Causes of colds in infants and ways to treat colds in infants

 Infants are particularly vulnerable to viral infections; Because their immune systems have not fully developed, some habits, such as touching things, sucking fingers, and putting things in their mouths, can expose them to infection. However, contracting the common cold is not dangerous or fatal.

The common cold is an infection of the nose and throat (upper respiratory infection) and can be caused by one of more than 200 viruses, but rhinoviruses are the most common.

The cold virus enters your child's body through his or her mouth, eyes, or nose, and once your child is infected with a virus, he or she becomes immune to that virus. But because many viruses cause colds, your child may get several colds a year and many colds throughout his life. Also, some viruses do not produce lasting immunity, and your child can become infected with the virus through the air, when a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It may transmit the virus directly to your child.

Direct contact. Anyone who has a cold and touches your child's hand can transmit the cold virus to your child, who can become infected after touching his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Ways to treat colds in infants

1. Breast milk

Most babies under 6 months old don't need anything more than breast milk, which is rich in antibodies, which will kick in and help your baby's body fight the infection. Breast milk will also help build your baby's immunity and hydrate his body;

2. Saline solution

If your child has severe nasal congestion, you can try saline drops that are harmless and have no side effects at all. While you can buy a bottle of saline drops from a nearby pharmacy, you can also make them at home, and put no more than two drops in the nose. each nostril; To relieve congestion in your child's blocked nose, use a mucus suction device to remove the mucus and clean the nose

3. Steam inhalation

If you don't have a humidifier, you can sit with your child in the steamy room of the bathroom, with the doors closed and the hot water running, for about 15 minutes, which will help get rid of mucus buildup and a rough or dry throat.

4. Bed rest

If your child sleeps more than usual while sick, let him go to bed a little earlier. Here are some tips that may help him sleep better:

Try to stick to your baby's usual routine at nap time and bedtime.

Make the child as comfortable as possible before he sleeps. You can use a syringe or nasal aspirator to clean his nose of mucus and use an air humidifier in his room.

4 newborn diseases to know about

 Neonatal diseases

Jaundice 

It is a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes of a newborn, and it occurs as a result of the baby’s blood containing an excess of bilirubin, which is a yellow pigment from red blood cells that circulate in the baby’s bloodstream. Infant jaundice is a common condition, especially among premature babies and some breastfed babies, and it usually occurs when a baby's liver is not mature enough to eliminate bilirubin from the bloodstream.

Blood infection 

It is an infection of the blood in children younger than 90 days old. This condition is diagnosed in its early stages between 24-48 hours after birth, while advanced blood infection occurs one week to 3 months after birth.

Infection in the early stages usually occurs when a baby contracts an infection from his mother before or during birth. Cases of premature birth, water breakage (rupture of the membranes) for more than 18 hours before birth, or inflammation of the placenta and amniotic fluid are among the main reasons that contribute to a high risk of the child being exposed to blood infections. Children develop advanced hematitis after birth, usually as a result of a long-term catheter in the blood vessels or a long stay in the hospital.

Meninges 

It is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord called meninges. These membranes protect the brain from injury and inflammation. In infants, this infection occurs in the first 28 days of the child’s birth due to the child’s exposure to a type of bacteria, virus, or fungus. Bacteria are among the most common causes of inflammation, especially Streptococcus bacteria and Escherichia coli.

Symptoms of meningism in newborns are often difficult to recognize, but some of these symptoms include fever, reluctance to eat, vomiting and/or diarrhea, unresponsiveness, and difficulty breathing.

Infant respiratory distress syndrome 

This condition is described by temporary rapid breathing that usually occurs during the first hours of the baby's birth and usually goes away without treatment within 3 days or less. Its symptoms include:

-Rapid breathing at a rate of more than 60 breaths per minute

-Muttering breathing

-Move the wings of the nose to increase air entry

When should you worry if your baby is not teething?

 When should you worry if your baby is not teething?

A question that may come to the minds of many new parents: Is: When do baby teeth appear? How can the pain and discomfort that a child feels during the teething stage be avoided?! On the other hand, there are a group of signs that may indicate the beginning of teething. Knowing them may help you take some necessary measures to relieve the pain and itching of the gums. However, there are a few lucky children who do not face a major problem during teething. For every mother, according to the “Healthline” website, when do baby teeth appear? And how to care for it.

