Step by step guide to introduce solids to babies

November 10, 2016 by Vaccinebox

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants till the age of 6 months as it provided better immunity. Breast milk provides all the essential nutrients till the age of 6 months. However, 6 months and above age baby has increased requirement of iron and zinc in his body, which can’t be met by Breast milk alone. Solids in form of home made food or iron zinc fortified cereals should be started at this age.

Important Points to keep in mind while introducing solids to babies

• Introduce the food to your baby when he/she is not starving, tired and sleepy.

• Make him/her sit on a high chair or in your lap in an upright position.

• Don’t rush. Enjoy your baby’s new milestone with leisure.

• Start with any cooked and pureed vegetable or fruit or semi-liquid cereal.

• The normal transition of baby food is from pureed or semi-liquid food to strained or mashed food followed by small pieces of cooked finger foods.

• Home cooked and pureed pumpkins; apples and sweet potatoes are great first foods to start with.

• In first month, stick to the same food for 3 days, then change to another kind of food.

• Keep an eye on allergic symptoms like rashes, swollen face, wheezing, diarrhea and vomiting. Those may be triggered by some food. Avoid that specific food and talk to the baby’s doctor.

• If you like to start with ready-made baby cereals, mix it with sufficient formula or breast milk to make semi-liquid consistency. You can increase the amount of cereal to make it semisolid in subsequent feeds.

• Use a soft plastic spoon rather than steel or silver spoon in starting to avoid hurting her gums.

• Keep the quantity of food very less to start with. Don’t make it a full meal on first day.

• Be patient and give your baby enough time to swallow.

• If baby seems thirsty, boiled and cooled water can be given sometimes after the meal.

• Know when you baby is full. If baby starts refusing food after some spoons, turns the head away and starts playing with the spoon. They are the indications that baby has eaten according to her appetite.

• Perfectly cleaned containers should only be used to prepare and serve baby food to avoid contamination with germs. Babies are very sensitive and have less immunity.

• Take out small portions of food in a bowl and feed. Keep the remaining food in freeze if you want to use it later.

• Throw away  the leftover food from the bowl and do not freeze it, as it may grow bacteria from baby’s saliva in it and get spoiled in 2 hours.

• Do not force feed the baby. Let her develop the interest in food by seeing it and smelling it. Try different variety of foods to keep your baby interested.

• Some babies like to mess with food before putting it in mouth. That’s ok too. Let them explore the food first.

Stop!!Think hard before giving antibiotics to your child.

November 19, 2016 by Vaccinebox

I know when your child has a real bad cold, it seems quite comforting to give that magic dose of antibiotic and wave a goodbye to sick days as soon as possible. But wait and ponder!! Think hard before giving antibiotics to your child. Read about some important concerns before starting the antibiotics for kids.

First of all, most sore throats, coughs and runny nose do not require antibiotics at all to treat them. The rule of thumb is that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections and not a single viral infection. Viruses flourish happily inside the patient’s body, completely unaffected by the antibiotic medication. Also, taking an antibiotic comes with its share of risks. Adverse drug reactions or side effects like diarrhea or vomiting can occur in about 1-5 out of 100 children. Some children may have serious allergies which can be life threatening to them.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria may develop at a faster rate in the whole community as a direct consequence of misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Such bacterial infections are almost impossible to treat with common antibiotics. They need more expensive and rare antibiotics to treat. Doctors are urged to think hard before prescribing an antibiotic. They should do so only after evaluating the real need with their professional acumen.

Go through these FAQs and decide whether to give antibiotic or not to your child with doctor’s guidance.

1. My child has a really bad cold. He is suffering from runny nose, cough and congestion. Will the doctor prescribe the antibiotics, as these only seem to help?

Infections, which are caused by viruses, turn to full bloom cold within one day. Child may feel better with care and proper diet and without any medicines in 3-4 days. Antibiotics will not help in combating viruses. The duration of symptoms will also not change and cold will take its course.

2. I am afraid that my child’s cold will turn into bacterial infections eventually. So, may be its better to start antibiotics on time. Why wait for his condition to get worse?

