Height / Weight Charts for Children

The Charts given below indicate the height and weight averages of normally growing children.

Boys
Age Birth 3 monts 6 months 9 months 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years 7 years 8 years 9 years 10 years Weight(Kg) 3.3 6.0 7.8 9.2 10.2 12.3 14.6 16.7 18.7 20.7 22.9 25.3 28.1 31.4 Height(cm) 50.5 61.1 67.8 72.3 76.1 85.6 94.9 102.9 109.9 116.1 121.7 127.0 132.2 137.5

Girls
Age Birth 3 months 6 months 9 months 1 year 2 years Weight(kg) 3.2 5.4 7.2 8.6 9.5 11.8 Height(cm) 49.9 60.2 66.6 71.1 75.0 84.5

3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years 7 years 8 years 9 years 10 years

14.1 16.0 17.7 19.5 21.8 24.8 28.5 32.5

93.9 101.6 108.4 114.6 120.6 126.4 132.2 138.3

To calculate the expected maximum Height to which your Child might grow - Click Here These charts are rough indicators. Nutrition, genetics, birth weight and height contribute to the height and weight development in the early years. Therefore there is bound to be variaton from the chart provided above. If there is a more-than-20percent variation seek a doctors advice. More details on calculating height and weight of Infants.

The New Born

The First Cry About Feeds Stools Height, Weight and Head circumference Incessant Crying: causes and myths Don't ever give your baby...

The First Cry The cry of the newborn child is one of the most welcome events that occur at childbirth. This cry is a healthy sign. It helps to increase the blood circulation through the baby's body and improve the oxygen supply to vital organs like the brain. If the child does not cry within five minutes after birth there is a chance of the child having suffered neurological damage. About Feeds The First Feed Infants can be breast-fed within two hours after birth. In most cases there is adequate milk in the mother to satisfy the child's needs.

In the first three days the mother's milk is slightly yellow in colour and is called Colostrum. Colostrum contains many substances that improve the child's resistance against a number of infections. The milk in the first three days should not be discarded just because it is yellowish in colour. There is no need to supplement with powdered milk or water. Some children may start crying for another feed soon after having had a feed. There is nothing wrong in giving them a second feed and this is not abnormal. A majority of newborns will have one of the following complaints in the first 45 days of life: sneezing, hiccups, moaning, crying at night and continuous sleep during the day. These are all normal occurrences in the neonatal period. These by themselves do not constitute abnormalities. Feeding Schedules Some mothers think that feeding the child every time it cries for feeds is harmful and strains the child's digestive system. Many mothers tend to monitor feeds by the clock at intervals of every three hours. This is totally wrong and the child can and must be fed every time it cries for feeds. Practices like waking up a sleeping child just because it may be time for next feed are to be avoided. Type and Quantity of Feeds The child can be fed in any posture that is convenient to both the mother and the child. Thus the mother can feed the child either while standing or sitting down or even while leaning back on a pillow. However it is necessary to ensure that the child's head is above the rest of its body when it is feeding to avoid the risk of aspirating. From the fourth month onwards powdered milk feeds and semi-solid feeds may be begun. Many mothers feel that these feeds have to be very dilute, as otherwise the child cannot digest the feed. This again is incorrect thinking and the feeds have to be mixed in the ratio of one ounce (about six teaspoons) of water for every scoop of milk powder. The quantity of each feed depends on the age and weight of the child with 5 ounces of milk to be given for every Kg of body weight per day. Thus a five kg child should receive approximately 25 ounces of milk per day. Both cow's milk and dairy milk can be given in a thick form. For every three ounces of the feed one spoon of sugar can be added. From the ninth month, the child must be encouraged to drink milk from a tumbler. If the child gets habituated to the feeding bottle, it will be dependent on the bottle until it goes to school. Stools From the fourth day onwards the colour of the mother's milk becomes white. Some children may develop mild diarrhoea around this time and this is called Transitional Diarrhoea. The stools of the child that were dark green or even blackish until this time will begin to turn yellow in colour. Just how many times is it permissible for a newborn child to pass motion, mothers frequently ask. The answers is that the newborn may pass from one or two stools a day to as many as ten or twelve stools a day and neither of the extremes is abnormal.

