Address Allergies in Children Effectively with the Best Child Specialist Doctor in Dehradun

Is your child sneezing a lot or having stomach-aches too frequently? If yes, it isn’t normal. These symptoms demand immediate attention and appropriate treatment to avoid the condition from worsening. Still, wondering why it matters so much? Well, these symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction. So, visiting the best child specialist doctor in Dehradun, like Altrus HealthCare, can help address the actual cause and provide your children with relief.

As a parent or guardian, understanding common allergies among kids, their causes, symptoms, and management techniques is crucial. Read on to explore everything in detail!

Common Causes of Allergies in Children

There are several things that can trigger an allergic reaction among children. Delve into the most common causes!

  • Dust Mite: Globally number 1 cause of allergies.
  • Pollens: The tiny, hardly visible particles from weeds, trees, and grass usually keep floating in the air during summer and spring. Your children may be exposed to these particles, resulting in itchy eyes and sneezing and asthma or like symptoms.
  • Animal Dander: Do you have pets at home? While your little ones may enjoy spending time with their furry friends, the exposure to the saliva, skin, or urine of the pets can lead to allergies. 
  • Moulds: Moulds are tiny fungi growing in damp places, like basements and bathrooms. Breathing in the moulds is likely to cause allergies in children.
  • Dust Mites: These tiny bugs are present in almost every home. They are usually present in carpets, mattresses, and pillows. When your child gets exposed to these dust mites, they may suffer from allergic reactions.
  • Foods: Foods like peanuts, egg etc. might be implicated allergy. But overall it is something which should be least to concern. 

Key Symptoms of Allergies in Children

Are you wondering how to know that your child is suffering from an allergy? Here are the top symptoms you must be aware of!

  • Eye Symptoms: Allergies often lead to itchy, watery, and red eyes. As a result, your child is likely to feel discomfort and may engage in rubbing their eyes continuously. 
  • Nasal Symptoms: The most common nasal symptoms of allergies include a runny nose, an itchy feeling, and frequent sneezing. 
  • Breathing Issue: If your child is experiencing difficulty in breathing, this symptom must not be overlooked. Breathing issues accompanied by wheezing and excessive coughing may be a sign of a potential allergy. 
  • Skin Symptoms: Allergies in children may result in reddening of the skin, rashes, and itchy patches.
  • Anaphylaxis: This is a symptom of a very serious allergic reaction, characterised by, low blood pressure, and trouble breathing, generalised swelling etc. 

Effective Ways to Manage Allergies in Children

Wondering how to identify different allergies in your child? Book a consultation with our best child specialist doctor in Dehradun. They’ll diagnose the issue and guide you with the right treatment plan. 

  • Identify and Avoid Allergens

The healthcare professionals at Altrus HealthCare suggest that parents identify the substances/elements their child may be allergic to. An allergy test is a simple and effective way to pinpoint these triggers and help manage your child’s health with confidence!

  • Create an Allergy-Free Home

Regular cleaning and occasional deep cleaning of your home can provide your children with a safe space to play and have fun while removing allergens like dust mites. 

  • Stay Educated

As a responsible parent, you must maintain a detailed record of your child’s allergic reactions. This approach proves to be helpful when engaging in health-related discussions or availing of medical services from the experts at Altrus HealthCare. Moreover, it can also help create emergency action plans for your child.

  • Drugs

Allergic reactions are quite common among children. However, with the right strategies, managing them effectively becomes easier. Are you in search of the best child specialist doctor in Dehradun? Altrus HealthCare is the one-stop hospital for all child care needs. We have a team of experienced and dedicated professionals who are committed to identifying the exact cause of your child’s illness and recommending treatment pathways accordingly. Because your child’s health and well-being are our top priority! 

  • Medications

The doctors of Altrus HealthCare, who are undoubtedly the best child specialist doctors in Dehradun, can provide your child with effective medications for quick relief. Our experts provide the right solutions to relieve symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and itching, helping your child feel better, faster.