Do not get scared!! Bacterial infections generally do not follow viral infections. Instead, using the antibiotics without its proper indication, may lead to a secondary infection caused by the resistant bacteria. Also, side effects like nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain along with allergic reactions like rashes may occur with overuse of antibiotics.

3.  My child has a stuffy and runny nose with yellow or green mucus discharge. I think, this is an ultimate sign of bacterial infection.

On the contrary, it is quite a normal pattern observed while suffering from cold to have a runny nose with transparent mucus discharge at first, which turns  to a thick, ropy and colored mucus at a later stage. Cold takes about 10 days to cure.

Sinusitis or the inflammation of the lining inside the nose and sinuses can also occur in severe cold. A viral infection, bacterial infection or just an allergy can also cause sinusitis. If your child is suffering from cold with cough and green mucus since more than 10 days, bacterial sinusitis may have occurred (a rare situation) and child may need an antibiotic. Fever higher than 102°F (39°C) for 3-4 days is also a signal of bacterial infection. A well-experienced doctor can see the duration and severity of symptoms closely and advise the use of antibiotics, if necessary. Self-medication is always dangerous, especially in case of children.

4. My child is suffering from an acute ear pain? I think he has an ear infection and doctor should be giving antibiotics to treat it.

Doctor will actually first prescribe pain and fever medicines like Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen or Crocin to ease the pain and fever. Right dosage according to age and weight of the child is very important for drug effectiveness. Nearly, half the ear infections go away without the use of antibiotics within couple of days. Ear drops to help with pain are also available and often prescribed by doctors. Over the counter cold medicines which are decongestants and antihistamines have nothing to do with treating ear infections. They should not be given to a child suffering from ear pain.

Antibiotics are prescribed if the child’s condition worsen with higher fever and severe pain in both eardrums.

5.  Every cold starts with a sore throat. How to identify if a common cold virus or bacteria caused it?

Statistics reveal that, more than 80% of sore throat cases are virus borne. If sore throat is followed by runny nose and cough, most likely virus is the culprit. If the child is suffering from high fever for more than 5 days with only sore throat, doctors test for Streptococcus bacterial infection and prescribe the antibiotics in the event of positive test. Bacterial infection generally makes school going children sick. Young children below 3 years do not usually have strep throat.

6. Do I need to call the doctor if child develops allergic symptoms during antibiotic course? Should I just stop giving the dose soon after I see the reaction?

Side effects are very common with antibiotics. Itchy rashes and hives may happen if your child is allergic to any medicine. Stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea may also result after antibiotics. Inform your child’s doctor timely, as doctor may want to change the medicine. It is very important to record these events in your child’s medical history for future considerations before prescribing the antibiotics. Symptoms may revert back after stopping the antibiotic course abruptly without any alternative medication. Patient may feel all the more sick.

7.  When should my child feel better after taking the antibiotics?

It takes 48-72 hours to control the bacterial infection with an antibiotic. You should call your child’s doctor if his condition deteriorates further or do not improve within 72 hours. Always complete the full course as prescribed by the pediatrician. Otherwise, infection may not clear completely and the symptoms may reoccur.

8.  How antibiotics lead to growth of resistant bacteria?

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics without correct indication can lead to resistant bacteria, which are difficult to get killed by common antibiotics. Also, these resistant bacteria can spread to other children and adults.

It is very important that your child is given the proper antibiotic that is specific for his/her infection rather than a broad-spectrum antibiotic (antibiotic used for many kind of infections).  If your child develops an antibiotic-resistant infection, it is a serious matter and child is hospitalized and sometimes given special antibiotics intravenously.

9.  Are antiviral medicines prescribed for common cold?

Antiviral medicines are given to treat severe Influenza (flu) infections caused by Influenza viruses. These medicines are often not given in cases of common cold cough symptoms. They are prescribed for children who are at higher risk of become very sick if they get flu. Prevention is always better than cure. Yearly Influenza vaccinations can definitely protect the kids from Flu.

10.  What are the things I should keep in mind before using antibiotics for my child?

•  Always describe your child’s symptoms well to the doctor and question him if he prescribes antibiotic. Get the assurance from doctor that antibiotics are  the best possible option for treatment in this situation

• Always remember that Antibiotics will not work against cold and flu

• Make sure that your child takes the full course of antibiotic and take the correct dosage as advised by the pediatrician

• Never self medicate your child with antibiotics based on previous medical history. Every infection is different and so is its treatment. Always consult a doctor. Do not share your child’s antibiotic with any other child.