Height, Weight and Head circumference Weight of the child The newborn weighs between 2.5 and three kilograms. In the first three months, the child gains weight at the rate of 200 grams per week and thereafter at the rate of 150 grams every week. Thus the child weighs roughly three times its birth weight when it is one year old and about four times its birth weight when it is two years old. The formula for calculating the weight of a child between two and 12 years of age is: (Age in years + 3)*5 in pounds. The total should be the weight of the child in pounds. For example a seven-year-old child should weigh (7+3)*5=50 pounds. Height of the child First let us get to know some more facts regarding the heights of children. At birth the child's height or length will be around 20 inches and at the end of one year this increases to 30 inches. The final adult height of the child is roughly the height of the child at the age of two and a half years multiplied by two. The formula to determine the expected height of children between the ages of two and 12 there is: (Age in Years*2)+32 inches. For example for a seven year old child the expected height will be 7*2+32=46 inches or approx. 115cms. The Head Circumference of the child It is important to measure the head circumference of the child especially over the first year of life. At birth a child has an average head circumference of around 35 cms. This increases at the rate of 1.4 cms per month for first four months. Incessant Crying: causes and myths When an infant cries incessantly for several hours at a stretch, the parents get worried. The mother thinks that the child is hungry and tries to feed the child but the baby refuses to feed. Any one of the following causes may cause incessant crying: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Abdominal colic Earache Insect bite Headache Wet nappy Lice in the hair Stubborn nature

Many parents believe that their child has developed a sprain in the neck but this is usually untrue. It is just a fear that is created to scare parents into handling their babies with care. Some children may cry a lot in the evening and this is often due to gas trapped inside the child's stomach. Don't ever give your baby... 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Gripe water Glucose Oil baths Frequent kisses especially on the lips Rubber nipples to silence them when they cry Castor oil or any other laxative Incense smoke Vasambu

Also note: Do not blow into the nose or ear of the new born Do not blow into the mouth to remove phlegm

Breast Feeding
Breast Milk is the best type of feed for a baby. The reasons are many: Nutritional: It is natures provision for the baby. For each species nature provides nourishment that matches the needs for the young one. Breast milk has enzymes, hormones, and immuno globulins that gives the ideal nutrition and cannot be matched by tinned food. The composition of breast milk varies from month to month, providing the type of nutrition that the baby needs at that point in its life. It contains the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, important in brain development. It is raw. It is not contaminated by handling. Therefore it is highly nutritious. The colostrum your baby receives in the first few days and later breast milk, contains antibodies which will help increase your baby's resistance to infection. On the other hand bottles, if not maintained hygienically, can make the child prone to infection. Breast milk contains all the nutrients your baby needs for at least the first six months of his life. You need not look for supplements.

For the baby: It satisfies the babys inborn desire to suck. It is most comforted by the smells and rhythms of the mother and being close to her while feeding enhances this. Breast milk is never too cold or too hot or stale. It is easily digestible. It satisfies the babys hunger and thirst. It increases the bond between the baby and mother.

For the mother: It is readily available. The mother does not have to prepare feeds from time to time. It does not involve cleaning and sterilising of bottles/feeding equipment. The nutritional needs of the baby are met. The mother does not need to look for supplements. The baby is healthier and is resistant to diseases, enabling the mother to return to productive work. The economic benefits of having a healthier baby, with no spending on baby food, bottles, sterilising equipment are huge. Breastfeeding does not mean that the mother has to stay at home all day. Many women are able to breastfeed as well as work outside home. Breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive process. Women who breast-feed get back in shape faster than other mothers. When the baby feeds oxytocin is released. This hormone makes the uterus contract and return to its pre-pregnant state more quickly, minimizing blood loss. Prolaction, which helps you relax, is also released while the baby is breastfed. Nursing burns up extra calories. Losing weight is easier. Women who have breast fed children are under less risk of breast cancer.

