Guide To Child Care R.K Anand

PART
1
PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND THE
NEWBORN
Planning A Baby .........................................................
2-4
Pregnancy ...................................................................
5-12
Making Preparations ..................................................
13-17
Labour And Delivery .................................................
18-21
Management Of The Newborn In Hospital ...............
22-27
Normal Variations In A Newborn ...............................
28-36
Care Of The Newborn ................................................
37-52
Guest Article: Holistic Bonding With Your Unborn

Child Dr. Geetanjali Shah .........................................
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DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE
PLANNING A BABY
Safe Motherhood
While the term safe motherhood is now used to suggest
measures to safeguard the health of the pregnant woman and
her baby, ideally, care for a womans health should be a
concern right from her infancy. A girl who is well looked after
in her childhood and teenage years has fewer problems in
pregnancy and childbirth, and is more likely to deliver a
healthy baby.
Take Folic Acid
The regular intake of leafy vegetables and a vitamin called
folic acid during the first six weeks of pregnancy greatly
reduces the chances of your baby being born with spina bifida
(a developmental anomaly affecting the spinal cord).
Conceive At The Right Age
Research has shown that the best time to have a child is when
you are 23 to 27 years old. It is better to avoid getting
pregnant before the age of 18 or after you cross 35. Babies
born to younger mothers are more likely to be premature.
The risks associated with pregnancy and delivery increase
again after the age of 35 years.
Dont despair, however, if you are below 18 years or over
35 years and do get pregnant. Your chances of delivering a
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PLANNING A BABY
normal baby can be increased considerably by carefully

following your doctors orders and looking after yourself well.
Space Your Babies
A gap of 2 years is advisable between babies; for the mothers
health, I would strongly recommend a gap of 3 years. It takes
2 years for a mother to fully recover from each pregnancy and
delivery.
There is also a risk for both the babies if the space
between their births is less than 2 years children
born too close together do not usually develop as well,
physically and mentally, as those born at least 2 years
apart.
Planning for 1 or 2 children is a healthy trend. A gap of 2 to 3 years is

advisable between the two
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Paradoxically, however, the opposite could also hold

true. A study by the US Centre for Disease Control
(CDC) found that those who waited 10 years to have
another child were twice as likely to have an unusually
small baby and 50% were likely to deliver prematurely.
Plan Your Family
Many parents in Indian cities today plan for 1 or 2 children;
this is a healthy trend.
Seek proper advice on family planning at the first postnatal
check-up. It is true that, before the baby is 6 months old, less
than 2% of mothers who breastfeed exclusively are likely to
conceive before they menstruate. But it is a misconception
that a nursing mother will never get pregnant.
Also remember that if you already have twins, your
chances of having them again are higher compared to other
couples that did not have them.
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PREGNANCY
MEDICAL CARE THROUGH PREGNANCY

Confirming The Pregnancy
See your doctor as soon as you miss your menstrual period or
if you suspect you are pregnant, and have the pregnancy
confirmed.
The doctor will also advise you on diet, general care and
any medication you need to take.
Tests Through Pregnancy
At your first antenatal visit and at all visits thereafter, the
doctor will examine you, especially for high blood pressure
and anaemia. Anaemia and calcium deficiency are quite
common in women of childbearing age. Iron and folic acid
tablets and calcium are prescribed to combat this deficiency.
One or two shots of tetanus toxoid will also be given to
protect both of you against tetanus. As the pregnancy
progresses, your urine may be periodically tested for the
presence or absence of albumin and sugar and an increase in
the number of pus cells.
Your blood will be tested to confirm your blood group and
for the presence or absence of the Rh factor. These days,
most hospitals also require you to be tested for HIV,
sexually transmitted diseases and other infections, so that
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arrangements can be made at the time of delivery to reduce

the chances of these being passed on to your newborn.
If the doctor suspects a congenital disorder that may affect
the babys brain or spinal cord, she may also do a blood test
for alpha-foeto-protein.
Ultrasound Scans (Sonography)
Sonography is a useful tool to study the growth of the foetus,
the size of the head, the position of the placenta, the amount
of amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus, multiple pregnancies
and the presence of certain congenital disorders.
Amniocentesis
This test is undertaken if the doctor strongly suspects any
chromosomal or congenital abnormalities in the foetus. It
must be done only by an expert under ultrasound guidance.
Unfortunately, some unscrupulous doctors use it to determine
the sex of the foetus and to abort if it is female.
Genetic Testing And Counselling
Parents with a child with a genetic disorder will naturally be
anxious about the possible risk of the same condition in the
next child. In most cities in India, facilities are now available
to detect whether the unborn baby is likely to be born with
the inherited disorder. A genetic counsellor will discuss the
possible risk, if any, to the foetus.
Ideally, a couple who share the same ancestors (as in a
consanguineous marriage) should seek genetic counselling
before marriage. The risk of inherited diseases and conditions
is higher in such cases.
Antenatal Classes
Antenatal classes conducted by medical or paramedical
professionals can be very helpful. At these, you and your
husband will learn about pregnancy and childbirth and also get
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PREGNANCY
an opportunity to interact with other women in various stages

of pregnancy.
KEEP YOURSELF HAPPY
Ancient Ayurvedic texts exhort that a pregnant woman be
treated with as much care as that taken when carrying a pot
filled to the brim with oil. Your husbands love and affection
will also play a major part in helping you deliver a happy,
healthy child.
You will be advised to listen to recitations from the Holy
Scriptures and to avoid thoughts that evoke anger, fear,
jealousy and hatred. You will be discouraged from the use of
intoxicants, asked to avoid over-strenuous work, and to
refrain from travel by vehicles over uneven roads.
There is now proof that your state of mind affects your
baby. It has been found that maternal anxiety in pregnancy is
associated with the uterine artery resistance index, thus
affecting foetal development and leading to low birth weight.
Of course, you may not feel as happy about your pregnancy
as you would like to, especially if you do not receive the care
you deserve or if the pregnancy was not planned. Even the
most coddled mother may suffer depression in the last month
of pregnancy. Relax. Lean on the support of your husband and
the people who are dear to you this too will pass, as it did
for so many other women before you.
DIET THROUGH PREGNANCY
Make sure you eat enough seasonal fruits, vegetables
(especially leafy and raw though well washed), pulses and
grains. If you like milk and milk products, meat, fish and eggs,
indulge yourself. However, while you need extra food,
overeating is not advisable.
If you dont like milk or eggs, or if your older child has a
history of allergy, avoid these items. Snack on fresh fruits, dry
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fruits and roasted channa (gram) rather than biscuits and fried
foods.
Pregnant women (and nursing mothers) with a family
history of allergies should avoid eating peanuts and peanut
products in order to reduce the chances of allergy in the baby.
Cut down on the amount of tea and coffee you drink.
The caffeine in coffee can lead to a premature delivery
and lowered birth weight.
A Vegetarian Pregnancy
A balanced vegetarian diet can meet all the requirements of a
pregnant woman.
Gopalan, Puri and Sachdev, in their excellent 1993 article in
Indian Pediatrics, the official journal of the Indian Academy of
Pediatrics, refer to 3 categories of vegetarian diets. They are:
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, which include eggs in
addition to mammalian milk (cow, buffalo and breast
milk).
Lacto-vegetarian diets, which include mammalian
milk.
According to Gopalan, Puri and Sachdev, such a diet
which is the one largely in practice in our country can
meet all the nutritional requirements of a pregnant
mother.
Vegan diets exclude the consumption of all foods of
animal origin except breast milk.
These diets do not include cow, buffalo or other
mammalian milk.
They may not provide some nutrients. Food items that
could correct the deficiency in vegan diets are listed on
the next page.
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PREGNANCY
Imnortant Nutrients Lacking In A Diet Devoid Of All

Mammalian Milk
Missing nutrients
Retinol (Vitamin A)
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D
Carnitine and (needed

by infants) taurine
Some long-chain
fatty acids
(needed by infants)
Food items that could correct the

deficiencies
Carotenoids B carotene
(precursor of Vitamin A)
abundantly available in vegetable
foods
Available in mammalian milk*
Available in mammalian milk;
available through exposure to
sunlight
Available in breast milk
Available in breast milk
* Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause anaemia and

brain and nerve damage. I have seen severe effects on
the mental faculties of 2 breastfed infants whose
mothers were on vegan diets. Kavita Mukhi, a reputed
Mumbai nutritionist, believes that spirulina can meet
some of the normal requirement of Vitamin B12.
Vegetarians may also obtain some Vitamin B12 by
consuming legumes and nodules of root vegetables in
which Vitamin B12 is synthesised by microorganisms.
However, I recommend that those on a vegan diet take
a daily supplement of Vitamin B12.
Calcium Rich Foods:
Leafy vegetables: curry leaves, choolai, leaves of shalgam,
arbi (black variety) and mooli, methi, pudina, augusti.
Grains and pulses: ragi, soyabean, rajma, black gram
Animal source: small fish, cow milk, buffalo milk, curds,
rohu fish
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TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Most women are highly motivated during pregnancy to
remain as healthy and happy as possible in order to give their
baby the best start in life. Pregnancy is, in fact, an excellent
time and opportunity to develop healthy habits for life.
Educate yourself on pregnancy: Learn as much as you
can about the wonderful ways in which your body is changing
and about how your baby is growing. Talk to your mother,
your friends and other women about pregnancy, labour and
birth. Attend antenatal classes, read relevant books and
literature, and watch videos about normal pregnancy and
childbirth. Being well informed is the best way of retaining
control over your own pregnancy especially if you are
unfortunate enough to hear other womens horror stories and
your doctor is too busy to address all your concerns. The
Internet is an informative resource as well.
Eat a well-balanced diet and drink enough water.
Avoid substances that may be dangerous to you and
your baby, such as cigarettes, gutkha, alcohol and hard drugs.
Avoiding these (at least for the 9 months of pregnancy)
reduces the risk to your foetus. It has been shown that babies
born to women who quit smoking early in their pregnancies
had birth weights that were almost 300 grams higher than
those who did not. Intermediate improvement in birth
weights was seen for those who cut down on their smoking
but were not able to eliminate it. It has also been seen that
maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of
idiopathic mental retardation.
Do NOT take any medication even over-the-counter
drugs without discussing them with your doctor and
getting her approval. On the other hand, DO take the
medication that your doctor allows you many medicines
these days are formulated to be safe for your baby. DO inform
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PREGNANCY
your doctor if you are on ongoing medication as for

epilepsy so that she can work out the effects it may have
on your baby, and substitute it with another version that will
not affect your pregnancy.
Remain active. If you were following an exercise
programme before you became pregnant, continue it after
consultation with and modification by your doctor. If you were
not exercising at all before you became pregnant, this is the
time to start walking or swimming Start with short periods of
exercise and gradually increase the amounts of time. Regular
and monitored exercise will reward you with better posture,
less back pain, less stress, anxiety, depression and
constipation, better digestion and more energy.
Once you are in labour, the rewards of exercise will be
apparent in the form of increased strength, flexibility and
stamina. Fit women typically enjoy faster postpartum
recovery too.
However, do not exercise in hot, humid weather or wear
excessive clothing, as overheating can be harmful for your
baby. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water, before,
during and after exercise. Monitor your fluid intake by
checking the colour of your urine; if it is clear, you are
drinking sufficient liquid.
DO NOT exercise however if you have any of the
following medical conditions: Pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-term rupture of membrane, pre-term labour
during the current or prior pregnancy, incompetent cervix,
persistent second or third trimester bleeding and intrauterine
growth retardation.
Get plenty of rest. Listen to your body it will tell you
how many hours of sleep you need at night, and when you
need to take short breaks during the day as well.
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Talk to your baby. Enjoy your growing bond with her.

Research shows that a foetus as young as just 10 weeks can
react to the sense of touch. Later, she will respond to light,
your voice, music and other sounds.
Involve your husband. He can be your best friend and
help mate, and pregnancy and childbirth is a great opportunity
to cement your bonds.
Most important, do not shut him out of the whole
experience; it is his baby too!
Sex is possible. Lovemaking does not ordinarily harm
your baby and most women can safely continue to have sex
during pregnancy. During the third trimester, you will need to
use your imagination to find positions comfortable for you.
Avoid sex however in these medical situations: Recent
vaginal bleeding, pre-term labour, ruptured membranes
(broken water bag), and placenta previa (a condition in which
the placenta covers the inside of the cervix).
Destress with techniques like slow and deep breathing,
yoga and relaxation of the various muscle groups.
Enjoy this special time of your life. Accept the support
of your husband, family and friends in this wonderful
transitional period. Have confidence in your bodys ability to
grow and nourish and give birth to your baby.
Your Vegetarian Baby

US scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center,
Philadelphia, have found that babies whose mothers preferred
vegetables during their pregnancies and while breastfeeding
were more enthusiastic about adopting the same diet.
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MAKING PREPARATIONS
You have to prepare for bringing your newborn home long

before the delivery. Besides making preparations to deal with
her requirements, also take the time to prepare the rest of the
family for the new member.
Take special care to make your older child ready to
welcome a new brother or sister. (See Sibling Rivalry in the
chapter on CARE OF THE NEWBORN.)
Also make sure that you involve your husband
preparations; husbands may worry that new babies will usurp
their place in their wives attention.
Buying For Your Baby
When buying equipment for your newborn, consider what you
already have either passed down from your older child or
received from relatives and friends.
Also, always choose cotton over synthetic fabrics for your
babys clothes.
Nappies or diapers
: 2 dozen cotton square nappies,

2 dozen cotton triangular
nappies and one box of
disposable diapers
Plastic panties
: 4
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Moses basket
Diaper bag
Bucket
(plastic with lid)
Diaper pins
Macintoshes (big)
Macintoshes
(small, encased
in towelling cloth)
Turkish towels
Bath towel
with a hood
Baby bath-tub
(thick plastic)
Booties
Cotton vests
Frocks (with front
opening) or jhablas
without sleeves
: 1, for keeping clean diapers

: 1, for used diapers
: 1 dozen with safety lock
arrangement
: 2
: 6
: 2
: 1
: 1*
: 4 pairs
: 4
: 4
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MAKING PREPARATIONS
Frocks or jhablas with

sleeves
: 4
Blankets
(cotton/woollen)
: 2
Sweater
: 1
Caps
: 2
Cotton (absorbent)
: 1 packet
Alcohol or spirit
: 1 small bottle
Wrap cover
: 2
Mosquito net
: 1
Mat cover
: 1
Small bedsheets
for bottom
: 6
Small bedsheets
for cover
: 6
Baby quilt
: 1
Blunt scissors or
clippers for nails
: 1
Baby hair brush
: 1
Car seat
: 1
* May not always be needed.
To buy only if a proper one is available.
You will notice that this list does not include special
baby soaps, talcum powder (or baby powder), ear buds,
shampoo, cream and baby lotion. Any non-smelling bath
soap is adequate. Baby powder, cream, shampoo and
lotion are not required. Talcum powder and ear buds, in
fact, can be harmful (see sections on Skin Conditions
and Earache, Ear Infections And Deafness respectively
in THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES).
Dont buy a baby cot if the baby will sleep with you, though
a carrycot (Moses basket) is usually useful.
If you are expecting twins, make the necessary
arrangements for bringing home two babies instead of the
usual one.
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Rectangular folded diaper
Place baby on diaper
Fold both sides upwards and secure with a closed safety pin
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MAKING PREPARATIONS
Triangular folded nappy
First, take the bottom tip upwards
Then fold one side to the middle
Then fold the other side and secure together with a closed safety pin
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LABOUR AND DELIVERY
In Europe, women are being given a chance to have their

babies in a hospital, at a maternity home, at a birthing centre
or even in their own homes. Some women even in the urban
areas in India are now opting to deliver at home.
I Would Go Along With Your Wish To Deliver At Home If
You live next to a hospital;
You have an obstetrician or a trained midwife living in your
building; or
If an obstetrician is ready to be present at the time of
delivery.
Doctors Recommend That You Deliver In An Institution
In The Following Cases
If there is an interval of less than 2 years since the last
birth;
If you are below 17 or over 35 years of age;
If you have had 4 children already;
If you have previously had a premature delivery;
If you have earlier delivered a baby that weighed less than
2 kilograms at birth;
If you have previously had a difficult or Caesarean birth,
miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth;
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LABOUR AND DELIVERY
If you weighed less than 40 kilograms or more than

70 kilograms before pregnancy; or
If you are less than 145 cm. in height.
You Will Also Need Extra Care If:
You fail to gain at least 6 kilograms in pregnancy;
You are diabetic or severely anaemic, or have heart or
kidney disease, or high blood pressure;
Your limbs and face are excessively swollen;
You have had vaginal bleeding during the pregnancy;
You have suffered severe headaches and vomiting, or
persistent high fever;
You are having twins;
You are Rh negative; or
You are scheduled to have a Caesarean for medical reasons.
Your doctor will guide you on choosing the hospital. It may
also have to be one she normally works with, and which she
knows is capable of dealing with any medical emergencies
that may arise. Ask to visit the hospital if you like, and see the
delivery room and the nursery to help you prepare yourself
for delivery there.
Most hospitals require you to register well in advance of
your due date; check with your doctor about this.
Choose A Baby-Friendly Hospital
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global effort
to protect, promote and support breastfeeding while providing
good care to the mother before, during and after delivery,
treating her with dignity and supporting her with factual
information and guidance. Country-level guidelines for
achieving baby-friendly hospitals have been developed and are
now being put into action. In India, a task force has been
formed for this purpose.
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Assisted by the government, UNICEF and WHO, this task

force assesses hospital conformity with baby-friendly criteria
and certifies and designates hospitals that meet the standards.
Make sure your hospital or maternity home has been certified
Baby-Friendly.
Names and addresses of such hospitals are available
with the Convenor, National Task Force, BFHI, Indian
Medical Association, IMA House, Indraprastha Marg,
New Delhi 110002.
Choose A Paediatrician
Ask your doctor to recommend a paediatrician for your baby
even before you deliver, if you dont know one already. It is
important to exchange notes in advance, especially in cases
where there may be potential complications.
Getting Ready For The Hospital
Some hospitals have a list of requirements they would like
you to bring with you. Make sure you keep your suitcase
packed well in advance with the following essentials:
Items of personal use toothbrush, toothpaste, cream, etc;
2 nightgowns with front opening (to make it easier for you
to breastfeed), and a wrap for when you have visitors;
Underclothing;
Well-fitting bras (nursing bras are not essential; they
may get in the way of skin-to-skin contact between
the breast and your babys face as you nurse her);
A towel;
Non-slip slippers;
Clothes for you and the baby to wear when you are
discharged;
Some cash;
A table clock; and
A book of scriptures for daily reading, books or magazines.
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LABOUR AND DELIVERY
You may also want to bring along a photograph of

your older child or your husband, and a small picture or
statue of your favourite deity to keep on your bedside
table in the hospital.
An Emergency Delivery Kit At Home
All the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry; even if you
have registered at a hospital, keep a delivery kit at home in
case of an emergency.
Make sure you have:
Soap
A plastic sheet
Cotton and gauze pads
Cotton thread for tying the cord
A new razor blade
Cetrimide solution (1%)
Drugs In Labour
These should be avoided as far as possible. In general, I
encourage the process of natural delivery. I also believe that a
drug to relieve a woman of pain during labour is not a good
substitute for emotional support from a sympathetic doctor or
midwife, or even a husband, mother or mother-in-law
educated in the process of labour.
Besides being possibly addictive, the pain-relieving drugs
may also result in the mother being less cooperative in the
delivery. They may also depress the baby and cause problems
with breathing and nursing. Discuss the subject of pain
management with your doctor. Read about it. Work with your
doctors advice to mutually decide on the best pain
management technique for you and your baby.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWBORN IN

HOSPITAL
At last, the long awaited moment arrives. The doctor
announces your babys birth.
The doctor or a paediatrician has a quick look at the baby
and places her near your breast. The baby now has direct
skin-to-skin contact with your body. The nurse covers both of
you to avoid a chill. The little one opens her eyes, manages to
turn her head to one side and seems to be searching for your
nipple. As the doctor attends to you, your baby succeeds in
getting hold of the nipple and starts suckling...
A New Experience
This is an ideal situation and it may be yours especially in a
baby-friendly hospital. In such a hospital, as soon as you
deliver, your doctor will probably dim the lights in the room
and make sure that the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful.
Attendants may avoid any unnecessary talk and noise, trying
to create, as far as possible, the same sort of environment that
your newborn had inside your womb. There may be an instant
bonding between your new daughter and you; you may start
talking to her.
But be prepared for surprises; no two babies or mothers
are alike. You may not even feel excited when you see your
child for the first time, or you may find her blood-stained face
and wrinkled body disconcerting to look at.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWBORN IN HOSPITAL
It is also possible that you may feel exhausted or sleepy.

Dont feel guilty if you do. Just go with your body. Remember,
it is your right to smile, cry, burst out with joy or just go to
sleep.
If you were motivated through your pregnancy and if your
doctor managed to avoid giving you pain-relieving drugs or
sedatives through labour, it is very likely that you and your
baby will meet each other as if you have been waiting for this
moment for ages.
The baby is wide awake for about 40 minutes after
delivery. This is the time to put your arms around her
and experience your first moments of bonding with her;
this will probably help make her feel secure all her life.
(Research by Lynee Murray and Liz Andrews for their
book The Social Baby reveals that a baby identifies its
mother within a minute of its birth. Within 2 minutes, it
may even strain its neck to study her face. Within half
an hour, the baby can recognise the form of a human
face. Random waving of arms and gurgling among
newborns may appear incomprehensible to adults,
but is actually a complex system of intelligent
The baby is wide awake for about 40 minutes after delivery
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communication that the infant possesses. There is a

wired-in programme to help babies lock in to those who
are caring for them.)
Accept the child son or daughter gratefully, as a gift
from God. This will help you begin a life-long healthy
relationship with your child.
REJOICE IN YOUR DAUGHTER
Once considered almost a misfortune, having a daughter today
is more a matter of celebration than grave concern, though
exceptions remain. Rita Sawhney interviewed several parents
in this connection. What has led to this tilting of the scales in
favour of the girl child? The writer also interviewed
psychologists, gynaecologists and a teacher of sociology. It
seems that the stand is changing because the myth that it is
easier and safer to bring up a boy has exploded. Accepting
hospitality at a married daughters home is no more a taboo.
Besides being more reliable, girls continue to maintain
emotional ties and provide their parents their much-cherished
freedom, whereas a boy means long-term babysitting for the
ageing mother. Girls are showing equal and, in many cases,
better business acumen than their brothers to carry on the
family business. Girls are venturing into many a field that was
earlier considered male-dominated. Behaviourists believe that
girls are more demonstrative of their feelings.
Additionally, even health wise, having a baby girl could
mean less sleepless nights. Boys outnumber girls 3:l in
learning disabilities, and 4:l as stutterers. Haemophilia
(a blood disorder) and Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy
(a serious muscle disease) afflict boys exclusively. Boys are
more likely than girls to suffer from Fragile-X Syndrome, one
of the causes of mental retardation. The mortality rate of boys
is 20% higher than that of girls. This continues as they
grow older.
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The Kangaroo Position

The kangaroo position is ideal for the newborn. In it,
the mother clasps her baby between her breasts, with
the babys face just below the mothers chin. The baby
stays quiet, possibly hearing the mothers heartbeat to
which she was accustomed while she was in the womb.
If the room temperature is low and the baby is
premature, the babys head may be covered with a cap.
This greatly helps to maintain body temperature.
Apgar Scoring
Doctors and nurses often use the term Apgar scoring. It is
meant to assess the condition of your baby in certain respects
at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. Sixty seconds after the
complete birth of the infant, the 5 objective signs given in the
table are evaluated, and each is given a score of 0, 1 or 2. A
total score of 10 indicates an infant in the best possible
condition. Most normal babies score 7 to 10 points. An infant
with a score of 0 to 3 requires immediate attention.
Sign
1 point
2 points
Heart rate
Absent
Less than
100/minute
More than
100/minute
Respiration
Absent
Slow, gasping
Good or
crying
Muscle tone
Limp
Some flexion
of limbs
Active and
flexed
Reflex
response to
catheter
placed in
the infants
nose
None
Minimal
grimace
Cough,
sneeze or
Colour
Blue or
pale
Body pink,
extremities blue
Completely
pink
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Normal Reflexes
While examining your newborn baby, the paediatrician will
test for certain reflexes like the grasp reflex, the walking and
stepping reflex and the Moro reflex.
For the grasp reflex, the doctor places her finger in the
palm of the baby, who is expected to grasp it firmly. To test
the walking and stepping reflex, the doctor holds the baby
upright so that her feet touch a firm surface. The baby takes a
few steps as if she were walking. If the babys leg comes in
contact with the edge of a table, she steps up onto the table.
A newborn baby can see at birth. She can focus at a
distance of 15 to 20 cms. Thus, she can see her
mothers face while breastfeeding. She can also hear
and can smell her mothers milk. She likes body
contact, especially with her mother. She is alert for
40 to 60 minutes after birth. Then she may go to sleep
for a few minutes or for several hours.
Examination Of The Baby
It is not essential that there be a paediatrician at every
delivery. However, most babies should be checked by a
paediatrician within 24 hours after delivery. Or a paediatrician
may be called earlier if any problem is noticed.
It is normal to worry about your newborn baby. It helps to
remember that many things that may appear abnormal to you
are normal variations in a newborn. (See chapter on
NORMAL VARIATIONS IN A NEWBORN.)
Rooming-In
In all baby-friendly hospitals, the baby is given to the mother
soon after delivery, and kept in her room; she is not sent to a
separate nursery. This is called rooming-in. Normal babies
kept in a nursery are more likely to contract infection from
the attendants or from other infected babies (if any).
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In some hospitals, the baby is unwisely kept in the

nursery to allow the mother to rest after the delivery.
Experience shows, however, that the average mother
would prefer to have her baby with her, especially if
she knows that this is the best thing for her and her
baby. Unless the mother is heavily sedated, she can
keep her baby in her bed (bedding-in).
Immunisation In The Hospital
In some hospitals, it is a routine practice to give BCG
(immunisation against tuberculosis) and one dose of hepatitis
B vaccine and oral polio vaccine to all newborn babies before
they are discharged from the hospital. This dose of oral polio
vaccine is called the zero dose. This is an extra dose besides
the primary course of 3 to 5 doses about which we shall
discuss in detail in the chapter on IMMUNISATION.
If your baby is not given these immunisations at the
hospital, they can be given at a later date.
Unless the mother is heavily sedated, she can keep her baby in her bed
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NORMAL VARIATIONS IN A NEWBORN
Skin
The doctor will first look at babys skin. Her hands and feet
may appear blue. This blue colour should not cause anxiety as
it disappears without any treatment within a few hours. If the
doctor finds that the rest of the body is pink and that her
breathing is normal, he will reassure you that the baby is
normal.
Some babies have a dark skin that may become darker in
the successive weeks. The nipples and genitals may show a
deeper pigmentation.
Some babies have Mongolian spots. These are patches of
greyish blue colour over the lower back. Sometimes, they are
also seen on the limbs or inside the cheeks. While they may
last for 2 to 3 years, they disappear spontaneously without
affecting the child.
Some may have permanent patches of pigmentation called
cafe au lait spots. In about a quarter of such children, a single
spot less than 3 cm. (about an inch) in size is seen. Such spots
would attract the attention of your doctor, as they may
indicate certain other conditions.
Another interesting condition is the Harlequin colour
change. For a few minutes, one half of the babys body seems
pink and the other half white. This condition is normal and
may last for even a month or a month and a half.
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White or yellowish pin-head sized spots called milia may be

noticed on the nose or other parts of your babys face. They
disappear within a few days. At times, you may also notice a
transient red rash on the body.
Stork bites, seen as red patches on the forehead, eyelids and
the back of the neck, are quite common. They may last for a
year or so.
A few days or weeks after birth, you may observe what is
commonly termed strawberry naevus. It begins as a tiny red
spot that grows rapidly for about 6 months. When fully
developed, it becomes raised from the skin and looks like a
strawberry. As far as possible, this should be left alone. About
60% of these disappear by the age of 5 years and most by the
age of 10 years. In very rare cases, a doctor may consider
removal or treat them with some medicines.
Some babies develop a harmless condition termed cutis
marmorata. This happens if the temperature of the
environment suddenly falls. Temporary lacy, reddish or bluish
patterns appear on the skin. The baby is otherwise normal. An
arm exposed to cold may also become swollen and, at times,
turn blue. This swelling subsides on its own within a few
hours.
A babys skin may normally peel in the first few days after
birth. As the skin at this stage is very delicate, avoid
unnecessary friction or pressure, to prevent blisters and
infection.
Vernix is a waxy material that covers the babys skin at
birth. It protects the skin from getting infected. No deliberate
attempt should be made to remove it. Some of it gets left
behind on the linen in which the baby is wrapped after birth.
The rest is gradually shed after a few baths.
Fine, silky hair covers the babys skin. This is
especially pronounced in a premature babys skin. In
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the first few weeks, babies normally lose hair,

especially on the back of the head, but this loss is
temporary.
Head
Sometimes, a babys head may look bigger or smaller than
average. Consider whether you or your husband have largersized heads. Also, larger babies have bigger heads as
compared to smaller babies. A premature babys head is
bigger in proportion to her body. Your doctor or paediatrician
will maintain a serial measurement of your babys head size as
she grows, to ensure that everything is normal.
At times, a newborns head looks elongated, because it gets
moulded during the passage from the uterus to the outside
world. The head regains its usual roundness within a few days
after delivery. The odd head shape may also be acquired from
the parents.
A baby who lies habitually on one side may also have a head
temporarily flattened on that side. This is normal.
Sometimes, a soft diffused swelling called caput
succedaneum is seen on the head soon after birth. This is due
to the collection of a little fluid in the scalp that gets absorbed
on its own within a day or two. A swelling that may last longer
is cephalhaematoma, which is caused by the collection of blood
between the periosteum (the thin but firm layer of tissue
covering bones) and the skull bone. It looks like a bun tied on
one side of the head by some Hindu women from Kerala. At
times, the swelling occurs on both sides of the head. Nothing
needs to be done and the swelling subsides after a couple of
weeks or months. However, the doctor will make sure that
there is no associated complication.
If forceps are used at birth to assist the expulsion of the
head, they may leave behind temporary marks on the face in
front of the ears.
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The anterior fontanelle, a soft spot on the top of the head,

is normally present at birth. It widens in the first few weeks,
but gradually contracts and closes after 6 months or by 2 to 3
years. The posterior fontanelle is at the back of the head and
closes within 2 months or so.
The skull bone on the side of the head, when pressed, may
tend to go inwards. This is called craniotabes and is usually
normal.
Cradle cap, which presents itself, as black patches on the
scalp, often clears with 1% cetrimide solution. It should be
used as a shampoo, after which the scalp is to be dried gently
with a towel. Soap and oil should be avoided for a few days. At
times, stronger measures may be needed.
It is likely that your little one sweats profusely
around the head when asleep. Treat this sweating as
normal.
Eyes
The iris is the coloured part of the eye. Its colour may change
as your baby grows. The whites of the eyes may appear bluish
in the first 3 months. The babys eyelids may be a little puffy
on waking up from sleep. A slight squint, which disappears by
about 6 months, is not uncommon. An eye specialist should be
consulted if it is marked.
Some normal babies have the so-called setting-sun sign. In
this condition, the white portion of the eye is prominently
seen above the pupil. While this is one of the features of
hydrocephalus a condition in which fluid under pressure
collects in the brain the doctor will look for other important
signs and symptoms before diagnosing this.
Your baby may have a visible small patch of blood in the
eye called a subconjunctival haemorrhage. In the absence of
bleeding anywhere else, this is considered normal and
disappears spontaneously within a few days.
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Watering of the eyes is commonly seen in babies who have

a partial blockage of the tear duct (nasolacrimal duct). This
duct connects the eye to the nose. The watering increases if
the child catches a cold. The eyes may also become sticky.
The duct generally opens on its own within the first year.
For sticky eyes, your doctor may advise massage at the
junction of the eye and the nose, and prescribe some local eye
medicine. Instead of eye drops or an ointment, you can try
putting a drop of breast milk into the eye every hour or so. It
seems to work in many cases.
About half of all babies develop yellowness of the eyes and
of the skin on the second or third day. This jaundice, termed
physiological jaundice, is usually harmless and needs no
treatment. Sometimes, however, phototherapy (light therapy)
may be required.
Nose
Some normal babies have a slightly sticky discharge from the
nose that does not interfere with feeding and stops after
2 to 3 months.
Sneezing is normal in newborn babies and so is occasional
coughing.
Mouth
Your baby may be born with a tooth. It should generally be left
alone. Do not worry that baby will inhale it or hurt you while
breastfeeding.
In a tongue-tie, the fold of tissue connecting the underside
of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short and this
restricts the movement of the tongue. It is over-diagnosed;
true tongue-tie that requires surgery is extremely rare. If the
child can touch the roof of the mouth with her tongue, surgery
is not required. If at all surgery is needed, it should be
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postponed until the child is 3 years old. The tongue grows

bigger as the child grows older.
A uniform white coating on the tongue is normal.
Leave it alone. No effort should be made to clean the
tongue with glycerine or a piece of cloth.
Some babies may have thick sucking blisters on the lips.
These are normal and disappear after a few weeks.
Some babies normally have mucous cysts (also termed
epithelial pearls) in their first weeks, near the margin of the
gums or even the palate.
Some babies may have a bloodstained vomit after birth.
This is possibly due to irritation of the stomach by the
amniotic fluid or mothers blood swallowed by the baby. The
bleeding does not recur and the baby is otherwise normal.
Some babies swallow blood from the mothers cracked nipple.
This also does not need any treatment. However, in such
cases, a condition called the haemorrhagic disease of the
newborn, commonly due to Vitamin K deficiency, should
be excluded. Hiccup in newborns is normal.
Chest
Swollen breasts and milk-filled breasts may be seen in
several 2 or 3-day-old babies. Do not attempt to remove
the milk or to massage the breasts. Severe infection
needing surgery has been seen when such advice was
not followed. The swelling will disappear on its own.
Your doctor may hear a heart murmur over the chest. It
doesnt necessarily mean that baby has a heart disease. The
murmur may disappear within a few days. If it persists, your
doctor will ask for some tests.
A newborn has a breathing rate of about 45 per minute.
This can vary from child to child. Sometimes, the rate
becomes fast, followed by a slower rate. If your baby is
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suckling and is otherwise well, such variations are

usually normal.
Palms
Although 2 transverse creases across each palm are normal,
do not jump to the conclusion that your baby has Downs
Syndrome or some other chromosomal disorders just because
she has a single crease.
Umbilical Cord
The umbilical cord starts drying up within the first week
and separates towards the end of the first week or in the
second week.
If you find blood oozing from the cord, report it to the
nurse. It should be kept clean and dried properly after the
bath. Nothing need be applied on it. If your doctor gives you
spirit to clean the skin around the cord, use it 3 or 4 times
a day.
It is important to keep the skin dry. Do not use any binder
to cover the cord. Also, do not allow urine to come in contact
with the cord. When the cord falls off, a drop or two of blood
may be noticed around the base. This is normal. If you notice
pus at the base of the cord or redness of the skin around the
navel, bring it to the attention of your doctor to rule out
infection of the cord. If required, the doctor may prescribe
some medicine.
Genitals
In a male newborn, the foreskin (prepuce) is not
completely separated from the front (glans) of the
penis. No effort should be made to retract the foreskin.
It can be harmful. If left alone, the foreskin often
separates fully before the child starts schooling.
The doctor will also check if both the testes are felt in
the scrotum. If not, it should be seen whether these are
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undescended testes or whether they are just retracted (see

Undescended Testes in THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD
ILLNESSES). On most occasions, I find that the testes are
not undescended but simply retract, specially when the
scrotum is examined with cold hands. These testes can be
easily pushed down into the scrotum. In such cases, the
parents only need reassurance and nothing else need
be done.
In girl babies, the external genitalia may appear unduly
prominent in the first month. In the first or second week, the
baby may have a white discharge from the vagina, with or
without blood. All these changes are related to certain
hormones that the baby gets from the mother via the placenta.
Anal And Urinary Openings
Meconium is the first stool that the baby passes. It is dark
green and sticky. Most babies pass meconium within 12 hours
of birth. The doctor should be informed if the baby does not
pass meconium within 24 hours. Some babies first pass a
yellow or greyish-white meconium plug, followed by the
typical meconium. It changes to green-brown after 2 or
3 days. Gradually, over the next few days, it changes to
greenish yellow and then to the so-called normal
orange-yellow loose stool of an exclusively breastfed child.
These motions are often quite frequent. The
newborn baby may pass a motion after each feed or
after every hour. At times, the motions are watery,
may come out with force and contain mucus. At
times, they may also be green. As long as the child
is being given only mothers milk and is thriving
well, such frequent motions are normal. On the other
hand, some babies may pass a motion every 5 to
6 days, but the motions are soft, not hard. This is
also normal and there is absolutely no need to give
purgatives or use a suppository.
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Most babies would pass urine within 24 hours after birth.

Some may do so a little later. But special note is to be taken of
babies who have not passed urine within the first 36 hours.
Straining or crying a little before passing urine is normal.
The stream of urine should be checked. An interrupted
stream should be brought to the notice of your doctor, who
may ask for a urine examination. Similarly, so long as the
stools are not hard, straining before passing a motion is
also normal.
Hips, Legs And Spine
The doctor will examine your babys hips to rule out an
uncommon condition called congenital dislocation of hip. If
diagnosed, this needs immediate treatment.
Bowlegs are normal in most cases and usually
disappear by the time the child turns 3 years. While
handling your baby, you may note a click in your babys
knee. Leave it alone.
Over the back of the head and spine, a congenital dermal
sinus may be observed sometimes in the mid-line of the head
or spine. It appears like a hole in the overlying skin going
inwards, mostly near the lower end of the spine. It does not
pose any problem in most cases, but a surgeons opinion
should be sought if it remains deep after the age of 2. An early
consultation is advised for sinuses situated higher up.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
In case of a normal delivery, you are likely to be discharged

from the hospital after 3 to 5 days. If you had a Caesarean
delivery or if you or your baby had any problem, you may have
to stay longer. Follow your doctors advice.
Get Help
Given a choice, choose to go home as soon as possible,
especially if you have some help at home. In a nuclear family,
it is especially important to make sure that the mother has
such help either from a female relative or an experienced
midwife. Or hire the services of an efficient maid.
If you are unable to arrange any support, it is best for you
that your husband takes paternity leave. But if, despite his
best efforts, he cannot be around, do not hold it
against him.
Once home, do not blindly follow the instructions of
any relative or health worker. Do not let them make
you anxious that you may not have enough breast milk
or have them give your baby water or top feeds. You
and your baby share a bond, and your body will produce
the nourishment she needs.
Most Indian families employ a maalishwali bai, a traditional
massage woman, to massage and bathe the new mother and
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Oil massage the traditional way
the newborn, especially in the urban areas. In the rural

communities, a senior woman member of the household will
do this. The mother herself may like to massage her baby.
Since the traditional massage woman will have a great
influence on the mother and the other members of the family,
her knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to infant
feeding and baby care are of great import. Unfortunately, most
of these women have no contact with the medical community
and the majority are illiterate. Their knowledge and practices
are therefore often suspect.
Taking into consideration the key role played by traditional
massage women, a project has been started in North-West
Mumbai to give them formal training and to certify them.
Certified maalishwali bais are expected to pass correct
scientific information and messages on infant feeding
(including breastfeeding) and baby care to the mothers under
their care. They are also expected to pass on literature in
appropriate languages to mothers on these subjects. Carried
out under the auspices of the Breastfeeding Promotion
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
Network of India (BPNI), and its Maharashtra state branch,

and funded by UNICEF (Mumbai), the project is likely to
spread to other regions. Hence we hope that
certified maalishwalis will be available all over India in the
near future.
For more information about the Trained Maalishwali
(TMW) project, you may contact:
Dr. Prashant Gangal, TMW Project Co-ordinator, Flat
No. 2B, Rolex Apts., New Era Signal, S. V. Road, Malad
(West), Mumbai 400 064.
The Indian Joint Family System
A caring joint family offers you the readymade support of
people who are usually knowledgeable about and sensitive to
the needs of a new mother and baby, and who will support you
through post-partum depression, if any.
Cherish a caring joint family
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Accept their help and advice; it works to your benefit to

consider all solutions to any problem that arises.
Remember that the childs grandparents too want the
best for their new grandchild. (In a study published
in the British Medical Journal, the presence of
grand-mothers in the home was seen to be helpful in
preventing unnecessary accidents and emergency visits
to the hospital.) Listen to their suggestions, but do not
follow their advice blindly, especially if it contradicts
new knowledge about child care. Most important, do
not allow tensions to arise in the family. If you believe
that your mother-in-laws beliefs will clash radically
with yours, decide in advance to spend the first couple
of weeks after delivery at your parents house.
If you are truly confused about what to do in a certain
situation, consult your paediatrician. For instance, if elders
insist that you give water to your baby, let the doctor
convince them that an exclusively breastfed normal baby does
not need water in the first 6 months of life, even on a very
hot day.
If possible, arrange for them to meet the doctor. If that is
not practical, let the doctor give the advice in writing and also,
if possible, give you some written material (a book or an
article or a pamphlet) to substantiate the given advice.
Finally, of course, it is for you to decide whether you want
to spend the time after delivery at your mothers place or with
your in-laws or with just your husband. But before you decide,
do keep in mind the fact that there are several benefits of
living in a joint family. So do not take a hurried decision to
stay alone if adjustment is possible.
Sibling Rivalry
If you have an older child, be prepared for the possibility of
sibling rivalry.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
Be prepared for the possibility of sibling rivalry
Ideally, you should have introduced the baby to her in

advance. Let the older child know that you are going to have a
little baby. As the baby in your womb starts kicking about, let
the older one put her hand on your abdomen and say hello to
the little one. Let her talk to the baby in her own way.
Encourage the older sibling to make or buy a welcome card
to be presented to the newborn on her arrival.
It would please your older child considerably if you have a
framed photograph of her on your bedside table in the
hospital. It will reassure her that she is still your favourite.
Arrange to have your older child brought to see you and the
new baby in hospital after you deliver. Ignore the baby for a
little while and make a fuss of the older child. Then introduce
the older child to the baby and ask her if she would like to
hold her. If the older child wants this, make her sit in the
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middle of the bed and put the baby in her lap. If she decides to
kiss the baby, let her do so, as long as she doesnt have a cold
or any other infection. If she does, she should wait at home for
the babys arrival.
Some amount of jealousy is normal and to be expected, but
we must be sensitive and handle it properly. Take the help of
your older child in the care of the younger one getting her
clothes, changing her diapers, etc.
If the older child hits or pinches the younger one, by
chance or intentionally, remove her from the scene so that no
further damage is done. But keep in mind that A child needs
love most when she is least lovable. Hug the older child.
Cuddle her and give her a kiss. Do not make an issue of the
incident by punishing her for hitting the baby. By your action,
the child gets a clear message that hitting others is not
allowed, but also that everyone still loves her as before.
A child may feel bad because she is suddenly deprived of
her possessions her cot, her room, her toys, her fathers
lap or her mothers breast for the sake of the younger one.
Assure her of her place in the family. If the older child, on
seeing the baby breastfeeding, shows a desire to suckle, she
may be allowed an occasional feed.
When parents are unable to handle a childs jealousy
adequately, she may start behaving like a little baby
wetting her bed, sucking her thumb or even speaking like a
little baby. Often, the problem resolves on its own. At times,
however, the situation worsens, and the child may withdraw
and stop communicating. Seek the help of a child psychologist
or a family counsellor in such a case.
HANDLING YOUR BABY
Crying
Do not hesitate to pick your child up when she cries. It
is most important for a baby to have a feeling of
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
security after birth. Crying is often a signal that she

needs something. Dont worry about disciplining the
child at this stage. I am all for discipline, but let that
come later, when the child is reassured that she is
loved and wanted.
Sometimes, a baby who was quite at peace in hospital may
start crying unduly on reaching home. Perhaps she needs
time to adjust to her new surroundings. She will almost
certainly settle in 2 to 3 days.
If you are worried that your baby is crying because you are
not producing enough breast milk for her, watch the colour of
her urine. If she is getting only your milk (without additional
water), and keeps passing a light-coloured urine, that is a sure
sign that she is getting enough milk. The crying is then due to
other reasons (see Crying in the chapter on THE A-Z OF
CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES).
Is Your Milk Suitable For Your Baby?
Your milk thin, thick, yellowish, bluish or white is
always right for your baby. Breastfeeding is to be continued
even if the mother is suffering from asthma, malaria, cold,
typhoid or tuberculosis. It is important not to give any glucose
water or any other milk for the first few days, because the
first yellowish milk (colostrum) produced then, though small
in amount, is enough to meet all the needs of the baby. Even
if you have to work outside the home, it is dangerous to start
bottle-feeding with the assumption that the baby should get
used to it. Working mothers can breastfeed successfully
without ever using a bottle.
You can feed in any position lying down, sitting or
reclining, as is convenient for you. The important point is that
the position of the baby at the breast should be correct. This
is based on the fact that breast milk collects in the dilated
ducts that lie underneath the areola, the dark portion behind
the nipple of the breast. The breast should be put into the
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babys mouth so that much of the areola especially the

portion below the nipple is not visible while the baby is
suckling. Let the baby keep suckling from one breast even if
she seems to have fallen asleep and her eyes are closed. Offer
the other breast only when the baby releases the first breast
on her own. If the baby is satisfied with only one side, offer
her the other breast at the next feed. If you have twins, milk
from one breast is enough for one baby.
Some mothers breasts feel heavy or congested 3 to 4 days
after delivery. This means that the mother is not feeding the
baby enough. She should offer the baby frequent feeds or
express the milk for the next 2 to 3 feeds. If the heaviness is
allowed to remain, the mother will feel more discomfort and
the baby will have difficulty in suckling.
If the baby starts sucking her fingers, do not jump to the
conclusion that she is not getting enough milk from you.
Observe the babys urine; its light colour indicates that the
baby is getting her required quota of milk. Here, it may be
mentioned that a baby may pass yellowish urine if she
is given vitamins or if she sweats more because of
heavy clothing.
Vitamins For The Baby
Your baby does not need any vitamin drops if you are
breastfeeding and eating well. Your diet should include
seasonal fruits, vegetables, sprouts, whole grains and nuts.
Babies who are given cow or buffalo milk do need extra
vitamins. Formula milk (from baby milk powders) has
added vitamins.
Your paediatrician may give your newborn baby a dose of
Vitamin K, based on the premise that it takes some time for
the newborn to start making this important vitamin in her
system. The first milk produced by the mother (colostrum) is
rich in this vitamin and all babies should get colostrum.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
It has also been seen that the amount of Vitamin K in

breast milk can be increased if the mothers diet includes
leafy vegetables.
10 Important Points For The Care Of Your Newborn
Aim for direct skin-to-skin contact with your baby soon
after birth.
The first yellowish breast milk (colostrum), though

produced in small amount, is enough to meet the needs of
your baby.
A crying baby may need body contact. Pick her up;

dont worry about spoiling her.
Bathe a newborn with plain lukewarm water for the first

7 to 10 days of life. Soap and oil may be used later.
There is no need to buy medicated soaps and expensive
baby soaps and oils. In fact, some babies may develop
skin rash with their use. Any non-scented bath soap and
a locally preferred oil like til (sesame) oil, coconut oil,
groundnut oil or mustard oil is adequate. Refined
groundnut oil, available in most homes, is a possible
substitute. There is no need to go in for almond or olive
oil. Talcum powder, including special baby powder,
irritates a babys nostrils and can cause severe lung
disease. At times, it gets caked in the skin folds. Avoid
using all types of powders. If you feel you must use it,
restrict its application to the nappy area or where the
skin tends to chafe. Never buy prickly heat powders;
they are often medicated and unsafe for babies. Some
children get skin rashes with besan (gram flour) or malai
(milk cream). In general, we do not recommend
their application.
Relatives should massage or bathe the baby. If a

maalishwali is hired, she should be closely supervised to
ensure she does not give too vigorous a massage.
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Some newborns may have swollen breasts that subside on

their own after a few weeks. Pressing the breasts to
squeeze milk out of them can be dangerous and should
never be done.
Do not try to push the foreskin of a male childs penis to

separate it from the soft front portion. It is meant to protect
the delicate part of the penis.
Do not put oil into the ears and nostrils of the newborn. Oil,
if aspirated into the lungs, can be dangerous. The babys
nose may sometimes be obstructed by thick secretions.
These should be moistened with cotton soaked in water
and then removed gently with a clean cloth. Do not clean
the tongue and mouth of a baby. Avoid pacifiers (dummies);
besides interfering with proper feeding habits, pacifiers
increase the risk of infections (including middle ear
infection) and malocclusion of the teeth.
Moms clean finger may be safer than a pacifier
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
Never use earbuds or cotton buds for the baby. After a

bath, use a corner of the towel to clean the external ear.
The wax normally found in the ear canal protects it. Do not
try to remove it. Also, do not blow into the babys ears
after a bath.
Never use surma for the babys eyes. Quite a few such
preparations contain lead, which can be dangerous for
the baby.
Skin Massage
In most Indian families, it is customary to give the baby an
all-body massage with oil or ghee to stimulate the circulation.
I support this tradition; it provides extra body contact. But
I must add that it is not essential, especially if you do not have
extra help.
Bath
I recommend a daily bath in normal circumstances. In
extremely cold weather, daily sponging and a bath twice a
week should be adequate. The face and diaper area need more
frequent cleansing.
In the hospital, you may be shown how to bathe your baby
in a bath-tub and you may follow the same method. Many
Indian women also often bathe babies without a tub. The
woman sits comfortably on the floor with her legs stretched
out in front of her. The baby is laid, on her back or stomach,
between the womans bare legs and then massaged or bathed.
I find this a very simple and practical method and strongly
recommend it.
Never leave the baby alone in water even for a few
moments. Negligence can be fatal.
Some people clean the mouth and tongue of the baby with a
piece of cloth or with glycerine. This is unnecessary and may
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damage the delicate mucous membrane of the babys mouth

and lead to infection.
Cut your babys nails while she is sleeping after a bath. Cut
the nails straight across with a nail clipper.
Sleep
To begin with, a newborn baby either feeds or sleeps. She may
not yet be aware of the difference between day and night. She
may sleep more during the day and feed more often throughout
the night, which can be rather annoying. Fortunately, within a
couple of weeks, your baby will fall into a routine convenient to
you. Till then, try to doze off while she sleeps during the day.
As people at home start taking more and more interest in
talking to the baby, she may start sleeping less during the day
and for longer hours during the night.
Put your baby to sleep on her back. Prone sleeping
(on the stomach) has been reported to be a risk for
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However,
putting baby to sleep on her side, previously
recommended as a safer alternative, also appears to be
associated with SIDS, probably because infants placed
on their sides tend to roll onto their stomachs.
Additionally, infants who die of SIDS have a more than
twofold-increased probability of having been born to smoking
mothers. Risk of SIDS specifically attributable to parental
smoking (mother or father) was over 61%.
Fan Or Air-Conditioner?
During hot weather, a fan must be used, unless you are lucky
to have a room with cross-ventilation which always remains
cool. Do not hesitate to switch on an air-conditioner.
However, make sure that the baby does not sleep directly
under the fan. Keep the windows open when the
air-conditioner is not in use.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
Place the baby a little away from the window in order to

avoid her being in the draught.
Music And The Baby?
Sing or have her grandmother sing to baby to lull her to sleep.
If you want to play recorded music to serve the same purpose,
go ahead. Should you listen to music while the baby is asleep?
Of course, you should, if you enjoy music. Let the baby also
start getting used to your ways of living.
Of course, the music shouldnt be played too loud; that
would not be good even for adult ears.
Should You Use A Cradle Or A Hammock To Rock The
Baby To Sleep?
Do not let your child be dependent on being in a cradle or
hammock to sleep; you will find it very difficult to put your
baby to sleep if you happen to go to a new place, where you do
not have such a facility. However, if your baby is already used
to it, fold a sari to make a hammock and suspend it securely
from both ends of a bed or a table.
Should You Wrap Up Your Baby?
Keep baby warm in cold weather. Some babies sleep better if
wrapped up, especially during their first month. Some like to
have their hands out. Be flexible; go with what your baby
seems to like.
Gradually, the baby should be unwrapped more and more
so that she can move her limbs freely. She will start looking at
her hands later and get to know the shape of her body better.
It was mentioned earlier that most babies tend to sweat
profusely on the head. But some tend to sweat a lot all over.
Some of these babies, if kept wrapped all the time, may
develop fever due to dehydration. This fever will settle down
if your baby is kept cool and is given a few sips of boiled and
cooled water with a cup or a spoon. Never use a bottle for this
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purpose. (See chapter on FEEDING THE NEWBORN AND

INFANTS.)
Wrapping the baby is not difficult. Follow the figures on the
next page: (a) fold the upper corner of the sheet. Put the baby
on the sheet as shown; (b) straighten the babys right arm
gently. Wrap the right half of the sheet over the arm and her
body. Take the sheet behind her back and tuck it;
(c) straighten the left arm and wrap the left half of the sheet
over the body as before; (d) lift the lower portion of the sheet
upwards over the body. You may secure it with a closed safety
pin or just leave it as it is.
Going Out
Traditionally, an Indian woman stays at home for at least
6 weeks after delivery; it takes about that much time for the
womans anatomy to return to its previous state. For instance,
as the foetus grows bigger, the uterus goes right up to the top
of the pregnant womans abdomen. This has to come back to
its earlier position. The baby suckling at the breast hastens
the process of this so-called involution of the uterus. The
6 weeks rest also gives the mother and the baby time and
opportunity to become familiar with each others moods and
to continue the on-going process of mothering and motherinfant bonding.
But can you go out say to a party or for shopping
or for a wedding earlier than this sacred period of
6 weeks? Of course you can, and you must if it is
important. If you know that you will enjoy going out, go
ahead. Whenever possible, take your baby with you. Do not
worry that she is not yet immunised. Of course, avoid
taking her to crowded places as far as possible. If you are
going to a party and you have a maid, take her with you.
Let the baby be with her in an adjoining room, join your
friends, enjoy the evening and attend to your baby if the
need arises.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
Wrapping the baby

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Resuming Sex
Avoid sexual intercourse in the first 6 weeks after delivery.
Do discuss family planning with your doctor. If you do not
believe in modern family planning methods, make sure that
you exclusively breastfeed your child for 6 months and after
that, add other foods gradually, while breastfeeding is
continued and bottle-feeding is avoided.
FREQUENCY OF CHECK-UPS
After seeing the baby at birth, I like to see her 1 and 2 weeks
after discharge from the hospital. At around 10 days, the baby
is supposed to regain her birth weight. I also like to know how
breastfeeding is going and answer any questions that the
mother might have forgotten to ask in hospital. I also like to
see the condition of the umbilical cord at that time.
I would then like to see the child at 6, 10 and 14 weeks for
immunisation (see chapter on IMMUNISATION). I would also
check about breastfeeding and see the milestones of
development that the child has achieved and record her
height, weight and head circumference.
Then I would like to see the child at about 6 months,
9 months, 15 months and 2 years. At 6 months, addition of
complementary foods will be discussed. At 9 months, measles
vaccine will be advised. I also like to see at that time if the
child needs any vitamins, calcium and iron. At 15 months,
MMR vaccine will be advised. Through these visits, I would
observe the growth and development of the child and advise a
booster dose of DPT and OPV at 2 years. At this age, we may
also get a rough idea about the height that the child will
achieve later in life. Then I like to see the child once a year
and guide the parents for a healthy and happy childhood and
adolescence. If you would like your paediatrician to see your
child every month for the first year or two of her life, discuss
it with her and arrange for check-ups accordingly.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
Guest Article Dr. Geetanjali Shah
HOLISTIC BONDING WITH YOUR

UNBORN CHILD
Dr. Geetanjali Shah, MD, DCH, DNB is a consulting
paediatrician and neonatologist packing in Mumbai. An
allopath, Dr. Shah is also trained in alternative medicine.
The days when a foetus in a mothers womb was considered a
passive, mindless creature are long gone.
Medical science has now woken up to the abilities of this
highly evolving being to understand, listen to and be
influenced by its environment.
Good sansharas (exposure to ennobling influences) can be
imparted to the unborn baby not just during pregnancy, but
also a good 3 months before conception.
Start Preparing Before Conception
I offer preconceptional counselling 3 months prior to conception in accordance with the Supraja theory as described in
Ayurveda. This involves improving the quality of the parents
gametes by purification or pindashuddhi, so that their fusion
may produce a healthy and intelligent baby.
The counselling involves abstinence from alcohol,
cigarettes, drugs and excessive tea or coffee. It includes
eating nutritious homemade food, exercise and other herbs
for both the to-be parents, meditation and positive visualisation techniques.
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Spiritual Health For The Baby In Utero

The baby in the uterus has its own special senses developing,
especially the hearing capacity. Henry Truby, former
professor of paediatrics, linguistics and anthropology at the
University of Miami, USA, points to studies since 1960
showing that the foetus hears clearly from the sixth month in
utero and even more startlingly that it responds to the
mothers speech.
Resonant Sounds Have A Greater Effect
Experiments prove that resonant sounds (like a bell or a
musical instrument) cause an immediate change in foetal
heart sounds. Which somewhat explains the ancient Indian
tradition of teaching expectant mothers to loudly chant
mantras with beejaksharas like om, brim, etc. These sounds
are understood to make the baby increasingly alert, thereby
possibly stimulating greater intelligence development.
MEDITATION
The Holistic Pregnancy Relaxation Programme
I recommend this at my mothercraft classes. Each session has
3 phases
Meditation
Auto-hypnosis and Auto-suggestion
Breathing exercises (pranayam)
Meditation Techniques
The best time to practise meditation is early in the morning
when the mind and the body are really relaxed. Take a
comfortable posture, by lying on your back or sitting with
your eyes closed. Slowly allow your mind to slip into the
3 stages of meditation:
Focus your mind on your body, and be aware of it slowly
being completely relaxed, upward from the toes, all the way
to your head.
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HOLISTIC BONDING WITH

CARE
YOUR
OF UNBORN
THE NEWBORN
CHILD
Concentrate your thoughts on your abdomen, then on the

baby inside and imagine it to be in a state of perfect health.
Your body is in a state of inner alertness. Your mind is
relaxed. Meditate on the image/idol/vision/concept/idea you
believe in, either your God/deity/saint/person/force/entity,
the qualities of which you want your baby to imbibe.
With your eyes closed, breathe slowly and deeply. As you
inhale, visualise your breath as a radiant white light filling
your body. As you exhale, imagine the light passing out of
your body through the cells of your feet, carrying all
tension away. Repeat this thrice, each time directing the
light to each part of your body and then to your baby. Enjoy
the feeling of complete relaxation for a few minutes. Take
one last deep breath, open your eyes and stretch.
Visualisation helps induce relaxation and creates positive,
pleasurable images about childbirth.
Auto-Hypnosis And Auto-Suggestion Techniques
Close your eyes and visualise yourself entering a place of
complete peace and tranquillity like a garden or
seashore. Imagine resting on the grass or sand and a
relaxing feeling spreading from your toes upwards. Your
toes, ankles, knees, legs, thighs and then your abdomen,
back, chest, arms, from the shoulders to the fingertips,
neck, face and head are getting completely relaxed. Count
numbers 1, 2 and 3 and prepare your mind for autosuggestions.
Give yourself the following suggestions: With the help of
my higher self and energised mind, I will keep my mind
free from negative thoughts about pregnancy and labour. I
will follow the right path and remain happy and content
even in stressful situations. I know that every thought,
desire and action of mine may have a direct or indirect
effect on the baby. I visualise my baby thriving, gaining
weight, enjoying moving about in the amniotic fluid around
her. Her respiratory, cardiac and central nervous system
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are forming well. Her immune system and special senses

are developing without any defect. I am sending my
positive vibrations to the baby to grow well till the ninth
month of gestation is over, and then have a smooth delivery
and post-natal course. Now, slowly count the numbers 1, 2
and 3. At the same time, talk aloud to the baby, sing to her,
and stroke her by touching the abdominal wall fondly. This
quietens the baby. Some children even recognise lullabies
played to them later, which they had heard only when they
were in the uterus.
Breathing Exercises
Sit on a chair, reclining slightly. Take a deep breath
through your nose, filling your lungs. Then blow it out
completely through your mouth, like an audible sigh of
relief. As you do this, notice how your belly flattens as you
squeeze out every last bit of air. This full exhalation
pushes out all the stale air from the bottom of the lungs.
Repeat this 3 to 5 times at each sitting, doing it whenever
possible during the day. This type of breathing increases
blood circulation to the baby and helps you relax.
HAVE A HOLISTIC LABOUR TOO
Guided imagery relaxation exercises: It is important to
practise guided imagery exercises during the ninth month
of pregnancy prior to labour as follows:
Imagine yourself getting the initial labour pains at your
expected due date. You are completely prepared and
ready in body and mind for the delivery and proceed to
the hospital after informing your doctor. Imagine yourself
in the hospital in a relaxed state, doing breathing
exercises, walking and listening to music in the first
stage of labour. You are eagerly awaiting the birth of
your baby and in complete control of yourself. Imagine
yourself getting a massage from a relative or an
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HOLISTIC BONDING WITH

CARE
YOUR
OF UNBORN
THE NEWBORN
CHILD
attendant and feeling relaxed. Your labour is now

progressing; contractions are getting stronger in intensity
and are coming frequently.
Labour affirmations:
Close your eyes and visualise the following:
With each contraction, my cervix is dilating more and
more, and the baby is descending.
The contractions of my uterus are massaging the baby,
hugging it.
My belly feels as if it is suspended in warm water,
floating lightly.
My breathing is slow and even.
My legs, hands, face, shoulders, stomach and abdomen
are relaxed. My belly and pelvis feel relaxed.
I am open and relaxed, so that my baby comes out
easily.
Childbirth affirmations:
The baby is descending naturally. With each
contraction, the baby descends a little more. Soon my
baby will be here.
The baby and I are doing beautifully.
My vagina stretches as the babys head crowns, then
emerges. I think of coolness, coolness.
Now the baby is here. My baby is beautiful.
I have observed that all my patients who have practised
this technique sincerely and regularly have had relatively
smooth and painless labour and lesser incidence of operative
interventions during delivery.
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CARE OF THE NEWBORN
PART
2
THE GROWING YEARS FROM INFANCY
TO ADOLESCENCE
Normal Growth And Development ...........................
60-81
Immunisation ..............................................................
82-88
Behaviour At Different Ages ....................................
89-99
Meeting The Emotional Needs Of Children ...........
100-122
Learning And Schooling ............................................
123-138
Guest Article: Getting Your Child Ready to Read

Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy ..........................................
139-141
Guest Article: Parenting Adolescents

Dr. M. K. C. Nair .........................................................
142-147
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THE GROWING YEARS
NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Growth And Development Is Predictable
Growth and development is not haphazard-it has a timetable.
Although there may be some variations, the pattern
is predictable. One can know in general what to expect at
what age from normal children, i.e. children who follow the
norms and standards. These standards are established by
observing a large number of normal children. A graphical
representation of these norms (called growth curves or
growth charts) shows how children growing at different paces
would grow (Fig. 1). A childs growth when assessed
subsequently should be on the same line as before. If it goes
towards the lower side, the child is faltering. Faltering may be
temporary, due to some illness, but if it persists for 2 or 3
months, the child should be seen by a paediatrician.
Some Basic Facts To Remember
Paediatrician and expert on growth and development Dr. Arun
Phatak, whom I had invited to collaborate with me on this
chapter, appeals to mothers to keep these points in mind:
Big is not necessarily beautiful. Fat babies, especially those
who were small at birth, can have their own problems. An
active child, who does not fall ill too often and continues to
grow and develop at her own pace, is normal.
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Fig. 1 Growth Chart
NORMAL GROWTH
CAREAND
OF DEVELOPMENT
THE NEWBORN
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Small parents tend to have small children.

