A safe space of a child’s health!

We all want our child to have the very best life possible and health is an important aspect of a person’s life. Children have a plethora of health requirements, starting from the time they are born till their teenage years. Children cannot take care of their own health, which is why going to a pediatrician in Coimbatore in a wise option.

The best pediatrician in Coimbatore will have all the required expertise in handling and caring for a child’s health. A pediatrician has the knowledge when it comes to procedures and treatments for children of all ages.

From the time a child is born, the child needs various vaccinations to ward off viruses. The developing months are important as this is when the child’s mental and physical development is taking place. During these years a child is also prone to different types of injuries that may occur during playing. They tend to fall sick and catch illnesses fast as they come in contact with a lot of different people in schools, tuition classes and during recreational activities. Then comes the teenage years, where the body experiences a lot of change, the changes are internal, mental and physical. From all of these stages, making sure your child visits a pediatrician regularly will make sure your child leads an overall healthy life and you are always informed about your child’s upkeep.

The pediatrician in the Women’s Centre by Motherhood, Coimbatore will have access to the best medical infrastructure and latest technologies for a trusted medical service. They are up to date with the popular medical trends and have the practical knowledge to provide your child with the best care possible.

From regular health check-ups, evaluations, treatments and complex procedures, this is the one stop for all the care your child’s health needs.

Special care for your special child!

Childhood is a memorable and fun period of life but it is also a time when we tend to get a lot of injuries from playing. Children are also susceptible to various illnesses and viruses due to a delicate immune system. It is essential for children to go for regular visits to a pediatrician in Noida as a child’s body goes through numerous changes in their developing years. Taking care of a child is a full-time job with fewer breathers, having a trusted pediatrician will ease up a little part of your job. From regular health-checkups, vaccinations and treatment of illnesses and injuries, a pediatrician plays an important role in providing medical supervision in a child’s life.

A pediatrician has all the expertise and knowledge about a child’s health and treatment. Some of the pediatric treatments and procedures in Motherhood Hospitals include well-child exams, vaccinations, immunization, development screening, neurology, infectious disease and rehabilitation. A pediatrician will be able to evaluate your child’s health using specialized skillsets required to deal with the health and anatomy of children and young adults. Children tend to spend a lot of time outdoors and come in to contact with a large number of people daily. From going to school, tuition classes, extracurricular activities and playgrounds, they by default are prone to illnesses and injuries very often.

Visiting the best pediatrician in Noida will make sure that your little one remains in the best of his/her health during their developing stage up till the point of young adulthood. Even for surgical care and emergencies, it is only natural that you d want your child to be in safe hands and under the care of someone who is specialized in dealing with children. It is always a better idea to be prepared and be regular with your child’s health and medical needs so they can grow up to being healthy adults.

How To Protect Children Who Are Prone To Infection During Seasonal Change

The onset of Monsoons, brings in challenges of mosquito related infections. This is when the mosquitoes start breeding. Mosquitoes like Aedes Egypti breed in pools or puddle of fresh water and can cause Dengue.

Dr.?˜ Santosh Kumar, Paediatrician &?˜ Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Banashankari, Bangalore

Monsoons are always an enjoyable time for everyone, especially kids. After a long scorching summer, they get to enjoy the pleasant rainfall and play around in the mud and rain. But this monsoon is going to be very different.

Children may not understand this, but we are dealing with a pandemic this year. Parents must be extra careful about their childrenŸ??s safety around this time. While we are all taking the necessary precautions to protect our kids from coronavirus, we should not forget the illnesses/diseases that are caused by seasonal change, especially during monsoons. This is the time when your childŸ??s immune system is weakened, making them susceptible to various waterborne diseases.

There are certain infections which are seasonal, and some specific infections are more common in certain seasons. Some of them are:

Various bacteria thrive during summer due to the heat and moisture. Children falling ill during summer is more common than one would assume. Cases of loose motion and vomiting occur often, and they result in dehydration. In extreme harsh temperatures beyond 40 degrees Celsius, newborn babies can develop dehydration related fever.

