Tag: Australia

Sick or Serious? Decoding Your Baby’s Coughs
Coughing is a normal reflex that clears the throat and airway of mucus, saliva, and other irritants. In children, it’s usually a sign of a viral upper respiratory infection. “Coughing is the body’s way of ridding itself of foreign irritants,” says David L. Hill, M.D., a pediatrician in Boone, North Carolina, and author of Dad to Dad: Parenting Like a Pro.

In simplest terms, a cough is the body’s way of protecting itself by clearing out the airways. It’s a normal response to things like postnasal drip, phlegm, and food stuck in the throat.

There are two kinds of coughs:
1. Dry Coughs
2. Wet Coughs
Dry coughs occur when your baby has a cold or allergies. The dry cough helps clear out postnasal drip or irritation from a sore throat.

Wet coughs occur when a respiratory illness accompanies a bacterial infection. A wet cough causes mucus to form in your baby’s airways. Mucus contains white blood cells to help fight germs.

Keep Track of Your Baby’s Coughs:

One of the best memories when being a parent is playing I Spy with your kid. Instead of finding a spotted something-or-other, you’re trying to figure out what’s causing the baby’s cough.

Coughing is a protective reflex we have that helps clear the throat and lungs of irritants like dust, smoke, or germs. But it could be an early sign of illness. If your baby is coughing, don’t panic—just listen closely and act accordingly.

Children younger than 4 months don’t cough a lot, so it can be severe if they do. Suppose a newborn is coughing terribly in the winter, for example. In that case, it could be a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a dangerous viral infection for infants.

However, if your baby is older than 1 year old, a cough is much more likely to just be a cold. So how can you tell? To help you differentiate between a wait-and-see cough and one that demands immediate medical attention, all you have to do is stay calm, listen carefully to the baby’s cough, and follow the directions below.
1. Common Cold or Viral Flu
Nature of Cough: Dry Cough

Symptoms:

Runny nose

Sore throat

Dry cough

However, based on how severe the cold is, there is a possibility that your baby could have rattling mucus and a slight fever, especially during the night.

Remedies:

The best thing as a parent you can do for your little one is probably something you’re already doing: Helping them get lots of fluids, plenty of rest, and as much comfort as possible when he’s feeling miserable.

The AAP recommends that babies with colds suck on a pacifier dipped in honey (just be sure your child is at least 1 year old before you give them honey). If you prefer, prop the baby up on pillows and let them have some breast milk or formula.

You can also help clear mucus from your baby’s nose with saline nose drops. A cool-mist humidifier will keep the baby’s airways nice and moist.
1. COVID-19
Compared to adults, babies are not severely affected by the COVID-19 virus. However, there may be asymptomatic cases and instances where babies develop a wide range of symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough, upon direct exposure to the virus. These usually occur during 2-14 days of exposure.

Nature of Cough: Dry and continuous. Some babies may also have a wet cough.

Symptoms:

Runny nose

Mild to moderate fever

Shortness of breath

Decreased feeding

Behavioral changes

Diarrhea

Vomiting

It is extremely rare, but there can be instances where babies experience severe symptoms of COVID-19.

Remedies:

If you think your little one may possibly be having COVID-19, don’t panic! Call your health care provider, and they will arrange the testing. If they do test positive, isolate them along with their primary caregiver from the rest of the family. Seek immediate medical help for alarming symptoms, such as:

-breathing or feeding difficulties

-blue-ish lips

-dehydration

-an inability to wake
1. Baby Croup
Baby Croup is a condition that is caused by a viral infection that irritates your baby’s upper airways (commonly the trachea) and causes them to swell. This can cause difficulties in breathing.

Nature of Cough: Similar to a bark. Babies will also gasp for air.

Symptoms:

The most common symptom of a croup-induced cough is hearing your baby coughing continuously at night with a noise similar to a barking wheeze accompanied by difficulty in breathing, hence the name ‘croup.’ The barking noise, which resembles a seal, appears at the point of inhalation and not during exhalation. A slight fever can also occur.

