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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye

Problems in babies

Young babies commonly suffer from a number of problems, most of which are perfectly normal. Crying is a baby's main method of communication so a change in the pattern or type of crying may indicate that something is wrong. Parents soon become attuned to their baby's crying. Problems that commonly affect babies include feeding and sleeping difficulty, colic, nappy rash and teething. Symptoms such as fever or diarrhoea should never be attributed to minor baby problems, and you should seek your doctor's advice if such symptoms develop.

New babies arrive after a long and sometimes seemingly endless nine months. lt seems that there is ample time to prepare for Their arrival, and yet so often these tiny, innocent beings arrive in their expectant households like miniature missiles. This is especially true for first- time parents, who before the birth can rarely see past the labour to the daily care routine beyond.

New babies dodt know that they are meant to sleep at night and be more awake during the day. They have no routine - but their parents are often used to rigid schedules chat they have stuck to for many years before their child's arrival. In the first few weeks, babies seem to do nothing but sleep, feed and cry, in an entirely random way. It helps to know what to expect.

Cryng

A baby's cry has a remarkably unsettling effect on its parents, especially the mother. Odder people may hardly notice the noise but the mother will fnd it very hard to ignore. There is a good reason for this, rooted in evolution. When a mother is breastfeeding, she is the only person who can feed the baby, and if their cries do not make her run to them, they would starve. Crying is a baby's only means of communication.

Most parents quickly recognize that their baby has different cries. Sometimes it will be the weak, "don't leave me" cry of the tired baby left to fall asleep in their cot; at orders, the alarmed and heart-rending cry of the hungry baby. A very sick baby may have a high-pitched cry that sounds odd and frightening, or may be too weak to cry at all. Some babies hardly seem to cry while others never seem to stop.

Babies cry for many reasons induding hunger, tiredness, pain, colic and dirty nappies. Babies differ in their tolerance of discomfort: some can have a filthy nappy and not fret at all, while others cannot bear even to be just a little wet.

Colic

Characterized by very sudden attacks of stomach pain, colic causes the baby to draw up their legs and cry inconsolably for several hours, day after day. No one knows what causes colic, Which makes it rather difficult to treat. Colic often follows a definite pattern: it occurs at specific times of the day, usually in the evening, and it peaks at two to three months of age, improving or disappearing altogether by around six months.

Parents of colicky babies need to be reassured that there is nothing at all wrong with their baby; and they wll often need emotional support, or someone else to look after the baby for a while.

Rashes

Babies often have blotchy skin when they arrive, and a few weeks out of the womb, their skin often becomes day and spotty.

Milia

These little white "milk spots" appear round the nose of a newborn baby's face. They usually disappear after a few weeks.

Nappy rash

Babies have very sensitive skin, end so it is not surprising that their bottoms become sore from contact with urine and faeces. To reduce the likelihood of nappy rash occurring, always change your baby if the nappy is dirtied or wet. Using a liberal application of a barrier cream at each change helps protect the skin. Also, give your baby some time, after a bath or during the day, when they are bare-bottomed.

When a baby is teething or ill, especially with diarrhoea or fever, they are much more susceptible to nappy rash. Be aware of this and make sure you do not delay changing their nappy.

If there are little red and white spots either within or outside the general rash area, then the baby may have thrush. Over-the-counter creams are available for this condition.

Teething

Some babies cut their teeth with very little fuss, whereas others seem to have a lot of trouble. The incisors at the front of the mouth usually arrive fairly painlessly around 6 months, but the bigger teeth at the back (molars), which arrive later, can cause a lot of upset.

Rubbing the gums with special teething gel and giving liquid paracetamol may help. For some babies, biting on a hard oject, such as a special teething ring or hard biscuits, can relieve the pain.

Preventing nappy rash

Use a barrier cream on their bottoms all the time-zinc and paraffin oil creams are best.Try to use only water and cotton wool in the early weeks, as they may react to wipes or lotions.Change their nappies regularly, rather than wait for them to start leaking through clothes.If a baby's bottom is beginning to look a little red, try leaving them on a towel without a nappy for a while. This will allow some air to circulate around their bottom.

Simple ways of dealing with colic

Rock your baby gently or walk around with your baby either in your arms or in a baby sling.your baby into the pram or buggy and wheel it to and fro inside the house, or, if convenient. go out for a walk with the babyRub or massage your baby's abdomen and feet, following the path of the digestive system.

Try giving your baby dimethicone drops 20 minutes before a feed.Dill, fennel and chamomile are age-old traditional herbal remedies for colic - look out for the special herbal preparations for babies that are now available.If you are breast-feeding, then you should try to rest during the day If at all possible - this will help to replenish your supply of milk, ready for the evening feeds.Making sure that you always drink plenty of fluids, and eat good, nutritionally balanced meals, will help to keep your milk supply going well.