During winter, flu can be a very common phenomenon with children and therefore flu virus can be pretty active during this time. They may cause a variety of diseases from the common cold to swine flu. Coughing, sneezing, runny nose, fever, body aches, congestion become quite common during this season. Due to the cold weather, cases of lower respiratory infections or viral bronchiolitis in babies increase.

The onset of Monsoons, brings in challenges of mosquito related infections. This is when the mosquitoes start breeding. Mosquitoes like Aedes Egypti breed in pools or puddle of fresh water and can cause Dengue.

The female Anopheles mosquito breeds in marshy waters, this is the one that causes Malaria. Mosquitoes are most active during the time of sunsets, when children may be out playing. Additionally, during the rainy season, water contamination from sewage is quite common resulting in infections like diarrhea, vomiting, typhoid, cholera etc

Apart from diseases due to seasonal changes, there may be an increase in infections when children are in close proximity to each other for example at schools or at home with their siblings. We see a number of cases of the hand foot and mouth disease, which spreads from one child to another. This causes sores in the mouth or rashes on hands and feet. It is spread by direct contact with saliva or mucus.

Prevention better than cure during the pandemic

We are living in troubled times, the pandemic has changed our way of life forever. Things we took for granted must be given a lot of thought. For example, the simple task of going to a hospital. But in the current scenario, where we all are trying to maintain social distancing to stop the spread of the virus, it is better to prevent your child from falling sick, than taking them to hospital where there could be  exposures.

Guidelines for parents to ensure wellness of their children amidst the

  • Good nutrition: Healthy and balanced diet is the first step towards improving your childŸ??s health and immunity. Parents should ensure that their child consumes all seasonal fruits, green leafy vegetables, so that they get a good vitamin supply in their diet. It is very important to avoid junk food.
  • Hand Hygiene: Teach them proper hand and respiratory hygiene. This is especially important in this pandemic ridden world. Lead by example; make sure they notice you washing your hands regularly. This will make them realise its importance and they will start imitating you. Good hand and respiratory hygiene will not only protect them from Covid-19 but also safeguard them from loose motions, typhoid, and various other viral infections.
  • Protect them from mosquitoes: As mentioned before, monsoon is the time when mosquitoes thrive. Ensure there is no water stagnation near your house. Use a mosquito net or apply repellents on your children to protect them from mosquito bites.
  • Bathroom Hygiene: This is necessary. Teach your child proper hygiene measures before after using toilet.
  • Regular vaccination: Vaccination or immunization is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases. A vaccine or immunization is a way to build the bodyŸ??s natural immunity to a disease before the individual gets sick. This acts as a protective shield and helps to keep various ailments and diseases under check
  • Regular Exercise: Regular exercise is important to keep the child active and fit. During this time, when most schools are shut it is very easy for a child to get used to sedentary lifestyle. This can cause childhood obesity, which unfortunately has become quite common among kids nowadays. Obesity might lead to complications like diabetes and hypertension .Infact exercise can also boast immunity in children..

The COVID Advice

It is natural to feel anxious about the current scenario. Although the nation-wide lockdown restrictions have been eased, parents should not let their guard down. The cases are rising and until we develop a vaccine or achieve herd immunity, we need to be careful and watchful.

However, children have an inherent immunity, but we must remember that they can be silent carriers of the infection. Kids, especially those, staying in joint families or living with elderly people must practice good hand hygiene and social distancing, so that they do not transmit infection to elderly family members.

Follow the above steps to improve your childŸ??s health especially during this monsoon. It is certainly an enjoyable time that children long for every year, but make sure they follow all the safety precautions. In case your child falls ill, consult your doctor immediately.

When to Call your Child’s Paediatrician?

Whether it’s fever, tummy ache, or a cough, as a parent, it is only natural to worry about your little one. This article is written in an attempt to lay down the key symptoms that may require you to call the paediatrician. 

Fever

Panicking upon discovering a spike in your child’s body temperature is normal, but it should also be noted that fever isn’t a sign of danger. The body temperature of the children tends to rise when they get an infection to fight the virus, causing the infection. While this is not the case for every burst of fever, it is most common with young children. However:

  • You should call the doctor if your little one of 2-3 months old has around 100 degrees. 
  • You should call the doctor if your little one is above 2-3 months, with around 100 degrees fever and other symptoms like vomiting. 
  • You should call the doctor immediately if your child has over 104 degrees repeatedly. 

