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When can babies take vitamins? There are parents who don’t consult with doctors and give different vitamin pills to their babies without thinking they are useful or not. This is not right.

The vitamins your baby needs, he can get from what he eats, starting from breast milk to fruits. In this regard, there is no need to give him special vitamin pills. But this is the common approach, since many babies, particularly breastfed infants, should start taking vitamins.

Let’s firstly understand what vitamins are and what their function is. Vitamins are compounds the baby’s body needs. They aid in proper growth and development. Make sure you give your baby only a certain amount of vitamins because their big amount can cause an opposite reaction. Babies and children need a total of 13 vitamins such as A, C, D, E, K and more. A breastfed infant usually doesn’t get vitamin D, which is necessary for strong bone development.

Breast milk doesn’t contain high levels of Vitamin D, so she must daily get that Vitamin D from some other food. Breastfeeding moms should consume many vegetables, dairy products and healthy food without fat.

But there are babies who don’t take breast milk, so they have to take vitamins. What to do? There are special fruit foods and also useful juices, take carrot juices. But first and foremost ask your doctor to examine the baby, because he might be allergic.

Vitamins are very useful if taken in necessary amounts. They will improve your baby’s organism development and help him avoid many viruses and bacteria.

 Consider the following:

1. Fully or partly breastfed babies should start having a daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D within a few days of birth.

2. Babies who are not breastfed and older children who consume less than one quart (about 2 pints or 1 liter) of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk a day should also be taking a daily supplement of 400 IU of Vitamin D.

3. Adolescents should also take a daily supplement of 400 IU of Vitamin D if their diet does not give them this amount every day.

4. Some children may need higher doses, for instance if they are taking certain medications, which can put them at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Photos credits to 1

Being a mother is a unique specialization and you have to be very “well-educated” to make your baby’s life full of joy and fun, at the same time keeping him away from troubles.

When your child is 2-3 years old, you wash his hands yourself explaining the importance of cleanliness. But when in kindergarten with friends, he hardly remembers your advice. So you have to use every possible and impossible way to make him understand the importance and necessity of washing hands. It should become a pleasant habit for him.

To help you with this problem, we offer you steps to make your child enjoy water and understand why he needs to wash hands.

1. Instead of telling him fearful stories about illnesses caused by dirty hands, try to be a good example for him. Shouting all the time about the importance of washing hands will not make him love this process. Wash your hands together! Start playing with the soap bubbles; it will be very funny for both of you.

2. Make an experiment together. Take him to the bathroom and open the water. Show him the purity of the water. Ask him to wash the hands. That’s when the experiment will start. While washing, he’ll notice the water getting dirty. At the same time he’ll keep on playing with the water. That’s an interesting process for every child, you just need to revive that interest in him. While he’s enjoying his “hand-soap-water” communication, tell him about the naughty things called “bacteria.” Afterwards you can leave him; he will enjoy being a hero and fighting against the “entire army of bacteria.”

3. Take him to any market and let him choose the soap he wants. This will be a process you’ll both love — you’ll enjoy his shopping and spend a good time together, and he’ll appreciate your trust in him. Liquid soaps are very common and the bottles are quite well-decorated to attract a child. He will choose his favorite flavor and will surely hurry home to use his “new discovery.”

4. After playing with favorite toys on the floor, he will open the door of the fridge, absolutely forgetting about washing hands. Look no further, take a cream for hands and ask him to follow you. While applying the cream he will see it become unimaginably dirty and will be surprised why Mommy’s hands are not like his. Explain to him that before using the cream you washed your hands. As the cream process is very enjoyable he will surely follow your advice.

These steps will help you make your baby’s childhood not only happy, but also “clean” and why not, risk-free. Every child is an individual demanding unique approach, so if one suggestion doesn’t work, try the rest to see which one helps in your goal.

