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Mosquito Bites in Babies - Reasons and Treatment
The nights spent warding off the mosquitoes buzzing around your baby aren't easily forgotten. Babies are easy targets for these tiny blood-sucking insects. Keep reading for everything you need to know about identifying mosquito bites on your baby. treating it with home remedies and preventing it a second time.
Causes of Mosquito Bites
Babies are unprepared to deal with mosquitoes and hence, become attractive targets for them. Here's why your infant may display mosquito bites all over his body:
1. Unclean Environment
Stagnant water and over-flowing/open garbage cans attract mosquitoes. If these are commonly found in your locality, your baby is at risk of mosquito bites.
2. Exposed Skin
When you dress up your baby in short pants/nappies and sleeveless T-shirts, he becomes an easy target for mosquitoes.
3. Dampness
Wet towels and clothes, leaking roofs and dampness are an invitation to mosquitoes and should be avoided when there's a tiny one at home.
4. Uncovered Food Items
The smell of food can also attract a scourge of mosquitoes. You should maintain hygiene when you have a baby at home.
5. Perfumed Lotions or Creams
If you've stocked baby oils, lotions and creams in your baby's bedroom, that might be one of the causes of mosquito bites. Perfumed powders should be avoided too.
6. Sweat
Mosquitoes are attracted to sweat odour and its warmth. If you find your baby sweating, use a soft towel to wipe it off. Do not allow the sweat to settle on your tiny one’s body.
7. Water-Based Decorations
Fancy waterfalls, flashing lights and gurgling sounds may give your home a unique look, but are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Your innocent baby can become an easy target for such home-grown mosquitoes.
How To Identify Mosquito Bites on Your Infant?
If you notice any of these symptoms, it means that your infant has been bitten by mosquitoes.
Tiny red bumps
Swollen reddish areas
Dark spots
Baby scratching or crying without any noticeable reason
Raised skin with a prominent white centre and a red spot
How To Treat the Mosquito Bites on Your Baby?
Try these effective mosquito bite remedies on your baby to heal his skin:
Applying ice brings the itching and swelling under control.
Use a roll-on deodorant that contains aluminium chloride to give immediate relief.
Soothing calamine lotion is also a quick and easy remedy for mosquito bites.
Prevent your baby from scratching the itchy areas.
Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites
These remedies for mosquito bite relief for babies are effective and don't have any side effects. The ingredients needed are available in your kitchen itself!
1. Lemon
Lemon has excellent anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic properties. This makes it one of the best home remedies available. Cut a lemon into two and apply directly over the bite. You can also use fresh lemon juice for application on the skin.
2. Garlic
Garlic is a beautiful soothing balm for itchiness and swelling after bites. It helps the swelling to reduce, and the harsh odour keeps mosquitoes away from your helpless baby. Crush garlic and rub it gently over the bite. Clean it with a damp cloth after a few minutes.
3. Baking Soda
This inexpensive and effective method for curing mosquito bites in babies is highly popular amongst mothers. Baking soda can quickly restore the pH level and helps in reducing itching. Dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in a cupful of water. Dip a soft towel in it and place it on the bitten areas for 10 minutes.
4. Ice
Ice is helpful in preventing inflammation and also keeps the bite from affecting nearby areas. Keep a few ice cubes in a clean, soft cloth and dab it on the skin repeatedly. Do not hold it over your baby’s sensitive skin for long as it could cause some discomfort. This simple yet effective treatment heals the condition quickly.
5. Salt
Clean the skin area with sea salt and water for quick relief. Like lemons, salt is anti-inflammatory and proves to be an effective home-based remedy for mosquito bites. Its easy availability makes it a quick solution to insect bites.
6. Aloe Vera
This is a natural antiseptic, and its gel is a great reliever for mosquito bites on babies. Keep the gel in the refrigerator for a few minutes and then apply over the affected area. It will reduce the itchiness, swelling and pain due to the mosquito bite.
7. Honey
Honey finds a lot of applications in the world of home remedies. Since it is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, honey soothes the mosquito bites and keeps inflammation under control.
Prevention
Since prevention is always better than cure, take the following measures to prevent your baby from mosquito bites.
1. Cover With Mosquito Nets
Spread a fine-mesh mosquito net over your baby’s crib and car seat. This protects your baby's skin from coming in contact with these terrible insects.
2. Keep Your Baby Covered
You should always keep your baby's arms and legs covered with full-sleeved clothing, especially during the monsoon.
