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Baby Sleeping Position - What is Safe?
Wrong sleeping positions in Infants or newborn can sometimes lead to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). SIDS in children is caused due to suffocation or strangulation. If you have an infant at home, it is essential that you know all about the ideal sleeping positions for babies and how certain sleeping positions can cause sudden deaths in newborn babies.
Which Sleeping Practices Increase the Risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)?
You may have observed infants sleeping in various positions. Some of these sleeping positions increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). SUDI is a broad term that encompasses all sudden deaths in infants including SIDS which is generally caused due to suffocation in a newborn.
Safe and Unsafe Infant Sleeping Positions
Here are few safe and un-safe infant sleeping positions that all parents and baby care-takers must know about.
1. Sleep On Stomach Position
Risk Involved
The Sleep-on-stomach position for babies is highly unsafe for the following reasons:
This position may put some pressure on baby’s jaws and block airways making it difficult for the baby to breathe.
Sleeping on the stomach makes the baby lie with his face very close to the sheet, making him breathe the same air. This may result in the breathing in recycled air which is low in oxygen
Sleeping on the stomach on a very soft mattress may cause suffocation in babies. The risk of rebreathing the exhaled air is higher while lying on a soft mattress because the baby’s face slacks deeper into the soft fabric of the mattress. This might block the baby’s airways from all sides.
Also, because of the nose placed very close to the mattress in this position, the baby ends up breathing in the microbes present in the sheet covering the mattress, and this may lead to allergies
However, sometimes, in case of certain medical conditions, doctors may advise parents to put the baby to sleep in the stomach position. Usually, children with gastroesophageal reflux or certain upper-airway malformations like Pierre Robin Syndrome are advised to sleep in this position, but recent studies do not support this reasoning. Hence, it is advisable to consult the physician properly before putting the baby to sleep on his/her stomach.
2. Sleep On Back Position
Sleep on back position is the safest and the best sleeping position for the baby. It is the most suggested sleeping position for babies as it keeps the airways open. The US NICHD (National Institute of child health and human development) recommends the sleep-on-back position for short naps as well as for sound sleep throughout the night in babies.
Risks Involved
Children lying on the same back position for a long time may suffer from ‘positional plagiocephaly’, a case of flattened head, or the baby may also suffer from ‘brachycephaly’, a case of flattened back. But these are temporary conditions and the shape of both the skull and the back becomes normal as soon as the baby turns one and hardly needs any treatment. Some techniques can help to avoid these conditions altogether.
More tummy time when the baby is awake
Turning the baby on the sides while he/she is not asleep
Reducing the time spent in carriers or car-seaters
3. Sleep On The Side Position
Sleeping on the side is not a recommended infant sleeping position, as an infant tends to eventually roll-on to their tummy while asleep and this increases the risk of SIDS.
Tips for Safe Baby Sleep
Here are some tips to ensure that your baby has a sound and good night’s sleep.
1. Use a Firm Mattress for the Baby’s Bed
Many parents make the mistake of choosing soft mattresses for babies. This must be avoided. Babies must be put to sleep in firm beds. Also, use of bumper pads, pillows, or soft-toys inside the baby’s crib must be avoided as it may accidentally cover the baby’s head.
2. Avoid Quilts and Comforters
Usage of materials like quilts and comforters on top of the mattress to make the bedding soft must be avoided. It may make the baby sink under the bedding which can be risky in case of an infant. Just place a clean, fitting mattress inside the crib and cover it with a clean bed sheet, and that is enough for your baby to have a comfortable sleep.
3. Tug the Blanket Properly
Blankets should only cover the babies up to the chest. The arms must be kept outside the blanket to ensure that the blanket does not get rolled up to the head, suffocating the baby. Sleeping bags with fitted neck and armholes are available in the market and are highly recommended. They are safe and keep the baby warm too.
4. Night Clothes Should be Light Clothes
It’s important to dress the baby up in light clothes for a good night’s sleep.
5. Keep the Room Cool at Night
It is also suggested that children should be put to sleep in a cool environment, preferably 20 degrees centigrade.
6. Use Pacifiers If Necessary
The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) suggests that infants can be given pacifiers just before sleep-time. However, forcing new-borns to use pacifiers is not advisable. Wait till they are about 4 weeks old before you even try it.