It is more common among children under the age of 5 and begins as a normal cold before developing into croup. This is not a severe condition. It usually clears up after 3-4 days from the first time you notice your baby coughing during sleep. If it doesn’t subside after four nights, contact your doctor.

Remedies:

First, try to get your baby to calm down—the more they panic, the more they’ll struggle to breathe. Hold your child and talk to them in a soothing voice.

Once they’ve calmed down, consider one of the following techniques:
- Run your shower and close the bathroom door. Then let your child breathe in the steamy air. If you don’t have a shower, try boiling some water and pouring it into a bowl for your child to breathe in.
- If it’s a mild evening, then take them outside; the damp air will be effective in making it easier for them to breathe.
- Have your baby breathe the air from a cool-mist humidifier.
1. Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection affecting children under the age of 3, especially those younger than 6 months. The vast majority of these cases result from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is generally one of the most frequent reasons kids visit the emergency room. For children above the age of 3, the condition usually occurs as a common cold. But for toddlers and infants younger than that, bronchiolitis can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.

Nature of Cough: Wheezing cough

Symptoms:

Common symptoms include a cold, running nose, and wheezing. However, this can be easily confused with asthma. However, bronchiolitis can be distinguished from asthma because it occurs mainly during autumn and winter and would also induce a slight fever and loss of appetite.

Remedies:

If your baby has bronchiolitis, you can treat it at home once her breathing is under control. Babies need plenty of fluids, rest, and a cool-mist humidifier to help them breathe easier. You should be monitoring your baby’s respiratory rate. If it gets higher than 50 breaths per minute, then your child is in respiratory distress. In this case, call 000 immediately.
1. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
This is a life-threatening bacterial infection that affects unvaccinated babies. (DTaP Vaccine)

Nature of Cough: A loud and consistent ‘whoop’ sound

Symptoms:

Discolored Face

Bulging Eyes

Coughing Spasms

Tongue Sticking Out

Remedies:

Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, make sure that your baby is immunized via three doses of the DTaP vaccination.

If you believe that your baby is suffering from whooping cough, call 000 immediately. By the time coughing fits develop, then the child must be hospitalized immediately so they can receive oxygen during the coughing spells. Your baby and every member of your household will be prescribed the antibiotic erythromycin to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. When your child comes through the initial attack, pertussis should run its course. This can take many months of isolation.
1. Asthma
Nature of Cough: Wheezing cough

Symptoms:

Retractions due to respiratory distress

Cold symptoms

Runny eyes

Itching (especially the eyes)

Remedies:

Whatever your baby’s case, it’s always best to call your doctor when you hear your infant wheezing. Commonly, despite arriving at a definite diagnosis of asthma, doctors often use asthma medication to treat most bouts of wheezing.

Your doctor might prescribe a liquid form of albuterol to open the airways, or a nebulizer may be used if the attacks are very severe. If your child has an itchy, runny nose and has difficulty breathing, call your pediatrician immediately. As it is with bronchiolitis, you should observe your child’s respiratory rate. If it gets too high, which is 50 breaths per minute or more—your child is definitely in respiratory distress. Call 000!
1. Pneumonia
Nature of Cough: Wet and phlegmy cough

Symptoms:

Extreme fatigue

Breathing difficulties

Phlegm expelled in shades of green and yellow

Remedies:

The first step is to call your doctor, especially if your baby has a fever.

Once your doctor identifies whether the pneumonia is bacterial or viral, they can make a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Bacteria cause most cases of pneumonia, and bacterial pneumonia is usually more dangerous than viral pneumonia. Viral pneumonia can cause serious complications in some babies. Still, it is less of a concern in a healthy baby than bacterial pneumonia would be.

The most common source of bacterial pneumonia is what is called Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as “strep”). The pneumococcal vaccine can help prevent this kind of bacterial pneumonia.
1. Expelling Foreign Objects
Since babies always stick things in their mouths, persistent cough is a common culprit.

Nature of Cough: Small, persistent cough, gasping for air.

Symptoms:

Persistent cough and sometimes wheezing

Pneumonia due to swallowing food the wrong way (peanuts most commonly)

If the baby’s airway is blocked completely, they will:

Turn pale or blue

Make no sound at all

Appear very distressed

Remedies:

First thing’s first: If you see that your baby’s airway is totally blocked, turn them over immediately and deliver five back blows between the shoulder blades. If you’re unable to remove the foreign object, call 000.