Dairy Milk Feeds

Breast milk is the best food for the newborn. All attempts must be made to give the child breast milk at least for the first six months of its life. As the baby sucks more milk is produced. If the mother has any doubts or problems regarding feeding, she should consult her doctor. If in a rare case the mother is not able to feed the child, cows milk may be given after preparing it in the following manner. If, for some reason, the mother is unable to feed the child, cows milk may then be given after preparing it in the following manner. Birth to two weeks One measure of milk for one measure of water. Third and fourth week Two measures of milk for one measure of water. From the end of the first month Milk can be given with out diluting with water. To every 100ml of milk or diluted milk 1 teaspoon of sugar is to be added. If spray dried milk available in the market has to be used, it can be mixed in the following manner. It is not necessary to add sugar. Birthtwo weeks Milk powder, one and half teaspoons with 100ml (boiled and cooled) water.

Third weekFourth week Milk Powder two teaspoons with 100ml water. From end of first month Milk powder three teaspoons with 100ml water. For feeding the child, use wide mouthed bottles or beaked feeding cup and ensure that they are sterilized in hot water before every feed. As the child grows older, in addition to breast milk, milk powders and cow's milk, the following items have to be gradually added to the Childs diet. After the completion of the fourth month Wheat or ragi gruel may be given. Two teaspoons of ragi or wheat flour are added to 100 ml of milk and 2 tsp. of sugar. The preparation is boiled for about 12 minutes and once a day, a small amount of ghee or oil can be added to this feed. Once the child is used to this feed it can be given twice or thrice every day. Instead of ragi, rice or wheat, tinned foods can also be given to the child. Six to Eight Months Small quantities of mashed Idlies (rice puddings) or Pongal (rice and lentil preparation) or mashed plantains or oranges can be given to the child. Ninth month In the morning, two small Idlies can be given. Along with this, 500ml of milk should also be given. Egg, meat and fish can also be started from this month onwards. By the end of the first year The requirement of milk starts to decrease and the child requires only around 300 ml of milk per day. Gradually, the amount of solid feeds should be increased. Rice mixed with dhal must be given atleast twice everyday. Use of tonics Children who fed with breast milk or those who are receiving milk powders do not generally require tonics. However, children who are fed with cows milk require vitamin drops for the first few months.

Movement and Infants

By Rae Pica The Infants Brain Moving and Learning Containerized Kids Trends Today Besides the fact that they were built to do so, there are a great many reasons why infants need to move. The truth is, even though their movement capabilities are extremely limited when compared with even those of a toddler, movement experiences may be more important for infants than for children of any other age group. And its not all about motor development either.