Vomiting or Diarrhoea

Try not to worry if your child vomits or show signs of diarrhoea just once. But if it persists, it means your child is getting dehydrated, which is bad. You can give them lots of fluids to keep them hydrated but if your child’s symptoms only worsen or go on for a few hours, call the doctor. The paediatrician will examine your child and may suggest an X-ray or blood and urine test or even a stool sample. 

Respiratory-related Problems

Catching a cold or cough is a common occurrence in older children. But if your child is three months or younger, a sign of respiratory problems should be alerting. Call the doctor right away to avoid the illness from turning into something more deadly like pneumonia or bronchitis.

Other symptoms, including difficulty in taking a leak or rash, could be harmless. But you may want to call the doctor if the rash becomes skin-deep or signs of unitary tract infection. 

Are you searching for the best paediatrician in Noida? Connect with Motherhood Hospital to find the best paediatrician in Noida.

 

What Time Is the Right Time to Stop Seeing a Paediatrician?

Finding the right paediatrician is very important because they take care of your child’s heath. They are involved in every milestone of the child. In short, the period during childhood to adulthood is where paediatricians play a massive role in our children’s lives. And while it is hard to think about bidding farewell to our go-to family child doctor, at a certain point, we must say goodbye.

But a popular wonder among parents and young youths (soon turning adults) is, ‘what time is the right time to stop seeing a paediatrician’. Well, generally the common consensus is- once a child turns 18, that is when they gradually shift to a general doctor. However, sometimes, people continue to see their paediatrician even until 21 years of age (i.e., college graduation). 

Should you continue to see your paediatrician even into adulthood? 

There are many reasons patients even after turning adults continue to visit their paediatricians. Some of the reasons may include intellectual disabilities, doctor-patient familiarity, etc. However, in other cases, patients suffering from lifelong illness experience a hard time switching and thus, they stick to their childhood doctor. Among the reasons, some of them include-

College stress: 

Leaving for college can be a scary feeling for many children- new environment, new faces, overwhelming study pressures, etc. All these factors may not give them a chance to find a new doctor or even make them feel more comfortable to visit their already familiar paediatrician. 

Lifelong illness: 

Patients who ail with chronic conditions such as intellectual disabilities continue to see their paediatricians even into adulthood- to avoid the emotional trauma of having to confide in someone new. Other conditions that make transitioning to adult care difficult include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, etc. 

If you’re looking for?˜the best paediatrician in Noida, many multi-speciality hospital chains provide holistic child care such as Motherhood Hospital- Mother Hospital is a Leading Chain of Women & Child Care Hospitals with the best gynaecologists, the best obstetricians, and?˜the best paediatrician in Noida.?˜

Importance of getting your child vaccinated in a competent hospital

Vaccinations help build the body’s immunity by improving immunity before the child falls sick, thus preventing the child from having to go through the disease symptoms. A vaccine is an injection of the killed germs into the body to which the body’s immune system reacts by producing immune cells/antibodies to fight them. These immune cells/antibodies stay in the body for a long period and in some cases for the rest of your life, preventing you from falling sick by fighting off the diseases.
Why are vaccinations important?
Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to protect your child from dreaded childhood diseases. These vaccines makes child immune, thus protecting them as well as others from these diseases by preventing them from contracting or spreading of these vaccine preventable diseases.
Does the hospital where you get your child vaccinated matter?
Make sure your baby is vaccinated in a place where storage and handling requirements are up to the standards set by world health organization.Not many know the fact that improper storage or handling can lead to vaccine failures.
Why is the vaccine temperature important?
If the vaccines are exposed to temperatures outside the desirable range, it reduces their potency, increasing the risk of the child contracting the disease despite being immunized because the efficiency of the vaccination was reduced due to poor storage. This also means that the facility must have a designated, trained individual who is in charge of the vaccine inventory, conducts regular physical inspections and makes sure that the required temperatures are maintained in the storage unit.
So, the storage and handling of vaccines are a vital aspect that needs to be catered to, which is why choosing the right hospital is important. Smaller clinics may not be equipped with the best storage facilities or to handle power outages which affect the quality and effectiveness of the vaccination. To ensure you and your loved ones enjoy the full benefits of vaccines, keep in mind that you must pick a well-equipped health-care provider.