7. Avoid Co-Sleeping With the Baby
Infants sharing beds with parents, siblings or even with his/her twin is not advisable. Co-sleeping with baby can increase the chances of SIDS. When in sleep, your arms or breast or your clothes may accidentally cover your baby’s face and end up suffocating the baby. In India, co-sleeping with the baby is a common norm as it is easy to feed the baby at night. But now you know why it must be avoided!
8. Share the Same Room
It is important that the baby’s crib is installed in the same room as the parents. It makes breastfeeding convenient, and it is easy for the parents to keep a close watch on the baby’s sleeping positions. Room-sharing and not bed-sharing is recommended by the AAP as a baby sleep safety guideline.
FAQs
1. Can Babies Sleep on Their Stomach?
As discussed earlier, it is not recommended for babies or infants to sleep on their stomachs. But as babies become 4 to 5 months old, they learn to roll from their back to their stomach, which is absolutely normal. By this time, the risk of SIDS lowers in children, and hence it is okay to allow the baby to find his/her own comfortable position. A 5-month-old baby will be able to turn his/her head to the side and keep the mouth and nose free for breathing. However, it is advisable to keep a watch while the baby is asleep and place the baby on the back while putting him/her to sleep.
Please note that babies sleeping on their tummy are at a high risk of SIDS only till they are about 4-month-old but it remains a considerable threat till they are about 12 months of age.
2. Can Babies Sleep on Their Side?
The side sleeping position for babies is not particularly alarming. But recent research shows that babies who sleep on the side eventually turn on their tummy, and this increases the risk of SIDS. Babies tend to learn to roll over by the age of six months, and may roll over from the back to a side position. If this is the case, you can let the baby continue to sleep on his side as the rolling over indicates strong internal organs and low risk of choking. However, if the baby rolls over to the side before six months of age, ensure you put them back in the back position.
3. Why Does Baby Sleep in Fencing Reflex in the Back Sleep Position?
Fencing reflex is also known as the Tonic Neck reflex. It is one of the many involuntary movements exhibited by infants while sleeping. In this case, when a baby is put to sleep on his/her back, the baby’s head turns to one side with the arms and legs extended to the same side. This prevents the baby from rolling from their back position to stomach. It must be noted that this self-precautionary movement will disappear anytime between 3 to 6 months of age.
4. What If My Baby is Finding It Difficult to Sleep on the Back?
In many cases, infants may not be comfortable sleeping on their backs and may lack sound sleep. But it is important for parents to get the babies used to sleeping on the back to avoid SIDS. Gradually, they will adjust and fall asleep.
Also, babies suffering from a congested nose may not feel comfortable sleeping on their backs. In these cases, place a humidifier in baby’s room. This will moisten the air and loosen congestion.
5. What If My Baby Chokes While Sleeping on the Back?
Healthy babies don’t usually choke while sleeping on the back. It has been established that even babies with gastroesophageal reflux disease do not choke when put to sleep on the back. One must only take care not to put babies to sleep with a feeding bottle in their mouths. This can cause choking as well as an ear infection.
6. Which are the Best Sleeping Positions for Preterm Babies?
Pre-term infants are at a very high risk of SIDS. It is advisable that pre-term infants too should be put to sleep on the back. But in very rare cases, if the infant is suffering from acute respiratory disease, then he/she can be put to sleep on the stomach under very strict observation. In fact, this is only advisable in a highly monitored inpatient setting.
7. Can Sleep Positioners Help My Baby to Sleep on Back and Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
FDA (Food and Drug Administration), a federal agency of United States Department of Health and Human Services, does not approve of sleep positioners to put infants to sleep. Using a baby sleep positioner to help a baby sleep on his/her back is dangerous and must be avoided.
New-born babies can be prone SIDS and SUDI on account of incorrect sleeping positions. It is therefore essential to know about various sleeping positions and the risks they pose to new-born babies. Taking time out to learn this necessary information will go a long way in keeping your new-born safe and healthy. Read more
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Baby Teeth Order of Appearance
Babies are sometimes born with their first tooth in place. This is mainly because the tooth buds are developed before they are born.
When Will the First Teeth of Your Baby Emerge?