 Photos credits to 1

Whether you spend it inside or in the great outdoors, summer is a tricky season for keeping an infant safe and comfortable. Overdress a baby and he could develop an angry heat rash; expose his fragile body to hot conditions and he could be vulnerable to a painful, damaging sunburn or to heatstroke, a serious affliction characterized by a high fever and rapid breathing. Overheating has also been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a fatal sleeping disorder. “Babies sleep deeply when they’re hot, making them difficult to arouse, which may increase the risk of SIDS,” explains Bruce Epstein, M.D., a pediatrician in Pinellas Park, Florida.

To make sure your little one stays cool and protected during the long, hot days of summer, check out our expert advice.

Pick the Right Clothes

If you’re going to be indoors, dress your infant in loose-fitting, lightweight garments, preferably made from a natural fiber like cotton, which absorbs perspiration better than synthetic fabrics. A good rule of thumb: “Dress the baby the way you’re dressed,” Dr. Epstein says. “If you’re wearing shorts and a T-shirt, that will be fine for her too.” For the outdoors, put her in light-colored long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat to shield her face. Resist the temptation to leave her exposed on a gray day, since harmful rays can penetrate the clouds.

Provide Good Ventilation

Since a baby doesn’t perspire effectively, he can become overheated far more quickly than an adult. That’s why you should never leave an infant in a hot room or a parked car. Even a few minutes could cause his temperature to spike and, in extreme cases, may prove life-threatening.
Use a Summer-Friendly Baby Carrier

The combination of your body heat and the carrier’s confining space can make an infant hot and bothered within a matter of minutes. Choose a carrier made from lightweight nylon rather than a heavy fabric like denim. If a child’s face starts to look flushed, remove her from the carrier at once.

Keep Him Hydrated

Even if you don’t see beads of sweat dripping from your infant’s forehead, he can be losing precious fluids to perspiration in hot weather. A flushed face, skin that’s warm to the touch, rapid breathing, and restlessness may be warning signs of dehydration. Since infants under 6 months shouldn’t drink water (babies over 6 months can take in modest amounts), replace the lost liquids by giving him extra formula or by nursing more frequently. Babies should drink at least 50 percent more than usual in the summer (normal fluid intake is at least two ounces per pound per day), so a ten-pound baby who usually takes in 20 ounces should be offered a minimum of 30 ounces.

Time Outdoor Activities Wisely

The worst time for your baby (and you, for that matter) to be outdoors is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun does the most harm to skin, says Eric Siegel, M.D., a dermatologist in Millburn, New Jersey. Plan outdoor excursions for before or after this peak period.

Seek Out Shade

When you arrive at the beach or the park, look for a protected spot, such as under a tree, an umbrella, or a canopy. A handy item to take to the shore is a tent made of fabric treated to block the sun’s harmful rays. Make sure it has see-through mesh sides for proper ventilation. Sunglasses for your little one are a good idea, to protect her eyes and reduce glare; the label should state that the lenses block at least 99 percent of ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) radiation.

Be Cautious With Sunscreen

Since a baby under 6 months has thin, delicate skin, try to keep him out of direct sunlight. But for times when that’s impractical (such as taking a dip in the water with Mom or Dad), make sure he’s wearing sunscreen. The American Academy of Pediatrics now says it’s okay to apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to a baby’s exposed skin, including the face.

For a baby older than 6 months, use sunscreen more liberally and more often. Reapply every two hours, or whenever he gets wet or sweaty. Choose a waterproof sunscreen designed for kids, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Apply it under clothing too. “An average cotton T-shirt has an SPF of only five,” Dr. Siegel notes.
Skin Soothers

If an infant sweats profusely during hot, humid weather, tiny red bumps may start to cluster on her neck or groin, in the folds of her skin at the back of her knees, or in the crease of her elbows. To relieve heat rash, remove her sticky outfit and dress her in loose cotton clothes (or simply a diaper), and apply cornstarch baby powder to the affected areas. Keeping her in a cool, well-ventilated room will help relieve symptoms.

A sunburn, characterized by hot, red, swollen skin that’s painful to the touch, can cause a baby even greater misery. Contact your doctor immediately if a child under age 1 gets a sunburn. He’ll likely have you apply cool (not cold) tap water, followed by a moisturizer, to the burned area. Don’t pop blisters; they protect against infection. Infants’ acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be appropriate for relieving discomfort.