शिशुओं और छोटे बच्चों में टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग – प्यार, धैर्य और सही तरीके से सिखाएँ

टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग का मतलब है बच्चे को पेशाब और पॉटी सही जगह, सही समय और सही तरीके से करना सिखाना। यह केवल सफाई की आदत नहीं, बल्कि बच्चे के अच्छे स्वास्थ्य, आत्मनिर्भरता और सामाजिक व्यवहार का भी हिस्सा है। ग्रामीण और छोटे कस्बों में अक्सर बच्चे खुले में शौच करते हैं या देर से टॉयलेट की आदत सीखते हैं, जिससे संक्रमण, दस्त और त्वचा रोगों का खतरा बढ़ जाता है। अगर सही उम्र और सही तरीके से यह प्रशिक्षण दिया जाए तो बच्चे जल्दी सीखते हैं और बीमारियों से भी बचते हैं।

टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग कब शुरू करें?

आमतौर पर बच्चे 18 महीने से 2.5 साल की उम्र के बीच इस प्रशिक्षण के लिए तैयार होते हैं। लेकिन हर बच्चा अलग होता है, कुछ जल्दी सीख जाते हैं, कुछ को ज्यादा समय लगता है। जल्दबाज़ी से बच्चों में डर या नकारात्मक भावना आ सकती है, इसलिए धीरे-धीरे और प्यार से शुरुआत करें।

कैसे पहचानें कि बच्चा टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग के लिए तैयार है?

  1. बच्चा 2–3 घंटे तक सूखा रह सकता है (मतलब पेशाब नहीं किया है)।
  2. पेशाब या पॉटी से पहले इशारा करना, चेहरा बनाना या शब्द कहना।
  3. गंदे कपड़े होने पर असहज महसूस करना।
  4. बड़ों की नकल करना और पॉट्टी चेयर या कमोड में बैठने में रुचि दिखाना।
  5. खुद कपड़े चढ़ाने-उतारने में मदद करने लगना।

टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग की शुरुआत कैसे करें?

  1. सही पॉट्टी चेयर चुनें, बच्चे की ऊँचाई और आराम के अनुसार, जो साफ करने में आसान हो।
  2. नियमित समय तय करें, जैसे सुबह उठने के बाद, खाने के बाद, और सोने से पहले।
  3. बच्चे को सहज बनाएं, पॉट्टी पर बैठाकर कहानी सुनाएँ, बातें करें ताकि बच्चा डर या घबराहट महसूस न करे।
  4. सकारात्मक प्रोत्साहन दें, सही जगह करने पर बच्चे को शाबाशी, मुस्कान या छोटा इनाम दें।
  5. साफ-सफाई की आदत डालें, हर बार के बाद पानी या साफ कपड़े से धोएँ और साबुन से हाथ धुलवाएँ।

क्या न करें?

  1. कपड़े गंदे होने पर डांटना या मारना नहीं।
  2. मजबूरी में लंबे समय तक ठंडी जगह पर बैठाना नहीं।
  3. एक ही दिन में सब सिखाने की कोशिश नहीं करना।
  4. गंदगी होने पर शर्मिंदा करने वाले शब्द या इशारे नहीं करना।

ग्रामीण और छोटे कस्बों के लिए विशेष सुझाव

  1. खुले में शौच से बचाएँ, यह न केवल गंदगी फैलाता है बल्कि बच्चों को कीड़े, दस्त और टाइफाइड जैसे रोगों का खतरा देता है।
  2. साफ पॉट्टी या टॉयलेट का प्रयोग करवाएँ, अगर घर में टॉयलेट नहीं है तो सामुदायिक टॉयलेट या अस्थायी साफ पॉट्टी का इस्तेमाल करें।
  3. हाथ धोने की आदत डालें, यह संक्रमण रोकने का सबसे आसान और सस्ता तरीका है।
  4. गीले कपड़े तुरंत बदलें, लंबे समय तक गीले कपड़े रहने से त्वचा पर दाने और लालिमा हो सकती है।
  5. सर्दियों में भी नियमित ट्रेनिंग जारी रखें, कपड़े अच्छे से पहनाएँ, लेकिन आदत न टूटे।

टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग में आने वाली आम चुनौतियाँ और समाधान