If the object is only partially lodged, tilt Baby’s head down and give them a few gentle pats on the back, so they’ll try to cough it up. If you think your baby is suffering from a partially lodged object, and they don’t appear able to cough it up, get them a chest x-ray. If a bit of food is found stuck, the doctor will refer you to a specialist who can perform a bronchoscopy. During the procedure, the child will be put under general anesthesia, and a tiny fiber-optic tube with tweezers at the end will go down the airway to pick out the foreign body.
April 30, 2022
Life Within: Understanding Your Baby’s Movements
Fetal movement during pregnancy can be one of the most thrilling (and nerve-wracking) aspects of carrying a child. Most pregnant women will experience a fetal movement of some kind, whether it’s a light flutter or a strong kick. Before we move on to our article, let us tell you this. While the fetal movement is generally normal, it can sometimes be a sign of a problem. Talk to your doctor when you’re worried about your baby’s movements. They will be able to listen to your baby’s heart and assess how they are moving. If there is cause for concern, your doctor will likely order additional tests.

Every pregnant woman experiences fetal movement differently, and there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions. Movement is simply one way your baby communicates with you. So how do you interpret the kicks, punches, and hiccups? When is the fetal movement most likely to occur?

Fetal movement is most frequent during the third trimester. At this time, you will probably feel your baby moving between 10 and 20 times per day. Fetal movement typically increases as you near your due date.

How often should you feel your baby move?

The average woman will feel her baby move about 8-10 times a day in the second trimester and about 15-20 times a day in the third trimester. Each time your baby moves, you will probably feel a little flutter in your stomach or side. You may also get the sensation of your baby kicking.

In addition to feeling the baby move, there are some other signs that your baby is healthy and growing:

Baby Alert: A Mom’s Perspective

Your abdomen will start getting bigger as the uterus expands to make room for the growing fetus. The uterus grows from the small size of a pear to the size of a grapefruit by the end of the first month.

Internal Sensations:

When the baby is around 5½ inches long and weighs about 6.5 ounces, they are getting ready to make their first movements, which may feel like flutters. Your uterus will have now grown big enough that you can feel the baby’s kicks—but they won’t be strong enough for you to notice them yet. You might have felt a little “flutter” when you were carrying the egg, but now the movements and kicks will start feeling more pronounced. The baby is, after all, continuing to grow at a rapid rate, doubling in size every week. Your uterus would have grown so large that it’s pressing against your diaphragm and restricting your breathing.

What You Look Like: You might have started showing already—you’ll know for sure when someone comments on it! If not, don’t worry—it will happen soon enough.

What You’re Feeling: Excited! Scared! Thrilled! Nauseous! Heartburn! Sleepy!

What You Look Like: Pregnant. That’s right; you look pregnant. Many people will comment on your “baby bump,” and some might even ask if you are expecting.

When can you feel your baby move?

You will notice find that your baby is more active under the following circumstances:
- Bed Time: When you’ve wrapped up your day and settled down for the night, you’ll likely notice that baby is more active. The movement of your own body can put her to sleep during the day, and you’re typically preoccupied with other things. You’ll be more likely to notice what the baby is up to if you’re relaxed and tuned in to your body.
- Post Munch: After you’ve had a bite to eat. Your baby may experience a burst of energy due to the spike in your blood sugar.
- Jitters and Shivers: When you’re feeling nervous and jittery. The production of adrenaline will have the same effect and provide a surge of energy for your child.
- Hiccupotamus: When your child develops a case of the hiccups. Have you ever noticed small flutters of subtle but rhythmic tics that linger anywhere from a minute to an hour? Your baby is most likely experiencing a harmless and very common episode of the hiccups. It’s very natural not to have them as well.
Kicks-Galore! What does it mean to carry around a super-active baby?

