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Children's Health

Babies may look fragile and delicate, but they are harder than one thinks and they grow very fast!


0-2 MONTHS OF AGE

Babies in this age group share the mother’s immunity to infections, as this is passed across the placenta before birth. This protection wears off after 6 weeks, around the time the baby undergoes a growth spurt. Breast feeding helps prevent gut infections and is the best food for babies. However, many women find it hard to establish breast feeding, especially when the baby starts to demand more
milk (which normally occurs at around 6-8 weeks of age).

It is important that women seek timely advice from Lactation Consultants,
Early Childhood Centres or their local doctors if they have problems establishing breast feeding, as it is easier to correct problems when they are identified early. However women should never be made to feel guilty because, for whatever reason, they cannot breast feed. If baby formula is required because baby is frequently unsettled or not gaining weight, the woman should be reassured that she is doing
the right thing.

Warning signs that a baby is sick are more difficult to find at this early age. Patterns of regular behaviour may not have developed yet, so parents may not realise something is not right. Temperature in a sick baby should be measured as it is essential to pick up if they have a fever, however a normal temperature does not always mean that a baby is 100% well.

The most accurate and convenient way of taking the temperature is to use a digital thermometer under the armpit. Ear thermometers are inaccurate unless they fit well into the ear canal (usually they don’t), and forehead thermometers are very inaccurate. When measuring the temperature ensure that baby’s arm is firmly against his/her side with the thermometer securely under their armpit. A temperature that is normal ranges between 35.7 and 36.7ºC (degrees Celsius), a low grade temperature is 36.7-37.5ºC, a moderate temperature between 37.5 and 38ºC. A high temperature should be quickly reviewed by a doctor, especially if the baby.


2-6 MONTHS OF AGE

Rapid growth occurs during this time and babies develop increased muscle tone and co-ordination. Babies begin to actively communicate with those around them.

They will still need to be fed very regularly to sustain their growth, but parents often find the baby will need less feeds overnight. Parents usually start to see sleeping patterns stabilise.

During this period babies ideally will have been vaccinated against serious illnesses. Luckily modern vaccinations are very well tolerated, and the usual side effects are a mildly irritable baby with a low grade temperature. If a very high  temperature occurs, or if the baby appears drowsy, screams continuously for hours, vomits repeatedly or appears lethargic and sick, take them to the doctor.

Cot death affects approximately one in 1000 babies and is most common between two and four months of age. This risk may be reduced by the following:

  • Stopping smoking completely.
    • Not sleeping with baby in bed.
    • Having a firm, new (not handed down) mattress and minimal bedding.
    • Having nothing else in the cot.
    • Positioning babies so they sleep on their backs.
  • Not using pillows in the cot

Towards the age of six months babies will watch wide eyed as mum eats, and if they are ready to commence semi-solids they will reach out to food on the plate and suck their fingers. Weaning usually commences with iron fortified baby cereal, as iron deficiency becomes a problem after 6 months (especially in breast fed babies).

 

6-12 MONTHS OF AGE

Babies at this stage start to learn to sit, crawl, walk and mimic sounds (and
the occasional simple word). If the parents are lucky, babies between these ages usually sleep for longer periods overnight and may not wake throughout the night.

During this time, baby should be introduced to a variety of foods and by nine months should be given foods with texture, such as coarsely mashed potato and very small pieces of cheese. The first tooth usually comes through during this time and baby may have flushed cheeks and be a bit more unsettled at feeding time.

Some foods should be held back, for example:

    • Cow’s milk should not be given until twelve months of age, as it is
               associated with iron deficiency, possibly allergy and is not easy to digest
               before this age.
    • Peanuts should not be given until three years of age due to allergy risk.
    • Prawns, crab, shellfish and lobster should be held back until two years of
               age due to allergy risk.
    • Other nuts and cubes of uncooked carrot may obstruct breathing if
               inhaled, so ensure baby is at least two years of age and is always sitting
               then eating.
  •             Smoked salmon, soft and smelly cheeses should be avoided unti the child is
                two years because of the risk of Listeria infection, which causes vomiting,
                high temperatures and diarrhoea.

12-24 MONTHS OF AGE

At this stage the baby continues to grow and develop their immunity. Significant changes in fat deposition, muscle and bone structure occur during this stage. By two years of age the baby looks more like a child and can can speak several words, make needs known and understand what is said to him/her.

The child in this age group who mixes with other children will have, on average, 6-8 viral illnesses a year. Ear infections are very common, and any child who is grizzly, off their food or has a temperature for no obvious reason should have their ears and tonsils checked.


Toilet training often begins towards the two year mark, and little girls are often quicker to learn than little boys. Parents are lucky if the child is fully toilet trained by two years of age, as many children will take much longer, especially with night time continence.


Temper tantrums may show themselves in this age group. Baby is beginning to learn to control their environment, and frustration and determination may manifest as tantrums. This is a phase in development, just as walking and talking are.

Most problems with young children are transient, although they may be very worrying at the time. The local Early Childhood Centre and the General Practitioner will help to ensure good health and normal development of young children and sanity for their parents!

 

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOUR BABY IS UNWELL

The best way to tell if a baby is unwell is to watch them. Very young babies sleep a large amount of time, but usually wake after several hours for ¾ of an hour or so, to feed and look around. The signs of a sick baby are as follows, and a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible if they are present.

  • They are persistently lethargic and drowsy.

  • Not interested in mother or her voice.

  • They are not interested in feeding.

  • They have less wet nappies (this suggests dehyration or poor feeding)

  • They are running a high temperature.