  1. बच्चा पॉट्टी चेयर पर बैठने से मना करता है → शुरुआत में 2–3 मिनट के लिए बैठाएँ और धीरे-धीरे समय बढ़ाएँ।
  2. बार-बार कपड़े गंदे करना → यह सामान्य है, धैर्य रखें और डांटने के बजाय बार-बार याद दिलाएँ।
  3. रात में पेशाब करना (Bedwetting) → यह 5–6 साल तक सामान्य हो सकता है, रात में पानी कम दें और सोने से पहले टॉयलेट ले जाएँ।

स्वास्थ्य से जुड़ी बातें

सही टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग से:

  1. दस्त, पेट के कीड़े और पेशाब के संक्रमण (UTI) कम होते हैं।
  2. बच्चे साफ-सुथरे रहते हैं और आत्मविश्वास बढ़ता है।
  3. परिवार में कपड़े धोने और सफाई का बोझ कम होता है।

गलत तरीके से या जल्दी में कराई गई ट्रेनिंग से:

  1. बच्चा टॉयलेट से डर सकता है।
  2. कब्ज की समस्या हो सकती है (बच्चा रोकने लगे तो)।
  3. बच्चे और माता-पिता में तनाव बढ़ सकता है।

टॉयलेट ट्रेनिंग एक लंबी प्रक्रिया हो सकती है, लेकिन सही दृष्टिकोण, धैर्य और प्यार से यह आसान हो जाती है। बच्चे की छोटी-छोटी सफलताओं का जश्न मनाएं और उसे आत्मनिर्भर बनने में मदद करें। याद रखें कि हर बच्चा अलग है और उसकी अपनी गति से सीखेगा।किसी भी संबंधित सलाह के लिए डॉ. वीरेन्द्र वर्मा से मिलें, अल्ट्रस हॉस्पिटल, न्यू रोड, देहरादून में।

बुखार के साथ दौरा (Febrile Seizure)

फेब्राइल सीजर यह क्या है?

बुखार के साथ दौरा एक ऐसी स्थिति है जो 6 महीने से 5 साल तक के छोटे बच्चों में होती है। जब बच्चे को बुखार आता है (100.4°F या 38°C से ऊपर), तो कभी-कभी उनके दिमाग में एक प्रकार का “शॉर्ट सर्किट” हो जाता है, जिससे दौरा पड़ता है।

सबसे पहले समझें: यह बहुत डरावना लगता है, लेकिन ज्यादातर मामलों में सुरक्षित है!

फेब्राइल सीजर कैसे पहचानें?

जरूरी बातें:

  • बच्चे की उम्र 6 महीने से 5 साल के बीच हो
  • बुखार (100.4°F से ऊपर)

दौरे के दौरान ये चीजें दिख सकती हैं:

  • पूरे शरीर में झटके (हाथ-पैर हिलना)
  • आंखें ऊपर चढ़ जाना
  • मुंह से झाग निकलना
  • बेहोशी या सुस्ती
  • कभी-कभी पेशाब निकल जाना
  • सांस तेज़ होना

दौरे के दौरान तुरंत करें:

करें DOs:

  1. घबराएं नहीं, शांत रहें
  2. बच्चे को करवट (साइड) में लिटाएं, सिर हल्का पीछे करें
  3. टाइम देखें: दौरा कितनी देर चला, यह जानना जरूरी है
  4. कपड़े ढीले कर दें
  5. आस-पास से खतरनाक चीजें हटा दें
  6. अगर हो सके तो मोबाइल से वीडियो बनाएं (डॉक्टर को दिखाने के लिए)

Don’ts (बिल्कुल न करें):

  1. मुंह में कुछ भी न डालें (पानी, दवाई, चम्मच कुछ नहीं)
  2. दांत खोलने की कोशिश न करें
  3. बच्चे को हिलाएं या झकझोरें नहीं
  4. भीड़ न लगाएं

दौरे के बाद: तुरंत डॉक्टर के पास जाएं अगर:

  • पहली बार दौरा आया हो
  • दौरा 5 मिनट से ज्यादा चला हो
  • दिन में एक से ज्यादा बार दौरा आया हो
  • बच्चा सामान्य नहीं लग रहा हो