When does the process of teething begin?

When a baby begins teething, there is no set pattern on when it will begin, how long it will take and how painful it will be.  For one baby cutting a tooth might happen overnight without pain, while another child might have to go through a long, drawn out and painful experience.  You may sometimes visibly see a rise or lump in the gum for several weeks, while sometimes there may be no visible clue at all until the tooth actually appears.

The process of teething often follows hereditary patterns, so if the mother and father teethed early or late, your baby may follow the same pattern.  On average the first tooth comes in during the seventh month, although it can arrive as early as three months, as late as a year, or in rare cases even earlier or later.

Which teeth come in first and how many with there be?

In total there are twenty primary (first) teeth, which is twelve less than the full set of thirty-two permanent teeth adults have.  Most children have a full set of primary teeth by the time they are around two or three years old.  These teeth usually last until about the age of six, when the teeth that were first to appear become loose and fall out as the second teeth begin to push through the gums.  The primary teeth continue falling out until roughly the age of twelve.  Again, these ages mentioned above are only averages and your child may follow an earlier or later pattern.  The following is the most common pattern in which your baby’s teeth will usually appear.

What are the symptoms of teething?

The symptoms of teething vary from child to child. Because of these different experiences, parents and physicians often disagree as to the symptoms of teething and how painful it is. The list below shows symptoms that a teething baby may experience. While most parents usually agree that some or all of the symptoms below happened around the time of teething, it is still recommended that if your baby experiences any of these symptoms you check with your pediatrician to rule out other possible causes for the symptoms.

Irritability: As the sharp little tooth rises closer to the surface your baby’s gums may become increasingly more sore and painful, leading to your baby being very fussy.  The pain and discomfort is most often worse during the first teeth coming in and later when the molars come in because of their bigger size.  This is most often the case since babies become accustomed to the sensations of teething and learn to live with them.  But you may find your baby may be fussy during the whole time that every tooth comes in.  Every child reacts differently.

Drooling: From three to four months of age you may see your baby start drooling more often than normal.  Teething stimulates drooling, which is often worse with some babies than others.

Coughing: The extra saliva can cause your baby to occasionally cough or gag.  This is usually nothing to worry about as long as your baby seems fine and shows no signs of a cold or flu and does not run a high fever.

Chin rash: If your baby is a big drooler, the constant contact with saliva can cause the skin around the chin and mouth to become irritated.  To help prevent this, gently wipe your baby’s mouth and chin periodically throughout the day.

Biting & gnawing: A baby that is teething will gnaw and gum down on anything she or he can get their mouth around.  The counter pressure from biting on something helps relieve the pressure from under the gums.

Cheek rubbing and ear pulling: Pain in the gums may travel to the ears and cheeks particularly when the back molars begin coming in.  This is why you may see your baby rubbing their cheeks or pulling at their ears.  However, keep in mind that pulling at an ear can also be a sign of an ear infection.

Diarrhea: While this is a symptom that is disagreed upon by physicians, researchers and parents, most parents usually notice slightly looser bowel movements when a baby is teething.  While the recent study done by the Children’s Hospital in Australia found this to be the most common symptom of teething, there are still many people that will agree and disagree with this recent study. It is believed that the most likely cause of this is the extra saliva swallowed, which then loosens the stool.  Be sure and report any diarrhea to your doctor that lasts more than two bowel movements.

Low-grade fever: A fever is another symptom that doctors are sometimes hesitant to directly link with teething.  But there are many parents who will disagree with this and find their baby gets a slight fever while teething.  The best thing to do is be extra safe and notify your doctor if a fever last more than two days.

Not sleeping well: With teething pain happening during the day and night, you may find your child wakes more often at night when the pain gets bad enough.  Most parents agree that the night waking happens more often during the first set of teeth and with the molars.

