Active Mum and Baby

A baby has nearly 75 per cent of water in their bodies as compared to 50-55 per cent of the same in adults. With so much water present already, the baby won't be able to handle any more amount of water consumed. A newborn baby unlike the rest of us should not drink water up to the first six months. Even a small quantity of water consumed can be fatal. Here’s why: A baby has more water in the body A baby has nearly 75 per cent of water in their bodies as compared to 50-55 per cent of the same in adults. With so much water present already, the baby won’t be able to handle any more amount of water consumed. Water toxicity If a baby drinks too much water, it can lead to  water intoxication . Cells in the body are designed to store water and salts together. If the baby drinks water, leading to excess water and relatively less salt, the cells try to retain more water by absorbing more salt, which leads to reduced salt in the body. Developing kidneys A...

From heat rash to viral rash, here are some common skin disorders that can affect kids and simple ways to treat them. Skin problems in kids can vary from mild to life-threatening conditions and affect the quality of life. Common skin disorders affecting kids include the following: 1. Viral rash Viral rashes usually appear as small reddish-pink flat or raised spots along with fever, sometimes diarrhea or cold symptoms. They spread on both sides of the chest, stomach and back. They can present with oral lesions as well. They last for two or five days. Viral rashes may be accompanied with decreased energy, loss of appetite, headache, muscle ache and stomach ache. 2. Scarlet fever Scarlet fever is associated with strep bacterial infection and presents as generalised erythema of the skin. It usually starts on the upper chest and quickly spreads to the lower chest and stomach. 3. Diaper dermatitis Diaper rash  is irritation and redness of the skin in the groin ar...

Many children are born with a layer on their skin which is essential to be scrubbed off. It is very essential that mild scrubbing takes place with natural ingredients like chickpeas, besan and curd. The skin of babies is as important as the skin of adults. It is very important to caress a baby’s skin as it’s delicate and sensitive. There are many cases when the child is born with extremely dry or parched skin that necessitates proper care and nourishment. Also, the contributing harsh environments contain several chemical pollutants and contaminants that have adverse effects on the sensitive skin of babies. Sunlight too can add to the problem. Thus, it is essential that one take proper care of their skin for it to be healthy and radiant. Here are some easy steps to take care of the baby’s skin: 1. Always use a mild moisturiser The new mother is often unaware about several things and how to take proper care of the baby. It is always advised to use a mild moisturiser fo...

Although proper dental care is just as necessary for kids as it is for adults, your child’s routine won’t be exactly the same as yours. Children start with kid-safe toothpaste, brushes, floss, and eventually graduate to the adult versions. For this reason, you may have wondered about mouthwash. Is it safe for your child? When should they start using mouthwash?  Should Your Child Be Using Mouthwash? Mouthwash does more than just freshen your breath. Certain brands also wash away loose plaque and strengthen your teeth with fluoride. However, it isn’t right for every child. Is Mouthwash Safe For My Child? This largely depends on their age. Although fluoride mouthwash can be incredibly helpful in helping your child right cavities, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends waiting until they are about six years old to introduce it to their routine. This is because these younger kids may have a harder time not swallowing the mouthwash. Fluoride is perfectly safe...

If you thought hair loss was limited to older adults, think again. Infants, up to the age of 2, can experience hair loss. It might come off as shocking but this is not uncommon at all. Certain factors and genes at play can make your baby more likely to lose hair, especially in the first six months post-birth. Why does this happen? While babies begin to grow some hair on their head while they are resting in the mother’s womb, most newborns experience a drop in their hormone levels, which can make them lose some of their hair in the first six months.  Much like for adults, another reason for this scary hair loss can be a cradle cap, when the sebum and the scales in the scalp start to rub off and take away the fine hair too. If your baby sits or sleeps in the same position for a long while, he or she can develop bald spots in and around the crown, which can be another reason for hair loss. The baby may also develop a bald spot if he or she rubs the head against his mattress. ...

Pain from teething is enough to wake a baby from sleep. Here are some tips for parents to ensure your baby is able to sleep well while teething. Now that your baby has started  teething , the pain, swelling and soreness of the gums can disrupt the little one’s sleep. According to American Academy of Pediatrics, pain from teething is enough to wake a baby from sleep. Here are some tips to ensure your baby is able to sleep well while teething. Advertising 1. Massage the gums Wash your hands and put a moist piece of gauze and massage the sore areas of your baby’s gums. 2. Offer something chilled To soothe the pain, give your child something cold to chew on like teethers. The pressure on the baby’s teeth while chewing provides some relief. 3. Wipe drool Increased drooling is a common  symptom of teething . So, keep wiping the drool from your baby’s chin and cheeks to prevent any skin irritation. 4. Feed cold food Before bedtime, you can fee...

Keeping babies' nails trimmed is imperative for preventing them from scratching themselves or others. If they are not trimmed, they might end up hurting themselves even while relieving an itch. Ever wondered why health care professionals around you ask you to focus on nail hygiene or trim your child’s nail from time to time? The reason is simple. Long and unkempt nails can potentially cause a number of health problems like infections (such as pinworms), injuries, internal diseases, nail fungus and structural problems like ingrown toe-nails. Long and dirty nails harbour more dirt and bacteria and can result in serious infections. Studies have indicated that the bacteria that causes diarrhoea and vomiting, which is very common with children, often resides under the finger nails. Children are often seen putting their fingers in the mouth for comfort. If unclean, the germs can easily pass and result in infection. Well-trimmed nails can also prevent children from biting or ...

Natural remedies are significantly more important for expecting and lactating mothers since they are safe for the child. Let's take a look at some such natural therapies that have helped mothers since centuries. Prenatal And Postnatal Care: Childbirth is one of the most exciting and overwhelming phases of a woman’s life. Given the fact that a series of hormonal and bodily changes disrupt a woman’s physical and mental health, it is also one of the most challenging times for a woman. Depending on which  stage of pregnancy  a woman is in, her body will respond with different sets of symptoms – from nausea, heartburn, headaches to constipation, hemorrhoids and backache. Similarly, women also experience lactation related challenges as well as  depression during postpartum . Since generations, herbal remedies have played a crucial part in this beautiful journey of motherhood. Apart from soothing difficult pregnancy symptoms, a series of natural therapies have been...