सामान्य स्थिति में:

  • बच्चे को आराम से सुलाएं
  • बुखार कम करने की दवाई दें (पैरासिटामोल)
  • पानी पिलाते रहें
  • डॉक्टर से सलाह लें

दो प्रकार के दौरे:

1. सामान्य दौरा (Simple)

  • 5 मिनट से कम
  • दिन में सिर्फ एक बार
  • पूरे शरीर में
  • ज्यादा चिंता की बात नहीं

2. जटिल दौरा (Complex)

  • 5 मिनट से ज्यादा
  • दिन में कई बार
  • शरीर के एक हिस्से में
  • डॉक्टर की तुरंत जरूरत

भविष्य में क्या हो सकता है?

अच्छी खबरें:

  1. 95-98% बच्चे बिल्कुल सामान्य रह जाते हैं
  2. दिमाग पर कोई बुरा असर नहीं पड़ता
  3. पढ़ाई-लिखाई में कोई दिक्कत नहीं
  4. ज्यादातर बच्चों में 5 साल बाद बंद हो जाता है

ध्यान देने वाली बातें:

  1. 30-35% बच्चों में दोबारा हो सकता है
  2. अगर पहली बार 1 साल से कम उम्र में हुआ हो तो दोबारा होने का चांस ज्यादा
  3. मिर्गी (Epilepsy) का खतरा बहुत कम (सिर्फ 1-2%)

इलाज:

मुख्य फोकस:

  1. बुखार को काबू में रखना:
    • सही समय पर पैरासिटामोल
    • हल्का गुनगुना स्पंज

दवाइयां:

  • दौरा रोकने वाली दवाई आमतौर पर रोजाना जरूरी नहीं
  • सिर्फ खास मामलों में डॉक्टर emergency दवाई दे सकते हैं

बचाव:

  1. बुखार को हल्के में न लें
  2. समय पर बुखार की दवाई दें
  3. बच्चे को पानी पिलाते रहें
  4. First Aid सीखें (खुद को और परिवार को)
  5. अगर risk ज्यादा है तो डॉक्टर से emergency medicine के बारे में पूछें

कब तुरंत अस्पताल जाएं?

Emergency:

  1. दौरा 5 मिनट से ज्यादा चल रहा हो
  2. सांस लेने में दिक्कत हो
  3. बच्चा नीला पड़ रहा हो
  4. दौरे के बाद बहुत देर तक होश न आए

याद रखें:

  1. घबराहट सबसे बड़ी दुश्मन है
  2. सही first aid जानना जरूरी है
  3. ज्यादातर मामलों में बच्चा बिल्कुल ठीक हो जाता है
  4. डॉक्टर से नियमित संपर्क बनाए रखें

जरूरी सूचना: यह जानकारी सामान्य शिक्षा के लिए है। किसी भी medical emergency में तुरंत डॉक्टर से संपर्क करें।

Tips to Care for a Premature Baby

Imagine you are all excited to welcome a little one to your home. You are worried because your baby has been born few weeks in advance and is immature and /or low birth weight.  Once you have your little bundle of joy in your lap. No doubt, your joy would know no bounds. However, at the same time, you must be worried and anxious about the health of the premature baby. Fret not, the experts at the top hospital in Dehradun can provide you with the necessary support and recommend effective tips to care for your baby. Read on to explore everything in detail!

Understanding the Challenges of Premature Babies

Premature birth may pose several health challenges for the little ones. Some of the common issues are difficulty in maintaining body temperature, low birth weight, higher risk of infections, respiratory issues, feeding difficulties and slow growth. However, with the support and assistance of the professionals at the best hospital in Dehradun, you can be rest assured of the optimum safety and well-being of the baby. 

Top Caring Tips You Must Know

It is no surprise that premature babies require extra attention, monitoring, and care. The core aim is to ensure that they develop and grow healthily. Delve into the key caring tips recommended by the experts!

#1 Get expert consultation even when the child is apparently healthy:

A premature baby has very fragile body and body organs. These miniature human need utmost care painstakingly. Not every doctor has the expertise to provide guidance for care of these little bundles of joy. A neonatologist is what you must consult in order to get the best guidance and advice.