When do teeth start appearing in children?

For most children, teething usually begins between 6 and 12 months, and children have a set of primary teeth by the age of three. The lower front teeth come first, the upper front teeth usually appear after two months, then the lower and upper side teeth appear, followed by the first molars, canines, and second molars. So, by three years old, your child will have a set of 20 primary teeth.

The average age of teething is about six months, and teething before six months is considered early teething. If the child does not start teething until the age of 13 months; This is considered a delay in the teething stage. However, do not worry if your child’s teething stage is delayed; It varies from one child to another.. As long as the growth of your child’s hair, skin, and bones is normal; No need to worry. Teething can be delayed for the following reasons:

Genetic causes.

Malnutrition.

Hypothyroidism.

Premature birth.

However, if you think there is no family history your baby is getting adequate nutrition, and your baby has not yet started teething; You should consult your doctor...but first, you must look for signs of teething; Because it will tell you when the tooth will appear.

Signs indicating the start of teething in children

 When do baby teeth appear? And how to care for it

Signs indicating the start of teething in children

1. Excessive saliva

Although babies are newborns, they may drool; Because they do not know how to swallow saliva, this supply begins to decrease as they grow older. The problem of drooling appears this time when teething begins. This is because the body begins to produce more saliva to lubricate the gums, which also begin to swell.

2. Sleep disorders

With teething symptoms, babies become crankier than usual, and the baby's sleep patterns become disturbed. Their nap times become shorter, and they continue to wake up several times during the night, just to feel comfortable going back to sleep.

3. Fever, cough and diarrhea

Most mothers can detect a slight fever, less than 100 degrees, in their babies when teeth are about to emerge. They can end up coughing more, as the back of the throat chokes up. It is also known that some children develop problems; Such as diarrhea and skin rash.

4. Decreased appetite

During teething, babies also tend to eat smaller amounts of food; To avoid pain, fluids must be introduced into your child’s diet during this period. So they get all the energy they need.

5. Rub the cheeks and chin

Babies need to have their cheeks and chins massaged; Because this relieves the pain and palpitations associated with teething problems, they tend to do it on their own. Also, when you see your child pulling his ears a lot; This means that he suffers from irritation in the gums and jaw, and wants to relieve the pain.

6. Teething rash

When a baby starts having a runny nose, drops from the mouth can cause cracks, chafing, and redness, as well as a rash. Drooling can also cause a rash to appear on their faces.

7. Constant crying

While some babies do not feel any more pain during the teething phase, there are others who experience a lot of pain, and with inflammation and tender gums, they end up whining and crying a lot.

Ways to care for your baby's teeth

Primary (baby) teeth need as much care as permanent teeth, and early dental hygiene may help prevent tooth decay. Here are some tips for taking care of your child's mouth:

Clean your baby's gums using gauze or a soft cloth, and you can gently massage your baby's gums using your finger or a cold teething ring, which will help soothe the pain.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks; Because it leads to tooth decay.

Make your child drink from a cup, not from a bottle. Because drinking liquids from bottles or straws leads to tooth decay, as the slow flow of milk and juices collects in the child’s mouth and teeth, and remains for a long time.

Once your child turns 18 months old, you can help your child start brushing his teeth.

Note from “Mrs. Net: Before applying this recipe or treatment; You should consult a specialist doctor.

Reasons why a child cries when waking up from sleep and how to overcome that

 Reasons why a baby wakes up crying

Many parents complain about their baby waking up at night and crying in the middle of the night, and this may be due to several reasons, including feeling hot, wet, cold, hungry, afraid, or irritable. Since babies have small stomachs and food is digested quickly; They feel hungry often. In addition, babies cannot sleep eight to nine hours straight in the first days; Because they are used to being safely in the mother's womb before birth.

Therefore, children like to be close to a parent; Because they need to feel comfortable in the first days after birth, sleeping independently for a long period is often a difficult feat to achieve.