3. Use Insect Repellents
Never apply insect repellents directly onto your baby’s skin. Use them on your baby’s clothes instead. Mosquito repellents consist of DEET, which is unsafe for babies younger than two years.
4. Keep Your Child Away From Water Bodies
Accumulated water and woody areas are the ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. When you take your baby out for a stroll, avoid such places.
5. Invest in Window Screens
Cover the windows with nets or screens. This will prevent the mosquitoes from entering your home. You can also turn on a table fan to drive the mosquitoes away.
6. Keep the Doors Closed
Keeping the doors and windows closed once it turns dark can do a lot to protect your baby from mosquito bites.
7. Pay Attention to the Colours
As mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours like navy and black, it makes sense to clothe your infant in light-coloured clothing. You should check if your baby's room has ultraviolet, blue or fluorescent bulbs and replace them.
When Should You Call the Doctor?
Mosquitoes are effective carriers of various diseases and should be kept away from infants. Your baby will need immediate medical attention if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned below:
Lesions, inflammation and red patches on your baby’s skin
Wheezing and a swollen throat are indicators of anaphylaxis which can turn into a life-threatening condition
Rashes, fever, vomiting and nausea
Heavy breathing and reactions in other parts of the body
Pain on or around the affected area
Reduced sensitivity to light
Swollen lips
Swelling around the neck
Enlarged bitten area that contains pus
It's not possible to keep mosquitoes at bay at all times. However, the chances of mosquito bites can be minimised. When your baby is sleeping or playing, keep a close watch on the surroundings. Vigilance is all that is needed to keep your home mosquito-free.
Also Read: Chikungunya In Children Read more
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7 Things New Moms Worry About Most and How to Handle Them
Being a mother can be a rewarding experience, but it comes with its set of challenges. New mothers often feel that they are not taking care of their babies the right way even when they are doing just fine! If you are a new mother, within a matter of days of embracing motherhood, you must have realised (and accepted) that taking care of a baby is not as easy as parenting books make it sound. No ‘ten’ tips mentioned in a book can help you shush your baby when he cries incessantly. But that’s not the least of your worries; there are so many things about your baby that might be keeping you and other new moms like you (yes, even the bravest of moms!) awake at nights.
7 Common Baby-related Concerns of a New Mom
All new mothers worry about their babies, especially when it’s their first child. Let’s look at some of the most common worries that you have (or must have had) as a new mother, just like every mom out there!
1. Whether the Baby is Getting Enough Milk or Not
It is very common for a new mother to think that her baby is not getting enough milk (and nutrition), as he always seems hungry and feeds every two hours or so. In the initial days, you must have had a hard time figuring out the amount of milk your baby needed. If you also had your doubts regarding your baby’s nutrition, you may have considered starting or increasing formula feeds for your little one. Some moms even get worked up thinking that they are overfeeding their baby. Being a mom is no piece of cake!
How to Handle It
In the beginning, most mothers feel that they are not fulfilling their babies’ nutritional requirements, but soon they understand that babies need to be breastfed almost every two hours – and it’s normal. If you are a new mum, don’t worry about your baby not getting enough milk, because his cries and wails will tell you that it’s his meal time. Babies are clever; they know what they want and how to ask for it!
2. Baby’s Pooping Habits and Poop Colours
Who would have thought that such tiny human beings could poop so much? It’s both exasperating and surprising that someone so small would need over five nappy changes per day, right? Initially, a baby’s poop is on the darker side and after a few days, it starts appearing green. If a baby is being breastfed, his poop colour will be yellow. However, if he is given formula milk, he will most likely have brown stools. So many colours and so many reasons for them; no wonder new moms get anxious!
How to Handle It
The colour and consistency of baby poop change often, and there is nothing to worry. However, if the colour of the poop is red, white, or black, a doctor should be consulted at the earliest. In case, if your baby's stools are green and watery and he is pooping frequently, you might want to consult a paediatrician. Babies that are in diapers all day long, tend to be prone to diaper rash. As a mother, you must make sure that your baby doesn’t sit around in a soiled diaper. You should change his diapers often. Choose soft and comfy diapers like Huggies Ultra Soft Diapers which are truly feather-soft and will keep your baby comfortable. These diapers are specially made for newborns and come with a wetness indicator (when a diaper is full, the colour of the indicator changes). These diapers offer a snug fit and also prevent diaper rashes in babies.
