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Should You Use Mineral Oil for Babies?
The skin of babies is super sensitive and delicate. This is due to the initial developing stage that your little one goes through. The oversensitive skin, thus calls for extra care and precautions that one must take as a parent. This includes using the right kind of products on the skin.
Mineral oil, for instance, has been widely used for babies. But the question is whether it is safe or not. Before you apply anything on your baby’s skin, knowing the pros and cons can come in handy.
What is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil or aptly the white mineral oil is a by-product that is derived from refining crude oil that is further used for making petroleum-based products and gasoline. Mineral oil is a transparent liquid that appears to be colourless and is an ingredient in a lot of baby cosmetic products, including the baby oil. When you browse through the ingredients of your baby’s oil, you’ll find “paraffinum liquidum” listed on it. This is what signifies the concentration of mineral oil in the oil.
Is Mineral Oil Safe for Babies?
No, mineral oil isn’t safe for babies. Whether you are using mineral oil for babies’ hair or for their body, it is considered to be unsafe. Mineral oil may lead to toughening of skin that may further lead to dryness. This mineral oil tends to clog your baby’s skin pores that, in turn, suffocate the skin.
The reason behind it is simple. The skin requires space for breathing. It does that with the help of minute pores on the skin. But, when the skin’s surface is covered with a layer of mineral oil, the skin dirt tends to settle down. Such a situation is not at all ideal in case of babies as the dirt may transform into the toxins that may harm the baby later.
When wondering “is mineral oil safe for babies with constipation”, it has a dicey perspective. On the one hand, mineral oil is considered to be a great remedy for constipation. It is believed; when mineral oil is massaged over the intestinal surface which, in turn, averts water absorption.
On the other side, mineral oil is not safe for infants and is not even recommended by doctors for babies under the age of six. Even if you are using mineral oil based products on kids, it is highly advised to minimize it or stop it altogether.
What are the Side-Effects of Using Mineral Oil on Infants?
Mineral oil has a number of side effects when baby health is the matter of concern. Some of which, include:
1. Skin Pore Clogging
Skin requires breathing for its normal functioning. When mineral oil is applied to a baby’s body, the skin develops a layer that obstructs the dirt and other impurities from escaping.
2. Digestion Issues
Babies have a tendency to put anything and everything in the mouth. Be it hands or the feet; babies can be seen putting them in the mouth. And, when you have recently massaged their hands and feet, the mineral oil is likely to get into the system, which, in turn, leads to indigestion.
3. Negative Impact on Cell Development
For your surprise, the mineral oil does not moisturize your baby’s skin. On the other side, mineral oil also resists the moisture absorption from around the air, thus, negative impact on the normal cell development.
4. Candidiasis Vulnerability
In case you apply mineral oil to your baby’s skin; that are lower in weight there are possibilities that they may develop candidiasis or yeast infection.
5. Nutritional Deficiencies
When mineral oil for baby massage is used, the skin usually absorbs it. Once the oil gets absorbed, it makes its way to the intestinal system. In turn, the vitamins get saturated, thus the nutritional deficiencies.
Looking into how mineral oil can harm your baby, try to shift over to safer alternatives such as the flax-seed oil. And, in case you observe any of the mentioned side effects in your baby, do not hesitate to contact a dermatologist.
Also Read:
Benefits Of Using Almond Oil For Babies
Top Baby Massage Oils Read more
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Is Applying Nail Polish on Babies and Toddlers Safe?
Parents find that their baby’s teeny-tiny fingernails look adorable with nail polish. For some moms with twins, it’s even useful to tell them apart. There are salons which offer pedicures and manicures to babies as well. While children might love having colourful fingernails, is it harmless fun, or can it be unsafe for your baby? Read on to find out.
Can You Put Nail Polish on Your Baby's Fingernails?