Children born small are likely to remain smaller than
those born big. About 85% of children who are born at
the expected time, but are of small size will show catchup growth by 2 years of age. Others may have a growth
spurt during adolescence.
Multivitamins and tonics do not give strength or increase
height and weight. At the most, they may ensure that
the child does not have any deficiency of vitamins or
minerals. Some of the tonics contain alcohol, which is
harmful for your child.
Do not give your child drugs containing cyproheptadine
to stimulate her appetite and to increase her weight.
They are harmful as are drugs containing anabolic
steroids that are also wrongly given for this purpose.
The latter are especially dangerous for female children
because they can cause permanent enlargement of the
clitoris and give rise to secondary male sex
characteristics.
Treatment with growth hormone for short stature may
help some children. It should be given only if an expert
endocrinologist recommends it.
Weight
Weight is the most commonly used parameter of growth.
Weighing scales are of different types and the weight may
vary from one scale to another. Preferably, the child should be
weighed on the same scale on subsequent occasions. The
beam scales and the electronic scales are more reliable than
the spring scales.
At the time of birth, a normal child achieves about 5% of
her final adult body weight. The normal birth weight of
children in our country varies from a little less than 3 kgs to
4 kgs.
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NORMAL GROWTH
CAREAND
OF DEVELOPMENT
THE NEWBORN
During the first few days, children normally lose water

from their bodies, and so they lose about 10% of their body
weight. They regain their birth weight when they are about
10 days old. Babies who have been breastfed on demand from
birth lose less weight than babies who are given a feed only at
fixed times. Also, babies who are breastfed on demand regain
their birth weight sooner.
A healthy baby should gain between half to 1 kg per month,
or a minimum of 125 gm each week. Your childs growth
curve should follow the reference curve on the chart. The
childs curve may be above or below the reference curve, but
it must be about the same shape. Some babies may gain
weight faster than the reference curve in the early months of
life. This is normal for babies who are exclusively breastfed
and the fast weight gain usually slows down after about 4 to 5
months. A baby not exclusively breastfed, who continues to
gain more than 1 kg of weight per month, may be becoming
overweight and needs close attention from your doctor.
After 4 months, your baby will gain about 400 gm in weight
every month. If she was born as a normal full-term infant, the
child will double her birth weight by 5 months and triple it at
1 year. Thus, if she weighed 3 kgs at birth, she should be
around 6 kgs at 5 months, and 9 kgs at 1 year. If she was born
premature with a very low weight at birth, she will be much
more than double her birth weight at 5 months. Similarly, if
she had a much higher weight at birth, she will be less than
double at 5 months.
Initially, during the first few months, the weight gain is
rapid. Then it slows down. From the second year onwards, till
the adolescent period, the child gains just 2 to 21/2 kgs every
year, i.e. 200 gms a month (the weight of a glass of water).
Many mothers get worried about this deceleration in weight
gain, but it is a natural phenomenon. It is for the same reason
that, after the age of 1 year, the paediatrician may like to see
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the child for routine check-ups at 3-month intervals and not

every month.
From 2 to 7. years of age, your childs weight in kilograms
can be calculated according to the following formula:
(age [years] + 4) x 2
Thus, at 5 years, she should weigh about 18 kgs.
From 8 to 10 years in girls and 8 to 12 years in boys, the
weight can be calculated as per the following formula:
(age [years] + 5) x 2
Thus, a child at 9 years should weigh around 28 kgs.
Still, your 9-year-old may weigh less than 28 kgs and yet be
normal. If her overall state of health is satisfactory, the
decision on whether she is abnormally underweight or not
should not be taken in a hurry. Also remember that some
children grow faster during a particular season of the year as
compared to another. During the period of slow growth, the
childs appetite may also become less.
It is better to see the growth charts and how the child is
progressing. For instance, in Fig. 2, the child A has more
weight than child B throughout the first year of life, but if we
see their progress since birth, the growth of child B is better
than that of A. Indeed, child A has started faltering after the
age of 7 months and needs to be seen by her paediatrician.
Length And Height
A smaller childs length is taken on a flat table. Height is
measured when she is able to stand erect.
A full-term, normal infant has a length of about 50 cms.
At 3 months and 9 months, it increases to 60 and 70 cms,
respectively. At 1 year and 4 years, it is about 75 and 100 cms,
respectively. Then the height increases by about 5 cms each
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year, until the age of 10 and 12 years in girls and boys,

respectively. After this, the spurt of adolescent growth begins
with a corresponding rapid increase in height and weight.
Several formulae are available for predicting the adult
height of a child. You can work out the expected height of
your child in a rather simple way. In the case of boys, double
the height at 2 years; and for girls at 1 years. So if your
daughter is 75 cms at 1 years, you can expect her to reach
an adult height of about 150 cms, i.e. 5 feet.
The length/height of a child is more controlled by her
genetic programming than by environmental factors. Tonics,
injections and other drugs do not make a child taller.
Fig. 2
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Head Circumference
Your doctor will keep a watch on your childs head
circumference, especially in the first year of her life. The head
measures about 34 cms at birth. The soft spot at the back of
the head cannot be felt after about 2 months of age. The soft
spot in front (anterior fontanelle) may appear to widen after
birth. It usually closes between 6 months and 2 to 3 years of
age. The head circumference is approximately 44 cms at
6 months and 47 cms by 1 year. So you will notice a rapid
increase of about 10 cms in the first 6 months and only 3 cms
in the next 6 months. The circumference of the head is
slightly bigger than that of the chest at birth, but both of them
become equal by the age of 1 year.
Teeth
Twenty milk teeth (temporary or deciduous teeth) appear
between the age of 6 months and 2 years. The first tooth
appears at about 6 months, though the gums start getting
ready for teeth to come out at the age of 3 to 4 months. You
will notice that the child is drooling more, is irritable and
enjoys biting your finger. These temporary teeth fall between
6 and 12 years of age and then permanent teeth keep
erupting. At 12 years, the child should have a total of 28 teeth.
The 4 wisdom teeth come up any time after the age of 18.
An important point worth remembering about teething is
that there is a marked variation in the eruption of teeth.
Though many children around 1 year have about 6 teeth, quite
a few others may be toothless on their first birthday, though
they are otherwise completely normal. Delayed eruption does
not necessarily indicate calcium or vitamin deficiency.
Similarly, some normal babies may be born with a tooth.
Pubertal Growth
The onset of puberty in a girl is heralded by breast budding,
when the breast becomes slightly elevated as a small mound.
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On an average, this happens at around 10 years, but it can

happen any time from 8 to 13 years of age. Any extremes
need to be brought to the notice of the doctor. One year later,
the child shows a rapid increase in height and weight.
Menstruation starts a year after this period of rapid growth or
2 years after the breast budding. With breast budding, the
child develops few, straight pubic hair (stage 2 of puberty). In
stage 1, there is no pubertal growth. In stage 3, the breasts
enlarge and pubic hair becomes darker and begins to curl.
Menstruation starts in stage 4. In stage 5, the breast is fully
developed, the pubic hair becomes coarse and curly and
spreads to the inner surface of the thighs. At this stage, the
increase in height is rather slow. It is likely to stop increasing
any more.
In boys, puberty begins a year later than in the girls. The
first sign is the enlargement of the testes. At the next stage,
the scrotum appears thin and red (stage 2 of puberty). This
happens around the age of 11 years, but may also be seen any
time from 9 to 14 years of age. In stage 3, the penis enlarges,
the pubic hair appears and the child may have nocturnal
emissions. Two years after stage 2, boys have a sudden spurt
in height (stage 4). The pubic hair becomes more curly and
coarse. In stage 5, the pubic hair spreads to the inner thighs.
As in girls, the increase in height is now slow and is likely to
stop soon. The boys may also develop a tender swelling of the
breasts at around stage 4 of the growth. It may last a few
months and then disappear. The adolescent may find that his
voice cracks when he speaks. This is normal.
The size of the two breasts may differ somewhat in girls.
This is also normal.
DEVELOPMENT OF MOTOR AND MENTAL SKILLS
Far more important than the physical stature are the skills
that the child acquires the various activities that she learns
to perform. Some normal children acquire the skills fast and
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some learn them slowly. For instance, although about 50% of

children learn to walk alone by 12 months, 3% walk by the
ninth month, while almost all (i.e. 97%) are walking by
15 months. If a child is not able to walk alone even by
15 months, she should be assessed by a paediatrician for
possible developmental delay.
Milestones
Often, a few of the childs activities are selected as a rough
guide to her developmental status. These are called
milestones. Like the milestones on the highway, they tell us
whether the childs journey on the road of life is progressing well.
The milestones tell what the average child is expected to
do at that age, but that also means that 50% of children will be
learning that activity later.
Normal Variations
However, in case your child appears slow when compared to
other children or in comparison with her older sibling, do not
jump immediately to the conclusion that she is mentally
backward. No two children are alike. Also, a girl is likely to
walk and develop speech earlier than boys.
Some children learn certain skills later, but are advanced in
other milestones of development. Sometimes, a child stops
learning any new skill for a while and then suddenly picks up
quite a few skills within a short period of time.
Keep in mind that sometimes, a child who is lagging behind
might be slow in picking up almost all new skills and this slow
pace of development persists all through. On the other hand,
some children are slow all around, but start developing at a
faster pace with the passage of time.
However, if you have any doubt about your childs
development, do not delay in consulting your paediatrician.
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MONTHWISE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIRST YEAR

The different milestones in the first important year of your
childs life are discussed under 3 headings.
Motor development, which deals mainly with movements

and manipulation of different parts of the body.
Perception and social responses related to the childs

sensory system, ability to comprehend and social
behaviour.
Speech.
NEWBORN BABY
Motor Development
While lying on her back without a pillow, the baby mostly
keeps her head to one side. When put on her stomach, she
raises her head momentarily and makes an effort to turn it to
one side.
With a gentle push to her sole, she may appear to crawl.
In general, she keeps her hands fisted. If you put your
finger in her palm, she grasps it firmly (the grasp reflex).
When made to stand on a firm surface, she takes a few
steps as if she were walking (the walking reflex). The walking
reflex may not be well elicited if the child is not fully awake.
The grasp reflex and the walking reflex disappear in about
2 months.
Perception And Social Response
The newborn wrinkles her forehead and blinks when
subjected to strong light and sound. She may also suddenly
move her arms outwards and start crying. A crying baby
usually stops crying the moment you cuddle her in your arms.
Suckling at the breast offers mutual satisfaction to the mother
as well as the baby. It gives the newborn comfort and a feeling
of security, besides fulfilling her nutritional needs.
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Speech
The lusty cry of a baby due to hunger or any discomfort
may herald the development of speech in due course
of time.
ONE MONTH
Motor Development
While on her back, the child kicks her legs in joy. When put
on her stomach, she lifts her head and turns it to one side to
spare her nose. When held up against your shoulder, she lifts
her head momentarily away from your shoulder. Her hands
are fisted. She can now bring her hand within the range of
her eyes.
If a brightly-coloured rattle or a ring is moved 20 cms in front
of the childs face, she fixes her gaze on it. If you move it from
midpoint to one side, she follows it with her eyes. She may
not respond the first time you show her the rattle; repeat the
action a few times if required. If the baby is lying on her back,
she may follow you, within the range of her eyesight. Her
eyes may move from one side to the other and sometimes it
may appear that she has a squint. This is often transitory and
disappears by the age of 5 or 6 months. At this age, she gives
more attention to black and white pictures.
In a quiet place, shake a rattle about 8 cms away from the
babys ear. She will respond to the sound by wrinkling her
forehead, stopping any activity that she is doing, suddenly
blinking, or by crying. On completing 1 month, the childs
hearing is fully matured. She even seems able to differentiate
between some sounds.
If you are pregnant and are reading these lines, read
a story aloud each night during the last 1 or 2 months of
pregnancy. Then, after your baby is born, read her the
same story when she is awake and about a month old.
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You will be pleasantly surprised; she may become quiet

and more attentive as if she is listening to a sound that
she can recognise.
Suckling at the breast and feeling secure in her mothers
arms, the baby looks lovingly at her mothers face and often
manages to have eye contact with her.
Speech
The child may make some throaty sounds like ah and coo.
The child turns the head to one side to spare the nose
TWO MONTHS
Motor Development
When put on her stomach (prone), the child lifts her head at
an angle of about 45 and can hold it there for about
10 seconds. When held up against the shoulder, she can now
keep her head up for a little longer. The fist is now kept open
more often.
The child listens to sounds more attentively. She shows a
more mature response by pausing when she hears the rattle
and does not blink or show any signs of fear.
The first smile of the child in response to your smile is
noticed at around 6 weeks of age. This social smile should not
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be confused with the spontaneous smiles of babies during the

first weeks of life.
Speech
The child may make a few throaty sounds such as goo, ab
and coo.
THREE MONTHS
Motor Development
The fist is now kept open all the time. If the child is given a
rattle in her hand, she holds it firmly and may start playing
with it. When lifted up from her supine (lying on her back)
position, her head also follows suit for some time. When put
on her stomach, she raises her head and can keep it at an
angle of 90 for about a minute.
If the child is shown a pencil while on her back, her eyes
follow it from one corner of her eye to the other.
Now comes the smile of recognition. At 6 weeks, she gives
a momentary smile when talked to, making it delightful to talk
to her. The smile is now more definite and she recognises the
mother or the mother figure. Not yet conscious of strangers,
she may oblige even others with a smile.
Dads darling
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Speech
If she is happy after her feed, she may make sounds like ah,
goo and ma.
FOUR MONTHS
Motor Development
The child tends to bring anything given to her to the mouth.
While on her back, she now looks at her hands. It helps her to
get an idea of her body. That is why it is important not to keep
the child wrapped all the time. For the same reason, mittens
should be avoided, especially when the child is awake.
Now, not only does she smile, but she also laughs delightfully.
Her hearing can also be tested better now. Stand behind her
so that she cannot see you. Sound a rattle or a bell at a
distance of 20 to 24 cms from her ear. She will turn her head
towards the direction of the sound. The room should be
otherwise quiet for this test.
Speech
Now, you can hear her laughing. This is her way of
communicating.
FIVE MONTHS
Motor Development
Offer your thumbs to the child as she lies on her back. Let her
grasp them. Give her a little support to make her sit. You will
notice that she will herself come to a sitting position.
Put her on her stomach. If awake and satisfied, she may roll
over onto her back on her own.
The baby can now inspect a new object for a prolonged period.
She may start differentiating strangers from those close to
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her. She may not laugh when strangers approach her or she
may even start crying.
She can now make out from the tone of your voice if you
are annoyed with her.
Speech
Nothing significant happens at this stage as far as speech
development is concerned.
SIX MONTHS
Motor Development
She can now roll over on her own from her back on to her
stomach, when placed on a firm surface.
When placed on her stomach, she tries to reach for a toy
put in front of her, though she may or may not succeed at
this stage.
She can now transfer a rattle placed in one hand to the
other. When made to stand, her legs may be able to bear her
full weight.
Rolls over from back to stomach at almost 6 months
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Her hearing is now more sensitive. If a piece of paper is
crumpled near her ear, out of her sight, she will turn her head
towards the sound.
She smiles when she sees her own reflection in a mirror.
She is now likely to become very conscious of strangers.
Speech
She may now try to join a few syllables and say da-da or may
use them separately as ma, goo or da.
SEVEN MONTHS
Motor Development
When made to sit, she can stay for some time without
falling over.
While on her back, she may play with her feet; she may
even put her toe into her mouth.
If not the thumb, the toe shall do!
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While on her stomach, she may make attempts to move

forward to catch a toy.
She now takes all objects to her mouth and can feed herself
a biscuit.
If an object falls on the ground, she follows it with
her eyes and keeps looking in that direction till she
locates it.
She can now play simple games like peek-a-boo and
enjoy them.
Speech
The same as at 6 months.
EIGHT MONTHS
Motor Development
When made to sit, the child can now stay for a prolonged
period without falling over.
When on her stomach, your child can now change her
position in her attempt to reach an object placed at an angle
and not directly opposite her.
While the child is playing with a toy, cover it with a piece
of cloth. She will try to remove the cloth to get the
toy again.
Now she may even behave as if she is afraid of strangers,
and become more cranky in general.
Speech
Theres nothing new except that she may now try to vocalise
in soft whispers rather than loud sounds.
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NINE MONTHS
Motor Development
The child may start creeping and crawling at this age.
Children who are kept on their stomach from an early age
while awake, may creep and crawl earlier than others who are
kept mostly on their back or in the lap.
Your child can now raise herself from the lying position and
sit up on her own.
When encouraged to walk and held by her hands, she
attempts to take a few steps forward.
From a sitting position, she can pull herself up by
holding onto some piece of furniture and stand up on
her own.
Now your child may show interest in softer sounds made by a
watch or a musical instrument.
She now enjoys dropping objects again and again on the
ground and wants you to pick them up and give them back
to her.
She now likes to play hide-and-seek.
Speech
She may now properly join two syllables and say dada,
mama, or baba.
TEN MONTHS
Motor Development
The child can now walk more confidently when held by
her hands.
She can also sit from a standing position by taking your
support or the support of a piece of furniture.
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She now rocks on her hands and knees and may crawl all
around the house.
When a small object like a bead or a button or a pellet is
placed before her, she now picks it up with her thumb and
index finger. In earlier months, she would have tried to get at
it with her palm or without the fine coordination movement
that she now exhibits.
She now claps, copies ta-ta or bye-bye, likes to look at
pictures in a book and starts understanding the meaning
of No.
Speech
She repeats da-da or ma-ma after you. When you ask her
about familiar persons or objects by saying, Where is papa?
or Where is the fan? she may now look in the direction of
that particular person or object.
ELEVEN MONTHS
Motor Development
Make your child stand on a firm surface, while supporting her
body. Leave her alone. She may be able to stand on her own
for a few moments. Some children develop this skill after
their first birthday.
She can now also turn the leaves of a book with
thick pages. Holding on to furniture, she can now walk
sideways. When given a crayon and paper, she tries to
scribble on the paper, especially if she is shown how to do so
by someone else.
If you laugh at some action of hers, she will repeat that act
again for you; she is obviously pleased with your appreciation.
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boo game. She purposely drops things down and expects you
to pick them up.
The child now wants to eat by herself. Encourage her
to do this even if she tends to make a mess. She can
also drink from an ordinary glass or a cup. Many
children learn this skill even earlier.
Speech
The child may use some jargon at this age, but she is less
likely to use words with meaning on her own. She may imitate
you or may say mum when she sees water being brought
in a glass.
TWELVE MONTHS
Motor Development
The child may now be able to stand without support, though
she might have done this even before her first birthday. Quite
a few children only stand without support between 11 to 13
months. Some children may even be able to take a few steps
at this age, but most will do it later.
Your childs hand and eye coordination is now much
improved. She can now finger feed herself. If you take a bottle
and drop a few objects into it, she can copy this action well.
She responds to No and may also shake her head for No.
She now enjoys playing simple games like catching cook
with you. While being dressed, she may straighten her arm or
leg to help you. She now feels shy in the presence of
strangers and may cry when you leave home.
Speech
The child can now imitate words like dada or mama spoken
by you. She may be able to say 1 or 2 words with meaning.
She may then say mama while looking at you.
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It must be noted at this point that some normal children

may not say a single word with meaning even at the age of
2 years. In such a case, we ask 2 questions:
1. Can the child hear normally?
2. Does she understand and answer simple questions in
different ways? For example, when asked where the fan
is, does she point her finger towards it?
If the answer to both these questions is in the affirmative,
I assure the mother that her child will start speaking in a
couple of months. In a lighter vein, I often add: Thank God
there is peace at the moment. Later, she will speak so much
that you will get fed up.
YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENT FROM 2 TO 5 YEARS
TWO YEARS
A child of 2 years walks freely on the ground. She can also go
up and down the stairs by herself. While going down, she may
stop on each step with both feet before taking another step.
She can stand up on her own from a supine position. She
can now climb onto and come down from furniture without
help. She is on the move all day long.
With her building blocks, she can now build a tower of
6 cubes (At 15 months, the child can build a tower of 2
cubes, putting one cube on top of another. At 18 months and
21 months, she can build towers of 3 and 5 cubes,
respectively). When shown how to, she can imitate a vertical
stroke with a crayon or a pencil. She can now turn single
pages of a book.
She may now imagine different situations and start playing
make-believe games. She can imitate others and wants to be
in the company of other children.
The child can now make simple sentences of 2 to 4 words
and may keep chattering all the time.
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Help your 2-year-old to pass urine before she goes to

sleep, and she may remain dry throughout the night. The
child gives you the first signal of bladder control at around
15 months of age when she starts telling you that she has
wet her pants. After about 18 months, she is mostly
dry during the day, but may wet her clothes occasionally.
(See section on Toilet Training in the chapter on
PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERNS.)
THREE YEARS
The child can now walk up and down the stairs on her own.
She goes upstairs one foot per step, and downstairs two feet
per step. She can now build a tower of 9 cubes, can pedal a
tricycle and hold a pencil in her hand instead of in her fist.
With a pencil, she now copies a circle and imitates a cross.
She knows her age, name and sex and asks questions like
Why? Where? How? all day along. She may be able to
count upto 10 and sing a few songs and nursery rhymes. She
imagines new games with objects and with people and
her friends.
FOUR YEARS
She can now stand on one foot for 5 seconds or more, walk
upstairs and downstairs on her own with one foot per step,
draw a circle, copy a square and a cross, and tell a story.
FIVE YEARS
She can stand on one foot for 10 seconds or longer. She can
dress and undress herself, copy a diamond and use a spoon
properly. She goes to the toilet and manages to clean and
wash herself. She loves to hear new stories, songs, jokes and
simple riddles and then ask others to solve them.
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IMMUNISATION
To Immunise Or Not To Immunise

In favour of immunisation, it is said that 10 children die and
10 are disabled every minute in developing countries due to
the 6 vaccine-preventable diseases measles, tetanus,
tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria and pertusis (whooping cough).
Those who are against immunisation say that more harm
than good is done by immunisation. The latter group includes
some of the finest people I know. I have learnt a lot from them
in keeping myself and others fit. But so far, they have not been
able to convince me that children should not be immunised at
all, although it is true that in July 1999, distribution of rotavirus
vaccine for the prevention of diarrhoea due to rotavirus was
halted in the U. S. A. because of intussusception following
administration of the vaccine. Intussusception is a serious
disease of the abdomen that may need surgery.
After having considered the risk-benefit ratio, I
recommend immunisation for all the children who come
under my care. But I do not refuse treatment to a child
whose mother has not immunised her as a matter of
principle.
THE 6 VACCINES
BCG (Bacille Calmette-Gurin) vaccine is meant. to protect
the child against tuberculosis. Although doubts have been
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IMMUNISATION
raised about its efficacy in the past, most experts recommend

it because BCG may protect the child against serious types
of tuberculosis affecting the central nervous system, bones
and joints.
If administration of the BCG vaccine is delayed, your doctor
will ask for a skin test (Mantoux test with 5 TU). If the test is
positive, BCG is not given. If the test is strongly positive, the
doctor will ask for a chest X-ray and decide if your child needs
treatment for tuberculosis.
The polio vaccine, administered orally, is now routinely
given in some hospitals at birth, This is called the zero dose.
If you are debating whether to immunise your child or not,
you may inform the hospital authorities that you would not
like to have the zero dose given to your baby.
DPT (also called Triple antigen) is meant to protect
against diphtheria, pertusis and tetanus. DT (also called Dual
antigen) does not have the pertusis component in it. Children
above the age of 7 years are not given DPT and are only given
DT or TT (Tetanus Toxoid). The National Immunisation
Schedule recommends DT at 5 years. If your doctor instead
recommends DPT at 5 years, follow his advice.
IMMUNISATION SCHEDULE
The table below gives the National Immunisation Schedule
recommended by the Government of India.
NATIONAL IMMUNISATION SCHEDULE
Vaccine
Age Recommended
BCG
Birth or 6 weeks
OPV
DPT
Birth, 6, 10, 14 weeks, 15 18 months

6, 10, 14 weeks, 15 18 months
Measles
9 months
DT
TT**
5 years
10 and 16 years
** If given for the first time at this age, give 2 doses at 4-week intervals
** For pregnant mothers, 2 doses of M at 4-week intervals
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The following table gives the schedule suggested by the

Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)
IAP IMMUNISATION TIMETABLE
Vaccine
Age Recommended
BCG
OPV
Birth to 2 weeks
Birth, 6, 10, 14 weeks, 9 months, 15 18 months, 5 years
HB (Hepatitis B)
Birth, 6 weeks, 6 9 months, 10 years
DPT
6, 10, 14 weeks, 15 18 months, 5 years
Measles
DT
9 months plus
15 18 months
TT
10, 16 years
Some Important Points About Immunisation

Do not unnecessarily delay your childs course of vaccinations.If immunisation is due, do not postpone it just because
your child has a mild cough, cold or diarrhoea. But if the child
with diarrhoea is given oral polio vaccine, remember to give
an extra dose of oral polio vaccine at a later date in
consultation with your doctor.
However, do not immunise the child if she is acutely ill,
Manage the illness and give her the vaccines later on.
If your child had a severe reaction following a DPT or if she
has a history of convulsions, do discuss it with your doctor,
He may consider giving her DT in place of DPT to complete
her immunisation schedule.
The schedule table suggests that DPT and OPV should be
given at an interval of 4 weeks. Do stick to this routine. But if
for some reason, the gap between the 2 doses becomes more
than 4 weeks, you do not have to repeat the whole course
again. Just give the remaining dose that is due to complete the
course. In the long run, doses given after a longer gap give as
good protection as those given at fixed intervals. However, as
long as the course is not completed, your child runs the risk
of getting these diseases; so avoid delaying the doses as far
as possible.
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IMMUNISATION
There is no need to starve your child for long periods

before or after the administration of oral polio vaccine. A gap
of 10 to 15 minutes may be kept to avoid vomiting.
In a fully immunised child, there is no need to give TT for
minor injuries. However, if she gets hurt when her DPT
booster is due, the booster will give protection against tetanus
as well.
Some authorities recommend 5 doses of oral polio vaccine
(OPV) for the primary course instead of the 3 recommended
as per the National Schedule. They feel that the child gets
better protection with 5 doses. I tend to agree with them. Opt
for the 3 doses if you are not sure whether you should or
should not immunise your child. Also, some doctors prefer to
give 2 doses of OPV before starting the course of DPT
injections in areas where and in seasons when polio is
prevalent. This is based on the assumption that if the child is
carrying the polio virus in her system, any injection might
precipitate a paralytic attack of polio. On the other hand, by
delaying the DPT injections, you may be exposing the child to
the risk of getting whooping cough that can cause serious
problems in a small baby. My practical advice is to give OPV
at birth and then at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months, and to give DPT
injections at 2, 3 and 4 months.
Recently, our government has initiated an annual pulse
polio immunisation programme under which all children
below 5 years are given extra doses of oral polio vaccine on
the same day at 6-week intervals throughout India in an
attempt to eradicate poliomyelitis from the country.
BCG is given over the left shoulder. After about a month, a
small swelling appears at the site of the injection, which may
break into an ulcer with a little watery discharge. This
discharge may continue for about 6 weeks. Eventually, the
ulcer heals, leaving a small permanent scar. Some children
may get enlargement of the glands in the armpits or above the
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clavicle (the collarbone) secondary to BCG. The ulcer does

not require any ointment or medicinal powder. Also, children
who develop enlargement of the glands need not be started on
anti-TB drugs. Consult your paediatrician if the glandular
swelling increases and an abscess forms. Reimmunisation is
to be considered in those who do not show a scar after having
had BCG.
The thigh is a better place for giving infants injections than
the buttocks. Ensure that the needle used is disposable or is
properly sterilised. Some children do get a nodular swelling at
the site of the injection. This may remain for months without
causing any problem. There is no need to apply any ointment
on it.
The vaccines are not effective if they are not preserved
properly in a refrigerator or in an icebox. Without this
precaution, your sense of security is false. Also note that the
refrigerator should be used exclusively for storing the
vaccines, because frequent opening of the refrigerator for
other things can affect temperature control. You have a right
to ask the health worker whether this care has been taken.
Quite a few children get fever a couple of hours after the
DPT injection. The temperature is usually less than 102F
(38.9%) and does not last more than 24 hours. I recommend a
dose of paracetamol be given soon after the injection. This
should be repeated 4 hours later, if required. If the fever lasts
for more than 24 hours, your doctor will probably look for
some other cause of fever.
Following measles vaccine, your child may get a mild
measles-like illness with fever and rash after about a week.
No treatment is required for this.
Do keep a record of all the immunisations given to
your child so that she completes the course as per
schedule. Incidentally, if your child goes abroad for
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IMMUNISATION
studies, the colleges there often want to know the

details of the vaccines your child has had.
OTHER VACCINES
MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine confers
immunity against measles, mumps and rubella (German
measles). It is given at 15 months of age. Children who have
not received the measles vaccine at 9 months can be given
MMR vaccine after their first birthday. Many doctors like to
prescribe another dose of MMR vaccine at 12 years of age to
provide added protection.
Hepatitis B vaccine is given to prevent jaundice caused
by Hepatitis B or Serum Hepatitis virus, which can be passed
from an infected mother to her newborn baby or from one
affected member of the family to another. The common mode
of infection is through contaminated needles or contaminated
surgical instruments. As this disease can cause serious liver
disease, more and more doctors are now recommending this
vaccine. The vaccine is given in 3 doses; the first one shortly
after birth, the second dose one month later and the third at
6 months of age. Older children of all ages can be given the
3 doses with an interval of one month between the first and
second dose and 6 months between the first and third dose.
Vaccines against Chickenpox, Hepatitis A and
Haemophilus Influenza Type B are also available. You may
give them after consulting your doctor.
There are 3 different vaccines against Typhoid, namely,
Whole cell killed vaccine (usually known as TA vaccine)
Oral typhoid vaccine, and
Vi polysaccharide vaccine.
The TA is very cheap, but it frequently causes side effects
such as local pain and swelling and fever lasting 2 or 3 days.
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The other two vaccines are expensive, but have very few side
effects.
These vaccines are recommended where typhoid is widely
prevalent. Injections of TA or Vi vaccine may be given at
2 years of age, followed by subsequent doses at 3-year
intervals. Oral vaccine can be given at 6 years of age and
repeated at 3 to 5-year intervals according to the
manufacturers recommendations.
In localities where typhoid is not widely prevalent, typhoid
vaccine may be avoided. I recommend hygienic precautions
for prevention of not only typhoid but also other water and
food-borne diseases like hepatitis A and diarrhoea. Proper
hand washing, boiling of water, eating fresh food and keeping
food covered are some of the measures that are recommended
to avoid such illnesses.
CONCLUSION
To conclude, I urge you to take care to keep your child
healthy and follow the general principles of hygiene. Do not
depend wholly upon these vaccines. It is possible that they
might not have been stored properly; this does happen
sometimes. In such cases, you may have a false sense of
security.
Also, all vaccines do not provide cent per cent protection.
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BEHAVIOUR AT DIFFERENT AGES
BEHAVIOUR OF A NEWBORN CHILD (BIRTH TO

ONE MONTH)
Every newborn has a personality of her own. Hence, no two
newborns are the same, although all of them like to be
cuddled and have their need to feel loved satisfied.
It is helpful to know that some of them fuss more than
others. They seek more attention, sleep less and cry more.
Fathers also need to lend a helping hand in such
situations. Some children find a male voice more
soothing and comforting. As the difficult baby demands
a lot from the mother, she may get exhausted and be
unable to give her husband the attention she would like
to give him. A considerate husband understands his
wifes difficulties and shares the household chores,
especially in the absence of any domestic help. And
when the wife is able to notice and appreciate her
husbands caring attitude, the difficult baby will have
performed a good deed in having brought them closer to
each other.
BEHAVIOUR OF AN INFANT (FIRST YEAR)
At about 3 months, the child recognises her mother well. She
likes to have adults and children dote on her and obliges them
with a real broad smile. In a joint family, she will respond
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amiably towards the other members. Between 3 and 6

months, she starts becoming aware of strangers. She may not
respond to their overtures, or may even start crying as soon
as she sees them. Consequently, she expects her parents,
especially her mother, to be around. At times, the mother may
feel that the baby is taking advantage of her goodness. Let it
be so. The care that you give her at this age will stand her in
good stead later in life. She will start trusting people, will
cherish your care and in turn, learn to care lovingly for others.
The loving bond
Nearing her first birthday, the angel baby may start

behaving like a little devil. She is now entering a phase of
negativism, when she tends to do the opposite of what you
want her to do. This is healthy, as it indicates that the child is
beginning to develop her own personality. It is her way of
telling you that you cant bully her all the time, although her
seemingly rebellious behaviour can often be very annoying.
Use the method of distraction when she insists on touching
something that she should not be handling or touching, This
is preferable to shouting at her. Give her something more
interesting and divert her attention. When that does not work,
start using the precious word No. Say No in a firm, matterof-fact way whenever needed and required. Let there be no
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harshness, bitterness or sarcasm in the tone of your voice. Do

not keep saying No all the time. Let there be a few practical
and realistic rules that the child can understand. Be
consistent. Make sure that the child observes the set rules.
Parents and grandparents must not have differing viewpoints.
Let the child understand that a No means No. First, she
wont be sure of your command. When she does associate
your consistent No with the expected prohibition, she will
gradually start accepting the limits to which she can go.
Show approval when she listens to your instructions.
Ignore minor offences, but if she is putting herself into a
dangerous situation, act fast to move her away with a firm
No and ensure her safety.
Your one-year-old infant may not understand the concept of
danger. As she crawls about or learns to walk, she may want
to put her fingers into the electric socket, pull down the table
lamp or the tablecloth. She may want to put everything that
comes her way into her mouth. In the process of touching
new objects, she is learning about different shapes, sizes and
textures. She is learning to coordinate her hand and mouth
activity. As long as she does not harm herself or harm others
in the process, her natural instinct to explore must not be
curbed or stifled. Keep breakable objects out of her reach. A
few things that she is not supposed to touch may be kept, just
so you can teach her the meaning of No. However, make
sure she has a lot of things around the house that she can
touch and play with.
At this age, she may also throw things on the ground. This
type of behaviour does not necessarily mean that she is being
naughty or bad; she is learning the art of releasing objects and
watching where they land.
Do not be surprised when she is afraid of strangers; she is
in the process of learning to distinguish her near and dear
ones from others. Advise visitors not to pounce on her the
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moment they see her. Let the child observe the newcomers.
She will watch them from the comer of her eye and assess
them for a while. After some time, she may herself come
close to them or respond to their friendly gestures. If she
does not, let them wait for another opportunity to gain her
hand in friendship. In case they have brought her a gift, let it
be offered before they leave. If she still remains away from
them, keep the gift on the table and draw her attention to it.
The chances are that she will pick it up, look at it for a while
and then come out of her shell.
At this age, children are normally afraid of sudden noises.
My grandson was afraid of the whistle of the pressure cooker.
This is normal. After a couple of months, they get over this
fear, provided we do not become unduly anxious about these
normal fears. Similarly, your child may start shrieking the
moment you pour water on her head. Take it easy. Let her sit
in the bathtub in your presence. Pour water on her head or let
her pour it herself. If she is still afraid, let her watch you
bathing. Dont give her a head bath for a few days; just pour a
little water on her body. You may soon be able to help her get
over her fear. With such an approach, she is likely to come
around faster, than when you try to force the issue.
Before she completes one year, your child will
indicate that she wants to eat by herself. She will make
a serious effort to do so, and end up making quite a
mess in the process. You may be tempted to come to
her help. She may resist you, but after some time, she
may give up and start depending on you to help her eat.
You will probably not realise that by doing this, you are
sowing the seeds of dependency in her.
If you do not set limits and allow her to act as she likes,
your child may find it difficult to adjust later with people with
whom she has to live or work. Fortunately, most such
children manage to modify their behaviour as they grow older,
when they come in contact with another positive, caring adult
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Nearirg the first birthday, children love to eat by themselves. Encourage this, even
if they make a mess
who guides them on the right path. However, it does make

sense to avoid future problems as much as is possible within
our limits and efforts by laying a stable foundation right from
an early age.
BEHAVIOUR OF A TODDLER (1 TO 3 YEARS)
First, the good news: At this age, your toddler wants to please
you. She also wants to imitate you. The best approach is
therefore to set a good example while she follows you and
tries to win your approval. At times, she may be a bundle of
joy who wants to help. For example, she may be very happy to
bring the chapatis from the kitchen to the dining table or give
a shopkeeper money on your behalf.
However, she will also test your patience at times.
Remember she is passing through a phase of negativism. She
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may find it difficult to control herself and act in a rather

impulsive manner. She may refuse to share her possessions
with others. She may be fearful. She worries if she does not
see you for long and clings to you when you come back. All
this is normal. Read the chapter on MEETING THE
EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN. It will help you
accept your angel-cum-devil as an individual with her own
distinct personality and out of this acceptance will follow
tender, loving care. You will learn to set limits. Firmness will
come naturally to you. Of course, you will feel hopeless at
times. However, faith in these basic guidelines will keep you
going. Thereafter, you may be further comforted by the fact
that the next 3 years are going to be comparatively easier for
you and your child.
BEHAVIOUR OF A PRESCHOOL CHILD
(3 TO 6 YEARS)
Compared to a toddler, your preschool child is less selfcentred, more helpful, more outgoing and friendly. She may
even start seeing her mistakes.
At 4 years, however, she may appear rude and may even
swear, but she will be better behaved by about 5 years.
A preschool child also wants to please her parents and tries
to imitate them. This puts an extra responsibility on parents
to live right and provide role models of healthy and
happy living.
Your child lets her imagination run wild, often playing
games about relationships and the places that you have visited
as a family. She may keep asking you all sorts of questions
on different subjects: Why does this happen? Why?
What? How?
Children at this age may now start taking more interest in
their genitals and play with them - which is not abnormal.
They may ask why boys and girls are different from each
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other, or about how babies come into this world. Your

daughter may also seem attracted to her father, just as her
brother is probably enchanted by his mother.
The parents must understand that their childrens interest
in playing with the genitals or their attraction to someone of
the opposite sex is normal. Questions related to sex must be
answered in a matter-of-fact manner, without embarrassment
and without giving unnecessary details. If you do not feel
comfortable talking about sex, ask a friend or teacher to talk
to the child.
Parents must not allow children to manipulate one parent
against the other. When the parents retain their individual
identities and continue to show love and respect for each
other, children get the right signals from an early age. This
helps them develop respect for human beings in general and
the opposite sex in particular.
BEHAVIOUR OF A SCHOOL GOING CHILD
(6 TO 12 YEARS)
On joining regular school, your child is likely to become closer
to his peers. They will probably influence his behaviour more
than you or your husband do. It is a normal phase of
development. Dont worry if your son starts taking less
interest in family activities. He wants to be more independent
and socialise more with people of his own age. When he joins
a group of boys of his own age, he learns to lead and to be led.
He shares responsibility and the groups workload. His group
may be very creative, but there is always a possibility of
getting into undesirable activities.
By and large, an association with peers is good. Do not spy
on your sons day-to-day activities. Do not read his personal
diary. It may please you to know that at this age, the inner
policeman in him is more alert. It starts nagging him when he
is tempted to cross the limits of values set by your living and
your interaction with him.
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Instead of suspecting the evil influence that other boys or

girls may have on your child, make an earnest attempt to
know his friends and their families. Invite them to your home.
Do not be swayed by their outward appearance. Treat them
with respect. Do not pass critical comments.
Your job is to make sure that your child has enough time
for his studies and at least some time for the family.
Television watching may be rationed. Reach an agreement
with him about the programmes that he can see. Regular
sleeping hours must be maintained. Children need to have
enough sleep at this age. They must therefore go to bed early.
(See Sleep And Sleep Problems in THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD
ILLNESSES.)
Make sure that your child has occasion to spend time with
the family in a casual manner. Invite your sons favourite
friend to a movie or a family picnic. Meet the mothers of your
sons friends during holidays. Organise a group activity where
you can help them learn something that will really interest
them. This can be done on a particular day of the week. Other
mothers can take responsibility for some other days. But you
must make sure that the group has time to themselves when
they can do the things that they want to do together.
It is important at this age to be in close contact with your sons
class teacher. Do discuss his progress with her and ask in what
ways you can play your part in helping him do better in his
studies. Some parents push their children too hard to top the
class. Others just dont bother. Both extremes are not desirable.
Teachers also have a major responsibility to help children
become healthy and happy adults. Your visits to the school will
be helpful. However, do not be over anxious and start visiting
your childs school every day. He will feel embarrassed and your
interest is likely to prove counter-productive.
The question of pocket money comes up at this age. Give
him an allowance, but not too large an amount. You can also
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set certain guidelines about what things your son should not
buy with the allowance, say for example, junk food.
Ultimately, however, he should be free to use it the way
he likes.
Be careful not to criticise your child in front of others if you
feel he is not coming up to your expectations. Discuss the
problem with your husband and jointly explore the possible
ways of handling the situation.
Do not hesitate to talk to a psychologist or a family
counsellor. I know of a young boy who refused to go to school.
The parents took him to a psychologist who, on probing
deeper, found that the child was afraid of a bully in the school
bus, that he admired his father for his skills in karate, and that
he liked his school teacher. The parents met the teacher, who
then encouraged the boy to join karate classes. His father
started spending more time with him. The bully was tackled.
The boy became proficient in karate, improved in his studies
and ultimately developed a more robust personality.
BEHAVIOUR DURING ADOLESCENCE
(12 TO 18 YEARS)
This is a tumultuous age, difficult both for your teenager as
well as for those who have to interact with him. Rapid
changes, both in physical and sexual growth, are taking place.
By his behaviour, he is hinting to you that he is no longer a
child and that he has become an adult. However, he often
forgets that he is still passing through a phase of transition
and that he has not yet become a fully mature adult.
You may hear him say, Leave me alone. I am no more a
kid. And yet, deep within, he may be expecting your
continued guidance and support. His actions may declare, Get
lost!, yet he often wants his parents to be around and to be
available when he feels confused and is undecided about
certain issues.
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Girls who mature early are reported to be more

prone to psychological difficulty during their teenage
years. Teenagers fretting over how they look may have
the so-called Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a severe
preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in
appearance. This can lead some children to drop out of
school, shun social contact and even attempt suicide.
The cause of this condition is not known, although
biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors are
suspected.
How To Handle A Teenager
Gone are the days when a father could tell his teenaged son or
daughter, In our days, we couldnt utter a word in the
presence of our elders. How dare you speak to me like that?
It does not work. It perhaps did not work in those days either;
parents probably just forced their children into submission.
Such children either remained submissive throughout their
lives or rebelled at the first available opportunity.
Does it mean that parents should not be firm with their
growing children? Should they be given full freedom to do
anything they like? No!
The teenager is simply reminding us to meet his emotional
needs discussed earlier. Read those guidelines again.
The teenager says loud and clear:
Remember that I am a young adult and not a little

child any more.
Treat me with love, respect, and firmness.
Help me assume responsibility for my own life.
Set a good example for me, instead of harping on moral

values and good conduct.
When I want to talk to you, do spare the time to listen

to me.
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Understanding parents know that periods like the phase of

negativism (which may begin at 15 months of age or
sometimes earlier and end at 3 to 4 years) and the period of
adolescence, when understood well and handled properly, may
in fact, bring their children closer to them.
To begin with, a teenager starts questioning your views
about living. You may be fighting corruption at all levels. Your
son will argue that it is not practical to be absolutely honest in
the present social set-up. Or he may try to defy you if you
want him to come home early. Be patient. Continue to give
him your love. This is part of growing up. The important thing
for you is not to give up. If limits are required, remember the
dictum, Your teenager will be upset in the long run, if you do
not set the required limits.
Later on, our young friend may start ignoring you and start
spending more time with his friends. Treat them with respect
even if they are not dressed the way you expect boys from
decent families to be dressed. His interest in the opposite
sex will now become more evident. You should be aware that
it is not uncommon for adolescents to experiment with
cigarettes, beer or sometimes even hard drugs in the
company of their friends.
Fortunately, before your son enters the 20s, he has already
established close bonds with you and the family. He may
finally start appreciating your rather conservative views. He
may like to spend more time with Mom and Dad and discuss
his future and career. If he has a younger teenaged sister, he
may suddenly become very protective towards her and keep
reminding you to set appropriate limits for her. He may now
be ready to listen to the voice of his own conscience his
inner policeman that you told him about when he was
younger. However, help him not to develop any guilt feelings.
Tell him about some of the mistakes that you have made in
life, how you learnt from them, made amends where you
could, and continued to move forward.
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MEETING THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF

CHILDREN
To lead the child into a happy state of mind, one must give
due importance to her emotional needs. They are as
important for the child as the so-called essential needs for
food, shelter, clothing and medical care.
The word L-E-A-D has these components:
Love
Example
Acceptance
Discipline
Each of these deserves equal emphasis. Just because
discipline is mentioned last, it does not mean that it is the
least important. Furthermore, I firmly believe that it is a futile
exercise to discipline a child in the absence of an atmosphere
of love and acceptance.
LOVE
Love is one of the most important needs for a happy
childhood. Paediatricians and psychologists would agree with
the statement that love is the most precious thing in
the world.
Love Is Intrinsic To Our Nature
Some parents love their children with the unvoiced
expectation that their offspring will bring them credit or help
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MEETING THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN
them in their old age, and they feel let down, cheated and
betrayed when this does not happen. They rue the fact that
they went out of their way to bestow their love on her, and
that the child has forgotten her duty and the fulfillment of
their expectations! But love cannot be equated with a
business deal. As parents, we must give love unconditionally
and without expectation.
In such a loving atmosphere, the child feels secure. She is
likely to rush into her parents loving arms whenever she
wants to share her joys and troubles.
Such parents are less likely to be upset if the child does not
come up to their expectations. Armed with such an attitude,
they are more likely to listen to even the unspoken language
of the child when she does not seem to be behaving as they
would otherwise expect.
Listening To Your Children
Active listening is important. A child must be given full
attention. You must stop what you were doing, go over to the
child and get down to her eye level. Use a gentle, caring voice
to describe the feelings and situations you see.
Listening From Within
Let me now give you a personal example. My teenager, who
was studying in another city, had come home over the
weekend to get a book from my friend. As he was about to
leave, I asked him if he had picked up the book. He replied
Where was the time, Papa? I was furious and said, You had
time for your friends, time for the movies, time for a party, for
television and for everything else except the book you had
specially come for. He left.
A few days later, a letter came from him addressed only to
Mummy. In the past, it used to be addressed to Mummy and
Papa. I was used to reading something inspirational daily and
then listening from within. A week after my son left, I felt
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inspired to write him a letter. I disregarded the thought that

told me that the rift was his fault. I wrote him the following
letter.
My dear Sunil,
These last few days, you have been in my thoughts.
I sometimes wonder if I am unduly harsh with my children.
I have discussed this with your mother, my trusted companion.
The answer, we both agree, is, If you love your children, you
have to be firm with them at times.
Sunil dear, when you come home next, do let me know if
I should have behaved differently under certain circumstances. I
say this because I am conscious of the fact that I am not right all
the time. But one thing is certain, my son, that whatever I do, it
comes out of the deep love I have for you. God bless you, my son.
Remember me to your roommate.
Your friend,
Papa
This letter was followed by a prompt reply:
My dear Papa,
Thanks for your understanding letter. It is true that I was very
mad with you on that day. But then, teenage is a fiery age . . .
I feel the best is yet to come. . . I love you.
Your son,
Sunil
From that day onwards, Sunil and I grew closer to each
other. A problem had been converted into an opportunity.
How did it happen? I did not have to apologise, but what
I wrote revealed my genuine love for him, and so it probably
struck the right chord in my sons heart, and he responded
positively.
Giving Children Your Time
R. M. Lala, who wrote the biography of the late J. R. D.
Tata, writes about his own father, He always had time
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for me. The most precious thing Father gave me was

himself.
Parents must find time for their children. Picture a busy
executive. He is often still asleep while his children leave
early in the morning for school because he had slept so late
after an important business evening. He usually comes home
late in the evenings when the children have already gone to
sleep. When he comes early, it is only to start getting ready to
go for a social engagement. He is even unavailable to his wife
who needs his time and attention to discuss something
personal. When the weekend comes, he can be found playing
bridge or golf at the club.
Things are fortunately changing. When I started my
practice in Mumbai about 35 years ago, hardly any fathers
came with their children for appointments. They seemed to
be busy climbing to the top of the ladder and it was usually the
mother or a grandparent who brought the child. Today, I find
many more young fathers coming to see me with their
children and taking as much responsibility for looking after
the children as the mother.
Researchers at the US National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development say that fathers who
spend time with children, especially those below
3 years of age, and take responsibility for them, are
more likely to be part of loving couples. They have a
higher level of marital intimacy. So if a father wants to
see a permanent smile on his wifes face, he should
spend more time with his young child and yes, learn to
change the diapers.
Touch
Children need to be assured of love from the moment they are
born. A direct skin-to-skin contact with the mother soon after
birth and feeding the baby on demand sets the right pace for
mother-infant bonding and for the child to feel secure. All
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babies want to be talked to, smiled at, and cuddled. Touch is

known to be essential for their healthy development.
One may worry that we may spoil our little ones with such
an approach. Love never spoils. Of course, if your baby is
lying quietly by herself, let her be on her own for some time.
One need not keep her in the lap all the time. Even
grandparents must keep this in mind.
However, when a small baby cries because of hunger,
discomfort due to an illness or otherwise, she must be picked
up and attended to.
The Crucial First Few Years
Loving parents spontaneously start cooing and talking to the
child as soon as they hold her in their arms. They take her all
around the house, allow her to touch the plants, show her
pictures and make her feel that they are enjoying her
presence. They realise that the nurturing and care given
during the first few years of a childs life are most crucial.
When a child feels secure in her early years, she is more
likely to grow up to be a caring and loving adult.
Prolonged separation of the child from the parent should be
avoided in the first 5 years. On the other hand, a short
separation of a couple of hours after the first 4 to 6 months of
life is good for the parent as well as the baby.
When the child is between 3 and 4 years, parents may even
consider taking a short holiday for a few days, leaving the
child in the care of a close aunt or uncle or a grandparent.
However, the child must be prepared for their absence in
advance and should not wake up one morning or return home
one evening to find her parents missing. It can be a rude
shock to the child, and leave her emotionally traumatised.
Therefore, prepare the child and let her know beforehand that
both of you are leaving for a few days and will return soon.
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Leaving The Child At Home While Parents Go Out

To Work
Should a mother leave her job if she is employed outside her
home? This decision is up to the couple. When the mother
needs a job for personal satisfaction or for financial reasons,
she must not quit it. However, she may consider taking up a
different kind of job that requires her to work fewer hours, so
that she can spend more time with the baby and still feel
productive.
The employer may agree to extend the mothers maternity
leave with full pay, half pay or without any salary. The point
that needs to be stressed here is that the first couple of years
of life are important for a healthy interaction between the
parents and their offspring and that children who have a
prolonged stay with grandparents or other relatives during
the early years may become overprotected or even spoiled.
Incidentally, I have often encouraged parents to take their
infants or toddlers with them for a trip abroad. My experience
is that they have mostly returned home happy after having
done so.
However, under exceptional or unavoidable circumstances,
parents may have to leave the child for a prolonged period in
the care of others. Do not feel guilty if you are forced to take
such a step. Let the child start getting used to a caretaker, say
the grandparent, well in advance. Let her handle the child
more and more while you are still around. Later, let her also
sleep in the same room as the grandparent. Grandparents in a
joint family system can provide the much needed care and
attention to the child in such a situation. At times, even other
relatives in our traditional set-up can be very helpful. I know
of a woman who not only looks after her nephew but also
breastfeeds him, besides breastfeeding her own baby.
Also refer to Working Women in the chapter on FAMILY
ISSUES for more guidance on this subject.
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Time For Yourselves

While dwelling on the language of love, we should not
forget our own needs for relaxation and creativity. One
must remember that when the baby was born, the cord
between the baby and the mother was cut. It signifies
that one needs to develop some degree of detachment
as well, even as we continue to bestow our loving care
on the baby. This is essential, even for the sake of our
babies. We do not want to smother or stifle them
with love. We do not have to sacrifice all that we have
for the sake of our babies. Therefore, it is most
essential, especially for mothers who spend most of
their time during the day with their babies, to pay
attention to their own needs.
If you are fond of music, find time for it. Spend time with
your husband. Go out with him whenever possible without the
baby.
When your baby is small and cannot be left in your absence,
take her along to an evening party at a friends house. Do not
be unduly worried about her getting an infection. If there is a
good nursery school near your home, you may consider
leaving your child, when a little older, to spend some time
with other children while you get some time for yourself.
A relaxed mind, quiet nerves and a centred soul make
living happier, brighter and better, psychologist and family
therapist Maya Kirpalani insists, not just for us but also our
children.
EXAMPLE
Akhil, our grandson, was 3 years old. He had learnt some
good habits from his parents and his nursery school
teacher. In his school, there was a Thinking Corner; any
child who needed to be reprimanded was made to stand in
that corner for a while.
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One day, Akhil rightly felt that his teacher had herself not
followed a particular habit he had been taught to follow while
eating. He drew her attention to it and said that she should
stand in the Thinking Corner. Behold, that exemplary teacher
did just that and in doing so, not only reinforced the
importance of a good habit, but also helped Akhil understand
that rules are rules and meant to be followed by all.
Always keep in mind that, for a child, your actions speak
louder than words.
If you tell your child to inform a telephone caller that you
are not at home when you are, it is not fair to expect her not
to lie otherwise. If you are unable to attend the call, ask your
daughter to say, Uncle, Dad is at home. But unfortunately,
he cannot attend to your call just now. Could you please leave
your phone number? Dad will ring you later.
Our children observe us closely. They notice how we
treat our servants, friends and relatives especially
those who are poor or those who do not wield much
influence.
If we treat people with respect, our children are
likely to follow in our footsteps and show respect to all
those they meet.
Parents can also influence their children adversely
with their unhealthy lifestyle.
Late nights, alcohol, smoking, unhealthy food habits,
watching too much television, lack of physical activity,
fights with each other, hatred, touchiness, greed,
selfishness, illicit relationships all these have a
negative influence on the minds of young children.
How a teacher conducts herself both in class and in
society can also have an equally positive or negative effect
on the lives of her pupils.
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Teaching Duty And Responsibility

If children grow up in an atmosphere that disregards
rules even occasionally they start believing that they
are above such restrictions. When adults break rules in front
of children, it is particularly damaging.
Young Radha and Kishore are sitting in the back seat of the
car; Mom is sitting next to the driver. The traffic signal is red.
The children are late for school and the driver jumps the
signal. Mom keeps quiet. The children get the message that
its all right to break the rules when you are in a hurry. When
they grow in such an atmosphere, they are likely to become
accustomed to ignoring the laws of the land and get into
trouble. It is then too late for regrets.
It is true that it is not easy to live with values like
honesty and unselfishness in todays world. However,
when our teenaged children notice that we do our best
to follow these values, despite the difficulties we face,
they will see that it is worth tolerating such hardships
because their parents are happy people.
What about younger children? Let us not forget that they
too, are watching us quietly. In the example of the driver
jumping the signal because the children were getting late for
school, the mother should have told the driver firmly to wait
for the signals. If he replied that nobody was watching and it
was quite safe to ignore the signals, she was given a
wonderful opportunity to tell the driver, and therefore
indirectly the children, that the policeman inside each one of
us was indeed watching. Such a dialogue would have two-fold
benefits: One, the driver is warned that he cannot break traffic
rules and so endanger the lives of both his passengers and
pedestrians. Two, the children are directed to look within and
refuse to be tempted to do something that may not be in their
long-term interest. They then learn to make a conscious
choice of their own.
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A word about people who have a burning desire to

serve society. May their tribe increase! If you are one of
those, my best wishes to you. However, please do not
neglect yourself or your family. I am convinced that if
you are at peace with yourself and with your family,
you are in a much better state to serve others. Not only
that, if the situation so demands, you are well equipped
to face all opposition with an inner calm and poise and
with the full support of your spouse and the rest of the
family.
ACCEPTANCE
All parents like their children to be happy and at peace with
themselves. In order to achieve that goal, we should act
in such a way that our children continually receive the
following messages.
Accept others as they are.
Give others the right to differ.
Effort is more important than achievement.
It is honourable to accept our own mistakes.
We are responsible for our own lives.
We must be ready to accept the things we cannot change.
Accept Others As They Are

We should help children accept others as they are. Let them
learn from the first 2 lines of the song, When I point my
finger at my neighbour, there are 3 more pointing back at
me. Let us never forget to find the good qualities in others
before pointing out their faults.
The traditional Indian Namaste teaches us this; in saying
Namaste, we say from within, I greet the Divine in you. It is
Divine greeting the Divine indicating that the same Divine
is in both of us. So neither of us is superior or inferior to the
other person.
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Here, let us also mention about the first child, the middle
child and the youngest child. Parents often tend to indulge the
first child, consequently overprotecting him. To correct the
balance, they may overlook the second child, and again spoil
the youngest one.
Most parents are overprotective towards an only child.
Even a minor illness may make them over-anxious. If they
panic, they may not be objective enough to provide the best
possible care during an emergency.
Children brought up in the absence of their parents by
other relatives (say grandparents) or by a single parent,
may also not be provided with the freedom that they
deserve or may not be handled firmly when the situation so
demands.
Additionally, writes Maya Kirpalani, children born
with a congenital illness or a physical deformity may be
either shunned or overprotected by their parents.
Guard yourselves against both these tendencies.
Respect and love your child for what she is. Remember,
she is more than the deformity or the illness. Help her
discover that, too. She is a child of God, given to you so
that you may love, protect and care for her. In rearing
such a child, you will be able to invoke, rediscover and
nurture precious qualities within yourself, which you
might never have known you had more love, more
patience, and more forbearance.
Acceptance does not mean that we forget to give the
required stimulation to the child. Children need stimulation.
They need to be encouraged to realise their full potential.
Under-stimulation is as bad as over-stimulation.
Avoid pushing your child too hard; try to discover what
special interest she has and encourage her in the same. This
is possible if parents spend enough time with their children in
the early years of their lives.
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Give Others The Right To Differ

Let your child know from your behaviour that everyone has a
right to differ with another person. Tell her, We accept that
you may differ with us on certain issues. We grant you that
right. But if we happen to be around, we would like you
to give due consideration to our experience and our love
for you.
Effort Is More Important Than Achievement
Every year, a few students commit suicide the day the Std. X
board examination results are declared. These young children
feel they have not met their parents expectations, and take
the extreme step of ending their precious lives.
A teenager staying in the college hostel received this note
from his father the day before his final examination: My dear
son, I know you well; you have worked hard. You could not
have worked harder. Sit for the examination with peace in
your heart. Answer as much as comes to your mind. I will not
be upset if you fail in any subject or in all the subjects.
Believe me, I mean it. Your friend, Papa. The young man
later told his uncle that the one factor that helped him excel
was that note from his father.
It Is Honourable To Accept Our Mistakes
I returned home one evening after a hectic day to find my
two sons fighting with each other. While I was scolding the
older boy, my wife took me aside and told me that the
younger fellow was to be blamed for that particular squabble. I
went in again and said to my older son, Sunil, I am sorry.
Your mummy tells me that it was not your fault and I
unnecessarily scolded you. I am sorry. Wide-eyed, Sunil
looked at me and said, as if from adult to child, Its all right,
Papa. Its all right.
A few days later, I was driving my sons to school. I bought
something on the way and asked Sunil to keep the change in
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the glove compartment. In the evening, I needed some coins

and did not find any in that compartment. I rang home and
asked Sunil about the change. Papa, I kept it in the
dashboard, he said. It must be there. I will find it and give it
to you. When I came home later at night, the boys were
already asleep. When I went to wake Sunil up the next
morning, as I always did, he was already awake. He came to
me and said, Papa, I am sorry. I did not keep the change in
the dashboard. Both of us ate something with that money.
I am sorry. I hugged him, kissed him on the forehead and
said, I am so glad, my son, that you told me exactly what
happened. Please give me back that money out of your and
your brothers pocket money. Sure, Papa, said Sunil,
feeling relieved.
Such incidents reveal that children find it easy to
own up to their mistakes and say Sorry in a home
where adults are ready to own up to their mistakes.
Our children must gather from us that, while it is
important to learn from our mistakes and make amends
when required, we need not carry a load of guilty
feelings all our lives.
We Are Responsible For Our Own Lives
Sometimes, people say, I wish my children were more
responsible. I wish my wife was more understanding. I wish my
husband was like the guy next door. I wish I had got admission
into that junior college where the teachers are so good. I wish
. . . Let us keep in mind that life is like a game of cards. In this
game, you play the cards that you get; you are not allowed to
throw them down. You have to make the best of what you have
and play to the best of your ability. In this same spirit, help your
child to grow to become an adult who takes responsibility for
her life, for making or marring it; an adult who does not blame
her parents or society if things do not seem to go the way she
thought they would, an adult ready to accept any outcome.
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We Must Be Ready To Accept The Things We Cannot

Change
Mrs. X used to work with children who were slow to learn.
Yet, when she was told that her own newborn had Downs
Syndrome, she was dumbfounded and could not accept the
fact at first. Gradually, with her husband and parents support,
she came to accept the diagnosis. Her paediatrician was also
finally able to convey to her that such children could also be
treated as normal. With her acceptance of the situation and
her acknowledgement that she could not change it, miracles
started taking place. She felt that God had given her the child
because she was trained in his care. She started reading more
about the subject, spent as much time as possible with her
son and kept in constant touch with her paediatrician. The
latter supported her plan to go abroad with her son to learn
more about such children. On her return, she started a society
for the parents of children with Downs Syndrome. Her son,
though slightly slow as compared to other children, started
attending a school for normal children. People who were not
aware about his condition, did not think that he was different
from other children. Mrs. X became an epitome of courage,
fortitude and patience for mothers of other children with a
similar condition.
DISCIPLINE
Can children manipulate their parents? Of course, they can!

