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RICER: First-Aid Technique for Toddler Injuries
Sprains, strains and fractures are common injuries that most active toddlers face, once in a while. They usually happen when young kids fall or bump into something, or while playing and doing other physical activities. That is why parents should be aware of the first aid technique called RICER (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Referral) to offer immediate aid to the child.
When a toddler gets injured, there are chances of internal bleeding or swelling in the affected area. If the injury swells up too much, it can prove to be harmful. In such situations, RICER needs to be used within 48 hours of the mishap, whether it is a sprain, strain or a fracture. It can limit the swelling and make the kid recover quickly.
Overcoming The Fear of Injuries in Toddlers
Parents must understand that the fear of sprains, strains and fractures should not make them stop their children from playing. These injuries are a normal part of the growing up process. Trying to prevent your child from being active, would simply make him lethargic and would hinder his holistic growth and development.
As parents, you must provide your child with the basic needs of exercise and physical activities. However, as a precautionary measure, you must learn the basic steps of first-aid to lessen the toddler’s pain, in case of an emergency. RICER is one such technique, that can help reduce the pain and associated suffering immediately after an injury.
What is RICER?
RICER stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, and Referral and is an effective first-aid practice to manage pain in toddlers after an injury. Here is how it works:
1. Rest
If a toddler gets injured, the first step is to stop him from taking part in any further painful activities. If the affected body part is stressed, moved or used excessively, it can increase the bleeding or swelling. It can also slow down the healing process, or make the condition worse. Let the kid take adequate rest for at least 24 to 72 hours. If you suspect a fracture, support the arm in a sling or use crutches for foot injury.
2. Ice
After your child is laid down in the resting position, bring an ice-pack and apply it gently on the affected area. This will slowly reduce the swelling, and it will also soothe the pain. Apply the ice-pack for 15 minutes at every 2 hours throughout the day. The following day, apply ice every 15 minutes at an interval of 4 hours. Do not apply the ice directly on the affected body part, make sure to cover it in a cloth.
3. Compression
Bandage the injured area firmly, but not so tight that it will obstruct the flow of blood. Start from the area just below the injured part and then slowly move upwards. Each of the layers should be half overlapped. Finish the bandage at about one hand distance from the injured area. Keep checking after a few hours.
4. Elevation
The injured area needs to be kept straight up or elevated above the hip level. This would limit the blood flow and reduce the swelling. Keep the child’s legs elevated on a chair, stool or a pillow.
5. Referral
Get the injury checked up by a doctor as he will be able to assume the seriousness of the wound and recommend what is to be done next. He could ask to get some x-rays, CT scans or ultrasounds done, and then plan the treatment according to the result.
Sprains, Strains and Fracture
Sometimes, you need to consult a doctor immediately after an injury, such as a fracture. The signs of a broken bone include a cracking sound at the time of injury, extreme pain while moving the affected limb, numbness in the affected area, swelling and fever. RICER treatment would be of no use in case of a fracture. Only a doctor’s intervention, following by plastering of the affected area would aid in the healing and rejoining of the bone.
On the other hand, sprains can be treated with RICER easily. They usually occur because of over stretching, and affect areas like ligaments, joints and soft tissues. The signs of sprain include swelling, pain in movement, and stiffness of the affected part.
One more aspect that needs to be kept in mind is that for the first 48 hours after the injury, don’t use any sort of heat compression or give the child hot rubs for treatment. Avoid intense or even moderate activities for that matter, to prevent the condition from getting worse. If his condition doesn’t improve, consulting a doctor should be your priority. Read more
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Preparing Healthy Breakfast for Toddlers
Giving a healthy breakfast to your toddler is important for his overall development. Feed him breakfast loaded primarily with protein, calcium, iron, and other nutrients like vitamins and essential fatty acids.
A growing child’s developmental and nutritional needs can be met by providing him with an ideal breakfast. Commonly considered as the most important meal of the day, breakfast ensures that your toddler gets an energy boost to keep him going through the day. A few quick and healthy breakfast recipes will help you stir up a nutritious and tasty meal in a no time and provide essential minerals and vitamins to your growing child.
