you. It happens!
2. Apprehensions About The Future
Here, fears and worries are seldom related to earthquakes or earthworms. Such couples discuss home improvements that are required, things about self-development, life insurance policies, and skeletons in the cupboard with equal ease. This isn't tough to do. You just need to know what to talk about with your husband and have an open heart when talking to him.
3. Parents and Those Days Gone By
More often than not, the most common topics discussed by happy couples relate to parents, siblings, teachers, old friends, and sometimes flirty relationships too! They discuss the problems faced by both sets of parents, ways in which old fun times can be relived with brothers, sisters and cousins, and a lot more.
4. World Affairs
If you're falling short of things to talk about with your partner, then enjoy the benefits that information overload provides. In spite of all that you follow, read or see you cannot retain or know everything that’s happening globally. Talk about current affairs, uncommon interests, regional politics, economics or how drugs are making some sportswomen win!
5. Celebrities, Comedy and Movies
You hate political debates, he loves them. You like jazz, he doesn’t. So, stick to safer topics of discussions. Couples who are happy discussing things with each other travel up this path too. They actually find topics that take them into the depth of movie plots, laugh remembering their favourite comedians, or simply drool over their favourite celebs!
Yes, some couples are probably more impressed by Eleanor Roosevelt. Remember her oft-quoted words, "Great minds talk about ideas; small minds talk about people?" These eternal words sum up the essence of their happy discussions too. So, are you ready for some deep stuff during ‘our-time’ talk with your better half too? Read more
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Essential Training Tricks to Teach Your Cats
Every dog owner knows that dogs can be trained to behave well and perform some amazingly complex tasks; cats, however, are given a free pass due to their “take me as I am” attitude. The truth is, cats can also be trained. They may not respond as well as dogs do, but they can be taught basic behaviours to make life easy for their owners.
Why Is It Necessary to Train Your Cat?
Cats are known for their cheekiness and disobedience. They leave their owners without many options than to conform to their ways. It is important however to train cats so that a healthy relationship can be fostered with them for the long term. Training is also needed to help with inculcating behaviours that are non-destructive.
One example of this is scratching; cats have an instinctive urge to scratch things just like their urge to climb and seek hiding places. An untrained cat can wreak havoc in your house and leave it in a mess by the time you return. Similarly, potty training to use the litter box, responding to your calls and returning to you are important behaviours they need to learn.
5 Essential Things You Can Train Your Cat to Do
Although cats can’t be trained to obey commands are well as dogs do, they can be given basic training that is essential for them as pets. Here are five of them:
1. Litter Box Training
The most basic of them all is how to train cats to answer nature's call. This is needed to establish definite boundaries and let the cats have their own private place to do their thing. Since they’re naturally tidy, litter box training is relatively easy. To get your cat to poop in the litter box, follow these tips
Set up a clean litterbox in a room that will be their permanent place for nature calls. Let them have their food and water in the same room and plenty of time for themselves.
When they poop outside the box, move the mess into the litter box, so they will learn that the litterbox is where they need to go. This may take a few trials, but they will eventually get it.
If it still doesn’t work, place your cat in the litterbox after each meal and scratch the sand/ clay with your fingers to trigger their instincts.
If they are still not going in the litterbox, try changing the sand or switching litter brands.
2. Training to Come When Called
The second essential behaviour is training cats to come to you at your command. Most cat breeds enjoy outdoors as they like to hunt and feel free to roam about. You have to allow them to go out or they will inevitably find a way to do so. You’d rather have them trained to come back to you than to dash outside into an unsafe situation and not know how to return home. This training might even save their life someday. Follow these steps
Training them to come to you works by positive reinforcement. Call them by their name in relaxed, positive situations while you pet or cuddle them. You could combine saying their names with other sound cues such as tongue clicks.
To begin with, reward them every time they acknowledge you. Even if they glance towards you as a response, pet them or give them a scratch behind the ears.
Once the first step is established, reward them with a treat if they come to you when called. Repeat this step often, so it is imprinted firmly into their memory.
3. Training Them to Sit
Training cats to sit is another skill that is not as hard as it sounds and it acts as a building block for others to form. It works on positive reinforcement, similar to the previous one.
Start with a treat held above the cat’s head, a few inches above the ears and grab their attention.
Move the treat over to their back which will leave them with no choice but to sit so they can take a look at the treat.
Reward them by allowing them to have the treat as soon as they sit. Repeat this over and over again while you say the word “sit” so they can associate the action with the word.
4. Leash Training
Cats that are used to being indoors can feel overwhelmed by the outside world. With leash training, you can get them accustomed to going out with confidence and get all the benefits of exercise and enjoying nature. Getting them to accept a leash has to be done systematically like all other skills.
It’s best to get a body harness rather than a collar as it is more comfortable and secure. Place the harness in familiar places your cat goes every day to get it accustomed to the harness.
Step two is to drape the harness over it without fully attaching it. Let it stay freely and offer the cat a treat every time you do it.
Once the cat is comfortable, attach the harness to its body and leave it on for a few minutes. Reward with a treat for having the harness on.
Go about with incremental steps and attach a leash to the harness and walk them inside the house. Eventually, move to the yard and then the outdoors.
5. High Fives
With a little practice every day, you can train your cat to give high-fives. The training uses positive reinforcement in the form of praises, pets and treats for performing tricks. Start by holding a treat over them such that they will have to raise their paw to reach it. As they reach for it, touch the paw and say “High Five!” Reward them afterwards. Once the high five is mastered, you can modify that a little to teach a handshake.
