Problems & First Aid

Overview:

Bellyache
Diarrhoea
Vomit
Fever
Earache
Runny Nose
Spitting Up
Nappy rash
Constipation
Teething

Bellyache

Because babies’ digestive systems are not fully mature, they are particularly sensitive. Babies often develop colic, especially in their first 3 months. When your baby swallows too much air while drinking, she can bloat quickly, causing her stomach to rumble and making her cry and lift her legs to her body. 

Prevention:

• Create a relaxing environment during feeding so that your baby can drink in peace. Always burp your baby after the meal to make sure that she gets any air she swallowed out of her stomach.
• If you are breastfeeding, avoid eating flatulent foods. See if our baby reacts positively if you drink caraway or fennel tea regularly.
• If your baby is bottle feeding…

…make sure you keep the bottle slanted so that the teat is completely filled with milk and not with air.
…make sure you are using the correct teat size. There are also special anti-colic teats designed to prevent your baby from swallowing too much air.
…do not violently shake the bottle during or after preparing it. This can produce a lot of unnecessary foam. Try to rather slew it gently until the powder is well dissolved. 

What you can do to help:

• Heat usually helps. A small, warm, lightweight grain pillow can give your baby some relief.
• Gently massage your baby’s lower stomach, clockwise around the navel, possibly with warm caraway oil or wind ointment (from the pharmacy).
• Try carrying your baby with her stomach on your forearm and her legs hanging down on either side of your elbow.
• There are products available at the pharmacy that dissolve air bubbles, reducing the pressure in your baby’s stomach. Just ask your midwife or paediatrician for advice. 

Diarrhoea

Soft, thin, and almost liquid stool is actually completely normal in new-borns. Babies who are nursing tend to have thin, yellowish stool, while babies who are bottle feeding usually have harder stool. However, if the stool is extremely runny or watery, is occurring frequently, and does not normalize within 24 hours, you should talk to your midwife or paediatrician. If your baby is vomiting in addition to the diarrhoea, contact your doctor or paediatrician immediately. It is also normal for nursing children who are teething to suddenly have greenish diarrhoea, which is no cause for concern.

Diarrhoea is something to take seriously in infants, because they can lose a lot of fluid and become dehydrated. The first signs of dehydration are dry lips, tongue, and mucous membranes and the sinking of the fontanelle. Your paediatrician will usually prescribe electrolyte solutions to balance your baby’s minerals.

Vomit

Many babies spit after drinking a portion of the milk. In most cases, this is completely safe and will stop when the sphincter of the stomach grows stronger. When real vomiting occurs, the muscles push the stomach content out.

Your baby is likely to be vomiting, rather than spitting up, if she pukes without having eaten, the vomit smells unpleasant, and she is very uncomfortable.

Your baby loses a lot of fluid when she vomits. Therefore, offer her something to drink as often as possible.

If your baby vomits after several meals and is also experiencing a fever, abdominal pain or diarrhoea, you should consult your paediatrician immediately. The same applies if she is vomiting even the smallest amounts of liquid. 

Fever

When one talks about fever at all?

• 36.5°C to 37.5°C: normal body temperature of healthy children
• 37.6°C to 38.5°C: elevated temperature
• At 38.5°C: fever
• Above 39°C: high fever
• Above 41°C: hyperthermia

Fever is not a disease in itself, but rather a protective response by the body to mobilize the immune system – for example, in response to an infection or inflammation. This can happen quickly in infants and can have very different causes. If your baby has a fever of 38.5°C for more than one day, you should visit your paediatrician

A high fever can be a large burden on a small body. What can you do to help relieve symptoms?

• Increase fluid intake by frequently giving your baby something to drink.
• Do not dress your baby in warm clothes when she is hot to the touch (light airy and loose fitting clothes) or in warmer clothes when she is shivering.
• Cold leg compresses can artificially reduce a fever. Apply them only at a body temperature above 39°C. Important: Cold compresses should only be applied when the calves are hot. Otherwise, please apply them to the abdomen. Use lukewarm water so that the temperature is no more than 1-2°C below the measured temperature. If you have questions, ask your paediatrician.
• Medicine prescribed by a physician can reduce fever (usually a suppository containing the active ingredient acetaminophen). Pay close attention to the correct dosage.  

Earache

Babies and toddlers are more susceptible to middle ear inflammation than adults are. Otitis media often comes with an infection of the nasopharynx and can be very painful.

When you expect your child has an ear infection, you should seek medical attention. Your paediatrician will likely prescribe decongestant nosedrops first, possibly followed by suppositories or medicine for the pain.

Preventative, it is advisable to always check for enough humidity in the bedrooms.

What you can do:

• Baby nasal drops can decongest the mucous membranes, reducing the pressure and pain. You can try it first with breast milk. This has a decongestant effect on the mucous membranes and can ensure that your child can breathe freely again. Saline from the pharmacy may also be an alternative.
• Heat (for example, a warm cushion or washcloth) can also help.
• One home remedy that can be used after the age of 6 months (due to the essential oils), is the onion. Chop it finely and pack it into a napkin or washcloth. Then, place the bag on the sore ear.

Runny Nose

A cold or a stuffy nose can impair breathing, make it uncomfortable and difficult for your baby to drink. 

Ways to give relief:

• Midwives know that a drop of milk dripped in each nostril can do wonders and  free your baby’s little nose.
• Babies may not like adults blowing their nose, but there are special nasal aspirators that allow you to carefully remove the secretion. This can also prevent further aggravation.
• Increase the amount of humidity in the bedroom by hanging wet towels near the crib or placing a bowl of water on the heater.
• If your baby’s nose is heavily clogged, preventing her from drinking, your paediatrician may also prescribe baby nasal drops. These should not be applied over a long period of time.
• Lots of fresh air is healthy – do not deny you and your baby a walk.  

Spitting Up

Spitting up has nothing to do with vomiting and is harmless in most cases. Usually, it is milk right after the meal that your baby simply spits out again, without any discomfort or exertion. The milk rises back up easily, like a “liquid burp".

The main reason for spitting is usually because your baby’s sphincter between the stomach and oesophagus is not working properly. This grows with age. If your baby is gaining the appropriate amount of weight for her age, there is no cause for alarm. 

Nappy rash

A sore bottom can be very uncomfortable – no wonder your baby is whiny! The main cause is usually something in the diet, but can also be in the ingredients of care products, detergents, or the nappy.

Pus pimples may indicate a bacterial infection. A fungal infection is often shown through individual red spots beyond the reddened nappy area and flaking at the edge. Talk to your paediatrician in these cases. 

This is good for the baby bottom:

• Always make sure your baby’s bottom is dry. Change the nappy frequently to make sure your baby is not sitting in a wet nappy.
• Clean the poo from your baby as gently as possible. Your baby may not tolerate wipes well. A washcloth with warm water might be better for her. Then pat your baby’s bottom with a dry towel, do not rub.
• Many moms swear by the zinc ointment, however, this can clog your baby’s pores. There are home remedies with fewer side effects, including applying a thin layer of Johannis herb oil or just a few drops of breast milk dapped onto the sores. Cold chamomile or black tea has a skin soothing and cooling effect.
• Air promotes healing, so let your baby run around with a naked bottom as often as possible.
• Before putting a new nappy on your baby, her bottom should be completely dry.
• If you are breastfeeding, keep an eye on the impact of your own food to your baby.