3. Baby’s Constant Cries
Newborns cry a lot; it’s their only way of expressing discomfort for almost a year. But sometimes, a new mother doubts her skills as a mother when she isn’t able to decipher her baby’s wails. Newborns and infants cry all the time and for various reasons: sleep, hunger, soiled diapers, over-stimulation, under-stimulation, etc. Moms, trust your instincts; you’ve got this!
How to Handle It
In the beginning, it is difficult for a mother to interpret her baby’s cries, and you must have gone through this phase too. But soon enough you must have got the hang of it. However, if you are still trying to decipher your little one’s wails, here’s some help. When a baby is hungry, he may cry and squirm or stretch; he may also make sucking sounds or suck his fingers. When a baby is sleepy, his cries will be accompanied by rubbing of eyes. If you are a new mother, give yourself some time and learn to read your baby’s cues – you’ll do just fine!
4. Baby’s Sleeping Habits
Whether babies sleep too much or too less – moms tend to worry. Some babies sleep most of the time and that’s okay! If you also worry about your baby's sleeping habits, then stop worrying! You don’t need to consult a doctor as long as your baby is breastfeeding properly and is wetting his diapers often.
How to Handle It
Most babies sleep a lot. If your little one enjoys sleeping, let him. Don’t disturb him while he is asleep. Keep a count of your baby’s soiled diapers and keep a note of the colour of his poop. A good number of soiled nappies and mustard yellow poop indicate that the baby is doing just fine.
5. Whether the Baby Will Get Diaper Rash if Disposable Diapers Are Used
Most moms think twice before using diapers for their babies. Being new to parenting, you might be apprehensive about diapers because of what you may have heard about babies getting diaper rash. However, with proper care and hygiene, diapers are the most convenient way to keep your little one comfortable and mess-free.
How to Handle It
Diaper rashes are extremely common in babies but using diapers is not the problem. If you change your baby’s soiled diapers frequently and clean his bottom with warm water after each diaper change, the chances of your little one’s bottom getting a rash are minimal. As a mum, you must make sure that your baby gets some diaper-free time daily. If you are looking for a comfortable diaper, you can consider Huggies Wonder Pants for your baby. Huggies Wonder Pants have an air fresh cover that allows free flow of air in and out of a diaper, keeping your baby’s diaper area dry. Be careful to avoid diapers that are too tight or restrict air flow as this can not only cause discomfort but can also keep moisture sitting around near your baby’s delicate diaper area, causing rashes.
6. Whether the Baby's Head Might Be Hurt
A new mother often worries that she will hurt her baby’s soft head accidentally. Babies have soft spots on their head known as ‘fontanelle’. Fontanelle is soft but tough and most likely will not cause damage to a baby’s skull.
How to Handle It
As mentioned above, fontanelle may seem soft but it is tough. If you have recently embraced motherhood, don’t you stress about hurting your baby’s head while placing him down or passing him on to another caregiver. Trust us, you won’t harm him.
7. Baby Not Meeting Milestones on Time
When a baby is unable to meet his milestones on time, a mother may turn the whole world upside down trying to figure out the cause behind his developmental delays. Parents often compare their baby’s development with that of other babies. If your baby is not cooing or gurgling by the age of four months or if he hasn’t started crawling between the ages of 7 and 10 months, there’s no doubt you would have considered dialling your paediatrician!
How to Handle It
It is normal for a new mother to worry about her baby’s developmental delays. But worrying doesn’t help. If you notice any signs of developmental delays in your baby, encourage him to walk, talk, eat his food on his own, etc. With you helping him meet his milestones, he’ll be there in no time! Only consult your doctor if there are extreme delays or if you’d like to put any worries to rest.
When a mother takes her baby in her arms for the first time, she hears a voice inside her head saying, “It’s going to be a bumpy ride, but it will be worthwhile!” You must have heard this voice too. If you have just embraced motherhood, you must be having a hard time taking care of your little one. But soon enough you will learn to take care of him without doubting yourself. And all your worries will vanish when your baby will give you his precious toothless smile. Keep doing what you are doing, your baby trusts you and knows that you won’t let anything happen to him.
Also Read:
Baby Care Tips for New Moms
Tips for Washing Baby Clothes
Tips to Take Care of Premature Baby at Home Read more
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Drinking Water During Pregnancy: Benefits, How Much to Drink and More
Your diet is not all that changes when you are pregnant; changing the amount of water you drink is important too, as it is imperative for the progress of the pregnancy.
Why is Water Important in Pregnancy?
