Healthy Baby
A healthy baby is every parent's first priority. It is often the only thing a pregnant mother-to-be wishes for and she usually takes care of herself accordingly for the duration of her pregnancy to maximize the outcome. Well, if you have been blessed with a healthy baby, don't stop there.
Part of continuing to have a healthy baby means making sure she receives all of the recommended immunizations in the first year of life.
Immunization And Your Baby's First Illness, by Lisa Lee
Without doubt, making sure that your baby has the correct immunizations is very important. She will be given several vaccinations from her birth and these will continue into her childhood.
Since immunization was first introduced it has saved hundreds of thousands of children’s lives. The simple procedure involves injecting your baby with vaccines, which protect them against serious, and sometimes fatal, diseases.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies receive the following vaccinations, but remember that this may change over time so please check with your doctor for the most up to date ones:
· Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)
· Inactivated polio (IPV)
· Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
· Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP)
· Pneumococcal (PCV)
· Hepatitis B (HepB)
· Influenza (flu)
· Varicella (chickenpox)
By giving your child these vaccines you are protecting her for her whole life against several diseases. Many of the above vaccines protect your baby against diseases that are particularly prevalent in the early years of a child’s life, while some are for diseases that can occur at any time in life.
The injections are likely to be painful for your baby as they involve getting in injection via hypodermic needle. However, they’re worth it for the protection your child will receive in the long term.
The diseases these vaccinations protect your baby from are very serious. Babies may become very ill and even die if they are allowed to develop the diseases that are prevented by these shots.
Babies are born with some degree of pre-determined natural immunity – this is acquired in the womb from the mother’s blood. This immunity is further strengthened during breastfeeding (breast milk is rich in antibodies).
However this type of immunity is passive and wears off during the baby’s first year, thus leaving her open to several diseases. This is why vaccines are so important.
Your doctor or health care clinic will notify you when it is time for your baby’s first shot, which generally occurs at three months.
It’s likely that your baby will catch a cold at some point, and this can understandably an anxious time for parents. It’s possible that along with the cold your baby may develop a fever – symptoms will include a cough, runny nose/sore throat and watery eyes – she may also display signs of irritability.
A baby that is under 6 years of age is unlikely to be able to breathe through a stuffed nose – this will mean that even eating may be a challenge. You can expect a cold to last anywhere from 2 to 10 days old, sometimes even longer.
Most babies have several colds by the time they reach 2 years of age, and sadly each one is uncomfortable for the baby and anxious for the parents.
If your baby is under three months old when he gets his cold you should contact your doctor. If your baby is over three months old you only need to contact your doctor if the fever gets too high, the cold lasts too long, or you suspect your baby may have an ear infection, cough, or other secondary problem from his cold.
Until the cold disappears there are several things that you can do to ease your baby’s discomfort during his cold:
· Rest is important, ensure your baby gets as much of it as possible.
· Plenty of liquids are needed, especially if a fever is also present.
· If the baby is stuffed up elevate her head by putting a pillow or two under the crib mattress at one end.
· Keep your baby comfortable by wiping his runny nose – this will help him breathe easier.
· Lots of love, affection and patience are required at this point.
As worried as you are likely to get, your baby’s cold will ultimately pass.
Need more information on baby care tips then try visiting baby-care-guide.info where you will find more information on baby bathing and baby teethingArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Lee
Back to Home Page from Healthy Baby
|