Cold like symptoms (runny nose, etc.): Some parents find that their baby will show signs of having a cold.  Runny noses, coughing and general cold symptoms are believed to come from the baby having their hands in their mouth more often.  Play it safe and always notify your doctor if symptoms such as this occur.

How can I help my baby with the pain?

There are several things that you can try to help ease the pain of teething; some work and some don’t, but most parents agree they’re always worth a try.  Teething rings, water filled and chilled rubber teething toys; mom and dads fingers can all provide counter pressure that can sometimes bring relief.  Offering your baby a cold bottle of water can also help.  If sucking on the bottle bothers your child, offer a cold cup of water.  The water can also help replenish your baby’s fluid if they’re drooling a lot or have loose bowel movements.

Cold food has also been found to be helpful by some parents.  Chilled applesauce, yogurt and pureed peaches may be more appealing to your baby and also more nutritious than a chilled teething ring.

When nothing else helps, you can also turn to the Infant Tylenol.  Before giving your child Infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) always check with your doctor first.  Your doctor will tell you if it’s all right and what the proper amount is to give your baby.  Baby Orajel and other teething pain medicines that are applied to the gums can also provide some relief.  Some parents say the Baby Orajel type products work great, while other parents will say it doesn’t.  Also check with your doctor before giving this type of over the counter pain reliever to your baby.

The teething process will come and go just like so many other things with new babies.  Keep trying different things until you find what provides the best relief for your child.

Note: Before trying any of the suggestions listed above or any other type of home remedy it is highly recommended that you contact your pediatrician first.  You should follow your pediatricians advise first before trying anything mentioned on this site or on any other site.  Your child’s doctor knows what is best for your child.

Teething is known as the period in an infant’s life that the teeth grow and break through the gums. For some babies this can be a painful experience and for others it occurs with no complaint at all. The answer to ‘When do babies teeth?’ is different for every baby. Some babies are born with a tooth (known as a natal tooth) while others get their first tooth after the age of one. If a natal tooth is securely set in the gum, there is no problem. If a natal tooth is loose, it will more than likely be removed as this can be inhaled into your baby’s windpipe if it were to fall out. If it is removed, your child will be left with a gap until a second tooth grows around school going age. Your doctor should be made aware if your baby has a natal tooth. The average age for a baby’s first tooth to break through is about six months. Your baby will probably have been drooling and biting from the age of three to four months already. It is thought that the teething pattern could be hereditary. If either you or your partner were an early or late teether, chances are your children will follow the same pattern. You should consider visiting your dentist to check that everything is growing fine if your baby has no sign of showing teeth by the time they reach their first birthday.

In most cases, the lower teeth appear before the upper teeth. It is usually the girls that cut teeth before boys. All babies are different. It could be the first tooth that causes the most pain for some babies, while it is the molars in other children that are the cause of the most pain. It’s the most painful for some babies when they cut a few teeth at the same time.

The first two teeth to appear are usually the lower central incisors. These are followed by the four upper incisors. This is the average tooth development by the time a baby is one year old. There is normally a few months break before the remaining two lower incisors break the gum. At around the same time the four molars break through. These are at the back of the mouth, leaving space for the canines which appear several months after this. This is usually the second half of the second year. By the first half of the third year the second set of molars break through the gum. This completes the set of baby teeth.

Some babies show no signs of teething, while others might have a variety of symptoms. Teething symptoms can begin days, weeks or months before the tooth appears. The symptoms can include drooling, one of the cheeks might appear flushed and the area on the gum where the tooth is trying to cut through may appear to look red and sore. Your baby will be looking to chew on anything to relieve the pain. They might rub their cheeks and pull their ears. There could be an increase in saliva and your baby might become irritable. Symptoms like diarrhoea, rashes, fever and earache should not necessarily be put down to teething. If you have any concerns, you should contact your paediatrician.