Although some babies are born with teeth, this is not a very common occurrence. Babies normally start developing their first tooth when they hit the three-month mark or shortly after that.
Which Teeth Appear First?
The first tooth generally appears when the baby is three months old. However, it may take longer for a few babies before the primary or deciduous teeth start emerging. In the order of teething in babies, it is usually the lower central incisors that appear first. However, some babies may start sporting new upper central incisors first.
How Many Teeth Does a Baby Have?
By the age of three, you can expect your child to have a complete set of 20 milk teeth. These teeth are shed when they are around 5 years old, and make way for permanent teeth.
Baby Teeth Chart and Order of Appearance
Here is the teething chart that explains each type of tooth in the order of it's appearance.Do remember that this is the general pattern of teething, but exceptions are not uncommon. It is ok if your child does not follow this baby teething order. However, if the diversion is a cause of concern, do meet a qualified dentist to discuss the issue.
Lower Central Incisors
The lower central incisors are often the very first teeth to erupt, and this can cause your baby to fuss, drool and even try to chew stuff.
Appearance:
Lower central incisors should start erupting at around six to ten months. You should be able to spot them as your baby starts fussing more due to the associated pain and discomfort that comes with teething.
Function:
One of the key functions of lower central incisors is, to act as placeholders until the permanent teeth take shape when your child turns 12.
Shedding:
Your child should start shedding his lower central incisors once he hits six years of age.
Upper Central Incisors
Appearance:
The upper central incisors start to appear when the baby is between eight to twelve months old.
Function:
One of the key functions of upper central incisors is to act as placeholders for permanent teeth as well as to help the baby to chew its food.
Shedding:
Babies usually start to shed these at around six years of age.
Upper Lateral Incisors
Appearance:
The upper lateral incisors start appearing at around nine to thirteen months.
Function:
Upper lateral incisors enable your baby to chew and to help him to speak as well.
Shedding:
According to the sequence in which baby teeth fall out, your child should start shedding the upper lateral incisors at around six years of age.
Lower Lateral Incisors
Appearance:
Your baby should start developing the lower lateral incisors around ten to sixteen months. You should know that your baby will develop one tooth of each sort, before developing the next one of the same kind.
Function:
Lower lateral incisors act as placeholders for the permanent teeth which should start appearing when your child becomes twelve. Apart from this, these milk teeth help your baby to chew and speak.
Shedding:
Your child should start shedding his lower lateral incisors once he reaches six years of age.
Upper First Molars
Appearance:
The upper first molars come in at around thirteen to nineteen months.
Function:
The key function of the upper first molars are there to help your baby to chew and even help it to speak while acting as placeholders for permanent teeth.
Shedding:
Your child should start to shed his upper first molars at around ten to twelve years, and by the time he hits thirteen, he should have permanent teeth.
Lower First Molars
Appearance:
The lower first molars should start erupting around fourteen to eighteen months after your baby is born.
Function:
When it comes to the function of milk teeth, the lower first molars help your baby to chew and masticate his food and at the same time serve as placeholders for permanent teeth.
Shedding:
Your child should start shedding his lower first molars around ten to twelve years of age.
Upper Canine
Appearance:
Your baby should start sprouting upper canine almost at the end of the baby teeth sequence at around sixteen to twenty-two months.
Function:
One of the main functions of upper canine is to serve as placeholders for upper canine.
Shedding:
Your child should start shedding his upper canine once he reaches ten to twelve years of age followed by a permanent set of teeth in its place.
Lower Canine
Appearance:
Your baby should start developing the lower canine at around seventeen to twenty-three months.
Function:
One of the key functions of the lower canine is to help your baby to chew as well as to serve as placeholders for permanent teeth
Shedding:
Your child should shed his lower canine anytime from ten to twelve years of age.
Lower Second Molar
Appearance:
Your infant should start developing his lower second molar once he reaches twenty-three to thirty-one months of age.
Function:
One of the key functions of the lower second molar is to help your baby to chew, to speak and to gnaw, apart from acting as placeholders for permanent teeth
Shedding:
Your child should start shedding his molars at around ten to twelve years of age with permanent teeth soon taking shape after that.
Upper Second Molar
Appearance:
The upper second molars usually kick in when the baby reaches twenty-five months of age.
