Why Calcium Deficiency matters alot in children# 10 Calcium rich foods for children to overcome Ca-deficiency

Why Calcium is so important as compared to other nutrients:

Calcium is among much needed nutrients for building strong bones, maintaining bone density and development of teeth during childhood. Our bones hold on to most of the calcium in our body. As much as 99% of the body's calcium is found in the bones.  If your baby develops calcium deficiency in childhood, he/she may be at risk of weak bones and fractures in later life.

What is HYPOCALCEMIA:

In simple words, Calcium deficiency in body is called hypocalcemia.

⇛In children, hypocalcemia is defined as a total serum calcium concentration less than 2.1 mmol/L (8.5 mg/dL). 

⇛In case of infants, total serum calcium concentration less than 2 mmol/L (8 mg/dL) will be marked as calcium deficiency.

Signs of calcium deficiency in children:

                               

• short stature
• dry hair & skin
• brittle nails
• anorexia (weight loss)
• muscle cramps
• sluggish movements/ fatigue
• weak teeth 
• irritated and crying child
• osteoporosis
• sweating at night
• abnormal heart beat
• weak eyesight or child may develop cataract in case of severe deficiency
• numbness and tingling of fingers.

How to overcome calcium deficiency in children:

Following are 10 best natural calcium rich food sources whose frequent use can save your kid from artificial supplements:

                                             

1. Dairy products such as cow's milk, yogurt and cheese. babies less than 1 year should not be given cow's milk. Only breast milk and formula milk are preferred for them.
2. Fruits like Oranges, kiwi, berries, pineapple, papaya, Litchi
3. Green vegetables
4. Almonds
5. Lentils and beans
6. Cereals like oats, brown rice, porridge
7. Fish and meat
8. Soy drinks
9. Eggs
10. Chia seeds

Disclaimer:

                             Every cause of hypocalcemia can't be prevented. But giving babies a balanced and nutritious diet helps them to get a healthy start in life.

Breast milk and store-bought formula milk have right balance of all necessary nutrients and minerals for babies.

every parent knows his baby well. If u observe any of symptoms of hypocalcemia ,consult a doctor right away.

Treatment of Diarrhoea in babies at home#causes, cure and prevention

                                                    

 DIARRHOEA in babies is a condition where a baby often passes watery stools. This is because of a bacterial or viral contamination or hypersensitivity to some food sources. Loose motion in babies can lead to severe dehydration. if dehydration persists, you would have to hospitalise your kid.

There are many REASONS that can cause loose motion in infants, and the vast majority of them include microorganism contaminations. Some of them are listed below:

                                          

1. Bacterial Infection

Certain irresistible microorganisms like Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. coli can cause the diarrhoea. Assuming the cause is bacterial, the symptoms  will be joined by stomach issues, fever, and blood in the stool.

2. Viral Infection:

Viruses can cause diarrhoea in infants, with signs of fever, chills, and stomach cramps. some viruses are listed below:

Rotavirus

Calicivirus

Adenovirus

Astrovirus

Influenza virus.

3. Parasites

 Giardiasis is caused by microscopic parasite. Symptoms include  gas, loose motion, bulging  and oily stools.

4. Food Intolerance:

Enzyme Lactase is necessary to digest sugar lactose present in cow's milk and dairy products. Those babies who suffer from insufficient production of lactase ,develop food intolerance resulting in diarrhoea,colic pain and vomiting.

5. Antibiotics: 

Some babies also develop diarrhoea after a course of antibiotics because antibiotics also kill good bacteria along with bad ones from intestines.

                 "Signs And Symptoms of Baby Diarrhoea"

                                               

• The child is passing stools more often than normal routine.
• The stools will look more runny, smelly, and mucus filled.
• The baby will have high grade fever and a pale appearance.
• The child will gradually loose his hunger.
• Visible signs of hydration, like sunken eyes, a dry mouth, yellow pee will be there.
• Frequent vomiting.

                                    ➽➽  Treatment  ⏪⏪

It requires a couple of days to end the episode of the diarrhoea and for the child's stomach to re-settle. Appropriate hydration and nourishment can accelerate the process of recovery. The following are a couple of home remedies for loose motion in children:

                                          

1. Give Plenty of Fluids:

If the baby is on breastfeed & completely digesting it, continue feeding it often. Babies older than 6 months should be given Low osmolar ORS or coconut water in small sips as much as possible. Such solutions are rich in electrolytes and minerals that promptly replenish body's lost fluids.

2. Keep away from Sugary Drinks:

Keep the baby away from artificial juices and sweetened drinks because they worsen the situation.

3. Give Well-Balanced diet:

Try to give baby a healthy and balanced diet in small quantity during diarrhoea days. Some foods like cereals, boiled rice, banana with yogurt and bread are considered very safe.

4. Keep away from Self-Medication:

Try not to give the child any herbal or untested medication without prescribed by doctor. 

5. Maintain a hygienic environment around your kid:

Wash your hands every time before feeding the baby. Sterilize feeding bottle and bowls before every feed.

                When Does Your Baby Require Medical Help?

➽If the condition persists more than 24 hours and baby still has severe signs of dehydration, vomiting, bloody stools, sunken fontanelle, swollen abdomen, ongoing fever, then a medical help is very necessary.

➽Diarrhoea is normal in children. if your baby suffers from it, make sure he/she does not get dehydrated.some simple home based precautions and remedies can comfort your child to a great extent.