Do children need discipline? Yes, they do!
Do children like to be disciplined? They do!
Can too much love spoil a child? No!
What sorts of parents do children like? Loving, firm,
consistent parents!
Children are very clever. They can manipulate and do

manipulate parents who allow themselves to be manipulated.
Parents of so-called precious chiklren are more likely to
succumb to their manipulation.
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All children need discipline. Unfortunately, some teachers

and parents literally follow the dictionary meaning of
discipline orderly or controlled behaviour. Children do not
like such an approach. They like discipline that is just and
based on reason.
Of course, an infant or a toddler may not understand all
this. She should be praised more often for her actions that we
approve of and occasionally asked not to do something that is
undesirable. However, school going children are more likely
to follow the rules we lay down, if we set a good example and
if they understand why it is important for them to follow
certain rules and imbibe certain values, in their own
immediate and long-term interest.
While some parents still believe that sparing the rod
will spoil the child, others are over-solicitous and afraid
to say No to their children. But children do not like
soft parents or soft teachers. They prefer a loving but
firm and consistent caretaker who assumes the role of
a democratic leader.
Recently, a young boy died in a car accident. He did not have
a driving licence. Neither did his friend, whose fathers car was
taken out in the middle of the night without the parents
permission. Five friends went on this illegal spree that resulted
in the death of one of them - the only child of his parents. It is
not uncommon to see parents allowing their children to drive
inside the compound of their building without a licence. They
do not realise that such laxity on their part could prove fatal.
The Definition Of Discipline
Howard* has given a good definition of discipline: Discipline
is the structure that an adult sets up for a childs life. It is
designed to allow him or her to fit into the real world happily
and effectively.
* Howard BJ Discipline in early Childhood. Ped Clin North Am 1991; 38: 1351-1369.
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The discipline set up by parents is the foundation of the

childs own self-discipline later. It is within this structure that
the child has real choices for behaviour that take into account
other people and are within the childs control.
This definition indicates that adults cannot abdicate their
responsibility to discipline children. They must set up the
structure for discipline - not for exercising their authority
over children, but to allow them to fit into society happily and
ably. Ultimately, the children develop a sense of selfdiscipline. Later in life, when they are at the crossroads with
different options, they keep the interests of others in mind,
before deciding upon the final course of action.
The First Step Towards Discipline
Allow the child to grow in a loving atmosphere from birth
onwards and let discipline follow as an extension of love.
When you comfort your crying baby, she begins to trust you.
As she grows, she comes to realise that you want only the
best and what is right for her. She now wants to please you
with her actions. This lays the foundation for self-discipline. A
time may come when she finds that you are directing her
against her wishes. In such a situation, if she is convinced that
her interest has always been uppermost in your mind, she is
more likely to follow your directives even though she may
find them painful.
If instead, we force a child into submission, we may
succeed in making her follow our orders out of fear and
hatred, but if she has not been brought up in an atmosphere of
love, respect and trust, she is likely to rebel sooner or later
and may fail to develop the self-discipline that we are
aiming at.
When Should We Start Disciplining The Child?
Spoil with love, if you will, an infant below the age of one year.
At the most, you may take away something that you do not
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like her to handle at that particular moment. But after she has
celebrated her first birthday, start getting her used to the
word No. You must mean the word when you say it, but
there is no need to make an issue of it at this age. If the child
persists in doing what you do not want her to continue with,
try to divert her attention. Most children can be easily
distracted at this age.
After the age of 15 months or so, the child will enter into a
phase of negativism when she will tend to do the opposite of
what you want her to do. She will want to assert herself. She
will not eat when and what you want her to eat. Yet, soon
after, she will want to pick food out of guests plates and eat it.
Once you become aware of this temporary phase of
negativism (which may last uptil the age of 3 or 4), you are
likely to handle it with sensitivity.
At this age, she will also start constantly asking questions.
Answer the ones that can be simply answered. Ignore the
complicated ones; she is not really interested in your answers
at this age. However, do listen to her with respect to assure
her that you appreciate her curiosity to know more about the
world around her.
Dont worry if she refuses to share her things with
others at this age. The rudiments of unselfishness and a
desire to share with others often come after the age of 3 or
4 years.
Setting Reasonable Limits
Children like parents who can guide them; they feel more
secure with parents who set reasonable limits, keeping in
mind their age and maturity level.
For instance, if a 2-year-old child wants to eat by herself
and spills the food on the table in the process, make sure that
her spoon is easy to handle, that her bowl is wide enough, that
the chair is placed near the table and is of the right height.
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She must then be encouraged to eat by herself even if she

makes a mess.
If a child wants to write on the wall of the living room,
make sure that she is instead given paper and crayons or
chalks and a slate on which she can draw. Tell her in a
language that she can understand, Please use this paper or
the slate. You draw on this paper or this slate. Say it firmly
without anger or threat in a matter-of-fact voice. If the child
still insists on drawing on the wall, take away the chalk,
crayon or the pencil and keep it out of her reach. She can be
given the materials again as soon as she is ready to accept the
limits set by you.
Consistency
Both mother and father should jointly set rules or limits for
the whole family. Make sure the child understands the rules
and make sure that she is always made to follow them. If you
become lax on certain occasions, she will take advantage and
try to disobey you and create a scene the next time. Once the
rules are made, both the parents and all the other elders at
home should see that they are followed. A tired father must
guard against letting the child have her way against the rules
jointly made by both the parents. The grandparents too,
should not let the child go against the limits set by the
parents. Do not laugh, even when your very young child
refuses to obey. If you do, the undue attention will encourage
her to repeat her performance.
Discipline In School
The child has to learn at home and from her teachers the art
of living a happy and productive life. Before the age of 5, a
child may readily accept the difference between right and
wrong from her parents, but as she grows older, she starts
questioning the moral codes set by the parents. This occurs
more frequently when the values followed by her peers are at
variance with those that she has learnt at home.
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Now is the time for parents and teachers to explain the

value of the magic words Please, Thank you and Sorry.
Remember, values are best imbibed by those children whose
parents and teachers lay the foundation for nurturing these
values by themselves acting as role models and setting
correct examples.
One of my teachers could not stand the wastage of even a
drop of water. When the tap was left open due to someones
carelessness, he would close it immediately and bring it to our
notice. If he saw a paper lying in the school compound, he
would pick it up and put it into the waste paper basket
himself. His exemplary behaviour had a deep impact on my
memory; I follow his actions to this day.
Teachers, like parents, must be good listeners and treat
their students with love and respect. I once came across a
child who was, unfortunately, the victim of a teacher who
developed a dislike for her. The girl, a brilliant student,
suddenly started faring poorly and was even afraid of going to
school. It was then learnt that the teacher was constantly
scolding her and putting her down in front of the whole class.
The determined father did not take the matter lightly and
wrote a formal letter to the school authorities. It then came to
light that that particular teacher was creating problems for
many children in the class and that parents were too scared to
bring it to the notice of the school authorities. Ultimately, the
teacher was expelled from the school.
In general, parents should make sure that the children give
due respect to the teacher. When my children were small and
I was waiting in queue with other parents to see my sons
class teacher, a mother was making all sorts of remarks
against the teacher in the presence of her child. The same
teacher, in fact, was an adorable person and very good with
the children. It was obvious that the problem lay with the
mothers perception of the teacher and her attitudes rather
than with the teacher.
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Never Insult Others

Nobody likes to be insulted, especially children. Yes,
parents can get angry. We are likely to get angry with the
toddler who spills the only milk left at home. In such
situations, label the act, not the child. Say What you did
was naughty!, not You are naughty! Such labels can
have a very damaging effect on the childs personality.
Instead, help her clear up the mess and then teach her how
to carry a glass of milk safely.
A Few Important Components Of Discipline
I quoted Howard to define discipline. The author stresses the
need for parents to provide special uninterrupted time for the
child; reward positive behaviour; ignore minor transgressions;
set routines for meals, sleep and chores; and offer choices
whenever practical.
Howard also deals with praise, rewards and punishment.
A smile, increased attention, praise or material rewards, all
serve to reinforce a childs actions. Rewards should be small,
immediate and appropriate to the situation.
At the same time, children need protection from their own
impulses. For example, they should not be allowed to hit their
parents. Firmness demands that, if the child does not move to
do as requested in 18 seconds, the parent should go towards
the child, grasp an arm if necessary, and shepherd him or her
to the task without speaking further.
Howard rightly cautions that one parent should not
interfere with how the other has already started to handle a
given situation.
I am against physical punishment. However, parents need
not be filled with remorse if by chance, they hit a child in
response to the latters indiscipline. However, physical
punishment should not be consistently used in a bid to modify
the childs behaviour. A time-out is a better substitute to
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physical punishment. If the child is 2 years old, then the timeout must be for 2 minutes. A 5-year-old can be given a timeout for 5 minutes. For 2 to 5 minutes, the child is placed in a
comer or a room in which there are no other attractive or
interesting alternatives present to amuse her.
It is true that parents who have had problems in childhood
or who were brought up in an atmosphere of marital discord
may find it difficult to discipline their children. But Howard
refers to recent studies that have shown that mothers who
have had troubled upbringings, but have recognised and
accepted them, have children with normal attachment, while
mothers who remain bitter, have children more likely to show
an insecure attachment pattern.
MANIFESTO FOR A HAPPY FAMILY*
*From a conference for families titled Come Together,
Stay Together, held at Panchgani, Maharashtra, in May
1997.
Every couple should keep these points in mind:
1. A family is an organisation of people who live together
and support each other for the realisation of a common
goal.
2. A sound family is the only real basis for a sound society.
3. The common goal of a family is to create overall hope
and happiness amongst all who come within its sphere of
influence. Securing this objective whilst unfolding the
creative potential of each individual is the main objective
of the family.
4. An ideal family would be one:
a. Where there is unconditional love, in which every
member is accepted and respected for what she/he is,
without any comparisons.
b. Where there is communication and empathic listening
to the said and the unsaid in an atmosphere of peace
and harmony.
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c. Where being home means to be in a haven where one

need not be anxious for ones physical and emotional
well being. Where every member can repose
unconditional trust in the other. Where one is not
alone in joy or in sorrow.
d. Where children are free to share their joys, fears,
thoughts and perceptions in all their innocence and
purity.
e. Where every member finds time to be there for the
others.
f. Where we receive our first lessons in what is good
and not so good. Where WHAT is right is more
important than WHO is right. Where sharing and
caring is a habit.
g. Where reprimands and corrections spring from a
foundation of love. Where people learn by example.
Where rights go hand in hand with responsibilities.
h. Where dignity and division of labour are respected and
accepted.
5. That, in order to make happiness the crown of a familys
activity, its members need to bring about an inner
transformation by taking this solemn pledge:
That I shall do my best to inculcate, imbibe, nurture and
cherish all the above stated ideals in myself and my family,
and thereby reaffirm my commitment to society. That, from
time to time, I shall refer to the above ideals in order to
remind myself of the goal that we have together decided to
reach, and to assess my progress in that journey.
HAPPY FAMILIES FOR A HAPPY WORLD
Exhorts Maya Kirpalani, Pause! Think! If an individual can
realise and actualise his own potentialities to their maximum
to make himself and others happy, to create a better world,
can one then envisage the dynamic influence and impact of a
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family wherein the various family members can pool their

individual strengths and assets to make the world a better
place to live?
Progressively, what if all the families in the whole
world began to live with a common goal of merging and
coalescing their efforts, strengths, values and ideals to
create a more compassionate and humane world?
Idealistic thinking? Maybe so! But I strongly believe
that even if 50% of the worlds families came together
and nurtured this worthy cause, only positive forces
would emanate from Mother Earth and our Loving
Father shall shower His blessings on mankind.
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LEARNING AND SCHOOLING
EDUCATION
Lord Asa Briggs, the eminent British historian and
educationist, was invited to India in 1994 to deliver the
Dr. D. S. Kothari Memorial Lecture hosted by Bombay
University. According to him, Education should fulfill the
potential of the individual, who, in turn, should help in the
development of society. I was delighted to read outside a
school in Mount Abu: ENTER TO LEARN, LEAVE TO
SERVE.
When Should Schooling Start?
A state-level committee on Early Childhood Education in
Maharashtra, chaired by Professor Ram Joshi, had opined that
children below the age of 6 should not be subjected to formal
education. They should not be burdened with reading, writing
and arithmetic. It is well known that a 3-year-old child does
not possess finger coordination and should not be made to
write. But certain schools ignore this dictum.
Play School
I suggest that you do not send your child to the so-called play
schools or play groups as they exist in most cities. In a good
play group, the parents, along with their 11/2 to 21/2 year-old
toddlers, go to the group in order to be with other parents.
While the parents make friends, the toddlers play with sand,
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water, on slides, etc. in their parents presence. The parents

and the children thus get an outing. It is neither supposed to
be a school; nor a place for learning, sharing or socialising.
Nursery School
Children can join a nursery school at around 3 years of age
before they join a regular school. Send your child only to a
certified nursery school. Make sure that the teachers are
trained and that the school has enough space and the right
play equipment.
A nursery school gives an opportunity for the child to be
separated from the parents for 2 to 3 hours. The mother gets
some free time. Children learn to play and share things with
other children. Experienced qualified teachers help to sow the
seeds of discipline in the minds of tiny tots. Activities in a
nursery school are planned with a lot of care and thought. Yet
children are given full freedom to choose an activity and move
to the next one as and when they decide on their own. The
school continues to give them the opportunity to develop
form, colour, painting and varied cognitive and physical skills.
To begin with, the school allows the mother to stay with
the child for a few days. Later, the mother follows the
advice of the nursery teacher and leaves the child behind even
if she cries. If the crying is incessant, the help of a psychologist is sometimes needed to sort out any underlying
emotional problem.
The mother or father must pick the child up from school. If
that is not possible, a close relative or another childs parent
may be requested to bring the child home.
School For Older Children
It is not easy for parents to decide which school the child
should join. A few points may be kept in mind before taking a
final decision.
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LEARNING
AND
MEETING THE EMOTIONAL
NEEDS
OFSCHOOLING
CHILDREN
It is always better to send your child to a school in the

neighbourhood. Some schools now only admit children who
live in the vicinity. A school that seeks donations may not
be the right one for your child. Similarly, if most teachers in
a school give private tuitions, that school may be avoided.
Give preference to a school that emphasises extracurricular activities and character building. Physical activity
should also be given its due place in the curriculum. A
school that brings children nearer to Nature and makes
them conscious of their responsibility towards it will help
your child become a good human being.
Schools with innovative ideas that make learning an
interesting and joyful experience are rare. If you cannot
find such a school, you may, through the Parent-Teacher
Association, make efforts to bring new ideas to your childs
institution.
Keep in mind also that some schools pack too many
students into a class for a teacher to give any child
individual attention. Make sure that the school you choose
has enough space for children to play in, or makes
arrangements for the same. The playground must be
enclosed with a clear protective wall border to keep
children from wandering away.
A school should also provide opportunities for students to
acquire superior levels of communication skills in each
subject it should encourage them to do library research,
prepare reports, participate in debates and seminars, and
have their articles published in school-based or national
magazines.
Today, being proficient in the use of computers is
derigueur, so ascertain that the school will accordingly
equip your child, preferably on a one computer to one
student ratio.
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It is perfectly all right to send your child to a coeducational

school. But make sure that you keep in close touch with
the class teacher and also get to know your childs friends
of the same or opposite sex.
Also make sure that the school gives enough emphasis to
moral education and the inculcation of cultural values.
Says Gurcharan Das, The best schools are in communities
where parents are involved and the Parent-Teacher
Associations are strong. I fully agree with this statement.
Boarding School
There are points for and against boarding schools. It is
important for you to know the facts, but do not hesitate to put
your child into a boarding school if the situation demands it.
Drug addiction, sexual abuse, bullying by seniors, peer
pressure and a feeling of gradual emotional detachment from
the parents are often cited as important reasons for keeping
children away from a boarding school. One cannot deny that
such problems can arise and so the parent should be aware of
the same. The risks from such possibilities can be minimised
if the child is sent to the boarding school at a little older age,
say around 10 or 11. If the child has grown up in an
atmosphere of love and understanding during the early years
of her life and if she knows that she is being sent to a boarding
school for her own welfare, she is likely to remain unaffected
by the above-mentioned adverse influences. She is more
likely to fall into bad company and ruin her prospects if she
feels she has been sent away because she is a nuisance at
home. If parents are not getting along well with each other,
the child may be told that they are thinking of sending her to
a boarding school as both of them love her and because they
are both interested in her welfare.
The benefits of a boarding school are many. Children gain
an all-round experience in varied sports and learn from
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MEETING THE EMOTIONAL

LEARNING
NEEDS
AND
OFSCHOOLING
CHILDREN
interaction with children from different religions and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Some schools offer
swimming, horse riding, theatre and Nature walks. One learns
discipline, manners and etiquette. But above all, most children
in a boarding school grow up to be independent and
self-reliant.
Of course, the environment of a boarding school with all its
plus points can be created in a home by parents who do not
smother their kids and help them take decisions
independently whenever possible. The choice is yours.
When A Child Is Not Doing Well In Studies
There can be several reasons for the child not doing well in
school. But before we try to find out what these are, you must
pause to see if you have undue expectations from your child.
I have seen both types of parents some expect too much
and some underestimate their childs potential.
After undertaking that exercise, see if any of the following
factors are responsible for her poor performance in school.
Let us first think of a child who is not at peace with herself.
This could be due to psychological factors that need the help
of a counsellor. But quite often, the cause may be such that
the parents themselves can handle it. Sometimes, the help of
the school authorities is needed. For instance, the child may
be subjected to bullying or teasing in the school bus or in the
school by other students. As far as possible, let the child sort
out the problem herself. Or ask her if you could help. She may
have a teacher who is difficult. Prolonged absence from
school due to prolonged or frequent illnesses may be
a contributing factor.
In very rare cases, a child may suffer from psychological
disorders like school phobia or truancy. These children may
either be hostile towards the mother or may be too dependent
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on her. A few children also skip or bunk school without their

parents knowledge. These children need psychotherapy or
the help of a counsellor.
A child who is not competent may naturally perform poorly.
The child may either be too young for her class or may
genuinely suffer from some mental handicap. On the other
hand, a child who is much more clever than the rest of the
class may feel bored and start losing interest in her studies.
Such children may be given a double promotion. But a better
option perhaps would be to encourage such a student to
develop other interests or hobbies or to help some of her
classmates in their studies.
Never try to get a false medical certificate from your doctor
if the child has missed school for reasons other than illness.
Dyslexia
Physical handicaps might also lead to slackness at school. A
child with a hearing or visual defect needs attention. A child
having dyslexia may be wrongly diagnosed as being mentally
retarded. According to Loretta DSilva, Director of the
Institute of Development, Mumbai, children with dyslexia or
specific learning difficulties have problems learning to read
and write, particularly in learning to spell correctly and to
express thoughts on paper. They may have trouble in
differentiating between left and right, in learning to tell the
time or tie shoelaces, or in following instructions. Or they
might even confuse spoken sounds. Any hearing defect must
be ruled out in these children. Such children can have normal
schooling and do not show backwardness in other subjects. In
fact, they may be highly gifted in other fields, such as
business, the sciences and the creative arts. Albert Einstein,
Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Alva Edison and Hans Christian
Anderson were all said to be dyslexic. Early diagnosis is
important in these children so that remedial measures can be
taken during the two critical periods for acquiring language:
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DR. R . K. ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE
difficulties in interpersonal relationships, especially in

communicating with the opposite sex. Some of them also
admitted to being confused about fantasy versus reality, and
concerned about what others think of them, freedom of
expression, risk taking behaviour and the issue of
sexual abuse. Many highlighted substance abuse as a major
manace.
Emotional Problems: Adolescents revealed that they
were troubled by lack of freedom, and concerned about
careers and the future. They also admitted to loneliness,
identity crises, an inferiority complex, a lack of confidence,
stranger anxiety, difficulty in adjusting with others,
over-anxiety, lack of emotional stability, depression, suicide
and homicidal tendencies. They were also plagued by worries
regarding childbirth, love marriages, failed love affairs,
parental expectations, problems dealing with elders, and the
issue of fantasy versus reality.
From birth to 5 years for spoken language and up to 15 for

written language. Once the diagnosis is established, a
specialist teacher prepares an individualised programme for
the child with the help of the parents, teachers, friends and
members of the family, to provide support learning strategies
for the dyslexic child. Support can also be had from:
The Maharashtra Dyslexia Association,
303 Jharna, Dr Ambedkar Road,
Mumbai 400052
The Madras Dyslexia Association,
10/l Sambasivam Street, T. Nagar,
Chennai 600017
The Educare Centre,
M-2 Hauz Khas,
New Delhi 110016
Competitive Spirit And Kids
Educational Problems: Many adolescents were not happy

with the present day educational system. They expressed
deep concern regarding the lack of proper counselling and
guidance, confessed to an inferiority complex due to poor
performance in studies, constant nagging by teachers, lack of
opportunities for preferred professions, difficulty in adjusting
with fellow students, lack of peer acceptance, difficulty in
talking with teachers, examination fear, despair at not
achieving academic goals like entrance examinations, stage
fright, etc.
Competition can be healthy. But psychiatrists are finding that

children develop a lot of behavioural problems in the wake of a
competitive spirit. Childhood may soon be lost to the cause of
competition.
Health Problems: The major health problems observed

were asthma, respiratory infections, obesity, underweight,
goitre, bed-wetting, dandruff, alopecia and skin problems.
They also had concerns about the change in body image,
pubertal changes, breast size, beauty, attractiveness,
prominent teeth, short stature, hirsuitism and menstrual
problems.
Uma Prabhu interviewed several social workers and

academicians and attributed competitiveness in the
educational field to a lack of better alternatives for students
and a dearth of vocational guidance. For instance, the cut-off
percentage for open merit seats in Maharashtra states
medical colleges is often around 97%. This is why a child is
viewed as an achiever right from pre-school days, when the
As a child specialist, I do find the perils of undue

competition affecting more and more children. Fortunately,
there are still parents who adopt a balanced approach to the
issue. These parents have fun as a family. They make sure
that the child also enjoys time by herself and with her peers
while doing well in her studies.
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PARENTING ADOLESCENTS
competition actually begins, says the headmistress of the

B. J. Parsee Charitable Institution. Rather than being viewed
as people creating the future, todays students are
manoeuvred to fit into the future, she adds.
Not Yet Adults
Points out Suneeta Kulkarni from Nirmala Niketans

Department of Human Development, Parents are
advised to take the help of vocational guidance centres
to explore their childrens personalities and thus help
them in selecting a career according to their aptitude. I
have seen many miserable doctors and engineers in life.
So you need not develop the attitude that a childs life is
ruined if she does not get admitted to some glamorous
professional course.
2. They have a need for immediate gratification.
Besides nation building, teaching of values in schools

may also help to achieve excellence without cutthroat
competition.
Teenagers often complain that they are misunderstood,

unduly restricted and unfairly treated by their parents.
Parents frequently grumble that their teenagers fail to
communicate or that they reveal their feelings in a hostile
manner. Indeed, as parents, we usually have only vague ideas
as to what adolescents must be thinking about, based on our
own past experiences. But times are changing, and our
experiences are not true templates for our young peoples
attitudes and emotions.
Recently, a core group of the Planning Commission

referred to the paramount need of character formation
and development among the student community. The
National Policy of 1986 on Education promised to
inculcate the ideals of social justice, environmental
protection, gender equality, scientific temper and work
culture. The core group has identified love, peace,
non-violence, righteous conduct and truth as the
universal human values required to improve the self.
Hopefully, parents will join hands with teachers to help
the child understand the importance of these values
from an early age.
Regular Studies, Homework And Examinations
Interviews with most young students who topped board
examinations reveal that they were regular in their studies.
Those with other interests in life also had fixed hours for
study. This must be encouraged.
Adolescents differs from adults in 5 main ways:

1. Teenagers tend to show a special intensity and volatility
of feelings.
3. A teenager is particularly unaware of the probable
consequences of his or her actions and misunderstands the
feeling and behaviour of others.
4. There is a lack of self-criticism in adolescence.
5. A teenager has an awareness of the world about him/her
that is different from that of an adult.
The Adolescents Concerns
Based on focus group discussions with many groups of

adolescents, in an attempt to understand the adolescent mind
from its own point of view, and using the data only for
qualitative interpretations, the following observations
were made:
Perceived Social Problems
While on the one hand, the adolescents were irritated about
the unnecessary restrictions imposed on them by society; on
the other, they were also concerned about the prevailing
problems of antisocial behaviour, gender discrimination, and
misleading friends, books and mass media. They also cited
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Discuss the subject with your children. Then reach an

agreement with them about the time and place for studies.
Let this be strictly enforced except in some special
situations.
Guest Article Dr. M. K. C. Nair
Dr. M. K. C. Nair is Director of the Child Development Centre at

the Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
It is all right for you to sit with your young child while she
is doing her homework. Never do the homework yourself.
Give her some help, but no more than that. Leave older
children to work by themselves. Encourage them to take help
from the school teacher, unless you are sure that you
know the subject and you can meet the needs of the child
in an appropriate manner with encouragement and
without ridicule.
But even if the mother suspects that her child is having

some problem, the adolescent herself may not acknowledge
the presence of any problem.
Many schools have now started encouraging students to

use a calculator and even a computer. I do not see any harm in
letting children have access to these as long as they do not
become entirely dependent on the calculator or spend a whole
lot of time sitting at the computer. Children must learn to
solve problems without such aids and must have time for
extra-curricular activities.
It should be remembered that problem behaviour in

childhood and adolescence is probably due to a multiplicity of
interrelated or interacting factors like health, appearance,
intelligence and the entire personality of the child, the
economic, social and cultural standing of the parents, the
relationships between them and between all the other
members of the family, the childs experiences at school and
in the neighbourhood, etc. Additionally, with industrialisation
and urbanisation on the rise, more and more children now
belong to nuclear family settings. Parents and to some extent,
the media are also responsible for the changing attitudes of
teenagers. Because adolescence is a time of rapid physical and
sexual growth, young people tend to experiment. HIV
infection is also on the rise, and teenagers are particularly
at risk.
It is extremely important for you to keep in constant touch

with your childs class teacher. Any problem at school must
be sorted out early, before it becomes insurmountable. When
the teacher invites you for a meeting, go with an open mind. If
you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask the teacher.
Treat her with respect. Leave as soon as your allotted time is
over. If you need more time to discuss how you can work with
her to help your child do better, request her for some other
time. Take your child into confidence as well and share what
you learnt in your meeting with her teacher. If the teacher
had complaints about the childs behaviour in school, take
them seriously. It is usually the child who needs correction,
but occasionally a teacher may not be able to handle the
situation. It should be quite clear in your mind and in the mind
of the teacher that no child must ever be subjected to physical
Since her parents are usually the ones who are close to an
adolescent, it is they who will be able to easily perceive subtle
changes in her behaviour.
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punishment or humiliated in the presence of others,

especially peers.
Do discuss the subject of cheating in examinations
with the child. Make it clear to her that you will be
happy with whatever is the outcome of the examination
good or bad and that you never expect her to take
recourse to cheating.
Should a child be detained in the same class in the event of
a failure? You should discuss this subject with the class
teacher, keeping your childs personality in mind. If the child
is confident, does not get too upset if she fails to succeed, and
has a good self-image, it may be all right for her to stay in the
same class. But a child with poor self-esteem could be given
extra coaching and promoted to the next class.
Activities Besides Studies
Your child must be encouraged to take part in sports and
other extra-curricular activities. At least one of the parents
should try to make it to the school if the child is taking part in
a play or some other special event.
When the child comes home from school, let her unwind
before you talk about any serious subject. First serve her food
and then discuss how the day in school went while she
is eating.
If you are not likely to be at home when she returns from
school, leave a note for her or leave instructions with the
caretaker. She will understand and appreciate that you care.
(Also see the section on Working Women in the chapter on
FAMILY ISSUES.)
At home, you should encourage the child to pursue her
favourite hobby. But make sure that she also has time to
study and to relax. Playing games together as a family brings
you all closer to each other. Reading books other than
schoolbooks should be encouraged.
GETTING YOUR CHILD READY TO READ
toys, etc. A photo album with family members and friends is

also a good idea. Remember, your child will still want to
mouth everything as part of the exploratory process. Story or
book-time can be part of a bedtime routine. Books with plastic
pages are also available which can be drooled on or enjoyed in
the bath!
12 to 24 Months
The child will now want to take part in deciding which book to
read. Let her also decide how long she wants to read. Never
force your child to read when she is not interested. She may
like books about animals, books with pictures of children like
herself doing things like playing, eating, etc. Choose books
with few words per page, and those that have a predictable
pattern, like a simple rhyme. By 18 to 24 months, many
children will start completing the end of rhymes (e.g. when
the parent says, Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail
of..? the child will respond with water.
2 to 5 Years
The child gains more and more pre-reading skills. She may
move a finger from left to right pretending to read. She may
also read books to her doll as part of pretend play. Children
at this age love books that tell stories, books with simple
text about going to school or to the doctor, and about having
a brother or sister. Your child may start telling you the story
which may be completely different from the one you
told her!
Always let your child decide which book she wants to read.
While you need to keep a watch on whether your child is
reading material that is age appropriate, dont force her to
read books which you think are good for her. Once your
child has acquired the reading habit, it is much easier to
introduce her to new books.
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Our country has a rich tradition of story telling, which can

be drawn upon to expose the child to a large vocabulary,
which is a prerequisite for language and literacy. It has the
added advantage of ensuring quality time spent with a parent
or grandparent.
When To Begin Reading To Your Child
Parents are always amazed when they are told that they can
begin reading to the child as early as when the child is
6 months old. The important thing to remember is that there
should be no actual pressure on the child to read upto the
age of 6.
Camping away from home is also good for children. You

must meet the teacher or the person in charge of the camp in
advance for any details. If the child is on regular medication,
the supervisor must be briefed about it. While it is a good
experience for the child to be with her peers, she should be
advised that she need not follow others blindly. Any forbidden
activity as per decision of the supervisor or any other activity
with which she does not feel comfortable should be avoided.
Parents can also create an atmosphere in which the
child starts getting interested in the world outside her
home and classroom her neighbourhood, her other
relatives, especially those with lesser means, and the
world at large. At the beginning of this chapter, I had
quoted Lord Asa Briggs. Let us constantly remind
ourselves of what he said, Education should fulfill the
potential of the individual, who in turn should help in
the development of society.
SEX EDUCATION
From playing with genitals to sex before marriage, parents
may have all sorts of questions on sex education. Most of
them hesitate to discuss the subject of sex with their children.
For your information, adolescents who receive information
about sex from their parents rather than from others, are
likely to develop a healthier attitude towards sex.
You can begin reading to your child after 6 months of age
Initially, you dont have to read what is actually written in

the book; you can just talk about the pictures instead. In this
manner, he will learn to enjoy books, and eventually to read.
6 to 12 Months
At this age, infants love board books, especially those with
pictures of other babies, and familiar objects like balls, cars,
Sex education is essential for preschool children, school

children as well as adults.
Ten Basic Principles To Be Followed
1. Do not show any sign of embarrassment if your
preschooler starts asking questions about sex. However,
if you have reservations about talking on sex-related
subjects, guide your youngster to have his/her queries
answered by another trusted adult a relative, teacher,
counsellor or a doctor.
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2. There is no need to tell your young one more than

she/he can understand.
3. Be truthful while answering any sex-related question.
4. Do discuss sex with your teenager before he or she
reaches puberty.
5. Do not hesitate to talk about your views on
such matters.
6. Listen. Listen to your children, especially your teenager.
LISTEN!
7. Create an atmosphere in which your children feel free to
tell you about their doubts and fears.
8. Respect a certain amount of privacy your teenager
may want.
9. Children should learn from an early age that no other
person is supposed to touch their private parts.
10. Let children notice the mutual respect with which Mom
and Dad treat each other.
The Age At Which Children Start Asking Questions
About Sex
Around 3 years of age, your son may notice that he is different
from his sister and the girl next door or vice versa. The girl
may ask why she does not have the finger-like structure (the
penis) that the boy has. She may feel as if she is incomplete or
as if she has lost something. Answer simply that she is a girl,
and that girls are different from boys and that a girl can grow
to become a mom and a boy can become a dad. If the child
asks what a penis or a vagina is for, you can, in simple
language, explain that they are for urinating. For the time
being, that explanation is enough.
You may be asked where babies come from. Answer simply
that they grow in a special place in the mothers abdomen and
they come out from a special opening situated below the
abdomen and between the thighs.
Guest Article Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy
Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy is an expert on developmental

disorders in children.
Reading is perhaps one of the most important human
inventions. We differ from animals who also have language
in our ability to read and write. It is not surprising
therefore that reading, unlike talking, does not come
intuitively or instinctively to a child. There is ample research
to show that a childs home environment, especially early
exposure to language and importance given to reading in the
family, can influence a childs ability to be a good reader.
In other words, children who are read to, learn to read.
In todays urban world, it has become even more essential
to be able to read well, for a child to be able to perform well at
school, and for her subsequent career. Ironically, children
today have fewer incentives to read with the availability to
alternative media like television or the computer.
It is not essential for a parent to be able to read fluently, or
to be able to read at all, for a child to develop good pre-reading
skills. In fact, research at Boston City Hospital has
demonstrated that even children of illiterate parents, from
very poor homes, can learn to enjoy reading if they are
exposed to a good amount of language and to books at an
early age.
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Rani Raote exhorts you to impress upon young people that

sex does not automatically happen. A person allows sex to
happen, but may not take responsibility for it. In all these
situations, the partners engage only in the physical aspect of
sex with no communication with each other about what could
be a most meaningful, soul-fulfilling, intimate and enriching
experience. They do not use their minds to relate to each
other, only their bodies. Such sexual encounters have a longterm negative effect on both the partners involved, as our
attitudes and values about sex affect our self-esteem and
relationships with people in our adult lives.
Frequently, Raote adds, people believe that being in
love means that they are ready for sex. This is not necessarily
true. Being in love or being attracted to each other is quite
different from emotional maturity. But how can a couple
develop emotional maturity? Raote explains: When the
partners relate to each others minds, they develop their
emotional readiness for sex. They begin to talk face to face
with each other about their decision to be sexual, how they
feel about it, what the consequences will be, the risks they
are taking, and the commitment they feel towards each other.
Only then do they really start to communicate. Obviously,
getting to know each other at this level takes time and a lot of
effort. It is this communication that builds trust and security
and leads to deliberate, conscious choices about sex. For such
couples, sex becomes an act of expressing tenderness, caring
and closeness an act never to regret and hide from!
Sexologist Dr. Raj Brahmbhatt says that knowledge
about contraception is a must before puberty. Parents
and teachers worry that talking about contraception will lead
to children experimenting with sex; in fact, studies show that
telling adolescents about contraception before puberty seems
to make them more responsible in their sexual behaviour.
Between 3 and 5 years of age, the child may develop a

special attraction towards the parent of the opposite sex. It is
a transitory phase and parents need not attach too much
importance to it and must not get unduly worried.
Around 5 years, some children may ask about why women
have breasts and men dont. You could reply that the mothers
breasts produce milk for her baby. Sometimes, you may be
asked why girls do not get babies till they are married. You
may say that the girl has a seed all along; but it needs another
seed to have a baby.
If your young one is ready to go to a regular school and she
has not yet asked such questions, she has probably got her
answers from some other source. On your part, you may
sense if the child is interested in these subjects and then
yourself raise questions like, What is the difference between
a boy and a girl? or Where did the new baby next door come
from? Children may also learn about these facts
through pets.
From this age onwards, boys and girls should be made to
understand that they must not allow any other person to
touch their private parts. Exceptions can be made when a
doctor examines the child or when the parents want to
check for any problem that the child may have around the
genitals.
Sex Education And Your Teenager
Prepare your daughter for her menstrual cycle and your son
for the occurrence of nocturnal emissions (discharge of semen
during sleep). They should be told that these are normal. The
so-called wet dreams do not mean that your son was having
sexual dreams. Menstruation and nocturnal emissions simply
indicate that children are maturing and becoming adult.
Similarly, some adolescent boys get a spontaneous erection of
the penis without having any thoughts about sex. This is also
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normal and you should explain to your son that these

erections become less frequent with age.
You can then talk about the difference between loving

another person and just making love with another person.
Many teenagers masturbate at some time or another.

Handle this subject as discussed in the section on
Masturbation in the chapter on PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONCERNS. Of course, if you feel that you are not well
equipped to deal with the subject of sex education yourself, let
your child discuss it with a doctor or a teacher. You can be
present most of the time when the doctor or the teacher is
interacting with your teenager, but you could leave them
alone before the meeting ends, so that the youngster can seek
clarification on any other issue she wants, without having
you around.
You can certainly talk about the increasing rate of divorce,

the risk of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted
diseases including AIDS, and the long-term harmful effects of
having sexual intercourse at an early age. Bear in mind always
that throughout the discussion, the basic rules of an
appropriate dialogue must be followed, i.e. encouraging the
other person to speak, not interrupting the other person when
he or she is talking, being attentive while listening, and
respecting the other persons right to differ even after hearing
your viewpoint. Of course, share your well-considered views
without any hesitation. Do not be surprised if you get either
no response or a violent response from your teenager. It
should not unduly worry you. Very often, the teenager is
listening though he or she may seem not to be. Give your
ideas time to sink in.
A husband or wife who respect each other and who have a

certain set of values can share their views frankly with their
children, keeping in mind their age, intellectual ability and
temperament. When children notice that Dad and Mom are
leading a happy life together, they are likely to listen to them
with respect. Let the discussion be more in the form of a
dialogue rather than a sermon. The parents themselves can
raise certain questions, like, What are your views about
having sexual intercourse with your boyfriend or girlfriend
before marriage? Your teenager may ask you such a question
or may ask your views if you are the one who first raised the
question. If you say that you are against it, you must explain
why it is not right. (See When Is One Ready For Sex? in
this chapter.)
You can then explain, say to your daughter, that she can go
to a party or picnic with boys and girls, but it is advisable to go
in a group with other girls. You can set a time limit for her
returning home at night, but you must also explain your
reasons for doing so.
If you are a spiritual-minded person, feel free to bring the
spiritual aspects of matters related to sex into the discussion.
When Is One Ready For Sex?

Psychologist Rani Raote believes that this subject must be
raised with young people. I am in total agreement with her.
According to her, the most important thing involved in sex is
the mind, because, among humans, the decision and the act of
sex do not only involve the body. Therefore, being physically
able to have sex does not mean that one is emotionally ready
for it.
Unfortunately, too often the decision to have sex is based
on reasons that are harmful to one or both partners.
Sometimes, a young person may indulge in sexual intercourse
out of fear that her partner will leave her if his sexual need is
not satisfied. Sex may also be used to gain power over ones
partner, to merely satisfy ones sexual curiosity, to show
others that one is not old-fashioned, out of anger or defiance
to get back at someone, or just because one is bored. At other
times, an excuse that it just happened is used.
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normal and you should explain to your son that these

erections become less frequent with age.
You can then talk about the difference between loving

another person and just making love with another person.
Many teenagers masturbate at some time or another.

Handle this subject as discussed in the section on
Masturbation in the chapter on PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONCERNS. Of course, if you feel that you are not well
equipped to deal with the subject of sex education yourself, let
your child discuss it with a doctor or a teacher. You can be
present most of the time when the doctor or the teacher is
interacting with your teenager, but you could leave them
alone before the meeting ends, so that the youngster can seek
clarification on any other issue she wants, without having
you around.
You can certainly talk about the increasing rate of divorce,

the risk of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted
diseases including AIDS, and the long-term harmful effects of
having sexual intercourse at an early age. Bear in mind always
that throughout the discussion, the basic rules of an
appropriate dialogue must be followed, i.e. encouraging the
other person to speak, not interrupting the other person when
he or she is talking, being attentive while listening, and
respecting the other persons right to differ even after hearing
your viewpoint. Of course, share your well-considered views
without any hesitation. Do not be surprised if you get either
no response or a violent response from your teenager. It
should not unduly worry you. Very often, the teenager is
listening though he or she may seem not to be. Give your
ideas time to sink in.
A husband or wife who respect each other and who have a

certain set of values can share their views frankly with their
children, keeping in mind their age, intellectual ability and
temperament. When children notice that Dad and Mom are
leading a happy life together, they are likely to listen to them
with respect. Let the discussion be more in the form of a
dialogue rather than a sermon. The parents themselves can
raise certain questions, like, What are your views about
having sexual intercourse with your boyfriend or girlfriend
before marriage? Your teenager may ask you such a question
or may ask your views if you are the one who first raised the
question. If you say that you are against it, you must explain
why it is not right. (See When Is One Ready For Sex? in
this chapter.)
You can then explain, say to your daughter, that she can go
to a party or picnic with boys and girls, but it is advisable to go
in a group with other girls. You can set a time limit for her
returning home at night, but you must also explain your
reasons for doing so.
If you are a spiritual-minded person, feel free to bring the
spiritual aspects of matters related to sex into the discussion.
When Is One Ready For Sex?

Psychologist Rani Raote believes that this subject must be
raised with young people. I am in total agreement with her.
According to her, the most important thing involved in sex is
the mind, because, among humans, the decision and the act of
sex do not only involve the body. Therefore, being physically
able to have sex does not mean that one is emotionally ready
for it.
Unfortunately, too often the decision to have sex is based
on reasons that are harmful to one or both partners.
Sometimes, a young person may indulge in sexual intercourse
out of fear that her partner will leave her if his sexual need is
not satisfied. Sex may also be used to gain power over ones
partner, to merely satisfy ones sexual curiosity, to show
others that one is not old-fashioned, out of anger or defiance
to get back at someone, or just because one is bored. At other
times, an excuse that it just happened is used.
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Rani Raote exhorts you to impress upon young people that

sex does not automatically happen. A person allows sex to
happen, but may not take responsibility for it. In all these
situations, the partners engage only in the physical aspect of
sex with no communication with each other about what could
be a most meaningful, soul-fulfilling, intimate and enriching
experience. They do not use their minds to relate to each
other, only their bodies. Such sexual encounters have a longterm negative effect on both the partners involved, as our
attitudes and values about sex affect our self-esteem and
relationships with people in our adult lives.
Frequently, Raote adds, people believe that being in
love means that they are ready for sex. This is not necessarily
true. Being in love or being attracted to each other is quite
different from emotional maturity. But how can a couple
develop emotional maturity? Raote explains: When the
partners relate to each others minds, they develop their
emotional readiness for sex. They begin to talk face to face
with each other about their decision to be sexual, how they
feel about it, what the consequences will be, the risks they
are taking, and the commitment they feel towards each other.
Only then do they really start to communicate. Obviously,
getting to know each other at this level takes time and a lot of
effort. It is this communication that builds trust and security
and leads to deliberate, conscious choices about sex. For such
couples, sex becomes an act of expressing tenderness, caring
and closeness an act never to regret and hide from!
Sexologist Dr. Raj Brahmbhatt says that knowledge
about contraception is a must before puberty. Parents
and teachers worry that talking about contraception will lead
to children experimenting with sex; in fact, studies show that
telling adolescents about contraception before puberty seems
to make them more responsible in their sexual behaviour.
Between 3 and 5 years of age, the child may develop a

special attraction towards the parent of the opposite sex. It is
a transitory phase and parents need not attach too much
importance to it and must not get unduly worried.
Around 5 years, some children may ask about why women
have breasts and men dont. You could reply that the mothers
breasts produce milk for her baby. Sometimes, you may be
asked why girls do not get babies till they are married. You
may say that the girl has a seed all along; but it needs another
seed to have a baby.
If your young one is ready to go to a regular school and she
has not yet asked such questions, she has probably got her
answers from some other source. On your part, you may
sense if the child is interested in these subjects and then
yourself raise questions like, What is the difference between
a boy and a girl? or Where did the new baby next door come
from? Children may also learn about these facts
through pets.
From this age onwards, boys and girls should be made to
understand that they must not allow any other person to
touch their private parts. Exceptions can be made when a
doctor examines the child or when the parents want to
check for any problem that the child may have around the
genitals.
Sex Education And Your Teenager
Prepare your daughter for her menstrual cycle and your son
for the occurrence of nocturnal emissions (discharge of semen
during sleep). They should be told that these are normal. The
so-called wet dreams do not mean that your son was having
sexual dreams. Menstruation and nocturnal emissions simply
indicate that children are maturing and becoming adult.
Similarly, some adolescent boys get a spontaneous erection of
the penis without having any thoughts about sex. This is also
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2. There is no need to tell your young one more than

she/he can understand.
3. Be truthful while answering any sex-related question.
4. Do discuss sex with your teenager before he or she
reaches puberty.
5. Do not hesitate to talk about your views on
such matters.
6. Listen. Listen to your children, especially your teenager.
LISTEN!
7. Create an atmosphere in which your children feel free to
tell you about their doubts and fears.
8. Respect a certain amount of privacy your teenager
may want.
9. Children should learn from an early age that no other
person is supposed to touch their private parts.
10. Let children notice the mutual respect with which Mom
and Dad treat each other.
The Age At Which Children Start Asking Questions
About Sex
Around 3 years of age, your son may notice that he is different
from his sister and the girl next door or vice versa. The girl
may ask why she does not have the finger-like structure (the
penis) that the boy has. She may feel as if she is incomplete or
as if she has lost something. Answer simply that she is a girl,
and that girls are different from boys and that a girl can grow
to become a mom and a boy can become a dad. If the child
asks what a penis or a vagina is for, you can, in simple
language, explain that they are for urinating. For the time
being, that explanation is enough.
You may be asked where babies come from. Answer simply
that they grow in a special place in the mothers abdomen and
they come out from a special opening situated below the
abdomen and between the thighs.
Guest Article Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy
Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy is an expert on developmental

disorders in children.
Reading is perhaps one of the most important human
inventions. We differ from animals who also have language
in our ability to read and write. It is not surprising
therefore that reading, unlike talking, does not come
intuitively or instinctively to a child. There is ample research
to show that a childs home environment, especially early
exposure to language and importance given to reading in the
family, can influence a childs ability to be a good reader.
In other words, children who are read to, learn to read.
In todays urban world, it has become even more essential
to be able to read well, for a child to be able to perform well at
school, and for her subsequent career. Ironically, children
today have fewer incentives to read with the availability to
alternative media like television or the computer.
It is not essential for a parent to be able to read fluently, or
to be able to read at all, for a child to develop good pre-reading
skills. In fact, research at Boston City Hospital has
demonstrated that even children of illiterate parents, from
very poor homes, can learn to enjoy reading if they are
exposed to a good amount of language and to books at an
early age.
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Our country has a rich tradition of story telling, which can

be drawn upon to expose the child to a large vocabulary,
which is a prerequisite for language and literacy. It has the
added advantage of ensuring quality time spent with a parent
or grandparent.
When To Begin Reading To Your Child
Parents are always amazed when they are told that they can
begin reading to the child as early as when the child is
6 months old. The important thing to remember is that there
should be no actual pressure on the child to read upto the
age of 6.
Camping away from home is also good for children. You

must meet the teacher or the person in charge of the camp in
advance for any details. If the child is on regular medication,
the supervisor must be briefed about it. While it is a good
experience for the child to be with her peers, she should be
advised that she need not follow others blindly. Any forbidden
activity as per decision of the supervisor or any other activity
with which she does not feel comfortable should be avoided.
Parents can also create an atmosphere in which the
child starts getting interested in the world outside her
home and classroom her neighbourhood, her other
relatives, especially those with lesser means, and the
world at large. At the beginning of this chapter, I had
quoted Lord Asa Briggs. Let us constantly remind
ourselves of what he said, Education should fulfill the
potential of the individual, who in turn should help in
the development of society.
SEX EDUCATION
From playing with genitals to sex before marriage, parents
may have all sorts of questions on sex education. Most of
them hesitate to discuss the subject of sex with their children.
For your information, adolescents who receive information
about sex from their parents rather than from others, are
likely to develop a healthier attitude towards sex.
You can begin reading to your child after 6 months of age
Initially, you dont have to read what is actually written in

the book; you can just talk about the pictures instead. In this
manner, he will learn to enjoy books, and eventually to read.
6 to 12 Months
At this age, infants love board books, especially those with
pictures of other babies, and familiar objects like balls, cars,
Sex education is essential for preschool children, school

children as well as adults.
Ten Basic Principles To Be Followed
1. Do not show any sign of embarrassment if your
preschooler starts asking questions about sex. However,
if you have reservations about talking on sex-related
subjects, guide your youngster to have his/her queries
answered by another trusted adult a relative, teacher,
counsellor or a doctor.
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punishment or humiliated in the presence of others,

especially peers.
Do discuss the subject of cheating in examinations
with the child. Make it clear to her that you will be
happy with whatever is the outcome of the examination
good or bad and that you never expect her to take
recourse to cheating.
Should a child be detained in the same class in the event of
a failure? You should discuss this subject with the class
teacher, keeping your childs personality in mind. If the child
is confident, does not get too upset if she fails to succeed, and
has a good self-image, it may be all right for her to stay in the
same class. But a child with poor self-esteem could be given
extra coaching and promoted to the next class.
Activities Besides Studies
Your child must be encouraged to take part in sports and
other extra-curricular activities. At least one of the parents
should try to make it to the school if the child is taking part in
a play or some other special event.
When the child comes home from school, let her unwind
before you talk about any serious subject. First serve her food
and then discuss how the day in school went while she
is eating.
If you are not likely to be at home when she returns from
school, leave a note for her or leave instructions with the
caretaker. She will understand and appreciate that you care.
(Also see the section on Working Women in the chapter on
FAMILY ISSUES.)
At home, you should encourage the child to pursue her
favourite hobby. But make sure that she also has time to
study and to relax. Playing games together as a family brings
you all closer to each other. Reading books other than
schoolbooks should be encouraged.
toys, etc. A photo album with family members and friends is

also a good idea. Remember, your child will still want to
mouth everything as part of the exploratory process. Story or
book-time can be part of a bedtime routine. Books with plastic
pages are also available which can be drooled on or enjoyed in
the bath!
12 to 24 Months
The child will now want to take part in deciding which book to
read. Let her also decide how long she wants to read. Never
force your child to read when she is not interested. She may
like books about animals, books with pictures of children like
herself doing things like playing, eating, etc. Choose books
with few words per page, and those that have a predictable
pattern, like a simple rhyme. By 18 to 24 months, many
children will start completing the end of rhymes (e.g. when
the parent says, Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail
of..? the child will respond with water.
2 to 5 Years
The child gains more and more pre-reading skills. She may
move a finger from left to right pretending to read. She may
also read books to her doll as part of pretend play. Children
at this age love books that tell stories, books with simple
text about going to school or to the doctor, and about having
a brother or sister. Your child may start telling you the story
which may be completely different from the one you
told her!
Always let your child decide which book she wants to read.
While you need to keep a watch on whether your child is
reading material that is age appropriate, dont force her to
read books which you think are good for her. Once your
child has acquired the reading habit, it is much easier to
introduce her to new books.
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Discuss the subject with your children. Then reach an

agreement with them about the time and place for studies.
Let this be strictly enforced except in some special
situations.
Guest Article Dr. M. K. C. Nair
Dr. M. K. C. Nair is Director of the Child Development Centre at

the Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
It is all right for you to sit with your young child while she
is doing her homework. Never do the homework yourself.
Give her some help, but no more than that. Leave older
children to work by themselves. Encourage them to take help
from the school teacher, unless you are sure that you
know the subject and you can meet the needs of the child
in an appropriate manner with encouragement and
without ridicule.
But even if the mother suspects that her child is having

some problem, the adolescent herself may not acknowledge
the presence of any problem.
Many schools have now started encouraging students to

use a calculator and even a computer. I do not see any harm in
letting children have access to these as long as they do not
become entirely dependent on the calculator or spend a whole
lot of time sitting at the computer. Children must learn to
solve problems without such aids and must have time for
extra-curricular activities.
It should be remembered that problem behaviour in

childhood and adolescence is probably due to a multiplicity of
interrelated or interacting factors like health, appearance,
intelligence and the entire personality of the child, the
economic, social and cultural standing of the parents, the
relationships between them and between all the other
members of the family, the childs experiences at school and
in the neighbourhood, etc. Additionally, with industrialisation
and urbanisation on the rise, more and more children now
belong to nuclear family settings. Parents and to some extent,
the media are also responsible for the changing attitudes of
teenagers. Because adolescence is a time of rapid physical and
sexual growth, young people tend to experiment. HIV
infection is also on the rise, and teenagers are particularly
at risk.
It is extremely important for you to keep in constant touch

with your childs class teacher. Any problem at school must
be sorted out early, before it becomes insurmountable. When
the teacher invites you for a meeting, go with an open mind. If
you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask the teacher.
Treat her with respect. Leave as soon as your allotted time is
over. If you need more time to discuss how you can work with
her to help your child do better, request her for some other
time. Take your child into confidence as well and share what
you learnt in your meeting with her teacher. If the teacher
had complaints about the childs behaviour in school, take
them seriously. It is usually the child who needs correction,
but occasionally a teacher may not be able to handle the
situation. It should be quite clear in your mind and in the mind
of the teacher that no child must ever be subjected to physical
Since her parents are usually the ones who are close to an
adolescent, it is they who will be able to easily perceive subtle
changes in her behaviour.
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competition actually begins, says the headmistress of the

B. J. Parsee Charitable Institution. Rather than being viewed
as people creating the future, todays students are
manoeuvred to fit into the future, she adds.
Not Yet Adults
Points out Suneeta Kulkarni from Nirmala Niketans

Department of Human Development, Parents are
advised to take the help of vocational guidance centres
to explore their childrens personalities and thus help
them in selecting a career according to their aptitude. I
have seen many miserable doctors and engineers in life.
So you need not develop the attitude that a childs life is
ruined if she does not get admitted to some glamorous
professional course.
2. They have a need for immediate gratification.
Besides nation building, teaching of values in schools

may also help to achieve excellence without cutthroat
competition.
Teenagers often complain that they are misunderstood,

unduly restricted and unfairly treated by their parents.
Parents frequently grumble that their teenagers fail to
communicate or that they reveal their feelings in a hostile
manner. Indeed, as parents, we usually have only vague ideas
as to what adolescents must be thinking about, based on our
own past experiences. But times are changing, and our
experiences are not true templates for our young peoples
attitudes and emotions.
Recently, a core group of the Planning Commission

referred to the paramount need of character formation
and development among the student community. The
National Policy of 1986 on Education promised to
inculcate the ideals of social justice, environmental
protection, gender equality, scientific temper and work
culture. The core group has identified love, peace,
non-violence, righteous conduct and truth as the
universal human values required to improve the self.
Hopefully, parents will join hands with teachers to help
the child understand the importance of these values
from an early age.
Regular Studies, Homework And Examinations
Interviews with most young students who topped board
examinations reveal that they were regular in their studies.
Those with other interests in life also had fixed hours for
study. This must be encouraged.
Adolescents differs from adults in 5 main ways:

1. Teenagers tend to show a special intensity and volatility
of feelings.
3. A teenager is particularly unaware of the probable
consequences of his or her actions and misunderstands the
feeling and behaviour of others.
4. There is a lack of self-criticism in adolescence.
5. A teenager has an awareness of the world about him/her
that is different from that of an adult.
The Adolescents Concerns
Based on focus group discussions with many groups of

adolescents, in an attempt to understand the adolescent mind
from its own point of view, and using the data only for
qualitative interpretations, the following observations
were made:
Perceived Social Problems
While on the one hand, the adolescents were irritated about
the unnecessary restrictions imposed on them by society; on
the other, they were also concerned about the prevailing
problems of antisocial behaviour, gender discrimination, and
misleading friends, books and mass media. They also cited
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difficulties in interpersonal relationships, especially in

communicating with the opposite sex. Some of them also
admitted to being confused about fantasy versus reality, and
concerned about what others think of them, freedom of
expression, risk taking behaviour and the issue of
sexual abuse. Many highlighted substance abuse as a major
manace.
Emotional Problems: Adolescents revealed that they
were troubled by lack of freedom, and concerned about
careers and the future. They also admitted to loneliness,
identity crises, an inferiority complex, a lack of confidence,
stranger anxiety, difficulty in adjusting with others,
over-anxiety, lack of emotional stability, depression, suicide
and homicidal tendencies. They were also plagued by worries
regarding childbirth, love marriages, failed love affairs,
parental expectations, problems dealing with elders, and the
issue of fantasy versus reality.
From birth to 5 years for spoken language and up to 15 for

written language. Once the diagnosis is established, a
specialist teacher prepares an individualised programme for
the child with the help of the parents, teachers, friends and
members of the family, to provide support learning strategies
for the dyslexic child. Support can also be had from:
303 Jharna, Dr Ambedkar Road,
Mumbai 400052
10/l Sambasivam Street, T. Nagar,
Chennai 600017
The Educare Centre,
M-2 Hauz Khas,
New Delhi 110016
Competitive Spirit And Kids
Educational Problems: Many adolescents were not happy

with the present day educational system. They expressed
deep concern regarding the lack of proper counselling and
guidance, confessed to an inferiority complex due to poor
performance in studies, constant nagging by teachers, lack of
opportunities for preferred professions, difficulty in adjusting
with fellow students, lack of peer acceptance, difficulty in
talking with teachers, examination fear, despair at not
achieving academic goals like entrance examinations, stage
fright, etc.
Competition can be healthy. But psychiatrists are finding that

children develop a lot of behavioural problems in the wake of a
competitive spirit. Childhood may soon be lost to the cause of
competition.
Health Problems: The major health problems observed

were asthma, respiratory infections, obesity, underweight,
goitre, bed-wetting, dandruff, alopecia and skin problems.
They also had concerns about the change in body image,
pubertal changes, breast size, beauty, attractiveness,
prominent teeth, short stature, hirsuitism and menstrual
problems.
Uma Prabhu interviewed several social workers and

academicians and attributed competitiveness in the
educational field to a lack of better alternatives for students
and a dearth of vocational guidance. For instance, the cut-off
percentage for open merit seats in Maharashtra states
medical colleges is often around 97%. This is why a child is
viewed as an achiever right from pre-school days, when the
As a child specialist, I do find the perils of undue

competition affecting more and more children. Fortunately,
there are still parents who adopt a balanced approach to the
issue. These parents have fun as a family. They make sure
that the child also enjoys time by herself and with her peers
while doing well in her studies.
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Problems Related To Sex And Sexuality: Many of the

adolescents interviewed emphasised the need for facilities
providing counselling services to help them cope with issues
related to faulty sexual concepts, the sexual urge,
masturbation, sexual abuse, STDs/AIDS, etc.
They also demanded Family Life Education services
through schools, because they felt that most parents are
uncomfortable discussing sexual issues with their children.
Family Life Education
Family Life Education may indeed be a preferable term to
sex education, so as to avoid undue anxiety among parents.
The following are the components of family life education
for school children:
Adolescent Nutrition: Studies carried out at the Child
Development Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, have conclusively
proved that birth weight is the single most important factor
that determines the development of the young child, and that
a baby with normal birth weight has a clear edge over the low
birth weight baby, at least to start with. It is also very clear
that the most significant community factor that predicts low
birth weight is the pre-pregnant weight of the mother a
woman who weighs less than 40 kg and has a height of less
than 140 cms before conception is at risk of having a low
weight baby. Hence the Action Plan for the Child in Kerala
has stipulated that, on completion of 18 years, we should aim
for a weight of 45 kg and a height of 145 cms among teenage
girls. Therefore, nutritional monitoring should form part and
parcel of any adolescent programme.
Personal Hygiene: Most of our schoolgirls do not drink
enough water nor pass urine frequently enough at school.
This may be because of poor toilet facilities. Often, girls are
not taught proper menstrual hygiene including trimming of
pubic hair before the onset of menstrual flow. They also need
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to be made aware that some amount of vaginal discharge and

dysmenorrhoea is within normal limits.
Understanding Ones Emotions: The basis for the
formation of good personality, which includes a clear mind and
clear body, is laid during adolescence. The formation of a good
personality can be positively influenced by the family. A
person with a wholesome personality is one who has strong
mental, physical and cognitive skills, which enable him to
behave, relate to and act effectively in the family and the
society at large. The family stands for all the basic human
values necessary for living usefully and meaningfully.
Accepting the ground reality that, on the one hand, what
fascinates an adolescent is the fantasy of love and sex and that
on the other, what bothers the parents most is the immediate
problem of getting admission to a professional course for their
adolescent, Family Life Education is one acceptable mode of
introducing what is essential for teenagers to understand
and appreciate.
Awareness Of Ones Own Sexuality, HIV/AIDS And
Substance Abuse: For young teenagers, sexual information
should be presented in a way that is acceptable to the local
community, emphasising the virtues of virginity and the
dangers of irresponsible behaviour. While this approach may
be more acceptable to an average parent, it is important to
realise that Family Life Education for older children and
young adults should have adequate emphasis on
understanding and appreciating ones own sexuality and
should aim at:
Fostering the attitude that a sexual relationship is like

any other relationship where the feelings and needs of
both partners are equally important.
Fostering each persons ability to introspect on his/her

own sexual feelings and needs. Without such insight, one
might not know how to avoid hurting oneself or others.
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Lack of such insight may impair development of close

relationships.
Developing the ability to be alert and sensitive to

difficult situations where one ought to think before one
acts.
Helping teenagers to have confidence in their own

judgement and values, provided that parents and
teachers themselves have a positive approach to sex and
family life education.
Discussing subjects such as high-risk behaviour, safe

sex, family planning, unplanned children, STDs, etc. in
the context of HIV/AIDS control.
Be A Real Parent To Your Adolescent

We blame the influence of satellite television, Western
culture and the general deterioration of standards in public life
for the problems of drug abuse, sex abuse, teenage pregnancy,
suicide, etc. It is time to acknowledge that we are often
negligent of our children in their formative years especially
in the all-important period of adolescence. Many problems
in adulthood have their roots in the adolescent period;
it is a time of transition from the obedient child to the
confused youth.
It is time to create opportunities for adolescents to grow
with adequate self esteem, competence to face problems in
life, skills to withstand peer pressure and the capacity to say
No to undesirable influences and life situations.
Formation of teen clubs with the full patronage of parents
and the community will go a long way to fill the gap of
learning opportunities that were there in a joint family and the
closely-knit community of times gone by.
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PART
3
FEEDING INFANTS, YOUNG CHILDREN
AND ADOLESCENTS
Feeding The Newborn And Infants ..........................
150-202
Feeding Young Children ............................................
203-208
Food For Adolescents ................................................
209-211
The Food Pyramid .....................................................
212-214
Guest Article: Healthy Food Habits Karen Anand
215-219
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FEEDING THE NEWBORN AND INFANTS
BREASTFEEDING: SOME BASIC FACTS

1. Your milk is the ideal milk for your baby. All substitutes
are not only inferior, but can be harmful.
2. Women of all ages with small or big breasts can breastfeed
their babies. Breastfeeding does not spoil a womans
figure. Women employed outside the home can also
conveniently breastfeed.
3. Colostrum, the first milk, is vital for the baby. So
breastfeeding should start in the delivery room itself,
soon after your baby is born. Colostrum, in the first few
days, and the milk produced in your breasts later on is all
that your baby needs for first 6 months. No water is
required even on a very hot day.
4. From 6 months onwards, fruits and homemade soft foods
are to be added to breastfeeding.
5. Breastfeeding should be continued into the second year
of life.
6. A l-year-old requires almost half the amount of food an
adult normally consumes. The child should have homecooked food.
7. In view of their small stomach capacities, most young
children need to be fed more often than adults. The diet
should include fruits, vegetables and sprouts.
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8. To reduce the bulk, oil or ghee may be added to the food.