Complementary Feeding by Archana Reddy

Expert advice on complementary feeding for infants, offering valuable insights - Motherhood Hospital India
  • What is complementary feeding?

The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods referred to as complementary feeding. From 6 months of age your baby needs breast milk and solid foods to promote health, support growth and enhance development.

  • When to start/what is the right age?

As per WHO baby has to be exclusively breastfed for first 6 months (if breast milk is not sufficient then formula milk can be given). So complementary feeding should be started when the baby reaches 6 months of age.

Introduction of solid food to be led by infants developmental signs like

  • Baby can sit with or without support.
  • Showing interest towards food when others are eating
  • Likes to put things in their mouths

At this age frequent breastfeeding should continue despite foods being introduced. During the next few months the variety and amount of foods can be increased, while breastfeeding still continues.

  • How to start?

Solid foods to be started gradually after 6 months of age. At 6th month solid can be given once/twice. One feed /month needs to be increased.

So by 9th or10th month baby should be taking 3 meals + one or two snacks along with Breast milk/formula milk.

  • What type of foods to be given?

Good choices for complementary foods are those rich in energy, protein, essential fatty acids and micronutrients (particularly iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate). These will be supplied when breast milk and a variety of suitable complementary foods are given to a baby.

Gradually increase food consistency and variety as the child ages, adapting the diet to the infant’s requirements and abilities

At 6 months: Feed mashed and semi-solid foods, softened foods

Feed energy-dense combinations of soft foods.

At 8th month:Introduce “finger foods” (snacks that can be eaten by children alone),textured foods

At about 12 months of age: Most children can eat what rest of the family eats (Family Foods).

Principles of Complementary Feeding

  • No Sugar,No Salt, No Honey till one year of age
  • No other liquid form of food to baby other that water,Breast Milk/Formula milk.
  • Always make baby sit in upright position and feed.
  • Water 30-40ml/day till 12 months.
  • No cow milk to be given to baby as a drink till 12months,but it can be used as a cooking ingredient.

Practice responsive feeding

  • Feed infants directly and assist older children when they feed themselves.
  • Offer favorite foods and encourage children to eat when they lose interest or have low appetites.
  • If children refuse many foods, experiment with different food combinations, tastes, textures, and methods for encouragement.
  • Talk to children during feeding.
  • Feed slowly and patiently and minimize distractions during meals.
  • Do not force children to eat.

By

Archana Reddy,Nutritionist, Sahakara Nagar

Chickenpox in Toddlers: By Dr. Mohammed Yunus Kafil

Chickenpox in Toddlers:

Chickenpox (varicella), a viral illness characterised by a very itchy red rash, is one of the common infectious diseases amongst children. It is usually mild in children but occasional complications like bacterial pneumonia may occur.

People who have had chickenpox almost always develop lifetime immunity (meaning you are extremely unlikely to get it again). However, the virus remains dormant in the body and it can reactivate later in life and cause shingles.

What causes chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the herpes varicella-zoster virus. It is spread by droplets from a sneeze or cough, or by contact with the clothing, bed linens or oozing blisters of an infected person. The onset of symptoms is 10 to 21 days after exposure. The disease is most contagious a day or two before the rash appears and until the rash is completely dry and scabbed over.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

Chickenpox appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face, and limbs. The symptom lasts for 7 to 10 days, the rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) that drain and scab over. Vesicles may also appear in the mouth, on the scalp, around the eyes or on the genitals and can be very painful.

This cycle repeats itself in new areas of the body until all of the sores have healed (takes about two weeks). The disease is contagious until all the spots have dried up. Unfortunately, the virus is also contagious for at least one day before the rash breaks out.