Breakfast Recipes for Toddlers
1. Orange-Banana Smoothie
A blend of orange, banana and some low-fat or non-fat yoghurt is all what you need to prepare a delicious smoothie. It is abundant in carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins and minerals. Keep a note of the amount given to the toddler as doctors recommend not to give more than ½ to ¾ cup of smoothie per day.
2. Berry-Mango Shake
Add ½ cup of low-fat milk and crushed ice, 1 tablespoon honey, a pinch of ground nutmeg, 1 cup yoghurt and 1 cup ripened mango cubes and a handful of mixed berries in a blender. Blend the ingredients well for at least 2 minutes to make a smoothie. This protein-rich smoothie is surely going to be enjoyed by your toddler.
3. Power Granola
Mix some oats, flaxseed, almonds, ground cinnamon and walnuts in a bowl. In a heated saucepan, add honey, orange juice and brown sugar. Cook until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and add 2 teaspoon canola oil and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and stir well. Pour this mixture over the oats mixture and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes until it is golden brown. After baking, cool it down and add cranberries. Let your toddler munch on the mixture or add milk to it, this nutrient-packed breakfast is healthy for kids.
4. Fruit Salad
Mix your toddler’s favourite fruits in a bowl to prepare an amazing salad, loaded with nutrients. Apples and bananas are enriched with fiber and potassium respectively. A fruit salad in the morning helps maintain blood sugar levels in your toddler. You can also add a scoop of yoghurt to each serving to provide extra protein and calcium.
5. Chicken and Cheese Sandwich with Mango Chutney
Cook chicken slices on a nonstick skillet over medium-high flame till the time it turns light brown. Remove them and cook eggs in a pan for 1 minute on both sides. Put muffin halves on a baking sheet and spread mango chutney over bottom half of both the muffins, place 2 chicken slices on it with the prepared egg and 1 cheese slice. You can also spread some cheese over top half of each muffin. Microwave the sandwich for 1 & ½ minutes and place two halves of muffins over each other. This healthy and tasty sandwich will provide your toddler with protein, soy, calcium and vitamin B.
These easy to make healthy breakfast dishes will be enjoyed by your toddler and would also provide him with sufficient nutrients and minerals for his growth. Read more
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The Tiny One Who Gave Love and Faith to Us
It was like any other day. House full of guests and chores to be done. I was having an active pregnancy as my lil one inside never troubled me. Next morning, I was unusually tired and restless. Had cramps at peculiar spots. The next events started to happen. I had spotting too. I had gone through all the books and websites to find out I gonna deliver my lil one very soon. When I went to the hospital the contractions started, followed by cervix opening upto 4 cm. But still things weren't smooth, I was only 35 weeks with breech baby. Quickly shifted to the operation theatre and after a few minutes, they handed me a tiny gem of 2 kgs. I went crazy over her, she was taken to NICU even before I could smell her. It was critical- she had immature lungs. She had troubled breathing like other premiees. Only if she learns to latch up she can be healthy and normal, these were the doctor's words. I prayed to all the Gods in the world.
Next morning 4:05am, she finally latched up successfully breathing without any assistance, looking deep into mumma's eyes and she was like saying" I don't want to trouble you any more mumma", bringing tears to my eyes, my breasts felt heavy to feed her more and more. My love, my world is all good and fine now am enjoying my parenthood. Although raising a preemie is challenging, you will slowly learn to love your life and the strong mother's instinct is more than any doctor and medicine. She is different from other babies yes, she receives more love and care than a normal baby would have. She reaches her milestones with delay. But yes, I love to teach her and watch her slowly reaching each of her achievement bound within me.
So believe in you and your baby.. happy parenting.. cheers...!!!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Screen Time and Preschoolers
Recent studies have shown that screen time, if left unmonitored, can lead to many conditions such as childhood obesity and an increased risk of social isolation. If you have a preschooler at home who refuses to part with the TV remote, read these simple tips to know how to phase out his screen time gradually, and in a disciplined manner.