9. Do not let your child get used to much salt, sugar,
fried foods, maida (refined flour) preparations and
aerated drinks.
10. Basically, the Indian diet (including vegetarian) is well
balanced. Imbalances occur because certain families may
be poor or due to misconceptions prevalent in several
sections of our society. For example, some families
wrongly starve the pregnant mother so the foetus remains
small to facilitate an easier delivery; others overfeed her.
Some families ignorantly start supplementing breastfeeding before the desired age of 6 months, others delay it
till the child completes one year. All these issues need to
be addressed.
The Secret Of Successful Breastfeeding
I am convinced that all modern mothers want to breastfeed
their babies. However, to ensure that breastfeeding is joyful,
please keep the following points in mind:
Conviction: You must be convinced that breastfeeding is
not only vital for your baby, but is also good for your own
health. The advantages of breastfeeding enumerated in this
chapter will help convince you.
Right information: You need to educate yourself on
breastfeeding to be able to confidently oppose relatives and
even health workers who may harbour outdated notions about
breastfeeding, and may suggest a bottle feed to top up the
breastfeeding.
ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING TO THE
MOTHER
Loving Bond With Your Baby
Breastfeeding facilitates a close, loving bond between you and
your baby. This may also help your child to form good
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relationships with other people. In the case of bottle-feeding,

the baby might be fed by someone else, and is likely to get
less stimulation.
Lowered Risk Of Bleeding After Delivery
Breastfeeding the baby soon after birth helps to stop bleeding
from the uterus (womb) after delivery, and assists in the
expulsion of the placenta.
Iron deficiency is very common in Indian mothers.
Exclusive breastfeeding reduces this risk as it delays the
return of menstruation, and thereby prevents iron loss
through menstrual flow.
Delayed Risk Of Conception
As long as a woman does not have her periods and exclusively
breastfeeds, she gets 98% protection from pregnancy in the
first 6 months after delivery. However, the couple is also
advised to use other family planning methods suitable
to them.
Reduced Risk Of Cancer
The risk of cancer of the breast and the ovaries is reduced in
breastfeeding mothers.
Quicker Regaining Of The Figure
Contrary to popular belief, a woman who breastfeeds regains
her figure faster compared to a woman who does not. This is
because a breastfeeding mother utilises the fat that is
normally accumulated during pregnancy in different parts of
her body for production of breast milk. Moreover, as the baby
suckles, the mothers system generates hormones that make
her enlarged uterus contract. As the uterus goes back to its
normal position, the abdomen of a breastfeeding mother
regains its shape faster than the abdomen of one who
does not.
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As far as the breasts are concerned, having a baby alters

the breasts whether or not a woman breastfeeds. Most
changes, however, that are seen in older women are partly
due to age. Wearing a well-fitting brassiere will ensure that
the breasts have a good shape.
Convenience
Breast milk is always ready to be given to the baby; it does
not need any preparation. It does not get spoilt in the breast
even if the mother is not able to feed her baby for a number
of days.
Then there is the economics of it; a mother has to spend
about Rs. 1,000 a month to feed her child with powder milk.
This amount does not include the time costs of preparing an
infant formula.
Artificially fed children are also more prone to illnesses like
diarrhoea and pneumonia. The family may have to spend a lot
for the treatment of such diseases.
Calming Effect
For many women, breastfeeding confers a sense of calm and
satisfaction, which is probably related to the helpful hormonal
changes while breastfeeding.
ADVANTAGES TO YOUR BABY
Complete Nutrition
The human brain has to grow very fast in the first years of
life. Breast milk is ideally suited to fuel this growth. It
provides complete nutrition for your baby in the first
6 months. Quickly and easily digested, it contains the most
suitable protein and fat for your baby and in the right
quantities; more lactose (milk sugar) which a human baby
needs; enough vitamins and iron; enough water for your
baby even in an extremely hot climate; the correct amount
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of salt, calcium and phosphate and a special enzyme which

digests fat.
The absorption of zinc and iron from breast milk is
unsurpassed by any other source in early infancy. This
protects the baby against early zinc deficiency and iron
deficiency anaemia.
In later infancy, the ideal balance of amino acids provided
by breast milk adds to the quality of protein in the total diet,
which is frequently deficient in other sources of protein.
That is why breastfeeding is recommended well into the
second year of your babys life. Being a rich source of
Vitamin A, breast milk reduces the risk of Vitamin A
deficiency and blindness.
Breastfed babies do not need multivitamins and Vitamin C
drops. Take these vitamins yourself if you are not taking
enough fruits, vegetables and sprouts in your diet. Your
breastfed baby also does not need digestive enzyme
preparations, carminative mixtures and gripe water. Moreover,
some of these preparations contain alcohol, which is not good
for your childs health. If the baby does get colic, see Crying in
the chapter on THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES.
Protection Against Infections
Research has shown that, in developing countries, a
non-breastfed infant is 14 times more likely to die from
diarrhoea, 4 times more likely to die from respiratory
diseases, and 2.5 times more from other infections when
compared to an exclusively breastfed infant. Breastfed babies
also have less risk of cholera, newborn sepsis and meningitis,
amoebiasis, giardiasis, ear infections and appendicitis. Breast
milk also enhances the infants immune response to
certain vaccines.
Breastfeeding during diarrhoea and other infections helps a
baby to recover much more quickly. This protection against
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infections is provided by a host of substances present in your

milk, like antibodies, white blood cells, bifidus factor,
lactoferrin and several others. They protect the baby against
many bacterial and viral infections.
Fewer Allergic Disorders
Allergic diseases like asthma and eczema are less common in
breastfed babies. If you have a family history of allergy on
your or your husbands side, it is important to avoid adding on
artifical milk, egg, cocoa and wheat and peanut preparations to
your babys diet until she completes 6 months.
Reduced Risks Of Cancer
There is evidence to show that the risk of certain cancers
(like lymphoma) is reduced in breastfed babies.
Better Teeth
Other factors being equal, your breastfed baby is likely to
have a better configuration of the face and alignment of teeth.
Caries in the teeth are also less in breastfed children.
Lowered Risk Of Diabetes
There is a reduced risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
among breastfed children.
Protection Against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also called cot death,

is ascribed to deaths that take place suddenly in healthy
infants without any obvious cause. The risk of this tragic
condition is probably reduced in breastfed babies and babies
put to sleep on their backs.
Enhanced Intelligence
Recent research appears to suggest that babies who are
breastfed attain their milestones of development earlier and
turn out to be more intelligent than those who are not.
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Catering To Unique Needs

Recent research has shown that the milk of mothers who
deliver prematurely (before the expected time) has a different
composition compared to that of mothers who deliver at the
expected time. Nevertheless, in both cases, the milk is ideally
suited to their babies, as if matched for each other.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When Should My Baby Get Her First Breastfeed?
As soon as the baby is born, the doctor will hand her to
you. Hold the naked baby against your chest for direct
skin-to-skin contact. Depending upon the temperature in
the delivery room, both of you will be covered lightly with
a sheet, with or without a blanket. Most babies, especially
those whose mothers have not been doped, are alert for
about 40 minutes to an hour after delivery. Take advantage
of this period. Try to see if she might be interested in
breastfeeding right away. You will find that some babies
turn their heads to one side and start looking for the
nipple. Some succeed in getting hold of the nipple and start
suckling. You will be thrilled to see this happening. If she
does not attempt this on her own, you can gently bring her
mouth nearer one breast and see if she wants to suckle.
Do not force her if she is not interested.
This early contact with your baby is important for bonding
with her and for giving her the valuable colostrum.
It has been observed that the suckling reflex of a newborn
is at its height 20 to 30 minutes after birth. If the infant is not
fed at this time, the reflex diminishes rapidly to reappear
adequately 40 hours later. It may be further delayed if the
mother is overdoped. On the other hand, if the baby is put to
the breast within half an hour after birth, she takes the breast
properly and early weight loss, which is so common in
newborn babies, is minimised.
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Nursing soon after delivery also has a laxative effect on

the meconium. The early evacuation of meconium tends to
decrease the reabsorption of bilirubin (the yellow pigment
responsible for jaundice). This pigment is liberated by the
breakdown of cast-off red blood cells present in the intestines.
Decreased reabsorption of bilirubin reduces the appearance of
jaundice. Even if the jaundice does appear, effective
evacuation of meconium reduces its severity.
What Is Rooming-In?
The practice of rooming-in means that the baby is kept in the
mothers room throughout the hospital stay. Contrary to
popular belief, the mother who has her baby beside her feels
less anxious about her and sleeps better. Even if she is
sharing a room with another mother or mothers, she is not
unduly disturbed.
The risk of your baby picking up infections from other
babies in the nursery is very high. If one baby has acquired an
infection, she is infectious even before she manifests any
symptoms of it. At that time, she can pass on the infection to
other babies kept together in a crowded nursery.
Even if the nursery is not crowded, the nurse may not
always have the time to take each baby to her mother every
time she cries; this may interfere with breastfeeding. Babies
who do not get adequate amount of the antibodies-rich
colostrum in the first few days are at great risk of getting
infection. Moreover, the nurse herself may be carrying germs
that she may pass on to the babies under her care in the
nursery. Each time a baby is to be touched, it is essential that
the nursing staff wash their hands properly. But it could be
that this is not done properly.
It is true that a mother may also have germs that she may
pass on to her baby. But the point worth noting here is that
the mother makes antibodies against such germs in her breast
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milk, which she then passes on to her baby to protect her

against getting infected. Even when other mothers share a
room with their babies, the distance between two babies is
much more than in the nursery.
Rooming-in, more than anything else, helps in proper
initiation and maintenance of the breastfeeding that provides
the baby with all the anti-infective factors, and this protects
her from catching an infection.
What about visitors infecting the baby? My experience of
working and teaching in a public hospital which caters to the
poorer socio-economic stratum, as well as in a private
hospital, indicates that poor exclusively breastfed babies kept
exposed to visitors have less risk of getting infections
compared to babies kept in the nursery of a private hospital
away from visitors. However, to play it safe, you may put a
notice outside the room or on the cot, requesting people not
to visit the baby if they have a cold or a cough or any other
illness, and to avoid touching the baby.
Rooming-in facilities reduce the workload of the hospital
staff who then have more time for the babies whose mothers
are ill. It gives you a chance to respond to your baby right
from the beginning. You can feed her or hold her when you
want to. It increases your chances of successful breastfeeding.
A study has shown that mothers who had the rooming-in
experience were more self-confident with their babies. By the
time they were discharged, they could understand indications
given by their babies crying better than mothers who did not
have this facility.
What About Breastfeeding?
After a normal delivery, you and your baby will be taken to your
room. If you are not heavily sedated, keep your baby next to you
in your bed. You may like to cuddle her if she is still awake. In
private hospitals, a baby cot is provided next to your bed. You
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can decide if you want to keep the baby all the time in your bed
or partly in the cot and in the bed according to convenience.
If you delivered by a Caesarean section under general
anaesthesia, you may be on a drip. Even then, the baby
should be given to you for breastfeeding after about
4 hours of the operation, when you recover from the
effects of anaesthesia. You will need the assistance of a
hospital attendant or a close relative to give your child the
first breastfeed. As you lie on your back, the nurse may
place the baby on a pillow raised to the level of your
breast, so that she can conveniently reach it.
Here it must be mentioned that if your first child was
delivered by a Caesarean section, it is not mandatory that the
subsequent delivery has to be Caesarean. You may raise this
issue with your doctor. But leave the final decision about
whether an operation is needed again or not to him.
Also a word about episiotomy. This is a cut made on your
skin just outside the birth canal for easy delivery of the baby.
It is possible that you needed it and you should accept it if it
was inevitable. However, you could mention to your doctor
that as far as possible, you would like to avoid episiotomy.
Episiotomy may be needed with a first delivery and can often
be avoided in subsequent deliveries.
I touched on this subject because following a Caesarean or
an episiotomy, your doctor may give you sedatives or
pain-killers which can adversely affect your close interaction
with your baby and proper initiation of breastfeeding.
In case your doctor decides to do the episiotomy, he may
prescribe drugs to relieve the pain of the stitches. Doctors
have found that if the baby is given to the mother soon after
delivery for skin-to-skin contact, the mother gets so
engrossed in her baby that stitching is often done without
taking recourse to drugs for suppressing pain.
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A word about the duration of the first breastfeed. The first

feed could be given in the labour room or after you come to
your room. This feed might last from 10 to 45 minutes and
may be from one or both breasts.
Please Explain About The Production Of Milk.
The ability to breastfeed does not depend upon the size of
your breasts. Milk is produced in the milk-producing gland
tissue (alveoli) inside the breast. The size of the breast
depends upon the supporting tissue or fat in the breast.
(Fig. 3).
As the baby suckles at the breast, the mother produces a
hormone that helps milk production. This hormone is called
prolactin. As the baby continues to suckle, the mother
produces another hormone that helps the milk to come down
from the alveoli to the dilated milk ducts (lactiferous sinuses
which lie under the areola the circular dark skin around the
nipple). This second hormone is oxytocin, and the mechanism
by which the milk comes down from the alveoli is called the
let-down reflex. Breastfeeding immediately after birth
stimulates the production of these hormones and of
breast milk.
Anatomy of the breast

Fig. 3
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Small swellings are present on the areola. These are

glands that produce an oily material to keep the
nipple soft.
The breasts of most mothers, especially first-time mothers,
often feel soft and empty for 2 to 3 days as if there is no milk.
These breasts secrete a small amount of colostrum the
yellowish first milk. After 2 to 3 days or even after a week,
the breasts may suddenly start producing too much milk.
They now feel full and sometimes hard. After a week or so,
the breasts feel soft again. The mother starts wondering
whether milk production is reduced. This is not true. The
mother is producing enough milk as per the requirement of
her baby; the supply and demand are now well adjusted.
The milk produced in the alveoli flows into the milk ducts
and collects under the dark portion of the breast called the
areola. To get enough milk, the baby must therefore take
enough of the breast into her mouth so as to empty the
lactiferous sinuses with her tongue.
Therefore, baby should breastfeed and not nipple-feed.
How Does The Mother Position The Baby Correctly At
The Breast?
Positioning your baby correctly will ensure that she is
breastfeeding and not nipple-feeding. This means that the
baby should be taking not only the nipple into her mouth, but
part of the breast as well.
For effective transfer of milk from the breast to the babys
mouth, you can choose a sitting or lying down position. The
important thing is that you should feel comfortable. If you are
sitting, you will find it more comfortable if your back is
supported.
Lift your breast with your palm and offer the nipple as well
as the breast to the baby. Do not pinch the nipple or the
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breast or try to push the nipple into the babys mouth. Touch
the babys lips, preferably the upper lip, with your nipple. If
the baby opens her mouth a little, do not offer the breast and
the nipple. Again touch her lips with your nipple. As soon as
she opens her mouth wide and shows interest in feeding,
quickly move her on to the breast. Let the babys lower lip be
well below the nipple. This helps to get the babys chin close
to the breast so that her tongue is right under the lactiferous
sinuses containing milk. Then the nipple is positioned above
the centre of the babys mouth, so that it points towards the
palate. As soon as the nipple touches the palate, the baby
starts suckling and when her mouth fills with milk, she
swallows it.
To make sure that your baby is positioned properly at the
breast, check the following points: (Fig. 4).
Your babys entire body, including her neck, shoulder
and abdomen, should be facing you and close to your
body. Her chin should touch the breast.
Her mouth should be wide open with her lips curled
outwards.
More of the areola should be visible above the babys
upper lip and less below the lower lip. But if the areola is
big, more of it may be visible, even if the baby is
positioned properly.
The baby should be taking slow, deep sucks.
After the feed, the baby should appear relaxed and
satisfied.
You should not feel any nipple pain.
You should be able to hear your baby swallow, but this is
not essential.
After offering the breast to the baby, keep your other hand
free to stroke her hair or play with her fingers. Do not put a
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Suckling in a good position

Fig. 4
finger on the breast near the babys nose to prevent any

difficulty in breathing; this is unnecessary and may interfere
with proper milk transfer to the baby.
What Is Comfort Suckling?
Some babies like to suckle more than others even if their
hunger is satisfied. Your baby may be one of those who may
continue to suckle for comfort. For the same reason, she may
start sucking her finger or put her hand in her mouth. You
may then think that she is hungry; if you are not sure, offer
her your breast. You do not have to worry about overfeeding
your breastfed child.
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How Long Should A Breastfeed Last In The First Week

Or Two?
Some doctors wrongly advise that the baby should not be fed
for longer than 10 minutes at each breast. They fear that a
more prolonged feed may result in the mother developing
sore nipples. This is not true. Do not time a feed. Let your
baby suckle in the proper position for as long as she wants.
The first breastfeed - given in the delivery room or after you
come to your room - may last from 10 to 45 minutes and may
be from one or both breasts.
In the first day or two, the baby may suckle for a prolonged
period but may demand a feed after 4 to 6 hours and sleep inbetween. After 2 days, she may want the feed very often but
may suckle for a shorter period. Towards the end of the week,
she may settle down to 2 to 4-hourly feeds.
As the days pass, the feeds are likely to become shorter.
But if your baby is taking more than 45 minutes for a total
breastfeed after the first week, you should check whether you
are positioning her properly.
Some Friends Tell Me That I Will Not Have Enough
Milk In The First 2 To 3 Days. What Should I Give To
The Baby Till Then?
Your newborn baby does not require anything other than
colostrum the milk that the breasts make in the first few
days after delivery.
Do not let anyone squeeze the breasts for milk. Simply let
the baby be put to the breast when hungry. Elderly relatives
sometimes feel that colostrum is harmful to the newborn. Try
to explain to them that colostrum is essential for the baby and,
though secreted in small amounts, is enough to meet all the
needs of your baby. It is rich in Vitamins A and K and zinc. It
contains large amounts of antibodies and other factors that
protect the child against life-threatening infections. It also has
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an immunoglobulin that coats the lining of the babys

immature intestine and prevents large protein molecules from
entering the newborns blood system. This reduces the risk of
her getting allergic diseases like asthma and eczema later in
life.
What Is The Harm In Giving Water, Honey, Glucose
Water Or Artificial Milk In The First Few Days?
Such feeds given to newborns before the free flow of milk
from the breasts are called, prelacteal feeds. These can be
harmful for you as well as your baby and should be avoided.
If prelacteal feeds are given, the baby may not suckle
adequately at the breast as her stomach is already full.
Consequently, she will not get colostrum. Such feeds may
also be contaminated and result in serious infections.
Allergies are more common in babies given animal milk
(including powder milk) in the first months of life. If these
feeds are given through a bottle, the baby may not make the
required effort to suckle and empty the breast. This either
results in breastfeeding failure or may cause engorgement
and infection of the breasts.
Some health workers give prelacteal feeds to otherwise
normal babies who happen to be rather big in size or are
small. They fear that these babies may get hypoglycaemia
(less sugar in blood). This fear is unjustified. Colostrum is
enough for these babies.
Some health workers give water or glucose water, fearing
that the baby may get dehydrated. Babies are born with a
store of water and such feeds are therefore unnecessary.
Sometimes, a prelacteal feed is given as a test feed to
safeguard aspiration into the lungs in a rare condition called
tracheoesophageal fistula. In this condition, the trachea (the
windpipe) is connected to the oesophagus (the food pipe).
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These health workers do not realise that colostrum is a

physiological secretion. Even if it is aspirated into the lungs, it
is not irritating and gets readily absorbed. On the other hand,
sugar, water and artificial milk are quite irritating if aspirated.
Being aware of these facts, if your doctor still feels that the
baby needs any feed other than colostrum, he may prescribe it
accordingly as an exception.
What Is Exclusive Breastfeeding? How Long Should
My Baby Be Exclusively Breastfed? What About
Supplementing Breast Milk With Water, Fruit Juice,
Soup, Other Milk, Gripe Water, Etc?
The term exclusive breastfeeding has gained importance
because babies thus breastfed are far more healthy than those
partially breastfed. It means that your baby is given only
breast milk from the moment of birth upto the age of
6 months. This is all she needs. I therefore recommend that
all infants be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, but at least
until the completion of 4 months of age. Breastfeeding should
then be continued up to 2 years of age or beyond with the
addition of adequate complementary foods from 6 months
of age.
Some doctors have a habit of prescribing fruit juice or soup
from the age of 6 weeks. This is harmful. I do not recommend
this.
Even in very hot, dry weather, breast milk contains
sufficient water for your babys needs. Additional water or
sugary drinks are not needed to quench the babys thirst. In
fact, they pose a definite risk of contamination and of causing
infection. Also, if you satisfy the babys thirst with liquids
other than breast milk, she may not suckle vigorously at the
breast and this may lead to less production of breast milk.
Gripe water may contain alcohol and extra sugar, and is not
advised.
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Do Breastfed Babies Need Multivitamins And Vitamin

C Drops?
Some hospitals routinely recommend these vitamins. They
are not needed. In any case, multivitamin drops also contain enough Vitamin C to prevent any possible Vitamin C
deficiency in a baby. So it is irrational to prescribe both.
Breast milk in malnourished women can be deficient in
Vitamin K, the B group of vitamins and Vitamins C and D.
I have not yet come across a single case of deficiency of
Vitamins K, B (except Vitamin Bl2) and C in the breastfed
babies under my care. It is possible that these babies get
enough colostrum, which is rich in Vitamin K. I also advise
mothers to take seasonal fruits, vegetables (leafy as well as
raw), milk or milk products and sprouts, as these provide an
adequate amount of these vitamins in their breast milk.
However, if a mother follows a diet that does not include such
foods, I would prescribe multivitamins for her rather than for
the baby, whereby both would benefit.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause anaemia and brain and
nerve damage. I have seen severe anaemia and serious effects
on the mental faculties of 2 breastfed infants whose mothers
were on a strict vegan diet.
Regarding Vitamin D, I have come across 4 cases of rickets
among the thousands of breastfed babies that I have seen. It is
interesting that in each of these cases, my advice to expose
the babies to the morning sunlight for 10 minutes or so was
ignored by the parents or by the maid who felt that the childs
skin would become dark if exposed to the sun. Our skin has a
pro-Vitamin D, which needs to be exposed to light for
conversion into Vitamin D.
In these cases, we are referring to normal newborns, born
at the expected time. Premature babies may need extra
vitamins and certain minerals like calcium and iron. However,
it may be worthwhile to note that rickets occurs in a growing
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child. Around the age of 9 months, I like to make sure that the
child does not have rickets, so that treatment can be given if
required.
Do I Have To Give Calcium And Iron To My Breastfed
Baby?
Breast milk has enough calcium to meet the normal
requirements of the baby. Even if your baby is teething, you
need not give her calcium. Your milk also has one of the best
forms of iron that is absorbed into the babys system
remarkably well. Till the child triples her birth weight, all her
iron requirements are met by your milk alone.
In one study reported in the Journal of Pediatrics, none
of the infants receiving human milk as the only milk in the
first 12 months of life, without other foods containing iron,
were anaemic at 7 months, compared with 43% of those
breastfed for a shorter period. Good iron status was found
at 12 and 24 months of age. However, we recommend
addition of foods other than your milk after the baby
completes 6 months of age. That provides her extra iron from
other sources as well. I have seen iron-deficiency anaemia in
breastfed children where introduction of other foods was
delayed much beyond 6 months. Such children can become
irritable and develop loss of appetite and may need more
breast milk, iron-containing foods and, at times, iron in
medicinal form.
Does My Child Need Extra Calcium For Healthy Teeth?
No extra calcium is needed in breastfed children born at the
expected time. Caries of teeth are common in bottle-fed
children. Breastfed children can also get caries, but this is
extremely rare. It is generally seen in children who have an
inherent tendency to get caries and who, even after they have
started teething, have a tendency to go to sleep on the breast
after feeding.
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It is important to note that breastfed children can also get

diseases seen in bottle-fed babies. But it must be appreciated
that the incidence of these diseases is much higher in
artificially fed children. Dont stop breastfeeding if a dentist
tells you that prolonged breastfeeding causes caries of teeth;
follow his advice regarding ways of preventing caries
(see Teething And Care Of Teeth in the chapter on THE A-Z
OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES).
Should I Breastfeed My Child At Night Or Not?
Yes, you must do so as long as you want to. You can
breastfeed in a lying-down position. Breastfeeding at night
increases your milk supply because more prolactin is secreted
at night than during the day. This also plays an important role
in preventing another pregnancy.
What Is Demand Feeding? How Frequently Should My
Baby Be Breastfed?
You must breastfeed whenever the baby wants to. This is
called demand feeding or unrestricted breastfeeding. The
more the suckling, the more breast milk will be produced. It
also helps to prevent engorgement or undue fullness of your
breasts.
Breast milk is digested easily and more rapidly than
artificial milk. So your baby may want to feed frequently. She
may feed irregularly at first; only a few times in the first day
or two, then very often for several days. Every baby is
different, but most settle down into some sort of rhythm after
a week or two.
However, follow your instincts and recognise when your
childs cries are not for a feed. This is termed intelligent
demand feeding. For example, if your baby had a proper feed
and then starts crying within half an hour or so, the reason is
probably not hunger but something else. It could be a wet
nappy. The baby may need to be wiped or may want to be
picked up for more body contact. She may be feeling hot or
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may want to be covered up. After ruling out these

possibilities, if the baby continues to cry, try nursing her
again. A breastfed baby is not likely to be overfed.
What Should I Do If My Baby Does Not Demand Milk
Often Enough Or Wants To Be Fed Too Often?
There are a few babies who are rather quiet and do not cry
when hungry. They do not pass urine frequently, nor do they
gain weight properly. Such babies may have to be awakened,
say at 3-hourly intervals, and breastfed.
Babies who exhaust their mothers by asking too frequently
for breastfeeds are often not being breastfed in the proper
position. Proper positioning helps such babies. Sometimes,
the baby may want to suckle for comfort although she is not
hungry.
What Should Be The Duration Of A Single Feed In An
Older Infant?
It can vary from less than 5 minutes to 20 or more minutes.
Some babies are slow feeders. But they take the same total
amount of milk as fast feeders. If we stop a slow feeder before
she is ready, she may not take enough milk. Also she may not
get the energy-rich hind milk that she needs to grow
normally.
Please remember that suckling for a prolonged period does
not cause sore nipples.
Should I Breastfeed From Both Breasts Each Time I
Feed My Baby?
Take your cue from your baby. She may want to have milk
from one or from both breasts at each feed. You can start
feeding her from, say the right breast at one feed and from the
left at the next.
Tell Me A Little About Foremilk And Hind Milk.
At the beginning of a feed, your milk (the foremilk) normally
appears watery and bluish. It is rich in protein, lactose,
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vitamins, minerals and water. Towards the end of the feed,

the hind milk looks whiter because it is rich in fat. Babies
need both foremilk and hind milk. That is why it is important
that your baby is allowed to keep suckling from one side till
she gets the hind milk and leaves the breast on her own. Only
then should she be offered the other breast. If you let
your baby do this, suckling from only one side may
satisfy her.
While suckling, some babies rest in between taking a few
deep sucks. Their eyes may be closed, but they have not yet
had their fill. You may wrongly think that the baby has gone to
sleep after finishing the feed and remove her from the breast.
In this case, the baby will not get the hind milk and may
appear dissatisfied.
If, for some reason, the baby has to be removed from the
breast before the feed is finished, do not pull her forcefully
away. First, break the suction by pressing her chin
downwards or by putting your finger between her cheek
and your breast and then press the breast gently away
from her.
How Does One Prevent And Treat Engorgement Of The
Breast And Breast Abscess?
You may get congestion of the breasts after 3 to 4 days of
delivery. As soon as you feel that your breasts are becoming
taut, remove some of the milk by expressing it with your
hands. If you like, you may drink this valuable expressed milk
instead of throwing it away. Unrestricted feeding or demand
feeding a baby would also help to prevent engorgement.
Even if your breasts develop an infection, it is safe to
continue breastfeeding the baby. If you do not want to do so,
continue expressing the milk from them. Hot water
fomentation is helpful. You must take enough rest. An 8 to
10 days course of antibiotics may be needed.
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If an abscess does form, surgical help may be required. You

should start breastfeeding from the operated side as soon as
possible. This does not delay healing of the wound.
Can Engorgement Of Breasts Give Rise To Fever?
Usually not. Some mothers do get fever, but it is not high.
The fever is not accompanied by symptoms like chills, a
general feeling of being unwell and body ache, and does not
last more than a day or two. If it does, your doctor may
consider the possibility of an infection that may need
antibiotics.
In the presence of an infection, the mother feels unwell and
may also have a chill.
What Is A Blocked Or Plugged Duct?
As mentioned earlier, the milk is produced in the alveoli of
the breast. This flows down the milk ducts and collects under
the dark portion of the breast called the areola. Sometimes,
thickened milk may block a particular duct. The milk starts
collecting behind this obstruction and this leads to the
formation of a hard lump. In case of only a blocked duct, the
mother does not have any fever and looks otherwise well.
A blocked duct must be treated. Otherwise, infection can
set in, leading to mastitis and breast abscess. In mastitis, a
portion of the breast feels hot, swollen and becomes painful.
In an abscess, the swelling, when examined, appears to be full
of fluid.
A lump due to a blocked duct should be gently massaged
towards the nipple to help empty that part of the breast. The
baby should be fed more frequently from that breast. If you
have been feeding lying down (which is otherwise correct),
try feeding in a sitting position. You can also try holding the
baby under your arm, instead of across the front. All this may
help to remove milk more efficiently from the blocked
segment of the breast.
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What Causes Soreness Of Nipples?

Some mothers get sore or cracked nipples in the first
week of breastfeeding because of poor positioning of the
baby on the breast. The baby does not have enough of the
breast in her mouth and she suckles only the nipple, thus
hurting it.
Do remember that frequent or prolonged suckling does not
cause sore nipples.
Another possible cause of sore nipples is introducing the
child to artificial nipples like the teat of a bottle, a pacifier or
a nipple shield in the first weeks of life. This can affect proper
suckling at the breast, resulting in sore nipples.
Also, if a mother takes the baby off the breast without first
breaking the suction (by putting a finger between the breast
and the babys mouth), she may get sore nipples.
Breastfeeding must be continued despite sore or cracked
nipples. However, the baby should be positioned properly on
the breast with enough of the breast in her mouth.
Expose the nipples to air (and also the sun, if possible) and
apply a drop of hind milk to the cracked nipples.
The soreness usually settles down within a few days. If the
soreness persists or if it suddenly appears after a week or two
of delivery, it is usually due to a fungal infection. The area
around the nipple feels itchy and the pain seems to shoot
down into the breast. The baby may also have thrush (white
curd-like patches inside the mouth that are not easy to
remove). Your doctor will prescribe a local application for the
nipples as well as the babys mouth. Sometimes, you may also
need to be given an oral medication.
It is important to remember that a little tenderness of the
nipples, when you begin to breastfeed, is quite normal in the
first 2 or 3 days after delivery.
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Would Washing The Breast Before And After Each

Feed And Application Of Any Cream Or Ointment Help
In The Prevention Or Treatment Of Sore Or Cracked
Nipples?
No. It is just the opposite. Daily bathing is enough. Never
wash your nipples with soap. Frequent washing or cleaning of
the breast is likely to remove the anti-bacterial lubricating oil
produced by the Montgomerys glands present in the areola.
This can lead to dryness and thus contribute to soreness of
nipples. Avoid using creams or ointments sold in the market
for the prevention or treatment of sore or cracked nipples.
They may actually add to the problem.
My Nipples Are Flat. Will I Be Able To Breastfeed?
Yes. Successful breastfeeding does not depend on the size of
the breast or the size of the nipples. Just touch or gently rub
your nipple with your fingers. If it becomes slightly more
prominent, it is protractile. A flat or a small nipple that
becomes prominent (even a little) on being touched is normal.
So the size of the resting nipple is not important.
In rare cases, a nipple does not protract. If you try and
pull it out, it goes deeper into the breast. This is an
inverted or retracted nipple. The baby has even more
difficulty suckling from an engorged breast with an inverted
nipple. In such a case, the mother should express the milk
until the breast feels soft. This helps the baby to take
enough of the breast in her mouth. If she finds it difficult
to express adequately, the husband can suckle her breasts
to help relieve engorgement.
Some mothers with inverted nipples may need the help of a
disposable syringe (see Fig. 5). The nozzle end of a 10 ml
plastic disposable syringe is cut off (Step one). The piston is
introduced from the ragged cut end side (Step two). The
mother then applies the smooth end to her breast and pulls on
the piston gently and holds it in that position for about a
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STEP ONE
Cut along this line with blade
STEP TWO
Insert piston from cut end
STEP THREE
Mother applies the smooth end to her breast and gently pulls the piston
Fig. 5
minute (Step three). The nipple protrudes out into the

syringe. The mother reduces the traction while releasing the
syringe. The nipple stays protruded for some time; and the
baby is immediately put to the breast. As the nipple is easily
taken into the mouth, the baby is able to suckle in a proper
position. The nipple retracts again after a while, but not to the
same extent. The procedure can be repeated several times a
day for a couple of days. This corrects the retraction
permanently in almost all cases.
My Baby Is One Month Old And Has Been Exclusively
Breastfed. How Do I Know That She Has Been Getting
Enough Breast Milk?
A baby who is having only mothers milk and nothing else and
who urinates 6 to 8 times or more in 24 hours is getting
enough breast milk.
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If you fail to count the number of times she passes urine,

look at the colour of her urine. A light-coloured urine most of
the time is an indication that she is getting enough breast
milk. An occasional passage of dark urine can be ignored.
However, in the first few days at the hospital after delivery,
the frequency of urine may be less as the colostrum has less
amount of water in it. Also, if the baby is kept wrapped up all
the time, she may sweat and thus may pass less urine. This
urine may also appear dark in colour.
But Why Do Most Of My Friends Complain That They
Are Not Getting Enough Breast Milk?
If a child cries more often, many mothers, grandmothers or
maidservants start assuming that the baby has been
remaining hungry and is not getting enough breast milk. They
often forget that crying in a baby is not always due to hunger.
She probably wants to be held and cuddled for more body
contact. She may need to suckle the breast simply for
comfort. She may have a wet nappy or colic or may be feeling
hot or cold or just not feeling well.
A large number of mothers also start assuming wrongly
that they are not producing enough milk if the childs hand
goes to her mouth and she starts sucking her fingers. This
sucking is due to the rooting reflex. If anything touches the
babys cheeks, including her own fingers, she tends to turn
her mouth in that direction. This is called rooting.
Mothers also worry that the baby is not getting enough if
she feeds for a prolonged period or if she finishes her
breastfeed fast. Some babies are fast feeders; others are slow.
Also, as babies grow older, they may finish the feed in a
shorter time compared to the early days when they suckled
for a longer period.
Some mothers wrongly start assuming that they are not
producing enough milk if the breasts feel soft. Congested
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breasts is a phenomenon of only the early days or if frequent

suckling is not emptying the breasts. When the supply and
demand of breast milk are well adjusted between the mother
and the baby, the breasts should and do feel soft.
In any case, the mother should note the colour of the urine
and count the number of times the baby passes urine and only
then decide if her baby is getting enough milk or not.
Does Adequate Weight Gain Also Help To Know
Whether The Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk?
Yes, provided the weighing machine is accurate and the baby
is weighed on the same weighing scale, either naked or with
the same type of clothes on each occasion.
Also, many people wrongly assume that a baby must gain
2 pounds or 1 kilo in weight per month. Some normal babies
may gain only half that. And then, a baby may normally lose
some weight in the first few days after birth and regain it after
that to return to her original weight on the tenth day. The real
gain in weight should be calculated after the tenth day.
My personal experience shows that a mother who feeds her
baby on demand from the time she is born finds that her baby
regains her birth weight even before the tenth day.
Do I Need A Drug To Increase Milk Supply?
Frequent suckling at the breast and not bottle-feeding is more
important to ensure adequate supply of breast milk than
medicines to increase your milk output. Metoclopramide,
given as a 10 mg tablet, 3 times a day, for 10 days or longer,
may help to increase the milk supply. But make sure that the
baby is not simultaneously fed with a bottle.
If the elders at home want you to take some special diet
to increase your milk supply, there is no harm in trying
it out.
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A bondla
(also called paladai or jhinook)
Why Do Some Babies Suddenly Stop Breastfeeding?

The cause may be as simple as the mother beginning to smell
different; for example, if she eats a lot of garlic, or uses a new
kind of soap or perfume.
On the other hand, it may be something serious, For
instance, a baby who stops suckling may have developed a
serious infection or may have suffered brain damage.
Other cases include a very small baby weighing less than
1800 gms who needs expressed breast milk given with a cup
or bondla (also called paladai or jhinook) until she can suckle
more strongly; a baby having a blocked nose due to a cold or
one having thrush (a fungal infection) in her mouth; a baby
who is used to the teat of a bottle, and one who has been
separated from the mother for some time.
Sometimes, a mother may have an oversupply of milk and a
large amount of milk may pour into the babys mouth, making
her choke. In such cases, we advise the mother to express
some milk before each feed. Or the mother could lie on her
back, and keep the baby on her chest and then breastfeed.
Sometimes, of course, the baby may really not be getting
enough milk.
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What Should A Mother Do If Her Baby Is Really Not

Getting Enough Milk?
In such a case, the mother should stay close to the baby at all
times. She should cuddle her as much as possible and make
the baby sleep with her. She should offer the breast to the
baby whenever she shows an interest in suckling. But she
should not force her. Some babies suckle better when they
are sleepy. The idea is to stimulate the breasts by frequent
suckling.
The mother should also see that the baby is positioned
properly on the breast with enough of the areola in her mouth.
She should make sure that the child is not given any bottlefeed. Whenever the baby shows interest, she should
breastfeed her and, after that, if she is convinced that the baby
is still hungry, she should express her breasts and offer that
milk to the baby in a cup or a bondla. If that is not possible,
the baby might be given half strength cow or buffalo milk from
a cup or a bondla after the breastfeed. Never replace a
breastfeed with an artificial feed as far as possible. Diluted
feeds leave the baby hungry, so she is more willing to try to
suckle.
But do ensure that the baby is not starving. Check the
urine output and the weight gain.
What About Leaking Breasts?
Breasts may sometimes leak in the first few weeks after
delivery. This usually stops on its own. Meanwhile, small
pieces of any towelling material can be kept between the
brassiere and the breast.
Should A Working Woman Get Her Baby Used To
Bottle-Feeding?
As per Central Government rules, a woman is entitled to
4% months paid maternity leave. She is also allowed to take
any leave due to her after that period. A working mother can
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breastfeed the baby when she is at home and breastfeed more

often during holidays. When she is at work, expressed breast
milk, mashed. banana and other fruits, homemade soft foods,
and beaten curds or buttermilk can be given to the baby. If
essential, artificial milk can also be given.
Expressed breast milk can be stored for at least 4 hours at
room temperature without getting spoiled. Avoid bottlefeeding. Babies easily get used to taking milk directly from a
small glass or a bondla.
A tragic situation arises when the mother introduces the
bottle in the first weeks after delivery for the baby to get
used to the bottle. As the process of sucking through the
artificial nipple of the bottle is different from suckling at the
breast, the baby may start preferring the bottle and avoid
breastfeeding. This may lead to failure in breastfeeding.
See the section on Working Women in the chapter on
FAMILY ISSUES.
Can Twins Or Premature
Adequately On Breast Milk?
Babies
Also
Be
Fed
Frequent suckling can provide enough milk for 2 babies. In

short, one breast, when frequently emptied, can provide
enough milk for one baby.
Successfully breastfed twins.
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Premature babies who can swallow but cannot suckle are

given expressed breast milk in a cup or a bondla. Our
experience has convinced us that it is more practical to feed
with an ordinary cup, small glass or a bondla (also called
paladai) than with a spoon. There is no risk of aspiration into
the breathing passage in feeding with a small glass. The
mother holds the baby in her lap, lifts the head higher than
the rest of the body and gradually lets her take the glass.
Sometimes, if a baby is too weak to swallow, she is given
expressed breast milk through a stomach tube.
It is important for the baby to start suckling at the breast as
soon as she is able to do so.
Premature babies need more proteins. It is Natures
wonder that the breast milk of the mother who delivers
prematurely has a higher protein content than a mother who
delivers at full term.
Can A Mothers Milk Be Too Heavy And Can The Baby
Get Diarrhoea Or Vomiting With It?
No, a mothers milk is just right for her baby. At the beginning
of the feed, the milk is thin (foremilk). Towards the end of the
feed, it becomes thick (hind milk). The foremilk is rich in
lactose and the hind milk is rich in fat. The baby needs both.
The fat-rich milk is also easily digested by the baby because of
a substance present in the mothers milk that helps in the
digestion of fat.
The stools of a breastfed child are normally loose. Some
exclusively breastfed babies pass frequent watery motions.
Sometimes, they are soapy, green, frothy, or mucousy and
may even contain reducing substances. Some such babies may
vomit curds or milk off and on. But, as long as they are getting
only mothers milk, are active, suckle normally and pass urine
frequently, this is normal and no medicine or any other
treatment is required. Breastfeeding should be continued.
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I like to call this condition the Physiological diarrhoea of an

exclusively breastfed baby. Drugs given to such babies can be
harmful.
If a mother gives her baby only foremilk and switches her
to the other breast before she has taken the hind milk, the
baby may get only lactose-rich foremilk from both breasts.
Some babies may fail to handle this load of lactose and may
pass motions too frequently. This needs correction and the
mother must allow the child to keep feeding from one side
and offer the other breast only after she herself stops suckling
from the first side.
On the other hand, some normally thriving breastfed babies
pass a motion every 3 or 4 days. But the motions are not hard.
This is also normal and no treatment is required. It is true
that some such babies appear to be rather uncomfortable, but
they settle down after passing a motion.
Is It True That Green Motions Mean That The Baby Is
Not Getting Enough Milk?
Not really. If the baby is active and passes urine normally, the
green motions are normal. The so-called starvation stools
are seen in an emaciated child who passes traces of green
mucus in place of normal stools. This baby does not gain
weight and looks miserable.
Is Allergy To Mothers Milk Common?
Allergy to cow milk or powder milk is quite common, but not
allergy to breast milk. That is why we advise exclusive
breastfeeding for 6 months. In the first months of life,
the babys intestines are not fully matured and foreign
substances present in cow, buffalo or powder milk may enter
the system of the baby through the immature intestine. Such
babies are more prone to allergic diseases like allergic milk
intolerance with severe vomiting and diarrhoea and allergic
rash, asthma or eczema.
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Can Certain Foods I Take Upset My Baby?

Small amounts of certain substances present in the mothers
diet may pass unchanged into her breast milk. Occasionally,
these may upset the baby and make her cry. It is more likely
to happen if you have taken cow or buffalo milk or coffee. In
general, it is difficult to advise a mother about which food to
avoid. If you notice that the baby is definitely upset whenever
you eat or drink something, then avoid taking that particular
item. For instance, if you are drinking milk, this could be a
possible cause of the so-called 3 months colic or evening colic.
You can try to stop taking milk and milk products completely,
including milk in tea or other foods, for 2 weeks. If milk is the
cause of colic, the baby will cry less. In that case, do not take
milk until the baby completes 6 months. If the baby continues
to cry in spite of the absence of milk from your diet, milk is
not the cause of her colic.
Do not stop breastfeeding if you are told that your baby is
not tolerating your milk. In case of a strong history of allergy
in the family, we recommend that you avoid taking milk and
milk products, peanuts, and eggs during pregnancy and
breast-feeding. (See the section on Vegetarian Diet in the
chapter on PREGNANCY.) If someone raises a doubt about
how you can produce milk if you do not drink any, give him or
her the example of the cow. A cow does not drink any milk
and yet produces it!
Flavours of garlic, onion, asparagus and vanilla eaten
by you can enter your breast milk. Surprisingly, most
babies seem to like these flavours.
It must also be remembered that some high-need babies
just cry more than usual. They want to be carried or cuddled
more often. Even if they are not hungry, they may like to
suckle more for comfort. If the mother accepts that her baby
is different and she gives her extra body contact, the baby
generally settles down and starts behaving better within a
matter of 1 to 2 months.
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Should A Mother Stop Breastfeeding If She Is Ill?

We may consider stopping breastfeeding only if a mother has
cancer, or is so seriously ill that it is physically impossible for
her to breastfeed; if she is on treatment with radioactive
compounds or is receiving anti-cancer drugs.
A mother can continue to breastfeed if she has infections
like infective hepatitis, typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea,
tuberculosis and leprosy. In many cases, the mother makes
antibodies against the infective agents that are likely to
protect the baby from her mother, even before she knows that
she has an infection.
In case of HIV infection (AIDS), most babies are infected
before they are born. But some can get AIDS through breast
milk. As the general risks of artificial feeding are greater
(especially in developing countries) than the smaller risk of
getting AIDS from breastfeeding, the general recommendation is to exclusively breastfeed the baby for 3 months and
then switch over to artificial feeding. However, if a mother
can safely give her baby artificial feeds, she may opt not to
breastfeed.
Certain drugs taken by the mother may get excreted in
breast milk, but they usually cause the baby no harm. Thus
most antibiotics, antipyretics (drugs to reduce fever), and
most anticoagulants and contraceptives are safe. So are drugs
for tuberculosis, leprosy, epilepsy or for psychiatric illness. If
in doubt, check with an expert.
In general, we advise the mother to take the drug soon
after breastfeeding the baby and to watch the baby for side
effects. When a mother is not well (and also otherwise), she
can breastfeed in a lying-down position. She can feed during
menstruation and half way through the next pregnancy. If a
mother is eating well, she can breastfeed even throughout the
pregnancy.
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What Should Be Done If The Baby Is Separated From

The Mother Or If The Baby Has To Undergo Major
Surgery?
In that case, the mother should keep expressing her breasts
every 3 hours to make up feeds for the baby and to prevent
engorgement of her breasts. As soon as it is possible, she
should start direct breastfeeding. Until that time, expressed
breast milk can be given to the baby with the doctors advice.
How Do You Express Breast Milk?
To begin with, it is better to get the help of a friend or relative
to stimulate the easy flow of milk. For this, massage the
breasts gently towards the nipples, sit down, fold your arms
on a table in front of you and rest your head on your arms. Let
the breasts hang loose. Request the helper to rub your back
firmly, up and down, with her knuckles. Let her rub on either
side of the spine, from the neck to the shoulder blades, for
2 minutes.
Expressing breast milk

Fig. 6
Now take a clean cup. Wash your hands. Hold the cup near
the breast. Put your thumb on the areola above the nipple,
about an inch or 2.5 cms behind the nipple, and your first
finger on the areola below the nipple, opposite the thumb.
Push the thumb and finger inwards towards the chest wall.
Then press the areola between the finger and thumb and
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release. Again push, press and release. No milk will come out
for a few moments. But after you press a few times, drops of
milk will start to come. Press the areola in the same way from
the sides, to make sure that the milk is expressed from all
segments of the breast. Express one breast for about
5 minutes. Then express the other side. Repeat again with
both sides. You can use either hand for either breast (Fig. 6).
What About The Warm Bottle Method Of Removing
Breast Milk?
This is a practical method to relieve engorgement, especially
when the breast is painful and expression by hand is difficult.
Find a large bottle (700 ml to 1 litre) with a wide neck (3 cm in
diameter), if possible. Pour a little hot water into the bottle to
start warming it. Then fill the bottle almost to the top with hot
water. Let it stand for a few minutes to warm the bottle. Wrap
the bottle in a cloth and pour the hot water out. Cool the neck
of the bottle and put it over the nipple, touching the skin all
around to make an airtight seal. Hold the bottle steady. After a
few minutes, the bottle will cool and exert gentle suction that
pulls the nipple into the neck of the bottle. The milk then
starts to flow and collects in the bottle. When the flow of the
milk slows, release the suction and remove the bottle. Pour
out the milk and repeat the process with the other breast.
After some time, the severe pain in the breasts becomes less
and hand expression or suckling becomes easier (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7
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It is possible that you may pull away from the bottle

because of a sudden feeling of suction. In that case, pour hot
water into the bottle again and repeat the whole process.
How Long Can Breastfeeding Be Continued?
That depends on you, the mother.
We do know for sure that breastfeeding beyond the first year
benefits both the mother and her baby. An important advantage
is the reduced risk of infection and need for hospitalisation. In
the second year, the child comes in contact with other children
with increased exposure to infection. She also tends to put
everything into her mouth and this also increases the risk of
infection. A child who gets breast milk along with solids is less
likely to pick up such infections. If she does get an infection,
she is likely to recover faster than a child who is not getting any
breast milk. Also, during an infection, a childs appetite may be
so badly affected that she may not even want to drink water. In
such a situation, I find that, if the child continues to breastfeed,
she gets some nourishment as well as fluids. Such children,
when exposed to common infections in childhood under the
protective cover of breast milk, are likely to develop a
permanent immunity against most such infections. Many
people do not realise that even in the second year, the breast
milk has the same concentration of protective immune bodies
as were present during the first year.
During the second year, a mothers milk can provide
one-third or more of the calories and the protein that a child
needs.
It is also important to continue breastfeeding in the second
year if there is a history of allergy in the family. Extended
breastfeeding continues to provide emotional security and
reduces the risk of allergic and dental disorders.
The hormones that a breastfeeding mother produces
continue to help her feel relaxed. Whenever the child is
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injured or upset for any reason, the mother finds it convenient

to comfort her by breastfeeding. If solids are added gradually
after a period of exclusive breastfeeding, the mother is less
likely to menstruate and become pregnant in the second year.
However, it is important for the mother to get proper advice
on family planning.
Some mothers like to continue breastfeeding even beyond
the second year. Doctors support this as long as the mother
and the baby are happy about it and the child is growing well.
On the other hand, some babies stop breastfeeding on their
own when they are around 18 months. This too should be
happily accepted.
When a mother decides to stop breastfeeding, we help her to
stop gradually. This is good for the child as well as the mother.
Drugs to dry up the milk are to be avoided as they may have side
effects. To begin with, you must give your child adequate body
contact and increase the number of meals. Increase the interval
between 2 breastfeeds. At first, stop breastfeeding during the
morning. After a week, stop breastfeeding in the afternoon. In
the morning or in the afternoon, avoid situations which may
make the child think of breastfeeding, such as having her on
your lap when you sit down to eat. A toddler can be told lovingly
but firmly that she can breastfeed later, but not at that time. It is
better to stop the night breastfeed last if your child reacts
strongly to the idea of giving up her feed at bedtime.
It may be important for you to know that a mother may
normally have some milk in her breasts for many months
after she stops breastfeeding.
ARTIFICIAL FEEDING AND BOTTLE-FEEDING
Occasionally, artificial milk may have to be given to adopted
babies or those who have lost their mothers, or to infants who
have become hooked to bottle-feeding and stopped
breastfeeding completely for some time.
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Even in such cases, breastfeeding is possible. An adoptive

mother who has never given birth to a child can fully or
partially breastfeed her adopted baby.
Wet nursing is another alternative, where a breastfeeding
mother may also like to breastfeed an adopted baby or a baby
who has lost his mother.
Relactation is also possible in mothers who have stopped
lactating.
For details of such cases, write to
Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI),
BP 33, Pitampura,
Delhi 400034.
LIQUID MILK OR POWDER MILK
If artificial milk is to be given, I would suggest undiluted cow
or buffalo milk for children above 6 months of age. If the milk
is very rich in fat, remove the cream. Some companies have
started marketing follow-up formula in powder form for
children above 6 months of age. Iron is added to some of these
preparations. Follow-up formulas add to the cost of bringing
up your children and provide no special advantage. I agree
with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and do not
recommend their use.
Below 6 months, if the choice is between liquid milk and
powder milk, I would suggest liquid milk for most poor and
lower middle class families. There is less risk of over-dilution
with liquid milk than with powder milk. Traditionally, the milk
is boiled before it is given to the child. Therefore, the danger
of infection is also minimised. The child can be given 2 parts
of pure cow milk and 1 part of water until she is 4 months old.
Then undiluted milk can be given. In the case of pure buffalo
milk, the cream can be removed. A teaspoon of sugar is added
to 4 ounces (120 ml) of the feed.
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Those who can afford and can safely use milk powder
should prepare the formula in the proportion of 1 level
measuring spoon (placed in the tin) of infant milk powder to
1 ounce (30 ml.) of water.
Skimmed milk or condensed milk should never be given to
infants.
Frequency And Amount Of Milk
Aim at five 4-hourly feeds. Start with an ounce (30 ml.) per
kilo of weight per feed. For instance, if the baby weighs 4 kg.
give 4 ounces (120 ml) of milk every 4 hours omitting the
midnight feed. This is a rough guide. If the baby finishes all
4 ounces, make 41/2 ounces for the next feed. A little milk
should always be left behind. The maximum amount per feed
is 8 ounces.
BOTTLE OR CUP FEEDING
Cup feeding, feeding with an ordinary glass or a paladai,
(also called jhinook, or bondla a traditional small katori
with a long spout) is much safer than bottle-feeding and is
to be preferred. We have had experience of giving milk
with a cup or an ordinary glass to premature babies who
have already developed the swallowing reflex in other
words, babies who were ready to swallow. Unnecessary
fears have been raised that this may lead to aspiration of
milk into the babys windpipe. It is only recommended that
the baby should be propped up a little and offered the milk
from these utensils (other than a bottle) very slowly. These
utensils are easier to clean. Feeding from them is
preferable even to spoon-feeding which consumes more
time than cup or glass feeding. With spoon-feeding, wastage
of milk and the risk of contracting infection from our
fingers are also higher.
Special cups having a spout with a number of holes in it are
not recommended, as they are more difficult to clean.
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Special Precautions To Be Taken While Feeding With

A Bottle
If you must bottle feed, you should use a bottle that has been
boiled for each feed. It is best to have about half a dozen
bottles, out of which one is used for giving water or fruit juice.
After each feed, the bottle and teat must be cleaned in cold
water with a soap or detergent. Remove any milk curd from
the teat by rubbing it with a little salt. Keep the bottle aside.
Keep the teat covered with the cap that comes along with the
bottle. After all the 4 or 5 bottles are used, place these washed
and cleaned bottles in a big pan containing cold water. Boil for
about 10 minutes. After the water is cooled, drain the water.
Keep the pan covered. Whenever a bottle is to be used, wash
your hands before picking up the bottle and teat.
The bottles can also be sterilised by keeping them soaked
for 4 hours in water containing 5 drops of Lugols iodine to
1 litre of water. A convenient substitute is a solution of
sodium hypochlorite (available as milton or substitutes). One
teaspoon (5 ml.) of this solution is added to 1 litre of water for
sterilisation.
The milk offered to the child should be at the right
temperature. Test it by putting a few drops on the back of
your hand.
The teat should also have a hole of the proper size. Fill the
bottle with milk and invert it. If the milk comes out in drops,
the hole is of the right size. If you have to shake it or if it
pours out in a stream, the hole is too small or too big
respectively. A small hole can be enlarged with a sewing
needle. Make it red hot by holding it in the fire with the help
of kitchen tongs.
If cow or buffalo milk is used, it must be strained before
being put into the bottle because the cream may block the
hole.
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Once a feed is prepared, it should be consumed as soon as

possible. It should not be left for more than 2 hours at room
temperature. However, it can be kept in a refrigerator and
warmed by keeping it in a bowl of hot water for some time
before offering it to the baby.
When you buy a feeding bottle, make sure that you buy one
with a wide mouth. Glass bottles are preferable, but they
break easily. If you go for unbreakable bottles, see that they
are made of thick material, are transparent and that the
markings on the bottle are clearly visible.
Holding The Bottle While Feeding
For better bonding, the mother should take the baby in her
lap, hold her close to her and then feed her in her loving arms.
Ensure that the bottle is propped up so that the teat is kept
filled with milk all the time. Otherwise, the baby will swallow
air unnecessarily.
Bottle-fed babies swallow more air than breastfed babies.
They need to be burped more half way through the feed
and then after the feed is over.
Never give the child a bottle in her sleep; she is likely to
feel full when she gets up, and so will never experience
hunger and the joy of hunger being satisfied. It also leads to
increased incidence of caries of teeth.
As soon as possible, try to get rid of the bottle and let your
child get used to taking milk from a glass or a cup. In any
case, bottle-feeding should not be continued beyond 12 to
15 months.
Babies given artificial milk (including powder milk) need
boiled and cooled water between feeds. They also may not get
Vitamin C through the milk. So they should be given fruit
juice or Vitamin C drops. Babies on cow and buffalo milk also
need vitamin drops. If a preparation of multivitamin drops is
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used, there is no need to give extra drops of Vitamin C. 0.6 ml

of most such preparations will provide the right amount of
Vitamin C as well.
Most powder milk preparations have added vitamins.
So babies on these preparations need not be given
multivitamins.
Restrictions On The Marketing Of Baby Foods And
Feeding Bottles
To protect and promote breastfeeding, the Government of
India has passed The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding
Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply,
and Distribution) Act, 1992, which aims at putting certain
restrictions on the marketing of infant formulas, feeding
bottles and commercial weaning foods. Accordingly,
advertisements of infant formulas and feeding bottles are
banned, and inducement of any kind for the purpose of
promoting the use of these products is prohibited.
Every container of such products should carry a statement
in English and Hindi that Mothers milk is best for your baby
and a warning that such a product is not the sole source of
nourishment for an infant. No label of infant food may exhibit
the words Full Protein Food, Energy Food, Complete
Food, or Healthy Food or any other similar expressions.
The law also states that every educational and other
material relating to feeding of infants shall include the
benefits and superiority of breastfeeding; the harmful effects
on breastfeeding due to partial adoption of bottle-feeding; the
difficulties in reverting to breastfeeding of infants after a
period of feeding by infant milk substitutes; the financial and
social implications in making use of infant milk substitutes
and feeding bottles; and the health hazards of improper use of
infant milk substitutes and feeding bottles.
Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Act is
punishable with imprisonment or has to pay a fine, or both.
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The public is advised to watch out for any violations of the

Act and report them to any of the 4 voluntary organisations
that have been notified in the Official Gazette of the
Government. One such organisation is the Association for
Consumers Action on Safety and Health, Post Box No. 2498,
Mumbai 400 002.
INTRODUCING SEMI-SOLIDS AND SOLID FOODS
The first question generally raised is about when solids
should be added to a childs diet and why. Your child should
receive only milk until 6 months. I recommend that all infants
be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, and that adequate
complementary foods be added after that. If there is a history
of allergy in the family, exclusive breastfeeding must be the
norm till the child completes 6 months.
In case of breastfed babies, the addition of other liquids too
early interferes with breastfeeding. Early introduction of all
foods increases the risk of allergic disorders like diarrhoea
and pneumonia, unnecessary load on the kidneys, indigestion,
obesity and the later possibility of hypertension and coronary
artery disease. Less frequent suckling also increases the
possibility of the woman becoming pregnant again soon.
Before 6 months, most babies have the tongue-thrust
reflex; they push out with the tongue anything other than
liquids. In such babies, it is better to wait till they complete
6 months before offering complementary foods.
In general, we do not recommend delaying the addition of
solids beyond 6 months, but if an allergy-prone child is
avoiding solids until she is 6 to 9 months, do respect her
preference and do not force her to take solids earlier than she
is ready for them. But in any case, do not delay the addition of
solids beyond 9 months.
Give only one food at a time. Wait for a week before you
introduce another food so that you know whether or not the
child is allergic to it.
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You will also want to know what foods to give first. My

favourite first food suggestion is an overripe banana, the skin
of which has black dots. Cut it into small pieces, and mash it
up with a spoon or fork. Let the baby sit in your lap and give
her only a tiny bit after a breastfeed. Most mothers give it
with a spoon. Others like to offer it with their fingers and then
shift to the spoon. This is perfectly all right as long as the
hands are properly washed. Most babies love a banana. Some
prefer it if a little milk (preferably breast milk) is added to it.
Many people oppose giving banana to a small baby, as it may
give her a cold. I am not convinced about this belief, but each
mother will know her baby best. If you feel that the child does
become unwell whenever you give her a banana, you may stop
it and try again after a month or two. Gradually, increase the
amount of banana given at each feed to that accepted by the
baby. Give her this once or twice a day.
You can try and interchange a banana with an apple or give
apple once and banana at another time. Peel an apple and cut
it into small bits. Boil and mash them in a mixer or with a
spoon and fork. Other seasonal fruits like pears (boiled and
mashed), papaya, mango and chikoo can also be given.
If you have to give other foods, rice preparations are good.
Mashed, boiled rice (in extra water), mixed with milk, can be
tried. If you are breastfeeding, you can add your milk to the
rice. Alternatively, phirni made from rice powder and milk can
be given. (You can use the milk normally consumed in
the house.)
You may be wrongly advised to give rice water, dal
water and soup at this time, but these hardly give the child
any nutrition. They may instead fill up her stomach and
quench her thirst, and consequently may lead to less
suckling at the breast with reduced milk production.
Allergy to citrus fruits is common and so such fruits should
be tried after 9 months, and after the age of 1 year in allergyprone children.
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If you have given a food to which the child might be

allergic, look for the appearance of a rash, cold, wheezing,
restlessness, crying, vomiting or diarrhoea. Stop that food if
any of these symptoms is present. If the reaction is not severe
or is doubtful, try the same food after a month. If the reaction
is severe, avoid it until the child completes 1 year and consult
your doctor before trying it again.
As the child starts getting accustomed to foods other than
milk, continue with breast milk and fruits and add homemade
soft foods like phirni, suji kheer, rava kheer, (semolina
pudding) and porridge made from ragi (called nachni in
Maharashtra) between two breastfeeds. Start with 1 or
2 teaspoons twice a day. Keep increasing the amount every
third or fourth day to that accepted by the child.
Once you know that the child is tolerating these different
food items, you can make a highly nutritious recipe by
roasting, grinding, and mixing equal parts of rice, wheat, ragi,
and moong dal. The mixed powder can be stored in an airtight
container. This readymade powder can be used for making
thin pudding/kheer with milk and sugar or a thin porridge with
ghee and sugar (or salt).
In general, I am against readymade cereals for babies. They
are quite hygienically prepared and convenient to use, but
whole foods made at home are more nutritious and, of course,
less expensive. Even if one can afford to buy readymade
cereals, they should be avoided, if possible, because they are
processed and so are less nutritious. You may be told that
they are fortified with iron. This iron is poorly absorbed and
may not be of much benefit to the child. Moreover, the
smooth consistency of these commercial preparations may
make the child get so used to them that she may not like to
accept any food offered later on.
Mashed and cooked vegetables with cooking oil or ghee can
also be given. Dark green, leafy vegetables, carrots, pumpkin,
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potatoes, beans, peas, dudhi or ghia, marrow and beet can be

tried. Begin with 1 or 2 teaspoons and increase progressively.
As vegetables are not fully digested by the baby, small bits
may be passed along with the stool. This is normal. Also a
child having beet may have red-coloured stools or urine.
Beets and carrots should not be stored. They should
be served fresh because storage increases the amount
of nitrates in these vegetables. These nitrates can cause
anaemia in small children. Raw vegetables can be added
after the child is a year old.
When the child is around 9 months, the food need not be
mashed too fine. She can be given food cooked for the family
like chapati or paratha dipped in dal; rice and dal; dhokla, dosa,
idli, curd rice, upma, pongal, missi roti, etc. Milk preparations,
like curds, buttermilk and paneer (cottage cheese) can also be
tried. These preparations are more easily digested than
artificial milk. Also, allergy to these foods is less common
than with artificial milk.
Tender portions of meat can also be given from the age of
6 months, but vegetarians may rest assured that a vegetarian
diet can meet all the requirements of a child. The principles
on which this proposition is made are discussed in the section
on diet for pregnant mothers.
Children who do not eat enough at a time should be offered
food or fruits every 2 to 3 hours. To reduce the bulk, oil or
ghee should be added to the food. Some families are
unnecessarily wary of ghee or oil, but they do not realise that
even breast milk has fat in it. Children do need fat. However,
a taste for fried foods should not be inculcated from an
early age.
We should also remember that staple foods (rice, wheat,
maize, etc.) though required, are all starchy. Starchy foods are
bulky. As the childs stomach is small, she fails to eat enough
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of the bulky, starchy stuff to get all the calories she needs.
Adding fats like oil or ghee, protein-rich foods like pulses,
beans, milk and milk products and meat and sweetening
agents such as jaggery or sugar can solve this problem.
Another good way of reducing the bulk and increasing the
energy density of food is by adding Amylase-Rich-Food
(ARF). To make ARF, about 100 gms. of any locally available
cereal or grain (wheat, ragi or bajra) is steeped overnight in
2 to 3 times its volume of water, the excess water is drained,
and the moist, swollen seeds are germinated in a moist, dark
environment for 24 to 48 hours till they sprout. The grains are
then sun-dried for 5 to 8 hours and lightly toasted on a flat
skillet to remove any surface moisture. The sprouts are
removed by hand abrasion and the grains are milled or
powdered. This flour (ARF) is stored in an airtight bottle or
plastic container. The small amount of ARF, for a cost of 20 to
40 paise, will suffice to give a child nutritious gruel for
one month. It need be made only once a month.*
Addition of vegetables and fruits provides the required
minerals and vitamins.
Water can be given to the child once she starts taking foods
other than breast milk and fruits. It should be offered from an
ordinary glass. Children learn to sip from a glass quite easily.
A child should be given her food an hour or two before the
family eats. Let her then also join the family to participate and
be given some food that is not too spicy or too rich in fat,
sugar and salt.
After the age of 9 months (or even earlier in children
who are interested), encourage the child to eat by herself.
Do not be upset if she makes a mess. You may help her,
but she should get a feeling that she is managing by
*Gopaldas T. Technology to improve foods in developing countries. In: Nutrition in
Children. Eds. Sachdev HPS, Choudhury P. New Delhi, Department of Paediatrics,
Maulana Azad Medical College; 1994, pp. 130-131.
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herself. To begin with, offer her foods which she can pick
up with her fingers, like a thin piece of toast or biscuit
(preferably wholewheat), cooked peas, scrambled egg,
dhokla, idli (plain or fried), shreekhand (sweetened curd
cheese), porridge, pumpkin and small pieces of fruits like
bananas, chikoos and papayas.
The child may choke a little while learning to eat. Do not be
scared, but be with her while she eats, in case she gets into
trouble. Let her start getting used to a spoon. Let her dip a
teaspoon into a preparation like shreekhand. A bit will stick to
the spoon and give her the joy of getting something into her
mouth on her own.
A child who was eating well at 6 or 7 months may suddenly
become disinterested in eating. Do not panic. Try some new
preparation. But never force the child to eat more than she
wants. Respect her appetite. Even if half a spoon is left in the
bowl, stop feeding her if she shows any signs of not wanting
to eat any more (keeping her mouth shut, turning her head to
the side or pushing the food out).
What Are The Foods That Should Be Avoided In The
First Year Of Life?
Foods that are more likely to give rise to allergic reactions
should be avoided till the child completes 1 year. These are
artificial milk (cow, buffalo or powder milk), eggs, fish and
citrus fruits like orange and sweet lime.
In families with a strong history of allergy, besides the
above foods, even peanuts, other nuts, chocolate, wheat, corn,
onions, tomatoes, cabbage, and all types of berries should be
avoided. If any member of the family reacts adversely to a
particular food, avoid that as well.
Also avoid fried foods and foods that contain added sugar or
artificial sweeteners or are high in salt. Some authorities also
do not recommend honey to be given below the age of 1 year,
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because it may contain a certain infective agent. Although

I have never seen any such adverse effect in my practice, it
may be advisable to avoid it, especially in the first few
months.
Should Other Foods Be Given Before Milk Or After
A Milk Feed?
As the main diet of the child upto the age of 6 months
should only be breast milk, other foods, if given between
5 and 6 months of age, must be offered after a breastfeed.
Between 6 months and 1 year, the other foods can be given
after or between two milk feeds. Let the baby decide when
she wants to have them. In a breastfed child, ideally we would
like to meet three-fourths of her nutritional needs between
6 and 12 months with breast milk. Yet, solids are important
for additional nutrition and also for the child to start getting
used to foods other than milk. Therefore, do not cut down
drastically on breastfeeding. However, you should feel free to
leave the child behind and for her to be given other foods in
your absence.
Amount Of Food To Be Given To Infants
Children vary a lot in their eating habits. In general, I am
against prescribing a fixed menu. However, some mothers
may offer an adequate amount to the child, but they may not,
for instance, realise that a child of one year needs about a
1,000 calories of energy almost half of what many adults
take. So it is advisable to have some idea about how much of
different foods a child can be offered. After that, we should
leave it to the child to decide how much she wants to
consume. A good guide that the child is having an optimum
quantity of food is her level of activity and weight gain.
Suggested Menu For A One-Year-Old
The menu on page 202 is adapted from a book by Dr. Shanti
Ghosh. Please treat this as a guideline in light of the above
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discussion. I would encourage mothers who wish to continue

giving breast milk to the child beyond one year. They can give
breast milk at 6.00 a.m., 10.00 a.m., 4.00 p.m., and at
10.00 p.m., and avoid other milk.
If you want to give your child a meat preparation, offer it in
place of the dal mentioned in the menu. However, as
mentioned earlier, meat is not essential. The menu can be
changed as per your convenience. If your child does not want
milk, you can give curds or paneer.
You can aim at offering the given amounts of different food
items to your child to provide about 1,000 calories per day.
About 3 teaspoons of jaggery (or sugar) and the same amount
of oil (or other fat) can be used per day. Seasonal fruits should
also be offered.
A good guide that the child is having an optimum quantity of food is her level of
activity and weight gain
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GUIDELINES FOR MENU OF A ONE-YEAR-OLD*
Continue breastfeeding in the second year

Chapati, rice, bread and banana can be alternated as
given below:
1 katori rice
= 2 chapatis
1 chapati
= katori rice
= 1 banana
= 2 small slices of bread
1 katori
= 200 ml.
Morning
: Milk 125 gms.

Sugar 1 teaspoon
Bread slice (preferably whole wheat) 1
10 oclock
: Banana 1 or Halwa katori
Noon
: Khichdi 12 katori
or
Rice 1 katori + dal katori
Vegetables
2 oclock
: Bread slice 1
4 oclock
: Milk 125 gms.

Sugar 1 teaspoon
Bread slice 1
Night
: Khichdi 1 katori
or
_
1
Rice 2 katori
1_
Dal 2 katori
Vegetables
_
1
* Ghosh S. The Feeding And Care of Infants and Young Children. New Delhi,
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FEEDING YOUNG CHILDREN
General Principles
Your baby grows rapidly in the early months of life. In the

second year, however, her growth will generally slow
down, and she will be less hungry. Also, her appetite may
vary from day to day. She may also be passing through a
phase of negativism (15 months to 3 years), when she
tends to do the opposite of what you want her to do.
If she is unwell, her appetite may suffer even more,
though she may continue to accept mothers milk if still
breastfed.
Keeping this in mind, do not force your child to eat. Of

course, you must offer her food quite often. Let her eat by
herself even if she makes a mess. Let her learn to handle
the spoon. You may fill up her spoon off and on or you
may offer her some food with a separate spoon, but she
should be encouraged to develop independence in her
eating habits. Do not get upset if she does not eat
nourishing foods for a few days. Children have their
moods. For some days, an infant may eat less of certain
foods but if left to herself, she may start eating the same
again after a gap of few days. Breastfeeding should be
continued in the second year or as long as you and your
child want. (See chapter on FEEDING THE NEWBORN
AND INFANTS.)
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A child must sit while eating first in your lap and later on
her own. She should not be allowed to run around the
house while eating.
I do not believe that you should only feed a child when she
asks for her food. Some children get so absorbed in playing
that they will never ask for food, though they start
becoming irritable because of hunger. Children should be
offered food at regular times, but not forced if they eat less
or do not eat at all at one particular sitting.
Too much milk is not recommended. Avoid giving your child

more than 500 ml. a day. You can aim at giving or this
amount as milk and the rest in the form of milk preparations
like curd, paneer, or milk pudding. Children who hate milk
may be offered milk preparations instead. Do not worry if
your child does not want anything made from milk; read
about vegan diets in the chapter on PREGNANCY.
(However, keep in mind that vegan diets, which eschew the
intake of even milk and milk products, can lead to severe
anaemia and brain and nerve damage due to Vitamin B12
deficiency. A study in the Netherlands has found that
children with low levels of Vitamin B12 in their blood
appear less able to reason, solve complex problems
and process abstract thoughts. They also have poorer
short-term memory. The study detected problems
even in children who did not have severe deficiency
and found that the effects of low Vitamin B12 intake
can apparently appear years later.)
I do not suggest addition of flavouring agents to milk.