• Do not save the used antibiotics after the course in refrigerators for future use. Just throw away the remaining medicine as the opened or reconstituted antibiotics may become toxic and harmful.

Try to build child’s immunity by giving interesting chew-able supplements like Immuno boosters.

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Time to keep indoor pollution under control by air purifiers

November 7, 2017 by Vaccinebox

Winter has just knocked the door. And also, the gloomy and hazy weather.  The Air Quality Index is showing alarming levels (~900), categorized under “severe” levels. Schools are closed and kids are forced to stay indoors. But, is the air inside home safe? It feels so stuffy to sit at home, with all the windows shut.  I truly wonder, whether I am safe from harmful smoke pollutants inside my home? Not really!! Sometimes, I feel a burning sensation in my eyes and throat similar to, when I am out in traffic. This scenario is a very common case in most of the Metro cities. Perhaps, it’s time to keep indoor pollution under control by air purifiers. Install an air purifier.

How do Air Purifiers make your home pollution free?

Air purifiers are machines that suck the pollutants (including fine Particulate Matter, PM2.5 particles) from air in indoor settings. Earlier, air purifiers were required only for people with allergies and Asthma. Now, it is fast becoming an essential need for a busy city household.

In an air purifier, the air passes through three layers of filters. First of all,  its bigger particles are cleaned. Then the harmful gases, (like methane, carbon monoxide etc.) are adsorbed into a carbon primed middle filter. Lastly, the finer particulates (most harmful) are captured through High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. This is how, you can keep indoor pollution under control by air purifiers.

8 things you must look for in an air purifier:

1. It must have HEPA filter  to take care of smallest particulate matter that can’t be seen and is the most harmful

2. Air purifiers must have Pre-filter mechanism so that, the air is passed through them before it passes through an expensive HEPA filter. It will definitely increase its shelf life

3. It should have an adsorbent material like activated charcoal to take care of smelly stuff, fumes and chemicals in the air

4. Nobody likes additional noise in home or office. So, it must be quiet

5. It may have featured UV light sterilization of pathogens. Ultraviolet light is directed only inside the air purifier and it kills dust mites and all germs including viruses which can’t be captured by HEPA filters. This feature helps in keeping the filters free of build up bacterial and fungal film. Such purifiers are easy to maintain but be cautious, while buying.  Check that purple light is not leaking out, as it can cause eye damage. Unbreakable quartz bulb is the safest option for providing UV light,  but it is very expensive. Cheap air purifiers brag about having UV feature but, they simply can’t have it. You may skip this feature if your budget is low as less benefit may come with added health hazard

6. Do not buy Ozone generator purifiers. Manufacturers boasts of many health benefits of ozone but it is actually a harmful gas. It can cause irritation in throat and lungs, when inhaled

7. Ionizers and most electrostatic precipitators produce ozone as a by-product. Verify the ozone output before buying. It should be low

8. Don’t get tricked by cheap air purifiers, which boasts about high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). The number only suggests the purifier’s ability to remove pollutants like tobacco smoke, dust and pollen from specific amount of air. It has nothing to do with the effectiveness to filter very small particles,  which are actually the most harmful. Also, higher number does not indicate the better durability of a purifier. CADR is often measured at highest setting of the purifier. These kinds are often impractical to keep at homes, due to high noise. Look for high CADR along with specifications like HEPA filters and pre filters (often the expensive ones). Only CADR will not serve any purpose

I hope you got all the information about must have features and specifications of air purifiers. Now, is the time to keep indoor pollution under control by air purifiers. Don’t think too much as this is a good investment for family’s health. Just select the one which suits your budget, is efficient as well as safe for long term use. Here, is the list of top 8 purifiers based on our research. You may buy online by clicking the link below.