Baby Gas Relief #Easy and Quick home based Remedies

                       Follow these Tips and Tricks to Relief your baby Gas

                                   

                                                              But

                         

                 1st understand WHY DO BABIES FART ?

                          

                                     

Farting is a very normal and natural occurrence. Farting in babies does not mean the baby is sick. It only means that your baby is gassy and is passing out gas trapped inside abdomen.

Some of the  REASONS  why babies fart are listed here:

1. Aerophagia:

                                  

The air that babies swallow during feeding, eating and crying leads to accumulation of gas.

2. Undigested Food:

                                             Babies also get gassy when mothers who breastfeed don't watch their diet and eat anything that encourages gas formulation.

3. Introduction to solid foods:

                                                                   Because different probiotics and enzymes that aid in digesting nutrients take time to build up, y's stomach accumulates gas when introduced to solid food.

4. Overeating:

                                 When babies overeat, it affects their gastrocolic reflex more that disturbs the digestive system and upsets baby's stomach.

5. Lactose Intolerance:

                                                     It develops when baby's body is unable to produce enough lactose to breakdown sugars.

6. Incorrect breastfeeding postures:

                                                                                 When the baby cannot latch properly, it may cause him to swallow air.

      NOW, COMES THE TIPS TO EASE YOUR BABY FARTS

(i)  Rub baby's belly in clockwise circular movements under ribs.

                                             

(ii)  Make him burp after every feed by patting the back.

                                            

(iii)  Move his legs in pedalling motion.

                                          

(iv) Use colic aid drops prescribed by doctor 3 to 4 times a day.

                                            

(v)  Massage baby's tummy with a teaspoon of Asafoetida (Heeng powder) mixed in warm water.

                                             

(vi)  Give your baby some warm water after every meal that soothes the stomach and eases digestion.

                                            

(vii)  Take some warm water in baby's bathtub and submerge his lower body. It greatly soothes discomfort.

   

                                               

(viii). Always feed your baby in correct feeding posture.

                                               

                                                          REMEMBER!

As a parent remember that every baby is different. While one tip may prove helpful for a baby, it may not be that beneficial to other. Thanks!

How to treat baby Diaper Rash#easy remedies to cure Diaper Rash

                                        ⧫ALL ABOUT DIAPER RASH⧫

                                             #1. What is diaper rash:

 This term is used to indicate any skin irritation that develops on diaper covered area, also known as diaper dermatitis. In this condition baby's skin becomes red, sore and tender.

                                             #2. Causes of diaper rash:

(i) Excessive moisture retention in the diaper region.

(ii) Sweating due to wearing tight diaper.

(iii) Chemical sensitivity due to soaps,wipes or laundry detergents.

(iv)  Any yeast or bacterial infection can also lead to rashes in diaper area.

(v) Rashes can also appear if baby's stool is too acidic.

                                    

                                         #3. Signs & symptoms of diaper rash

               ➤ Redness                                                                                 ➤ Severe itching

               ➤ Dryness                                                                                ➤  Fussy baby

                ➤Sometimes bleeding                     

                                           

                  #4. TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF DIAPER RASH

⇛1st of all keep the rash area dry and avoid using diaper for a couple of days until the condition settles down.

⇒Use nappy rash ointment (recommended by doctor) OR gently massage COCONUT OIL to get rid off rash as soon as possible.

⇒Change the diaper as soon as it becomes soiled or wet.

                                                     

⇒Avoid use of baby wipes & use warm water to clean baby's bottoms.

⇒Use good quality diapers with indicator to assure good absorption of baby's urine.

                                              

                                        

6 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO INCREASE BREAST MILK PRODUCTION

       HEY MOTHERS!  BOOST YOUR MILK PRODUCTION👈

As we all know that the best source of nutrition for newborns is breast milk, nothing better than it. During first six months, it is very important that only breast milk is given to the baby.

so, following are some effective ways to increase the breast milk production:

 

#1. Drink plenty of water:

                                            

 70 to 80% of breast milk is made up of water. the more water you drink, the better your milk supply would be. According to doctors, for six months you are feeding breast milk to the baby, which has 70% of water. Thus the water requirement in the child’s body is fulfilled by it.

#2. Add Cumin in your diet:

 

 Use a lot of cumin whether in form of a teaspoon of powder with water or in your curry. Some women also drink cumin powder in some lukewarm milk just before feeding their babies. This remedy rapidly increase milk supply.

#3. Maintain healthy Diet:

 Up to six months baby’s growth, brain development, immunity all depends upon breast milk. So, it’s very important for mother to eat healthy food to improve milk quality and quantity.

Here are some food items that must be the part of a nursing mother:

ü Oats and porridge

ü Eggs, meat and fish

ü flaxseeds

ü Raw papaya

ü Green vegetables

ü Dates

#4. Breastfeed more often:

The more you breastfeed, the more milk your breast make. Let your baby decide when to stop feeding.

When your baby suckles your breast, hormones that trigger milk production are released. That’s the “let-down” reflex. This reflex stimulates more milk production on repeated suckling. Breast feeding a newborn 8 to 12 times a day can help and establish and maintain milk production.

#5. Breastfeed from both sides:

   Let your babies feed from one breast until they slow down and then from other side too. Breastfeeding or pumping from both breasts instantly stimulates milk production.

 

#6. Avoid things that decrease milk supply:  

                                                                             

Some factors such as consuming a lot of caffeine, drinking alcohol and smoking interfere with the quantity of milk production, so try to stay away from above things until you are breastfeeding your baby.