Pressure on the gums helps to alleviate the pain. Gently massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger can do wonders to ease the pain. It might be a bit uncomfortable for your baby at the start, but after a few moments, it will become increasingly soothing. A rubber teething ring of any shape is good too. You can get gel-filled teething rings and water-filled teething rings. A teething ring, which can be chilled in the refrigerator, helps in reducing pain. This should never be frozen. Do not allow your baby to chew on toys or objects that are made from thin, brittle plastic. It is too easy for these to break and your child can end up choking on this. There are over-the-counter teething drops available which contain a mild anaesthetic. They are thought to be well tolerated by most babies. Get the advice of your paediatrician before giving your baby medication. You can use a barrier cream on your baby’s chin to prevent soreness from constant dribbling.

Give your baby lots of extra attention when he/she is teething. Cuddles might just be what your baby wants and needs at this time.

It is important to get a proper dental care routine in place once your baby’s teeth start to come through. From teething to milk teeth there are different practices and products to help parents do the best for the welfare of the child’s teeth. When teething the main aim is to sooth swelling and irritated gums with cool chewing toys and anti inflammatory products like Bonjella once this period is over there’s a general relief as the crying and flare ups ease off but your not out of the woods yet there are some vital tips from dentists on how to deal with the baby’s first milk teeth and what you should be doing to best take care of them.

Milk or first teeth will start to appear anywhere from 4 to 9 months but some children can take as long as 18 months before their first teeth start to appear. Before the teeth appear it is recommended that the gums are kept clean even with no teeth there this is done by rubbing your clean finger along the gum line removing any milk residue that maybe lying there. Keeping your finger cold by pressing it against some ice while messaging the baby’s gums will also help ease teething pains.

Once the first teeth start to come through it is recommended that you start to teach the baby to brush using a tooth brush is optional but it is good to get the baby started on the brushing routine as soon as possible. You don’t have to use toothpaste at first but there are plenty of baby toothpastes available
that do not contain fluoride as this can be harmful to the baby. Use a tiny pea sized amount of fluoride free toothpaste on the brush and give it to the baby using your hand to show him what to do he wont get the hang of it at first but will pick it up very quickly.

Follow this procedure twice daily in the morning and in the evening before bedtime to kick start the routine. It is not always possible to brush after every meal so twice daily will be sufficient and encouraging them to brush after a meal when possible. When it comes to flossing leave until the toddler is about two as this can be tricky to achieve you don’t want to leave the child alone with a yard of floss so you have to do this part yourself. It is not that necessary to floss this young but if you want to get started just so the child can get used to it that’s fine but be careful as the gums can be very fragile at this young age.

This is a good time to keep your eyes peeled for any cavities that may be developing. Cavities will present themselves as a discoloration on the tooth and pitting if you have any concerns you should raise these with your dentist as it can be a simple case of bottle feeding before bedtime or leaving a bottle of juice with the child overnight and this is a habit you may want to break for future reference I mean you wouldn’t eat a meal and then go to bed without brushing it’s the same for a small child. Prevention is better then cure so if you get into good habits and procedures when the child is this young it can prevent a whole lot of damage later on.

We already know how much infants need fresh air and sunlight. It is insufficient to confine with ventilation of the space, where the child is. Newborns must daily walk in the fresh air on the hands of the mother, in the sledge, or in a wheel chair. Until the child is still unable to walk, it is best to daily put him to sleep in the fresh air. Fresh air and sunlight enhance the child’s body and protects it from disease, especially from rickets. A child used to walk every day in summer and winter, catches cold much less. Daily walks improve appetite and strengthen the nervous system of the child, the child capricious less and sleep better. In winter, if there is no strong cold wind, you can walk with your child even with the cold of 10-15 degrees.

You can also put the child to sleep outdoors in the afternoon, children should dress in accordance with the seasons.

In winter, the child may sleep in a room with an open window, and it will be very useful for him. When doing so, it is necessary to dress the child as if going for a walk. Close the window about 15 – 20 minutes before the child wakes up. When the room warms up, the warm blanket, warm hat should be taken off the child, otherwise the baby will be hot, and can catch cold later.

