What is the appropriate age to introduce semi-solid food to babies
Semi solid or solid meals should gradually be introduced from age 6 months.
My baby is over 6 months and doesn’t want any other want any other food apart from breast milk. What can I do??
Breast milk is not sufficient for babies after 6 months and they need complementary foods to get sufficient nutrients into their bodies. Introduce new foods in small amounts, however, don’t force-feed. With strong will and patience, you should get your baby eating other foods.
Do I need to give my baby Multivitamins?
You can introduce multivitamins to your baby if you want but if he is eating well and taking enough fruits and vegetables it may not be necessary.
What fruits can my baby take?
There are no particular fruits recommended for babies. You can mash any soft fruits such as bananas, pineapples, water melon or blend them. Just ensure there are no seeds, hard skins or stones and its smooth enough for the baby to eat.
My baby brings food out of her nose and mouth after feeding. What can I do?
Spitting up milk via the nose or mouth is quite common in babies. You can you’re your baby upright during and after feeding, alongside burping and avoid over feeding to reduce it.
How can I boost my picky eater’s appetite?
You need to be very creative with feeding and make feeding time fun activity. Let your baby play with food, colour with it and imitate the sounds of her favorite characters. The focus is on developing interests in food first and that will trigger eating.
How do I boost the Iron levels in my baby?
You can do this by feeding your baby foods rich in Iron such as Soybeans, Eggs, Fish and also paying attention to the Iron content in cereals through the nutritional panels on the packs and investing in cereals that gives 100% Iron.
Skin Issues
How can I deal with rashes on my baby’s skin?
The cause of rash has to be known before treatment is offered. It is best to see a pediatrician so the rash can be examined properly, investigations done and likely diagnosis made.
What is the best remedy for a diaper rash?
Sometimes, diaper rash can be caused by infections, tight fitting diapers, irritation from skin products or new diaper. Consider all possible factors and also visit a doctor to determine if it is due to infection.
Can I use antiseptic soaps or liquids to bath my baby?
You should use good quality baby soaps and avoid antiseptics because they can be harsh on a baby’s skin and get rid of natural skin bacteria that protect the skin against infections.
How do I deal with boils on my baby’s skin?
Boils are a common problem in babies. They are caused by bacterial infection of the hair follicles. Ensuring good nutrition and hygiene usually prevents it.
Bowel Movement
My baby poops very frequently every day. Is this something I should worry about?
Babies may poop multiple times daily and this is fine as long as it is not watery, blood stained or increasing in frequency. Some babies poop more or less frequently than other babies. If their frequency of stooling is regular and doesn’t worsen, then no cause for alarm. Keep practicing good hygiene like regular hand washing and environmental hygiene and keep monitoring your baby.
My baby is constantly constipated. What can I do?
When babies do not take much fiber in their diet this can happen. Incorporating fruits and vegetables with lots of water into their diet regularly usually solves this. If with these changes there is no improvement, then seek further medical help.
My baby is constantly constipated. What can I do?
When babies do not take much fiber in their diet this can happen. Incorporating fruits and vegetables with lots of water into their diet regularly usually solves this. If with these changes there is no improvement, then seek further medical help.
Developmental Milestones
My baby doesn’t make word sounds that are appropriate for his age. How can I help him?
A developmental assessment done in a clinic by a pediatrician is advised. The assessment will help to know if he needs to be monitored or requires therapy.
What is the normal age for a baby to start walking?
The average age for babies to start to walk is one year. This means that a child can start walking before or after one year. It is delayed when a child has not walked by 18 months.
What is the normal age for a baby to start walking?
The average age for babies to start to walk is one year. This means that a child can start walking before or after one year. It is delayed when a child has not walked by 18 months.
What is the average age for tooth development in babies?
The average age for babies to start teething is 6 months.
My baby is not teething and I feel it is abnormal at his age. What can I do?
Dentition is regarded as delayed at 13 months. You can seek further help with a pediatric endocrinologist and dentist if your child is above this age.