Similarly, the so-called nourishing drinks advertised with
the help of sportsmen or sportswomen are not
recommended; they offer your children little nourishment.
In fact, some children may prove to be allergic to these
products and others may never drink plain milk again
because they get hooked to a certain taste. Moreover, such
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children may miss out on many other nutrients which

normal food provides. If your child wants milk soon after
getting up in the morning, give it to her, but this is not
essential. She can be given milk with her breakfast. In such
cases, many mothers give the child just plain water when
she gets up. This habit, if continued, is helpful later in life.
The person gets some fluid at the beginning of the day so
that even if she does not get enough fluids during the day,
at least some of her requirements have been fulfilled. Some
children and adults also find this fluid intake helpful to
move their bowels.
Dry fruits are good for children, but they must also be
rationed partly because they are expensive and more
so because some of these, like dates, figs and raisins, can
remain stuck between the teeth, leading to caries. Foods
that may lead to choking in children should be avoided in
those below 3 years. Examples of these foods are peanuts,
raw carrots, other nuts, popcorn, hard candies, berries and
whole grapes.
Raw eggs can cause infection and should be avoided.
Do not bribe or threaten your child to eat. You can give

her favourite food after her meals or in place of her meal.
Children need to eat about 5 times a day breakfast, lunch

and dinner and snacks during the day and in the evening.
Do not satisfy your childs appetite with only milk, fruit

juices and soups. These liquids can form a part of the meal
if required.
Cooked vegetables spoil easily. They should be eaten fresh,

as far as possible. If kept in the refrigerator, they should be
consumed within a day or two. There is no need for the
readymade foods available abroad. Natural, freshly prepared
food is preferable. But if you find readymade foods
convenient, remember that the saliva of your child
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introduced into the jar from your childs finger or the spoon
can cause the food to spoil rapidly.
Do not be too anxious to teach table manners to your child

below the age of 3. As a family, avoid eating food while
watching television. A family meal is a very important time
for the family, for getting together and enjoying each
others company. Moreover, children who are given to the
habit of eating while watching television are likely to
become fat because they may get so absorbed in the
programme that they may eat more than what their
system needs. Such habits also cut down on their
normal activities.
It is better to avoid discussing controversial issues at

mealtimes. Time for sharing or for discussing disturbing
events can be set after dinner.
There is no need to sterilise the utensils used for older

children. Clean, dry utensils are quite safe. Drinking water
should be boiled.
Teach your child about hygiene. Hands should be washed

before and after meals and the teeth brushed or rinsed after
each meal. The kitchen should be kept free of cockroaches
and flies.
Wholewheat flour chapatis, paratha, bread or porridge are

to be preferred to preparations made from refined flour.
This is essential for providing our body with essential
vitamins, minerals and fibre. Similarly, unpolished rice is
better than polished rice.
Scrape vegetables, including potatoes, instead of peeling

them. Use the water in which rice or vegetables have been
boiled in cooking. Do not overcook vegetables. Let the child
get used to the taste of raw vegetables from a young
age. Avoid too much spice, though most children
can tolerate a limited amount of spice, used in family cooking.
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Wholewheat flour paratha is to be preferred to white bread
Avoid chocolates, sweets, cold drinks, sherbats, flavouring

agents, tea, coffee, etc. as far as possible. Approach the
school authorities to send a circular to all parents not to
send sweets to school for distribution on their childs
birthday.
If you are non-vegetarian, remember that fish is to be

preferred to other types of non-vegetarian food. Eggs
should not be given daily, but on alternate days.
Children whose diets are based on the above principles

generally do not need extra vitamins, calcium or iron.
However, I do find that some children need these
supplements after the age of about 9 months. Let your
doctor decide about this.
The menu at each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

or for snacks given between them can vary from day to day.
If time permits, more than one item of food can be given at
one sitting. But if the child wants to eat more of one
preparation and less of another, do not force her to finish
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each and every thing. Children should be offered enough of

protein-rich foods like pulses, grain, peanuts, peas, beans,
egg, meat and fish. But vegetarians should note that nonvegetarian food is not essential. Sprouted gram, moong and
beans are very nutritious. Green, red, orange and yellow
vegetables cooked or raw are essential. The cheapest
seasonal fruit should be offered in abundance. Many people
do not realise that guavas are more nutritious than other
more expensive fruits.
Too much sugar, jaggery or salt should not be added to a

young childs food. A sweet tooth attracts more dental
decay and can lead to obesity. Children used to more salty
food from an early age may continue to take more salt than
desired when they grow up. This is not good for our cardiovascular system. I would suggest that no salt be kept on the
dining table. If a dish does need additional salt, let it be
brought from the kitchen.
Avoid sending the child to school on an empty

stomach. In a study from Jerusalem, 11 to 13-year-old
children were given tests for cognitive functioning.
Those given breakfast 30 minutes before the tests
scored significantly better than children who ate at
home 1 to 2 hours before testing, and children who
did not eat breakfast that day.
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FOOD FOR ADOLESCENTS
General Principles
Too much anxiety about your teenagers diet is likely to
cause more problems than help her in inculcating healthy
food habits.
Do have a general discussion about diet with your young
friend. She may be more receptive to advice from your
family physician or her paediatrician. I purposely used the
words young friend. Your teenager is more likely to
respond to your suggestions if you treat her with respect.
I am for regular mealtimes. I am against fast foods or junk
foods. But I know that sometimes I too, have such foods.
And at 67, I am in good health. We do not have to be
fanatical. But we should know, and so should our young
friend, that when we go to a fast food restaurant, we are not
likely to get food which is ideal for our body. But if, during
the day, or even during the course of the week, we
remember to also have leafy or raw vegetables, fruits, and
any whole grain preparations, we can significantly minimise
the harmful effect of such foods.
Teenagers should learn (and so should we) that fruits
(fresh as well as dry), vegetables (leafy, raw, yellow,
red and others), sprouts, whole grain preparations,
nuts, dahi and paneer make better snacks than soft
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drinks, wafers, biscuits, cake, pastries, candy and

chocolates: The latter mainly supply calories with
relatively less essential nutrients. Many teenagers do
not realise that cola drinks contain caffeine that can
be addictive. Soft drinks also contain extra
phosphorus that interferes with absorption of
calcium from our diet.
Fats are essential for our body including our nervous
system. Teenagers do need fat for adequate calories.
Though polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats are
grouped under good fats, we also need the saturated or
the bad fats. In fact, one-third of our fats can come from
the latter. A combination of ghee, peanut oil and mustard
oil is used in many Indian homes. I recommend it. The type
of fats that should be avoided are the partially hydrogenated
fats available as vegetable vanaspati. These are also the
ones most commonly used by fast food joints.
Polyunsaturated fats are found in sunflower oil, fish and
almonds; monounsaturated in peanut oil, peanuts, peanut
butter and cashew nuts; and saturated fats come from a
milk source (butter, ghee, cheese), egg yolk, coconut oil,
palm oil, meat, chicken and chocolate. The best thing to do
is to use a variety of vegetable cooking oils from mustard
seed, sunflower, groundnut, and safflower among others.
Equally important is physical activity, as that too,
increases the good cholesterol that protects the
heart.
While younger children can have 3 eggs a week, teenagers
with a family history of premature heart disease should be
given egg only once a week.
Too much fat, especially the saturated type, can lead to
problems later in life, including coronary heart disease, and
so should be avoided.
For energy during sports events or otherwise,

instant energy promised by manufacturers of
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glucose drinks is a bad bargain. Banana, the favourite
of tennis champions, should be our choice. During
sports and athletic events, young people can lose a lot of
water and salts. Let them have enough liquids before any
intense activity and have a small amount of the same
throughout the event. A healthy way of replacing potassium
salts is by taking potassium-rich fruits like oranges and
bananas.
Teenagers do not need extra vitamins, iron, calcium, and
protein preparations for healthy growth. They need to get
enough food because of their rapid body growth, including
the growth of their endocrine glands, which secrete several
kinds of hormones. If the diet contains enough of fruits,
vegetables, pulses, sprouts, nuts, whole grain and dairy
products, all the requirements of these nutrients can be
met.
In the past, too much stress was given to getting protein
and other nutrients, including iron, from meat and eggs.
Vegetarians should note that all the essential requirements
can be met if our diet includes the so-called good foods
mentioned above. In families that eat too much meat, it is
recommended to cut down the same and complement the
diet with enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
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THE FOOD PYRAMID
Five years ago, the US Department of Agriculture issued a

guide to daily food choices. It was graphically represented as a
pyramid.
The US Department of Health and Human Services was in
full agreement with this guide.
It was felt that many Americans were eating much more
meat and fat than was good for their health. They were,
through this food pyramid, advised to include more of fruits,
vegetables and grains in their diet.
It may be noticed that an Indian diet basically leans more
towards this food pyramid.
Chagati or rice gives our children a lot of grains. Most
people, who can afford to, do buy fruits and vegetables. Meat
is mostly served with grains. Beans and pulses provide a good
substitute for those who do not eat meat. Milk and milk
preparations, especially curds, are common ingredients in our
daily diet.
However, it is also true that with the opening of a large
number of fast food restaurants, some children are being
weaned away from a healthy, balanced diet.
The pyramid also specifies a number of servings. The
details about one serving of grains, fruit, vegetable, meat and
milk products are given below the pyramid.
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THE FOOD PYRAMID

KEY
Fat
(naturally occuring and added)
Sugars (added)
these symbols show fats,
oils, and added sugars in foods.
Fats, Oils, Sweets

USE SPRAINGLY
Milk, Yoghurt &
Cheese Group
2-3 SERVINGS
Meat, Poultry, Fish,

Dry Beans, Eggs &
Nuts Group
2-3 SERVINGS
Vegetable Group
3-5 SERVINGS
Fruit Group
2-4 SERVINGS
Chapati, Bread,
Rice
6-11 SERVINGS
FOOD GUIDE PYRAMID
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.
1 serving of grain could be:

1/2 cup rice,
1 slice of bread, or
1 ounce of cereal
1 serving of fruit could be:
1 whole fruit, or
3/4 cup of fruit juice
1 serving-of vegetable could be:
1 cup of raw leafy vegetables, or
1/2 cup of other vegetables (chopped raw or cooked)
1 serving of meat could be:
2 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish
One egg, l/2 cup of cooked dried peas or beans and
l
/ 3 cup of nuts are each equivalent of 1 ounce of meat
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1 serving of milk products could be:

1 cup of low-fat milk or yoghurt, or
1/ 2 ounces of natural cheese.
The September 1996 issue of Consumer Reports On Health,
published by the Consumers Union of USA, has rightly
pointed out that the pyramid offers no specific guidance on
which foods to eat within each group.
This pyramid, according to consumer reports, falls short in
2 areas: Fibre and fat. For instance, it makes no distinction
between white rice and white bread (which contains little
fibre), and whole grain foods like unpolished rice and whole
wheat bread (and whole wheat flour chapati in the case of an
Indian diet), which have a lot of fibre.
Similarly, the pyramid does not distinguish between highfat (butter, cream) and low-fat dairy products (low-fat milk or
Indian chaas made from low-fat dahi).
It also does not separate typically lean foods like beans,
fish, and skinless poultry breast from fatty items like hot dogs
and hamburgers, and does not exclude fatty items like fried
rice, creamed spinach and French fries.
In general, the food pyramid is a good guide for the whole
family, but do not follow it blindly.
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HEALTHY FOOD HABITS
Guest Article Ms. Karen Anand
HEALTHY FOOD HABITS
Healthy food need not be boring food, writes Karen Anand,

gourmet and chef
Humans are a difficult lot. We do not like to be told what to
eat and when to eat it. This is because we do not eat
prescriptively but by taste. Taste ultimately rules everything.
We hear of the great benefits of the Mediterranean and
Chinese diets with their large intake of fruits, vegetables and
fibre and small amounts of dairy and processed (junk) food.
But do people in these countries eat their vegetables and
pasta, or steamed fish and rice, and proudly shout from the
rooftops about how much fibre theyve consumed that day?
Hell no! They eat their fruit and noodles and stir-fries
because they taste good and because thats what they have
always eaten. Our traditional Indian diets have, on the
whole, been pretty healthy, with a good amount of
vegetables and natural fibre. Prosperity has ruined
everything, similar to the case of Europe in the 18th
century; we are now eating more refined sugar, oil (in
the form of fried foods) and junk. Even the simple thali
has been transformed to include less fresh vegetables
and fruit and more fried, refined cereal-based snacks,
spice and sweets.
If you are exercising for 2 hours a day or walking to work,
your body can probably cope with the excesses. Even a fit
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person has to change her diet once she gets into a sedentary
mode of living, as is the case with pregnancy. You need to be
aware of what you take in, and when. Just as important as
your diet is also your mental well-being. Most of the time, you
cant physically rush around anyway because of nausea. And
that is part of the role of nausea. If you are vomiting, toxins
are being thrown out of your body. Take sickness as a sign.
Eat small amounts of food every 2 hours. This way, it is easy
to balance your diet between things that are good for you
(fresh fruits, raw vegetables, vegetable juice, dry fruits,
sprouts, nuts, seeds, coconut milk-based dishes) and the junk
you might crave.
Bringing up healthy babies is another matter. Be calm and
be brave. Listen to your convictions and to common sense.
Breastfeed as much as you can and add solids at about
6 months, beginning with mashed banana and then graduating
to steamed apple, mashed potato and cereals such as nachni.
I not only followed this but also prevented my boys from
having any chocolate, sweets and soft drinks until it was time
to go to birthday parties. Then you have very little control.
People called me cruel. I am proud to say that I have two big,
healthy hunks now who go out and ask for nimboo pani
instead of cola, because they like it. A soft drink here, a
hamburger there surely cant cause irreparable damage, you
might say. And you would be right. Anything in moderation
usually doesnt. But with kids, junk tends to become a habit
that even adults enforce upon them. How often have you
heard people say, The kids can have pizza while we eat
dinner? Lets not underestimate our children. We owe them
a healthy start to make their lives richer, more aware and
more vital than many of our own. And the first step is to try
and change our own eating habits. There is no point depriving
children of cola if they see you drinking it every evening.
Feeding children healthy food can be a frustrating
experience. So what are concerned, even nutritionally
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HEALTHY FOOD HABITS

conscious parents to do? Firstly, dont panic, because youre
not alone. Picky eating habits; like many quirks of childhood,
usually dont last long. Understanding the origins of finicky
behaviour may be helpful. It may be that children are simply
not hungry at mealtimes. This usually gets ironed out when
you start cutting down their snacking. Or, they may associate
mealtimes with parental pressure. Insisting that Johnny
cleans his plate or else hell have the same thing for dinner,
almost invariably results in resistance. Food, especially for a
child, cannot be forced. Unfortunately, many of us have to
learn the hard way. Keep your perspective. Its a lot more
important in the long run for your child to regard mealtimes
as potentially pleasant than to eat two more chapatis.
On the other hand, giving in too much to fussy children by
readily offering alternatives may avert an imminent battle, but
it wont broaden their food acceptance. Perhaps the best
route for parents is to provide a wide variety of wholesome
foods and to encourage, but not force, your children to try
them. Just because your daughter says she doesnt like peas
today doesnt mean she wont like them next week, next
month or next year, or in some other dish. I found our little
boy lapping up leftover spinach (yes spinach!) soup one day.
It may have been that he was genuinely hungry, or maybe the
soft leaves appealed to him more than a mashed-up vegetable.
I was so overjoyed that I didnt really bother to stop and
analyse. Parents of fussy kids and lets face it, most of
them are fussy, at one time or another have to learn to
develop patience, fortitude and creativity.
Bringing children up is hard enough. Feeding them has to
be worse. Should you let them be? Should you force them to
eat what we eat? How do we, without endless guilt pangs,
ensure that they get a balanced diet? Rational verbal
persuasion usually gets you nowhere with little monsters.
They sit there, listen and then do just the opposite. Sounds
familiar? Why not take advantage of a childs natural curiosity
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Even the most reluctant eater may eat something prepared by himself
by focusing it on food? Many parents Ive met have learnt that

even the most reluctant eater will eat something prepared by
himself a clear case of pride. Even if they peel their own
cucumber or half attempt to roll a roti, its their own
achievement. There is nothing quite like watching your
formerly disdainful vegetable pusher proudly announce, I
made the salad today.
Although it may seem like a lot of trouble to have your kids
participate in this way, it does seem to work. You may even
want to go one step further and let your child suggest or even
plan a couple of meals each week. This may mean that you
have to initially swallow a lot of pizza and macaroni, but its
worth it in the long run. They are much more likely to then
accept what you suggest. Conversely, young diners will take
in a wide variety of foods and flavours if that is the norm in
their homes.
Presentation influences childrens receptivity to certain
foods. Nicely cut (preferably raw) vegetables, lots of fresh
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HEALTHY FOOD HABITS

fruit, jellies made from fresh juice, animal-shaped breads, dry
fruits, nuts and pumpkin seeds made into an alternative
TV munch to wafers, all make for good, clean, healthy fun
foods. For those foods that remain stubbornly on your childs
yucky list, try sneaking them into popular dishes. Add finely
chopped vegetables to the tomato sauce in pizzas, or blend a
little bean curd or paneer into cheese spreads. The more you
cook for kids, the more youll come up with your own little
nutrient-packed secret weapons.
But the best ingredient of all may be your own sense of
adventure, mixed with liberal doses of tolerance and
humour. No matter how guilt-ridden we may be, remember
children are great imitators. They may not eat what you do
initially, but they will soon learn. I remember being tapped
on the back (for a change) by another mother outside my
sons school one day, with the words, My son tells me that
you give yours brown bread sandwiches and he eats them.
Youre so lucky.I, I smiled but didnt tell her that he had no
choice. If your children see you tucking into unhealthy, soft
white bread all day long, why should he or she be expected to
eat brown? However if they see you enthusiastically
preparing and eating everyday meals, and enjoying the
experience, rather than rushing through the whole thing like
a dreaded chore, dont be surprised to find future healthy
gourmets in your midst.
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CHOOSING A PAEDIATRICIAN
PART
4
KEEPING YOUR CHILD HEALTHY
Choosing A Paediatrician ..........................................
222-224
Proper Use of Medicines ...........................................
225
Home Remedies .........................................................
226-235
A First Aid Kit............................................................
236
The A-Z of Childhood Illnesses ..................................
237-434
Psychological Concerns .............................................
435-443
Managing a Hospital Stay ...........................................
444-449
Emergencies ...............................................................
450-451
Guest Article: Prayer and your Childs Health

Dr. Jer Master .............................................................
452-456
Guest Article: Nature Cure In Child Care

Dr. Anand Gokani .......................................................
457-462
Guest Article: Homoeopathy Dr. Sunil Anand .......
463-468
Guest Article: Ayurveda and Child Care

Dr. Ashwinikumar A. Raut .........................................
469-472
Guest Article: Congenital Heart Disease (CHD):

Frequently Asked Questions Dr. Bharat Dalvi ......
473-483
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In days gone by, most children were looked after by the family
physician. Even today, some lucky parents have a doctor
whom they can rely on for most day-to-day childhood
problems.
But most others need to have their children seen regularly
by a paediatrician (a child specialist).
Only The Best For Your Child
Ask your family doctor to refer you to a good paediatrician
ideally one located close to your residence. Your obstetrician
is another source for reference. A close relative, friend or
neighbour may also be able to refer you to a good
paediatrician.
Ask other parents who go to the same doctor whether she
meets these qualifications:
She is competent. She spends enough time with parents
and children, especially on the first visit.
She is a good listener.
She does not ask for unnecessary investigations and
does not prescribe too many drugs. She may even decide
to try the no-medication option.
She is available for emergencies or makes alternative
arrangements in advance.
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She is fond of children and treats a child as her own or as

a grandchild.
Children seem comfortable with her.
She does not seem to be in the profession only for
financial gain.
She is known to ask for or get a second opinion if
required.
She empowers parents to manage day-to-day problems.
Help Your Doctor Help You
Go prepared when you visit the paediatrician. Provide her
with the full history of your childs present illness and
complaints. Be ready with the record of her past illnesses and
family history, especially if you are consulting the doctor for
the first time. If you are likely to forget, write down the
details and hand over the same for her perusal. Put the child
into loose clothing; this will help the doctor make a proper
examination.
As far as possible, go by appointment to meet your
paediatrician. If you need to see her the same day, be ready to
wait your turn. If your child is too sick to wait, take her to the
doctors assistant in the hospital to which she is attached. The
assistant can then talk to the paediatrician and decide if the
child needs hospitalisation.
If this is not practical, request your paediatrician to
accommodate you. If your child really needs urgent attention,
she will attend to her and request another patient with a prior
appointment to wait.
Even if you have a fixed appointment, do not insist on being
seen on the dot. It is possible that the previous patient needs
extra attention or that the doctor has to accommodate an
emergency. You would like your child to receive the same
consideration when she is ill.
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Be silent while the doctor writes the prescription; it is

crucial that she gets it right the first time. Your silence will
help her focus and concentrate.
If you have to telephone the doctor for advice,
try to call her in her consulting rooms. This will allow her
access to your childs records if she needs them. Before
you ring your paediatricians number, keep a paper and
pencil handy.
Barring an emergency, avoid ringing the doctor at her
home. Remember that she also needs time to herself.
Medication Musts
Your doctor would ideally like to examine your child before
starting any drugs, especially antibiotics. Do not self medicate
before talking to your paediatrician. Also, do not repeat a
previous prescription without consultation even if the
symptoms seem to be the same.
Give medication at the prescribed intervals if you
cannot, tell the doctor so, she may suggest an alternative.
Your Paediatrician And You
Treat your paediatrician with respect, but dont expect
miracles from her or that your child will be made well as soon
as she sees the doctor.
Also remember that doctors are human. They have their
moods, they can get tired and annoyed. Look instead at your
paediatricians overall performance and be ready to forgive an
occasional lapse.
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THE FOOD PYRAMID
PROPER USE OF MEDICINES
Number Of Drugs For An Illness

While your doctor may be justified in prescribing more than
2 to 3 drugs for a particular illness, it is also possible
that your child probably does not need all those medicines.
If the diagnosis is correct, the child may either need no
medicine, one specific drug for the specific illness or perhaps
another drug for giving symptomatic relief.
Information That Parents Should Provide To The
Doctor
You must tell your doctor if your child has a known allergy to
any particular drug. If so, it should be written in bold letters
on top of her prescription and record. The doctor should also
know if the child has G-6-PD deficiency. (See Anaemia in
THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES.) He may like to
avoid certain drugs in such cases.
Syrups, Tablets Or Capsules
If a child can have tablets or capsules, do not give syrups.
With a tablet or a capsule, you are sure of a correct dose and
can reduce the incidence of dental caries due to sugary
syrups. The syrups may also have harmful ingredients like
alcohol and colouring agents.
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HOME REMEDIES
You can manage some of your childs common childhood

illnesses like diarrhoea and fever yourself. However, consult
your doctor if your childs looks make you anxious or if the
symptoms persist.
DIARRHOEA
Diarrhoea is Natures attempt to rid the system of the
offending agent that is responsible for it. Watery diarrhoeas
are mostly due to infection by a virus. No antibiotic acts
against this virus. In fact, antibiotics can be harmful in such
a situation.
However, while diarrhoea helps by ridding the system of
the offending agent, it also allows important salts and water to
be drained from the body. This can result in dehydration if not
managed well.
Severe dehydration can have serious consequences. The
passage of a lesser amount of urine is one of the significant
symptoms of dehydration and it is more important to count
the number of times the child passes urine rather than the
number of watery motions.
There is no cause for concern as long as the child passes
light-coloured urine frequently. The number of motions is not
that important. One child may pass several small motions, but
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HOME REMEDIES
continue to remain active and pass urine frequently. Another

may pass only a few large watery motions, but become
listless, stop passing urine or pass very little dark,
concentrated urine during the course of 6 to 8 hours. The
latter child needs attention.
Do not put a diaper on your infant if she has diarrhoea; this
will allow you to watch the colour and frequency of urination.
Remember that a watery stool can give the appearance of
urine and may mislead you.
Such watery diarrhoeas can take even upto a week to get
better. In some children, the diarrhoea gets better within a
day. In other children, it may take longer.
Frequent motions in an exclusively breastfed child are
normal. At times, these motions are watery, frothy and green,
or may contain mucus. This is not diarrhoea and needs no
treatment.
Management
If your child develops diarrhoea, start the following treatment
immediately. Do not wait for the signs of dehydration to
develop. Even if the child has developed mild, moderate or
severe dehydration, do not panic but start the treatment
suggested below. Most cases of dehydration can be managed
at home, but if the child looks sickly, listless and passes too
little urine, she may need intravenous fluids and hence a
doctor must be consulted.
But while you wait for the doctor, start the treatment
prescribed below.
A child with diarrhoea needs food and fluids. Do not
starve the child; this results in malnourishment and
consequent lowered resistance to fight the disease. It is
true that some amount of food given in diarrhoea is lost
in the motions, but a moderate amount is absorbed into
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the system even in the presence of acute watery

diarrhoea. Let the child eat or drink what she likes.
Breastfed children should continue breastfeeding, as
breast milk supplies the essential nutrients and includes
all that is required for rehydration. If the child is older
and is having a few breastfeeds and more of other foods
and liquids, increase the frequency of breastfeeding.
Breast milk also has anti-infective factors that may help
fight bacterial as well as viral diarrhoea.
If your childs appetite is diminished, encourage her to
have small frequent drinks of any liquid she may prefer
breast milk, soup, juice, coconut water, dal water,
barley water, buttermilk or weak tea, with plain water in
between. In general, rice preparations and potatoes are
better tolerated in diarrhoea. A khichdi of rice and dal
with curds is an excellent combination. Banana is good
in diarrhoea.
Rice cunjee and water, salt and sugar solution are the
most important medicines for the treatment of
diarrhoea and dehydration. In watery diarrhoeas, no
other medicine is needed. Such liquid preparations
prevent dehydration and also help rehydrate the child. Of
course, the best rehydration solution for an infant is
mothers milk. If the child has become so weak that she
cannot suckle, express the milk by hand and give it with
a spoon.
Rice cunjee is made by cooking a handful of rice powder
with water for 10 minutes to make a thin liquid. To this,
add one level teaspoon of salt and more water to make it
up to 1 litre (5 glasses of 200 ml each). Alternatively,
powdered pop rice can be used (without further cooking)
with added salt and water.
Water, salt and sugar solution is made by taking:
1 litre of boiled and cooled water (one milk bottle =
l
/2 litre)
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HOME REMEDIES
1 level teaspoon of salt

8 level teaspoons of sugar
In the absence of a proper measuring vessel, 1 litre of
water can be measured with the help of a 500 ml milk bottle.
Two such bottles provide 1000 ml (1 litre). Otherwise, take a
200 ml glass of water and add a pinch of salt and one teaspoon
of sugar to it. To this solution, add fresh lime juice to taste.
This will provide the child potassium which is lost along with
water and salt. The sugar in this solution helps in the
absorption of salt. (Rice also serves the same purpose, since it
releases the required sugars once it is digested.) Remember
that salt is essential. A solution of water and sugar will not
serve the purpose. However, too much salt can be harmful.
The best way to safeguard against this risk is to taste the
water and salt solution before adding sugar to it. The solution
should not taste saltier than tears. Once the above solution is
made, keep it in a refrigerator or a cool place. Make a fresh
solution if the whole lot is not consumed within 12 hours.
Whenever possible, boil the water and cool it before adding
salt and sugar. Once the solution is ready, do not boil it.
Though boiled and cooled water is preferable, it is not
essential. Use the available water. Adding a little lime cordial
to water can make it reasonably safe for drinking.
For children less than 2 years, aim at giving 1/4 to 1/ 2 cup of
the above solution after each watery stool. For older children,
offer 1/2 to 1 cup after each watery stool. If a child does not
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take much at a time or tends to vomit, give 2 to 4 teaspoons

every 5 minutes, day and night. The idea is to make sure that
the child passes enough light-coloured urine without
becoming puffy. A child who has been given too much fluid
(which happens very rarely) will develop puffy eyes.
Fortunately, vomiting associated with diarrhoea is mostly a
transient phenomenon. If the child vomits, wait for 10 minutes
or a little longer and then start offering a few sips or a few
spoons of the fluids mentioned earlier every 5 minutes. Do not
be in a haste to start giving medicines to check vomiting. These
drugs can sometimes have quite annoying side effects. Instead,
an older child may be allowed to suck on a little ice. It often
helps. Consult a doctor if the vomiting persists.
Readymade WHO oral rehydration formulas are available
in the market to be added to 1 litre of water. There are
also some smaller packets to be dissolved in one glass
(200 ml) of water. I am against the use of packets that do
not follow WHO or governmental recommendations.
Most of these packets have too much glucose in them,
which is likely to worsen the diarrhoea. So check the
packet before you buy it.
The above-mentioned solutions are not meant to stop the
diarrhoea. Let Nature take its own course. The above advice
is only meant to prevent dehydration. If the loss of fluids due
to diarrhoea (with or without vomiting) is more than the
intake, the child can show signs of dehydration. At times, the
losses can be so great that the child may need administration
of fluids by vein. As mentioned before, such a child looks
weak, is listless and passes little or no urine. Occasionally,
she may develop fast breathing. Such a child should be given
urgent medical attention.
Milk In Diarrhoea
As mentioned earlier, breastfed children must continue to be
breastfed.
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HOME REMEDIES
It is a well-known fact that artificially-fed children are more

prone to diarrhoea. But if a child wants milk, do not hesitate
to give it to him.
If the child is not keen, stopping milk for about 12 hours
may be preferable. The milk may be diluted for a day or two.
But after that, give undiluted milk even if the loose
motions continue.
In cases where loose motions continue, some doctors
change over from animal milk to soya milk preparations. I do
not recommend this because, in acute diarrhoeas, intolerance
to animal milk is often a temporary feature. Soya milks are
only to be considered in persistent, proven intolerance to
animal milk. Sometimes, a pathologist may report the
presence of reducing substance in the stool, but do not change
the childs diet without consulting your paediatrician.
Recovery
All children lose weight during an episode of diarrhoea. They
regain the lost weight soon after recovery. The process of
recovery can be hastened by offering an extra meal to a child
recovering from diarrhoea.
Drugs in diarrhoea are discussed in the section on Bacillary
Dysentery in Abdominal Pain in the chapter on THE A-Z OF
CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES. For the moment, suffice it to say
that drugs often cause more harm than good in the management
of diarrhoea. They should only be considered if the diarrhoea is
accompanied with blood and/or obvious mucus in the stool.
In conclusion, note carefully that you can handle almost all
cases of diarrhoea at home with food and fluids and without
the aid of drugs.
FEVER
Most cases of fever can be managed at home. It helps to
remember that fever is a friend; it helps your child fight
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infection. The high temperature helps release substances in

our body that attack the disease-causing organisms. Such a
defence mechanism either helps cure the disease or limits its
spread. To some extent, it may be fair to say that fever is the
fire in which the invading germs are likely to get destroyed.
Veterinary doctors tell us that the chance of animals dying
from sepsis (severe systemic infection) is twice as great if you
bring down their fever.
Wait Three Days...
A 3-day waiting period is recommended before starting
medication to allow other symptoms - if any - to develop. On
the first day, a doctor is not likely to reach any conclusion as
to the cause of fever. If the child develops a thin, watery
discharge from her nostrils and starts coughing because this
discharge falls down her throat from the back of her nostrils,
then a doctor knows that he is dealing with a viral infection in
which antibiotics can be harmful. After 3 days of waiting, the
child is more likely to develop clinical features that may point
to the cause being either viral or bacterial. If it is viral, a
doctor would like to observe the child without undertaking
any investigation and without giving any antibiotic. If a
bacterial cause is suspected, he may either start an antibiotic
if required or order some investigations.
Avoiding the use of drugs during these 3 days also allows
the body to handle the infective agent by its own defence
mechanism. At this stage, even if a doctor feels that
antibiotics must be started, the drugs are likely to work
better, hand in hand with the body that is all set to take care
of the offending agent.
Consult Your Doctor.. .
If the fever persists for more than 3 days.
If the febrile child (a child having fever) behaves in a
manner that is disturbing. For example, if she is not fully
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alert, or is looking in one direction and has a fixed gaze,

seems persistently listless or irritable, or has vomiting, or
has unusually fast breathing, or has the typical features of
malaria with alternate days of fever with rigors. If instinct
tells you that she is not her normal self and the look of her
causes anxiety, do seek professional help. But if she is
active, playful and alert, there is no cause for concern.
If the patient is less than 2 months old. Before contacting
the doctor, see if the little one is active and taking her
feeds normally. Also check that she has not been
overheated from being wrapped up in too much clothing. If
the baby is not suckling well, take her to the doctor even if
the fever is not very high.
Management Of Fever
With many fevers, the childs appetite goes down. Some
children may not even like to drink water. This can lead to
dehydration. Make sure therefore that the child has enough
liquids. Offer it in different forms plain water, soup, fruit
juice, coconut water, etc. While I am against colas and other
aerated drinks, allow her to take these if she has been
consuming them in the past. The idea is to give enough
fluids so that your child continues to pass light-coloured
urine.
If the child demands regular meals, give her these, even
if the fever is very high. Some people hesitate to give the
so-called cold things like bananas to a febrile child. If the
child has been taking bananas before and has been
enjoying them without showing any signs of allergy to
them, I would strongly recommend bananas whatever
the temperature may be. A child may feel weak during the
febrile period because of not eating well, but this should
be taken care of as soon as the child starts eating.
Vitamins, including the B complex group of vitamins or
so-called tonics, are not necessary.
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High fever makes most children uncomfortable. Dont try

to lower the temperature if the child is okay with it, but
make all attempts to keep the child cool if she is irritable,
cranky or restless because of high fever. These would
involve keeping clothing to a minimum; putting preferably
cotton clothes on her; keeping the windows open and using
the fan. Switch on the air-conditioner if you have one. Let
the child cover herself if she wants to.
At times, a child with high fever has cold feet and hands.
This is physiological, No attempt should be made to warm
these parts with hot water bottles or any other device.
If you decide to lower the temperature, a quick bath with
warm water or sponging of the whole body with water is
preferable to the use of drugs. Sponging should not be done
with cold water or alcohol. I recommend slightly warm
water. However, if the climate is such that your child would
prefer tap water or stored water, go ahead and use it. In a
case of hyperpyrexia, where the temperature goes above
105 F, or for heat stroke, a cold-water bath or shower is
given for rapid cooling.
If you must use a drug to lower the temperature, choose
paracetamol (Calpol, Crocin, Metacin, etc) over aspirin;
aspirin can cause a serious side effect (Reyes Syndrome)
in children with influenza or chickenpox. This disease
results in swelling of the brain and damage to the liver. If
paracetamol must be used, give it in a proper dose (10-15
mg./kg./dose). Give 4 hourly if required.
If a child is prone to convulsions with the sudden rise of
fever, paracetamol may be started with the first sign of
fever. As the drug may take time to start acting, sponging
should also be started. Unfortunately, in children with
fever-associated convulsions (febrile convulsions), the
convulsions may appear even before anyone notices that
the child has fever. Usually, these convulsions last for a
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short duration. Most children get just one convulsion and

this does not recur even if the fever remains high during
the subsequent period.
Recording Temperatures
Some children as well as adults normally have a warm head or
warm palms. They are otherwise normal and the
thermometer does not record a temperature of more than
98.4 F (37 C). In other cases, normal temperature in a child
who is otherwise fit can range from 96 F to 1OO.8 F.
Temperature can be recorded in the mouth or the armpit or
in the rectum (with a special rectal thermometer). If you are
reporting to your doctor, tell him how you have recorded the
temperature - whether in the mouth, armpit or rectum. Do
not try to guess the temperature yourself by adding or
subtracting in case you have not recorded the temperature in
the mouth.
The new strip thermometers (to be placed on the forehead)
often give false readings and are not recommended. The
digital thermometers are satisfactory.
By the time your child goes to school, train her to accept
the thermometer in the mouth to record temperature. The
thermometer is placed below the tongue. The child keeps it in
place with her lips and holds it with her hands. In the
beginning, an adult can hold the thermometer in his/her hand
while the child is learning to keep it in place under
her tongue.
If use of a thermometer is not possible, use the back of
your (the babys caretakers) hand to screen for a significant
fever. If the skin is cool, record zero; if warm, note a + for low
fever, ++ for high and +++ for very high fever.
I recommend this method to most of my patients.
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A FIRST AID KIT
The Kit Should Include
A pair of scissors
A pair of tweezers
A bottle of some antiseptic solution (like Dettol or Savlon)
Band-aids
Bandages (1-2 inch wide)
Cotton wool
Packets of sterile gauze
Paracetamol (Calpol, Crocin, Metacin, etc.)
A rubber tube
Elastic bandage
Leucoplast
A hand towel
Rubber syringe (to be used as a nose cleaner)
Thermometer
Petroleum jelly
Disposable syringe (5ml) and needle
Phone numbers of the hospital, doctor and a close relative
or a friend
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THE A
Z OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES
THE A - Z OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES
ABDOMINAL PAIN
If your child has pain in the abdomen, but otherwise looks
well, you can be almost sure that the problem is not serious.
See the doctor if you have cause to be anxious.
CAUSES: Below are given some of the important causes of
abdominal pain in children.
Psychological Factors
Medical Causes
Surgical Conditions
Psychological Factors
SYMPTOMS: School going children often complain of
recurrent pain, usually located around the navel. In most
cases, the pain is not severe and the child does not complain
about it if he is involved in doing something interesting. It
rarely wakes him up from his sleep. He is perfectly all right in
between the attacks, which may last for a few moments or
longer, but rarely for more than half an hour. There may be a
family history of similar pain in other children or in the
parent(s). Usually, these children are quite intelligent.
CAUSES: Consider if there is any reason for the child to
become emotionally upset. Is he being bullied in school? Is
he afraid of his new teacher? Are the examinations causing
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much anxiety? Is he upset because of a quarrel between his

parents?
MANAGEMENT: It is not always easy to probe the mind of
a child. If the symptoms persist, take the advice of a doctor,
who may even refer him to a family counsellor, psychologist
or a psychiatrist. Dont upset the child by remarks like, You
are just acting or Do not try to fool us. I believe that such
children do get pain, but the symptom is probably due to
some, not yet fully understood mechanism or is related more
to the mind rather than the body - possibly a subconscious
way of attracting the parents attention for more body contact.
Hence, the treatment lies in understanding the child, helping
him with his underlying emotional problem, if any, rather than
being harsh towards him.
Medical Causes
Worms
Infection is caused by ingestion of the mature eggs of common
worms Ascaris lumbricoides (commonly called roundworm),
threadworms, trichuris trichiura (whipworms) and tapeworms
or the penetration of the larvae of the hookworm into the
childs skin. It is a misconception that consuming an excess of
sugary foods causes worms; but it is important to restrict the
intake of such foods as a matter of fact.
Ascariasis (infection with round worms) The round worms
measure from 15 to 35 cms in length and are 3 to 4 mms in
diameter. They are either passed out as worms or their eggs
are excreted. If a person defecates in the open, the soil also
gets contaminated with the eggs. A child may touch the
infected soil and the infection may travel from the hand to the
mouth. Alternatively, food can become infected by the excreta
or by flies.
SYMPTOMS: Most children with ascariasis do not have
any complaints. Sometimes, it may cause pain in the
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abdomen, distension of the abdomen and even intestinal

obstruction, resulting in absence of stools and persistent
vomiting. Grinding the teeth while sleeping (Bruxism) is
not due to worms.
PREVENTION: Washing ones hands thoroughly with soap
and water before a meal should be a ritual even if the child
uses a spoon, knife and fork for eating. Also, teach your child
to wash his hands thoroughly after going to the toilet.
Mebendazole or albendazole is used for the treatment of
ascariasis.
Threadworms are quite common and usually are more of
a nuisance than a serious problem. Only rarely, when they
block the appendix, do they cause abdominal pain.
SYMPTOMS: Generally, children may not sleep well due to
itching around the anus. This happens because the threadlike,
female worms, measuring about 1 cm, come out of the
intestine at night and lay eggs on the skin around the anus.
The eggs are carried by the child or an adult under the
fingernails, or they may spread in the home through clothing
or bedding. The patient may ingest these eggs from his own
fingernails or may infect others by contamination of food
while serving/cooking. These eggs, when swallowed, grow to
adulthood.
TREATMENT: It is important to treat all the members of
the family, including the house help, with a single dose of
100 mg of mebendazole for children and adults, with a repeat
dose after 2 weeks. In certain cases, the treatment may have
to be repeated every 3 months.
Hookworms attach themselves to the upper, small
intestine and suck blood, resulting in anaemia. Larvae of
hookworms emerge from eggs lying in warm damp soil and
penetrate the skin of people walking barefoot in farms or
gardens. They grow to adulthood inside the body.
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TREATMENT: Anaemia is treated with iron and the

patient is given mebendazole as in ascariasis.
Whipworm (Trichuris Trichiura) infection is caused by
ingestion of eggs passed in the stool, and spreads with
unclean hands and through flies, which, in turn, contaminate
water and food. Whipworms rarely cause pain in the abdomen,
but they are an important, though not common cause of
prolapse of the rectum in children.
TREATMENT: Same as for ascariasis.
Tapeworms are several metres long and inhabit the
intestines. They have several segments, which are passed
into the stool as small, flat, white pieces (like seeds of gourd
or marrow, Kadu and ghia), about 1 cm long. The infection
stems from eating infected pork or beef, which is not cooked
properly. Food or water contaminated with the eggs of
tapeworms may also cause infection. The disease may,
therefore, develop in children who do not eat meat.
SYMPTOMS: Tapeworms may not cause much problem
except for mild pain in the abdomen. But, in rare cases, they
may form cysts in the childs brain. This condition is called
neurocysticercosis and can lead to headaches, fits or
even death.
PREVENTION: Meat eaters must make sure that it is well
cooked. Personal hygiene for all members of the family
remains equally important.
TREATMENT: The drugs found useful are niclosamide for
removal of adult worms, and praziquantel and albendazole for
the cysts affecting the brain.
Bacillary Dysentery
SYMPTOMS: Frequent motions (not necessarily loose) with
passage of blood or mucus and accompanied by griping pain
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that increases at the time of passing a motion is usually due to

bacillary dysentery. At times, the child doesnt pass any faecal
matter, but only blood and/or mucus.
Unlike acute watery diarrhoea, vomiting and significant
dehydration are not common features in dysentery, but some
children can have frequent watery motions at the onset,
sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
Toddlers are prone to the condition during the
monsoons. Children who are breastfed into the second year
of life are less prone to the disease and even if they fall
sick due to dysentery, the severity of the disease is less
and they recover faster. The child can get infected from
close contact with an infected person or by consuming
contaminated water or food.
TREATMENT: If facilities exist, a routine stool
examination can be undertaken. It would show the presence
of mucus, red blood cells and leucocytes. Macrophages may
also be present. Treatment consists of adequate hydration
(see Diarrhoea in the chapter on HOME REMEDIES), food
and drugs.
Drugs are required to control the bacterial infection. Some
doctors advise anti-motility drugs to reduce the frequency of
motions. Such drugs contain loperamide and diphenoxylate
that are banned for use by children. Besides prolonging the
illness, such drugs can also have serious side effects and must
not be given.
Giardiasis And Amoebiasis
Giardiasis and amoebiasis may be suspected in children with
persistent or recurrent pain in the abdomen. A stool
examination of a fresh sample is asked for to confirm
the diagnosis.
TREATMENT: The child is given a full course of
metronidazole.
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Food Poisoning
Food poisoning should be suspected if all those who have
eaten the same food start getting abdominal pain, diarrhoea
and vomiting, with or without fever.
PREVENTION: Children should be discouraged from
eating milk products outside the home.
Food should be eaten the same day it is cooked. If this is
not possible, the leftover items should be rapidly cooled in
cold storage or kept in the deep-freeze compartment of the
refrigerator, and thoroughly heated before consumption.
Make sure that the centre of the food gets heated, leaving no
cool spots.
TREATMENT: Same as for Diarrhoea in the chapter on
HOME REMEDIES.
Sore Throat And Vomiting
SYMPTOMS: Sore throat with enlargement of glands in the
abdomen can cause abdominal pain in children above 2 years
of age. The pain disappears as the sore throat gets treated.
Severe bouts of cough or vomiting leading to soreness
of the abdominal muscles may also present as abdominal
pain. The remedy lies in treating the cause of sore throat,
cough or vomiting.
Tuberculosis Of The Abdomen
Tuberculosis of the abdomen should be considered if the child
who complains of pain in the abdomen has associated features
connected with a possible diagnosis of tuberculosis. These
features include: A history of close contact with an adult
having tuberculosis; loss of appetite and weight; distension of
the abdomen with or without evidence of intestinal
obstruction; and evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in the
body. For treatment, see section on Tuberculosis.
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Constipation
This is a common cause of abdominal pain in children. The
child does not look ill, nor run fever, but gets intermittent
colicky pain in the stomach. There is no vomiting and the
appetite is usually not affected. The child may have moved his
bowels, but it may have been an incomplete evacuation. For
treatment, see section on Constipation.
Surgical Conditions
Appendicitis
Appendicitis refers to inflammation of the appendix a taillike structure connected to the caecum portion of the large
intestine located in the right lower abdomen. If not detected
early, an inflamed appendix may burst open, leading to a
serious condition called peritonitis.
SYMPTOMS: This condition should be suspected in the
presence of persistent pain in the abdomen, often (though
not always) associated with loss of appetite, vomiting and
fever. The pain mostly begins around the centre of the
abdomen (near the navel) and, after a few hours, gets
localised to the right lower abdomen. The child who is
otherwise active becomes quieter, resists examination of
this part of the abdomen and gets even more pain when his
abdomen is pressed gently over this region. Unattended
peritonitis makes the abdomen feel hard like a board, and
the pain and tenderness (pain when touched) becomes
worse.
TREATMENT: A child with a possible diagnosis of
appendicitis needs the immediate attention of a surgeon
preferably a paediatric surgeon.
Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal obstruction is a serious surgical condition. Some
of the causes are congenital obstruction (from birth), a
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mass of roundworms obstructing the intestines, intussusception and an obstructed inguinal hernia (discussed
later in this section).
SYMPTOMS: The child with intestinal obstruction has pain
in the abdomen, constipation, distension of the abdomen and
projectile vomiting (vomit shooting out of the mouth with
great force). It may be green in colour (due to the presence of
bile) or may even contain faeces. The child will want to lie
quietly in spite of the pain.
TREATMENT: The urgent care of a surgeon is vital.
Intussusception
Intussusception is a condition in which one portion of the
intestine slips inside the portion next to it. The condition
occurs commonly between the ages of 3 months and 3 years.
SYMPTOMS: There is a sudden onset of pain which lasts for
2 to 3 minutes and then occurs in repeated bouts every quarter
hour or so. The child shrieks with pain and looks frighteningly
pale. While a child usually becomes red in the face when he
cries, in intussusception, the child looks pale, acutely ill, refuses
to eat or drink and appears to be collapsing with continuing
bouts. At this stage, the child may pass blood in the stool.
TREATMENT: A surgical opinion is urgently needed in such
a situation.
Inguinal Hernia
Inguinal hernia with strangulation or obstruction may
present itself in an infant who starts crying suddenly and
the mother notices a hard swelling in the groin (junction
between the abdomen and thigh). No attempt should be
made to press on this swelling; show the child to your
doctor. If unattended, obstructed inguinal hernia can
present with signs of intestinal obstruction (as with
Intussusception). If the treatment is unduly delayed, the
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blood vessels in the swelling get obstructed, causing

damage to the surrounding intestines.
SYMPTOMS: Most often, the inguinal hernia is noticed as
a swelling in the groin or the scrotum. The swelling becomes
more prominent when the child cries. It may disappear on its
own or by gentle pressure when it reduces with a gurgling
feel. This is not an emergency situation, but as the possibility
of strangulation exists, this hernia should be operated upon as
soon as possible.
A strangulated hernia is an emergency needing
urgent attention.
Some children may have hernia on both sides.
At times, the child has some tender glands in the groin
secondary to an infection in the lower limb. This should not
be confused with hernia. A hernia should also be differentiated
from a congenital hydrocele, which presents with swelling of
the scrotum. This swelling does not change in size on crying
or with pressure. It usually disappears on its own before the
child is 1 year old.
TREATMENT: If the doctor decides that the swelling is
hernia, he/she may gently try and reduce it. Failing this, the
child may be hospitalised for surgery.
Torsion Of Testes
This results in intense pain in the affected scrotum and
swelling and tenderness (pain on touch) of the scrotum.
This condition may be mistaken for inflammation of the
testis and treated with antibiotics, and so result in loss of
the testis.
TREATMENT: It is of prime importance to take a child
with scrotal pain and swelling to a paediatric surgeon. If it is
torsion, the child must be operated soon to avoid permanent
damage to the testis.
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Some Other Less Common Surgical Conditions

Other less common surgical conditions with pain in the
abdomen, like injury to the abdomen and a stone in the
urinary tract may also be kept in mind. The onset of pain with
a stone is sudden. The pain is often located in the back and
extends towards the groin. A dull ache persists, with
outbursts of shooting unbearable pain. This may be associated
with passage of blood in the urine.
Other Possible Causes Of Abdominal Pain In Children
Allergy or intolerance to animal milk

Colic in small infants
Dietary indiscretion
Abdominal epilepsy
Urinary infection
Referred pain from the chest in a child with pneumonia or
pleural infection
Hepatitis (infection of liver)
Malaria
Hunger with low blood sugar
Infection of the gastrointestinal system with H. Pylori is

also being considered as a possible, though not definite cause
of abdominal pain. This is treated with metronidazole,
amoxycillin and ranitidine.
Choledochal
cyst,
an
uncommon
congenital
malformation of the tubes draining bile from the liver,
presents with attacks of abdominal pain, clay coloured
stools and fever. Sonography of the abdomen clinches the
diagnosis. Treatment consists of antibiotics to take care of
the infection. The symptoms subside after treatment with
antibiotics, though surgery is necessary, and as early as
possible, as the cyst tends to get repeatedly infected and
enlarges in size with the passage of time, making surgery
more difficult in the later stages.
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Meckels diverticulum, an anomalous tubular structure

arising from the small intestine, can give rise to abdominal
pain when inflamed. It is associated with rectal bleeding. The
bleeding is usually dark red or, more rarely, bright red, if
excessive and generally profuse. This constitutes a medical
emergency. The bleeding may stop while the child receives
treatment, and the surgeon may ask for investigations such as
an isotope scan to confirm the diagnosis. However, it is not
easy to confirm the diagnosis of Meckels diverticulum and
the surgeon will usually need to operate to excise the
diverticulum.
ABRASIONS OR SCRATCHES
An abrasion is a minor injury, which needs to be cleaned
properly to remove dirt, a possible source of infection. Put the
injured part under running tap water or pour water from a
glass. Wash your hands and clean the wound with soap and
water. No medicine is needed for a clean wound, nor the use
of spirit, iodine or red medicine (mercurochrome).
If the childs booster dose of DPT (triple antigen) or dual
antigen (DT) is due, give it now. If he is about 10, give him an
injection of tetanus toxoid. A fully immunised child does not
need an extra dose of tetanus toxoid. For instance, if he has
been given DPT (which contains tetanus toxoid) at the age of
2 and meets with an accident at 3 years, there is no need to
give tetanus toxoid.
Dressing Or No Dressing?
I personally believe that a dressing is not needed. However, if
you feel that the wound might not remain clean or that it may
attract flies, cover it with a sterile piece of gauze, available
from the chemist. Keep it in place with a clean bandage or a
clean piece of cloth. Check the wound daily and change the
gauze. If the gauze or bandage is stuck to the wound, pour
boiled and cooled water to remove it.
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If the wound is oozing from the beginning, apply an

antibiotic skin ointment on it and then put the gauze over it. If
the ointment is not easily available, just sterile gauze will
serve the purpose. Once the scab is formed, there is no need
to cover the wound.
ACUTE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
Also called acute nephritis, this is a disease of the kidney
following bacterial infection of the throat or skin. A typical
case usually affects a school going child; it is extremely rare in
the preschool period.
SYMPTOMS: About 3 weeks after a sore throat or skin
infection, you may notice that the child is passing less urine.
It is reddish in colour. On getting up in the morning, the
childs face is found to be puffy. The swelling is more marked
below the eyes and spreads also to the lower limbs. In some
cases, the blood pressure goes up and the child may also get
fits. Your doctor will first ask for a urine test and then may
order some blood tests.
Fortunately, 95% of children recover completely without
any damage to the kidneys. The child looks normal within 2 to
3 weeks when the urine output and colour becomes normal
and the swelling disappears. The urine may show the
presence of red cells and albumin for a longer period. Keep in
touch with your doctor. Most likely, he/she will also reassure
you and will not prescribe any further medicine.
TREATMENT: Your doctor will advise bed rest and certain
restrictions in diet, salt and water intake. He/she will also
prescribe medicine for the residual throat or skin infection
and for the raised blood pressure, if any. In the first few days,
your doctor may like to check the childs blood pressure twice
daily. If the blood pressure is high or the child has convulsions
or marked reduction in urine output, he/she may wish to
hospitalise the child.
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ACUTE NEPHRITIS
See Acute Glomerulonephritis.
ACUTE WATERY DIARRHOEA
See section in the chapter on HOME REMEDIES (page 226).
ADDICTIONS
In India, just like around the world, addiction to alcohol,
tobacco chewing, smoking and hard drugs is taking its toll on
young people.
Peer pressure and high parental expectations add to the
pressure. Not fully realising that alcohol is also a drug, a
teenager may use it to relax or escape from stress. With time,
the abuse of alcohol can give rise to a feeling of inadequacy,
lowered self-esteem, estranged relationships, impaired
reasoning and judgement, dependence and gradual personality
deterioration. Even beer, which is often thought to be safe to
drink, can impair rational thinking and lead to irrational
behaviour. It can also be responsible for delayed reaction
time, which may increase the risk of automobile accidents.
And then, there is always a possibility of graduating from beer
to harder stuff.
And while puffing a cigarette may seem less hazardous and
life threatening in youth, a single cigarette is said to reduce
the lifespan by 5 minutes. Even if we close our eyes to the
long-term dangers like cancer and heart disease, what about
simple effects like bad breath and staining of teeth? These do
not help in becoming popular with friends! Smoking also has
an immediate effect on our lungs, resulting in frequent attacks
of cough, possible wheezing, poor stamina, and an adverse
effect on performance in competitive sports.
The list of risks that result from exposure to smoking
(active or passive) includes asthma, middle ear infection,
chronic lung disease, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS),
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hearing defects, lower intelligence quotients, increased risk of

inflammable bowel disease (with bleeding per rectum),
hypertension and bacterial meningitis. Permanent genetic
changes that increase the risk of lung cancer occur in
teenagers who smoke, even if they quit later in life. Among
young smokers, cigarette smoke also contributes to the
formation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) the so-called
bad cholesterol and this to heart disease. Smoking is also
linked to low sperm count in males and a 64% increase in
miscarriage risk when parents smoke.
Experts from the British National Dental Health
Foundation reveal that children as young as 12 years
old have been diagnosed with pre-cancerous lesions in
the mouth due to the use of gutkha. They warn that if
its sale is not restricted, it could lead to a rapid spread
of mouth cancer having a high mortality rate.
DIAGNOSIS: Early diagnosis of addiction to drugs is
important. It may save the child as well as prevent the
breakdown of the family. Counselling by parents or experts
can help get rid of the habit if detected early enough.
Do consider the possibility of addiction if you find that your
son (or daughter) gets tired easily, has started keeping odd
sleeping hours and has a poor appetite, does not care about
his/her appearance, gets easily annoyed or depressed, shuns
company and keeps getting congestion or redness of the eyes.
You may also start getting complaints from his/her school or
college. In certain cases, the addiction may even lead to
depression and attempted suicide.
But before you start spying on your teenager, keep in mind
that most of the above symptoms can also be found in growing
children who either have no major problem or have some
physical or behavioural problem unrelated to the agents under
discussion. Confirmation of addiction should be left to
the doctor.
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As the addiction grows, withdrawal symptoms can be

detected when the addict wakes up. He/she appears restless,
his/her eyes and nose water, he/she complains of abdominal
cramps and develops diarrhoea, vomiting and mental
confusion.
PREVENTION: As parents, you can play an important role
in curbing such dangerous trends by helping your children
develop self-esteem and character from an early age.
Encourage them to communicate freely with you on any
subject. Provide them the help to realise their inner potential.
Encourage them to take part in extra-curricular activities and
sports. Teach them the value of health and the need to
preserve it to live life fully.
ADENOIDS
They lie behind the roof of our mouth cavity (the palate)
where the back of our nostrils joins the back of our throat.
Ordinarily, they seem to do their job quietly by keeping in
check the germs in our upper respiratory tract. The tonsils
act likewise.
At times, however, these adenoids get enlarged and block
the breathing passages, causing varying degrees of
obstruction of breathing. In most cases, the enlarged adenoids
shrink in size as the child grows older. In the past, it was
considered routine to remove the adenoids along with the
tonsils. But it is now being increasingly recognised that often,
both these tissues should be kept intact, and only removed if
definite indications for removal exist.
Removal of adenoids thus should only be considered if the
child gets recurrent ear infections, has difficulty breathing
normally, breathes mostly through the mouth, or snores
heavily at night with temporary stoppage of breathing
(obstructive sleep apnoea) for a few seconds; his speech is
disturbed and his voice sounds nasal, as if his nose is blocked.
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Increased gain in weight and height, and improved grades in

school after removal of tonsils and/or adenoids in children
with obstructive sleep apnoea have been reported.
Even in the above conditions, the removal of adenoids need
not necessarily be resorted to. Breathing through the mouth
alone is not an adequate indication; some people do so out of
habit. At the same time, if the child does not have mouth
breathing or nasal speech, the diagnosis of enlarged adenoids
is likely to be wrong. Before undertaking surgery, your doctor
may also like to treat the child with antibiotics if he/she
suspects persistent infection, or he/she may like to treat the
child for allergies.
AIDS
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It
is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV). Due to this infection, the person acquires a
deficiency in his immune system, which normally helps him
fight infections. A person with AIDS may thus even fail
to fight ordinary infections, and often dies from serious
ones.
The disease is spread by:
Sexual contact with a male or female having the AIDS
virus
Blood transfusions of infected blood
Sharing needles infected with the blood of an infected
individual
Sex with more than one partner and homosexuality
increase the risk. Drug users sharing the same needle are at a
high risk.
A pregnant mother with AIDS can pass the infection to her
baby. Delivery by Caesarean section may reduce the risk.
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SYMPTOMS: The disease is suspected in children who fail

to grow normally, get frequent diarrhoea and skin infections,
persistent white patches in the mouth due to a fungal
infection called thrush, have generalised enlargement of the
lymph glands, rapid spread of tuberculosis, repeated
pneumonias and develop certain types of cancers.
But it is also important to remember that most children
who suffer from the above symptoms in our country are more
likely to be suffering from common childhood illnesses,
malnutrition and tuberculosis rather than AIDS.
It is important to educate yourself and your children and
adolescents about AIDS and HIV. After the AIDS virus enters
the system of the person, it may take months or years before
the symptoms become apparent. Yet this person can spread
the disease by donating blood or having sex or sharing
needles with another person. By the same count, a person can
get AIDS from an individual who may otherwise look
completely fit and healthy. Hence, it is important to be careful
before developing an intimate relationship with another
person. Premarital sex must be avoided. Some potential
partners get themselves tested for HIV before getting
engaged.
Myths About AIDS
It is also equally important to know that AIDS IS NOT
SPREAD by casual contact such as playing, studying, eating,
touching, or even living together with an AIDS patient. It also
does not pass to another person through food, water,
mosquitoes or sharing the same toilet. Do not ostracise an
AIDS patient, but take the precaution of wearing rubber
gloves if you have to ever handle his blood or soiled clothes.
Ask an expert for advice on living with someone with AIDS.
It is not true that using a condom will safeguard you from
getting AIDS; the use of a condom for sex with an infected
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person significantly reduces, but does not completely

eliminate the risk of getting AIDS.
PREVENTION: The best way to prevent AIDS is to
prevent HIV. The best way to prevent HIV in children is to
prevent HIV infection in men and women.
Have sex only with a faithful married partner, avoid
using unsterilised needles (insist that your medical
practitioner opens a new needle in front of you, or carry
your own sterilised pack with you when you travel), and do
not agree to transfusions of blood that has not been tested
for HIV. If this testing is not possible in an emergency,
only accept blood from a known close friend or a relative.
Antiretroviral drugs, taken by the mother before and during
delivery, can reduce the risk of HIV being passed on to
the child.
HIV is transmitted through breast milk, with about 1 in 7
breastfed infants born to HIV-positive women acquiring HIV
in this way (See FEEDING INFANTS, YOUNG CHILDREN
AND ADOLESCENTS).
At the community level, we must spread awareness of this
disease among young people, work for moral and spiritual
regeneration, create such socio-economic conditions that
husbands and wives do not have to separate to find work and
individuals do not have to sell their bodies for sex.
Schools are an ideal forum for creating awareness about
HIV and AIDS. Support your childs schools sex education
programmes, especially since these will allow your child to
gain broad-based, multidimensional and age-appropriate
information on responsible sexuality. Also make time to talk
to your child about growing up and sexuality.
When infants are born, they have their mothers antibodies.
A baby may have a positive HIV antibody, but not have the
virus. Although this does not always happen, the mothers
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antibodies may disappear when the child is approximately