2019 Best air purifiers in India. Our selection is based on both safety concerns and efficiency!!

Philips 2000 Series AC2882/50 60-Watt Air Purifier

                                     Honeywell Air Touch HAC35M1101G Air Purifier

Philips AC4025/10 Air Purifier

Mi Air Purifier 2 AC M2 AA Portable Room Air Purifier

Honeywell Air Touch-S 52-Watt Smart and App Based Air Purifier

Philips AC1215/20 Portable Room Air Purifier

Blueair 270E HEPASilent Air Purifier

SAMSUNG AX40K3020WU/NA Portable Room Air Purifier

Note: IARC (International Agency for Research and Cancer) and WHO (World Health Organization) terms Particulate matter as carcinogens. The effect of breathing long in the air containing particulates can cause asthma, lung cancer, gene mutations, heart diseases, respiratory diseases, premature delivery, congenital defects in babies and premature deaths.

Polio vaccine is mandatory for all children below 5 years

January 28, 2018 by Vaccinebox

Why Polio vaccine is mandatory for all children below 5 years  in India?

Polio virus is very infectious and it spreads through fecal oral route in the countries, where sanitation facilities are poor. Wild polio virus infects a susceptible young child, when he eats improperly handled, fecal contaminated food. Virus multiplies inside the intestines of an infected child. The child keeps shedding the virus continuously through feces and in between, make other children sick too. It is important to deprive the virus from susceptible hosts through vaccination. So, in case of Polio, herd immunity plays a major role. This can be achieved when the entire community is immune to the virus. Young children are given repeated vaccination on all Pulse polio days to give them complete immunity to Polio disease.  Oral Polio vaccine is mandatory for all children below 5 years under routine immunization program.

How has the Polio situation improved after vaccination?

In pre-vaccination era, 1 in every 200 children used to be affected by Polio. Vaccination has helped immensely to reduce the cases and even eradicate Polio altogether from major parts of the world.  World Health Organization (WHO) has certified India as a Polio free nation on March 27, 2014. 

Polio oral drops and injectable Inactivated Polio Vaccine should be given to all the children below 5 years to gain complete immunity from Polio virus.

Why is Polio considered a serious disease?

Polio causes permanent paralysis in the infected young children. Most polio-infected people (~ 90%) have no symptoms. They are just carriers. Others, 10% will have initial symptoms of fever, fatigue, vomiting, headache, stiffness in neck and limbs pain, finally leading to paralysis. Polio is a debilitating disease which has no cure at all. Heat and physical therapy, along with antispasmodic drugs are used to alleviate the symptoms, but nothing can reverse the permanent polio paralysis. Prevention is the only savior. Hence, the Polio vaccine is mandatory for all children below 5 years.

Why is Polio vaccine mandatory even after eradication of Polio?

In India, Polio has been eradicated.  The risk of Polio outbreaks is still looming because of neighboring Polio affected countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Polio vaccination drive is essential to curb the circulation of wild polio virus between boundaries. This needs to be done till Polio disease is eradicated from the whole planet. Polio vaccine is mandatory for all children below 5 years in all Polio affected countries as well as their neighboring countries.

Home remedies to soothe newborn’s cold

November 3, 2016 by Vaccinebox

It is quite an unnerving experience to watch your little baby having a hard time to suck milk and even breathe while suffering from cold. Babies are so fragile. So, obviously self-medication should not be tried on them. Cold take its own sweet time (about 1-2 weeks) to go away. There are some tried and tested home remedies, which can help soothe your infant at this time.

Saline drops to ease nasal congestion

Small babies have trouble breathing due to nasal congestion. Saline drops can be used to moisten the dried mucous inside the nasal canal. One drop of over the counter saline nasal drops  can be put into each nostril by using a dropper. Loose mucous can then easily be pulled out using a bulb syringe. This can really ease the breathing process in babies with stuffed nose. Nose of babies should be cleared before feeding and sleeping at night for peaceful routine during cold.

Steam Treatment to help with nasal and chest congestion

A very bad cold comprising of nasal and chest congestion can cause extreme discomfort when baby is sleeping. Baby becomes irritable and is unable to sleep, as she cannot breathe properly through blocked nose. Dry winter air can irritate the sensitive lining inside the baby’s nose and throat. Humidifier steams the air and keeps it hydrated. This helps in keeping the nasal passages moist and prevents thickening and sticking of mucous inside airways. Thus, keeping the humidifier in room where baby is sleeping, helps to ease her chest and nasal congestion and get a good night sleep.