#2 Focus on Proper Feeding

Premature babies may have underdeveloped sucking reflexes. As a result, they struggle with feeding. No doubt, breast milk is the most nutritious food for your little one. However, at times, breast milk needs to be boosted with additional vitamins, minerals, and proteins to meet the nutritional requirements of the premature baby. All the feeding advice must be supervised by an adept neonatologist  because any deviation from what is optimum might lead to disasters. Also, proper burping is essential to prevent the chances of reflux and gas. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to avoid feeding issues and ensure that your baby gets the right amount of nutrients for optimal growth. 

Sometimes, when breast milk is not secreted properly because of maternal anxiety or everted nipples like issues, a consultation with lactation specialist can bring about paradigm changes.

#3 Create a Comfortable Environment

Premature babies are sensitive to changes in temperature. Therefore, the experts at Altrus HealthCare recommend maintaining optimum room temperature where your baby feels safe and comfortable. Try to maintain your room temperature at 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. Moreover, ensure that the surroundings of your baby are calm, quiet, and clean. For that, you can consider soft lighting in your room and avoid any kind of loud noise. Also, try to avoid exposure of your premature babies to dust, allergen, and smoke as their lungs are delicate.

#4 Practice Kangaroo Mother Care

Are you hearing this term for the very first time? Well, it’s all about skin-to-skin contact. This care approach proves to be ideal for premature babies and plays a crucial role in regulating their body temperature. Apart from that, it also helps in strengthening the parent-child bond and enhances the breathing of the little one. Wondering how do you practice kangaroo mother care? Please consult a child specialist at ALtrus hospital to understand the procedure and benefit in better way

#5 Understand the Sleep Patterns of the Baby

Premature babies require much more sleep compared to normal babies. They sleep for several hours a day. However, their sleep cycles are usually shorter. Make sure to put your baby to bed on their back and not on the stomach. Try establishing a proper bedtime. At that time, you can dim the lights in the room, sing soft lullabies to them, and gently rock them. All these efforts will enable them to sleep peacefully. In case your child experiences breathing issues or any reflux difficulties while sleeping, be sure to reach out to healthcare professionals at the earliest.

#6 Maintain Proper Hygiene

Premature babies are undoubtedly at high risk of infection. Therefore, you need to be more careful. The seasoned healthcare professionals at Altrus HealthCare advise that it is always best to wash your hands with soap and water before and after touching the little ones. 

Moreover, keeping their surroundings clean and tidy is vital. If anyone in your family is sick or has a cold, limit them from coming in contact with the baby. The core aim is to reduce the risk of illness and ensure optimal health for the little one. 

#7 Closely Monitor Growth and Development

The weight gain in premature babies might be slow. However, consistent progress is a positive sign. Consult the neonatalogists at Altrus HealthCare, the best hospital in Dehradun, to gain more insights about the developmental milestones of premature babies. 

#8 Check for Warning Signs

When you have a premature baby, you must be prepared for emergencies. Providing the right care at the right time will ensure optimal health for your little one. Be very alert about changes in feeding habits, breathing patterns, and behavior of the baby. Signs like bluish skin, fever, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty breathing require immediate medical attention. 

Conclusion

If a premature baby is born, it is quite common to be worried about the health and well-being of the little one. However, with proper care and assistance from the professionals, you do not have to worry about anything. Are you looking for a trusted hospital in Dehradun for premature baby care? Altrus HealthCare is indeed the name you can trust.

As a leading hospital, we have a team of experienced professionals in our neonatology department. We focus on delivering specialised care to premature babies and addressing all the potential concerns of new parents. From infection control to nutritional support, we can help you with everything.

Why are Vaccinations Important for Newborns?

Have you recently welcomed a little member home? If so, you would want to give your child the best of everything, be it baby skin care products or toys. Besides that, the safety and protection of your newborn are undoubtedly your top priority. For that, you may install baby gates at your home and sanitise your home. No doubt, all these are excellent for promoting the well-being of your child. However, apart from that, the best child specialist will highly recommend that you give all the required vaccines to your little one on time. The core aim is to safeguard your baby against infectious and life-threatening diseases.