15 months old and leave the baby HIV-negative.
ALLERGIES
An allergy is an abnormal/hypersensitive reaction to certain
substances termed allergens. These substances are well
tolerated by most people, but others may react adversely to
these agents. These individuals would be termed allergic to
those substances.
CAUSES: Common allergens include foods like eggs, fish,
wheat, corn, artificial milk in liquid and powder form, milk
products, soya preparations, nuts, peanut butter, chocolates,
tomatoes, pork, citrus fruits, and coconut; house dust; certain
drugs like penicillin and sulpha; pollen of some flowers;
animal hair and feathers. Cockroaches, cats and dogs are
dominant sources of indoor allergens.
Children born into families with a history of allergy and
those who consume animal milk in the first year of life are
more prone to get allergic disorders. Babies exclusively
breastfed for the first 6 months of life are less prone to it.
Italian naval cadets who had been repeatedly exposed to
bacteria that are normally thought of as pretty harmful were
found to be less likely to develop allergies. The links between
allergies and bacteria are new evidence for the theory that our
immune systems have evolved to need the stimulus of
fighting bacteria right from the moment of birth.
Common Allergies
Allergies can manifest as
Asthma
Eczema
Hay fever (allergic cold)
Urticaria (hives)
Anaphylaxis (severe allergic shock); and
Diarrhoea
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Asthma
SYMPTOMS: In a typical case, a 4-year-old child goes to
sleep normally and gets up wheezing in the middle of the
night. He has difficulty in taking in air as well as in pushing it
out. His breathing is faster than usual. When he breathes in,
he has to sometimes take the help of his neck muscles to take
the air in. The normal gap between the two clavicles
(collarbones) tends to dip during inspiration (breathing in).
While breathing out, the child makes a musical hissing sound
termed wheezing. The expiration (breathing out) is more
prolonged than usual. The child finds it easier to breathe
sitting up or wants a pillow or two on his lap to put his head
on for comfort. If the child has had eczema before or has had
similar attacks before this episode or has a strong family
history of allergy or was artificially fed (not breastfed), the
diagnosis is more or less confirmed. It does not mean that a
breastfed child cannot get asthma. The point worth noting is
that artificially fed children are at a much higher risk.
Thunderstorms can precipitate an attack in those
who suffer from seasonal asthma due to an increase in
the amount of airborne pollen.
TREATMENT: Show your child to your doctor as soon as
possible after the first attack to let him decide if it is indeed
asthma. Do not overreact if your child gets an attack of
asthma. You may pass your anxiety on to the child and so
worsen the attack. Follow your doctors advice on handling
the situation. Give the prescribed medication by mouth or by
inhalation, keep the child comfortably warm without covering
him excessively, let there be free flow of air into the room
(switch on the air-conditioner, if you have one) and give him
enough liquids including water. If he has fever, avoid aspirin
and ibuprofen, as they can worsen the attack of asthma.
Paracetamol would be better. Avoid giving cough syrups
(specially those containing codeine). As long as your child is
not in acute distress and is accepting some food and enough
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liquids, you can manage him at home. Wheezing by itself

should not worry you.
Consult your doctor, however, if his breathing becomes
faster, if he has difficulty taking in air and if he is becoming
exhausted. Your doctor may advise hospitalisation. This
should be done before the child starts fighting for breath or
becomes blue.
Even if you normally do not like the use of drugs like
corticosteroids and antibiotics, do not hesitate to use
these if your doctor prescribes them in this situation. If
your child refuses to take oral steroids, a single
injection of dexamethasone (1.7 mg/kg) is quite
effective.
If your child is prone to frequent attacks, consider buying a
nebuliser. This is very handy for use during an acute attack.
However, a metered-dose inhaler (used by adults) with an
easily-available spacer device and facial mask is considered
better than a nebuliser for the treatment of acute wheezing in
children less than 2 years old.
You may also like to consult a child psychologist or a family
counsellor to see if a slightly older child needs extra
emotional support. An older child may be introduced to yoga,
but do not force him to practise it if he is not interested or is
not yet ready for it.
Skin tests for allergy and desensitisation are also now
available. In these, repeated injections with increasing
concentration of extracts of the substance to which the child
shows an allergic reaction are given. They may be considered
if you have tried other measures under expert supervision,
and you find that your child cannot carry out his normal
activities including schooling and your doctor assures you that
there is a competent person who will do these tests and who
will undertake the follow-up treatment.
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PREVENTION: Besides a familial tendency, passive

smoking, allergy to certain foods or the allergens listed above,
sudden exertion in the form of unaccustomed exercise or
sports, anxiety or unresolved conflict at home or school,
abrupt variation in environmental temperature and
respiratory infections may precipitate an attack. However,
sports should be encouraged. Children who get exerciseinduced asthma are given medication for their asthma
immediately before the activity. Also, 2 g of ascorbic acid
(Vitamin C), given one hour before exercise, has been shown
to have protective effects for such children.
House dust mixed with mites in the room in which the
child sleeps should be specially taken care of. Keep
cockroaches away. The room should be kept scrupulously
clean and have minimum furniture in it. Old books, clothes,
blankets and musty bedding may trigger the attacks. Sun
these frequently. Make sure no dust remains on fans, in
corners, behind or underneath the furniture or on curtains.
Thin curtains, which can be washed frequently, are better
than thick or heavy curtains. Mop the room with a wet cloth
rather than dust it. Avoid using wool blankets and carpets in
the bedroom.
Also avoid keeping stuffed toys and plants in the
room. Since pets can also be a source of allergy (cat
hair can linger for 2 years after the animal has left the
house), do not have them in your house.
If you have a vacuum cleaner, use it only while the child is
away from home.
Let the child avoid all types of talcum powder, strong
perfumes, scented soaps, cold drinks, as well as sudden
variations of temperature (for instance, entering a very cold
air-conditioned room from outside where the temperature
was very high), sudden exertion and foods that he is
allergic to.
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To find out whether a child is allergic to the foods listed

above, first introduce an item into his diet when he is
perfectly well. Watch for a week. If the child remains well
(without medication), he is probably not allergic to that item
of food. Avoid offering any suspicious item for 6 months and
then try again. If the child reacts severely to any food, do not
offer it for at least a year.
Bananas are often blamed for bringing on attacks of cold
and asthma. This is probably not true. If the child who is given
a banana gets an attack on certain occasions and not on
others, he is probably not allergic to it. A banana, especially
when given on an empty stomach (at least half an hour to one
hour before meals) is a healthy fruit and should not be easily
discarded from the childs diet.
The good news about asthma is that if the attacks start in
early childhood, they are more likely to disappear with age.
Also, in children without a history of heredity and other
factors mentioned above, and in whom the attacks always
start with a viral cold rather than coming up suddenly, the
diagnosis of asthma should never be made in a hurry. Such
children may temporarily react to a cold with a wheeze but
may not have asthma. Half the children with definite attacks
of asthma are likely to be free of symptoms within 10 to 20
years. However, recurrences are known in adulthood. Also,
those who have severe attacks in early childhood are more
often found to continue getting attacks in adulthood.
At times, children with asthma may have a persistent
cough that worsens at night. These children may not have any
attacks of wheezing, but they do benefit from drugs
prescribed for asthma.
Eczema
SYMPTOMS: If your 2 or 3-month-old baby develops red
patches of itchy dry skin on his face, forehead and the back of
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the ears, he is probably heading for an allergic skin condition

called eczema. Itching makes the rash worse and the skin
starts oozing. As the secretions dry up, scaly patches may be
noticed. If the broken-down skin becomes infected, pus-like
discharge is observed and the child may develop fever.
In older children, eczema presents as itchy, dry skin. The
front of the elbows and the back of the knees are more
commonly affected.
Eczema is more common in babies given artificial milk.
Babies exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life are
less prone to it. In families with a strong history of allergy,
exclusive breastfeeding is therefore advisable for 6 months.
An older infant may get this allergy with an egg or
wheat preparation.
Another similar condition termed as contact dermatitis may
develop because of contact with an irritating substance like
woollen clothing, certain soaps or oils, besan (gram flour
paste), a bubble bath, disposable diapers or certain plants.
TREATMENT: The treatment of eczema remains more or
less symptomatic. The principles are to keep the skin moist,
minimise itching and to try to find the possible allergen. Avoid
frequent washing of the skin (specially with soap); it is likely
to dry it more. Linseed oil may be applied over the itchy
patches. Apply an ointment (ung. emulsificans aquosum,
B.P.), available from your chemist, instead of soap. Pat the
skin dry with a soft towel and do not rub. Avoid applications of
besan (gram flour) paste on the skin. Some children may also
get a rash from using certain expensive soaps (including baby
soap) and oils. Applications of milk cream may also
cause rash.
Keep the childs nails short. Do not use mittens (as hand
gloves) at night unless the itching is severe. If you must use
them, check inside the mittens that they are smooth and do
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not have any loose threads that may get entangled with the
childs fingers.
Your doctor may prescribe an oral antihistamine drug
like chlorpheneramine. Cold compresses on the rash may
be found to be soothing. Soothing ointments containing
corticosteroid should be used only in consultation with your
doctor, since they are absorbed into the body through the
skin and may cause side effects. If applied, they should be
used in very small amounts. If the skin gets infected, your
doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. In very severe cases,
cyclosporine, a potentially toxic drug, has been found to
be helpful.
A mother who is breastfeeding may try omitting possible
allergens (see the list of foods at the beginning of this section)
from her diet.
If you need to be on a prolonged milk-free diet, consider
taking some calcium preparation and Vitamin B12. A diet that
includes fruits, vegetables and sprouts is essential. (Also see
the chapter on PREGNANCY.)
Some babies who are allergic to cow milk may tolerate soya
milk better, though some children are also allergic to
soya milk.
Urticaria
SYMPTOMS: This condition manifests as itchy, pink or
reddish raised patches of skin that tend to come and go, to
reappear on other parts of the body. The size of the patches
may vary from 1 millimetre to a few centimetres (giant
urticaria). Itching may be severe or mild.
CAUSES: Urticaria may follow intake of certain foods like
fish, eggs and nuts, or some drugs, or certain infectious
agents. Contact with some plants may also be responsible. At
times, no obvious cause can be determined.
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TREATMENT: Most cases respond to antihistamines. As

the patches tend to recur, treatment must be continued for as
long as the doctor advises. At times, an injection of adrenaline
is given for immediate relief, especially if the patches are also
associated with oedema or swelling. If the cause is known, the
same should be taken care of.
Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Shock)
CAUSES: This is a serious, though rare reaction following
injection of certain drugs like penicillin and antitoxins that are
made from horse serum for the treatment of tetanus or for
poisoning following snake or scorpion bites. Occasionally, the
sting of an insect may also cause it. Such a reaction can
sometimes also be seen with an oral medication.
SYMPTOMS: The patient with anaphylaxis complains of a
constricting sensation in the throat and chest, develops
urticaria and has difficulty in swallowing. He may become
unconscious and stop breathing.
TREATMENT: This is a serious condition needing
immediate medical attention. An injection of adrenaline and
mouth-to-mouth breathing with cardiac (heart) massage may
be needed.
Hay Fever
CAUSES: This is a seasonal condition related to allergens
present in the childs environment like pollens from trees
or grass.
SYMPTOMS: It presents as itching in the nose and palate,
and frequent sneezing and watery discharge from the nose,
with or without redness of eyes. The attacks only appear in a
certain season of the year and respond dramatically, though
temporarily, to antihistamines. The child becomes completely
free of symptoms once removed from the offending
environment.
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Similar symptoms are seen all through the year in some

children. In such cases, the underlying cause is an allergen at
home like house dust or animal hair. This has been discussed
under the management of asthma.
TREATMENT: Antihistamines.
Diarrhoea Due To Allergy To Foods
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS: Diarrhoea, with or without
abdominal distension, and pain in the abdomen can occur in
some children following ingestion of artificial milk, certain
food additives or preservatives and other foods mentioned
under the heading of asthma. The symptoms may be related
to allergy or to some other mechanism. Some children with
allergy to artificial milk (liquid as well as powder) may also
develop skin rashes, vomiting, and get bleeding from the
intestines. Their lungs may also be affected.
TREATMENT: Avoid the allergens. Your doctor may
prescribe an antihistamine.
ANAEMIA
Anaemia is quite common in infants as well as older
children. Keep this possibility in mind if you notice a sudden
change in the behaviour of your child or if he starts falling ill
too frequently.
Iron-Deficiency Anaemia
Although there are other types of anaemia, iron deficiency is
the commonest cause, and is common even in children from
well-to-do families.
SYMPTOMS: Mild iron-deficiency anaemia may not
produce any obvious symptom. But anaemia, if
untreated, makes a child irritable, causes loss of
appetite, tiredness, starts making him inattentive at
school, and prone to recurrent infections. The childs
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school performance may suffer. Treatment with iron

may dramatically improve his behaviour and general
condition. Some of the causes of brain strokes may also
be associated with iron deficiency. It is reported that
between 10% and 12% of strokes in children can be
explained by the presence of iron deficiency.
Iron-deficiency anaemia is common between the ages of
9 to 24 months, and is evident in most children around their
first birthday. Children given animal milk are likely candidates
even at an earlier age. Anaemia should be suspected in older
children, including adolescents, if you notice the symptoms
mentioned earlier.
It must, however, be stressed that these symptoms may
also be due to other causes. For instance, your child who is
not eating well may want to feed himself or may be rebelling
just because he is being forced to eat. A child behaving oddly
may have unfavourable circumstances at home or at school.
After anaemia is suspected, look at the colour of the skin,
the conjunctiva of the eye, the tongue and the nails for pallor.
Unfortunately, the pallor in the skin and mucous membrane
may become evident only when the haemoglobin falls well
below the normal (11 gms or more). Again remember that a
pale-looking skin is a common feature in children who are fair
and are kept mostly indoors.
TREATMENT: As iron deficiency is the commonest
cause of anaemia, doctors often ask for CBC (Complete
Blood Count) only to diagnose it. The haemoglobin of such
patients is lower than normal and the red cells are found to
be hypochromic (pale looking) and microcytic (smaller than
the normal size). The mean haemoglobin between 6 months
and 6 years is 12g/dl (with a normal range of 10.5-14) and
between 7 and 12 years, it is 13 g/dl, with a normal range
of 11 to 16. The patient is given oral iron in adequate
dosage and the blood test is repeated after completion of
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the course. The blood picture should return to normal. If

not, we conclude that either the child was not given the
medicine regularly or the diagnosis needs to be
reconsidered. The diagnosis of iron deficiency can be
confirmed by doing some further tests.
The total amount of iron is to be divided in 2 to 3 doses per
day and given in between meals. The medicine must be
continued for 2 months after the haemoglobin level returns to
normal. Milk hinders the absorption of iron with meals.
Cereals can also interfere with the absorption of iron.
However, Vitamin C helps in the absorption, so give your
child a citrus fruit or fruit juice after the medication.
Iron can temporarily stain the teeth a greyish-black.
Place the medicine on the tongue and give the child a
little water after the dose. If possible, brush his teeth
after each dose. Since some iron is excreted with the
stools, they may also be dark in colour.
Some amount of constipation or 2 or 3 somewhat loose
motions in a child treated with iron can be ignored. A small
percentage of children may get severe constipation with iron.
One may try reducing the dose a little (say 7.5 ml per day in
place of 10 ml) or try another iron preparation. It must be
added that any preparation can cause a bowel upset in an
individual patient. However, while a particular patient may not
tolerate a certain preparation, he may accept another without
any side effects.
Children who do not tolerate oral iron or those whom
doctors cannot follow to make sure that the drug is given
regularly like children going out of town are sometimes
given injections of iron.
PREVENTION: Apart from exclusively breastfeeding the
child for about 6 months, and continuing breastfeeding into
the second year, fruits, vegetables and homemade soft
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foods should be added to the childs diet at 6 months of

age. Food items that should be specially kept in mind are
leafy, green and yellow vegetables, fruits, ragi (nachni),
tomatoes, raisins, red beans and unpeeled potatoes. Nonvegetarians can include meat, liver, egg and fish in the diet.
Babies born prematurely are given iron in medicinal form
from the age of 6 weeks.
In a study from Ethiopia, lower rates of anaemia and
better growth were found in children fed food from iron
pots than in children where food was cooked in
aluminium pots. This is a simple and practical method
to prevent iron deficiency.
Anaemia Due To Goats Milk
Goats milk is deficient in folic acid. This deficiency can also
result in anaemia.
TREATMENT: These children need folic acid. Quite a few
medicines containing iron also have folic acid added.
Pica
Pica (eating mud, wall scrapings, paper, etc.) can also interfere
with absorption of iron.
TREATMENT: Oral iron and deworming.
Hookworm Anaemia
Hookworms, acquired while walking barefoot on a field
contaminated with the ova and larvae of hookworms, can also
cause anaemia. The larvae hatch and penetrate the skin of the
feet. Adult hookworms hook themselves to the upper
intestines and suck blood. The eggs of the worms are
excreted in the stools.
TREATMENT: People infected with hookworms should
be instructed not to walk barefoot and should be treated
for eradicating hookworms from the system. Very often,
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these people have iron deficiency and need treatment for

the same.
Other Causes Of Anaemia
Though rare, certain other causes of anaemia should also be
kept in mind: Anaemia in a newborn due to blood group
incompatibility (see Jaundice), excessive bleeding at any age;
infections, certain drugs, and serious diseases like leukaemia
(see Cancer).
A serious type of anaemia due to Vitamin B12
deficiency can occur in breastfed babies whose mothers
are on a strict vegan diet (see section on diet in the
chapter on PREGNANCY).
G-6-PD Deficiency
A passing reference may be made to a type of anaemia that
may occur due to excessive breakdown of red blood cells
deficient in an enzyme called G-6-PD. Its deficiency is seen in
about 5% of the Indian population. It is more common in
communities like the Parsis, Sindhis, Punjabis, Bhanushalis
and Lohanas. If severe, the condition can present soon after
birth or may appear later due to toxic effects of drugs on these
G-6-PD deficient red cells.
MANAGEMENT: A simple test is carried out to detect
this deficiency. Children with this diagnosis should avoid
drugs like paracetamol, sulpha, certain anti-malarials like
primaquine, nitrofurantoin and furazolidone (prescribed for
urinary infection and gastro-intestinal infections respectively), the water-soluble form of Vitamin K and
chloramphenicol.
Conditions That Can Be Confused With Iron-Deficiency
Anaemia
An iron-deficiency type of picture can also sometimes be seen
in children with lead poisoning secondary to application of
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surma to the eyes and in children with pica mentioned earlier.

Surma may contain high levels of lead. In market samples
studied in Mumbai, it was found that most had high levels of
lead varying from 20% to 80%.
While discussing iron-deficiency anaemia, we should
familiarise ourselves with a condition called
Thalassemia minor. Children with this condition also
have microcytic, hypochromic type of anaemia. In
absence of iron deficiency, these children do not need
medication. This is a hereditary condition acquired from
one of the parents. It does not harm the child. But if such
a child marries a person having Thalassemia minor,
their offspring can suffer from a serious disease called
Thalassemia major. The diagnosis of thalassemia is
made by doing a special test for measuring different
types of haemoglobins present in the blood.
ANOREXIA (POOR APPETITE)
Mothers in rural India will rarely consult a doctor because
their children are not eating enough, but almost 50% of urban
mothers will bring their children to a paediatrician because
they worry they are not eating enough.
If your preschooler is not eating enough, but is otherwise
active and full of life, there is probably nothing wrong
with him. I would certainly be worried if a newborn baby
suddenly stops suckling. If he has thrush (curd-like white
patches which do not come off easily) inside his mouth, a
simple treatment will set matters right. Otherwise, a severe
infection may be cooking which needs urgent attention.
CAUSES: In case you are worried that your child weighs
less than those around him, keep in mind that the child who
was small at birth (though he was born at the expected time)
is likely to remain small. Also, his size will mimic yours or
your husbands. If you are concerned that your childs weight
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gain and appetite seems to be less in the second 6 months

than in the first 6 months, remember that an average
breastfed infant may gain about 20 to 30 gms of weight per day
in the first 3 months, about 15 gms between 3 and 6 months
and even less in the next 6 months.
The bulk of the cases of anorexia belong to the age group of
1 to 3 years, and usually parents of first children will bring
them in to be examined. In these cases, the mother has
usually tried all possible methods to make the child eat, and
he has rebelled. Your anxiety probably transfers itself to
your child.
An older child or an adolescent who is losing weight
(weighed on the same scale at intervals) or one who gets tired
easily and appears unwell and listless may also need a
thorough check-up and investigations. He may, for instance,
be anaemic or may have diseases like jaundice (due to
infection of his liver), tuberculosis or a urinary infection.
TREATMENT: Work with a babys natural appetite. Just as
a baby suckles as much milk as he needs at the breast, a child
will usually eat when he is hungry. No intervention is
required as long as he is otherwise healthy.
Remember that a toddler likes to play with his food.
Nearer his first birthday, he will show interest in
feeding himself. If permitted, he will enjoy doing so
though he makes a mess and manages to put hardly
anything in his mouth. A clever mother allows him to
learn to manage by himself. In between, she assists him
but makes him feel that he is doing it himself. She does
not mind the mess. She knows that the child could be
persuaded to eat more without his messing around, but
she avoids the temptation to take over and allows him
to manage with his own fingers or with the help of a
spoon. The moment he shows reluctance to eat any
more, she avoids any attempt to make him finish the
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remaining food. Such a child is likely to create fewer

problems while eating compared to the child of a
mother who forces him to eat. Clever handling is
the key.
Offering a child too much of milk or milk products is not
desirable. At times, the milk may have to be stopped for a
couple of months until the child develops healthy food habits.
Children who dont eat much at mealtimes should be
offered food or feeds more often, say every 2 to 3 hours. If a
child does not eat enough of one item, but you feel he is still
hungry, offer him something else say a fruit or your feed.
Try to get the child involved in the preparation of the meal.
Although some doctors prescribe drugs like cyproheptadine
to stimulate the appetite, I do not recommend these.
Anorexia Nervosa
In adolescence, girls often fall prey to an eating disorder
called anorexia nervosa. The patient gets a compulsive
desire to lose weight and becomes emaciated due to
vigorous dieting. Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy, an expert on
developmental disorders, reveals, Anorexia nervosa, though
extensively described in the Western world, is now seen in
Indian society, especially in the urban middle and upper
classes. The disorder is usually seen in adolescent girls,
though it can be seen in boys as well. The child begins to
diet, or restrict her overall intake excessively, particularly of
fats, resulting in excessive weight loss. It is accompanied by
a distortion in the perception of body image they always
see themselves as fat or overweight even if they have lost a
lot of weight or are emaciated. The dieting may also be
associated with excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives
and forced vomiting to lose weight. Although the exact cause
of anorexia nervosa is unclear, it appears to occur around the
time of adolescence when a girls self esteem may be low.
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Added to this is the role of the media and societal pressure

and the portrayal of very thin women as acceptable or
beautiful. Such a condition is related to a severe emotional
disturbance and must be taken care of with the help
of a psychiatrist or a family counsellor. Adds
Dr. Krishnamoorthy, Our goal for our children should
include encouraging a healthy diet, and at the same time,
de-emphasising the importance of looks, and building the
childs overall self esteem.
Indeed, if your child or adolescent looks unwell in
addition to going off food, your doctor might like to have a
close look at her to find and treat the other possible causes
of anorexia.
ASTHMA
See Allergies (page 255).
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Although children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) are intelligent, they do poorly in school
because parents as well as teachers often misunderstand
them. Their impulsive behaviour and lack of attention gets on
the nerves of others. They are ridiculed for the same and thus
they lose their confidence.
SYMPTOMS: The child must have at least 2 of the 3
important features: Inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. An expert must make the diagnosis before any
treatment is started. Once the diagnosis is made, these
children can be helped with proper management and do
reasonably well in school and later in life.
Unfortunately, the diagnosis is often made wrongly or is
delayed. In case of the former, parents and teachers forget
that many normal toddlers may appear hyperactive and not
bother to concentrate. Hence, the diagnosis of ADHD should
not be made till the child has spent a year or two in normal
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school. Additionally, some drugs can also cause the

hyperactivity features of ADHD.
ADHD can also be noticed in certain other conditions like
rejection by the family, psychiatric disorders connected with
depression and anxiety, deafness and visual handicaps.
TREATMENT: Efforts should first be made to manage the
child without any medication. Experts plan structured daily
programmes for these children. Daily routines are fixed and
followed in a consistent manner. Care is taken to see that the
child goes to sleep and gets up at fixed hours and has regular
timings for his meals and studies. The child gets rewards for
his good behaviour. Teachers need to give the ADHD child
individual attention. Parents as well as teachers should set up
small attainable goals for him to build his confidence and selfesteem. Cases with a definite diagnosis and which do not
improve with this approach may require certain specific
drugs. When clearly indicated, these drugs are helpful, but
they should be given only under expert supervision, so that
the dose can be properly adjusted, keeping the possible side
effects and efficacy in mind.
AUTISM
A disease of uncertain causation, autism (or Pervasive
Developmental Disorder) is a developmental disorder of the
brain, due to which the child has difficulty in communication
and in socialisation. It is much more common than previously
thought the incidence of autism the world over is about
2 per 1000 persons, and is 4 times more common in boys than
girls. The exact cause of autism is as yet unknown, but we do
know that it is not caused by events after birth, such as a
difficult delivery or a certain way of bringing up a child.
Reveals Dr. Vibha Krishnamoorthy, an expert on
developmental disorders, The stereotype of an autistic child
being alone in a corner rocking himself or being unable to
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show affection is not necessarily true. It is now recognised

that autism is a spectrum disorder that can vary greatly in
the way it presents.
SYMPTOMS: All children with autism have 3 main areas
that are affected:
Language is usually delayed. Speech may also be
unusual, in the form of repeating the same word or
phrase over and over again, or repeating the question
that was asked. The child may also have difficulty using
language meaningfully, such as initiating a conversation,
or asking-relevant questions.
Socialisation: The child with autism is less interested
in socialising with other children than his peers. He may
prefer to play alone. There may be difficulty getting him
to make eye contact. The child may also have trouble
taking turns, e.g. throwing a ball back and forth.
Unusual behaviours: Children with autism have a need
for sameness. They may prefer to do certain things the
same way, such as liking the days routine, or lining up
their toys in the same way. They may show some
unusual behaviours such as rocking, spinning, hand
flapping or watching lights.
It is not necessary for a child to have all the above features
for the diagnosis of autism.
TREATMENT: Although there is no cure for autism, early
diagnosis by an expert is extremely important, as early
behavioural and educational intervention can lead to
improvements. With help, almost every autistic child will
make progress and can lead a satisfying life.
BACKACHE
Backaches are not common in children, so dont ignore the
complaint if your child has a persistent backache for more
than 2 to 3 days.
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CAUSES: Unaccustomed, undue or sudden exertion could

cause a backache. Has your child recently joined a gym or
yoga or karate classes? Has he developed a new interest in
athletics? If he looks otherwise well, wait for a few days more
and things should settle down. An older child having
emotional problems at home or in school may also present
with backache. Backache could be a part of a flu-like illness
presenting with fever and generalised body ache and relieved
by paracetamol. But if the pain persists for over a week, call
your doctor.
The spine is made up of a number of small bones called
vertebrae, each separated by a disc from its neighbour. The
pain could be due to a disease of the vertebrae or the disc.
The cause could be an acute infection or even a chronic
infection like tuberculosis. Scoliosis (curvature of the
spine), rheumatic diseases or even malignant diseases like
tumours and leukaemia can also cause backache. But this is
not common.
Sometimes, the pain may not be related to the spine. For
instance, a child with urinary infection may also complain of
pain in one or both sides of the lower back.
TREATMENT: Depends upon the cause.
BED-WETTING (ENURESIS)
Bed-wetting must be differentiated from the situation where
the childs nappy or pant is wet all the time during the day as
well as at night. In such a condition, immediately see your
doctor to rule out urinary infection, any congenital
abnormality of the urinary tract, diabetes or diseases
connected with the nervous system.
You need worry about bed-wetting only if your child is
constantly wetting his bed in sleep after his fourth birthday.
Ordinarily, as soon as the bladder of a child aged 3 or more
becomes full, he gets signals from his bladder to empty it. In
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some families, this system takes more time to develop. It is

possible that your older child or even your husband had a
similar history. And knowing this usually helps the
prognosis. Incidentally, girls tend to achieve bladder
control earlier than boys. It is reported that 77% of
children suffer from enuresis if both parents were
enuretic as children, and 44% when only one parent has
a positive history. If one identical twin has enuresis,
there is a 40% to 50% chance that the other will have
the same problem, independent of the parents status.
For non-identical twins, this likelihood decreases
to 20%.
CAUSES: Bed-wetting beyond the age of 4 is possibly due
to a delay in the maturation of the nervous system that
controls the bladder mechanism for inherited reasons or
otherwise.
Take note, however, if your child who has remained dry all
through the night for a sufficiently long period reverts to bedwetting. There are usually psychological factors causing such
accidents. Examples of these could be sibling rivalry due to
the arrival of a new baby, moving to a new house, joining a
new school or emotional disturbance because of a problem at
home or in school.
MANAGEMENT: A child who wets the bed is not doing
it to teach you a lesson, nor are you an inefficient parent.
The fact is that he cannot control his bladder. Hence, he
deserves to be understood rather than punished. He should
not be put to shame for this act in the presence of others,
especially his friends. It appears that, in general,
development of bladder and bowel control is a maturational
process that cannot be accelerated by early onset and high
intensity of toilet training.
Some parents restrict the intake of fluids towards late
evening; it is worthwhile seeing if this works for your child.
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Another method is the alarm device, an electric appliance

connected to a pad on which the child sleeps. As soon as the
child passes the first few drops of urine, the alarm rings. If
your child is amenable, explain to him that this is a signal for
him to wake up and pass urine. Otherwise, wake him up
yourself, have him put off the alarm and pass urine. Gradually,
he will be conditioned to stop passing urine as soon as he
hears the alarm. In due course of time, he will be conditioned
to control his urge to pass urine until he wakes in the
morning. Continue using the alarm device for a month or two
after control has been achieved.
Drugs may be prescribed in resistant cases. Imipramine
is commonly prescribed. If used and found helpful, it must
be continued for a period of 3 months. Do not use this
drug without the advice of your doctor, because it has
known side effects. Desmopressin, in the form of a nasal
way, has also been found to be helpful. An oral
preparation of desmopressin (not yet available in the
market) is preferred because nasal delivery can be
compromised by the common cold and allergic rhinitis.
Fortunately, most cases can be handled without drugs and
with the help of a competent and sympathetic physician.
Laughter And The Passage Of Urine
Mention may also be made of children who, although they
otherwise have full control of their bladders, involuntarily
pass urine when they suddenly burst out laughing. This
condition improves spontaneously as the child grows up.
BIRTH
DEFORMITIES
ABNORMALITIES
AND
CONGENITAL
These two terms are often used interchangeably. Birth

defects are rare, usually minor and cause no harm to the baby.
The more serious ones include hare lip, cleft palate,
congenital heart disease, Downs Syndrome and spina bifida.
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CAUSES: Do not feel guilty if your baby is born with a birth

defect; it is usually due to a factor beyond your control.
Two avoidable causes of birth deformities, however, are the
use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy.
Similarly, certain drugs taken during pregnancy, especially
during the first 3 months, can cause problems. If you are
pregnant, dont take any drug without first checking with your
doctor.
Birth defects could also be due to abnormalities of
chromosomes. These are present in the nuclei of all our body
cell except the red cells. We have 46 chromosomes. Twentythree are passed to the child from the father and 23 from the
mother. These chromosomes carry several genes on which
depend our looks, the colour of our eyes and the size of our
nose, and also the way different cells in our body function.
Abnormalities of chromosomes can result in certain
diseases like Downs Syndrome.
If the defect is due to a chromosomal abnormality, and this
happens to be your first child, you could not have done much
to prevent it.
PREVENTION: Discuss the risk of birth defects with
your doctor if you are married to a close relative
(consanguineous marriage), if you have diabetes, the
thalassemia trait (see Amzemia) or any infection like
German measles during pregnancy.
It is advisable for parents of a child with a birth
defect to seek the advice of a genetic counsellor before
they decide to have another child, because some defects
can occur in more than one child. Your family doctor or
paediatrician can guide you in this matter.
Folic acid taken during pregnancy greatly reduces
the chances of the baby being born with spina bifida.
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BITES AND STINGS

Mosquito And Bed Bug Bites And Bee And Wasp Stings
A mosquito bite can be recognised by the slightly raised red
area with a bite mark at the centre. Consider the possibility of
bed bugs when your child starts itching soon after a bus or a
train ride; there will usually be a bed bug under his pants. He
has probably been stung by a bee or a wasp if he was in a
garden and complains of severe pain and swelling at the site.
Sometimes, insect stings may result in anaphylactic shock
(see Allergies).
Spider bites can also cause problems similar to bee and
wasp stings. The bite of the monitor lizard (Goh), although it
has a forked tongue like that of a snake, is not poisonous.
TREATMENT: Most insect bites subside within a day or
two without any treatment. Calamine lotion helps to reduce
the itching. For wasp or bee stings, ice packs with a small
hand towel or a piece of cloth should be applied locally,
despite the childs initial protests. Applying vinegar on a wasp
sting and lime on a bee sting also relieves pain.
Bees also have a venom sac attached to the stinger. If the
stinger is present, scrape it with a knife. Do not try to remove
it with your finger, otherwise you may squeeze the venom sac
and push more venom into the childs system. The stinger of
the honeybee is difficult to remove, so leave it alone.
If the child goes into anaphylactic shock, consider the
situation an emergency and seek immediate help.
PREVENTION: To prevent insect bites, avoid areas where
the insects are more likely to be around (gardens, pools of
water, etc). Though many insects are colour blind, some are
attracted by bright colours and flowery prints. A strong smell
also attracts insects. Dress the child accordingly. Keep his
limbs covered in full-length trousers and full-sleeved shirts. If
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you decide to use an insect repellent cream, read the product

label to ascertain its safety for babies. Even if safety is
assured, use sparingly and only on exposed parts; the
medicine in these repellents can get absorbed through the
babys thin skin and can be harmful. If mosquitoes are a
problem at night, keep the windows closed in the evening
(when mosquitoes are more likely to enter into the room).
Open the windows at night and use a mosquito net that covers
the whole bed. Do not use an umbrella-type net for small
babies; it may close automatically and injure the baby. Also
note that repellents help prevent bites by mosquitoes and not
those of bees and wasps.
Avoid using mosquito coils; they can cause chronic cough
in some children. Dr. N. G. Wagle, an expert in this field,
advises that 5 to 10 ml. of citronella oil be mixed with 100 ml.
of coconut oil, a cotton swab dipped in the oil and kept near
the head-end of the bed to repel the mosquitoes which are
attracted by the carbon dioxide exhaled by a person. The oil
can also be used for the skin in place of mosquito repellent
creams. If a mat is to be used, switch on the appliance an hour
or so in advance and when the child is not in the room. Open
the windows after an hour or two. Switch off the appliance and
then bring the child in; the mosquitoes in the room will have
been dealt with and new ones are less likely to come in, once
it is dark.
Scorpion Stings
These can be very painful. More than 80 species of scorpions
are seen in India. The most dangerous species is the red
scorpion, whose sting can cause systemic manifestations like
vomiting, profuse sweating, abdominal pain, agitation and
confusion.
TREATMENT: Localised treatment with an ice pack in a
hand towel or a piece of cloth helps. Apply pressure on the
wound with a thick bandage or pieces of cloth to reduce the
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risk of spread of the venom. Scorpion antitoxin, if available,

should be injected preferably within 2 hours of the scorpion
bite. A child with systemic features must be hospitalised.
PREVENTION: Teach your children to turn their shoes
upside down before wearing them, especially in a scorpioninfested rural area.
Snakebites
Most snakes in our country are non-poisonous, helpful in
killing mice and other harmful pests, and should not,
therefore, be wantonly killed.
It is, however, important to seek medical advice for all
suspected cases of snakebite. It is helpful to know that even
when bitten by a poisonous snake, a person may not suffer
any ill effects if no venom has been injected into his system.
There are 4 common poisonous snakes in India. They are
the Indian cobra (Nag), the Indian krait (Bangam), the
Russels viper (Daboia) and the saw-scaled viper (Phoorsa).
While the cobra is familiar to us, the krait has white
transverse lines right from the neck down to the tail. The
viper has a triangular head and a narrow neck.
SYMPTOMS: It is important to know about the symptoms
of poisoning due to snake venom because the bite may not
always be obvious. If your child complains that he has been
bitten by a snake, take it seriously and look for the site of the
bite; the bite marks of a poisonous snake differ from those of
the non-poisonous variety. Poisonous snakes have long fangs.
The bites of these snakes display the marks of the two fangs.
The bites of non-poisonous snakes leave behind the marks of
two rows of teeth marks, but no marks of fangs (see
illustration).
The symptoms of snake poisoning are specific to the snake
that has bitten the person. The venom of the cobra and krait
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Fang marks
from the bite of
a p&www
snake.
Teeth marks are
often absent.
Two rows of
teeth marks
from the bite
of a non-poisonous
snake.
Snake bite
affect the nervous system. Besides pain at the site of the bite,
the patient may also manifest weakness of the eye muscles,
resulting in drooping of the eyelids, double vision and squint.
There may be difficulty in swallowing, cough and paralysis of
the muscles required for breathing. The patient may also
complain of pain in the abdomen, loose motions and vomiting.
The blood pressure may drop and the patient may collapse.
The respiratory paralysis can lead to death if the patient does
not receive adequate treatment in time.
Swelling at the site of cobra and krait bites is not common.
Compared to the cobra and krait, a viper bite is usually very
severe and the local swelling is quite marked. Blisters may
form around the site of the bite. The bite of the viper affects
the blood system and prevents clotting. Patients develop
vomiting, the blood pressure falls and bleeding may occur
from different parts of the body. The bleeding may continue if
treatment is not given and the patient may go into a state of
shock.
TREATMENT: Treatment for snakebite must be prompt. If
the snake alive or dead is available, take it to the
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hospital for the doctor to decide if it is poisonous or not. Do

not panic. Keep the child on an empty stomach.
Do not suck the bite site or make cuts into it. Keep the bite
site lower than the level of the heart; apply a tourniquet or a
rubber tube or any constricting band between the bite site
and the heart. To maintain the blood supply, the tourniquet
should be slackened for a few seconds at regular intervals of
about 10 minutes.
The bitten part should be kept steady. Usually, the bite is
on the lower limb. As the venom spreads faster on movement,
the child should not be allowed to walk.
The venom from the site usually spreads through the lymph
vessels lying under the skin. The best way to reduce the risk is
to put a pressure bandage on the limbs and to immobilise it
with a splint. (Take any clean cloth or a crepe bandage, if
available, and apply it over the bite site and above it. Then
apply a splint a thin long piece of wood or any other material
that should include joints on either side of the bite. This
prevents the use of the muscles around the bite site and hence
reduces the lymph flow and the spread of the venom.
Carry the child flat with the bite site at a level lower than
the heart.
Paracetamol can be given for pain. Local application of ice
reduces the pain. Since direct prolonged contact of ice with
the skin can result in damage to the underlying tissues, crush
the ice and pack it around the bandage.
For poisonous bites, an injection of a polyvalent antivenom
(which protects against venom of all common poisonous
snakes) must be given as soon as possible. Do not delay in
taking the child to the nearest hospital. He may also need
antibiotics and protection against tetanus. Those with severe
complications may also have to be administered blood and
blood products and put on artificial respiration.
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BLEEDING
COMMON CAUSES:
Cuts
See Cuts (page 322).
Nosebleeds
See Nose-Related Problems (page 374).
Vomiting Of Blood (Haematemesis)
This could be due to severe bouts of vomiting without any
bleeding disorder. It can also be due to drugs like aspirin and
certain other pain-relieving drugs, especially if these are
taken on an empty stomach. Liver disease and portal
hypertension can give rise to dilated blood vessels in the
oesophagus and stomach which can bleed.
Blood In Stools
This can be due to a fissure caused by hard motions in a child
with constipation. In such a case, the hard stools are streaked
with fresh blood. A rectal polyp is another cause for passage of
fresh blood in the stools. The typical history is that of a child
who passes drops of fresh blood after having passed a motion.
Spitting Of Blood Or Haemoptysis
This could be due to certain diseases in the lungs. Blood
trickling from the back of the nose and brought out from the
mouth can also be mistaken for haemoptysis.
MANAGEMENT: For cuts and bleeding from the
nose, see sections on Cuts and Nose-Related Problems
respectively.
Take your child to a doctor or hospital immediately in these
situations:
If your child is bleeding persistently or profusely.
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If the child is bleeding and has unexplained fever, looks

severely anaemic, has jaundice, complains of persistent
headache or has disturbed consciousness. Such a child
could have serious diseases like leukaemia, severe liver
disease, meningitis or bleeding inside the skull
(intracranial bleed).
If there is a history of bleeding in him or other members
of the family, or bleeding following minor injuries, or
there is spontaneous bleeding from any site without any
provocative factors. Such a child may have a hereditary
condition called haemophilia. This needs to be fully
investigated and managed properly under expert advice.
BONE, JOINT AND MUSCLE INJURIES
Injuries To Bone
Fractures in children are not uncommon and usually not
serious. For instance, when children learn to walk, they fall
frequently and can get the so-called toddler fractures. The
child avoids putting weight on that leg and tends to limp.
These fractures usually heal without any treatment. But if the
symptoms persist for more than a day or two, you must see
your doctor. Fortunately, most get better by restricting the
movement of the part and surgery is rarely needed.
After an injury, the bone may not fracture right through. It
may just bend and a crack may be noticed only on one side of
the bone. If the bone breaks through the skin and comes out
of the surface, it is termed an open fracture and needs much
more careful handling.
Fractures affecting the growth plate at the end of the bones
also need specialised treatment. Otherwise, the normal
growth of that particular bone is affected.
MANAGEMENT: If you suspect a fracture (pain, local
swelling and lack of movement of the affected limb), make a
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splint from a piece of wood or folded newspaper. Put it under

the injured site to prevent movement. Use cold compresses
on the site till your doctor sees the child.
If there is a possibility of a fracture affecting the spine or
neck, do not move the child yourself. Let the doctor handle
the case. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure on the
wound (see Cuts).
The doctor may ask for an X-ray and decide to set the bone
by manipulation (closed reduction) or by an operation (open
reduction).
Pulled Elbow
Your child is walking by your side with your hand holding his.
He suddenly decides to move away from you. You pull him
forcefully towards you. He complains of pain near his elbow,
which is slightly bent. Straightening the elbow causes more
pain. This is the description of a pulled elbow. These children
have a rather loose elbow joint. When you pulled him, the
upper end of the bone nearer the arm was pulled towards you,
creating a space between this bone and the other bones. The
tissue nearby slid into this newly created space. When the
pull is released, the bone goes back to its earlier position, the
tissue gets trapped inside the joint and the child feels pain.
TREATMENT: A doctor in a hospitals casualty
department can easily set it right to bring immediate relief
from pain.
Sprains Affecting A Joint
The common example is a twisted ankle joint. The ligament
holding the joints together is either stretched excessively or
gets torn. Your child feels pain, refuses to walk and you notice
swelling around the particular joint.
TREATMENT: As there could be an underlying fracture, a
medical opinion is desirable. Keep the joint motionless while
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waiting for your doctor. If you have an elastic bandage, wrap it

around the joint, but not too tight. Remove it for a while every
2 hours to make sure that blood flow is not obstructed.
For pain, you can give the child paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Keep the joint raised and give cold compresses with crushed
ice in a small hand towel or a piece of cloth. If you are unable
to consult a doctor, apply cold compresses for about
20 minutes, once every hour, for a day or two. After a day or
two, the swelling will become less or not increase any further.
Then give hot compresses every 2 or 3 hours.
In case the child cannot move his toes or the foot appears
limp, deep-seated serious injuries might have occurred.
Urgent medical advice is needed.
Injury To The Tip Of The Finger Or Nail
This can be very painful and may even lead to a permanent
deformity of the growing nail. The tip of the finger can get
caught in the closing door of the car or at home. Sometimes,
the injury is not severe and the child does not complain of
much pain. There is not much swelling as well. Such cases
can get better without any treatment. The problem arises if
you notice swelling or blood under the nail.
TREATMENT: Such a situation needs urgent medical
attention. While waiting for your doctor, give cold compresses
with crushed ice in a small hand towel or a piece of cloth. If
ice is not available, take cold water and let the finger be
dipped in it. If the skin is cut, wash it with soap and water and
put sterile gauze (available in packets with your chemist) on
it. If the finger is bleeding, a cold compress will help. Too
much pressure to stop the bleeding should be avoided, as
there may also be an underlying fracture. Keep the finger a
little raised.
The doctor will decide if there is a need to remove blood
from under the nail by making a small hole in it. If he suspects
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a fracture, he will ask for an X-ray. Consulting an orthopaedic

surgeon is essential if a fracture is confirmed or if there is
damage to the nail bed, where nail growth takes place.
Injury To The Muscles
SYMPTOMS: Muscles are strained after sudden activity and
exertion. Your child may complain of severe pain in one or
more muscles. He may not be able to move the affected part,
possibly because of bleeding within the muscle that makes it
stiff.
TREATMENT: Raise that limb and gently massage it after
applying hot compresses. In future, let him start an exercise
to which he is unaccustomed gradually and do warm-ups
before any active sport.
BOWLEGS AND KNOCK-KNEES
Most infants are bowlegged. Similarly, most preschool
children have knock-knees. Both these conditions usually
need no treatment. The legs become straight in almost all
cases before the child starts school.
Rickets can cause bowing of legs, but the child will also
have other features of rickets. You should also consult your
doctor if only one leg is affected or if the bowlegs seem to get
worse after 2 years of age.
In case of knock-knees, if the gap between the ankles, with
the child lying down (legs touching the bed), is more than
10 ems. or if the knock-knees persist after 7 years of age,
further investigations and treatment may be required.
BREATHLESSNESS
Take note when any child breathes over 50 times a minute.
Smaller children normally have a faster rate of breathing
than older children, but you should immediately show the
child to a doctor if the rate of breathing is as follows:
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Upto 2 months of age

2 months to 1 year
1 to 5 years
Older children
60
50
40
30
or
or
or
or
more
more
more
more
per
per
per
per
minute
minute
minute
minute
To count the rate, place your watch (with a seconds hand)

over the chest of the child and count the number of breaths
per minute.
Along with fast breathing, if the spaces between the lower
ribs of a childs chest go in as the child breathes, rush to the
doctor. If such a child is unable to drink anything, it is a
medical emergency and the child should be taken to hospital
immediately.
COMMON CAUSES: A few common causes of
breathlessness discussed under individual headings are:
Pneumonia (see Pneumonia)
Asthma (see Allergies)
Bronchiolitis
Stridor associated with a foreign body or serious
infection of the throat (see Stride)
Heart failure due to congenital or acquired heart disease
(see Congenital heart disease)
BRONCHIOLITIS
SYMPTOMS: An infant between 2 and 6 months of age,
having mild cold-like symptoms with low fever, may become
rapidly ill and restless, develop severe cough, fast breathing
(50 or more breaths per minute) and wheezing, and may
become blue. This picture suggests the possibility of the child
having bronchiolitis. This disease is seen mostly during the
winter months. It is due to a viral infection and hence
antibiotics are not helpful.
TREATMENT: Children with bronchiolitis often need
hospitalisation. An X-ray will be taken. Oxygen and
intravenous fluids may have to be given. If the chest X-ray
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shows evidence of a bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics will be

prescribed. If the infant gets more than one attack of the so
called bronchiolitis, it is possible that he has asthma and not
bronchiolitis.
Try and prevent bronchiolitis by keeping your child away
from children or adults who have a viral cold.
BURNS
Prevention of burns should be of paramount importance (see
chapter on PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS). Minor burns
may cause discomfort, but severe burns can endanger life or
lead to crippling deformities.
TREATMENT: Whatever the extent of the burn, first
put cold water over the burn. Do not use ice. If cold water
is not available, keep pouring tap or stored water over the
area for some time. Remove all clothing from the burnt
area. Cover the area with a clean piece of cloth. Do not
apply any ointment, ghee or honey without the advice of
your doctor. Do not puncture the blisters. Generally,
doctors leave the small blisters alone. The large blisters
are often punctured to avoid accidental rupture and
consequent infection.
Let your doctor decide if the child needs hospitalisation.
This may have to be considered in case of burns of the
face, hands, genitals and feet; in all third-degree burns (see
below); first and second-degree burns involving more than
25% of the body (see table); and burns due to chemicals or
electric shock.
In first-degree burns, the patient only has redness with or
without slight swelling of the skin. Second degree burns
cause blisters and much swelling. Third degree burns damage
even the deeper layers of the skin. The skin may appear white
or charred.
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The extent of the burns is calculated by the Rule of Nine.

RULE OF NINE
Part of the body
Percentage
Total (%)
Face
9 (18 in infants)
Front and back
18 each
36
Upper limbs
9 each
18
Lower limbs
18 each
(13.5 in infants)
Perineum
Grand Total
36
1
100
In case of extensive burns, do not give anything by mouth

to the child until you have seen the doctor. Otherwise, plenty
of liquids should be given. If the child has received his usual
immunisations (including DPT or triple antigen) as per
schedule, there is no need for a tetanus toxoid except for
severe burns when your doctor may decide to give it. If a
booster dose of DPT (Diphtheria, Pertusis and Tetanus) is
due, it can be given. This includes tetanus toxoid.
CALCIUM DEFICIENCY
Calcium deficiency can lead to irritability, jitteriness,
tremors and convulsions in newborn babies. It can also be
seen in older infants and preschool children in association
with Vitamin D deficiency. Pregnant and lactating mothers
must have adequate amount of calcium and Vitamin D in
their diets to prevent problems associated with calcium
deficiency. Artificially fed children are more prone to
develop calcium deficiency. The high phosphate content of
non-human milk depresses the level of calcium in the
blood. Though rare in breastfed infants, calcium deficiency
can occur in such infants whose mothers are deficient in
calcium and Vitamin D.
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PEVENTION: Exposure of infants and mothers to adequate

sunlight can help in prevention of this condition.
Also see Rickets.
CANCER
Cancer does not respect age. It can affect even children.
SYMPTOMS: Hodgkins Disease is cancer of the lymph
nodes or glands. Leukaemia refers to cancer of the blood. In
both these diseases, the child feels weak, complains of poor
appetite, can lose weight, and may have unexplained fever and
enlargement of his liver and spleen. In both conditions, the
child can have enlargement of the lymph nodes, but the nodes
are likely to be much more enlarged in Hodgkins disease.
They can be found in different parts of the body, including the
abdomen, chest, armpits and groin, but are more likely to be
discovered first in the neck. The chest nodes are usually
detected in an X-ray of the chest.
In leukaemia, severe anaemia, a tendency for bleeding and
tenderness in the bones are the more salient features.
Bone tumours cause pain and swelling at the site of the
tumour. The bones of the limbs are commonly affected.
Brain tumours lead to persistent headaches, vomiting,
tiredness, visual disturbances, unsteady gait and convulsions.
Children can also have cancer of the kidney (Wilms
tumour), the suprarenal gland lying above the kidney, the
liver, the skin and the eye.
The Silver Lining
Fortunately, early detection and treatment can now save over
half the children who get afflicted by cancer.
Although the treatment is an expensive and painful affair,
the prognosis is usually good in children.
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CARDIAC PULMONARY RESUSCITATION

AND MOUTH-TO-MOUTH BREATHING
(CPR)
Timely help can save a life. You must practise the technique
of mouth-to-mouth breathing in advance.
Have someone call for an ambulance or a doctor, while you
start on the procedures.
Check For Breathing, Not Pulse
Look for movement and any sign of breathing, including
coughing. If these are absent, call for an ambulance and start
chest compressions.
Positioning Hands
Compressing and releasing the chest (see steps 5 and 6) helps
force blood out of the heart and into the rest of the circulatory
system. Simply place your hands between the victims nipples
to locate the sternum. For children over age 8, perform
15 compressions before giving 2 rescue breaths.
Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing
Mouth-to-mouth breathing, in which you exhale into the
victims mouth, remains an essential part of CPR. But if
you are unable or unwilling to give the mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation, chest compressions alone should increase the
victims chance of survival, especially if medical help is
imminent.
Steps To Be followed If The Child Stops Breathing
Step 1: Shout for help to get an extra hand and to summon
a doctor.
Step 2: In the case of a child, clear the mouth. Check if
anything is stuck in the mouth or throat. Pull the tongue
forward. Remove any foreign object or food that can be
removed easily with your fingers. If removal seems difficult,
follow the section on choking.
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Mouth-to-mouth breathing in an older child
Step 3: Let the child lie on his back on the ground or any
other firm surface like a strong table. Tilt his head back so
that the tip of his nose faces the roof or sky. Open his
mouth wide.
Step 4: If he is still not breathing, start mouth-to-mouth
breathing. For this, take a deep breath. For an infant, place
your mouth over his mouth as well as the nose, closing your
mouth firmly over them so that no air leaks. Then, blow
gently to make sure that his chest rises a little. Do not blow
with too much force in an infant, because you may rupture
his lungs.
In case of an older child, pinch his nostrils with one hand
and place your mouth only on his mouth. Breathe into the
childs mouth forcefully to ensure some lifting of his chest.
Give 2 such breaths.
If the chest is not moving, follow Step 2 again.
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Cardiac massage in an infant
If the chest rises with mouth-to-mouth breathing, remove

your mouth from his mouth and after every breath, take a
deep breath and breathe again into his mouth at a rate of
about 20 breaths per minute until he starts breathing on his
own or until you are sure that he is dead. This effort may be
needed for about an hour.
Step 5: Sometimes, the heart also stops beating in such a
situation. After the first two breaths, check the pulse. In small
infants, put 2 fingers gently to feel for the pulse in front of the
elbow. In older children, feel for the pulsation in the neck a
little away from the windpipe at the level of the Adams apple.
If you cannot feel the pulse, you must begin cardiac (heart)
massage by pressing on the breastbone lying in the middle of
the chest.
Step 6: If you have help, one of you should do the cardiac
massage while the other does mouth-to-mouth breathing. In
case of an infant, press on the breastbone with 3 fingers,
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Cardiac massage in an older child
placed a little below the level of the nipple. Press the bone
about an inch at a rate of about 100 per minute (see
illustration).
If you are alone, give one breath for every five
compressions (or massage).
For an older child, you may need to apply more pressure,
using the heel of the hand. For an adolescent, you may also
need to place the heel of one hand on top of the other hand
and then press down about one and half inches (see
illustration).
Continue this exercise until you can feel the pulse or until
you are sure that the person is dead. It is worth trying this for
half an hour to one hour before you give up.
Mouth-to-Mouth Breathing And Drowning
If the child is not breathing on his own, follow the same
procedure as given above, under mouth-to-mouth breathing.
Do not waste precious time trying to get water out of his
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Mouth-to-mouth breathing in a drowning child
chest. In fact, the person trying to rescue the child is advised

to start mouth-to-mouth breathing, as soon as he reaches
waters shallow enough to stand in (see illustration).
CEREBRAL PALSY (CP)
A child with cerebral palsy is also sometimes called a spastic
child because, in quite a few children with cerebral palsy, the
muscles have increased tone. But this is a misnomer because
some children with cerebral palsy can also be hypotonic
or limp.
SYMPTOMS: Though the cause is not known in most
cases, a child whose brain has maldevelopment or has been
damaged during pregnancy, at the time of delivery or soon
after birth, runs the potential risk of cerebral palsy. Children
who had severe jaundice within 30 hours after birth or those
born prematurely can also get this disease.
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Unusual stiffness of the body or limpness should alert us to

the possibility of CP.
If you notice that your child is slow in learning new skills as
compared to his older sibling or children his age, you should
consult your doctor to rule out this possibility.
Besides stiffness or limpness, these children can also have
other problems like excessive drooling, speech disturbances,
dental, eye and hearing problems, convulsions and different
grades of mental retardation. However, 50% of children with
CP are mentally normal.
MANAGEMENT: Early diagnosis helps in management.
However, do not despair if your childs diagnosis was delayed;
a holistic approach to management will benefit the child at
any age.
If there is a specialised centre nearby for care of children
with CP, your doctor will refer you there for treatment.
Otherwise, write to the Spastics Society of India, K. C.
Marg, Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai, with the background
of the child. They may suggest the centre nearest to
your home.
No specific drug is available for CP. But sometimes a drug
to reduce the stiffness may be advised. Occasionally, an
expert may administer an injection into specific muscles. It is
important that this injection be given in the early years of life
(preferably in the first 5 years) so that child can learn to walk
near-normally. Some children may benefit from surgery. No
treatment should be undertaken without expert advice.
Hearteningly, many children with CP can become useful
citizens. With training, most of them learn to look after
themselves, though a small number may need supervision for
several years.
A child with CP improves much faster if both parents share
the responsibilities of his care. Living in a caring joint family
can prove advantageous. As a child with CP often needs extra
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care, there is always a possibility that your spouse or other

children may feel neglected, and this can lead to other
problems. Guard against this by involving them in the care of
the special child.
CHICKENPOX
Chickenpox in children is usually a very mild disease. It
occurs less frequently in older children and adults, but if they
get the disease, it is more extensive and causes a lot of
discomfort to the patient.
Chickenpox is a viral infection and highly infectious. If one
child gets the infection at home or in the school, those in
contact with him are likely to contract the disease after a
period of 2 to 3 weeks. As the disease usually confers lifelong
immunity, you are safe if you have had it before.
ONSET AND COURSE: Often, the first thing you will
notice are one or two tiny blisters on the back or chest. The
child is otherwise normal. New blisters appear rapidly. The
blisters form crusts or scabs. Some children, specially older
ones, may get high fever and look quite ill, while younger
ones may have low fever or no fever at all. The rash of
chickenpox usually begins within a day of the onset of fever,
in the form of red spots that itch. Within a few hours, they
turn first into small pimples and then into blisters on a red
surface (almost like a dew drop on a red leaf). The spots are
very itchy. The blisters with clear fluid become cloudy within
a day and then become crusted. While this is happening, new
red spots or blisters may be noted in the nearby area.
Typically, in a small portion of the body, you may notice the
rash in different stages the red spot, the clear blister, the
cloudy blister and the crusted one at the same time.
The rash is mostly confined to the chest, back, face and
head. The legs and hands are generally not involved. Spots
may also appear in the mouth and vagina. Small glands often
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develop at the back of the neck and the armpits. The total
period of the illness is about a week to 10 days. While the
disease may initially be confused with insect bites or pimples,
the rash of chickenpox keeps changing its characteristics very
fast, while insect bites or pimples do not follow this pattern.
Once all the spots become crusted and no new crops
appear, the patient is no longer infectious. He can infect
others from a day before the spots are first noticed to the day
all the spots are crusted. Once that happens, the child should
be ready to go to school and play with other children.
Unfortunately, in some schools, the child is not allowed to join
till all the scabs or crusts have fallen off. It is to be noted that
whereas the scabs of smallpox, which is now eradicated, could
infect others, those of chickenpox cannot. Interested parents
may consider meeting the school authorities in this
connection so that children are not unnecessarily kept away
from school.
TREATMENT: The spots of chickenpox are very itchy.
A daily bath helps because sweating increases the itching.
Keep the childs nails short. Explain to an older child that he
should avoid scratching because it may leave behind scars.
For smaller children, mittens may be used at night. If itching
is severe, apply cool packs of cloth soaked in water from
boiled and strained neem leaves. Plain calamine lotion applied
to the spot also reduces itching. It is not advisable to use
calamine mixed with other ingredients. Neem leaves may also
be spread on the bed sheet. If the itching is very severe, your
doctor may prescribe an antihistamine preparation to be given
by mouth. If the fever does not bother the child, avoid using
any drug. If required, a paracetamol preparation may be used
to lower the temperature. Never give aspirin to a child
suffering from chickenpox or influenza, because it may lead to
a serious disease called Reyes Syndrome. No diet restrictions
are required. The child should be allowed to eat his usual
healthy nutritious food. If he does not feel hungry, make sure
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he has enough of liquids including fruit juices, coconut water

and plain water.
Complications In Children And During Pregnancy
While chickenpox is not a serious disease, complications like
pneumonia and encephalitis can sometimes occur.
If a pregnant woman gets the disease in the first three
months of pregnancy, there are 2% to 3% chances of her baby
suffering a birth defect. A newborn is protected from getting
chickenpox if his mother has had chickenpox in the past. But
the risk of a newborn getting the disease are quite high (about
50%) if the mother develops chickenpox within 5 days before
or 2 days after the delivery. A baby whose mother develops
chickenpox after delivery may be given chickenpox
immunogobulin, if available. These babies should be kept
away from other children for 3 weeks. If the mother has had
chickenpox, her newborn is protected for about 6 months.
Such a newborn can be brought home if the older children are
having chickenpox. If the mother is not sure if she has already
had chickenpox, the newborn should be kept away from the
older children for about 2 weeks.
A particular drug for the treatment of chickenpox is
reserved for special situations to be decided upon by your
doctor. In any case, it is really effective only if the drug is
started within 24 hours of the onset of the disease. Antibiotics
are also of no use in this viral infection except in rare cases
where secondary bacterial infection might have supervened.
CHOKING
SYMPTOMS: Your 2-year-old is eating peanuts and running
around. Suddenly, he starts coughing violently. There is a
strong possibility that he has inhaled the peanut into his
windpipe, resulting in obstruction to the free flow of air. Do
not panic. Coughing might help in expelling the peanut.
Sometimes, if the obstruction is more severe, due to a foreign
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object or food, he may not be able to talk normally and may

turn blue. Treat this as an emergency and act quickly as
detailed below. Sometimes, a little water or milk or soup or
any other liquid tends to go into the windpipe and the child
coughs to stop that or to expel the little liquid that might have
gone into the windpipe. This need not be a cause of worry.
MANAGEMENT: Emergency steps to be followed:
Step 1: If your small infant has difficulty in breathing and is
becoming blue, shout for help. Lay him in a head-down
position on your forearm. Let your arm rest on your tilted
thigh with his head just below your knee. Then give 4 rapid
blows on his back with the heel of your other hand between
the 2 shoulder blades (see illustration on page 302). It may be
inconvenient to rest an older infant on the arm. Lay him face
down on your lap, with his head towards the ground and
supported with one hand.
Step 2: If you find no improvement, put him on the floor on
his back. Using 2 or 3 fingers, give 4 rapid chest thrusts over
the breastbone lying in the centre of the chest.
Step 3: If you can now see the foreign object or food in the
childs mouth and feel confident that you can easily remove it,
pluck it out with your finger.
Step 4: If the child is not breathing, follow step 3
with mouth-to-mouth breathing (see Cardiac Pulmonary
Resuscitation and Mouth-To-Mouth Breathing).
Step 5: Keep repeating steps 1 to 4 till the child improves
or you get some medical help.
Helping An Older Child With Choking
Stand behind the child and wrap your arms around his waist.
Make a fist with one hand and grasp it with other hand. Put
your fisted hand on the upper abdomen just below the
breastbone of his chest. Then press into his abdomen with a
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sudden springy upward jerk. You may have to do this

repeatedly (upto a dozen times) for him to bring up the
foreign object (see illustration).
As before, mouth-to-mouth breathing may be required if
the child is not breathing.
The Heimlich Manoeuvre
It is now thought that the Heimlich Manoeuvre is too difficult
for most people to perform on an unconscious person. The
new guidelines say that chest compressions provide the same
effect as the Heimlich abdominal thrusts. Its also no longer
necessary to do a finger sweep of the victims mouth to clear
airway obstructions. Chest compressions alone should be
enough to expel anything lodged in the airway.
CIRCUMCISION
Circumcision refers to the cutting off of the foreskin of the
penis. The foreskin or prepuce covers the glans or the soft
front portion of the penis.
Helping an infant with choking
Helping an older child with choking
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Circumcision may be done:

For religious reasons
For any complication
For no definite reason
The foreskin is normally adhered to the glans penis in most
newborns. If nothing is done, it separates on its own by the
age of 3 or so, in almost all cases. Therefore, instruct people
at home not to make any attempt to retract the foreskin. If it
is still adhered, you may yourself try to gently push the
foreskin behind and clean any stuff between the skin and
glans penis.
If no separation of the foreskin is noticed by the age of
4 years, consult a paediatric surgeon.
Do not circumcise because the child has a long
foreskin or is wetting the bed or has ballooning of the
foreskin while passing urine, but has no other problem.
Some reports indicate that circumcision reduces
the overall incidence of urinary tract infections.
Circumcision should be considered if a child with an
adhered prepuce gets repeated attacks of urinary
infection in the absence of any proven obstruction in
the urinary tract.
If proper attention is not given to treat a severe diaper
rash, secondary bacterial infection may result in scarring of
the foreskin. This may result in the foreskin getting
permanently adhered to the glans penis. In such cases,
circumcision has to be undertaken because spontaneous
retraction is not going to take place. It is also mooted that
cancer of the penis in males and cancer of the cervix in wives
of circumcised males is less common. An editorial in the
reputed British Medical Journal has refuted this view.
Some advocate circumcision from a hygienic point of view.
This is not tenable because smegma (the cheesy material
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which collects between the foreskin and glans) can be

removed daily while having a bath.
If the skin is forcibly retracted, you may find it difficult to
bring it back to its original place and the penis gets swollen.
Your doctor can set it right but if it recurs, he may advise
circumcision. The operation may also be advised for pus
collection behind the prepuce.
People who believe circumcision should be done as a
routine minor operation do not realise that even this
operation can cause infections, excessive bleeding and other
problems. I am against routine circumcision. If religious
reasons dictate circumcision, get it done by a reputed doctor.
Defer the operation to a later date if the baby was premature
or had some complication at birth.
Do Not Circumcise In Case Of Hypospadias
Paediatric surgeons warn against circumcision in hypospadias,
a condition in which the opening of the urinary passage is on
the undersurface of the penis. In these male infants, the
urethra (urinary tube) is deficient and circumcision must be
categorically avoided as the excess foreskin on the penis is
used to construct the deficient urethra. The penis bears a
neatly circumcised look after this operation.
CLEFT LIP AND PALATE
Cleft of the lip with or without cleft of the palate is a common
birth defect. With surgery, these defects can be closed with
good cosmetic effect.
The cleft lip is operated upon when the baby is about
3 months of age. Some plastic surgeons operating on these
children follow a rule of 10s to decide when to operate. They
like the child to be at least 10 weeks of age, weigh 10 pounds
(about 4.5 kg.) and have a haemoglobin of 10 grams per cent.
The child should not have any infection.
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Surgery for cleft palate is usually undertaken between the

ages of 1 and 2 years. Dr. K. S. Goleria, Plastic Surgeon at the
Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, operates cleft
lip and cleft palate simultaneously with good results at
11 months of age.
These babies can be breastfed, though their mothers may
need extra support. Most babies with only cleft lip (without
cleft palate) have no difficulty in breastfeeding. The mother
should offer enough of the breast into the babys mouth for
the breast to close over the cleft so that he can suckle well.
The idea is to help the mother use her areola (dark portion of
the breast behind the nipple) to fill in the defect and form
a seal.
Suckling is more difficult in the presence of a cleft palate.
The baby may seem to choke sometimes, or milk may leak
through the nose. The baby may choke less if the mother holds
her baby in a more upright position while breastfeeding. If the
baby is not able to manage direct suckling in one position, the
mother should try feeding in a different position. One such
position is called the modified football-hold position. In this
position, the mother sits up on a bed. She makes the baby sit
upright opposite her breast, with his legs along her side and his
feet at her back. She holds his head in her hand to offer the
breast and uses her other arm to support his back. A pillow
kept under the babys bottom may be found to be helpful.
Direct suckling may not work with some babies. The milk
should then be expressed and given to the baby in a cup or
with a dropper (or by a tube) until the baby is able to suckle
well enough at the breast. It has been found that irrespective
of the mode of feeding, babies with cleft lip tend to gain
weight rather slowly.
After surgery for cleft lip, some surgeons allow direct
suckling from the breast as soon as the baby leaves the
recovery room. They believe that, unlike bottle-feeding, the
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soft breast does not damage the stitches. In any case, there is
no need to stop direct suckling for more than a few hours. If
direct suckling is delayed for any reason, the mother should
keep expressing her milk every 3 hours. This milk can be
given to the baby with a cup or a bondla (paladai).
Breastfeeding is now recommended even in the second
year of a childs life. So after the child recovers from surgery
for cleft lip, direct breastfeeding can be started again in a
week or so.
Some children who are operated for cleft lip may need
another operation later on. After surgery, children with cleft
lip and palate may need the help of a speech therapist and an
orthodontist, under the guidance of a paediatrician.
COMMON COLD
Colds are very common. Some children can become very
restless with a cold. So we shall discuss the subject at length.
But before we do that, please note:
No antibiotic helps in common cold because it is a viral

infection.
Drugs containing phenylpropanolamine and antihistamines

(anti-allergy medicines) are harmful in common cold.
Opening of the nasal passage is all that is needed if the

nose gets blocked.
Accept Cold As An Unavoidable Nuisance

Many different viruses (over 200) can give rise to colds. If
your child is exposed to one today, he may get a cold due to
another virus after a month or two. In this process, he may
have developed immunity against the first virus. Thus, your
child, through the half dozen or more colds he may get per
year, develops immunity against some of these infective
agents. That is why some people like to refer to the nuisance
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of colds as a lifelong insurance for the future. Colds become

less frequent after the age of 2 to 3 years.
However, colds can cause discomfort to a child, especially a
smaller baby below the age of 2 months. If his nose gets
blocked because of a cold, he will find it difficult to suckle. As
he is not used to breathing through the mouth, he will become
restless if the nose is blocked, even if he is not feeding. In
such cases, urgent steps, as discussed hereafter, are to be
taken to clear the nasal passage.
In infants below 2 months, the cold may, more rarely, be due
to a bacterial infection. The baby may also have high fever.
Such infants may need antibiotics. When the cold is
accompanied by fever, paracetamol, as discussed in the section
of fever (in the chapter on HOME REMEDIES) can be used.
In the first few weeks, the baby may have little mucus-like
secretion in the nose. You may notice bubbles in his nose as
he breathes. It does not cause any problem, but if you feel that
the baby has difficulty feeding, you may consider cleaning the
nose as described below.
A running nose can also be due to allergy. As with the
common cold, the child has a thin watery discharge from the
nose. In both, the onset is marked by a few sneezes. But in an
allergy, the sneezing becomes persistent unless the agent
that caused the allergy is removed or antihistamines are
given. Allergic cold is also seen most often during certain
seasons of the year, or on getting up in the morning (due to an
allergen in the bedroom) or when the child is exposed to the
agent causing the allergy. A constant watery discharge from
the nose, throughout the month, is likely to be due to allergy.
Typically, the cough due to a cold is noticed during sleep. If
the child is lying on his back, the watery discharge from the
back of his nose drips down the throat. Nature does not want
this stuff to go into the windpipe and a protective mechanism
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makes the child cough with the post-nasal drip. Such a child
will sleep better on his stomach (however, making a small
infant sleep on his stomach is not considered safe).
Taking Care Of A Blocked Nose
If the nose is not too blocked, your child, especially if he is
older, may not be bothered. Otherwise, a blocked nose needs
help. The best tool for this is a rubber syringe (also called a
nose cleaner), available at most departmental stores and
chemists. It consists of a rubber bulb, shaped like an ancient
rubber horn. To this is attached a nozzle which can also be
boiled. To use it, press the rubber bulb, keep it pressed, put
the nozzles tip into the babys nose, and then release the
bulb. The mucus gets sucked into the nozzle. Clean the
nozzle. Boil it before using it again. If this tool is not available,
you can also use a 5 or 10 ml. syringe without a needle for the
same purpose.
If the nose still appears blocked, use saline nose drops.
These can be prepared at home. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a
glass of warm water (about 200 ml.). To use these drops
effectively, let your child lie down. Turn his head to one side
say the right side. Put 2 drops into the right nostril. Let the
head be kept on the same side for a minute or two. Then
repeat the same procedure for the left side. Instead of a
dropper, you can also make a cotton wick. Dip it into this
water-salt solution. Roll the wick inside the childs nostril to
clear the mucus and to open the nose. If the tip of the wick
touches the back of the nose, he may also sneeze, expelling
some of the mucus.
Cleaning the nose is specially needed before sleep and
before feeding a baby. Though saline drops are the safest,
even these should be avoided unless the blocked nose is
bothering the child. Take recourse to readymade nose drops
only if the saline nose drops are not helping, and the child is in
real discomfort. But make sure that you buy those that are
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meant strictly for use in children. Generally, these nose drops

are to be avoided because, after opening the nasal passage for
a while, they cause increased congestion due to what is called
a rebound phenomenon.
There are also medicines oral decongestants to
open the blocked nose. Avoid these as they may have side
effects.
Sometimes, a humid atmosphere can be helpful. If you have
a hot water shower in your bathroom, turn it on for about
15 minutes, at the hottest setting. Keep the child with you, at
a distance from the shower.
Do not apply a vaporub to the nose or on the chest. Some
children get a rash with it. Others may have a shock-like
reaction if the medicine is applied directly to the nose.
Petroleum jelly or Vaseline may be applied to the outer edge
of nostrils chapped by repeated blowing and wiping.
If the child has a thick secretion blocking the nostril, take a
wick of cotton, moisten it in the saline water as mentioned
above and let this moistened wick be used to soften the
secretions. Then use the syringe and the saline drops. An
older child can blow the mucus out. But he should not blow
too hard; otherwise he may get an earache.
Make sure that the child has enough liquids. Fluids,
especially warm ones, help to thin nasal secretions and loosen
phlegm. Older children may be given warm water with lemon
and honey to soothe a sore throat. If the child has lost his
appetite, do not force him to eat. An exclusively breastfed
baby does not need any extra fluids.
Use Of Antihistamines
Some doctors use antihistamines to dry up secretions. This is
not advisable. The watery secretions are helping the virus to
get out (as in a case of diarrhoea). So we should not act
against Natures helpful mechanism.
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Treatment For Sore Throat Or Irritation In The Throat

Encourage older children to do hot salt-water gargles.
Rest
All patients with a bad cold, children as well as adults, need
rest both for themselves, as well as to protect others. It
may not be a bad idea to put up a notice for visitors outside
the room of your newborn baby, which says, If you have a
cold, please do not enter. If it is practical, even Dad and other
members of the family with a cold should stay away from the
baby. Please do not, however, start giving masks to others or
put one on your face to protect the baby. Continue nursing
your breastfed baby if you have a cold. All those who happen
to handle a child with a cold at home or in a nursery school
must wash their hands to prevent its spread to others.
Some people believe that overwork, anxiety and sudden
variations of temperature (for example, if you suddenly bring a
child into an air-conditioned room after he was in the hot sun
outside) may trigger a cold which you might have otherwise
prevented with the help of your well-tuned immune system.
I feel that there is some truth in this.
Others also believe that Vitamin C helps to prevent and
treat a cold. I agree with those who say that fresh fruits are
good for a person for several scientifically-proved reasons. So
let your child have enough of fruits or fruit juices. Ignore the
myth that fruit juices worsen a cold. Any food, including a
fruit, should be avoided only if you are sure that the child is
allergic to that particular food.
I would recommend a daily bath if your child with a cold
wants it. If not, I advise a sponge with slightly warm water.
Children who eat chicken may be given hot chicken
soup to sip. It has also been found helpful in clearing
nasal mucus, as compared to sipping hot water.
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When Do You Need Antibiotics For A Cold?

