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We present to you, issues that involve the well-being of children and concerns of the parents. We attempt to disseminate information, that would help the parents achieve optimum health for their child.

BREASTFEEDING CHALLENGE

Breastfeeding is best for the baby, but it can be challenging, especially in the early days. But remember that you are not alone. Lactation consultants can help you find ways to make breastfeeding work for you and your baby. Some women face many different problems while breastfeeding, while others do not. Both mother and baby need patience and practice to correctly breastfeed. Also, many women may have certain problems with one baby that they don't have with their second or third baby.
Health experts recommend that babies feed only on breast milk for the first 6 months, and then continue to have breast milk as a main part of their diet until they are at least 1 to 2 years old. Breastfeeding protects against respiratory illnesses, ear infections, gastrointestinal diseases and allergies.

Some of the common breastfeeling challenges are:

Many moms say that their nipples feel tender when they first start breastfeeding. A good latch is key to avoid sore nipples. The baby should be nursing from most of the areola as well as the nipple, not from just the nipple. Try changing positions each time you breastfeed. Also, keep the cracked nipples moist to reduce tenderness. After breastfeeding, express a few drops of milk and gently rub the milk on your nipples with clean hands. Human milk has natural healing properties and contains oils that soothe.

Most mothers make plenty of milk for their babies.But many mothers worry about having enough milk. Following are the ways to ensure that your baby is getting enough milk:
  • Breastfeed often and let your baby decide when to end the feeding.
  • Offer both breasts at each feeding.
  • Avoid giving your baby formula or cereal in addition to your breastmilk, especially in the first 6 months of life. Your baby may lose interest in your breastmilk, and your milk supply will decrease.
  • Make sure your baby is latched on and positioned well.

It is normal for your breasts to become larger, heavier, and a little tender when they begin making milk. Sometimes, this fullness may turn into engorgement, when your breasts feel very hard and painful. Engorgement is the result of the milk building up. It usually happens during the third to fifth day after giving birth. But it can happen at any time, especially if you have an oversupply of milk or are not feeding your baby or expressing your milk often. Here's what you can do to prevent engorgement:
  • Breastfeed often on the engorged side to remove the milk.
  • Hand express or pump a little milk to soften the breast, areola, and nipple before breastfeeding.
  • Massage the breast.You can use cold compresses on your breast in between feedings to help ease the pain.

Mastitis is soreness or a lump in the breast. It can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomitting, yellowish discharge from nipples.
A breast infection can happen when other family members have a cold or the flu. It usually happens in only one breast and gets cured on its own. Some breast infections that do not get better on their own need to be treated with prescription medicine from a doctor.

Some women have nipples that turn inward instead of pointing outward or are flat and do not protrude. Nipples can also sometimes flatten for a short time because of engorgement or swelling from breastfeeding. Inverted or flat nipples can sometimes make it harder to breastfeed. For breastfeeding to work your baby must latch on to both the nipple and the breast, so even inverted nipples can work just fine. Often, flat and inverted nipples will protrude more over time as the baby sucks more. Very large nipples can make it hard for the baby to get enough of the areola into his or her mouth to compress the milk ducts and get enough milk.
PEDIATRIC NUTRITION
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RIGHT NUTRITION FOR KIDS

Giving your kid the right kind of nutrition is very essential, especially when your toddler has started to develop food preferences. Feeding the right food for optimum nutrition to your toddler can ensure protection from illnesses or infections which your kid might be prone to during the early years of growth and development.
Some of the important nutrients to feed your toddler during these years include: ...
Carbohydrates: To keep up with the growing energy requirements for your little one, you must include carbohydrates in your child’s diet. Some of the rich sources of carbohydrate include cereals, rice, potato, yam etc.
Protein: Protein helps in muscle building. It contains amino acids that help in the formation of cells and muscle tissues, thereby boosting the immune system of your toddler. Milk, eggs, chicken, fish, and beans are some of the good protein sources for your kids.
Fats: Fats provide energy, and essential fatty acids are important for structure, composition and permeability of cell membranes. Fats also help in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K) in your child’s body.
Vitamins: Vitamins play a significant role in providing overall nutrition to your toddler’s body. Vitamin D helps in absorption of Calcium that increases bone density. Vitamin A, B, C & E help to boost the immune system
Minerals: Minerals are essential for the overall growth and development of your child. Spinach, refined lentils etc. are some Iron-rich foods that you can include in your toddler’s daily diet.

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NUTRIENT RICH FOOD FOR PICKY TODDLERS

Early childhood, which includes the preschool stage (2–5 years), is the phase of physical, emotional, and mental development and forms the foundation for the child’s future well-being. A preschooler’s body needs nutrient-dense foods. While allotting foods for fussy toddlers, you need to look for foods that contain vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
The best way to chose a meal is by packing all the 5 food groups in picky eater's daily diet. ...
Grains
Fruits
Vegetables
Dairy products
It is recommended to make use of fortified foods as part of a balanced diet can help bridge the micronutrient gap without any change in existing food habits.

BABY LED WEANING

During their first few years of life, babies reach many important milestones: first smile, first laugh, first crawl, first steps. In between all these, babies also learn an abundance of important life skills, such as how to feed themselves. In the process, what they eat evolves.
When babies are learning how to feed themselves, they’ll commonly start eating exclusively pureed foods and then progress through different and more complex stages of pre-made baby foods before graduating to solids.
The basic idea behind baby-led weaning is that parents and caregivers can follow a baby’s lead. This means watching for signs of developmental readiness and, when a baby is ready, allowing them to self-feed.

ESSENTIAL NEWBORN CARE

High-quality universal newborn health care is the right of every newborn everywhere. Babies have the right to be protected from injury and infection, to breathe normally, to be warm and to be fed. All newborns should have access to essential newborn care, which is the critical care for all babies in the first days after birth. Essential newborn care involves immediate care at the time of birth, and essential care during the entire newborn period. It is needed both in the health facility and at home.

Essential newborn care includes:

  • Immediate care at birth (delayed cord clamping, thorough drying, assessment of breathing, skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding)
  • Thermal care
  • Resuscitation when needed
  • Support for breast milk feeding
  • Nurturing care
  • Infection prevention
  • Assessment of health problems
  • Recognition and response to danger signs
  • Timely and safe referral when needed