On the other hand, according to Healthline, crying is the primary means of communication in babies. If you are concerned about your baby's excessive crying; Contact your pediatrician to rule out the possibility of any pain or underlying health conditions. Here, according to Healthline, are the possible causes and some tips that can help deal with infants suddenly waking up at night crying:
Reasons why a baby wakes up crying

It is normal for a baby to wake up crying from his sleep once or twice a night. For every mother, here are the most prominent reasons for a baby to wake up crying, which are as follows:

1. Sleep cycles

Typically, babies wake up 4 to 5 times a night, and most babies also don't sleep through the night without waking until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds or are three months old.

2. Physical discomfort

Many diseases may cause difficulty for infants to sleep, the most prominent of which are teething, fever, ear infections, or other diseases such as runny nose and itchy eyes.

3. Separation anxiety

The fear of being away from parents is called separation anxiety, and it may cause the child to cry when he wakes up from sleep. He is not yet ready to sleep alone.

4. New skills

Babies may feel excited when they learn new skills such as crawling, walking, sitting, etc. They tend to try out their new skills in bed at night, and often end up crying; Because they may find it difficult to fall asleep again.

5. Hunger and changing the diaper

Babies who do not receive adequate nutrition during the day may wake up crying in the middle of the night due to hunger. If the mother does not respond quickly; Their screaming may turn into howls of anger. As your baby grows, the crying will become stronger, louder, and more urgent.

Also, babies may cry if their diapers are dirty; Because it may cause skin irritation, and they may need to change the diaper.

6. Feeling sleepy

Babies who wake up may cry if they feel tired and sleepy, but are unable to soothe themselves back to sleep.

Tips on how to make a baby sleep

   1-Share a room, not a bed
The American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines recommend that baby sleep in the same room as you for at least the first six months (and up to one year) of life, but not in the same bed.
  Sleeping in the same room encourages breastfeeding, is known to help babies sleep for longer periods, and can also help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
2 firm sleeping surfaces
Adults may enjoy pillow-top mattresses, but babies should always sleep on a firm surface that doesn't shift when lying on it and with no large gaps between the mattress and the sides of the crib.
3 Protect your child
Your child's bed must be placed in the correct place and a location must be chosen that is not in the direct path of air conditioning or heating vents because sudden changes in temperature will frighten and disturb the child.
The crib should also be placed away from windows to protect your child from drafts and outside noise.
4 Keep the baby cool
The child sleeps better when the temperature is constant and cool. Care must also be taken not to make the child wear heavy or non-cotton clothes in order to provide the child with maximum levels of comfort.
5-The lights dimmed
Blocking the sun's rays will help the child maintain his nap during the day. On the other hand, care must be taken to dim the lights at night. Children are unlikely to fear the dark until at least 18 months.

The most important tips for newborns - newborn care

 The first days of your child's life can shape his or her future. And you get one chance to do it right.

The most important tips that must be followed to care for newborns 

• Provide ways for your child to see, hear, move arms and legs freely, and touch you. Skin contact is also very good and can be done from time to time. You should see your baby's arms and legs moving erratically. Your baby is slowly learning how to control his movement.
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• Talk to a baby with beautiful voice tones and 'baby talk'. Mother and father should communicate with their newborn baby. You will notice that your child can hear you and will soon begin to memorize and repeat your words.
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• Encourage your child to try to reach a safe object to show him, such as a plastic brick. You should see him trying to grab or touch it.
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• You can gently change the pitch of your voice to make it slow or fast, high or low, quiet or loud. You can monitor the reaction on your baby's face and body and observe his interaction with you.
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• Place the baby on his stomach. Shake a rattle or bell in front of him and slowly raise it a little distance. This will encourage him to raise his head and shoulders to watch it move. This will help the baby follow the movement of the rattle with his eyes and practice raising his head and shoulders. At the same time, he will listen to the sound the rattle makes.
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• Touch your baby's skin to skin from time to time. You should feel that your child feels safe and calm when he feels, hears, and smells your presence.
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• Calm your baby, massage him, and cuddle him gently. You will see your baby calm and happy to be held and rocked.
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• Look into your baby's eyes, and smile in response to the baby's smile by observing his facial expressions. You should see your baby reacting positively to your facial expressions, movements, and gestures. Your baby is learning to communicate and you start seeing him respond to you even before birth.