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5 Reasons to Brush Your Baby's Hair Regularly
Not all newborns are born bald, some may have lots of hair, but the texture and the colour of a baby's hair might change before his first birthday. He may even lose some of his hair by the time he turns six months and then it may grow again. But whether your baby has thick hair or not, brushing his hair regularly can be beneficial for him. Find out why!
Video: 5 Reasons to Brush Your Baby’s Hair Regularly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skjp851igJU
Why Should You Comb Your Baby’s Hair?
As baby’s skin, scalp, and other body parts are so delicate, it is only normal for parents to ask if they can brush their baby’s hair. The last thing you'd want to do is hurt your baby, so this question is expected. However, you will find yourself at much ease once you know all the benefits your baby will have after a gentle combing. Some of the reasons are listed below:
1. Promotes Healthy Blood Flow
Brushing your baby's hair with a baby brush that has soft bristles can help increase the blood flow to the scalp and stimulate it. As a result, it will promote healthy hair growth.
2. Helps Relax the Baby
Combing or brushing your baby’s hair gently can give a very therapeutic feeling to your little one and make him feel calm. This can be helpful if you want to make him sleep.
3. Stimulates the Nervous System
When you brush your baby's hair, you actually massage his scalp. Your baby may feel that you are giving him a light massage, which may help him relax. Massaging can also stimulate his nervous system. This will further promote a stronger central nervous system and your little munchkin will have a healthier brain.
4. Clears Cradle Cap
Newborn babies, especially in the first few months, tend to develop scaly, crusty skin on their scalp, called cradle cap. Although this condition is harmless and usually cures on its own, brushing your baby’s hair regularly will help clear the flaky skin and even reduces the chances of him developing cradle cap again.
5. Helps Groom the Baby
There’s no harm in making your baby look extra cute, especially after he wakes up from a nap with messy hair. Combing your baby’s hair will help set it and make him look well-groomed.
When Should You Start Combing Baby’s Hair?
You can start brushing your baby’s hair at any time. There is no set age to start combing his hair, but always remember to use the right kind of brush that has soft bristles. It should not irritate your baby's skin.
Simple Tips to Brush Your Baby’s Hair
Your baby has a delicate scalp and that's why you must brush his hair with care. If you are apprehensive of combing your baby’s hair, you can do well with these tips that explain how to brush a baby's hair.
Soft bristle combs are an absolute must. Do not use any other adult combs, as it might irritate and may hurt your baby.
Ensure that the comb has wide teeth. This is beneficial when you need to detangle the hair. It allows you to do it without hurting the baby.
If you see that your baby’s hair is tangled, you can occasionally use baby hair serum.
Start combing from the tip of the hair. If there are tangles and your baby’s hair is long enough, hold the hair and try to comb it. Be careful not to tug at it or put any pressure on it.
Use a separate comb for your baby’s hair and do not mix it up.
If you have a little girl, only use soft elastic bands to tie her hair. And remember to tie it loose enough. Tight ponytails can cause a lot of distress to the baby.
Only comb your baby’s hair when it’s dry. Air-dry the hair after bathing him. Wet hair tends to pull out easily from the scalp.
FAQs
What Type of Comb Should I Use to Comb My Baby’s Hair?
Use soft bristled, wide-toothed comb to brush your baby’s hair. Remember to brush it as gently as you can and avoid causing any discomfort to your little one.
Your baby’s hair and head are very delicate in the first year. Combing his hair can help him with a lot of things, but you need to understand that it needs to be done with proper caution and care. Once you get the hang of it, comb your baby's hair twice a day.
Also Read:
Essential Tips for Taking Care of Baby's Hair
Ways on How to Wash Baby's Hair
Tips for Baby Hair Growth Read more
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Genital Herpes in Children - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Genital herpes is a condition wherein you develop sores around your genital area. There are two scenarios by which it can affect you. It can happen to you at the time of birth and is called birth-acquired herpes. Or else you can get infected anytime later in your life. Birth-acquired herpes might become a system-wide infection as well. It is called Systemic Herpes.
Systemic herpes is a serious issue. It might result in breathing problems, eye inflammation, brain damage, and seizures and affect the child's vital organs like kidneys, lungs, liver, and central nervous system. We'll be discussing the non-systemic genital herpes in greater detail in the upcoming sections!