While numerous products use safe ingredients, many moms wonder if nail polish is bad for babies. The answer is both yes and no, based on what the nail polish contains. The presence of chemicals that can harm babies is the major concern among parents. Although there are no studies that indicate a link between nail polish and health issues such as respiratory disease or cancer, babies often put their fingers or toes in their mouths. Since it is uncertain how this type of exposure can harm a baby, it's best to refrain from using nail polishes on him. However, there are some manufacturers who make water-based nail polishes free from harmful chemicals. Those can be tried occasionally for painting your baby's nails.
Nail Polish Chemicals That Might Be Toxic for Your Baby
Nail polish makers have banned three common ingredients that were once common; their products are now labelled as being 3-free. Here are the three chemicals and two others that you need to look out for:
1. Toluene
Toluene is a commonly used solvent in paint thinners, cleaning solutions, household products and some fragrances. It is used in some nail polish brands as a solvent and stabiliser. It is known to irritate the skin, and inhaling toluene vapours is dangerous to the respiratory and nervous system. Low levels of exposure to toluene induce symptoms such as dizziness and headaches. It is also known to be harmful to unborn children and has been associated with congenital disabilities.
2. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
DBP is a clear, almost odourless liquid added to nail polish as an emulsifying agent. It ensures the nail polish has a smooth consistency and doesn’t clump and turn brittle. It is called a reproductive toxin as it is known to cause congenital disabilities in babies. DBP is banned in Europe and other parts of the world as it also increases the risk of certain types of cancer. It is also banned in children’s toys. However, some cheap cosmetic brands might still use this substance.
3. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is used as a preservative and in many industrial applications. In nail polish, it is used as a hardening agent that helps in the drying process without flaking. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen; long-term use increases the risk of cancer. It is known to irritate the eyes and the respiratory tract when inhaled. Your baby would inhale formaldehyde the entire time you apply the nail polish and afterwards as it dries.
4. Formaldehyde Resin
Formaldehyde resin is used as a drying and hardening agent in nail polish. This substance is just as dangerous as formaldehyde and is known to cause cancer.
5. Camphor
Camphor is a chemical used to help maintain the nail polish and prevent it from chipping. The first indications of camphor’s effects on its body are yellowing of the nails. With higher levels of exposure, it can affect the nervous system and cause disorientation and seizures.
Do’s and Don’ts While Painting Your Baby's Nails
If you decide to paint your baby's nails anyway, here are some things to keep in mind:
Do’s
Try and fake the application of nail polish on your baby's fingernails. Dry up the tip and fake paint it if he wishes to have some while you’re painting your nails.
Choose lighter colours or transparent ones in the beginning.
Paint your baby's toenails rather than his fingernails since toes are harder to reach and nibble.
Do it outside, so the fumes of solvents do not linger around long enough for them to inhale it.
Remove any clothes that you want to keep clean. Take them off your baby as he is sure to rub some paint on them unknowingly.
Try and get him to stay still.
Don’ts
Do not keep any of the colours within your baby's reach.
Do not paint the whole nail, paint only the edge, so it doesn’t come in contact with the skin
Don’t let him know where you store the colours.
If you must paint your baby's nails, search for safe colours that are suitable for children.
Also Read: Is It Safe to Use Nasal Sprays for Babies and Kids? Read more
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Teaching Toddlers to Identify People By Name
As part of the growth and development of communication, a toddler has to learn how to identify people, places and things. You can help yours by means of fun activities to make toddlers identify people by names. You can also use conversation to drive the point home.
Toddlers who turn 2 years old enter a very exciting phase of their lives. They suddenly become more communicative and alert trying to grasp, understand and acquire all that is happening around them. As a parent, you have to help your child in the art of learning communication the right way through activities and even your communication with him. When he starts babbling words and shows the willingness to learn more words, you have to give him the right stimulus to identify others by their names and utter them properly as far as possible.
Tips for How to Teach Toddlers to Identify People by Name
1. When and How to Do this?
Toddlers are extremely busy human beings trying to understand and grasp as many things as they can! With a whole lot of activities happening around them, chances are your 2-year-old will be uttering some words too. It’ll be even better for him when those words get a response from you. This is the right time for you to start teaching him to identify others by name.