You can start taking the baby for a walk when he is two weeks old. Initially, bring the child out for 15 – 20 minutes, then gradually extend the time of walking up to 1.5 – 3 hours. In winter, the child must walk 2 times a day, a total of at least 3 – 4 hours. In the warm season, it is desirable that the baby stays in the air all day.

For walks in the winter time the child should wear a warm hat, as well as a warm blouse. Wrap the baby in diaper, and then in a warm blanket, protecting it from wind. You should close the baby so as not to disturb him to breathe fresh air. In winter, during frosty days it is recommended to lubricate the face of the baby with some kind of fat before leaving for a walk.

Taking the child for a walk in spring and autumn, just turn it into flannelette blanket. In summer, on hot days, you can dress the baby in a light blouse, a white linen hat, protecting the head from overheating sunlight.

Although it’s important to ensure your baby sleeps safe by placing her on her back in her crib for naps and at night time, spending time on her tummy is also important for her development. New research suggests that if babies don’t get enough ‘tummy time’ they can have delays in motor development.

Sleeping your baby on her back is a vital safeguard against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and the incidence of SIDS has dropped by 40% since the Back to Sleep campaign was launched in 1992. However, safe sleep, combined with the fact that many babies spend long periods of time in their infant carrier and swing, means they don’t get to experience the variety of positions that can help them progress. And they’re also at risk of flat head syndrome, where the back of the head can take on a flattened appearance due to resting against their crib mattress, car seat or swing.

Tummy time helps strengthen the muscles in your baby’s neck, shoulders and back and also gives her the opportunity to track objects with her eyes: fundamental for head control, rolling and crawling. So what can you do to ensure your baby gets enough time on her front during the day, when she is awake and you’re there to keep a close eye on her? Here are gurgle’s tips for incorporating tummy time into your baby’s day, whether she’s being carried, nappied, fed or played with…

Keep her safe

Always supervise your baby during tummy time – don’t leave her by herself even for a second. If she isn’t accustomed to spending time on her front start off with just a minute or two at a time and increase gradually. If she becomes very distressed, try to distract her with a toy before changing her position.

1 . Switch your newborn from side to side
Most mums tend to carry their newborn up against their shoulder, supporting their head with one hand. You’ll likely have a shoulder preference depending on whether you’re right or left handed but try to get into the habit of regularly switching your baby to the other side and turning her head the opposite way from the way you lay it on your other shoulder. This plants the idea in her head that she can turn her head – and once she’s able to support it she’ll have a try at doing it herself. Once she gets the hang of it she’ll do it when she’s lying on her back, which will help avoid flattening at the back of her skull.

2.  Carry her on her front
Carrying your baby draped along your arm on her front is a great colic-soothing method and it also ensures some tummy time. When she’s tiny your baby will need you to support her head with your hand but as she grows and gains strength in her head and trunk muscles, she’ll need less support – when she’s at this stage you can increase the fun factor by playing aeroplanes with her and flying her around the room!

3.  Lay her on your chest
It’s not only great for bonding and skin-to-skin time; it also encourages your baby to try to raise her head so she can see your face. Encourage her attempts by calling her name and singing to her, and turning her head from side to side. You’ll see her growing stronger every day and once she’s able to lift and turn her head all by herself you can place a folded towel or blankie under her chest to help raise her shoulders.

4.  Give her something to see
Tummy time on a well-padded play mat is even more fun when you place toys in front of your baby, within her line of vision – and once she’s able to support her head and top half, she’ll try to reach for them. Plus, if you – or an older brother or sister – gets down on the floor with her it’s great for social interaction!

5. Roll her over
Gently rolling your baby from side to side as you dry her after her bath, change her nappy or get her dressed, turns these everyday babycare chores into a fun activity for you and your baby.

6. Wind her on her front
Try placing your baby belly down over your lap when you’re winding her – it’s a great way to introduce tummy time to a young baby (and it might just help bring up that last bit of wind that’s making her cranky!). You can also drape her across your lap in this way for a few minutes if you’re sitting watching TV.