If your child or infant has persistent thick, yellow or green
discharge from the nose, he may need an antibiotic. But
remember that before your child recovers from a cold, the
thin nasal discharge often normally becomes thick, green or
yellow. This does not require antibiotics. It is the persistent
discharge lasting for 7 to 10 days that needs attention. Let
your doctor decide about the use of antibiotics.
Consult Your Doctor
If your child with a cold
Has a persistent thick nasal discharge
Has rapid breathing (more than 50 breaths per minute)
Is wheezing
Gets an acute earache
Is refusing to eat or drink and passes little urine
Do remember that all noisy breathing is not due to
wheezing. When air passes through a partially blocked nose,
you may notice noisy breathing, while your doctor finds that
the chest of the child is completely clear and the sounds
conducted from above were giving a false impression that the
chest is congested.
If your child has a persistent discharge from one
side of the nose, then also you should see your
doctor, especially if the discharge is foul smelling or
mixed with blood. It may be due to a foreign body or
due to a rare condition like diphtheria.
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE (see page 473-483)
CONSTIPATION
Abnormally infrequent and difficult passage of motions is not
common in children, but can be quite troublesome when it
does happen. A child may pass hard motions because of which
he may get fissures or cuts near the anus. These can be very
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painful. The child starts thinking that the passage of motions

causes pain. He then purposely starts withholding his stools.
In consequence, the stools become drier and firmer, making it
more difficult for the child to evacuate. Soon, a vicious cycle
starts. Sometimes, the child soils his underclothes when
liquid waste leaks around the solid waste.
Normal Infrequent Motions
Some exclusively breastfed babies pass normal motions once
every 2 to 3 days and sometimes even less frequently. The
motions are never hard. This is normal and requires no
treatment.
TREATMENT: Eating sufficient fruits, vegetables,
sprouts, whole grains and fluids helps in the prevention as
well as the treatment of constipation. Regular bowel habits
and a relaxed pace for morning routines also helps to avoid
constipation.
A glass of water on getting up in the morning is helpful.
Warm water with a teaspoon of honey is preferable. Many
children may get a normal urge to pass a motion after that.
Others may get used to passing the motion after drinking milk
or after breakfast. The child should be relaxed while sitting in
the toilet. A younger child may be encouraged to sit for about
15 minutes. He can be engaged by the mother or others with
something interesting like a toy or a book or a puzzle. If he
does not evacuate, he should not be forced to do so.
The diet should have more of fibre in the form of fruits like
figs (fresh as well as dry), raisins, plums, apricots and prunes;
vegetables, especially raw and leafy vegetables, peas and
beans, sprouts, whole wheat flour chapatis and bread,
unpolished rice, and enough liquids.
Foods that should be omitted or reduced include white
bread, bakery goods, milk, butter, cream, cheese, ripe banana,
nuts, popcorn, sausages, sweet potatoes, spaghetti, macaroni
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and noodles. Avoid giving the child milk products since they
can depress the activity of the colon. Cow and buffalo milk can
also cause milk allergy and anal fissures which may cause
chronic constipation via stool avoidance. Soya-based milk may
be tried in such cases.
Although medicines can be helpful, do not medicate
without consulting your doctor. Bisacodyl suppository
(available as Dulcolax), 5 mg. for under-twos and 10 mg. for
children over 2, may be used. It should be inserted at the
same time each day, preferably after a meal. Use it daily for a
month, 2 times a week in the next month and then once a
week for 3 months.
In severe cases, hospitalisation may be needed to manage
the child and also to investigate for some other rare causes
like congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung Disease) and
hypothyroidism that can give rise to constipation.
CONVULSIONS OR FITS OR SEIZURES
In simple terms, a convulsion or a fit refers to abnormal
involuntary movement(s) of the body with or without
disturbed consciousness. The movements can involve almost
the whole body or just the finger or any other part of the body.
Unconsciousness may be prolonged or may be momentary
and take the form of a stare.
Most causes of convulsions are not serious and disappear
as the child grows older. A few types may need medication for
2 years or more.
MANAGEMENT OF A CONVULSION: Step 1: As a
prolonged convulsion can affect the brain, it makes sense to
control it. Fortunately, most convulsions last a minute or two
and stop on their own. Usually, a drug (diazepam or
phenytoin) is injected into the vein of the child to stop the
convulsion. Sometimes, a different drug may be injected into
the muscles.
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You must not give the child anything by mouth while he is

having a convulsion.
If your child has a tendency to get convulsions, especially
with high fever, your doctor may advise rectal administration
of diazepam. It is quite effective if used soon after the child is
found to have fever. Diazepam by mouth has also been found
to be helpful to prevent convulsions with fever. It is also
to be started with the onset of fever. However, rectal
administration is more effective than oral.
Do not panic when your child has continuous
convulsions. It is no use making the child smell a shoe or
onions. If he is still convulsing, put a spoon wrapped in a
piece of cloth in between his teeth to prevent him biting
his tongue. Let him lie with his head a little lower than his
body and turn him to one side to prevent aspiration of any
vomit. (Do not lower the head if there is history of head
injury prior to the onset of the convulsion). It is no use
holding the child to stop the convulsion. Only make sure
that he does not hurt himself. If you find that his skin and
lips are turning blue and he has stopped breathing, start
mouth-to-mouth breathing.
Step 2: Note the condition of the child after the convulsion
has stopped or after the effect of the medicine given to control
the convulsion has worn off.
A child may normally sleep for some time after a fit. If he
looks perfectly normal after the fit, we are probably dealing
with a less serious cause of convulsion, for which
hospitalisation is not needed. However, a child with
convulsion following a recent head injury often needs
observation in a hospital. In any case, let your doctor take the
final decision about hospitalisation.
A child who does not look well after a convulsion or in
between two convulsions needs extra attention.
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Step 3: Find out the cause of the convulsion and treat it. A
child who had a difficult birth or who has a deficiency of
glucose or calcium in his system may get a convulsion. One
out of 4 children with a sudden rise of fever may get a shortduration fit between the ages of 6 months and 5 years. These
are called febrile convulsions. Some infants and toddlers may
hold their breath and some of these may also get a fit
following a bout of crying. Treatment with iron is found to be
effective in reducing the incidence of breath-holding spells in
some children.
A few serious causes of convulsions are cerebral malaria,
meningitis, encephalitis, poisoning, brain tumour and head
injury. In some cases, the cause of convulsion cannot be
determined and your doctor may make a diagnosis of epilepsy.
If he suspects this diagnosis, he may ask for an EEG
(electroencephalogram) and decide to put the child on a drug
for prolonged use to control the convulsions. Certain drugs
require a blood test to rule out any possible side effect or to
know if the dose of the drug being given is optimum. For
certain types of convulsions, your doctor may ask for other
tests including a CT scan of the brain and a lumbar puncture
(spinal tap) to examine the CSF (cerebro-spinal fluid). For
intractable convulsions that dont respond to drugs, a part of
the brain is removed with good results.
A few newborns and older children get a convulsion once
and never again. Hence, it is important not to panic if your
child gets a convulsion. However, as frequent convulsions can
cause harm to the child, it is important to take fits seriously.
Seizures can also manifest as staring spells, mostly
between the age of 5 and 12 years. Multiple attacks of such
spells could lead to a decline in scholastic performance.
Some children get staring spells which are not due to
epilepsy and do not need any treatment. They are considered
non-epileptic when parents report preserved responsiveness
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to touch, though the child suffers no limb twitches, upward

movement of eyes, interruption of play or urinary
incontinence. However, confirmation is required in such
children on long-term follow-up.
In some children, videogames can induce seizure.
Stopping the child from playing videogames may be all
that is required to halt the recurrence of convulsions,
but some of these children may need long-term anticonvulsant drugs.
Step 4: Attend to psychosocial factors. Meet the school
authorities. Tell them that your child is prone to fits. If
required, take a letter from your doctor so that the teacher
knows what to do if the child gets a fit in the classroom or on
the playground. Children who suffer from epileptic fits can
take part in sports like swimming, but under supervision. In
general, they should be treated as normal children and not be
overprotected.
COUGH
Cough in children is often due to viral infections that affect
the nose and throat. These settle down within a few days
without causing any problem. Yet we cannot ignore the fact
that 15% of deaths in India during infancy and from 1 to 5
years of age are due to infections of the respiratory system
that includes the lungs.
Six Important Facts To Be Kept In Mind If Your Child
Has A Cough
1. Call the doctor immediately if a child with a cough is
breathing over 50 times a minute.
2. A child with a cough and cold should be encouraged to eat
and to drink plenty of liquids. You can reduce the risk of
respiratory infections by making sure that your baby is
exclusively breastfed for about 6 months and continues
breastfeeding after that.
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3. A child with a cough and cold should be kept warm (not

hot), in an environment free from cigarette smoke.
4. A good doctor helps you to find the cause of the cough and
treats the same, and does not prescribe cough syrups and
expectorants.
5. Cough per se is a helpful phenomenon. Do not try to
unduly suppress it. If your child is breathing normally,
coughs and colds can be treated at home without drugs.
6. Most medicines sold for cough and colds are useless and
possibly harmful.
Less Serious Causes
Cold
Smoking
Adenoids
Habit of clearing the throat
Sinus infection
Attentionseeking device
Tropical eosinophilia
Measles
Hay fever (see Allergies)
Serious Causes
Pneumonia
Bronchiolitis
Asthma
Tuberculosis
Whooping cough
Congenital heart disease
Foreign body in the bronchi
Tracheoesophageal fistula (rare)
Croup
The above causes are discussed under individual

headings.
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Symptomatic Relief Of Cough

As mentioned earlier, cough is a helpful mechanism. Do not
try to unduly suppress it without the advice of your doctor.
Let your child drink plenty of liquids, including water. Steam
is helpful (see Colds). For symptomatic relief of cough, extract
the juice from a dozen or more leaves of the tulsi plant. Give a
teaspoon of this juice mixed with honey or jaggery, 4 times a
day. If the cough is very troublesome, make a mixture of
equal quantities of honey, lime juice and brandy or gin and
give tsp. to 1 tsp. of this mixture 4 times a day. Avoid giving
honey to smaller infants, and alcohol if the child has rapid
breathing or if your religion forbids it.
CROUP
SYMPTOMS: The term croup refers to an unusual type of
hoarse cough. Doctors term it as brassy or croupy cough. It
is often, though not always accompanied by stridor (noisy
breathing), hoarseness of voice and difficult breathing.
CAUSES: Croup is due to an inflammation of the larynx
(voice box) and trachea (windpipe). The inflammation may be
due to a self-limiting viral infection, but also to a serious
bacterial infection.
The common causes of croup are:
Diphtheria involving the larynx (see Diphtheria)
Spasmodic croup
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis
Epiglottitis
Spasmodic Croup
A croup without fever is not a serious disease, but can be very
scary both for the child as well as the parents. The disease
usually affects children between 1 and 3 years of age.
SYMPTOMS: The child goes to bed normally and gets up
suddenly with a barking cough and noisy breathing. He
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appears very anxious. He has no fever. As the dawn sets in,

the child appears normal. He may get similar attacks again.
The disease occurs due to a viral infection. Allergy and
psychogenic factors may play some role. There may be a
history of similar episodes in other members of the family.
TREATMENT: Steam inhalation is the best treatment. Sit
with your child for about 20 minutes in the bathroom a little
away from a hot shower or a bathtub or a big bucket filled with
hot water. Let the child sit up till the doctor comes. Give him
plenty of liquids, including water.
After the first attack, it is advisable to consult a doctor to
rule out any serious disease.
Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis
This is also a viral infection.
SYMPTOMS: In this, fever is a prominent feature, besides
the sudden appearance of croupy cough and noisy breathing.
Unlike in spasmodic croup, the childs condition rapidly
deteriorates. The child appears extremely restless and scared.
TREATMENT: Show the child to a doctor and let him/her
decide if hospitalisation is needed.
Acute Epiglottitis
Acute epiglottitis is a bacterial infection. It is the most serious
type of croup and needs urgent attention. It affects the lid
covering the trachea (epiglottis).
SYMPTOMS: Besides the symptoms mentioned above, the
child has difficulty swallowing and drools. Within a few
minutes or hours, the condition may worsen. Breathing may
become very difficult. The child may become blue or even
unconscious.
TREATMENT: Children affected need hospitalisation and
are given oxygen, intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
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CRYING
Crying In A Small Child Who Looks Sick
Such a child should be shown to a doctor. He may have an
infection like an earache, a cold with a blocked nose, a flu-like
illness with headache and body ache, a chest infection like
bronchiolitis or infection of the meninges and raised intracranial pressure due to a tumour. The crying may also be due
to abdominal pain. These conditions are discussed under their
respective headings.
Crying In A Child Who Appears Otherwise All Right
Hunger remains one of the commonest causes of crying. Even
a toddler may cry for this reason. But all crying is not due to
hunger. If in doubt, feed the child. Otherwise, look for other
possible causes.
A child may cry because he is feeling hot or cold, or has a
wet nappy, or wants to be picked up and cuddled or shown
things in the home or has been overstimulated by adults
around him or is just feeling tired. Some small babies
quieten as soon as they are wrapped up in a sheet
or blanket.
Other causes of crying are pain at the site of an injection
or a child having been hit by an older sibling. Do not leave
the latter alone with the baby again, but also do not
punish him.
Infantile Colic
Babies may also have sudden bouts of crying for no apparent
reason. The onset of these bouts is usually between the age of
2 and 4 weeks. They can occur at any time of the day or night
but are more common after about 6.00 in the evening. The
baby suddenly starts crying. Nothing seems to work. The
child screams at the top of his voice, draws his thighs and legs
towards his abdomen, may pass some gas or have a distended
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abdomen. Colicky cries are slightly shorter than those caused

by hunger.
These attacks usually stop by the time the child is 3
months old, and are termed evening colic or 3 months
colic. Highest rates of infantile colic are seen in babies
of older first-time mothers with non-manual occupations and more years of education. Whether the rate of
colic is actually higher or whether such mothers are
more likely to report the problem is not yet clear.
MANAGEMENT: Dont allow the child to cry unnecessarily.
If a child keeps crying, he swallows more air, which probably
makes him cry more because of anger and distension of the
abdomen. Do not hesitate to pick him up for fear of spoiling him.
A small childs need has to be met be it for food or more
human contact. Make the child feel secure, loved and wanted.
You will have enough time to discipline him later.
Children can cry because of habit. Even small infants can
take advantage of our goodness. So if the child was playing
on his own, you do not have to pick him up or talk to him. If
he suddenly starts crying while you are in the kitchen, you
need not leave everything behind and rush to him, unless you
hear an unusual cry. Attend to what you are doing, then go to
pick him up and meet his need. You do not have to be unduly
apologetic for the delay. An older child can learn to
manipulate, if you or other relatives let him have his way all
the time (see Sleep And Sleep Problems).
Although it has not been proven that certain foods eaten by
a breastfeeding mother can upset her baby, it may be worth
omitting milk, egg, fish, peanuts and peanut butter, soya
preparations, wheat, caffeine, garlic, onion and cabbage from
your diet for a few days. If you find a marked improvement in
the child, you can again try and introduce these food items in
turn and see if you can find a correlation between any
particular food and colic in your baby.
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Also try:
The colic positions - put baby on his tummy across your
knees; hold him against your chest, or hold him on his
tummy across your forearm with his legs on either side
of your arm.
Rocking him with or without soft music in the
background.
Sharing his care with someone else. Never shake a baby
vigorously in anger or irritation you may damage his
eyes as well as his brain. Let someone else handle him if
you are feeling exhausted.
Dicyclomine if your doctor advises it, but not too often. If
elders at home recommend a home remedy, it may be
worth trying it after you have cleared it with your doctor.
I do not recommend the routine use of drugs, or gripe
waters or digestive medicines. I am against the use of
pacifiers. A crying child needs our attention and not a
pacifier. A pacifier also interferes with successful
breastfeeding. It is also a possible source of infection.
Half a teaspoon of sugar water. It has been found
to have a pain-relieving effect on colic. Sugar
water given before a minor painful procedure like a
skin prick has also been found to be helpful. Given
a minute before the procedure, it not only reduces
the duration of crying, if any, but also reduces the
increased heart rate induced by pain. The sugar
water seems to do this by some sort of morphine
effect, because any benefit of sugar water is
negated if the infant is also given naloxone an
antimorphine drug.
CUTS
MANAGEMENT: Step 1: Stop the bleeding if there is any.
Apply pressure on the site with a clean cloth. Sterile gauze
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available in packets with the chemist is preferable. Keep

pressing at the site for at least five minutes. If the bleeding
recurs, press again. Most bleeds can be stopped by this simple
method. If the bleeding is not severe, wash your hands with
soap and water before touching the child.
Step 2: Remove any dirt or other foreign material like
pieces of glass from the wound. Dirt can lead to infection and
pus formation. Before doing that, wash your hands and wash
the skin around the wound with boiled and cooled water. Then
clean the wound with some water. Avoid using soap as it can
damage the tissues. If boiled water is not available, place the
part under running tap water or pour water from a glass or
flush the wound with water from a syringe.
Step 3: Dress the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth
after bringing the edges of the wound together. If any
antibiotic ointment like neosporin or soframycin is available,
put it on the wound before applying the gauze. Keep it in place
with a clean cloth or bandage. Do not tie the bandage too
tightly. Change it as soon as it is wet or becomes dirty. Check
the wound daily and change the gauze piece. After a few days,
a scab will be formed and the dressing can be removed. If the
gauze or bandage gets stuck to the wound, pour water on it
(preferably boiled and cooled) to facilitate easy removal.
Step 4: Stitches may be required if the edges of the wound
cannot be brought together, if the wound is deep or is more
than half an inch long. Let your doctor decide. If you think
that stitches may be needed, it is better to see your doctor
within 8 hours of the injury.
Step 5: If a booster dose of DPT or DT is due and the child
is around the age of 2 or 5 years, give one shot of DPT or DT.
If he is around 10 years, give an injection of tetanus toxoid. If
your child has received his immunisations in time, he does
not need an extra dose of tetanus toxoid.
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Step 6: If bleeding continues in spite of pressure on the

cut, seek medical attention (see Bleeding).
DENGUE FEVER
CAUSE: Dengue fever is not common, but it can spread fast.
This viral disease is spread by the daytime biting Aides
mosquito. The Aides mosquito is an indoor breeder that
thrives on clean, stagnant water in storage containers, coolers
and flower vases.
SYMPTOMS: In infants and toddlers, the disease presents
like any other viral illness with fever lasting up to 5 days,
running of the nose, a mild cough and congestion of the
throat.
Older children may have more annoying symptoms. The
incubation period of the disease is 1 to 7 days. There is a sudden
onset of high fever with severe headache and pain in the
muscles or joints. The child may get a rash during the first day or
two of fever. The child then develops a marked loss of appetite.
This may be associated with nausea, vomiting and enlargement
of the glands in different parts of the body. The fever may last for
about a week, only to reappear again after a day or two. The
second episode of fever is rather mild. Severe weakness during
the illness and also after recovery is quite characteristic.
Most children recover without much of a problem. A few
children may develop a bleeding tendency that can be fatal if
left untreated.
TREATMENT: No antibiotic is helpful in this disease.
Aspirin should never be given, as it can increase the bleeding
tendency. The child only needs rest, frequent small meals,
paracetamol and sponging to relieve pain and bring down the
high fever. However, hospitalisation is a must if the disease
reaches the dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) stage with
bleeding manifestations, enlargement of the liver and low
count of platelets in the blood.
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PREVENTION: All coolers not in use should be kept dry.

Water in flower vases should be changed frequently. Water
storage containers should be covered with tight-fitting lids.
To avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, see Bites And Stings.
DIABETES MELLITUS
This disease in children is also called juvenile diabetes. A few
points relating to it need to be stressed:
Children often have Type 1 diabetes, inherited from both
parents. If either of them do not have the disease or do not
carry the genes for diabetes (as seen in the family history),
then their children are not likely to get the disease. On the
other hand, if one child has juvenile diabetes, there is a
possibility that your other child may also get it.
This type of diabetes is almost always treated with insulin
injections.
With proper management, almost normal growth and
activity of the diabetic child can be assured.
If not properly managed, the child can go into coma and
later in life develop complications affecting his eyes,
kidney, heart and nerves.
The disease is less common in breastfed children.
SYMPTOMS: Although it can affect even infants, generally
the onset of the disease is around 5 years of age. The child
drinks a lot more water, passes urine more often, may start
wetting his bed or clothes, eats more than usual but still does
not gain weight, or even starts losing weight. There may be a
history of vomiting, pain in the abdomen, dehydration and the
need to admit the child to a hospital.
In some children, the disease presents for the first time
with severe pain in the abdomen, vomiting and drowsiness. If
not treated, the child may lapse into unconsciousness.
A family history of diabetes in a brother or sister of the
child or a history of diabetes in both the parents or their
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elders should further make one suspect diabetes. If there are

such symptoms, your doctor will ask for a urine and blood test
to confirm the diagnosis.
TREATMENT: Depending on the condition of your child,
the doctor may decide if the child needs hospitalisation. Once
the diagnosis is confirmed, he will start with injections of
insulin.
It is important to keep a check on your childs sugar levels
because less sugar (due to an excessive dose of insulin) as
well as high blood sugar can lead to unconsciousness. Your
doctor will teach you what to do if such a situation arises.
Diet as well as exercise are important. The diet should not
vary too much in amount on different days. Your doctor will
advise you on a healthy diet, as well as healthy snacks like
peanuts and other nuts, chuna and fruits.
Your child can take part in competitive sports as well,
under your doctors advice.
Mood disturbances are not uncommon in this condition. A
child may suddenly become withdrawn or depressed. Do not
hesitate to seek expert help in such a situation.
DIARRHOEA, DYSENTERY AND DEHYDRATION
Diarrhoea can present as:
Acute watery diarrhoea (discussed at length in the chapter
on HOME REMEDIES).
Dysentery presenting as diarrhoea with blood and or mucus
(see Bacillary Dysentery in Abdominal Pain).
DIPHTHERIA
Diphtheria is not commonly seen these days in children
coming from higher socio-economic groups and among those
who have received the injections of DPT (triple antigen)
vaccine at regular intervals.
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SYMPTOMS: Diphtheria mostly affects the throat, larynx

(the voice box) and the nasal passage.
Following a day or two of low-grade fever, the child
complains of a sore throat. Examination of the throat reveals a
dirty white or greyish membrane extending from the tonsils
and throat to the palate. Glands below the jaw may swell up.
Swelling of the neck may also occur. The child has difficulty in
swallowing. If the larynx is also involved, hoarseness of voice
and noisy breathing is noticed.
TREATMENT: Once the diagnosis is suspected, your
doctor will get a throat swab examined by a pathologist and
accordingly begin treatment.
DOWNS SYNDROME
All children with Downs Syndrome (DS) show developmental
delays, but less than 5% of individuals with DS are severely to
profotmdly retarded.
Most such children have a very pleasing personality and get
along well with the people they come into contact with. They
are able to look after themselves, most can learn to read and
are capable of attending a regular school, provided they are
given special educational help. About 90% of individuals with
DS are capable of working in a supportive employment setting.
SYMPTOMS: Your doctor may suspect the condition at
birth. Children with DS have a few typical features like
almond-shaped eyes slanting upwards, a fold of skin at the
junction of the eye and the nose, a single transverse crease of
the palm, a relatively large tongue, generalised hypotonia
(limpness) and some other features. A heart defect may also
be present.
You may suspect DS because the child may have difficulty
in suckling at the breast and may be slow in learning new
skills when compared to his siblings or other children. The
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diagnosis is confirmed by doing a blood test, which reveals

abnormality of the chromosomes in the child.
While it is true that the risk of getting a child with Downs
Syndrome increases with rising maternal age, only 3.5% of
Downs births occur to women aged over 35 years. So
younger women can also get a child with this syndrome.
MANAGEMENT: With loving care and training, most of
these children can learn many skills under a programme for
early intervention. Your doctor will refer your child for such
training. Drugs will not be of any help unless the child has
proven deficiency of the thyroid hormone or has an infection
(Downs Syndrome children are more prone to infections than
normal children). Those having a heart disease may or may
not require surgery. At times, congenital abnormalities of the
intestinal tract may also need attention.
In case you decide to have another child, certain tests
during pregnancy can guide you as to whether your second
child could be affected by the same condition or not.
Fortunately, all the children with Downs Syndrome that I
have seen so far have had a normal sibling. But the possibility
that the second child may also be affected does arise.
EARACHE, EAR INFECTIONS AND DEAFNESS
COMMON CAUSES:
Middle ear infection (Otitis Media).

External ear canal infection (Otitis Extema)
A foreign body
wax
Toothache
Middle Ear Infection

Take middle ear infections seriously because recurrent ear
infections can lead to deafness. As the brain is situated near
the ear, infection from the ear can spread to the meninges
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covering the brain, leading to meningitis. Deafness at an early

age can also hinder your childs speech development.
SYMPTOMS: The child has a cold for a few days. He wakes
with high fever one night, crying and rubbing his ear. He
remains restless throughout the night. The next morning, pus
is discharged from the ear, after which he stops crying.
In some cases of ear infection, hearing is only temporarily
reduced and usually returns to normal after the infection is
brought under control. Sometimes, a fluid may remain behind
the eardrum even after a cold. This is clear fluid. In 30% of
the cases, this also gets absorbed spontaneously within about
2 months.
TREATMENT: The mainstay of treatment of the middle
ear infection is antibiotics, given by mouth in proper doses for
10 days. No eardrops should be put in the ear; the ear should
be kept dry to help heal the perforation of the eardrum
through which pus had come out. To dry the ear, clean the
pus nearer the ear lobe with clean linen. To dry the inside of
the ear canal, insert a small wick made from new newspaper
into the ear and let it soak up the pus. Keep changing the wick
every 2 minutes till the ear looks clean and dry. Do this 3
times a day. The child should not be allowed to go swimming
till he recovers from the ear infection.
Consider the childs nutrition if he gets recurrent ear
infections. Your doctor may decide to put the child on some
long-term antibiotics. If symptoms suggestive of enlarged
adenoids are present, removal of the adenoids may be
considered.
Similarly, if the fluid behind the eardrum persists for a
prolonged period, you may be offered tiny tubes
(tympanostomy tubes) to be put in the eardrum to keep
draining the middle ear. Doctors are divided on whether
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these tubes (also called gromet) give definite benefit or not. In

older children, a wait-and-watch strategy may be adopted,
because we can easily assess if the hearing is improving or
not. In infants and toddlers, the decision sometimes tilts in
favour of using these tubes because prolonged hearing loss
can affect development of speech around this age.
External Ear Canal Infection (Otitis Extema)
CAUSES: The earwax present normally in our ear protects
the external canal against moisture and germs. Putting
anything inside the ear can result in irritation of the skin and
removal of the normal wax, which can predispose the child to
infection. Swimming can also result in otitis extema in some
children.
SYMPTOMS: In this condition, the child does not have a
cough or cold but complains of earache or points towards his
ear. The child does not look too sick. On examination, the ear
canal may look red and we may notice a small boil inside,
which may burst, discharging a small amount of pus. Except
for severe cases, there is no severe pain or high fever. Itching
and mild pain are common features.
TREATMENT: Most cases of otitis extema get better on
their own. Antibiotic drops may sometimes be required, and
only rarely are antibiotics given by mouth. Do not allow
swimming for 8 to 10 days.
Foreign Body In The Ear
An insect or a grain or other foreign object may be lodged in
the childs ear.
MANAGEMENT: In the case of an insect, do not try and
remove it until you have put a few drops of warm coconut oil
into the ear. If it does not come out easily, flush it out with
warm (boiled and cooled) water filled in a syringe (without
a needle).
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With a grain or any other foreign body lodged in the ear,

remove it if you can easily do it. Take the child to a doctor if
you are unable to do this. If this is not possible, try to flush it
out with a syringe filled with warm saline water. Flushing
with water should not be undertaken if the child has had otitis
media in the recent past.
Hard Wax
As mentioned above, the ear is normally lined with a thin
layer of wax, which protects it from germs and moisture.
Sometimes, this layer of wax can harden and cause earache or
even deafness.
TREATMENT: Consult your doctor about the wax. If that
is not possible, put 3 drops of coconut oil inside the ear at
night for 3 nights. As the wax softens, flush it out with warm
water and a syringe as detailed above. Repeat this several
times. Stop immediately, however, if the child complains of
pain or dizziness.
Deafness
If there is any doubt about the hearing of your infant, you
must consult the doctor as soon as possible. If there is a
family history of deafness, screening of your newborn can be
done to rule out congenital deafness. In selected cases of
childhood deafness, the hearing can be remarkably improved
with the help of cochlear implants.
ELECTRIC SHOCK
Prevention of accidents due to electric appliances has been
explored under the chapter on PREVENTION OF
ACCIDENTS. Here we shall deal with what to do in case an
accident does take place.
MANAGEMENT: Step 1: Switch off the power or pull
out the plug. If this is not possible, remove the wire from
the child with any piece of wood. If that is not handy, roll
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up a magazine or use a jacket or a rope. Never use your bare

hands.
Step 2: If the child is alert and has no burns, just hug him.
Step 3: If burns are visible, visit your doctor to have the
wounds dressed and also to rule out damage to any internal
organs.
Step 4: In case of severe burns or damage to the organs,
the child may need to be hospitalised.
Step 5: In extreme cases, the child can have cardiopulmonary arrest. His heart stops beating and the child stops
breathing. In that case, do not waste a moment. Start mouthto-mouth breathing discussed under that heading.
Step 6: Some children can get severe convulsions with
resultant injuries, including fracture of the spine. Such
children should be handled carefully and shifted to the
hospital under careful medical supervision.
ENCEPHALITIS
Encephalitis refers to the inflammation of the brain, which
may manifest as a mild illness, or may result in severe
dysfunctioning of the brain, causing death or permanent
disability.
SYMPTOMS: The onset is usually sudden, with high fever,
persistent headache and vomiting. However, a temporary
headache with high fever or a few vomits at the onset can be
associated with any fever, so all children with such symptoms
should not be thought of as having encephalitis. Later, the
child may start having convulsions, develop mental confusion
or become unconscious. Paralysis of the eye muscles,
blindness and speech disturbances may develop. In some
mosquito-borne cases of encephalitis, the clinical features of
encephalitis may be associated with severe joint pains and a
bleeding tendency.
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TREATMENT:
Children
with
encephalitis
need
hospitalisation. There is no specific treatment available. The
child is given full support in the hope that he will come out of
it on his own. Those suffering from encephalitis due to herpes
simplex infection may benefit from an expensive drug named
acyclovir.
PREVENTION: As mosquitoes can carry the disease,
adequate steps may be taken to protect the child from
mosquito bites.
EYE PROBLEMS
Squint
A transitory squint in newborn babies is common and does not
need any treatment. Children with a fold of skin between the
eye and nose (epicanthic fold) or with a wide bridge of the
nose and increased distance between the two pupils may
falsely appear to have a squint. However, a true squint must
be attended to immediately or it may lead to permanent
blindness. An eye specialist should be consulted and his
advice followed. Sometimes, the child just needs glasses. At
times, a squint may follow a serious head injury or a tumour of
the eye. Sometimes, surgical correction may be required.
Refractive Errors Needing Glasses
Every child should be subjected to an eye check-up before
joining school to ascertain if he has a squint or needs glasses.
Infections Of The Eye
Watering of the eye in a newborn without sticky eyes or puslike discharge from the eye is usually due to blockage of the
tear duct connecting the eye to the nose. This is not due to
any infection and generally stops spontaneously before the
child is 6 months old. If you notice a pus-like discharge from
the eye, your doctor will teach you how to massage the area
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between the eye and the nose and advise some eye drops to
be put after cleaning the eye with warm water. If watering
persists after 6 months, an eye specialist should be seen. He
may submit the child to a minor procedure to open the tear
duct. This is quite effective.
Redness of the eye or sticky discharge from the eye could
be due to a bacterial or viral infection. If the redness is
coupled with severe itching in the eye, the cause could be an
allergy. Do not use an antibiotic or cortisone eye drops
without consulting your doctor.
In a newborn with conjunctivitis, you can safely instil a
drop or two of breast milk into the eye, 4 to 5 times a day. It
does help in some cases. If you are in a place where no doctor
is available, you may use an antibiotic eye ointment for
conjunctivitis, but make sure that it does not contain any
corticosteroid. If not indicated, medicines containing cortisone
can be harmful. In persistent cases, your doctor may send an
eye swab to the laboratory to ascertain the causative
organisms and prescribe an antibiotic by mouth.
In rare cases, tuberculosis can manifest in the eye as
phlyctenular conjunctivitis. In this condition, a pimple-like
spot is seen on the outer side of the cornea. Thin blood
vessels are seen radiating from this spot. Further
investigations are needed to confirm this.
If conjunctivitis suddenly starts affecting a large number
of people in the community, it is mostly due to a virus
infection of the eye. It is highly infectious and may be
prevented by immediate hand washing after touching a
patient and by keeping separate hand towels. Antibiotics
are of no use because of the viral origin. If the redness
persists, see a doctor who may prescribe antibiotic eye
drops or an ointment if required. The antibiotic should only
be put in the affected eye every hour or two while the
child is awake. This is advised because the medicine is
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quickly washed out with the watering of the eye.

Unaffected members of the family should not use the
medicine.
Eye Injuries
The commonest injury to the eye is caused by a small foreign
body like a grain of sand getting stuck to the conjunctiva
covering the white of the eye, or the lids. Wash the eyes with
plenty of water. If it does not come out, take a wick made
from cotton, moisten it and clean the speck from the
conjunctiva. If you cannot see it and the eye is irritated and
watering profusely, the speck may be stuck under the upper
lid. To turn this lid up, ask the child to look down. Put a
matchstick (or use the finger of one hand) over the lid. Catch
the eyelashes of the upper lid with your thumb and index
finger and quickly turn the lid up over the stick. The foreign
substance is generally seen on the upper lid below the
eyelashes. Remove it with moist cotton or the comer of a
clean piece of cloth.
If some chemical has gone into the eye, keep washing the
eye with water till you see a doctor.
If the eye has been punched and the child cannot see
(ignore the transitory loss of vision after an injury), see the
doctor as soon as possible. If the childs vision is not affected,
put an eye ointment into the eye, ask the child to gently close
the eye and put a thick pack of gauze on it and keep it in place
with leucoplast or a bandage till you see your doctor.
If the foreign substance is over the cornea (the cornea
covers the pupil and the coloured portion of the eye called the
iris), do not try to remove it yourself. Let the doctor handle it.
Problems Of The Eyelids
A boil-like painful swelling near the eyelid is due to a stye
(hordeolum). There may be more than one stye. Hot water
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fomentation thrice a day with application of an antibiotic eye

ointment after the fomentation clears the infection. The use of
an ointment must be continued for another 3 or 4 days even
after the stye subsides.
A stye should be differentiated from a chalazion that results
in a firm, non-painful swelling in the lid. It can disappear on its
own, but may also require simple surgery.
Sometimes, the margin of the eyelid presents with
persistent itchy scales that stick together during sleep. The
eyelid should be gently cleaned with warm water and the
scales removed. Then apply an antibiotic eye ointment. This
condition, called blephritis, tends to recur. Occasionally, local
application of corticosteroids is needed.
Congenital Ptosis
This condition refers to drooping of the upper eyelid, and
could be familial. It needs surgical correction. Mild ptosis is
operated upon before the child joins regular school. Ptosis
that interferes with vision should be corrected earlier as per
the advice of an eye specialist.
Night Blindness
Inability to see properly in the dark may be the first indication
of Vitamin A deficiency. It is easily cured by a diet rich in
Vitamin A and the use of Vitamin A. If ignored, it can lead to
severe damage to the eye and permanent blindness.
Prevention is possible by breastfeeding the baby (preferably
for 2 years) and giving him dark green leafy vegetables and
red or yellow fruits and vegetables. Some of these children
may also have associated roundworm infestation that should
be treated as well.
FEARS
Although fears are normal in children, strong and irrational
fears termed phobias can interfere with a childs normal
activities.
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An infant is usually fearful of strange faces, loud noises,

animals, a dark room and pain. A 6-month-old infant can
differentiate between known and unknown faces, but is not
able to understand that the unknown faces may not pose any
threat to him. After about the age of 2, most children start
accepting unfamiliar people without any fear.
School children are afraid of death, darkness, animals, high
places, thunderstorms, lightning and kidnappers.
MANAGEMENT: Make sure nobody laughs or makes fun
of a fearful child. Help him get over the fears by providing
support. Hold the childs hand in a dark place. If he is afraid of,
say snakes, let him first see pictures of snakes. Let him then
see someone holding a non-poisonous snake. Let the child
then touch it if he is willing.
Gandhiji was taught by his maid to recite Gods name
(Rama) whenever he felt fearful of the dark. You may consider
this approach.
If your child is phobic, consider taking the help of a
counsellor.
FOOT PROBLEMS
Flat Foot
Normally, the foot has an arch. Children are said to have flat
feet if this arch is not evident. However, infants normally
have a pad of fat that hides the arch. Additionally, young
childrens feet have very flexible bones and joints. So the feet
of such children flatten when they stand, even though you can
see the arch if you lift them on their toes.
Many children are given special shoes for flat feet.
Most such children have normal feet that look apparently
flat during infancy and the preschool age. If doubt about
this condition persists after 3 years, do see an orthopaedic
surgeon.
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Rigid Foot
In the case of a rigid foot, which cannot be moved up and
down or side to side at the ankle or in the presence of a really
tight Achilles tendon, your doctor may like to show the child
to an orthopaedic surgeon.
Toeing-In and Club Foot
If the feet of a child are turned inwards but have normal
movement at the ankle joints, they need no treatment. It may
be due to a particular position of the baby while he was in the
mothers womb. This condition returns to normal by about
6 months of age. If the toeing-in persists or if it appears rigid,
the child may have a condition called club foot (congenital
talipes equinovarus). This may need an orthopaedic opinion.
Such children need repeated plastering. Sometimes, surgery
is also indicated.
Shoes
Although shoes are a necessary evil in the urban world, it is
an accepted fact that people who remain barefoot have
stronger and more flexible feet compared to those who wear
shoes. They also have fewer problems with their feet. So
allow your child the joy of walking and running barefoot on
safe ground as much as possible.
When you must buy shoes, do not go for fancy, expensive
ones. Shoes are only meant to protect your small child from
injury and cold. Of course, as he grows older, your child will
like to have a smart pair of shoes. Buy him smart ones, but
make sure that they are comfortable. Buy shoes later in the
day when the feet are likely to be a little heavier than in the
morning. The shoe should be a little larger than the exact size
of your childs foot. Keep a margin of about 2 centimetres, but
make sure that the shoe does not come off as the child runs or
walks. Shoes that have become tight should no longer be
used.
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Shoes should be flat and flexible. For teenagers,

cushioned soles may be preferred. Avoid high heels as far
as possible. Wide shoes are better than pointed ones.
Leather or canvas shoes without plastic material are good
for your childs feet.
GERMAN MEASLES (RUBELLA)
The disease is more common in school going children. The
child is infectious from a few days before the rash appears, to
a week thereafter.
German measles can be serious in a pregnant woman. All
women of reproductive age should be familiar with this
disease. When German measles affects a pregnant woman,
her baby may develop certain deformities, specially if she
acquires the infection in the first 3 months of pregnancy. As
the deformities may be serious (involving the brain, eyes and
heart), all pregnant women should stay away from a known
case of German measles.
If you are pregnant and have come in contact with a patient
who has had an illness with fever and rash, but you are not
sure if it is German measles, the best thing for you would be
to speak to your doctor. He may order you to have blood tests
to confirm. At times, the blood test needs to be repeated. If
your doctor concludes that you have been recently infected
with German measles, he may suggest an abortion. As
mentioned earlier, the risk to the baby is greater if the
infection takes place in the first 3 months of pregnancy.
You should then discuss the issue with the doctor along with
your husband and then decide whether or not to have
an abortion.
SYMPTOMS: A typical case of German measles presents
with fever, rash and painful glands in the neck. The fever is
not very high. The rash is also not so severe as in measles.
The distinctive feature is the enlargement of the glands
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behind the ears and the back of the head and neck, which feel
tender to the touch. The total illness lasts about 5 days. The
rash starts with the face and then spreads downwards to
disappear within 2 to 3 days.
TREATMENT: Treatment is often not required. If fever
bothers the child, he may be given paracetamol. The
important precaution that parents must take is to restrict the
movements of the child having German measles so that he
does not come in contact with a pregnant woman.
PREVENTION: MMR vaccine (against measles, mumps
and rubella or German measles) is available. It is quite
effective and can be given after the age of 1 year. If your child
has been given the measles vaccine around the age of
9 months, MMR vaccine is to be given around 15 months of
age. Rubella vaccine may also be repeated at puberty.
If a woman of reproductive age receives the rubella
vaccine without realising that she was pregnant, no
abortion need be suggested. Studies of such cases do
not show any congenital abnormality in the baby.
GLANDS IN THE NECK AND ELSEWHERE
Lymph glands, like fever, help us fight infection.
SYMPTOMS: Tiny pea-sized glands may be seen behind or
in front of the neck, and also in other parts of the body like the
groin and armpits in young children. They are not painful or
tender. The child is otherwise well. These glands do not
increase in size but, once noticed, remain for months without
causing any harm to the child. They are often secondary to a
minor infection in the head, arms or legs. Your doctor will
probably ask for no tests in such a case and will just
reassure you. More notice is to be taken if glands are
suddenly observed in different parts of the body in a younger
infant, especially if he also looks pale and sickly.
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Serious attention also needs to be given if there is rapid

enlargement of a gland or glands, or if a big pea-sized or a
still bigger gland remains persistently enlarged.
Common Causes
Local cause
Systemic illness
Local Causes
A sore throat due to a viral or bacterial infection, or infection
of the teeth and gums can cause enlargement of the glands in
front of the neck. Infection of the scalp over the head like
boils and infection secondary to scratching due to lice,
dandruff or chickenpox can cause swollen glands behind the
neck. Small tender glands in this region can also be seen in
viral infections like German measles and big non-tender
glands due to glandular fever (also called Infectious
Mononucleosis).
Glands in the armpits and groin can be enlarged due to a
local infection (injury, boils, cat scratch or chickenpox).
A gland just above the collarbone should be taken more
seriously. It could be due to an infection in the lungs and more
rarely due to a tumour in the chest. Sometimes, it can follow
vaccination with BCG.
Tuberculosis can also present as a glandular swelling in
different parts of the body. In tuberculosis, there is a
significant enlargement of the gland. The swelling often gets
adhered to the overlying skin. Sometimes, more than one
gland is enlarged in the same region and these glands appear
to get matted (stuck) to each other.
Systemic Illness
Viral infections accompanied by a rash (German measles,
glandular fever) can result in enlargement of glands in
different parts of the body.
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Tuberculosis can present as a localised glandular swelling

or as a more generalised disease.
Rare Causes
Malignant disorders like leukaemia and lymphomas and
infections like AIDS are to be kept in mind in any persistent
glandular swelling, especially if associated with unexplained
fever, severe anaemia, tenderness in the bones, and bleeding
from any part of the body.
MANAGEMENT: In any persistent or significant
enlargement of glands, your doctor will probably ask for a
blood test, a skin test (Mantoux Test), and a chest X-ray. If
required, an ultrasonography of the abdomen may be asked
for. If no definite cause is found, a biopsy of the gland may
have to be undertaken.
Most glands secondary to local causes or glands due to viral
infections get better on their own. Sometimes, antibiotics may
be required to treat the local cause. Occasionally, the gland
becomes severely inflamed with redness being noticed on the
overlying skin. It is painful and the child has fever. Besides
antibiotics, such children may need hot fomentation and
even surgery.
HEADACHE
A headache can be serious if:
The child has persistent headache without any obvious

cause or following a head injury.
The headache is associated with persistent vomiting,

squinting, loss of balance or disturbed consciousness.
The headache is followed by convulsions or by loss of

consciousness.
The headache is severe at onset.
The child has headaches whose character and frequency

have changed.
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SYMPTOMS: While the older child will be able to tell you

he has a headache, smaller ones may be fretful or bang their
heads persistently. However, occasional banging of the head
in a toddler is often behaviour-related.
Common Causes
Common Infections
Viral or bacterial infections can cause a headache. Usually, the
child also has fever and body ache. Paracetamol relieves this
type of headache for a couple of hours till the child recovers
from the infection. The child is otherwise alert. He may be an
obvious case of a viral cold with running nose or a bacterial
infection like acute tonsillitis.
Psychogenic Factors And Fatigue
School going children under undue stress, sleep deprivation
and emotional disturbances can have frequent headaches.
Eyestrain
A child complaining of headache towards the end of the day
may need his eyes to be checked.
Sinus Infection
In persistent infection of the sinuses (hollows present in our
bones nearer the nose), the headache is typically noticed on
waking up.
Migraine
Repetitive stereotype headaches are usually not due to
serious causes like a brain tumour. One such example of a
relatively benign condition is migraine.
If there is a family history of migraine, this condition should
especially be considered. While adults often have a headache
that affects one half of the head, children may complain of a
generalised headache in migraine. A few precipitating factors
are stress, bright sunlight, cheese, chocolates, chilled food,
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cold drinks, ice cream and nuts. The attacks of headache are
often associated with nausea or vomiting. The child is
perfectly all right between attacks.
Migraine aura (which precedes an attack of
migraine) without headache has also been found in
some children. In this condition, the child has distortion
of visual image, frequently consisting of things looking
smaller than they are (micropsia), or seeing bright
lights, or the appearance of distortion of body image
(the Alice in Wonderland Syndrome). A positive
personal history or family history of classical migraine
in such cases may clinch the diagnosis.
Head Injury
A persistent headache following a history of head injury
should not be ignored. Most vomiting after mild head injury is
said to be related to migraine, but a persistent headache or
vomiting could be related directly to the head injury.
Meningitis
Fever, a fixed gaze, or disturbed consciousness should raise
the possibility of a diagnosis of meningitis.
A small infant may have a bulging anterior fontanelle (the
soft spot on the head). Neck stiffness is present in most cases
of meningitis.
Brain Tumour
A persistent headache, lasting day and night, could be
due to a brain tumour. Associated features like persistent
vomiting, squint, loss of balance, convulsions and disturbed
consciousness add to the suspicion of a brain tumour or any
other space-occupying lesion in the brain.
Headaches due to migraine may be preceded by blurring of
vision followed by vomiting. This should not be construed as
suggestive of a brain tumour.
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High Blood Pressure

This is a rare cause of headache.
TREATMENT: In routine cases, take the child in your lap
and press his head gently. If he does not object, apply a little
balm on his temples. Paracetamol may also be given.
Ibuprofen has been found to be more effective than
paracetamol in headaches due to migraine.
Attend to any emotional factors. Make sure he has food at
regular intervals, Hunger can add to the problem. Check his
hours of sleep. Exercise has been found to help fight migraine
by improving blood flow to the brain, by boosting blood levels
of brain chemicals that suppress pain, and by conferring a
general feeling of relaxation and well-being. However, sudden
and vigorous exercise should be avoided. It may actually
trigger or aggravate an attack.
For temporary headaches associated with fever,
paracetamol and treatment of the infection with suitable
drugs, if required, should be enough.
For a persistent complaint, specially associated with other
worrying symptoms mentioned earlier, take your child to the
doctor soon so that the proper diagnosis can be made at an
early stage.
HEAD INJURY
Although it is natural to become tense when a child hurts his
head, most head injuries (at times even serious-looking ones)
pass off without any complication.
It is important to watch the child closely after a head injury.
If he looks alright to you after the injury, there is no need to
panic.
If he is normal even after 48 hours of the accident, the risk
to your child is almost nil. The accident was probably meant
to help him learn some lesson for the future.
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However, make a note of the date and time of the head

injury in the childs personal file or diary for any future
reference.
You Need To Take Action In The Following Conditions:
Persistent vomiting
Persistent lack of alertness, drowsiness or unconsciousness
Inability to move any part of the body
An unsteady gait
Persistent backache
Convulsions
Eye changes resulting in squint, double vision, etc.
Difficult breathing
Bleeding from the nose or ear
Concussion Versus Compression

In a condition called concussion, the whole brain is shaken
after the head is hit hard. The child becomes unconscious for
a brief period and becomes normal within a few minutes. He
may also complain of slight headache, nausea and giddiness
and have one or two bouts of vomiting. Such cases should not
cause anxiety.
Compression of the brain, on the other hand, can be
serious. The real problem arises if there is swelling of the
brain and the injury leads to compression of the brain due to
bleeding between the skull and the brain. This may cause the
worrying symptoms mentioned above. If youre anxious about
the way your child looks, consult your doctor immediately or
take the child to the casualty department of a nearby hospital.
First Aid
While you are waiting for your doctor, attend to any external
injury. If you notice any bump on the head, it is due to
external bleeding between the scalp and the skull. Apply
gentle pressure with ice in a hand towel or any piece of cloth
for 15 to 20 minutes. If there is a cut on the scalp, attend to it
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as advised under the section on Cuts. If you suspect that the

child might have also injured his neck, do not move him; wait
for your doctor or the ambulance to arrive and let the experts
carry the child safely to the hospital. Careless handling of a
child with injury to the neck can result in serious damage to
the spinal cord.
Hospitalisation And Tests
Let your doctor decide if X-rays of the skull or a brain scan
are needed. If the soft spot (anterior fontanelle) in a small
infant is open, doctors may decide to go for a simpler
procedure called sonography of the head.
Most cases of head injury need neither hospitalisation nor
any X-rays. Observation of the child, in most cases for a day
or two at home or in the hospital, and examination by your
doctor are all that is required. But if one or more of the
serious symptoms given above are present, do not delay
matters and let the doctor decide the right course of action for
your child.
Vigorous Shaking Of The Child Can Be Dangerous
Mention may be made here of the possibility of a rare injury
to the brain and eyes following vigorous shaking of the child.
This can happen if an angry parent takes recourse to this
method to stop a small child crying continuously. Always
allow your spouse, family or friends to share the care of a
colicky child with you so that you are not stressed too much.
HEPATITIS
Most cases of hepatitis or inflammation of the liver are due to
viral agents (Hepatitis A, B, C, and E virus).
CAUSES: Hepatitis A and E are due to infection by the oral
route. The other two are caused by infection due to an
infected needle or blood and also through sexual intercourse.
A mother having hepatitis B can also pass it on to her
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newborn through the placenta. Tattooing and ear piercing can

also expose people to infection with the hepatitis B virus.
SYMPTOMS: The usual onset is with loss of appetite and
vomiting. Fever may or may not be present. The child then
develops high-coloured urine and yellow eyes. The jaundice
deepens. The skin also becomes yellow. After about 2 weeks
of the onset, the appetite starts returning, the urine colour
becomes lighter and the child usually recovers after a total
duration of about 3 weeks.
Your doctor may ask for a urine examination and some
blood tests specially to rule out hepatitis B.
Complications with hepatitis A and E are not common. But
hepatitis B and C can lead to liver failure or persistent
infection and even carcinoma of the liver.
TREATMENT: There is no specific treatment for hepatitis.
The child is advised rest at home till the jaundice clears and
the appetite returns to normal.
Some doctors place unnecessary dietary restrictions, but I
believe that in routine cases, a child who is allowed to eat
what he likes recovers faster. Such a child is less likely to feel
weak. If the child is not hungry, encourage him to have fruit
and rice preparations. If he is vomiting, give him small feeds
at more frequent intervals. Drugs for vomiting should be
avoided. If vomiting is severe, intravenous fluids may be
needed.
Sugarcane juice is not essential. In fact, we have seen
children getting new infections from this juice if it is bought
from outside. If you are very keen about cane sugar, let the
child chew on a piece of sugarcane. Similarly, drinks enriched
with glucose are not required.
In case of fever, try to avoid drugs. Even a relatively safe
drug like paracetamol can be harmful for the liver. Sponging
with slightly warm water may be resorted to. Liver tonics are
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not required. Any Vitamin B complex preparation may be

given for a month.
If the child has much itching, apply calamine lotion on the
skin. Your doctor may also prescribe some oral medication.
HYDROCEPHALUS
The term hydrocephalus refers to a condition in which there
is abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, within
the brain.
SYMPTOMS: This condition is suspected if the childs
head appears to be much bigger than those of other children
his age. Keep in mind that some children have a biggish head,
which is normal. If in doubt, however, consult your doctor.
MANAGEMENT: After examination, the doctor may
measure the head circumference at intervals to see if the
growth is more rapid than normal. If so, he may decide to get
the child investigated. A sonography of the head or a CT scan
may confirm, or rule out, the diagnosis of hydrocephalus.
With surgery, the child can have a normal life. Untreated
children can develop complications like convulsions and
mental retardation. In some cases, the condition can arrest
spontaneously.
HYPERTENSION (HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE)
Contrary to popular belief, even children can get
hypertension, though this is not common. Sometimes, a
wrong diagnosis is made if the blood pressure is measured
with a cuff of smaller-than-normal size. The cuff is wrapped
around the arm of the child to measure the pressure. Also if
the child is excited, the higher pressure must be confirmed by
taking a few more readings.
SYMPTOMS: Usually, hypertension is accidentally
discovered when the child is examined for a routine check-up.
Of course, it can also present with symptoms typical of
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disorders of the kidney, heart, central nervous system and

endocrine system. Thus, the child may have blood in the
urine, breathlessness on exertion, visual disturbances,
headaches or even a stroke.
MANAGEMENT:
Confirmation of raised pressure by frequent blood

pressure readings in a relaxed atmosphere.
Investigations to rule out the cause of hypertension and
if proved, treatment prescribed for the same.
If the cause is not found, a diagnosis of essential
hypertension is made.
If the child is overweight, all efforts are made to regulate
the childs diet and to see that he takes active part in
sports or other forms of exercise.
Salt is restricted in the diet. Canned and fast foods are to
be avoided as they have a high amount of salt or fat.
If your doctor decides that the child should have long
term medication for keeping the blood pressure in
check, do follow the advice seriously because high blood
pressure, if not treated, can cause complications with
damage to the blood vessels of the eyes, kidney and
brain. It can also lead to heart failure.
HYPOSPADIAS
In this condition, the opening of the urinary passage is on the
under surface of the penis. Besides, there is usually a
downward bending or curvature of the penis. In severe
degrees of hypospadias, the opening of the urethra may be at
the junction of the penis and scrotum, or even further
backwards, on the scrotum or in front of the anus. In such
cases, the scrotum may be divided by a deep cleft into two
parts (bifid scrotum). If, in addition, one or both the testes are
missing from the scrotum, the surgeon will have to determine
the sex of the child as it may be an intersex condition.
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TREATMENT: Hypospadias can be corrected surgically,

either in a single surgery or in 2 stages, depending on the
surgeon. An average hospital stay of 10 days is necessary.
The ideal age for surgery is between 8 and 18 months.
Circumcision should be categorically avoided in babies with
hypospadias as the excess foreskin heaped on the penis is
used to construct the deficient urethra.
All the procedures should be completed before the child
starts attending school.
INFLUENZA (FLU)
Influenza is a viral infection that spreads rapidly from one
person to another. This disease is seen more often during the
winters. The patient having flu is infectious to others from the
day before the onset of symptoms until the time he recovers
from fever and other symptoms.
SYMPTOMS: If more than one member of the family has
body ache, headache, fever, nasal discharge, loss of appetite,
severe weakness and an upset stomach, we are most likely
dealing with flu.
TREATMENT: No antibiotics need be given. For relief of
symptoms, paracetamol can be given every 4 to 6 hours. A
child may be allowed to eat as per his inclination. In case of
poor appetite, which is common during the illness, enough
liquids including fruit juices, soups, coconut water and plain
water should be given to ensure adequate urine output. For
lowering the fever and also otherwise, sponging the whole
body with a little warm water is very comforting.
The child should stay at home for a couple of days even
after the fever settles, because flu can make a child feel
very weak.
JAUNDICE
While most children getting jaundice recover without much of
a problem, some of them may need serious attention.
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Doctors get
circumstances:
really
concerned
under
the
following
Jaundice appearing within 24 hours after birth.
A child with jaundice who appears unusually sick,

drowsy and anaemic or one who develops altered
behaviour, or a bleeding tendency, or swelling of the
body, or persistent vomiting with dehydration.
Physiological Jaundice In A Newborn Baby

Most jaundiced babies have what is known as normal or
physiological jaundice. The jaundice normally appears after
30 hours of birth, gradually deepens and disappears on the
10th day. This happens due to slight immaturity of the babys
liver. The child generally does not require any treatment. If
the jaundice is severe, your doctor may like to rule out certain
other causes of jaundice like an infection or rare causes like
thyroid deficiency or galactosaemia a rare inborn error of
metabolism. Babies with galactosaemia are born with
intolerance to galactose, one of the two sugars that make up
the lactose present in milk.
The level of jaundice is known by estimating the level of
serum bilirubin (the yellow pigment produced by the
breakdown of red blood cells). In physiological jaundice, the
bilirubin level usually does not exceed 20 mg./dl. In Indian and
other Asian children, it may reach 25 mg./dl. without causing
any problem to the child.
In case of high levels, your doctor may like to estimate the
level of haemoglobin and may again test for bilirubin. A rise of
0.5 mg./dl. of bilirubin or more per hour or a falling
haemoglobin level may need some intervention. Children who
are born normally without any problem are usually quite safe,
but those who are born prematurely or had lack of oxygen,
low blood sugar or accumulation of acids in the body
(acidoses) need extra care.
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Some jaundiced babies are sleepy and may not suckle too
well or too often.
MANAGEMENT: Frequent suckling is the best way to
reduce the incidence of jaundice and to treat it as well.
Bilirubin is present in large amounts in the meconium the
babys first stools. If the meconium is not cleared, the
bilirubin gets reabsorbed into the babys system. Colostrum
(the first breast milk) helps to clear meconium and thus
assists in the prevention of jaundice. If your baby gets enough
breast milk, it helps to clear early jaundice. Giving glucose
water, plain water or other supplements does not help. Such
drinks interfere with breastfeeding and can increase the
jaundice.
The best way you can help your baby with jaundice is by
breastfeeding him frequently, whenever he is hungry
(demand feeding) during the day or at night. If he is unusally
sleepy, try to stimulate him every 2 hours. If he does not
oblige, report to your doctor who may ask you to express your
milk and give it to the baby with a small glass or bondla
(paladai) every 3 hours.
Late Onset Jaundice In A Newborn Baby
Sometimes, jaundice starts at the end of the first week of life in
an otherwise healthy baby and may last up to 3 to 10 weeks of
age. Often, this prolonged jaundice is not serious and is due to
the presence of a harmless substance in the mothers milk.
That is why it is also sometimes labelled breast milk jaundice.
It tends to recur in the next child. This jaundice is harmless and
clears without any treatment. The baby continues to suckle
well and gains weight normally. If the jaundice is very severe,
especially if the baby looks unwell, your doctor may consider
the possibility of the child having some other condition.
TREATMENT: The doctor may suggest temporary
stoppage of breastfeeding to confirm the diagnosis of late
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onset jaundice. This would bring down the levels quickly, but
do not agree to this suggestion too readily. In such a situation,
you have the following options:
Express your milk. Boil it and give it to your baby by a
bondla. Heating breast milk reduces the levels of
bilirubin.
Stop breastfeeding temporarily for 12 to 48 hours and
give breast milk from another HIV-negative mother or
from a breast milk bank*. Keep expressing your milk
and discard it.
Alternate artificial milk feeding and breastfeeding for
24 to 48 hours. I prefer this approach in anxious parents.
Continue breastfeeding normally and give phototherapy
(light therapy).
Replace breastfeeding by artificial milk feeding for 12 to
48 hours while observing the reduction of bilirubin and
the level of jaundice.
The moment the period of 12 to 48 hours is over, you must
start breastfeeding normally again.
Very high levels of bilirubin can cause damage to the brain
of a newborn baby. But no such damage has ever been
reported due to late onset jaundice.
It is important to realise that even if a baby needs
treatment (usually light therapy) for jaundice, you must
continue to breastfeed your baby normally.
Light Therapy
Light therapy (phototherapy) is based on the principle that
exposure of the skin to blue or fluorescent tube light, or
*Breast Milk Bank, C/o Head, Department of Neonatology, Lokmanya Tilak
Municipal Medical College, Sion, Mumbai 400 022.
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daylight, converts bilirubin in a manner that it can be

eliminated more easily from the body.
The baby is put under the light without clothes, with his
eyes covered to prevent damage. The light is kept
approximately 45 ems. above the infant. To avoid undue
separation from your baby, you can request the nursing staff
to bring the phototherapy unit next to your bed. If that is not
possible, you should keep going to where the unit is kept and
breastfeed your baby whenever he is hungry. Remove the
cover from the babys eyes while breastfeeding.
Some babies may get loose motions while under the lights.
This is normal. Others become a little irritable to begin with.
Some may develop the so-called dehydration fever due to
loss of water from the body. You may be tempted to give
water to the baby for this reason. This should be avoided.
Frequent breastfeeding will provide the required amount of
fluids in most cases.
For daylight, do not draw the curtains in your room. Direct
sunlight can cause sunburn. But keeping the baby in the sun
at about 10 a.m. for about 10 minutes, where possible, is
advisable. This also helps in conversion of pro-Vitamin D in
the babys skin to Vitamin D.
Jaundice Due To Blood Group Incompatibility
Rh incompatibility and ABO incompatibility between the
mother and the foetus can result in jaundice in the
newborn baby.
Your doctor will get your blood tested during pregnancy to
find out if you are Rh-negative. If so, your baby will be
observed closely for appearance of jaundice and for the rate of
rise of bilirubin and his level of haemoglobin. Your doctor may
also give you a special injection within 24 to 72 hours after
delivery to prevent any trouble to your next baby.
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ABO incompatibility is a relatively milder disease. The

common combination is an 0 group mother and A or B group
foetus.
Exchange Transfusion
An exchange transfusion is undertaken mostly in Rh
incompatibility if the haemoglobin estimation of the cord
blood of the baby is low or his cord bilirubin is high, or if the
bilirubin levels after birth cross the safe levels.
It may also have to be undertaken in certain other
situations like a premature baby whose bilirubin levels rise
rather rapidly or babies with jaundice who also have added
problems like infection, low blood sugar, etc.
Other Causes Of Jaundice In A Newborn Baby
Infections in a newborn baby are rare. Conditions like
hypothyroidism and galactosaemia can also cause jaundice in
the newborn.
Any jaundice that persists for over two weeks may need
detailed investigations. If the child has white stools, it may be
due to the flow of bile being obstructed. Such a child needs
the urgent attention of a paediatric surgeon.
Jaundice In Older Children
CAUSES: The two common causes of jaundice in older
children are infections or drugs affecting the liver. Certain
drugs given for tuberculosis and epilepsy can cause jaundice.
The common infections causing jaundice are hepatitis and
malaria. In malaria, the child with jaundice may have very low
haemoglobin. He is often very anaemic and may need blood
transfusion.
JOINT DISORDERS
Sprains affecting joints are discussed under Bones, Joints And
Muscle Injuries. Limps and pain in the legs are also discussed
under separate headings.
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Here we shall discuss conditions giving rise to pain and

swelling of the joints. These conditions are grouped under the
heading of arthritis.
Bacterial Infections
Acute bacterial infection and tuberculosis can result in
arthritis. Arthritis caused by acute bacterial infection is
termed septic arthritis.
SYMPTOMS: It presents with sudden onset of fever
(usually high) and painful swelling with restriction of joint
movements. It usually affects the hip, knee or ankle joints.
In tuberculosis, the swelling may increase gradually and
persist for days and weeks.
TREATMENT: Acute septic arthritis needs surgical
opinion and treatment with intravenous antibiotics.
Rheumatic Fever
This gives rise to temporary swelling or pain in the joints.
Involvement of joints due to this condition is discussed
separately under Rheumatic Fever.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Usually affecting preschool children or adolescents, this
condition is discussed fully under Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Haemophilia
Children with clotting defects can also present with swelling
of a joint. A history of bleeding tendency in the child or family
history aids the diagnosis.
KALA-AZAR
Kala-azar is an infection due to the parasite that grows in the
sandfly. The disease is more commonly seen in Bihar, West
Bengal and Assam.
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SYMPTOMS: Darkening of the skin, anaemia, fever,

bleeding from the nose, enlargement of the liver and spleen,
and malnutrition are the common features of this disease. If
untreated, 80% to 90% of patients die.
TREATMENT: Drugs are now available for this serious
disease. With treatment, majority of the patients recover
completely.
LEPTOSPIROSIS
This is an infection caused by leptospira. The rat is the
principal source of infection in humans. Infection takes place
by direct contact with the urine or blood of an infected rat, or
from contaminated water, soil or vegetables.
Leptospira commonly enter through a moist skin with cuts,
or through a mucous membrane. After entering the blood
stream through the skin or mucous membranes, leptospira
spread to all the patients organs.
SYMPTOMS: The onset is usually sudden with fever,
chills, headache, severe pain in the muscles, redness of eyes,
nausea, pain in the abdomen, and vomiting.
The patient may also develop jaundice and a bleeding
tendency.
After a quiet asymptomatic period of 1 to 3 days, the child
may again develop fever with symptoms suggestive of
meningitis, involvement of the heart, liver damage and kidney
failure.
Though many infected patients may not show any evidence
of the disease, death can occur in severe cases. Certain blood
tests, urine examination and an electrocardiogram help in
reaching the diagnosis.
TREATMENT: Injections of penicillin may be lifesaving.
The other drug that can also be used is tetracycline, but it
should be avoided in children below the age of 8 years.
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LIMP AND PAIN IN THE LEGS

Common Causes
Tight shoes, a nail or a stone in the shoe, painful glands in the
groin, injury to the foot or lower limb with a cut, splinter,
sprain or a fracture, growing pains, and a flu-like illness with
pain in the limbs.
Uncommon Causes
Early polio, rheumatic fever, scurvy (due to Vitamin C
deficiency), hip dislocation, slipped femoral epiphysis,
transient synovitis of the hip, Perthes disease, infection of a
joint with a viral or bacterial infection, and cerebral palsy.
Growing Pains (Leg Aches)
This is quite common. One out of 4 normal children complain
of pain in the legs that lasts for months or years. The child
feels better if the legs are pressed.
The pain is more marked at night while the child is lying in
bed. He runs about normally during the day. It does not
interfere with his normal activities. He has no limp. There is
no localised swelling, warmth, or tenderness. The pain is
rather diffused. The movements at the joints are normal.
We do not know the exact cause of this symptom. It may be
a subconscious way for the child to demand more attention
and more body contact from the parents.
The pain usually disappears by the time the child leaves
school, though several mothers report that such aches
continue even in adulthood.
Transient Synovitis Of The Hip
This is preceded by a minor viral cold or a minor injury. After
a few days of rest, the limp disappears. It is usually seen
between 2 and 7 years of age.
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Perthes Disease
This presents as in the above condition. An X-ray of the hip
joint points to the diagnosis.
TREATMENT OF A LIMP: This will depend upon the
cause. Most children with a limp attributed to the common
causes listed before settle down without any treatment. In
case of any doubt, it is important to show the child to your
doctor for ruling out any condition that may need
urgent attention.
MALARIA
Common Malaria (Plasmodium Vivax)
SYMPTOMS: A typical case presents with shivering and high
fever, followed by sweating and fall in temperature. The fever
comes on alternate days, and the child looks well in between.
A history of a child living in an area where malaria is common
or the child having returned from such an area aids the
diagnosis. A blood test confirms the diagnosis. The patient
may become anaemic and weak.
In another case, the fever may occur every day. Shivering
or rigours may not be present. If no obvious cause of fever is
to be found and your doctor finds your child has an enlarged
spleen, he may like to rule out malaria.
DIAGNOSIS: It is important that the blood sample for
malaria be taken before treatment is started. This test is not
only important for the confirmation of the diagnosis, but also
helps to ascertain the type of malaria, the precise treatment to
be given immediately and to be followed later.
Falciparum Malaria
SYMPTOMS: Besides shivering and fever, a child with this
type of malaria can become quite sick. He may start losing
alertness, get convulsions and may become unconscious.
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TREATMENT: Treat this condition as an emergency.