Thanks to new insights in brain research, we now know that early movement experiences are considered essential to the neural stimulation (the use-it-or-lose-it principle involved in the keeping or pruning of brain cells ) needed for healthy brain development. Not long ago, neuroscientists believed that the structure of a human brain was genetically determined at birth. They now realize that although the main circuits are prewired (for such functions as breathing and the heartbeat), the experiences that fill each childs days are what actually determine the brains ultimate design and the nature and extent of that childs adult capabilities. The Infants Brain An infants brain, it turns out, is chock-full of brain cells (neurons) at birth. (In fact, a one-pound fetus already has 100 billion of them!) Over time, each of these brain cells can form as many as 15,000 connections (synapses) with other brain cells. And it is during the first three years of life that most of these connections are made. Synapses not used often enough are eliminated. On the other hand, those synapses that have been activated by repeated early experiences tend to become permanent. And it appears that physical activity and play during early childhood have a vital role in the sensory and physiological stimulation that results in more synapses. Moving and Learning Neurophysiologist Carla Hannaford, in her excellent book, Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head, states: Physical movement, from earliest infancy and throughout our lives, plays an important role in the creation of nerve cell networks which are actually the essence of learning. She then goes on to relate how movement, because it activates the neural wiring throughout the body, makes the entire body not just the brain the instrument of learning. Gross and fine motor skills are learned through repetition as well both by virtue of being practiced and because repetition lays down patterns in the brain. Although it hasnt been clearly determined that such early movements as kicking, waving the arms, and rocking on hands and knees are practice for later, more advanced motor skills, its believed that they are indeed part of a process of neurological maturation needed for the control of motor skills. In other words, these spontaneous actions prepare the child physically and neurologically to later perform more complex, voluntary actions. Then, once the child is performing voluntary actions (for example, rolling over, creeping, and walking), the circle completes itself, as these skills provide both glucose (the brains primary source of energy) and blood flow (food) to the brain, in all likelihood increasing neuronal connections. According to Rebecca Anne Bailey and Elsie Carter Burton, authors of The Dynamic Self: Activities to Enhance Infant Development, whenever babies move any part of their bodies, there exists the potential for two different kinds of learning to occur: learning to move and moving to learn.

Containerized Kids Still, recent evidence indicates that infants are spending upward of 60 waking hours a week in things high chairs, carriers, car seats, and the like! The reasons for this trend are varied. Part of the problem is that more and more infants are being placed in childcare centers, where there may not be enough space to let babies roam the floor. Or, given the number of infants enrolled, there may be little opportunity for caregivers to spend one-on-one time with each baby. This means, in the morning, an infant is typically fed, dressed, and then carried to the automobile, where shes placed in a car seat. Shes then carried into the childcare center, where she may spend much of her time in a crib or playpen. At the end of the day, shes picked up, placed again into the car seat, and carried back into the house, where shes fed, bathed, and put to bed. Even when parents are home with baby, they seem to be busier than ever these days. Who has time to get on the floor and creep around with a child? Besides, with todays emphasis on being productive, playing with a baby would seem almost a guilty pleasure! And if the baby seems happy and safe in a seat placed conveniently in front of the TV, in a bouncer hung in a doorway, or cruising about in a walker, then whats the harm? Its a win/win situation, isnt it? In fact, it isnt. Being confined (as one colleague says: containerized) affects a babys personality; they need to be held. It may also have serious consequences for the childs motor and cognitive development. Trends Today Other trends in todays society having an impact on infants opportunities to move are the inclination to restrict, rather than encourage, freedom of movement and the misguided belief that early academic instruction will result in superbabies. (In 1999, 770,000 copies of infant software lapware were sold!) Humans are meant to move and play. The inclination the need is hardwired into them. Babies, in fact, spend nearly half of their waking time 40% doing things like kicking, bouncing, and waving their arms. And while it may appear all this activity is just for the sake of moving, its important to realize a baby is never just moving or just playing. Every action extends the childs development in some way. Rae Pica has been a childrens movement specialist for 24 years. A former adjunct instructor with the University of New Hampshire, she is the author of 14 books, including the text Experiences in Movement, the Moving & Learning Series, and Your Active Child, written for the parents of children birth to eight. Rae is nationally known for her workshops and keynotes and has shared her expertise with such groups as the Sesame Street Research Department, the Head Start Bureau, Centers for Disease Control, Nickelodeons Blues Clues, and a number of state health departments throughout the country. Rae served on the task force of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) that created Active Start: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children Birth to Five Years. She is also the author of Kids in Action, a booklet of movement activities parents can do at home with their children, sponsored by Kellogg, NASPE, and the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Visit Rae at www.movingandlearning.com.