Ringworm is one of several related skin infections called tinea and it can occur on the skin, scalp and nails. You will probably have heard of (and may even be familiar with!) athlete’s foot, which is the term used to describe ringworm when it occurs on the feet, but in young children it’s more likely to appear on the face, torso or scalp. It’s very contagious and common in toddlers and preschoolers who tend to mix more with other children. Here’s gurgle’s roundup of the facts you need to know to recognise, treat and prevent it…

1. It’s not a worm
Ringworm is actually a fungal infection caused by mould-like fungi called dermatophytes that live on dead cells from the skin, hair, and nails.

2. It doesn’t always appear as a ‘ring’
Ringworm first appears as a red, scaly, itchy (but not painful) patch before gradually forming the shape of a ring or a series of rings with raised borders and a smooth, clear centre. The rings can range in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres and may merge if they’re close together. If ringworm occurs on the feet, it usually doesn’t form a ring at all, but instead appears as red, scaly patches.

3. It can resemble cradle cap
On the scalp ringworm may first appear as a sore and progress into a dry flaky patch, or a moist patch that oozes fluid. It’s fairly easy to confuse it with cradle cap but if your child is over a year old, cradle cap is unlikely so if you notice sore patches on her scalp, with hair loss, it’s most likely to be ringworm.

4. Your child can catch it from people, pets and soil
Ringworm is very contagious and easily spread if your child comes into contact with another child who has ringworm and the fungus gets into your child’s body through a scratch or a patch of eczema. It’s also possible to catch it from a pet dog or cat, and it also can be transmitted through soil if your child has a cut on her hands and they get dirty while she’s playing outside.

5. It’s easy to treat
Thankfully, ringworm can be easily treated with antifungal cream or ointment – your doctor may prescribe one or you can buy an over-the-counter cream containing one or two percent clotrimazole (your pharmacist can recommend one). Use the cream as directed and watch for any signs of sensitivity, such as a rash. You should continue using the cream on the affected areas for a week or so after the patches have cleared. If your child has ringworm on her scalp your doctor will prescribe an oral antifungal medicine and a medicated shampoo.

6. Prevention is simple

• If you suspect your child may have ringworm, keep her home from nursery or her childminder until you have seen the doctor. Once she’s being treated, it’s not necessary to keep her at home.
• Wash your hands after applying ointment to your child’s skin and ensure she frequently washes her hands.
• Keep her nails short so that she can’t break the skin while scratching and try to distract her from doing so as scratching can transfer fungi spores to her fingers and under her fingernails, making it easier to pass on.
• Avoid using the same towels as your child and don’t let any siblings use her towels or facecloth, or play with her soft toys.
• If she has ringworm on her scalp don’t let siblings use her hairbrush, comb, or pillow, or wear her hat.
• If you have more than one child and are in the habit of bathing them together, don’t do this as long as one of them has ringworm.
• If you’re at all suspicious your pet might have ringworm (giveaway signs are crusty patches of skin with fur loss), take it to the vet.

Vomiting is very common in babies and young children and can often happen when nothing is wrong. Babies normally ‘posset’ up their feeds, where a tiny amount of milk will be brought up from time to time, usually after a feed or whilst being winded and this is completely normal. If your baby brings up most or all of her feed, is it more likely that she is vomiting, but try not to panic. All children are sick from time to time whether they are breast or bottle-fed and they usually get better quickly or within 24 hours.

