Ensuring that infants stay free of disease is crucial for their overall growth, health, and development. Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to the construction of sturdy brain architecture and the achievement of a broad range of skills.
Immunising children against diseases is important to help them stay healthy and protect others from diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children. Widespread immunisation also helps protect those who are too young or unable to be vaccinated.
To protect new-borns from illnesses, it is important to ensure high coverage of quality antenatal care, skilled care at birth, postnatal care for mother and baby, and care of small babies in facilities or through home visits.
Mother and child
Breastfeeding is an important way to provide protection to new-borns as breastmilk contains antibodies that will help build up their immune system and protect them from illnesses that could make them sick.
It is also important to insist visitors wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, ensure all caregivers are vaccinated, stay away from sick people, etc., to keep new-borns disease free. Keeping mothers and babies together significantly improves new-born outcomes.
Infants are susceptible to various common diseases and illnesses. The most common childhood illnesses that infants can contract include the common cold, ear infections, sore throat, urinary tract infection, skin infection, bronchitis and bronchiolitis, stomach flu (gastroenteritis), hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), febrile seizures, chickenpox, colic, baby acne, bacterial conjunctivitis and diaper rash.
Paediatric ailments
Common cold is one of the most prevalent childhood illnesses caused by viruses that spread easily in environments where people have close contact with one another. Ear infections are also common in children and can be caused by bacterial or viral infections.
Sore throats are painful and can be caused by a variety of factors such as strep throat or tonsillitis. Urinary tract infections can cause discomfort while urinating and may require antibiotics to treat. Skin infections such as impetigo or cellulitis can cause redness and swelling on the skin surface.
Colic is a common paediatric ailment characterised by periods of intense crying that lasts for at least three hours and happens more than three times a week. Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes colic but it may be due to digestive issues or overstimulation.
Parents should always seek medical attention if they feel their child is seriously unwell. They should regularly consult their paediatrician for advice on appropriate care for their child’s illness or condition.
Combination practices
Preventing common childhood illnesses requires a combination of protective and preventive measures. Protective measures such as exclusive breastfeeding, adequate complementary feeding, and vitamin A supplementation provide the foundation for keeping children healthy and free of disease.
Preventive measures include immunisations, reduced household air pollution, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Additionally, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue is an important practice to prevent the spread of common childhood illnesses.
Parents should also be aware of the symptoms of common childhood illnesses and how to manage them before they progress to an advanced stage. It is important to consult a healthcare provider for specific advice on managing common childhood illnesses.
New-borns are at higher risk for infections, and their immune system is not as strong after birth, so it’s harder for them to fight off infections. It is important to be aware of what signs could mean that the new-born is sick. The symptoms of serious illness in new-borns can be subtle, and they aren’t always easy to spot.
Look out for the signs
Some common warning signs that an infant may be sick include sluggishness, refusing food or drink, vomiting (not just spitting-up), diarrhoea, fever, changes in feeding patterns, sweating during feedings, sleeping more than normal, irritability or crying more often than usual. Mild cold symptoms like runny nose or sneezing are usually not a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or coughing.
If the new-born has fever or vomits green (bile), a doctor must be consulted immediately. Infections can also move around a new-born’s body more quickly. Viruses usually cause fevers in new-borns. But to identify what is wrong with an infant who has fever, doctors usually recommend running tests for conclusive diagnosis.
With infants, thermometer must be used always to check body temperature and not checking by feeling the child’s forehead as that is not reliable.
Generally, the following indicate that the child is doing well – if the baby is alert and active when awake, is feeding well and can be comforted when crying.
It can be difficult to differentiate between mild cold symptoms and signs of sickness in new-borns, as the symptoms can be subtle.
Common cold symptoms in babies include nasal congestion, a runny nose, coughing or sneezing, decreased appetite or difficulty taking a bottle, and irritability. However, these symptoms may also be signs of a more serious illness.
Newborns are more susceptible to colds because their immune system is not yet mature. Parents should seek medical attention if their newborn’s cold interferes with breathing, lasts longer than ten days, causes ear pain, or if the baby coughs hard enough to cause vomiting or changes in skin colour. Additionally, if the baby refuses to nurse or accept fluids, coughs up blood-tinged mucus, or has yellow or green pus from eyes, parents should see a doctor immediately.
It’s important for parents to take their new-born’s signs and symptoms seriously as some cold-like symptom might signal more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or an ear infection. However, most colds are simply a nuisance and will resolve within ten to fourteen days without complications.
Home remedies work better
Parents can use home remedies to treat common infant illnesses, but they should proceed with caution. Some natural remedies that are safe for infants include an oatmeal bath to hydrate dry skin, diluted chamomile tea instead of alcohol to soothe sore gums, and warm water or chamomile tea to relieve constipation.
Honey should not be used in children under age one as it can lead to infant botulism. For cold in babies, parents can mix honey with hot water and a squeeze of lemon to make a drink that is lukewarm.
Liquids are important for babies with colds as they help avoid dehydration. Parents can give their baby warm water, broth, soup or chamomile tea. They should serve liquids warm, not hot. Rest is also important for babies with colds as it takes energy to fight an infection.
Some other home remedies for babies up to 6-7 months include using garlic fumes for cold and cough and covering the chest, head, and feet during winter months. Parents can also place a warm towel on their baby’s tummy to relieve gas pains.
Fennel water is an effective home remedy for colic in infants. Fennel water can help soothe the baby’s digestive system and reduce colic symptoms. Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser that can be used to treat dry skin and rashes in infants. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and swelling.