2. Activities to Engage Him in
Toddlers begin to show their oral development when they start using their mouths to form letters. They may even be babbling some words although they may still mix up the sounds. Here are some tips for teaching toddlers the name of others:
Repeat the name and the sound even if your toddler can’t spell it out.
Speak in sentences like 'George, say hello to your friend, Jack'. Repeat the entire sentence several times. Every time your toddler attempts to repeat the name, ask the person he’s speaking to to show interest and respond.
For complicated names like Jacqueline, you can break the name in two parts or simply shorten it for your toddler. This will prevent him from becoming frustrated while learning the name.
Ask your child to use nicknames like Jo for Jonathan, but as soon as your toddler begins to spell out names correctly, refrain from using them and switch to proper names for everyone.
3. Encouragement and Praise for Your Toddler
At every step of the learning process, you toddler needs praise and encouragement. At the same time, you need to be extremely patient and flexible. Repetition of names, activities, events and stories are a way of life with a toddler in the house, so brace yourself for it. As your child gets older, he’ll demand more answers from you and you should be ready for them. It’ll encourage him to learn.
If you keep repeating the process, very soon your toddler will amaze you by recognising and identifying not only things but also people by their names. You should start this learning process early and as soon as possible so that when he grows up, he knows to use the right names for the right things and the right people. Read more
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Think Twice Before You 'Go for a Drink'
You might be only a social drinker or perhaps drink more often. However you may do it, alcohol tends to have more harmful effects than positive ones either way. Like everything else, it's best to keep drinking to moderation to avoid falling prey to alcoholism in women.
Many of us love to relax with a drink at the end of a long day. But before you reach for that next glass of alcohol, keep in mind that its effects can be very different on you compared to your man. Find out what can happen if you drink too much or make it a habit.
The Effects of Alcohol on Women
1. It makes you slower to process things
A woman’s body processes alcohol slower than a man’s. As a result, you'll feel the effects of the same amount more than men of the same body weight. As per some studies, oestrogen reacts with alcohol in a way that makes it harmful. What's worse, women who drink are likelier to develop heart and liver problems.
2. Drinking increases the risk of breast cancer
One of the most common fallouts of alcoholism in women is the increased risk of breast cancer, particularly if you have a family history or are postmenopausal. Plus, oesophageal cancer, head and neck cancer and liver cancer are the other diseases alcohol plays a role in!
3. You’re likely to get addicted
It may not be talked about often, but women and alcohol addiction is very real. Alcohol hits a woman’s senses hard and if drinking becomes a habit, there’s a good chance of being alcohol-dependent. Typically, a woman drinking more than eight drinks per week is considered dependent.
4. It makes you unfit to drive
One of the most common effects of alcohol is that it impairs the senses and slows down reflexes. A majority of road accidents every year is caused by drunken driving. Women prone to binge drinking may suffer more than they had bargained for!
5. It increases your appetite–and your weight
Another way how alcohol affects women is by increasing the appetite. Drinking suppresses leptin, a hunger regulating hormone, which makes you indulge in late-night snacking to stack up empty calories. This is, of course, in addition to the calories already contained in alcohol.
6. It makes you fatigued
Alcoholic women are usually exhausted and lethargic. Drinking causes metabolism to slow down, leaving you sluggish and low on energy. Alcohol also depletes vitamin B12 from your body, which is responsible for energy levels. In cases of heavy drinking, it also causes light headedness and disorientation.
7. It may promote infertility
Another common effect of alcohol in women is the decrease in fertility levels due to a disrupted menstrual cycle. Experts advise against drinking for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Some studies show that women who drink even moderately are likely to take longer to conceive and may have lesser chances of delivering a healthy baby.