Using positive reinforcement methods, you can train your cat to master a number of important skills and some fun tricks. Although cats aren’t instinctive learners like dogs, they can be trained with patience and perseverance.
Also Read:
Best Low Maintenance Pets
Benefits of Having a Pet for Your Child
How to Take Care of Your Pets during Rainy Season Read more
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Toddler Friendships: How to Prepare Your Toddlers to Deal With the Challenges They'll Face
Kids come across many children on a daily basis. Whether in their school, outdoors during playtime, at home, during extracurricular activities, and so on, kids have a huge set of little people in their lives. I am sure a lot of parents come across some of these complaints once in a while, especially during the early years of schooling.
"Mumma, he is not being my friend..."
"Mumma, she stepped on my hand..."
"Mumma, I don't like her because she doesn't listen to me..."
"Mumma, he pushed me today..."
"Mumma, she always fights in the class..."
It's very natural for parents to hear off some of these incidents and it's absolutely okay for a child to sound vulnerable sometimes. The question is, how do we resolve these problems?
There are different ways to deal with some of their discomforts. In your residential complex, you, a family member or a domestic help is usually with them to settle a quarrel or help them out, but in a school environment or wherever they go for extracurricular activities, they should be adept to handle these on their own. Unless they start helping themselves, no one will come to their rescue.
Here are a few guidelines that can help your children to resolve conflicting situations :
1. Never Criticise Your Children
Firstly, never criticise your little angels even if they come with similar issues on a regular basis. They must be disturbed and are seeking help. How parents respond to their children's problems makes a difference when it comes to helping them tackle their issues. Teach them to look for a positive outcome.
2. Hear Them Out Extensively
Encourage them to express themselves with you in every possible way. Remember, hearing them out will make your children emotionally strong. Highlight their social strengths while helping them deal with the challenging situation.
3. Empathise
Don't forget to empathise with them if they sound hurt. They are sensitive and want to be heard just as much as we adults do. Their problems may look small to you, but for them, it could be a big hurdle. Hear them out and then provide objective ways to handle the situation. They'll learn eventually.
4. Keep Away from Demeaning Tactics
Guide them to keep away from rebellious or demeaning tactics to deal with a situation.
5. Interrogate Them
Ask as many questions as possible. I'm sharing a few examples while elaborating this point -
"Why is she not being your friend? Did you do something that she didn't like? Did you both want to play with the same toy? Okay, so for today if she wasn't your friend you could have played with other children? Also.. make new friends.. sometimes if A, B, C, D are absent you should be friendly with all so that you can play with E, F, G etc. This way you can have so much fun..."
"Did she step on you by mistake or did she want to do so because of a quarrel between you both? Did you inform your ma'am about that child stepping? What did the ma'am do or say?" Basis this, handle the situation. In serious matters, do involve the class teacher.
c) "Oh..why doesn't she listen to you? Does she listen to other friends? Does she listen to ma'am? Does she pay attention in the class?"
The reason why I'm giving examples is that asking questions to your toddler will lead to meaningful dialogue and many times, it will lead to the solution of the problem. Also, in the long run, your child will value having a conversation with you, discussing their highs and lows with you as they grow up.
6. Keep Prodding Your Child
While there are children who share details with their parents, there are others who keep a lot of information to themselves. Keep prodding to know about the good and bad things that happened during their day. They'll soon start opening up or they'll randomly start sharing instances with you. That's the time you should pay attention and be all ears.
To conclude, kids are sensitive. Especially during the early years of schooling, they are discovering themselves in many new ways. Right from discipline, academic learning, or friendship, every aspect is new to them. Don't get overwhelmed by their behaviour. Observe them and discuss their inhibitions. Do not negate even the slightest of the problems. Understand that they are kids but for their age those issues are real. Help them resolve their problems. Make your children feel confident in their ability to meet the challenges in their life.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. is it normal to have 2 dominant follicles in Right ovary? Today is my D8 and the size of both the follicles are 20x18mm and 19x18 mm Is it normal.
and left ovary follicles 12x18mm.and ET size 7.89
pls advice
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. if it is induced one then there can be chances. 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
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. what should I eat for a healthy baby in my 3rd month of pregnancy.kindly suggest a healthy diet routine
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
2 hours ago
A. Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread. Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu. Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt.
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. in which month of pregnancy we should start excercising for normal delivery
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. no exercises vigorously only moderate walking 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
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
I am 28 weeks pregnant and feeling breathlessness and Always tired ... is this normal ?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. this cannot be normal always better to see the doctor once. 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 Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
1 hour ago
Q. My 4 year baby have always complaint of abdomen pain.
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. if the child is having abdominal pain give syrup colicaid or syrup cyclopam 5 ml to the child for now
then you have to meet the doctor to find the cause of abdominal pain because it can be either due to gas or due to worms or some other abdominal pathology or gastroenteritis, constipation, digestive issues.
in the meantime it is advisable to give only easily digestible food to the child and water andx buttermilk curd rice and dal.
can give poha upma daliya and fruits.
avoid milk products , packet foods and fried items and heavy diet.
you can continue anti-colicx medicines and your doctor may add antacids for the child for few days it will help in decreasing the gas as well as bloating.
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
27 mins ago
Q. lo laying placenta he koi problem tho ni hogi na or sahi pojicion me lane ke liya ky krna chahiye
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
11 mins ago
A. hello deri it is very important that you should take care of your diet because there are high chances of the anemia and the bleeding and the possibilities are there that you will have the C section
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