Ready to take your newborn to a reputed hospital in Dehradun for vaccinations, but still wondering about its significance? Read on to explore everything in detail!

Understanding the Role of Vaccinations

In the early years, children are vulnerable to a number of diseases and infections. That’s because their immune system is still in the developing phase. As a result, the natural defence mechanism of the body isn’t completely active. That is where the vaccinations prove to be beneficial. They help your little ones defend against diseases, enhancing their overall health and well-being. 

Significance of Vaccinations

Are you still wondering whether your newborn baby requires the vaccinations? Here are the most convincing reasons to vaccinate them!

#1 Strengthens Immune System

The immune system of babies isn’t fully developed during the initial few years of birth. Therefore, they may easily be attacked by disease causing bacteria or viruses. However, taking your baby to a child specialist in Dehradun and giving them the necessary vaccines can help bolster the immune system, ensuring stronger immunity. Altrus HealthCare, a reputed hospital in Dehradun, has dedicated vaccination program to protect the little ones against life-threatening diseases. 

#2 Reduces Infection Risk

Vaccination plays a crucial role in protecting babies against the risk of infection that might be caused by various viruses and bacteria. It enables their body to defend against potential diseases. 

#3 Safety and Effectiveness

When it comes to vaccinations, many parents have concerns related to safety and discomfort. A point to note here is that all vaccinations undergo careful review by scientists and healthcare professionals. Only when they are found safe for use, the vaccines are recommended for the little ones. So, you need not worry about the safety. Vaccines provide your child with long-term benefits and optimum protection with very little discomfort. 

#4 Prevents Disease Spread

Vaccinations play a vital role in safeguarding the little ones and the wider community at large. Wondering how? Well, the vaccines will not only protect the baby but also limit the chances of spreading the disease through herd immunity. Ultimately, it helps in the creation of a safer environment where disease transmission is reduced to a great extent, enhancing the health and well-being of the entire community.

#5 Offers Complete Peace of Mind

Imagine your baby being affected by a serious disease. Wouldn’t it be disheartening and painful to see your little bundle of joy in pain? Indeed! That is why the best child specialists at Altrus HealthCare will always recommend to give all the vaccinations to your baby without missing out on any. With proper immunisation, you can enjoy complete peace of mind and be rest assured about the safety of your child. 

Preparing Your Baby for the Vaccination Day

Are you planning to visit a hospital in Dehradun to vaccinate your baby? Before that, preparing them well is essential. Here are a few tips that will make your task easier!

  • Make sure that your baby gets sufficient rest before the vaccination, this makes the vaccination process smoother.
  • Injecting Vaccine is an easy affair, so do not panic and have faith.
  • Make eye contact with the baby and keep smiling to send the message ‘That everything is fine.’
  • Currently available vaccines are with very little or virtually no discomfort so stay calm and stay assured.

Things Parents Should Keep in Mind About Vaccination

Convinced about vaccination for your Baby? Take a look at the few important things that you must always keep in mind!

  • Be sure to strictly adhere to the vaccination schedule of your child and do not miss any shots. 
  • In case your baby is going through a major medical condition, you should inform the child specialist and discuss about the further course of vaccination in such circumstances.
  • Rest assured it is a very normal and highly safe process.

Final Thoughts

The significance of vaccines for the little ones cannot be undermined. Besides protecting them from deadly infections and diseases, it also offers them numerous long-term benefits. 

Are you in search of a child specialist in Dehradun? Altrus HealthCare can be the perfect destination.

As one of the top-rated hospitals, Altrus HealthCare has the best immunisation program. We are committed to providing the best quality care, strengthening the immune systems of babies, and ensuring optimal well-being. 

If you want to immunise your child against infections and diseases, reach out to our expert professionals and provide your baby with the required vaccinations for assured protection.

Expert Newborn Care Tips from Altrus HealthCare, Dehradun

Congratulations on your bundle of joy! Bringing a newborn into the world is both magical and transformative. At Altrus HealthCare: Dehradun’s premier child specialist hospital, we understand the joys and anxieties that do accompany this new chapter. The first 28 days of life, known as the neonatal period, are vital for ensuring your baby’s healthy development. Our team of leading paediatricians and neonatologists shares this evidence based guide to help you care for your newborn with confidence:-

Why the Neonatal Period Matters:

According to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the neonatal phase is foundational for long-term health. It’s a time of rapid physical adaptation where support, cleanliness, and nutrition play life-shaping roles.