The views expressed here are the authors own. All copywright issues for the above excerpt to be addressed to anne@netconnectpublicity.com

Sleep
How much sleep do babies need? Is it okay for a baby to wake up once in 3-4 hours, even through the night? Why do some babies keep awake at night? Is there some way to make them sleep longer hours or through the night? How much sleep do babies need? An infant sleeps for about 16 hours a day. But there is no hard and fast rule about it. Some babies may sleep a couple of hours less or more. A baby sleeps in cycles of three to five hours, whether it is day or night. There is no need to worry about the number of hours an infant sleeps if otherwise the baby seems normal. At night, the body produces more of the hormone that stimulates growth. So sleep is important for a babys growth. With each month a gradual change in sleeping pattern and duration happens. The naps get longer as do the waking hours. Most babies start developing longer night time naps and shorter naps during the day. The type of sleep a baby gets is different from adult sleep. Adults get about six hours of deep sleep and about two hours of REM sleep, mostly at night. Whereas a baby sleeps light more often and the sleep cycles are shorter. Is it okay for a baby to wake up once in 3-4 hours, even through the night? Babies wake up for various reasons, every few hours. Also, their sleep cycles are shorter. Babies need, nappy change, feed, water or just keep awake. Sometimes they are practising a newly learned skill, like turning over or moving forward.These are natural causes and there is no need to worry. The pattern may change when the child learns to sleep longer hours at night. Sleep is also interrupted if the child is ill. A mother/carer will be able to observe the discomfort of the child in this case. Crying, restlessness, changes in feeding/stool patterns are some indicators. Consult a paediatrician if this is so. Some infants are restless at night when teething. Infants also need to learn to/ be helped to sleep. Swaddling, holding, rocking, or feeding might help the child to doze off. Why do some babies keep awake at night? Is there some way to make them sleep longer hours or through the night?

Each infant has its own sleep schedule. Some infants are awake more often in the night. They may need a feed or a change. Infants also do not automatically associate nighttime and sleep. But they learn to do so. Most babies do so by six months of age. To help your child sleep longer hours at night you can try the following: When the baby wakes up, do not switch on the light or start playing with the baby. If the baby needs a feed or a change do it quickly and quietly, without much fuss. Feed the baby in shorter gaps in the evening, if it is willing to take it, so that he or she does not get hungry too quickly in the night. See if the baby is comfortable. Swaddling the infant will help it to feel warm and secure as it was in the womb. As the baby grows older, a loose coverlet is preferred. Babies can be hypersensitive too. Less noise, less light might help them to go back to sleep. If you have to shift them from your lap to the bed, do so when they are in deep sleep. This is when the limbs become limp. Holding them snugly, or rocking them quietly can help too.

Both extremes of reactions are better avoided. Do not fret or lose your temper because the child has woken up. Neither need you stretch yourself and keep awake entertaining the baby. All the above are not sure fire solutions. But these might help increase the comfort level make the baby learn waking up at night is not very interesting. However, sleep cannot be forced upon a baby. It may take some babies months to learn to sleep longer hours or through the night.

Sleeping Arrangements
By Armin Brott Infants Sleeping with Parents Sharing Your Bed: Safeguards Safeguards for Infants Sleeping Alone As hard as it may be to imagine, there exists a rather basic parenting issue that regularly generates even more controversy than circumcision or the disposableversus-cloth diapers-debate: whether or not to have your child sleep in the same bed as you and your partner. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on where you stand on the issue), theres absolutely no consensus on which view is the right one. And just to make sure that theres no real way to decide this issue once and for all, theres very little serious scientific data supporting either position. Our older daughter slept in a bassinet in our room for a month or so until we moved her into her own room, and the middle one slept in bed with us for six months before being asked to leave. Personally, I kind of liked being able to snuggle up with a warm, smooth baby, but after being kicked in the head, stomach, back, face, and