When to seek medical advice?

  • You think your child has chickenpox. A doctor can confirm your diagnosis
  • Chickenpox is accompanied by severe skin pain and the rash produces a greenish discharge and the surrounding skin becomes red, these are signs of a secondary bacterial skin infection
  • Chickenpox is accompanied by a stiff neck, persistent sleepiness or lethargy as these are symptoms of a more serious illness such as meningitis or encephalitis. Get medical help immediately
  • While your child is recovering from chickenpox and gets fever, convulsions, starts vomiting, or feeling drowsy. Get medical help immediately
  • An adult family member gets chickenpox
  • You are pregnant, have never had chickenpox and are exposed to the disease. Your unborn child may be at a risk so seek medical advice without delay.

What is treatment for chickenpox?

Chickenpox is extremely contagious. Keep your child at home until all of the blisters have burst and crusted over.

Most cases of chickenpox require little or no treatment beyond treating the symptoms.

The prescription antiviral drug Aciclovir is effective for shortening the duration of chickenpox symptoms and may be recommended for certain people with chickenpox, such as pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and adults who seek medical advice within 24 hours of the rash appearing.

In addition, your doctor may recommend painkillers and an antihistamine to relieve pain, itching and swelling. Antibiotics are used if a secondary bacterial skin infection arises or if the person with chickenpox develops bacterial pneumonia.

Vaccination for chickenpox:-

IAP(Indian academy of pediatrics) recommends two doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults.

Children should receive two doses of the vaccine’the first dose at 15 months and a second dose at 4 and half years.

Kids who are older than 5 years but younger than 13yrars, who have not had chickenpox also may receive the vaccine, with the two doses given at least 3 months apart.

Kids 13 years or older who have not had either chickenpox or the vaccine need two vaccine doses at least 1 month apart.

By

Dr. Mohammed Yunus Kafil | Know your doctor https://www.motherhoodindia.com/dr-mohammed/

The Common Cold in Children

Cold is the most common reason for a pediatric office visit. ItŸ??s responsible for a childŸ??s absence from school & parentŸ??s staying away from work.

Let us try to understand this common illness in the next few paragraphs.

What causes a Cold?

Ÿ??ColdŸ? is a group of symptoms caused by a number of viruses.Over a hundred viruses may be responsible. Therefore a child may be affected multiple times each year.

Children under 6 years of age may average 6-8 colds per year. Children in daycare appear to suffer from cold more commonly. The frequency of such episodes may decrease by the time they reach primary school.Episodes of cold may be more in children as they are still developing their immunity.

Colds may occur at any time of the year. Transmission occurs from one person to another directly or due to viruses in the environment. Colds tend to be more contagious during the first two to four days.

Contact Ÿ?? Cold virus may survive on the skin for upto 2 hrs & on surfaces (such as door handles, toys ) for upto a day. Infection can spread by touching such objects& then touching the nose, eyes, mouth of the uninfected.

Inhalation– Droplets containing virus or viral particles are released by coughing & during exhalation. However it is not usually transmitted by this route.

What are the symptoms?

Signs & symptoms usually show up a day or two after exposure. Nasal congestion & discharge are the most common symptoms. Discharge can be clear, yellow or green. Fever may be present during the initial phase. Other symptoms include: Sore throat, cough, difficulty in sleeping and decreased appetite. The glands in the neck may be enlarged. Symptoms may continue for up to 2 weeks and are usually worst during first 10 days. A second cold may sometimes superimpose and extend the period of sickness.

What are the complications?

Ear infections, wheezing, sinusitis & pneumonia are the common complications.

Ear infections: If a child develops fever after the initial phase of illness or fever continues for a prolonged period (beyond 3 days) ear infection can be suspected.

Wheezing: Children may develop wheezing even if they have not wheezed before. Colds may worsen asthma.

Sinusitis: If nasal congestion does not improve does not improve over 10 days then sinusitis may be suspected.

Pneumonia: Late onset of fever or prolonged fever may suggest pneumonia, especially if the child has signs of breathing difficulty.

How do you manage?