Function:
one of the key functions of upper molars is to act as placeholders. Apart from that, they also help the infant to chew his food.
Shedding:
your child should start shedding his upper second molar once he reaches twelve years of age.
When To Worry About Your Baby’s Teeth?
If the sequence of your baby’s teeth is out of order, there’s no reason to be worried. There can be several reasons for the delay, but usually, your child should have all or nearly all its milk teeth in place in due time.
Conclusion
Milk teeth are often neglected as they are perceived as temporary teeth which are bound to fall out, but it is important to understand that the health of milk teeth directly impacts the health of permanent teeth. Ensure that you provide clean your infant’s gums with a soft cloth regularly, and switch to a baby brush when the first teeth emerge. Healthy teeth not only look good, but also keep the child’s gut healthy.
Also Read: How to Take Care of Baby's Emerging Teeth Read more
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5 Tips to Keep your Garden Evergreen!
Raising children and managing a house all at once can be difficult; it's important to take a break, even if just for a few minutes. A well-kept garden can serve as a soothing retreat, especially when it's well-groomed and bloomed!
Seasonal Gardening Ideas You Can Try
1. Pick plans wisely
Don't be tempted by the prettiest flower in the nursery; it may not always be a good choice. When picking seeds or saplings, find out whether they're low-maintainance and will be able to survive the elements reasonably well. Native plants and flowers can be easier to take care of -although if you do want exotic plants, ask the nursery for details on how to nurture them.
2. Soil plays an important role
Different plants thrive in different types of soil. Select plants that'll floursh in the soil in your garden. Find out what type of soil you have by conducting a simple test - take a handful of earth and feel its consistency. Is it sticky and a little slick? It's probably clay soil. If it's gritty, it's very likely sandy soil. Peaty soil feels spongy while loamy soil feels very smooth. You can ask a professional for help if you have difficulty determining the type.
3. Give plants enough sunlight and water
Once you've planted your lot, you need to make sure you take good care of them. Besides adding fertiliser, water them when needed and let them get adequate sunlight. Different plants need different amounts of water and shade so do the needful by asking the nursery. An additional seasonal gardening tip- you can water your plants without wastage! Simply save the unsalted water in which you boil your vegetables and sprinkle it on your plants!
4. Control invasive plants
Some plants are invasive and if left unchecked, they can force existing plants to compete for resources. They can also take up a lot of space in the garden as they multiply very quickly. If you do happen to grow invasive plants, control the growth by cutting deep plastic pots from the bottom and burying them inside the ground so that they surround the plants on all four sides.
5. Keep it pest-free
In order to keep your garden healthy, you need to keep pests at bay. Slugs, snails and armyworms may seem tiny and harmless but they aren't to your garden. Do away with decaying leaves and weeds and check the garden regularly for them. If they do happen to set up home, you can use home remedies such as salt, vinegar and dishwashing soap to get rid of them. If this doesn't work, shop for a good herbicide or pesticide.
These seasonal gardening tips will help you keep your garden healthy and colourful. Let it be your perfect escape when things get chaotic. You can even have impromptu botany lessons with your kids amidst the blooms, accompanied by a scrumptious picnic! Read more
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How to Ensure Your Child Gets Adequate Nutrition When in Day Care
Nutrition is a crucial aspect of development and is necessary for maintaining good health and physical & mental development. Ensure that there is no compromise!
As more and more women join the workforce, moms around the world are running around in an effort to manage work and home, all the while ensuring their little one gets the best parenting and care. Everything ranging from food & nutrition, hygiene and discipline needs to be taken care of. While hygiene and discipline can be managed with the help of a day care facility with the progress easy to track, food and nutrition are tough to follow. In such a scenario, how should a mom ensure that her child is getting adequate nutrition in day care?
We list a few ways which might help:
Reviews and Certification
First things first, check the chosen day care of its reputation and certification by a genuine authority. These two aspects will rest you assure of the respect and name that the day care has. An ideal day care should have a 5-star rating only if the nutritional and hygiene aspect is well taken care. Do not compromise on the quality of the day care. When it comes to your child, nothing should be left alone.