chest every night for six months I was glad to go back to an adults-only sleeping arrangement. My youngest also started off in our bed but moved to her own room after only 6 weeks or so. Infants Sleeping with Parents Here are some of the most common issues that come up in discussions of the family bed: Independence. Proponents of co-sleeping or the family bed point to the fact those in most countries (comprising about 80 percent of the worlds population), parents and children sleep in the same bed. They claim that kids are being forced to be independent too early and that human evolution simply cant keep pace with the new demands our culture is placing on its children. They maintain that before a child can become independent she must feel that the world is a safe place and that her needs will be met. Kids who sleep in a family bed turn out to be more independent, more confident, and more selfassured than those who dont. Critics, however, say that what works in other countries doesnt always work here. In America, early independence is critical, and babies should therefore quickly learn to be away from their parents, especially if both work and the children have to be in day care. Sleep: the babys. Despite what you might think, co-sleeping children tend to sleep more lightly than children who sleep alone (blankets rustling and parents turning over in bed wake them up). But light sleeping isnt necessarily a bad thing. In fact, there seems to be a correlation between lighter sleep and a lower incidence of SIDS. Sleep: yours. Its perfectly normal for even the soundest-sleeping kids to wake up every three or four hours for a quick look around the room. The vast majority (about 70 percent) soothe themselves back to sleep after a minute or two. But about 30 percent will spot something they just have to play with (you or your partner, for example), and theyre up for hours. Safety. Many parents are afraid that theyll accidentally roll over their sleeping child if the whole family is sharing the same bed. While this is a perfectly legitimate concern, most adultseven while asleephave a highly developed sense of where they are. Its probably been quite a while since you fell out of bed in the middle of the night. Sexual spontaneity. No kidding. But there are plenty of other places to make love besides your bed. Breastfeeding. Theres no question that its a lot easier for a nursing mother to reach across her bed for the baby than to get up and stagger down the hall. Some research indicates that this may encourage mothers to breastfeed longer. Problems arise, however, when fathers feel (and they often do) displaced by the nursing baby and decide that the only place to get a good nights sleep is on the couch.

Things to Consider About Sharing Your Bed with Your Child Keep politics out of your decision-making. Sleep with your child because you and your partner want to, not because you feel you have to. Dont be embarrassed. Youre not being soft, negligent, or overindulgent its a choice made by millions of fine parents.

Make sure your bed is large enough to accommodate everyone. (But no waterbedsbaby could roll between you and the mattress.) Put the bed against the wall and have the baby sleep on the wall side, or get a guard rail if shes going to sleep on the outside edge. And remember, overly soft mattresses comforters, and pillows may pose a risk of suffocation. Make sure everyones toenails are trimmed. Rethink your decision right now if youre obese, you drink or take any medication that might make you hard to wake up, or if youre generally such a sound sleeper that youre worried you might roll on top of your baby without noticing. Think before you start. Once your baby has been sleeping in your bed for six to eight months, its going to be awfully hard to get her out if you change your mind.

Things to Consider About Not Sharing Your Bed with Your Child Dont feel guilty. Youre not a bad or selfish parent for not doing it. There is absolutely no evidence that sleeping with your child will speed up the bonding/attachment process. Its okay to make an occasional exception, such as when a child is ill or has had a frightening experience. If youre making your decision because of safety issues, you may be able to compromise by setting up the babys crib in your bedroom or by getting a sidecarbasically a three-sided crib that attaches to the side of your bed.

Six months to two and a half years

Milestones at six months Teeth The importance of Head Circumference Feeds Common Health Problems Milestones at six months The sixth month is an important milestone in the life of your child. It is around this time that: 1. The child opens its previously clenched fist. 2. The child learns to identify and distinguish faces. Thus it smiles at a familiar face and may cry or frown at an unfamiliar person. 3. It attempts to turn over. Teeth In most children, teething starts from the age of six months and by the time the child is two and half years old it has 20 teeth. For some children, teething starts only from their second year. Teething can be delayed because of a variety of factors such as heredity, poor nutrition etc. By the seventh or eighth year these milk teeth start to be replaced by permanent teeth. The belief that teething in children is