A mom-to-be should be well-hydrated because water is very important for her growing foetus. Water not only carries oxygen and essential nutrients to the cells, tissues and organs of a pregnant woman, but it also transports all these important nutrients to the foetus. Water plays a pivotal role in transporting all the prenatal vitamins to your baby.
When you become pregnant, your body requires more water to meet the changing requirements. Along with meeting the developmental needs of the foetus, water is also one of the main components for the production of breast milk.
Benefits of Drinking Water in Pregnancy
Ever wondered how all the nutrients from the food that you faithfully consume reach your baby? It all starts with keeping yourself hydrated. Here, we shall discuss the various benefits of drinking water in pregnancy:
Water keeps your body hydrated during pregnancy. If the body is not well-hydrated during pregnancy, it may cause cramps, headache, nausea, etc.
Drinking water helps in keeping the problem of water retention at bay.
Adequate water intake during the third trimester keeps you away from preterm labour and contractions.
It keeps you away from urinary tract infection (UTI) which is a very common pregnancy problem.
It aids in good digestion and helps in smooth bowel movements.
It also keeps you away from the problem of haemorrhoids by easing constipation.
Water also helps in getting rid of excess sodium and aids in minimising swelling of feet and ankles (oedema).
It keeps a check on the body’s thermostat levels and cools the body.
It also helps in relieving morning sickness, heartburn and acidity.
It also keeps fatigue in check.
How Much Water Should a Pregnant Women Drink?
During pregnancy, you should drink about 10 cups or 2.3 litres of water or other fluids in a day. However, the need for water varies for all women. It is absolutely normal if you feel the need to consume more or less water than the recommended standards. You can easily find out whether you are getting enough fluids by checking the colour of your urine. Colourless or pale yellow colour urine indicates that you are taking sufficient amount of fluids. If you are urinating less and the colour of your urine is dark yellow, then you need to pep up your water intake.
You may also be required to increase your water intake during pregnancy if you are exercising, living in a warm climate or high altitude area. It is recommended to keep a bottle of water always close to you so that you are reminded to sip it.
Is Water the Only Way to Keep Hydrated?
The fluid intake during pregnancy not only constitutes water but other fluids too. Milk, coffee, tea, fruit and vegetable juices also add to your fluid intake. It is recommended to limit your intake of tea, coffee or any aerated drinks as these drinks are diuretics. These diuretic drinks lead to increased urination and thus make you lose more water from the body.
Some pregnant women limit their fluid intake thinking that it may lead to water retention. On the contrary, limiting your water intake may result in water retention. Nausea may also make you stay away from water, so it is suggested to keep sipping water instead of gulping down at one go. If you do not like the taste of normal water, you may try flavoured water during pregnancy, which can be made by adding a little lemon to the water.
Different Ways to Increase Daily Water Intake
Following are the ways you can increase your water intake during pregnancy:
You should drink water after every bathroom visit.
Make sure you drink every two hours.
Keep a water bottle always handy and sip from time to time.
You may also set an alarm for drinking water.
You may consume more watery fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumber.
You may also add flavour to the water if you do not like the taste of plain water. Adding a lemon or orange wedge is a good idea.
You may also replace water with other fluids such as milk, buttermilk, coconut water, etc.
How to Ensure Whether You Drink Safe and Clean Water
If drinking water plays a pivotal role during pregnancy, so does its cleanliness. It is very important for you to ensure that the water you drink is safe and clean. Therefore, it is recommended to drink filtered or bottled water to keep water-borne diseases during pregnancy at bay. You may also boil the drinking water to kill any bacteria or virus that may be present. Carrying your own bottle is a good idea whenever you step out from your house. You may buy drinking water too, but make sure the seal is intact. Make sure to check the expiry or best before date before accepting packaged water bottles.
Stay away from aerated drinks and sodas. If you wish to drink anything cold, opt for chilled water instead. Refrain from using ice cubes also as they may be contaminated.
Effects of not drinking enough water while pregnant
If you are not properly hydrated during pregnancy, you may have health complications. Some of the health complications that may result from not drinking enough water are:
You may experience maternal overheating, which means your body may find it difficult to regulate heat. Overheating may cause neural tube defects in babies.
Lack of water in the body may lead to decreased levels of amniotic fluid that protects and helps your baby to grow.
Insufficient water intake later in pregnancy may lead to premature labour.
You may feel dizzy, which is a common cause of dehydration.