Common Newborn Concerns to Watch For:

It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed. It is indeed not the overwhelming and anxiety it is the endearing affection and love. It is worth to understand that Newborns may experience:

  • Some decrease in the weight in first week of life
  • Mild jaundice
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Dehydration or infections if hygiene is compromised

Important things to remember:

While Mild weight loss (up to 10% in full term newborn and 15% in preterm newborn) is considered normal , the baby must regain it by 10 days in case of full-term baby and 15-21 days in preterm baby with a maximum daily weight loss of not more than 3%, any aberration to this rule will warrant immediate medical attention.

Similarly, Mild Jaundice is considered normal if it is within the prescribed limits for age, weight and gestation. It should start by day three of life and subside gradually. Any jaundice which appears before 3rd day, if there is some mismatch in blood groups of mother and baby, very high colour, feeding difficulties, unusual cry or lethargy, pale or white stools, etc. (any one of these) is noted it must be brought into notice of a neonatologist.

Any degree of fever, refusal to feed, rashes, watery diarrhoea or bleeding must attract immediate medical attention.

The paediatric team at Altrus HealthCare provides round-the-clock neonatal monitoring to promptly address any early complications.

How to take care of the Newborn:

1. Gentle Handling & Hygiene

Newborns are delicate and vulnerable. Here is what every caregiver must follow:

  • Ensure hand hygiene before touching the infant.
  • The infant should be nicely supported.
  • Absolute ‘NO’ to any form of shaking, not even playfully
  • Limit visitors and insist on hand hygiene

American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines stress meticulous hygiene in preventing sepsis (Infection) and respiratory infections in the first month.

2. Umbilical Cord Care: Keep It Clean & Dry

The umbilical stump typically detaches within 7-14 days (It must not be more than 21 days).

Until the stump falls:

  • Do not pull or try to forcefully detach it
  • Do not apply anything unless prescribed by a Pediatrician /Neonatologist 
  • We advocate sponging rather than baths especially in cold weather
  • The signs like redness, swelling, discharge or odour should be carefully watched and a pediatrician or neonatologist must be contacted immediately of any one of the above is noted.

Dry cord care has been advocated as standard or care by Indian academy of Pediatrics (Provided it is not soiled)

3. Breastfeeding & Burping Basics

Breastfeeding is nature’s best gift for babies. We recommend:

  • Starting the breast feeding within 2 hours of birth (preferably within an hour)
  • Feed exclusively for 6 months
  • Seek lactation support if needed

After feeding:

  • The infant should be held baby supported by your hand and chest
  • Gently pat their back until they burp (It is prudent to learn the burping procedure form a Pediatrician / Neonatologist or a lactation consultant)

Reflux (regurgitation) and infantile colic are reduced by effective burping (Cloherty’s textbook of Neonatology)

4. Establishing Healthy Sleep Patterns:

The little ones sleeps in small cycles and accounts for almost sixteen to eighteen hours a day.

  • Infants must be placed on their back (An higher death rate has been noted in infants who are allowed to sleep on their bellies unsupervised because of SIRS)
  • Use a firm, clutter-free mattress
  • Maintain a cool, dark room environment
  • Stick to a consistent bedtime schedule

American Academy of Pediatrics’ Safe Sleep Guidelines reduce the risk of SIDS significantly.

5. Nappy Changing & Rash Prevention               

Expect 3–4 wet nappies daily by day 4–5. Keep baby comfortable with:

  • Warm water and sterilized cotton clothes or unscented wipes should be used
  • Nappies of the infant should be changed regularly, to keep him dry
  • Zinc oxide-based diaper rash cream when needed (prudent to take a consultation)

Frequent urination is a one of most reliable sign of adequate hydration and adequate feeding.

Why Altrus HealthCare?

We combine world-class paediatric expertise with an ethical and human-first approach and round the clock availability of best neonatal team.