What Is Genital Herpes?
A sexually transmitted disease (STD) spreads due to sexual intercourse with an infected partner. The infected person carries the herpes virus throughout their life, although the outbreaks might come and go.
Is Genital Herpes Common in Children?
Children getting genital herpes is a rare scenario. However, if the mother carries the herpes virus, there are chances that the child might become infected too. But genital herpes in babies can occur if the herpes outbreak happens to the mother just before the labor starts. The child might come in contact with the virus as it passes through the cervix and vagina. In such a scenario, the doctor might opt for a cesarean section.
But if the outbreak happens to the mother during pregnancy, there are fewer chances of it passing to the child. It is because the mother's immune system must have produced antibodies to fight against the virus. These antibodies get transferred to the child via the placenta. So, the child remains protected against the virus. But if the outbreak happens towards the end of the pregnancy, the doctor might go for a Caesarean section.
Causes of Genital Herpes
Two viruses are responsible for causing pediatric genital herpes. These are:
Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 or HSV-1
Herpes Simplex Virus Type-2 or HSV-2
The more common cause out of the two is HSV-2. HSV-1 only causes cold sores around the mouth area.
Symptoms of Genital Herpes in Children
Once the child gets infected by the virus, they start to get flu-like symptoms. Medical consultation is required immediately in such cases. Following are the most prevalent signs of genital herpes in toddlers or children of any age group:
Headache
Itching and sometimes even pain in the genital area
Blisters or bumps in the genital area
Fever
Tenderness and swelling in the groin glands
Muscle Aches
Abnormal discharge from the vagina or penis
Painful Sensation or burning while urinating
You will see the first infection usually after 2-14 days of contracting the virus. You will witness blisters or bumps in the genital area that will last for about three weeks. Once the first infection subsides, the virus becomes dormant in the nerve cell and revives later when favorable conditions appear. The second time sores usually don't last long. Some reasons that reactivate the virus in the future are:
Some illness in the future that compromises immunity
Stress
Fatigue
Sun exposure
Girls can witness the outbreak during menstruation.
The only good thing is the subsequent outbreaks of the infection become less severe with time.
How Do the Genital Herpes Spread in Children?
Children develop genital herpes if they touch the mouth's cold sores and then touch their genitals before washing their hands. Teenagers usually get genital herpes due to intimate relationships.
Two major conclusions that contribute to the spread of Genital Herpes are:
Any form of unprotected sex with an infected partner can pose a risk of HSV-2 infection
Touching genitals after touching the herpes sores without washing your hands
Another word of caution, even if the infected person does not have herpes sores at present, but they can still spread it. In the case of young children, if there is no history of getting in contact with cold sores, there is a possible chance of sexual abuse. The pediatrician might ask questions in this regard to identify the root cause.
How Genital Herpes Diagnosed in Children?
The following ways help in ruling out the presence of the disease in children:
Analyzing the fluid from the sores
Blood tests in the absence of sores
The doctor will ask you questions regarding being in contact with an infected person. In many cases, it becomes difficult to identify the source as the sores appear after months or years of catching the virus.
Genital Herpes Treatment for Children
There is no particular cure for genital herpes. The doctor will prescribe medicine during the outbreak, which reduces the severity and frequency of it. The medication also minimizes the risk of spreading the disease to others who come in contact.
Antiviral ointments or pills are used in the treatment of genital herpes. You can also be prescribed some daily suppressive therapy along with medication to prevent an outbreak. Children with severe or repetitive infections are advised to take some tests for immunodeficiency diseases like HIV. The test results help the doctor in deciding whether to prescribe antivirals or not.
How to Prevent Genital Herpes in Children?
Since there is no way to treat this disease, children must be taught ways to prevent it. Following ways help in preventing the disease:
Children should be taught proper hand hygiene. They should not touch their genitals without washing their hands.
Children should have healthy personal hygiene habits.
Do not allow anyone with cold sores to kiss a baby. If you have it, don't kiss the baby and wash or sanitize your hands before touching the baby.