You may get severe or bad headaches because of dehydration.
It might also affect the breast milk supply post pregnancy.
Water is very important throughout your pregnancy for the healthy development of the baby and also for your overall health. It is recommended to stay hydrated during pregnancy to keep any dehydration-related problems away. You should get in touch with your doctor as soon as you notice any sign of dehydration in your body.
Also Read: Coconut Water during Pregnancy Read more
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Words you Should Avoid Using at a Job Interview
There are words that could make your first impression turn into a disaster at an interview. You need to know what not to say in a job interview if you want to bag that open position. Learn the do's and don'ts to hear your interviewer say, "You're hired!"
Congratulations on your interview call! Now, it's time to crack that hard nut. Acing a job interview isn't rocket science, but taking a little extra care when choosing your words may be the decider on whether you reach the next round.
Things Not to Say in an Interview
1. Seemingly Innocent Fillers
You don’t want to sound unprofessional or crude in an interview. An old saying goes, ‘If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.’ Apply this formula to your interview to avoid ‘umming’ while you think of an answer. Words like ‘um’ and ‘er’ can kill your credibility and make you sound immature. Learn what to say and what not to say in job interviews before you set out.
2. The 'Hate' Word
Hate is too strong a word to use, especially when you’re facing an interviewer. It can make you sound mean and unfriendly. Consider it a forbidden word not to use in a job interview especially when talking about others and your old boss. You could be a mature adult but when you use this word, everything else you say will go unheard.
3. Sure, Kinda, Cool
These words are too casual and should be erased from your job-preparing vocabulary. They give the impression that you don’t quite know what to say. Use factual examples and ‘yes’ and ‘no’ instead of highlighting these words. You’ll ooze confidence and your interviewer will know that you’re a woman who has it all together.
4. Sorry
Remember, you don't get a second chance to make the first impression. It's wise to do your homework and prepare yourself rather than apologising for something you don’t know. Try not to use the word ‘sorry’ unless you actually bump into the hiring manager. Believe in yourself and in your abilities so that you can impress your interviewer.
5. What
'What' is one of the words you should not use at a job interview as it shows that you aren’t prepared to listen. It may also convey the message that you’re not interested in the conversation and that you’re interviewing the boss. So set your tone right and when you want to ask a question, start with a more polite ‘Can you tell me about…?’ or ‘I’d like to know about…’
6. I Don't Know
‘I don’t know’ is seen as a negative word and can actually hurt your chance of bagging an interview. Even if you’re clueless about your interviewer’s question, try to come up with an answer. The aim of such questions is to probe into your thought process and see how quickly you think.
These job interview preparation tips can help you ace that upcoming employment opportunity. Take the time to prep yourself days beforehand. Rehearse in front of a mirror or ask a friend to interview you. Choose your words carefully and speak them with confidence. Show your passion and your strengths in the right way to see green signals at your interview. Read more
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Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
6 hours ago
Q. hi have one question
LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5
what it mean??? and should I start intercourse
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
5 hours ago
A. since you are right follicle is 18 mm yes of course you can start with your intercourse for conception as in 1 to 2 days
their maybe rupture of the follicle by which your sperm should be present there for conception
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
5 hours ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why baby vomit
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. for babies less than 6 months may not be a problem. small babies will be having lot of gas because of various reasons it is advisable to do burping of the baby immediately after feeding please give colimex DF drops to the baby they are safe
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 1 month
5 hours ago
Q. i am 35 weeks 3 days pregnant... my ultrasound report shows that "fl and hl are shorter compared to bpd"... is this anything to worry
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
49 mins ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
needs proper follow-up for this
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I have runny nose very badly can I use cetirizine tablet?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
48 mins ago
A. use nasal drops , that acts faster .
You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
4 hours ago
Q. hi,
my LT 10x18mm and RT 18x20mm and ET 6.5 , what if I intercourse after 2 days, can I do intercourse in ovulation day can become a pregent .
on ovulation day if we intercourse can become a pregent..pls advice..
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
47 mins ago
A. since the follicle size is 18 to 20 mm your ovulation may occur within 24 hours also so if you have intercourse with in that time it will be more effective to get conceived
your endometrial growth is not good enough for conception but still you can just try
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
4 hours ago
Q. Hlw dr its my 6th month pregnency can i intimate with my partner
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
3 hours ago
A. Hello dear! If your pregnancy is going on fine without any high risk factors then it’s okay. Still, would advise you to check with your doctor once before going further. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
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