At what age should my baby’s anterior fontanelle stop pulsating?
The anterior fontanelle is the soft spot on the baby’s head and the pulsation is normal and simply reflects the visible pulsing of blood. The fontanelle would usually close by 18 months of age after which the pulsation will not be visible again
Immunization
How long is it advisable to postpone taking scheduled immunization for my baby?
It is usually not advisable to postpone immunization but due to different unforeseen contingencies, it may be difficult to meet up with appointments sometimes. Immunization is regarded as delayed if it is 30 days or more after the recommended age.
My baby has swellings as a result of immunization. What can I do to get rid of the swellings?
Swellings at the site of immunization is a complication that can occur but would usually reduce after some days. Please don’t massage but you can apply ice cubes to soothe it. If the swelling persists or you notice redness at the site and it is painful, please see a doctor.
Allergies
How do I know if my baby has an allergy to certain foods?
When you introduce new foods to babies gradually, it is easier to spot if they have an allergy to a particular food. There are blood tests as well as skin prick tests to also check for such allergies in medical diagnostic laboratories.
When can I use scented cream for my baby?
I would advise against the use of scented creams especially if your baby or family has a history of allergies. Some scented creams are quite allergenic and it might be difficult to tell which is not.
When can I use scented cream for my baby?
I would advise against the use of scented creams especially if your baby or family has a history of allergies. Some scented creams are quite allergenic and it might be difficult to tell which is not.
Teething and Dental Issues
Does teething cause fever in babies?
No, there is no medical evidence of fever being caused by teething. A lot of mothers believe it does but there is no supporting evidence yet.
My baby bleeds from the mouth whenever I clean her mouth. Is this normal?
No it is not normal, it can be due to poor brushing techniques, poor diet etc. Gentle brushing and a healthy diet rich in vitamin C (Fruits and Vegetables) is advised. You can also supplement with oral vitamin C. If this persists, please see a dentist.
Other Health Issues
My baby cries at every time. What could be wrong?
There are many reasons why a baby would cry. It could be hunger, sleepiness, soiled nappies, but usually after dealing with the issue and consoling the baby, it should stop. If crying persists and the baby is inconsolable, and you feel something is off, please see a doctor immediately.
My baby rarely sleeps at night but he sleeps all day. What can I do?
Every baby has a different sleeping pattern and as they grow older they will sleep better at night. Giving a mid-night bath, putting a fresh nappy, cuddling and ensuring the baby is adequately fed can help ease them into sleep. You can also try sleeping when the baby sleeps so you can be refreshed.
My baby has colic pains. What can I give him to reduce the pains?
Colics in babies usually starts around 6 weeks and resolves by 6 months and the cause is generally unknown. Medication has no therapeutic significance. Tips to help baby includes cuddling, holding baby upright during feeds, warm baths and ensuring burping and winding after feeds.
My baby has trigger thumb. What do I do?
I would advise you to see an orthopedic surgeon for proper assessment.
My baby sweats a lot, even in air conditioned spaces. Is this normal?
Sweating is common in babies but it is important to check for excessive sweating. Does he sweat when others don’t? Please check that the room he sleeps in isn’t hot and avoid over clothing or bundling in blankets. If there are no other complaints like fever, weight loss or cough, then monitor for a while. If it persists and you are uncomfortable, visit a doctor.
My baby has pus coming out his ears. What can I do?
I would advise he has his ear examined by his doctor and then medication can commence.
At what age should I start deworming my baby?
The recommended age for deworming is one year. If your child is not yet at this age, ensure you practice good hygiene, good nutrition and immunization
What is the best way to care for a newborn’s umbilical cord?
Cord care is very important and it should be kept clean and dry. Chlorhexidine gel is an antiseptic that can be applied to the cord to ward of infection and the stump usually dries out between 5 to 10 days.
Can I give my baby cough syrup?
Cough syrup is not recommended for children less than 2 years. Please see a doctor for age appropriate prescriptions.
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