Your baby may be active and sharpening its tiny muscles before birth. If you are pregnant, try to take a deep breath and relax. It doesn’t mean that your child will grow up to be uncontrollably hyperactive or that their life is predetermined to be an Olympic level runner nor the next great wing three-quarter for the Wallabies. I mean, they could be, but that’s not the key takeaway.

Kicks should simply be seen as a healthy part of fetal development. They’re like an “exercise routine” and help strengthen all of those growing muscles and bones before the baby is born.

As your baby grows, their living area will become considerably smaller. That poor unborn baby, you might think, but hold on! You might not realize how strong babies are! They might be cramped and uncomfortable, but by the third trimester, they would still manage to kick up a storm! The average baby can kick with a generated force of around 11 pounds (around 49 Newtons) by the end of their 6th month. Kicks are an important part of fetal development, so be sure to share your kick counts with your doctor.

No matter what you’re experiencing, remember, this is just the third trimester. You’ve got it made! Just a few more weeks, and you’ll be holding your little one in your arms.

If your little one’s favourite pastime of going full Virgil Donati in your belly becomes too much for you to bear, try a different position. Sit or lie down on your side. Your baby will likely find this new position and continue with their playing. If a foot (or feet) starts to pester your ribs, take it as your cue to change positions and since you would most likely be suffering from uncomfortable feet in the last few weeks of pregnancy, try some pelvic tilts. A gentle nudge is sometimes all that’s needed to change positions.

Tracking Your Baby’s Kicks:

As a parent, it’s your duty to keep track of your baby’s movement. A baby will kick and punch less frequently in the morning and more often in the evening. So, set aside sometime twice a day to do kick counts. In the morning, count movements like kicks and punches. In the evening, count movements like kicks, flutters, or rolls. Keep an eye out for 10 movements of any kind within an hour. When you reach 10, stop counting and note the time. If it takes more than two hours to count to 10, that is a typical red flag for you to contact your doctor or midwife for evaluation.

Incoming! Going into Labour

Do you know those movements felt in your baby’s first 30 weeks? They’re about to change when you are about to go into labour. Typically, around two to three weeks before labour, your baby’s head drops down into the pelvis as they start to prepare themselves for their grand entrance. This preparation period will result in a change in their internal activity patterns.

When you’re about 32 weeks pregnant, your baby may start to move less. Don’t worry—this is normal for the last few weeks before delivery! Some activity patterns vary widely and can change from week to week. Some babies become less active in the last few weeks, but others manage to keep up an energetic pace until the big day.

Regardless of the position your baby takes in your womb; you should still feel your baby move every day. You will feel more movement before labour than you will right after birth, but even then, you should still feel a slight movement. If all movement ceases or there is a significant decrease of movement when you are close to delivery, consult your doctor immediately!

When can you expect decreased movement?

Sex: At the end of a long day, many pregnant women find themselves sleeping after sex. The rocking movements and uterine contractions that happen post-orgasm and the release of oxytocin and vasopressin often lead to a quick snooze for both mom and baby. However, some babies become more active after sex. Either way, these changes are expected – and should never be a sign that sex during pregnancy is unsafe unless explicitly advised!

Second Trimester: If you don’t feel movement during the second trimester, don’t panic. This is normal. It is common not to feel regular movement at this stage and with your baby still relatively tiny. It might be because they are in the fetal position or because you sleep right through the most active periods of the night.

Third Trimester: The third trimester is one of the most crucial stages for moms-to-be. Your baby has now established a fairly regular sleep and wake cycle. Count the number of fetal movements a few times a day and be sure to report any sudden decreases to your doctor. Any sudden decreases during this period should not be taken lightly.

If your baby is moving less than usual, you might feel worried. Don’t hesitate to give yourself a little reassurance: Have a quick snack and sit or lie down for about half an hour. If your baby responds to the food by moving 10 times or more, then it’s safe to assume that everything is fine. And if you don’t feel 10 movements, call your practitioner to make sure – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Feeling your baby move is one of the most exciting milestones of pregnancy.

And while lightening or Braxton-Hick’s contractions can be a little alarming at first, fetal movements are very real and a sign of the life growing inside of you. So, sit back, relax and enjoy! Just don’t forget to do those kick counts during the third trimester!
April 5, 2022