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.

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

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

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.

Are you a working Mom?

If you are a working woman and you happen to be expecting, it is important for you to apply for your maternity leave. The Maternity Act of 1961 under the Indian Constitution lays down the maternity rights for women across all the industries ranging from industrial to agricultural. Any woman who is entitled to a salary from her employer is entitled to this maternity leave under this act.

Maternity leave is important for every expecting mother. However, in many cases there are demanding situations which require her to work in order for her to pay her bills and take care of her household. For instance, women who work as nurses, waitresses or teachers do not get the liberty to work from home because such is the nature of their jobs. They do not have the option of working through e-mails also. Thus, they end up returning back to their jobs as quickly as possible because they have bills to take care of and cannot afford to lose their jobs.

Research claims that it is extremely of high importance that a woman, while she is pregnant must take enough maternity leave to ensure good health for her baby and herself. During pregnancy, it is important for her to take adequate rest, eat healthy and remain stress free. And when women work during pregnancy, they are naturally inviting work stress and an imbalance in their work-life. Maintaining a work-life balance is of utmost importance in a working woman’s life. This escalates to a higher importance during pregnancy. Few women give more importance to their work and tend to ignore matters related to their health.

Once you become a mother, your responsibilities are doubled and you need to make greater efforts to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It has been observed that women with short maternity leave tend to fall prey to negative outcomes in terms of health, stress and the baby’s health. And it has been observed that women with two or three month old infants, working full-time reported higher levels of stress, depression and poor health conditions when compared to women who stay at home during their pregnancy, and for a while post-pregnancy. Not only does it affect the mothers, it has an adverse effect on the children also. Conditions like clinical depression, anxiety and psychological distress might sustain in your child’s life.

In many cases, the issue is not about the expecting mother taking maternity leave, it is about the employers who are whiny about giving adequate maternity leave. Hence, the real problem comes down to how many days you can take off under maternity leave. It is all about the time you devote towards your motherhood and towards your baby once you deliver. Being a mom is not easy, especially a working mom. It has its own set of challenges to overcome. The key to this challenge lies in smart maintenance of work-life balance.

 

Teaching Your Child Good Manners

They say parents are the first teachers in the life of a child. That is why it is important to start inculcating good behaviour in your child as early as possible. Good behaviour can be taught at any time and any place, at family meals, outings, etc. In this blog we provide parents basic tips they need to teach good behaviour to their child. This will improve the child’s personality and promote positive social behaviour. Be a role model to your child Remember the old saying, Practice what you preach ? That’s exactly what you need to do. If you want your child to say please and ‘thank you , you need to be good examples. You need to give respect to earn respect from others, including your child. Family meals are the best time to showcase the right behaviour to the child. Use polite language while talking to your spouse and other members of the family especially in the presence of the child. Table manners can be easy to teach when the family eats together. Let others try teaching your child Do you think your child is not listening to you? Maybe you should let someone your child looks up to, to help you out. Maybe a neighbour, friend, or relative that your child really looks up to or is very fond of should motivate your child to display good manners. blog food Also get the same people to behave in good way in front of the child. Other too must be a good influence on your child. After all children are extremely impressionable and can easily learn impolite behaviour. Acknowledge and appreciate good behaviour It is important that you appreciate your child each time he demonstrates good behaviour.Encourage him to be quiet and well behaved when you go to public places like restaurants and the movies. When he does remain quiet and well behaved, tell him how impressed you are with his behaviour. Places like the mall or a kiddie restaurant can be a good place to practice good manners. Rewarding good behaviour is also a good idea but don’t let the child behave well only for the rewards. Eventually, when you take your child out to fancy restaurants and other social gatherings, he will know exactly how to behave. Be polite, positiveandpatient The key ingredients to raising a well-behaved child include the three P’s:
  • Politeness: Remember to be polite to your child while correcting wrong behaviour. Keep your voice low but firm and look straight into his eyes while talking. The child must understand that you are correcting him because you care and not because you want to control.
  • Positivity: Parents must always have a positive attitude while teaching the child good manners. Don’t use negative words that can make the child feel threatened, fearful or not loved .Choose your words wisely while correcting the child.
  • Patience: Patience is important as well. Teaching good manners is not an overnight affair. At first you might feel you are fighting a losing battle, but success doesn’t come easy. Give your child to understand and learn the benefits of good behaviour. Also remember that every child is different and you might have to use a different, customised approach if required. Combine these tips with your parenting instincts, and you re good to go!

ADVANCED WOMEN AND CHILD HEALTHCARE CENTRE

Making motherhood a blissful experience,Motherhood Indiranagar

Women require unique and specialised health care in every stage of life; some for themselves and some for their children. With a view to providing women in Bangalore a healthcare facility close to home,Motherhood, Bangalore inaugurated the new wing of their Indiranagar facility on 14th November 2013.

The facility known as the Advanced Women & Child Healthcare Centre is equipped with ultra-modern medical facilities to provide comprehensive care in Gynaecology, Neonatology and Paediatrics. The centre was inaugurated by Mr. U.T. Khader, Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.

While most pregnancies progress without any problems, some require specialized care. Motherhood has partnered with leading experts in fetal medicine, The Bangalore Fetal Medicine Center (BFMC) to give this expert care to the unborn baby primary care while it is still in the womb, making it possible to diagnose and manage genetic and other abnormalities in the fetus. Fetal medicine specialists, sonologists and emotional counsellors provide the most advanced treatment and care.

Motherhood has also partnered with Kosmoderma Skin Clinics &Medispa’s, a leading skin, hair and laser clinic in South India. Motherhood  Mommy  Makeover for new mothers provides customised cosmetology services to women before, during and after pregnancy.The Mommy Makeover program includes, Anti-stretch Mark Treatment for body, Post Delivery Tummy Toning, etc.

We recognise that the health of women and children is very essential in building a self-reliant, healthy, stable and confident community. Our healthcare centre functions with the assistance of world-class expertise and technology, coupled with compassion and a home-like setting.

Iron Kids

Why Iron is Crucial?

Iron is essential to your child’s growth and development. Lack of iron in the diet may result in iron deficiency where the blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells (RBCs). RBCs carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, providing energy and giving skin a healthy colour. Untreated iron deficiency in children can lead to delays in their physical and mental development and advance to iron deficiency anaemia.

15th-april-blog

Who’s at risk?

  • Babies born prematurely or have low birth weight.
  • Babies fed on cow’s milk before age 1 (cow milk has low iron).
  • Breast-fed babies who aren’t given iron rich complementary foods after age 6 months.
  • Babies fed on non-iron fortified formula.
  • Children ages 1 to 5 who drink more than 710ml (24 ounces) of cow’s milk, goat’s milk or soy milk a day.
  • Children with chronic infections or restricted diets.
  • Adolescent girls lose iron through menstruation.

What are the signs?

  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Pale skin
  • Poor appetite
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irritability and behavioral problems
  • Inflammation of the tongue
  • Difficulty maintaining body temperature
  • Increased likelihood of infections
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or pure starch

How to prevent?

  • Breast-feed or use iron-fortified formula
  • Encourage a balanced diet
  • Consider iron supplements

To keep your child’s growth and development on track, pay attention to how much iron your child is getting through his or her diet and talk to your child’s doctor about the need for screening and iron supplements. Remember, excessive iron intake is also harmful for children. Never give iron supplements/pills without consulting your doctor.

For further details or queries , kindly contact us at tomotherhoodindia@gmail.com