Teenagers should be provided appropriate sex education. It not only reduces the risk of developing genital herpes but also other STDs.
The following points are for the adults:
When the child develops sores, antivirals minimize the severity and spread of the disease.
Condoms limit the chance of developing genital herpes. But what if the virus is in the skin near genitals where the condom does not cover.
If you are aware that you have the herpes virus and you had a recent outbreak during the later part of the pregnancy, tell your doctor. Let the doctor analyze the situation and decide whether or not to opt for a Caesarean section.
Genital herpes is a lifelong disease that generally affects adults. But it can affect children and teens too. The severity of this disease is no less in kids. However, transmission can be avoided altogether if adequate personal hygiene is maintained. Proper sex education should be given to teens. If you or your child witnesses any sores in the genital area without any other major symptoms, consult a pediatrician immediately!
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Shingles in Kids
Pica in Children
Herpetic Gingivostomatitis in Kids Read more
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The Basics of Good Fat and Bad Fat
Fat is not always bad. Good fats are essential for your baby to get the energy for a day’s activities, for his/her wholesome growth and development. Here’s a roundup on all you need to know about fats and their importance in your baby’s diet.
After years of being told that fat is not good for the body, and being conditioned to avoid it like plague, the concept of good fat can be an aberration to the popular concept of fat.
So, what is good fat, and what is bad fat? The fat that we refer to as good is simply unsaturated fat. This comes in two forms, primarily i.e. mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats help us keep our arteries clean. They also help in producing good cholesterol, and moving it around the body, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases.
Polyunsaturated fats comes in two types again – omega 3 and omega 6. These are basically essential fatty acids (EFA) which, again, are crucial for our babies. Your baby’s body is unable to produce EFA, and hence we must supplement her diet with food rich in polyunsaturated fat so as to ensure she has the right intake.
Bad fat, on the other hand, is what comes from animal products such as red meat. Our body also intakes bad fat through dairy products such as whole milk, butter, cheese and ice cream. Lard, and coconut and palm oils are also a source of bad fat. However, these also need to be included in the diet, albeit in lower amounts.
Below are some quick tips on enriching your baby’s diet to ensure they get their daily dose of good fat.
Breastfeeding is an important source of essential fatty acids for your baby. This is one of the reasons breast-feeding is advisable till your baby reaches the age of at least one year. From there on, external food fortified with good fat, which can be substituted to give your baby adequate levels of good fat. Consult with your doctor if your baby is on formula feed.
Once you have introduced your baby to solid food, ensure that she gets whole fat food. Children, at this stage, require lots of fat in their diet to provide them the energy required in this crucial development taking place in their body and brain. Do not introduce products such as skimmed milk, fat-free food, low-fat options, and so on, until the baby is at least five years of age, and then too only after consulting your baby’s pediatrician.
Review your family’s daily diet carefully. List out the items of bad fat, such as butter, cheese, red meat, etc that are part of your current diet. Carefully plan ways to restrict daily intake or look for clever substitutes for these in your daily diet plan.
Read the nutrition panels on every product carefully. This will give you a good indication of the bad fat composition of your every day diet. You can use this information to choose healthier alternatives for your shopping cart.
Make it a family effort- As a family, choose to go healthy. Restrict options such as takeaway food, pasta and the likes to just once a week, or even lesser. Also, make healthier choices for everybody in the family – this sets a good example for your little ones to emulate.Following a healthy diet can be a great asset for your baby, even as she grows up, for she will most likely choose a healthier lifestyle having grown up on better food choices.
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Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
6 hours ago
Q. hello everyone, please suggest me, am getting pain in lower abdomen right side, anybody plz tell me why am getting pain pls
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. this needs proper examination to find out problems like appendicitis. 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
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 2 months
5 hours ago
Q. hi mam for 2days I am seeing my baby bumb decreasing is it cause of worry?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
5 hours ago
A. I don’t know how the bumps of your child decreasing that’s not fair to me second you have not mentioned the current age of your child to do it and there is no clarity in the query it would be difficult for me to help us so if you don’t mind can you please repost with all the necessary details associated with your question
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 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
4 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
4 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
4 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
4 hours ago
Q. i feel some fever internally also
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
4 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
3 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
3 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
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