Are you a parent who relies too much on screen time, mobile games and other such devices to calm down your preschooler? Do you find yourself handing him a video game without a second thought, when you are in the middle of a chore? Then here is some news for you: too much screen time can make your preschooler obese, and there is a chance, he might start showing signs of aggressiveness and violence. But as a parent and caregiver, you know all screen time is not that bad. There are educational programs and games out there too! How do you strike a balance so that your child gains the best of both the worlds- screen time and non-screen time? Follow these simple tips to make screen time work in a positive and nourishing way for your child:
Keep Informed About the Effects of Uncontrolled Screen time
If your preschooler watches too much TV or plays video games, he runs a higher chance of
Childhood Obesity
Poor Academic performance
Engagement in risky behaviours
Be lured by mindless advertising, and become incapable of making his own choices
Imitate violent behaviour
Become More Pro-active
Plan ahead what your child is going to watch. Ponder for a while if the programs will benefit your child in any way. Discourage flipping through channels, and sitting glued in front of the TV. Preview mobile games before handing over your smart phone to your child. Always have parental controls in place and take an active interest in what your child is watching or playing. This will help your child learn the limits early on, and he will not view all screen time hours as means to fill his loneliness.
Record your Child’s Favourite TV program
Let us face it. Some children programs with all the gizmos and innovative tricks are great fun to watch. However, letting your child watch every such program will make him physically inactive. Some of these are so addictive that your child might end up neglecting his homework and outdoor play activities. You can tackle this issue by recording your child’s favourite program, and playing it for him later. This way you can forward the advertisements, and let him watch more enjoyable stuff.
Encourage Physical activity
Give your preschooler video games that have at least some physical activity. Play a game of Jumping Jacks during commercial breaks. Put on a yoga mat, and encourage your preschooler to stretch while watching TV. Discourage bringing on greasy snacks while watching TV.
Never Combine Meal-times with Screen Time
For tired parents and caregivers, this might look like an ideal situation. But again, this has its side effects. Eating in front of TV increases the screen time disproportionately. Your child might end up munching endlessly, or he might get so engrossed in watching the TV, that he forgets to eat! Instead, make mealtimes more interesting by engaging in lively conversations and keeping the remote out of reach.
Finally, remember that smart screen time strategies will bring you closer to your child. Be gentle, yet firm; appreciate your child when he is following the rules. Encourage him when he is trying to reduce his screen time by patting him on the back, or giving him a hug. When his teachers praise him for his improved performance in school, he’s going to hug you back. Read more
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
13 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
13 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
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
10 hours ago
Q. My breasts feel full and heavy, but there’s no milk when pumping and during feeding baby —what do I do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
4 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. But it is really very difficult to say anything without proper examination. It is advisable to get yourself evaluated by a doctor and follow doctors advise properly. You can also book online doctor’s appointment on FirstCry where the doctor can help you and guide you properly.
Thanks and take care
Dr Disha Patel has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
10 hours ago
Q. can I take medicine pcm n citrazene in pregnancy fir sore throats n fever
Dr Disha Patel
Ayurvedic Physician
5 hours ago
A. dear mom.
better to take tab pcm for time being n do take steam inhakation couple of tines a day, follpw good home renedies for cold, taje more rest .
Swati Kar Samanta has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
3 hours ago
Q. hi everyone good morning,
sorghum can I give to my 10 month baby is it safe or not please revert I waiting for your reply
Swati Kar Samanta
Mom of a 2 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. Yes but first give in very small quantity to judge the reaction of your baby.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts is it okay that the baby is kicking less than usual?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. Yes it is the what part is that your child is kicking if you feel that there is a movement of your child whether it is a cake or slight movement also you know that your child is doing fine so there is no problem in that if the movement is less it’s completely alright
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
57 mins ago
Q. #asktheexperts what to do if the baby’s nose is blovked
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
55 mins ago
A. Nasal blockage is very common, specially in small children because of the narrow nasal cavity. Any kind of saline drops like nasal clear will be helpful in dissolving the stuffy secretions, which can be taken out by vnasal aspirator gently also steam inhalation will be helpful also, try to avoid keeping the child directly under the fan.
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