Drinking is often a feel-good factor in our lives. But it’s wise to be aware of its harmful effects so you can make an informed choice. If you must drink, limit yourself to only a few drinks once in a while to be free of ill effects! Read more
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6 Ways Successful People Avoid Crumbling
Having learned how to reduce stress at work, leaders find themselves several notches above the rest. They're more organized and in control of situations and people alike. These stress-management tips will help you deal with workplace problems in much better and healthier ways.
Are you struggling to keep up with deadlines and don’t quite know how to meet your goals? Have you been trying to cope with new training sessions that are freaking out your co-workers? These and other such problems are bound to crop up on a day-to-day basis at work. What do you do? Give up? No way! Learn how to deal with issues without crumbling.
How to Deal with Stress in the Workplace
1. Accept that problems are inevitable
One of the best tips of stress management is to accept that setbacks, hardships and problems are a part and parcel of work. Mentally strong people rarely waste time in thinking about stressful conditions bogging them down or stopping their progress. Even though they know certain things are beyond their control, they meet challenges head on.
2. Have the right perspective
To reduce stress at work, don’t allow pessimism and negativity to cloud your mind. They only create confusion and anxiety. Successful folks know the dangers of these emotions and prefer to direct their energy toward tackling problems with the right perspective. If a solution doesn’t work, they look for another one and refuse to get cowed down.
3. Put your health first
Physical health is as important as its mental counterpart and goes a long way in proper stress management at the workplace. Successful people are aware of the need for keeping themselves healthy and fit. They take measures to get enough sleep, to exercise, and to adhere to well-planned food diets. If you’ve been missing out on these, it’s time to step up!
4. Have additional coping skills
Instead of looking towards junk food, alcohol and other bad habits to cope with different types of workplace stress, leaders deal with discomfort in more productive ways. To combat uncomfortable emotions such as anger, anxiety, fear and sadness in the right way, they look beyond by participating in a hobby, going for a walk and just doing something positive to make themselves feel better and stronger.
5. Maintain a healthy balance of solitude and socialising
Along with keeping calm in stressful situations, successful people strike a careful balance between their social and domestic lives. They don’t become withdrawn and unapproachable yet neither do they overindulge in social activities. They reserve time for their thoughts and lead a healthy social life as well.
6. Don’t look for sympathy
In addition to learning about what work stress is and the right ways of dealing with it, leaders rarely look for sympathy in bad circumstances. They also don’t feel victimised. Instead, they accept responsibilities and don’t succumb under the pressure of saying ‘yes’ to the things they don’t want to do and know aren’t right.
When you put things in perspective, it’s not all that difficult to adopt the right techniques for dealing with workplace-related stress and frustration. With the right measures in place, even you can start dealing with problems that keep throwing themselves at you in a more confident way. Read more
Charul Verma has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 7 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. Hello my baby is 20 months old he swallowed a earpod bur he is normal he eat as well as drink please suggest???
Charul Verma
Nutritionist
6 hours ago
A. hi mom
mostly it will be out once he passes stool
but better to show to doctor
it can be checked in x ray if required
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 7 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. Hello my baby is 20 months old by mistake he swallowed a earpod but he is normal is eat drink plz suggest??
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. It’s fine it should come out into the poop of your child within 24 to 48 hours a lot of mishaps happened with kids these days but these things since they are not edible they do not get digested which is why they come out into the motion
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. i am 5 months pregnant n i haven't gone for check up even once still now is it okay or should I go
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
58 mins ago
A. should go. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok. better to show to specialist always as they get the correct diagnosis. try to avoid self and extra medication that will only complicate this and create more damage to the child
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. my baby is 2 months old and she has developed a white patch on her face. What should I do?
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. White spots on the body and face could be there sometimes, which maybe because of fungal infection or some conditions like pityriasis alba or some other factors some conditions are aggravated by dry skiniu, show a proper mousturisation is required. Also, maintain a proper hygiene and a proper assessment should be done to rule out any other causative factor
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. my baby passes stool after every feed. Is it normal?
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. it's ok normal hai jj. 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
1 hour ago
Q. how you can
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
18 mins ago
A. question is incomplete please repeat 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
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