Every parent wants the best for their baby. Taking care of their child's health is one of the major issue of concern for them. You don't need to be a health professional or a microbiologist to be an expert parent. However there are some very important things if you do you can have a happy and healthy baby.
Bacteria are everywhere. Luckily most of the microorganisms found in the environment are harmless but those which are dangerous can cause life threatening diseases.
Since newborns do not have a fully developed immune system they are at a larger risk of developing bacterial infections. As soon as your baby is born the first protective shield you give him is Colostrum.
Colostrum or first milk
The first yellowish sticky secretion from the mammary glands is Colostrum. It is produced right after birth and lasts for 3 days. After that Colostrum is no more produced. Colostrum is rich in nutrients and also has small quantities of antibodies. In spite of being in minute amount these antibodies are of such great importance that they protect the baby from respiratory and enteric infections.
Colostrum is almost like the first vaccine you give your baby.
Honey feeding: A very bad idea
Feeding honey to a newborn has been a tradition in almost every part of the world. But this tradition must not be followed.
The problem is not with honey it's basically the spores of a very nasty bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which is the cause of a life threatening disease infant botulism. Even if the live bacteria is not present in the honey and only the spores are present that can also pose a danger. Because if this honey is ingested by a newborn the spores will germinate in the intestine and release a very poisonous toxin which can cause paralysis, if not treated promptly it can result in death.
Therefore please do not give honey to your baby.
Take care of your baby's hygiene
- Do not be tempted to save money on diapers. Clean your baby's bum as soon as you can when the diaper is dirty.
- Wash your baby's bum with water rather than wiping. Washing protects from nappy rashes.
- If the weather allows try to bathe your baby every alternate day.
- Wash your baby's clothes separately
- Always make sure your baby's sleeping area is free from dust. Fungal and mold spores are trapped in dust particles.
- Wash the bed covers, pillow covers etc every month.
- Do not keep many stuffed toys near the sleeping place.
- Ask your pediatrician about the water quality in your area and what are his recommendations about sterilizing the water, in order to give your baby formula milk.
- Before every feeding make it a habit to boil the feeding equipments (breast pump, bottles, nipples, rings, caps etc) in a pan of boiling of water for 5 minutes. Commercial steam sterilizers are also available for this purpose.
- Always prepare a fresh bottle. Bacteria get transferred from your baby's mouth to the nipple and reusing that bottle increases the risk of contamination.
- Keep his utensils separate including pans, food grinder, serving bowls, spoons etc
- Always use fresh fruits and vegetables. Wash them thoroughly in running water.
- Keep cereals etc in airtight containers.
- Keep the utensils cleaning sponge separate and do not clean with the regular home used sponge as some of the bacteria can be transferred in this way.
Once your baby starts weaning make it a habit to clean your baby's mouth every morning with a clean cotton cloth. Rub the gums gently. If your baby is teething he will enjoy it because the pressure you apply on the gums soothes the pressure coming for below.
Make it a point to remain updated with all the new research that's being done in the childcare dept. And also follow your instincts. Remember that you are the parent and you know what's best for your child.