accompanied by diarrhoea and incessant fever, is a myth. In fact the only thing dentition starts is, well--- teeth. The importance of Head Circumference At birth a child has an average head circumference of around 35 cms. This increases at the rate of 1.4 cms per month for the first four months. At the end of 1 year the Head Circumference (HC) is about 45 cms; At the end of 3 years the H.C. is about 48 cms; At the end of 6 years the H.C. is 49.5 cms; The head circumference can be measured at home by using the following method: Use a string or twine for measuring. Take it around the baby's forehead, passing it above the ears to the back of the head until the two ends of the twine meet. Mark this point on the string and measure the length on a scale and that gives you the head circumference. If the head circumference of the child varies from the normal, there is no need to panic. Only if the developmental milestones of the child are also delayed is it important to seek medical attention. Feeds Around the sixth month, breast-feeding is tapered or even stopped and the child is put on bottle feeds and other supplementary foods. This period is called the weaning period. Though there is no substitute for breast milk, as the child grows older it requires supplementation of calories and proteins. As the gums harden and teeth start to grow, the child must be given chewable foodstuffs. The child may be given rice or wheat kanji (gruel) in a semisolid form using a spoon. Many a time, the child spits out the feed and this may happen for quite a while. Mothers often complain that their child does not like the gruel. But the truth is that the child, unaccustomed to semi-solid food, is afraid to accept it. When mothers persevere with these feeds patiently, the child starts to accept them well. Common Health Complaints Intus susception Soon after the weaning period begins, one segment of the intestine may cannon into another. This condition is called intus susception. When children develop intestinal obstruction, it is life threatening. Approximately five hours following this event the child may pass blood via the rectum and it is essential to seek medical help urgently. Gastro-Enteritis (Diarrhoea) Gastro-Enteritis or Diarrhoea is one of the most common problems afflicting many children. Imbibing contaminated food or water and lack of proper sanitary facilities are the two major reasons for children developing diarrhoea. Some children may

have an allergy to cows milk and this may produce diarrhoea. A variety of viruses and bacteria cause diarrhoea. Diarrhoea causes loss of water content from the body, resulting in dehydration. The administration of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), a simple first aid remedy, is helpful in preventing dehydration. To prepare ORS, add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar to one tumbler of boiled water and stir the solution well. The child should be given this solution from the first few hours of the onset of diarrhoea. (This remedy can be given at home and even children without diarrhoea can be given this fluid in the summer.) If the child starts vomiting or if the eyes become sunken rush to the doctor. If the diarrhoea persists, it is a common practice to lay the blame on an evil eye cast on the child and often faith healing is resorted to. While elders advise a host of remedies based on faith it is important not to ignore or delay medical attention for the child. Some children start vomiting along with diarrhoea. These patients can be given the same oral rehydration solution (ORS) mentioned above but giving large quantities at a time may actually provoke vomiting. So those children are given small feeds at intervals of ten minutes or so. Arrowroot gruel, Bengal Gram gruel and Tender coconut water can all be given to children with diarrhoea. Most children affected by Diarrhoea do not require an antibiotic. However, in cases of Dysentery where the child passes blood or mucus in the stools, antibiotics are necessary. It is a major blunder to starve children with diarrhoea thinking that by providing rest to the intestine, the children will get better. This will lead to disastrous consequences. The only time a child with diarrhoea can be starved is when it is receiving drips (Intravenous fluids). Modern thinking is towards giving nutritious diet to children with diarrhoea and nothing can be worse than starving them. However, it is better to avoid fruits as the fermentation and gas they induce can cause problems Here are a few simple tips to avoid Gastro-Enteritis: 1. Wash your hands well before mixing feeds. 2. Always ensure that the rubber nipple of the feeding bottle is sterilised in boiling water before use. 3. Do not place the feeding bottle on the pillow and turn the child's head to the bottle to allow it to feed. 4. A tumbler with a spoon or "Paaladai" (beaked feeding cup) is always preferable to a bottle. 5. Wash and clean the child's hands and legs well after each motion the child passes.