Humidifier should be kept clean and filters should be changed frequently to avoid bacteria and mold development inside them. Dirty filters can lead to other infections.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is rich in antibodies and is the baby’s first vaccine. It prevents many diseases like painful ear infections, respiratory infections, allergies, stomach infections, meningitis, pneumonia, etc. Even if baby gets the infection, breast milk provides antibodies to fight against it. Baby’s immune system is immature and totally depends on the breast milk for immunity. Mother’s milk not only provides immunity against the infections, for which mother is immune but also against the infections that mother has not come in contact so far.

Keep feeding the sick baby

While nursing the sick baby, mother comes in contact with the germs and her immune system start producing antibodies. At the time of next feed, antibodies are passed to the baby through milk. So, mothers should keep feeding the sick baby, as it is the best medicine for her.

Increase the frequency of feeds

Baby is not able to suck the sufficient milk at one time due to congestion. Moms may also express their milk and give it to the baby with the help of spoon or dropper, if baby is not able to take the feed from breast. It is very important to keep the baby hydrated when she has cold. Avoid giving plain water before the age of 6 months as baby’s kidneys are still not mature to handle it and an electrolyte imbalance may occur.

Increase the fluid intake

Warm Fluids help in melting the phlegm and should be given to the sick baby as lack of sufficient fluids can cause the mucus to harden and worsen the chest congestion and nasal blockage. Babies below 6 months should be exclusively breastfeed or can be given formula feed if former is not a viable option. Babies of age more than 6 months can be given other fluids like warm water, warm fresh fruit juices, vegetable soups, pulse soup etc. But, starchy fluids like rice water and milk other than breast milk should be avoided for older babies as they increase phlegm.

Essential Oils fumes for congestion

Some essential oils, which help in relieving congestion, are Eucalyptus, Ginger, Cedarwood, Clove and Thyme. Eucalyptus oil is the best to help with baby’s congestion. It is a very strong oil and please don’t overdo it. You may add one drop of oil along with water in the diffuser once a day only and not daily also. Do not spray the oil on the bed or pillows or clothes of the baby. The fragrant fumes from the diffuser help in opening the nasal blockage of the baby naturally.

Ajwain potli

Indian households have an old practice of roasting 1 tsp of ajwain (or caraway seeds) in few drops of ghee and then wrapping it hot in a muslin cloth to make a potli. It can be kept on the baby’s pillow. Its fragrance is amazing and it works wonders in opening the blocked nose and chest congestion.

When do babies realize the reflection in mirror as their own?

October 4, 2016 by Vaccinebox

Have you observed your little one looking at the mirror attached to the crib or wall continuously? As the baby grows, it becomes all the more interesting to watch her cooing, babbling and laughing while staring at her image. She seems to socialize with her reflection believing it, as another baby present on other side of mirror. Newborns do not fancy toys or objects as much as interesting faces. They like to observe facial expressions of mommy, daddy and people who are near them.

If you offer your baby a mirror to look at, she actually gets a permanent buddy to socialize. A simple unbreakable mirror attached to the side of crib or play mat will help your baby learn how to focus on a face and read emotions.

Baby feels motivated to coo and babble when sees someone responding in mirror. Tummy time sessions become all the more interesting for newborn in presence of mirror as she has her own charming friend for company.

Around 18 months, little one may recognize the friendly face she has been looking for months is nobody else but her. Self-awareness and recognition is an important cognitive milestone, which take some time to develop. Till then; talking, dancing, poking, pressing her head into the glass is a social activity or playtime, which your sweetie doesn’t want to miss. Looking at the mirror and talking will remain her favorite activity for some more time after this milestone.

If you are really restless to discover whether your baby has already hit this milestone, do a simple test, which is scientifically proved. Put a baby friendly color (may be turmeric) on baby’s cheek. If baby tries to touch her cheek to remove it, she sure knows that mirror is showing her own image. On the other hand, if she touches the mirror and  keeps playing normally, she still hasn’t reached the self–recognition milestone yet.

Disclaimer: All the information on vaccinebox.com is for general educational and informational purposes. Always consult your doctor regarding your individual medical and healthcare needs. The appearance of any product information on this website does not constitute an endorsement from Vaccinebox.

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