Make Nutrition a Top Priority
Keep nutrition a top priority when you choose a day care. Ask for the diet routines from the management. These routines are extremely crucial as you can analyze the complete nutrition cycle for your baby. Look for the cereals and nutrition fruits in the diet. Also, check if there is an adequate amount of fat and carbs. All of it is important as you will not be physically present to monitor the same.
Check Practices
Have a feel around the safe practices that are followed around the day care. Especially the hygiene aspect. What procedures are followed while cooking food All these will impact to a great extent on the quality of nutrition served to your baby. Mishandling food served to your child can adulterate the foods nutritional quality.
Ask What You Need
If you are in need of a thing, you will ask for it! The same principle is applied here in making sure your child gets the right food. Ask for the special diet and service and judge if it will suit your kid. Your child’s needs are not the same as everyone else’s and you need to ensure they are met at all times.
Taking Part
Be involved with the day care facility at a deeper level to ensure the best for your child. Getting involved and meeting them frequently will build a confidence from both the sides- an added benefit for your little one.
Day care centers are external agencies which are committed to your child to a certain extent and are obliged to ensure their healthy development. However, your little one can, at times, get lost among other children. So, the onus is upon you to make sure that child gets adequate nutrition at his daycare. Read more
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The Many Health Benefits of Dragon Fruit
The Dragon Fruit, apart from having a unique name, has a unique look and taste. Moreover, it has amazing benefits.
The Dragon Fruit plant is grown mainly in Southern Mexico and Central America. But now it is grown all over the world. It has three more names - Pitaya, Pitahaya, and Strawberry Pear. Its bright red body with green scales resembles a dragon. It has white pulp with black seeds inside it. Its taste feels like you're eating a Kiwi and a Pear. Another variety is the Yellow Dragon Fruit which has a yellow body with white pulp and black seeds.
How to Eat
Its scales are to be removed and cut into pieces after removing a thin layer of the red body. It can be served in salads. If you find its taste strange, as it tastes like a combination of Kiwi and Pear, then you can sprinkle some salt and black pepper for an amazing taste.
Benefits
Filled with Anti-oxidants: Betalains are found in its pulp. It protects against LDL Cholesterol to become oxidized and damaged.
Hydroxycinnamates: This compound has shown anti-cancer activity in a test tube or animal studies.
Flavonoids: They promote better brain health and reduced risk of heart disease.
It is found in protecting certain fatty acids from radical damage.
Both the red and white varieties of this fruit reduce insulin resistance and fatty liver.
It contains prebiotic fiber that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut which potentially improving metabolism.
It improves Type 2 diabetes.
Nutritional Values
Calories- 264
Protein- 3.57 gram
Fat- 0 gram
Carbohydrate- 82.14 gram
Dietary fiber- 1.8 grams
Calcium- 107 milligrams
Iron- 0 grams
Sodium- 39 grams
Vitamin C- 6.4 milligrams
Cholesterol- 0 milligrams
Dragon Fruit with an extremely low amount of cholesterol keeps you happy and healthy. It is a perfect fruit to maintain your weight.
It has amazing superpowers to help reduce bad cholesterol levels and replenish good levels. Being an excellent source of monounsaturated fats, it helps the heart stay in good condition.
Eat Dragon Fruit, if you want to clean up your digestive systems. Due to its high fiber content, it helps with poor digestion and constipation.
Eating Dragon Fruit can keep the skin tight and young. You can even make a face mask by adding honey for anti-aging properties.
If its pulp is applied to the scalp, then it helps follicles open, allowing your hairs to breathe and remain healthy and soft.
Adding this fruit to the diet can bring great benefits to arthritis patients. It is referred to as anti-inflammatory fruit.
With its properties of Vitamin C, it is used as an ointment for curing acne.
Adding cucumber juice and honey to it and make a mask to soothe sunburned skin.
Dragon Fruit can be commonly found everywhere. You can consume it in its raw form, or smoothie or jam too.
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.
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
8 hours ago
Q. Hello I had my period missed for April month and today I got my period. Is it normal to have period after 1 month or is there anything I should be worried about? Iam worried please let me know if that's ok or should I consult my doctor
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
8 hours ago
A. consult your doctor for any evaluation required. 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
8 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
8 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
8 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 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
7 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
7 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
3 hours ago
Q. Hello
What is better normal or csec?
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
2 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
28 mins 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
25 mins 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.
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