Common Cold Children between the ages of six months and two years are prone to developing respiratory infections. Though the common cold is almost universal in children it is often the precursor of more problematic conditions like Tonsillitis and Pneumonia and so it is unwise neglect it. The predisposing factors for catching a cold include, exposure to cold air, frequent oil baths especially when oil is poured into the ears and nose, inhaling incense and aspiration during feeds. The practice of blowing into the nose or mouth to remove the phlegm is dangerous and often makes matters worse as does bathing the child in excessively warm water. Kissing the child frequently, especially on the lips, is another way in which infection is spread to the child. This is a case of "Affection resulting in infection". The child could have got pneumonia if the respiratory infection gets severe, and the child has difficulty in breathing. At this stage the child refuses to feed and cries incessantly. There are a few simple procedures for treating common cold at home. One of them is, dip a clean muslin cloth in warm water to which half a spoon of salt has been added, twist it like a wick and then introduce the cloth into the baby's nostril to remove the phlegm. Alternatively betel juice or Tulsi (the herb Ocimum sanctum) juice may be given orally. If the child has respiratory difficulty due to Asthma, the administration of Oxygen may become necessary. Beware of Cough Syrups It is best to avoid giving cough syrups to children who are less than a year old. The sedative effect of the cough syrup may induce drowsiness and may even lead to coma. Neurological Retardation The news that their child is neurologically retarded is a shattering blow to any parent. To limit the extent of disability, it is essential to start the treatment early. There are two kinds of neurological impairments. In the first type the child is mentally retarded with the area of the brain responsible for intelligence and intellect being affected. In the second type the so-called motor area of the brain which controls the movements of the body is affected. In this type of retardation, the child has difficulty in walking, running, lifting objects or performing simple tasks like these. It is very important for pregnant women not to venture out of the house during an eclipse, as there is a risk of their babies being born with neurological defects. Scientists have now provided rational evidence to back up what was once thought of as an old wives tale. It is, therefore, important for pregnant women to report such happenings to their obstetricians without fail.

Some children develop neurological impairment as a result of their brain being deprived of oxygen in the immediate period following birth. Normally a child should start crying immediately or at the latest within five minutes following birth. Failure to cry soon after birth is often indicative of neurological damage in a child. Primary Complex When the child is about a year old there is a possibility of it developing a few new problems one of which is Primary Complex. Loss of Appetite, irritability, diminished interaction with parents and others, loss of weight, intermittent low-grade fever are all features of Primary Complex. Parents often wonder how it is possible for their children who have been immunized with B.C.G. Vaccine soon after birth to develop Primary Complex. The fact is that the B.C.G. Vaccine is not 100% effective in protecting children against Primary Complex / Tuberculosis. However B.C.G. Vaccine should be given to all children as it significantly helps in reducing the severity of the complications of Tuberculosis like Meningitis or Military T.B. even though it may be unable to prevent a child from getting a Primary complex. Primary Complex, which is due to bacteria, does not spread from one child to another. The child usually acquires the infection from an infected adult. Doctors still rely on the Mantoux test to diagnose Primary Complex. A substance called P.P.D. (Purified Protein Derivative) is injected intradermally on the child's forearm and 48 hours later the area is examined for induration and swelling which if present beyond a specified extent indicates a Positive Mantoux. A chest x-ray is then taken to confirm the diagnosis. In the early days long-term treatment was required to treat Primary Complex. Due to the discovery of newer medicine, nowadays, children with Primary Complex are treated for only six months during which time a cure is effected. However, there is a chance that the child may acquire the infection again. Casual contacts like servants at home, rickshaw driver who takes the child to school or any such persons with whom the child comes into contact can transmit the infection to the child by their cough.