Common sick (Part 1)

Here are some common sick that You and Me, as parents are highly concern or even over-react:-

1) Hiccups
Facts : Its surprise fact that babies hiccupping as early as 6weeks in the utero which its normal and nothing to worry (unless special cases: Cord Compression). Therefore, hiccups in newborn are just as common and normal. The research show that infants can spend 2.5% of their time hiccuping - its over half an hour a day.

Cause :

a) By leading pediatricians : By feeding (breast feeding, formula or others food), Sudden drop in temperature
b) General : By sudden contraction of diaphragm triggered b irritation or stimulation of that muscle.

Management :

i) Let your baby have their feeding as feeding will help to relax the diaphragm.
ii) Burping the babies more often during their feeding, if you find the babies hiccup frequently after feeding.
iii) Sit up the baby and give a gently stroke at the back.
iv) Holding baby close to you might relieve the hiccups since there  is suggested that drop of temperature maybe the cause. This action in same time will help the babies feel relax and secure.

2) Regurgitation or "Spitting up"
Facts : About 40% of normal, healthy babies will "spit up" or regurgitation usually after feeding. This is very common during baby 1st few months of life. The liquid during this regurgitation is usually made up mostly of saliva and gastric juices, and only small amount of milk. Mommy and Daddy try stay calm...though the liquid your baby regurgitation may look similar to milk that she/he just fed; or partially digested, appear curdled which seem like spitting up lots of milk, that's not likely the case.

Cause : In babies, an elastic like muscle at the entry to the stomach closes to prevent liquids from being pushed back up; the valve or sphincter, isn't fully developed yet until between 6 - 12monthsof age. Since the valve not fully developed, its easily pushed back the contents of the stomach - resulting this process.
i) Frequently after a overfeeding or in combination with burping.
ii) Breastfed babies tend spit less than bottle fed babies, because they tend to swallow less air due to they usually take in the milk amount as they need.
iii) The thickness of the milk powder may be not suitable to baby.
**Do not confuse regurgitation with vomiting (characterized as the forceful expulsion of the contents of the stomach) and this is not caused by allergy or food intolerance.

Management :

i) Feed less but more frequent.
ii) Let your baby rest and do not move them vigorously after a feeding. **Do not put them in the infant seat as slouching position will put pressure to the stomach can result regurgitation.**
iii) Positioning your baby upright (any position eg. on your shoulder) for 20minutes.
iv) Burp the babies regularly every between 2-3minutes during the feeding especially bottle feed.

3) Snuffles / Sneezing
Facts : This is a ways they clear away fluid and wastage from their body. So, these sound will be your soundtrack for the next few month and should not be anything worry about. However, if the sneeze/snuffles accompanied by running nose and raise of temperature, your baby might catch cold. Read more...

Cause : Newborn are easily irritated by dust or bright light, snuffles (light cold and nasal blockage) that can make baby breathing noisier, especially during feeding.

Management :

i) Ensure surrounding is clean and neat, hopefully is dust free as possible.
ii) Suitable baby clothing will help maintaining good body temperature.
iii) Put thin layer curtain to block some sun light during day.