Causes of vomiting:
Consult your doctor is your child continues to vomit over a six-hour period, or if the vomiting is accompanied by diarrhoea, fever, earache or a rash.
- If babies have eaten too much it may cause them to vomit. Sometimes they just bring up the surplus food, but sometimes the whole feed can come up. If this is the case she will probably only vomit once after the feed.
- Indigestion can cause your baby to vomit so try not to rush her feeds.
- Occasionally babies can have a milk allergy to the proteins in their mother’s breastmilk and this may cause her to vomit. Consult your doctor if you suspect this is the case and you may be advised to change your diet or give your baby a hypoallergenic formula for a while.
- A viral or bacterial infection can cause your child to vomit. If bacteria has entered the stomach lining your baby may have an episode of vomiting, have diarrhoea, fever and a loss of appetite. If the vomiting has not stopped after six hours, consult your doctor.
- A fit of coughing can sometimes make a baby vomit as the force on her stomach makes her bring her food up. If this is the case she will probably only vomit a few times, but if she keeps vomiting, contact your doctor.
- Other illnesses that can be accompanied by vomiting are; urinary tract infections, ear infections, meningitis, appendicitis and reflux, Pneumonia and Reye’s syndrome.  (Read further features to find out additional symptoms).
- Reflux can also cause babies to vomit. (see link above)
- Upset tummies from something your baby has eaten can cause her to vomit, and will most likely be accompanied by diarrhoea, loss of appetite, general irritability and sometimes fever. This should not last for long, but if symptoms persist for more then six hours, consult a doctor.
- Excessive crying can sometimes cause a baby to vomit as they take in gulps of air.
- If your child has a very runny nose and swallows a lot of mucus, it can cause her to vomit. Treat her symptoms as you would a common cold.
- If your baby has swallowed something toxic (cleaning products, medication etc) try to identify what she has swallowed and call 999.
- Gastroenteritis or stomach flu is a common cause of infant vomiting and happens when a virus infects the gastrointestinal tract and is usually accompanied by diarrhoea. It normally clears up on its own but if symptoms persist for more then six hours consult a doctor.

Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric Stenosis is a rare condition that affects babies in the first few months of life. It occurs because the muscle controlling the valve that leads from the stomach to the intestines thickens so much, so that food is unable to pass through.
Symptoms:
Your baby will start to projectile vomit and cannot keep any food down.
Treatment
If this is the case consult your doctor immediately as your baby may need an operation to rectify the problem and unblock the valve.

What to do if your child is vomiting:
If your child vomits for more then six hours consult a doctor. If diarrhoea, fever, earache or a severe rash accompanies vomiting, seek medical help.

Infants under six months:
Offer your infant small but frequent amounts (about 2/3 teaspoonfuls) of oral electrolyte solution every 15-20 minutes. Electrolyte solution contains salt and sugar and replaces important salts your body relies on that it may have lost from a bout of vomiting. Always read the instructions of the solution carefully and give the right dose for the age of your child. This will help to stop your child becoming dehydrated.
If your child goes for eight hours without vomiting, gradually re-introduce her normal feeds feeding her little and often to give her tummy the chance to get used to feeds again.
For breastfed infants, if the sickness seems to cease, breastfeed your child for five minutes every two hours. After eight hours of keeping her feeds down you can resume her normal feeding routine.

Infants – six months to a year
Offer your infant small but frequent amounts (about 2/3 teaspoonfuls) of oral electrolyte solution every 15-20 minutes. Electrolyte solution contains salt and sugar and replaces important salts your body relies on that it may have lost from a bout of vomiting. Always read the instructions of the solution carefully and give the right dose for the age of your child. This will help to stop your child becoming dehydrated.
After eight hours of no vomiting you can re-introduce formula feeds slowly, not giving your child too much at a time. (One to two ounce feeds working gradually up to the normal feeding routine).
For breastfed infants, if the sickness seems to cease, breastfeed your child for five minutes every two hours. After eight hours of keeping her feeds down you can resume her normal feeding routine.
After eight hours you can try to give your baby small amounts of bland foods like bananas, crackers or mild baby food.

For children over 1:
Give clear liquids such as water, but dilute fruit juice and avoid giving milk.
Give your child the oral electrolyte solution to help replace lost salt and sugars. (Always follow instructions). If they vomit up solution start again with small teaspoonfuls.
After eight hours of no vomiting, try giving your child bland, soft, easy foods like soup, toast (no butter) and banana. After 24 hours of no sickness, you can resume your child’s normal diet.

When to call a doctor:
If your child continues to vomit over a six-hour period, has diarrhoea or a fever of over 38°C (100.4°F) or you notice other symptoms such as a rash, earache or dehydration (sunken eyes or fontanelle, dizzy or drowsiness).