Treatment of cold is usually symptomatic:

  • Anti-histamines, decongestants and cough expectorants have been used with adults.
  • Improve symptoms of nasal congestion. Saline nose drops may be used to thin mucus.
  • Suction can be used to remove secretions. Adequate amounts of fluids must be taken. Honey can be used in children older than one year. Antibiotics are not effective in treating colds but may be used if complications are suspected.
  • Vitamin C used preventive may decrease the duration of cold.

How to prevent:

Hand hygiene:

  • Maintaining hand hygiene either by washing with soap and water or by using alcohol based hand rub.
  • Avoid contact of child with people who are ill.
  • Clean surfaces with household cleaner eg. Lysol

Danger Signs:

Seek immediate help in the presence of the following symptoms.

  • Prolonged refusal of feeds
  • Excessive irritability or lethargy
  • Difficulty in breathing or rapid breathing
  • Fever lasting more than 3 days
  • Prolonged nasal congestion (more than 10-15 days)
  • Ear pain & other signs of infection

Love and Limits?? Parenting playfully

Harmonious Family Life Tips to Balancing Love and Limits - Motherhood Hospital India

Discipline and Freedom: What’s the correlation between these two powerful words? Discipline is taken up as a serious business by some parents, they curb their child’s freedom to choose or act. But as they say, freedom brings in opportunities to learn likewise disciplining needs to bring in the freedom to think and choose. Our goal as a parent is to teach the child all about inner discipline or ‘self-discipline (Thoughts, feelings and choices) which takes a while for the child to learn and absorb. This inner discipline comes from a high sense of principles or values, understanding and conscience rather than the use of punishment, which uses scale or stick, shame, humiliation or even isolation.

Self-discipline is internalizing responsible actions and respect for others, the environment, and oneself. Discipline shouldn’t be about forcing a child to do something against his or her will, scaring the child into compliance or causing physical or emotional pain. Instead, validate the child’s feelings, empathize with his or her experience or pain, remove the stressor, point out the needs and feelings of others, encourage restitutions, help the child brainstorm alternative forms of actions and allow freedom of choice.

It starts with parents feeling the lack of freedom, stressing and focusing more on the role they play. However, grandparents are a lot more relaxed and experimental.They enjoy freedom, explore and bond with children a lot more, because their focus is on relationship and not responsibilities. A child feels empowered when given a chance to explore, play and feel free An essential element to grow. Our nature wants us to be free, try everything, taste everything and do everything.

Need for a paradigm shift

Parents often see uncooperative behavior as a challenge to their authority. Once we understand that uncooperative behavior may be the communication of a child’s unmet need, a hurt or any unpleasant emotion or stress, then we do not have to take the behavior, personally. A child behaves in a certain way, either in a new situation or a recurring one, because he does not know the accepted way. Using commands and threats may work immediately, but sustainability comes when such situations are dealt with love, respect, compassion, freedom and positive reinforcements. 

A child needs love the most, when we think he doesn’t deserve it.

Give your child the freedom to choose his outfit for the day, lunch for school, choose how to spend his time, play or do homework. Simple questions like these make a child feel important, involved and most importantly, valued. This freedom may require you to set limits, simple rules and directions towards acceptable and unacceptable behavior, as a family. Explain these to your child in a way that makes sense to him and most importantly benefits him, which is undoubtedly a skill for a parent to learn. Talking about positive and negative consequences helps the child connect his actions to the outcomes and eventually helps him understand the concept of cause and effect. He is then empowered to think through and predict the possible consequences before he acts.

You may have to set this new pattern, reinforce and remind your child till he is ready to accept it, with love being the key. This takes time, but the only way we learn to make responsible decisions is through practice, which comes with trial and error. And it is through freedom and practice that the child learns how to discipline himself and how to be a responsible person. He identifies feelings and develops his inner compass for what is right and wrong.

The idea is to help children develop a conscience through a strong, connected parent child relationship, allowing them to feel secured, confident and teaches them how to reconcile their mistakes. We teach best by being the example. Define love as a culture, use respect as a tool and hold compassion as the attitude to teach your child the essential lessons of behavior.