Many lives are saved by appropriate treatment.
Tell your doctor if your child has G-6-PD deficiency (see
Anaemia); children with this deficiency may react badly to
some of the anti-malarial drugs.
PREVENTION: Cooperate with the public health
authorities in the prevention of the spread of this disease.
The malaria mosquito can thrive on clean water, so make
sure the water storage sources in your building or house are
well cared for. In areas where malaria is common, care should
be taken to prevent mosquito bites. Have automatic door
closers and window netting installed if this is possible. In the
near future, we may have mosquito nets that are impregnated
with a medicine to repel mosquitoes.
Your doctor may put you on some drug(s) to be taken
regularly once a week if you live in a malaria-infested area or
you are going to visit such an area. However, some older
children and adults may develop partial or complete immunity
against the disease after living in a locality with malaria for a
number of years, and do not need this continuous prophylactic
(preventive) treatment. If, however, you live in an area where
malaria is unknown, start giving your child the prophylactic
medicines 2 weeks before you start your journey to a malaria
area. The drug is to be given throughout the stay in that area
and to be continued for 2 months after returning home.
Do not take these drugs without proper advice;
indiscriminate use may result in the development of
resistance to certain anti-malarial drugs.
MALNUTRITION (UNDERNUTRITION)
Although malnutrition can mean undernutrition, overnutrition
(see Obesity), vitamin deficiency, iron deficiency, calcium
deficiency and iodine deficiency, this section covers
undernutrition.
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A child is considered undernourished if he is below 80% of

his expected weight. (See chapter on NORMAL GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT).
We should be seriously concerned if the weight is below
65% of the expected weight, or if the child fails to gain weight
in 3 successive months. Thus, a child whose expected weight
is 10 kgs. and who weighs less than 8 kgs. is considered
undernourished. If he is less than 6.5 kgs, I would be much
more concerned and give extra attention to find the cause of
his undernourishment.
Normal Variations
It bears repeating that a child who is much below his average
weight, but is active, full of life, gains weight slowly but surely
and does not fall ill too often, is not ill. I would observe him for
a couple of months and look for other common causes of lower
weight like the small size of his parents, low birth weight and
failure to gain weight in the first few weeks of life from any
cause which is rather difficult to be compensated later on.
Common Causes Of Undernutrition:
Premature termination of breastfeeding

Improper artificial feeding
Delayed addition of complementary foods
Infections like diarrhoea, urinary infection and tuberculosis
and infestation with parasites
Heart disease
Emotional factors
Diabetes
Unknown cause I refer to the few children I see every
year who just refuse to gain adequate weight. Even detailed
investigations fail to reveal the cause.
Fortunately, quite a few such children have become
confident young men and women and are doing well in life.
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The causes given above are common to all socio-economic

groups, though less fortunate families will have children who
remain undernourished because of common factors like poor
purchasing capacity, lack of education, unsafe water supply,
poor environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, coupled
with certain wrong notions like starving a child with
diarrhoea, undue restrictions of diet in jaundice, delayed
addition of solids in a small infant, and giving infants dal water
or thin soup containing very little energy.
TREATMENT: First, let your doctor confirm if the child is
undernourished. Attend to his diet. The doctor may try to find
out any possible cause that may be contributing to the
undernutrition and treat the same. He/she may then follow
the weight of the child on the same weighing scale to monitor
the progress over a period of time.
MEASLES
SYMPTOMS: The diagnosis of measles is suspected in a child
who has not received the measles vaccine and who, after
coming in contact with a case of measles, develops fever, dry
cough, running of the nose, and watering of the eyes.
The symptoms worsen as the days pass. After 3 to 4 days (a
day before the rash appears), the child gets white spots, like
grains of salt on a red surface (koplick spots) inside the cheek
opposite the first and second upper molar teeth. The rash
appears the next day, first on the hairline and then spreading
downward, starting as fine, slightly raised spots, which may
join together to give a patchy appearance. The fever shoots up
to around 104F.
The child looks quite ill and loses his appetite. He may not
even want to have water. If he is breastfed, he may demand
feeds more often. The fever continues for about 3 days after
the appearance of the rash, which lasts for 5 to 8 days. After
the rash fades, the skin may tend to peel off.
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How To Differentiate Measles From Other Similar

Illnesses
When a mother tells me that her child got a second attack of
measles or he had measles after having received the measles
vaccine, it is often a case of mistaken diagnosis. The child
probably had or is now having a measles-like illness and not
measles. One such illness is exanthem subitum or roseola
infanturn. This is also a viral infection in which the child gets
high fever as in measles, but does not look too sick. There is
hardly any cold or cough. After 3 days, the fever suddenly
returns to normal to be followed the next day by a light red rash
that is not raised from the skin. It spreads from the trunk or the
face and then to the limbs and fades within a day. It may be
noticed that in measles, the temperature rises as the rash
appears and the fever continues for a few days more along with
the rash. But in exanthem subitum, the fever returns to normal.
TREATMENT: There is no specific treatment. For cough,
a homemade syrup of 2 parts of honey, one part of lime juice
and tulsi (or ginger) juice is helpful. (Also see Cough).
A child can be given 1 to 2 teaspoons of this mixture 4 to
5 times a day.
Children with measles prefer to stay in the dark as bright
light causes discomfort to the eyes.
For fever, sponging with slightly warm water can be done
or paracetamol may be given. Daily sponging of the whole
body is advisable. A bath with slightly warm water is
also allowed.
Give the child the food he asks for; no food restrictions are
necessary. Make sure he drinks enough fluids including juice,
coconut water and plain water. Consult your doctor to rule out
complications if your child refuses all foods and liquids and if
he has fast breathing, earache, persistent headache,
drowsiness or vomiting, or if the fever and cough persist after
about 10 days.
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Your child with measles is infectious to others from 1 to

2 days before the onset of illness to about 4 days after the
rash appears. Keep him home from school and away from your
other children. If the patients brother or sister has not had
measles before, they should not be sent to school or any
crowded place for 10 days. This is to prevent them infecting
people they come in contact with.
MENINGITIS
This disease, which is fortunately not very common, affects
the covering of our brain and spinal cord called the meninges.
Pyogenic meningitis (due to pus-producing bacteria) and TB
meningitis are the two important causes. A less serious cause
is viral meningitis. Pyogenic meningitis often presents with
an acute onset. Compared to that, TB meningitis has a slow,
rather insidious onset.
Early diagnosis and treatment of this disease can save a
life. Delay can be fatal or the child may be left with serious
handicaps.
SYMPTOMS: The disease can affect newborn babies as
well as older children. The child who was perfectly well
develops a fever. Some of these children may have ear
infection with pus-like discharge from the ear. The child goes
off feeds (in newborns and younger infants, this may be the
earliest symptom, even before the fever). He may be very
irritable or listless. An older child may complain of persistent
headache. He looks sickly and starts vomiting. Stiffness of the
neck may be present. As the disease advances, he may appear
drowsy, avoid light (photophobia), lie curled up to one side
with his neck arched backwards, become unconscious and
develop convulsions.
The soft spot in an infant (anterior fontanelle) often bulges
and becomes tense. The child may become dehydrated
through lack of intake of food, and vomiting.
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TB meningitis shares all these features, except that they

develop slowly over days or weeks.
TREATMENT: Hospitalisation is essential for the
treatment of meningitis. If a suspicion of meningitis even
passes through your mind once, consult your doctor. If he or
she also suspects it, the diagnosis will be confirmed by
examination of the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) present between
the meninges. This is removed from the back by putting a
needle in between the two lower spinal vertebrae.
We have effective drugs for both pyogenic and TB
meningitis. Most cases of viral meningitis, unless complicated
by encephalitis, recover completely. With early treatment,
those with pyogenic or TB meningitis often recover fully.
This is true even in newborn babies, though they have a
poorer prognosis as compared to older children.
MENINGOMYELOCELE
Due to a defect in the spine, the meninges (covering the
spinal cord), and even the spinal cord may protrude and may
present as a swelling over the spine. The spinal defect is
called spina bifida. It is commonly present nearer the lower
end of the spine. In meningocele, only the meninges come
out. If the cord also protrudes along with the meninges as in
meningomyelocele, the child may also have weakness of the
lower limbs and loss of control of the bowel and bladder
functions. Hydrocephalus is also a possible complication.
If only the meninges are protruding, the outcome is
much better.
TREATMENT: A child with any of these presentations
should be urgently seen by a surgeon (preferably a paediatric
surgeon or a neurosurgeon), who will decide if surgery is
indicated. In very severe cases, the surgeon may discuss with
the parents the poor long-term outcome in such cases and
may avoid surgery.
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MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS
The first menstruation or period begins somewhere between
10 and 16 years. If you notice signs of enlargement of the
breasts, your daughter would probably have her first period
2 years after that. When you find that she is having a sudden
increase in her weight and height, she can be expected to get
her first period about a year later.
It is important to discuss the normal phase of growing up
with your daughter. If you do not feel comfortable, let another
responsible person a doctor, a counsellor or a relative
discuss it with her.
A few months before the beginning of menstruation, girls
may normally get a white discharge from the vagina. This is
called physiological leucorrhoea and does not need any
treatment.
Absence Of Menstruation (Amenorrhea)
You should meet your doctor if your daughter has not started
menstruating at 16 years of age or has missed her period after
having started menstruating. It is possible that it may be a
normal variation, but merits consultation.
In some families, periods are normally delayed to begin
with. They are also delayed in thin girls who are otherwise
normal, e.g. athletes or those who practise regular dancing. In
athletes who run extensively, low hormone levels related to
onset of menstruation are reported. The same is true of thin
girls having a chronic disease, anorexia nervosa or
malnutrition.
Delayed menstruation could also be due to certain drugs.
Take your daughter to see your doctor anyway as the cause
may be different, requiring investigations and treatment.
Even pregnancy should be kept in mind.
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Normal Irregularity Of Periods In The First Year Or So

The first couple of periods in a girl are usually not associated
with the release of ova, the female egg. These periods can be
normally irregular, scanty, prolonged or heavy. See your
doctor in case of any doubt.
Discomfort During Menstruation
When your daughter starts menstruating, ask her how it is
going. Remember that the periods that take place without
ovulation (release of the female egg) are not painful. Do not
tell her of the pain you might have had during
menstruation; she may start complaining of pain due to
psychological factors.
Even cycles with ovulation are not necessarily associated
with pain. However, if pain occurs, you should see the doctor.
If no disease is detected, the doctor may reassure your
daughter and, if required, may give her a relatively safe drug
called ibuprofen (400 mg. 3 times a day). Drugs containing
analgin and aspirin should be avoided. The drug is started as
soon as the periods begin and is discontinued when the pain
stops. Girls who have regular exercise or those who
take part in sports are less likely to have cramps before
or during menstruation.
Mood Disturbances In Between Two Periods
Quite a few girls get a feeling of depression, headaches and
cramps a week or two before the periods. If required, your
doctor may prescribe ibuprofen. Most cases improve merely
with reassurance, healthy diet and exercise. Tea, coffee, cola
drinks, sugar and salt may be restricted.
Unexpected Bleeding From The Vagina
While bleeding from the vagina in a newborn and in an
adolescent who is otherwise well is normal, bleeding in other
children could be due to some disease, or a generalised
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THE A
bleeding disorder, hormonal disturbance, precocious puberty

occurring before the expected age, injury, a foreign body in
the vagina, sexual abuse or even a tumour. Consult a
doctor immediately.
MENTAL RETARDATION (MR)
A child is said to have mental retardation when he is of below
average intelligence and has difficulty adjusting to his
surroundings. However, just because a child is slow in
learning certain skills does not always mean that he is
mentally retarded. There is a normal variation in achieving
the milestones of development. Some children are slow in
picking up a particular skill, but are smart in all other
respects. This could be normal. A child who is retarded is
slow in almost all milestones of development.
Sometimes, lack of proper stimulus at the right age may
also delay the process of development in an otherwise normal
child. For example, some children who are brought up in
institutions may be slow, but as soon as they are adopted, the
loving stimulus provided by the adoptive parents helps them
progress at an unbelievably rapid pace till they catch up with
other children their age.
If you suspect that your child is slow in learning new skills,
your doctor may like to see the child on a few occasions and
then decide if he should be referred to a specialist for an
expert opinion. The specialist does certain tests to assess the
development of the child.
Your doctor may also find out if the child has any other
handicaps like impaired hearing, visual defects, a specific
learning disorder, attention deficit, cerebral palsy, etc. This is
important to guide you in proper management of your child.
In some cases, the diagnosis of mental retardation can be
made at birth. A child with all the features of Downs
Syndrome may be diagnosed at birth. In certain cases, it may
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not be possible to suspect retardation at an early age. The

handicap may be suspected later from observations by
parents, grandparents, a caretaker or a schoolteacher.
Guidelines For Parents Of Children With Mental
Retardation
Do not feel guilty: Most parents find it hard to believe and
accept a diagnosis of mental retardation. Let guilt that you
may have inadvertently caused the retardation not add to the
burden of management. You may harm yourself, and your
child may not get the care he deserves.
Say to yourself: This child needed me and nobody
else. Accept that God gave you your child because he knew
you would look after him like no one else.
Be rational: Dont fall prey to misguided advice and the
promise of quick cures. Be guided by your doctor.
Do not overprotect your child: Overprotection may
unwittingly interfere with his growth and development.
Do not ignore your spouse and your other child(ren):
Since your special child needs a lot of attention, your husband
and other children may start feeling neglected. An
understanding husband will respect your feelings and will
support you, but you must not forget that he is also human
and that your other children also need you.
Involve your other children in the care of the
special child: No parent lives forever and your child may
outlive you.
Education and training are vital: Let your child start
getting help from experts in the field as soon as possible.
Early intervention can make a lot of difference in the
ultimate outcome. In some major cities, such expertise is
available. If you cant locate such a facility, go to the
nearest medical college or teaching hospital for guidance.
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THE A
A team of experts will first try to find the possible cause

of the MR and then plan the management of your child.
They will also discuss the ultimate prognosis and answer
any queries that you have about the possibility of your
future children getting affected.
Consider getting your child admitted to a school for
normal children: Let the team of experts decide if your child
should be admitted to a school for normal children.
Do attend to the general health of the child: Make
sure your child gets a nourishing diet, proper exercise,
enough sleep and a friendly environment. Avoid foods that
will make him fat (see Obesity). Also make sure that he gets
proper dental care. Some of these children may not chew their
food well and extra sugar may cause caries of the teeth, as
well as add to his weight.
Drugs are often not helpful: There is no brain tonic
that helps these children. However, the experts may
prescribe some drug(s) for tackling certain specific
problems.
Prefer home care to care in an institution: More and
more people are coming to realise that special children are
better looked after at home rather than in an institution.
However, situations can arise when parents find it impossible
to cope with a severely retarded child and institutionalised
care may become necessary.
Fear Of Sexual Abuse
If you have a female child with MR, be extra careful about the
possibility of the child being sexually abused. Avoid leaving
the child alone with people who may take advantage of her
handicap. Discuss the issues of contraception and menstruation with your doctor.
Discuss with family members and the doctor about whether
getting the childs uterus removed is an option, to save her
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the problem of menstruation and to avoid the danger of an

unwanted pregnancy. Take a well-considered decision. Your
daughter may need the operation, but parents who feel
capable of managing their daughter may decide against it.
Genetic Counselling
In some cases of MR, there is a possibility that the next child
may have a similar condition. Discuss this with your doctor.
Sometimes, the help of a genetic counsellor is needed in
such cases.
MOUTH TO MOUTH BREATHING (see Page 292).
MUMPS
SYMPTOMS: This disease may herald with a swelling below
one or both ears. It is quite painful. The child may have pain
while chewing or opening the mouth. He is likely to have had
contact with a child having mumps. The swelling is because of
the saliva-producing glands (parotid glands) and lasts for about
10 days. The illness often starts with fever, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, and headache to be followed with parotid
swelling within a day. But some children may only have
swelling of the gland. If the child has had the MMR (measles,
mumps and rubella) vaccine in the past and swelling is noticed
below the jawbone rather than the ears, the diagnosis may be
different. Let your doctor decide. If the enlargement of the
glands below the jawbone is due to throat infection, the doctor
may offer the child antibiotics.
TREATMENT: Mumps does not need any treatment,
except pain management. Paracetamol and soft foods (fruits,
juices, soups, khichdi, curds) are advised.
Complications Of Mumps
Mumps can occasionally get complicated with involvement of
the brain, testes and pancreas. A testicular involvement is
seen only in adolescents and not in younger children. Consult
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your doctor if a child with mumps gets acute pain in the

abdomen, swelling of the scrotum, or starts behaving
abnormally.
Prevention Of Spread Of Mumps
Mumps spreads fast. The patient is infectious from 1 or 2 days
before the onset of illness and remains infectious until the
parotid swelling disappears.
NEPHROTIC SYNDROME
This disease of the kidney generally affects preschool
children.
SYMPTOMS: A typical case is of a child between
18 months and 5 years whose mother finds that he has
swelling of the face, which is more marked on waking up in
the morning. She then realises that he has not been his
normal self lately and has been eating poorly. She also notices
that the child is passing less urine and the swelling is
increasing each day till his whole body is swollen. The doctor
gets his urine and blood examined and finds large amounts of
protein in the urine with corresponding decrease of protein in
the blood.
With treatment, almost all children with this disease
improve dramatically. Unfortunately, even with the best
possible treatment, relapses are very common. Most patients,
however, do get cured after one or more attacks.
TREATMENT: Although we are not sure of the cause of
this disease, almost all children with nephrotic syndrome are
given corticosteroids with excellent response. New drugs are
also sometimes prescribed. If the swelling is marked, drugs
(diuretics) to increase the urine output may be needed. Your
doctor will prescribe antibiotics if he suspects bacterial
infection that children are often prone to. Corticosteroids are
not given to children with nephrotic syndrome whose blood
test for hepatitis B is positive.
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In a child with nephrotic syndrome, an attack of any viral

infection can also lead to a temporary swelling of the body.
Your doctor may wait for some time before starting any
medication.
A trace of protein in the urine in the absence of swelling of
the body can be ignored. It may be worth noting that
strenuous exercise by young children can lead to a temporary
excess of protein secretion in urine.
NOSE-RELATED PROBLEMS
Bleeding From The Nose (Epistaxis)
CAUSES: Nosebleeds can occur because of direct injury to
the nose and due to nose picking. Sometimes, it may also be a
manifestation of a generalised bleeding disorder, or because of
an infection or a foreign body in the nose.
TREATMENT: Step 1: Do not show any panic. Let the
child sit up in bed or on a chair or on the floor. He should be
leaning slightly forward.
Step 2: Pinch the nose for at least 10 minutes. The child
can open his mouth if he likes. Often, the nose bleeding will
stop with this procedure.
Step 3: If bleeding continues, try to get in touch with a
doctor. In the meanwhile, take some cotton, roll it into a
thick wad large enough to occupy the nostril which is
bleeding. Leave a part of this wad of cotton outside the
nose. If some hydrogen peroxide is available, moisten the
cotton with it or lubricate it with Vaseline. But do not
waste precious time searching for these things. Just a wad
of cotton will serve the purpose. Again, pinch the nostril
for at least 10 minutes, keeping your child upright. After
the bleeding stops, leave the cotton in the nostril for the
day or overnight. Then take it out gently. Make sure that
the child does not pick at the nose.
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Step 4: If the bleeding still continues, you should see your

doctor. In the meanwhile, you may try pressing on the big
vessels that go up the nose. Put a wad of cotton between the
upper lip and the gums below the nose and press firmly on the
cotton from outside.
PREVENTION: Keep the childs nails short and explain to
him that he should avoid picking his nose. If you notice a crust
near the opening of the nose, apply Vaseline on it. A child who
bleeds in a particular season may be helped by application of
Vaseline inside the nose, twice a day, all through the season.
Foreign Body In The Nose
Toddlers tend to put small beads, pebbles, buttons, etc. into
their nostrils. They may or may not tell you about it. A few
days later, a foul discharge comes from the nostrils,
sometimes accompanied by blood.
MANAGEMENT: If the foreign body can be seen near the
opening of the nose, attempt to remove it with tweezers.
Otherwise, press against the clear nostril and ask the child to
blow out forcefully from the blocked side. If even this does not
help, take the child to the casualty department of a hospital for
the removal.
Direct Injury To The Nose
Apply cold compresses with ice for about an hour.
See your doctor if you find that there is obstruction to free
flow of air through the nostrils, or if you notice any obvious
deformity.
OBESITY
The term obesity refers to the excess of fat tissue in the body.
In simple terms, a child is said to be obese if his weight is 20%
more than the standard weight for his age and height. The
ideal body weight for height (% IBWH) is the actual weight
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divided by the median weight for the childs sex and height
multiplied by 100. This may be represented as:
% IBWH =
Actual weight
100
Expected (median weight)

Obesity is then defined as greater than 120% of IBWH.
Parents of obese children often get worried for the
wrong reasons. They wonder if the child has some
endocrinal or hormonal disorder. Obese male children seem
to have a small penis. Actually, the penis is of the normal
size, but it appears small when it gets buried into the fatty
tissue at its base. The apparently small size of the penis,
coupled with obesity, raises the doubt of a hormonal
disorder in the minds of the parents.
Although certain hormonal disorders can give rise
to obesity, most cases are not due to any hormonal
disturbance.
Children with more fat around the midsection
(apple-shaped children) have more heart disease risk
factors later in life than their pear-shaped peers who
have more fat around the hips and thighs.
CAUSES: The three main causes of obesity are a family
history of obesity, inactivity and poor family food habits.
Emotionally disturbed children may also eat more. Television
viewing adds to inactivity. The problem gets worse if the child
is allowed to eat while watching television.
Fortunately, most obese toddlers lose the extra fat around
5 years of age. But a fat school child is likely to remain obese,
especially if the parents are fat.
MANAGEMENT: Help your child to adopt healthy food
habits and exercise. It is important that the whole family
cooperates with the child. Junk foods like cold drinks, ice
creams, cakes, pastries, French fries and sweets should not
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be brought into the house, or the child tempted with them. A

minimum of ghee or oil should be used for cooking. More of
fruits, vegetables, whole wheat grains, beans, pulses and
sprouts should be eaten. Consumption of meat should be
restricted. Snacks should consist of fresh fruits and fruit
juices, low fat milk and dahi, paneer, khakhra (very thin
roasted chapatis from Gujarat), raw vegetables, puffed rice,
channa, corn on the cob and popcorn without butter.
Obese children tend to eat fast and at irregular hours. They
should be encouraged to eat slowly, chew properly and stick
to regular mealtimes as far as possible.
Exercise
This subject is discussed at length in the chapter on
HEALTHY HABITS. This is as, if not more important, as diet
control for weight reduction.
Encouragement
Discuss the risks of obesity with the child. Tell him that it can
cause heart disease and other chronic diseases including
hypertension, early artherosclerosis, hyperlipidaemia, and
hyperinsulinaemia. Let him feel responsible for his well being.
Do not give him appetite-suppressant drugs. Do not starve
him, he needs an adequate number of calories.
Spend more time with your child and encourage him in his
weight-reduction efforts.
PNEUMONIA
Pneumonia can be due to several causes. Bacterial pneumonia
is common. It must be treated promptly.
SYMPTOMS: Suspect this condition if the childs
breathing is faster than usual. A breathing rate of 50 or
more per minute in an infant, 40 or more in a child
between 1 and 5 years, and more than 30 in an older child
should be taken seriously.
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Pneumonia may start with fever, a stuffy nose or cough. In

an infant, the temperature may be around 39C. He will be
restless, have fast breathing and look quite sick. He may also
develop cyanosis with blue lips and nails and noisy breathing.
The spaces between the lower ribs may go in when the child
breathes. The fever in an older child will be even higher
(40.5C or more). He may also have chills and cough out
blood-tinged sputum. He may complain of pain on the affected
side of the chest while breathing in.
TREATMENT: A child with the above symptoms must be
shown to the doctor. An X-ray of the chest may help.
Antibiotics result in marked improvement within 2 to 3 days.
But the medicine must be continued as per your doctors
advice and the course completed. Hospitalisation may be
needed, especially in an infant with breathlessness.
POISONING
MANAGEMENT: Here we shall deal with the steps to be
taken if you suspect that your child has been handling some
poisonous substances or has consumed them:
Step 1: Remove the poisonous substance from his system.
If he has some of it in his mouth, remove it with your fingers.
If the child can understand, ask him to spit it out. Preserve
this stuff along with the poisonous substance that is in his
hand or is lying near him. Your doctor will need to check
its contents.
If the child has spilled some poisonous substance on his
body, remove the clothes and pour water (not hot) on his skin
as you would in managing a case of burns.
If the poison has gone into his eye, wash it with water.
Keep washing the eye for about 15 minutes.
Step 2: After having taken these first steps, ring your
doctor and ask him if you should make the child vomit. His
advice is needed because vomiting is not advisable if the child
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has swallowed acids used for cleaning the toilet sink or alkalis
used for washing dishes. In such cases, your doctor will
probably advise giving milk or water.
If your doctor advises you to make the child vomit, give
him a drink of salt water. The best way to make the child
vomit is to give him syrup of ipecac. Unfortunately, it is not
easily available at a chemist. If you can procure a bottle of it,
keep it handy at home. If your doctor is not available and you
have ruled out the ingestion of acids or alkalis, give
3 teaspoons of this medicine followed by a glass of water. If he
does not vomit after 20 minutes, give one more dose.
As soon as the child vomits, collect the vomit in a vessel
and preserve it to be handed over to your doctor for
inspection and testing.
Step 3: After following the first two steps, take the child to
the nearest hospital for further management. You must take
with you the remaining poisonous substance and the amount
removed with your fingers or the stuff vomited by the child.
The doctor would also like to know the possible amount of
poison taken by the child and the likely time when he might
have ingested it.
After taking a quick history and checking your child, the
doctor may decide to send you home, or do a stomach wash to
remove the remaining poison from his stomach, or he may
decide to admit the child in the hospital.
Step 4: If you are sent home with your child, observe him
closely for the next 12 hours for any abnormal behaviour,
convulsions, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting or
failure to pass urine. If in doubt, consult your doctor or take
your child to the hospital again.
PREVENTION: Prevention of poisoning is discussed in the
chapter on PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS.
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POLIOMYELITIS
SYMPTOMS: Polio is caused by any one of three types of
viruses type 1, 2 or 3. The extent of the illness varies from
child to child. Fortunately, 90% to 95% of affected children
who get the infection do not manifest any symptoms. A few
may just get a little fever or stiffness of the neck and back.
Paralysis of muscles is seen in less than 1% of cases.
The child may completely recover from the paralysis or
may be left with some degree of handicap. Serious cases may
involve the brain and muscles of respiration.
TREATMENT: If you suspect poliomyelitis, show your
child to the doctor as soon as possible. Those attending to the
child must wash their hands properly, especially after
handling the babys stools.
It is advisable that, 6 weeks after a child recovers from an
attack of poliomyelitis, he is given 3 doses of oral polio
vaccine, irrespective of his previous immunisation status.
PREMATURE BABY
Babies who are born before the expected time are called
premature babies. They normally weigh less than 2.5 kgs.
at birth. But in our country, quite a few babies who are
born at the expected time also weigh less than 2.5 kgs. All
low birth weight babies, especially those below 1.8 kgs. and
those born 2 months before full term need special care in
a hospital.
MANAGEMENT: A warm environment, protection from
infection and adequate nutrition are the most important steps
in the management of a premature baby.
Because of less fat, a premature baby can get cold. For
warmth, the baby is either kept in an incubator or in a heated
room. An incubator can be a source of infection in many
settings. Therefore, some doctors prefer to keep the room
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warm with the help of a heater. A temperature of 28C to 30C

is maintained in the room. The aim is to keep the babys
armpit temperature at between 36.5C to 37C (98F to 99F).
The babys head and feet must be well covered. Another
good way to keep the baby warm is to let him sleep
with the mother. She can also carry the baby next to
her body, inside her clothes, between her breasts, in
what is called the kangaroo position. The baby should
be sponged, not bathed till he weighs 2.5 kgs. A baby
with proper temperature has pink and warm soles and
palms. Blue or cold palms and soles may indicate that
the baby either has some infection or is not being kept
adequately warm.
A premature baby is more prone to infections. For
prevention of infections, all those who handle the baby must
wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water. Visitors
should be avoided. But the mother must be allowed to handle
the baby. If the baby is too premature, you must at least touch
the baby often, as per your doctors advice. The skin-to-skin
contact with the baby is helpful for you as well as for him.
For proper nutrition, your breast milk is best for your
premature baby (see the chapter on FEEDING THE
NEWBORN AND INFANTS).
Jaundice and eye problems (retinopathy in eye) are
more common in a premature baby. Your doctor will keep
a close watch on the baby in case any intervention is
necessary. To detect retinopathy of prematurity, initial
screening should be done at 7 weeks of chronological
age or 34 weeks of postconceptional age whichever
comes first but not before 5 weeks of chronological
age.
Premature babies receiving human milk may need
supplementation with iron, calcium and vitamins A, C
and D.
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PROLAPSE OF THE RECTUM

Do not be unduly worried if you notice that your toddler or
preschool childs rectum is coming out of the anus as a red
mass. It may go back on its own or may need to be
pushed back.
CAUSES: Known causes are related to whipworms,
giardiasis, severe diarrhoea, constipation, severe bouts of
cough, and malnutrition. Whatever the cause, this needs to be
treated by your doctor. In some cases, no cause is found and
the condition improves spontaneously after it happens a
couple of times.
TREATMENT: For temporary relief, take a handkerchief
or any clean piece of cloth, dip it in warm water and gently
push the mass inside with your index finger wrapped with the
warm wet cloth. If it still tends to come out, bring the
buttocks together and strap them with a bandage (x-shaped)
that is kept in place with sticking plaster. Improve the childs
nutrition and discourage him from sitting on the toilet for
prolonged periods of time.
Consult your doctor. Surgery may be needed in rare cases.
RABIES
Rabies is a very serious disease that gives rise to difficulty in
swallowing, convulsions and death. It results from the bite of
an infected animal like a dog, a cat, a monkey, a bat or a fox.
Bites from all these animals should be taken seriously and the
following steps should be undertaken.
MANAGEMENT: Step 1: Tie the animal up if possible
for close observation for a period of 10 days. If the animal
is healthy after this period, there is no cause for concern.
This is true of a cat or a dog. But a bite from a wild animal
like a bat or a fox should be taken very seriously. If it
is possible, such a wild animal is to be killed immediately
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and its brain examined to see if it is infected with the

rabies virus.
Step 2: If the wound is bleeding, check the bleeding by
firm, constant pressure. Then wash the site with soap
and water for at least 10 minutes. This is the most
important.
Step 3: Contact your doctor immediately. In the
meanwhile, check if the pet animal has been immunised
or not.
Step 4: Your doctor may ask certain questions. For
example, did the pet dog or cat bite the child under
provocation? Was it a direct bite or through the clothes?
Which portion of the body was bitten? What is the
immunisation status of the pet animal? If the bite is from
a wild animal, your doctor is likely to give preventive
injections for tetanus as well as for rabies. In the case of
pet animals, he may decide, depending on the answers to
the above questions, whether to start the injections
straightaway or to wait for a few days while the animal is
under observation.
Prevention Of Dog Bite
Educate your child not to provoke a dog. Teach him not to
touch puppies in the presence of their mother; not to run
when he sees an unfamiliar dog; and not to disturb a dog that
is eating or sleeping.
RHEUMATIC FEVER
Rheumatic fever can be a serious disease as it can involve the
heart and can lead to chronic heart disease if not detected and
treated in time.
SYMPTOMS: The disease follows a sore throat with painful
and tender lymph nodes under the jaws. This sore throat is
caused by a specific bacterium. It should be distinguished
from a sore throat due to a viral infection in which the patient
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also has cough and a runny nose without enlargement of the

neck glands.
In a typical case, a child of school going age (5 to
15 years) has a sore throat as mentioned above. One to
3 weeks later, he presents with flitting joint pain and
swelling. It usually affects the big joints. By flitting pain, we
mean that the joint involved becomes normal in a day or two
while another gets affected. Then the second becomes
completely normal while a third is found to be painful and
swollen. Besides this typical problem with the joints, the
patient also has fever. He may get a rash on the trunk which
comes and goes. He gets nodular swellings on the back of
the head or on the elbows and legs and the doctor may find
that his heart is affected. Some cases present with abnormal
involuntary movements of the body and limbs (chorea). Your
doctor may find some other features.
TREATMENT: The doctor may ask for some blood tests.
He may also order an ECG (electrocardiogram) and a chest
X-ray. In a chronic case with involvement of the heart, an
echocardiogram may be needed.
Bed rest, treatment for a sore throat, and aspirin is the
commonly prescribed regimen. Let your doctor decide how
long your child should stay at home. The more important
point that you must remember is that further attacks of
bacterial sore throat in children who have had rheumatic fever
must be prevented. For that, the doctor will ask you to give
the child a medicine to be taken regularly for a number of
years. This is essential because further attacks can adversely
affect the heart.
In case of a tooth extraction, or surgery inside the mouth,
the doctors will also put the child on a medicine just before
and for some time after it. You must therefore tell the
surgeon that the child has had rheumatic fever in the past, so
that he can take the necessary precautions.
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RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Although many people believe that rheumatoid arthritis only
affects adults, the disease can also affect infants and especially
toddlers. However, the disease is not very common in
paediatric practice.
SYMPTOMS: In a typical case, a toddler starts complaining
of pain in one or more joints. The pain is more marked on
getting up in the morning. Characteristically, the affected joint
feels stiff in the early hours of the day and this stiffness
becomes less marked as the day progresses. The affected
joints become swollen and painful. They are hot to the touch.
The classical presentation is swelling of the small joints of
both hands. But in about half of the cases, only one big joint
like the knee or ankle may be involved. The heart is
usually spared.
The picture is different from rheumatic fever with
involvement of joints (rheumatic arthritis). In this condition,
the swelling in the involved joints persists for days together,
whereas in rheumatic arthritis, the affected joint remains
swollen for only a day or two, while another joint becomes
painful and swollen. The first joint becomes completely
normal while a third one is attacked (flitting joint involvement
in rheumatic fever). Also, morning stiffness is typical of
rheumatoid arthritis as is the involvement of the joints of
the neck.
Your doctor will also keep in mind the other possibilities
for the swelling like injury, local infection, scurvy (due to
Vitamin C deficiency) and haemophilia (a bleeding disorder
due to a defect in the clotting of blood).
He may also order some tests, especially in cases which are
not typical or have less common manifestations like a skin
rash, enlargement of the lymph glands, involvement of
the heart and prolonged unexplained fever without swelling
of joints.
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TREATMENT: Keep in close touch with your doctor

because the treatment may have to be prolonged. Fortunately,
most cases recover completely, though some may grow into
severe arthritis or cause damage to the eyes.
RICKETS
This is a disease of the bones that can affect children who
do not get any exposure to sunlight. Our skin has a
pro-Vitamin D that is converted into Vitamin D in the
presence of sunlight. Vitamin D protects the child from
getting rickets. However, rickets can also occur due to
calcium deficiency with normal Vitamin D levels in the body.
SYMPTOMS: In a typical case, an older infant or a toddler
is brought to the doctor with bowing of the legs. The doctor
finds widening of the ends of his long bones, near the wrists
or ankles. The eruption of teeth is delayed. The forehead
appears rather prominent. The anterior fontanelle (the soft
spot on the head) is widely open. The child seems to be prone
to frequent infections. Some children get tetany (fits due to
calcium deficiency). An X-ray of the wrist shows classical
evidence of rickets.
While being aware of the above findings, you must
remember that all these features can be seen normally in
individual children. Thus, bowing of the legs in the absence of
the other features of rickets in an infant is normal. The legs
may straighten on their own without any treatment. Teeth
may erupt later in some children, who are otherwise normal.
The anterior fontanelle may sometimes normally close
towards the end of the second year. The head may look big
because of the bigger size of the parents heads. So let your
doctor decide whether the child has rickets or not.
TREATMENT: Your doctor will prescribe Vitamin D. In
most cases, the improvement is rapid and the X-rays return to
normal. Do not give your child more Vitamin D than
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prescribed by your doctor; he could get Vitamin D poisoning.

You must make sure that the childs skin is exposed to
morning sunlight for 10 minutes everyday, but make sure that
the child does not get sunburn due to prolonged exposure to
the sun.
Rickets is extremely rare in breastfed children. In my
30 plus years of practice, I have seen it only in 4 breastfed
cases. In 3 cases, the child, even though advised, was not
exposed to sunlight for fear of his getting a dark skin. All
improved with Vitamin D and exposure to sun.
SHORT CHILD
The normal height of children is detailed in the chapter on
NORMAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
CAUSES: If the height of a child is less than expected, the
following are the more likely causes:
Small size of parents
Small size at birth
Chronic infections
Bronchial asthma and congenital heart disease (CHD).
Small Size Of Parents
A child may take after his mother or father who is short. The
child may have a sudden increase in height as he enters
his teens.
Small Size At Birth
Children with low birth weight and length are likely to remain
small, even if they are born at the expected time (small for
date babies).
Chronic Infections
Undiagnosed and untreated chronic infections like a urinary
infection can be responsible for poor gain in weight
and height.
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Bronchial Asthma And Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

Severe bronchial asthma as well as CHD can cause shortness
of stature.
Less Common Causes
Hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism and growth hormone
deficiency, though uncommon, must be diagnosed and
treated promptly. Certain chromosomal disorders and
hereditary disorders affecting the skeleton can also result in
stunted growth.
TREATMENT: Besides treatment of an obvious cause for
shortness, there are no specific measures to increase height.
Swimming and exercise are desirable, but one should not
expect that the childs height will increase by such methods.
The same is true for a healthy diet. Of course, if a child has
been ill fed from an early age, his height and weight will have
been affected. But pushing the child to eat more does
not help.
Vitamins and iron, unless indicated for specific reasons, are
not helpful in increasing height.
Similarly, drugs to stimulate appetite like cyproheptadine
and anabolic steroids are of no use and can, in fact, be
harmful. A growth hormone is sometimes given, if
indicated, under the close supervision of a paediatrician or
an endocrinologist.
SKIN CONDITIONS
A healthy skin protects us from several diseases. Adequate
sleep, exposure to morning sunlight for about 10 minutes, a
daily bath, clean clothes, breastfeeding for smaller children
and a healthy diet for an older child that includes coconut
water, fresh fruits, leafy and raw vegetables, avoidance of
unnecessary drugs and a happy state of mind, all help in
keeping the skin healthy.
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Basic Care Of Your Childs Skin

The skin basically consists of two layers. The outer layer is
called the epidermis, and the inner layer is the dermis. In
general, smaller children tend to have drier skin as compared
to older ones. So it is not advisable to use too much soap on a
childs skin. Expensive soap is not required. Any unscented
bath soap may be used 2 to 3 times a week.
Infections of the face and buttocks are more common in
young children. These areas should be washed more
frequently. No talcum powder or special baby powder is
advisable, they irritate the nostrils and lungs, and tend to cake
in the skin folds. Baby creams and oils are also unnecessary.
If the skin is too dry, coconut oil or a refined cooking oil may
be tested on a small area of the skin. If it does not give rise to
a rash, use it on the rest of the body. If the child develops a
rash, try some other inexpensive oil.
Acne
Acne or pimples is a disease of adolescence. It is due to
hormonal changes at this age resulting in more oily
secretions. Although a healthy diet and a clean skin are
desirable for all children, do not nag a child having acne about
personal hygiene and food all the time. There is no evidence
that fried foods or chocolates are the cause of acne. However,
if you explain to the child the basic cause of acne, he is more
likely to listen to your advice about avoiding junk food as far
as possible. Just share information about acne with your child
as a friend.
SYMPTOMS: Acne affects the face and upper chest
or back.
MANAGEMENT: Washing the face once in the morning
and once at night with an ordinary bath soap is enough.
Instruct the child not to keep touching the pimples and not to
squeeze them. He will listen, especially if you explain that
pinching the pimples can lead to permanent scarring.
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Regarding medication, it is better to take the advice of your

doctor or a skin specialist and to avoid indiscriminate use of
over-the-counter medicines. Treatment should be continued
as per your doctors advice. Most cases improve within a
month or two, but the condition can recur. Fortunately, most
cases improve with age.
Albinism
SYMPTOMS: Children with this inherited condition
have white hair, white skin, blue eyes (blue iris) and
diminished eyesight. However, they can manage to read and
write. They also have photophobia (intolerance to bright
light). The condition is not too uncommon occurring in
1 out of 20,000 people. A person with albinism who marries a
healthy unrelated person can have a child without albinism.
Most individuals can lead a satisfying life. Severe cases can
develop blindness and skin cancer later in life.
TREATMENT: No treatment for this condition is available.
Boils
SYMPTOMS: A boil is caused by the collection of pus under
the skin and may show up as a painful pimple or as a red, hot
and tender swelling under the skin called an abscess.
TREATMENT: The basic treatment is drainage of pus. Give
hot water fomentation to the area every 3 to 4 hours (place a
thick layer of sterile gauze pieces available at a chemist
over the swelling. Pour warm water over it. Let the wet gauze
remain in place for about 15 minutes. Then remove the wet
pieces and dress with dry gauze and bandage). This may be
needed for a few days. When the head of the boil opens and
starts discharging pus, continue the hot compress till all the
pus comes out.
As with acne, do not squeeze the boil to take out the pus.
Let it come out on its own with the help of moist heat. If you
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do not notice any relief within 3 to 4 days, consult your doctor.

At times, the pus may need to be drained out with the help of
a cut. Your doctor may have to dress the wound and prescribe
some antibiotic to be taken orally.
Diaper Rash (Nappy Rash)
This rash, confined to the nappy area, is commonly seen in
newborn babies and in older infants with frequent loose
motions. It is seen less commonly in breastfed babies. It is
more common with babies who are put into disposable
diapers. A naked baby does not get diaper rash.
SYMPTOMS: Typically, we neglect to change the diaper
soon after it is wet or soiled, and the prolonged contact of the
skin with urine or stools leads to redness over the lower part
of the abdomen, groin, the genital area and the buttocks. This
is more likely to happen with a disposable diaper. Sometimes,
the moisture in the area can attract a fungus. Fungal infection
leads to redness over the area mentioned above, except
the buttocks.
PEVENTION: To prevent diaper rash, use cotton diapers
instead of disposable ones. Even when you are travelling, use
a cotton diaper and cover it up with a plastic cover. Try to
change the diaper as soon as it is wet. Clean the soiled diaper
area with plain water and dry it. Make sure that no moisture
is left in the groin or in the creases of the skin.
Some babies get up if the diaper is changed during the
night, but they do not get the rash even if the diaper is
not changed.
A few more words about disposable diapers: Of late, the
quality of disposable diapers has improved, resulting in less
incidence of nappy rash with their use. However, some other
problems with disposable diapers are being brought to light.
Doctors at the University of Keil in Germany report that
plastic-lined nappies cause heat to build up around the testes,
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possibly hampering their development at a vital stage in a

childs growth. The highest temperatures were found among
the youngest babies. Dr. N. G. Wagle, former chairman of
the Consumer Guidance Society of India, comments that
disposable diapers are reported to have over 5 times the
levels of tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, a potent toxin, as
compared to cloth diapers. He also points out that a full-grown
tree is cut to make just 500 diapers.
TREATMENT: If your baby develops diaper rash, expose
the skin to air as often as possible, especially for some time
after he has passed urine and/or stool. This is often enough
to solve the problem. If the rash persists, a preparation
containing zinc and castor oil may be used for local
application. Your chemist can make it or any readymade
preparation can be used 3 times a day. Take the baby to the
doctor if the rash persists. He may have to treat it with an
antifungal preparation.
In severe diaper rash, do not excessively cleanse or wipe
the affected area. Washing with plain water, followed by cool
compresses of a mixture of half milk and half water, then an
application of a zinc cream over a light application of mild
steroid and antifungal cream seems to work best. The diaper
should be changed every hour through the hours you
are awake.
Eczema
See Allergies.
Impetigo
SYMPTOMS: Impetigo, like boils, is also due to a bacterial
infection of the skin that presents as blisters which burst
open and form sticky yellowish crusts. They are infectious
and can spread to other parts of the body, but are usually
confined to the skin around the mouth and the buttocks,
though they may be passed on to other close contacts.
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TREATMENT: A local antibiotic cream is all that is needed

in mild cases. At times, your doctor may have to prescribe an
antibiotic to be given orally. The childs clothes should be
changed frequently.
Leprosy
While it is true that leprosy is more common in certain areas
and in the poor socio-economic groups, it can affect a child
from any background. However, most cases of suspected
leprosy are simply white patches of no significance and need
no treatment. Some of these are due to a fungal infection that
can be treated easily with local applications.
DIAGNOSIS: An early diagnosis of leprosy makes all the
difference to its treatment. That is why our discussion here is
limited to the diagnosis of an early case, with loss of sensation
over the affected part.
If you see a light-coloured patch on the skin that looks
different from the surrounding area, test it for loss of
sensation with cotton. First, touch the normal-looking area
with the childs eyes open. Then touch the doubtful area.
After that, ask him to close his eyes and let him point to the
area you touched. If he cannot feel anything over the lightcoloured area, repeat the test with a pin. Do not prick hard. If
in doubt, see your doctor.
TREATMENT: Do not be unduly upset if it turns out to be
leprosy; we now have very effective drugs for the disease. A
history of close contact with a case of leprosy is helpful to
make a diagnosis, though leprosy may be present even in the
absence of such a history.
Patches of leprosy should be differentiated from ringworm
and vitiligo discussed here. A very common type of white spot
is noticed in children who play a lot in the sun, mostly on the
cheeks of children with darker skin, but also elsewhere on the
body. They tend to come and go, and disappear after a couple
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of months. No treatment except patience is of any help. Some

believe that such white spots may be associated with worms;
there is no harm in giving your child treatment for the same.
Incidentally, it may be mentioned that such patches (and also
white lines on the nails) are not due to calcium or other
deficiencies.
Lice
Children often bring lice home from school or get them from a
maid or any other person at home. Please do not blame your
dog, if you have one; pets do not transmit this parasite.
SYMPTOMS: Lice cause severe itching and irritability.
Eggs of the louse, the parasite that initiates the itching, are
seen sticking to the hair like grains of salt.
MANAGEMENT: Your doctor will prescribe a local
application, which is quite effective. It is important to treat all
members of the family, who have even the slightest itching.
After a few days of treatment, the hair should be combed with
a fine-toothed comb to remove all nits. All clothes, combs or
brushes that come in contact with the hair should be washed
clean with hot water.
Bacterial infection of the scalp may result following
scratching, which may also need to be treated. Small pea-sized
glands at the back of the neck are often due to lice. Once
enlarged, they may take long to disappear. No treatment is
required for these.
Molluscum Contagiosum
This is a contagious skin disease caused by a viral infection,
which can spread from one part of the body to another.
SYMPTOMS: It presents as firm, pearly, skin-coloured
swellings of 1 to 5 mm in size. The centre of the swelling
appears depressed, from which a cheesy material can be
expressed. The disease can get better on its own, but may
persist for months or even years.
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TREATMENT: The swellings can be tackled by removing

the cheesy material with a needle or by curettage. They can
recur. In order to destroy the swellings, all those having the
disease in the family should be treated. Recently, cimetidine,
a drug given by mouth (40 mg. per kg. body weight per day for
2 months) has been found helpful in this condition.
Ringworm And A Few Other Fungal Skin Infections
Ringworm is a fungal infection that presents as small,
somewhat raised rings on the skin with a pale centre. Itching
may be present, but is not marked. It can spread from one
child to another. Generally, local treatment and personal
hygiene is all that is required. In rare cases, your doctor may
prescribe a medicine to be taken orally, especially if the nails
are also affected. The patches differ from leprosy because of
the surrounding ring and no loss of sensation. The nails
appear discoloured and thickened.
Tinea versicolor presents as dark brown or whitish spots
on the upper part of the chest and back. They are also
surrounded by a border that is rather irregular and not so well
raised as in ringworm. A local application twice a day for about
a month clears it completely. It may come back again when
the treatment needs to be repeated.
Candida infection (which also causes a common fungal
infection of the mouth called thrush) may affect the groin,
armpits and neck. It presents as moist red areas of skin, and
responds well if the affected parts are kept dry, and are given
exposure to air and an antifungal treatment.
Scabies
SYMPTOMS: If more than one member of the family has
itching all over the body more marked on the wrist,
between the fingers and on the penis and scrotum you are
probably dealing with scabies. The child may even get it from
a close friend.
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MANAGEMENT: Preparations for local application

containing benzyl benzoate or gamma benzene hexachloride
are quite effective.
In older children, the medicine may be applied all over the
body below the neck, especially between the fingers and toes,
and on the groin. Bathing should be avoided for 24 hours after
applying the medicine.
Smaller infants may also have the disease above the neck
and so the medicine in 1:1 dilution with coconut oil should
also be applied to the face and head. The treatment should be
repeated after a week.
PREVENTION: Besides personal hygiene, all members of
the family having even the slightest itching should be treated.
The disease can spread through clothes and linen, which
should be boiled and dried in the sun before use.
Sunburn
Fair-skinned children are more vulnerable to sunburn.
SYMPTOMS: Sunburn presents as intense redness of the
skin over the chest and back following exposure to sun. An
older child may even complain of pain and a burning sensation
in those parts that were exposed for a prolonged period to
sunlight. The skin may peel off after a day or two.
TREATMENT: Recovery takes place within a few days
without any specific treatment. Frequent baths with baking
soda added to the water help.
Some lotions, recommended for application before going
out in the sun, contain drugs that may not be safe for children.
The best precaution is to ensure that children do not stay in
the sun for too long.
Urticaria
See Allergies.
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Vitiligo
Vitiligo is the loss of skin colour, resulting in almost pure
white patches. Any part of the body can be affected, but they
are more common on the hands and face, especially around
the lips and eyelids. The sensation on the skin is normal.
MANAGEMENT: If in doubt, consult your doctor. He will
rule out the diagnosis of leprosy and instruct you to avoid
prolonged exposure of the white patches to the sun. If this is
not possible, cover the parts or apply any ointment containing
zinc oxide. Otherwise, the skin may develop blisters. No
specific treatment is available. Your doctor may prescribe
some local application combined with exposure to sunlight or
ultraviolet light. At times, an oral medicine is also prescribed.
Some patches may recover spontaneously. But generally,
more areas of skin keep getting involved.
Parents must meet the school authorities with a certificate
from a doctor that the disease is not infectious. They should
not pass on their anxiety to the child and thus avoid secondary
emotional problems in an otherwise healthy child.
Warts
SYMPTOMS: Caused by a virus, warts present as rather hard
yellow, brown or black swellings on the hands and toes. They
can also occur on other parts of the body.
TREATMENT: Though many cases are cured
spontaneously, it may take years for this to happen. It is
better to treat them early with the advice of your doctor.
Surgery is sometimes needed. Warts tend to recur, but will
respond again to the treatment.
SLEEP AND SLEEP PROBLEMS
Treat this important feature as a guide and act as per your
instincts with regard to the needs of your child and the rest of
your family.
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We will discuss the following points:
The duration of sleep differs at different ages and from

child to child.
A few sleepless nights are normal in the first months of

your childs life. After about 3 months of age, most
babies settle down to a schedule convenient for you and
the family.
While older children may sleep in a separate room, your

young infant will sleep better with you.
Close relatives, specially the father, should be involved

in helping the baby to sleep well.
Most sleep problems are temporary.
Duration Of Sleep
The duration of sleep varies from child to child. If your child is
joyful and active the whole of the next day, you can be sure
that he had a good sleep the night before. If he is irritable and
not his usual self, he either had inadequate sleep or has some
other emotional or physical problems.
A newborn baby seems to sleep most of the 24 hours of the
day, except when he is hungry, wet or uncomfortable for some
other reason. As he does not yet know the difference between
day and night, he may sleep more during the day and less at
night. While this may not be convenient for the mother, she
will then herself choose to sleep more during the day while
the child sleeps, and learn to feed the baby in a lying position
(safe in breastfed babies) in bed without having to get up
to feed. People at home should support her by restricting
visitors.
Some babies may demand extra attention. They are rather
fussy and can give anxious moments to an unprepared
mother. Most (but not all) babies seem to sleep better after
their morning massage and bath, especially if they are
swaddled (wrapped up).
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In the second month, the baby is more awake and, after

about 6 weeks, may start responding when you try to catch
his attention. Around 3 months of age, the pattern of sleep is
more likely to change, and most babies sleep for longer hours
at a stretch during the night. They are more awake during the
day and may have a nap for an hour or two in the morning and
again in the afternoon. This pattern continues until the first
birthday. They may then have a nap only in the afternoon until
the age of 3, when they may stop having a nap during the day.
At this age, most children will sleep for about 10 to 12 hours
at night.
Teenagers need 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night.
Sleep deprivation can affect academic performance.
The Difficult First Months
To understand the basis of this statement, you should have
some idea about light sleep associated with rapid eye
moments (REM) and deep sleep, also called non-REM
sleep.
A newborns sleep period begins with drowsiness, leading to
light sleep, and followed by deep sleep. Rapid movement of the
eyes and dreaming mark light sleep. Up to the age of 3 months,
half a babys sleep time comprises of light sleep. Compared to
this, toddlers, older children and adults have deep sleep for upto
three-fourths of the total sleep period. So if a small baby below
3 months sleeps for 16 hours, he has deep sleep for 8 hours. For
the other 8 hours, he is in light sleep. Older children who sleep
for 12 hours may have light sleep for only 3 hours. A baby is
likely to wake up more easily from a light sleep. A mother may
put a child passing through this stage of sleep down on the bed
with the impression that he has gone to sleep, but he is likely to
get up soon after and start crying because he has not yet gone
into a state of deep sleep. Therefore, it is important that we
continue to give the child body contact till he crosses the barrier
of light sleep and moves into the realm of deep sleep.
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Also, as mentioned earlier, babies are not yet able to

distinguish between day and night. Therefore, they may
sleep more during the day but bother Mom more during
the night.
And then, in the mothers womb, all the needs of the foetus
were met promptly. Hunger was satisfied, warmth assured.
There were familiar heart sounds to entertain. After he is
born, the baby needs about 3 months to understand that his
demands should be reasonable and that Mom also needs rest.
And so most babies would have their mothers dance to their
tune for the first few months.
The good news is that those mothers who respond
promptly to babys needs in the first few months are rewarded
in the long run. As they grow older, babies thus reared are
quieter, calmer and more secure compared to babies who are
left to cry. They start trusting people around them, which
helps in personality development.
The so-called three months colic (discussed under Crying)
is another problem that bothers quite a few babies in their
early months.
Once you know about these possible factors that may make
life difficult for you and your baby, you will be able to cope
with such a situation with the right frame of mind. This may
also send signals to other members of the family to give you a
helping hand as often as possible.
Listen to well-wishers advice but follow your own
instincts. Cry if you feel like. Do not feel ashamed to ask for
help if required. But have patience. A crying child is indicating
that he needs you. If you fulfill his needs, you will start
understanding him better. You will learn to discriminate more
quickly whether his cry is for a feed or for comfort. In due
course of time, this approach will help you to quickly pick up
the cues that he gives you even cues related to his
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readiness in such areas as bladder training, inculcation of

healthy habits or to make him learn to choose between right
and wrong.
A breastfeeding mother finds it easier to cope with this
difficult period. The three months colic is less frequent in
breastfed babies compared to those who are artificially
fed. The body contact which breastfeeding automatically
provides helps the baby feel more secure in the arms of
the mother. Suckling during breastfeeding also helps in
increased production of a hormone called prolactin, which
has a calming effect on the mother and helps arouse the
mothering instinct in her. This hormone is produced in
greater quantity during sleep. So a mother who feeds her
baby during sleep is able not only to provide immediate
gratification to the hungry or fretful baby, but help herself
as well by providing more prolactin.
After having made the point that a crying baby should not
be left crying, I must sympathise with mothers who have to
spend sleepless nights in this process. The following
guidelines might be found helpful:
Get into the habit of sleeping while the baby sleeps, as

mentioned earlier.
Do not switch on the lights when the child gets up at

night. The idea is to gradually let him learn that nights
are meant for sleeping and not for playing. Feed him in a
supine position if he is hungry. Pat him to sleep if he is
just squirming. Give him body contact if he has moved
away from you.
Do not get up to burp the child. Raise him while you are
lying down. Let him lean against you to burp. If he does
not oblige, do not worry. Quite a few babies can manage
without burping. If you are still concerned, let him lie on
his right side; in this position, the child is more likely to
burp on his own.
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If a child has wet his diaper, see if he can remain asleep

without it being changed. After the first few weeks, quite
a few babies can tolerate a wet diaper without getting
upset and without getting diaper rash. If the baby does
get annoyed or if the whole bed gets wet, try putting a
double diaper on him. Tie it firmly. This may work. If
not, keep such diapers handy which do not need to be
pinned and can be tied easily in the dark. The important
rule is not to spend too much time in changing the diaper
so that both you and the baby can go back to sleep as
soon as possible.
All noises do not wake up a child. Many babies sleep

quite well with some background music or human
conversation. Of course, sudden loud noises may startle
them, especially if they are in a period of light sleep.
Where Should Your Child Sleep?

Decide with your husband what will work best for you and
your baby. Do not blindly follow the textbooks that exhort that
children should sleep in a separate room right from an
early age.
The baby can sleep next to you in your bed or in a cradle or
in a cot kept in your room or in an adjacent room. Toddlers
can sleep on a mattress in your room or in a bed in an adjacent
room. Older children can sleep in a bed or on a mattress in an
adjacent room.
I believe that a baby who sleeps in his mothers bed soon
after birth has less sleep problems and behavioural problems
later in life. In the hospital, you should insist that your baby
sleeps next to you and is not kept away in a nursery with
other babies. You can, if you want, ask for a cot that can
remain near your bed. The baby can be placed in it as per your
convenience. Most mothers have been found to sleep better
with the baby in their rooms once they understand that this
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helps in bonding with their baby. Of course, you can always

seek help from the nursing staff as and when required.
If allowed, it is, of course, a real boon to have a close
relative in attendance. Most modern hospitals encourage such
an arrangement.
After going home, many mothers have found the following
sleeping arrangements quite practical: The baby sleeps in
your bed until he is one year old. In the second year, he
sleeps on a mattress spread on the floor by the side of your
bed. After he is 3, he sleeps in a separate room, on his own, or
along with his older brother or sister, in separate beds.
Teenaged siblings of the opposite sex should sleep in
separate rooms.
The above arrangements are based on the knowledge that
children develop separation anxiety if they are separated from
the mother figure. Between one and a half years and 3 years,
they learn that the mother is around somewhere even if she is
not to be seen. Hence, it is important to give enough body
contact to the child in his first year of life, meet his needs
(vocalised mostly by crying) promptly, help him build trust in
you and gradually wean him from your bed to another
convenient sleeping arrangement in your room and then to
another room, preferably adjacent to yours.
Once the child is shifted to his room, he can be brought to
your room if he is not feeling well or if he feels scared for
some reason. But he should soon be placed back in his room.
Ideally, the older child should be taken to his room for
sleeping by the mother or the father. You may read to him or
tell him a story. Many mothers find it helpful to say a small,
simple prayer together. The child is gently lulled to sleep.
Older children are likely to go into a deep sleep rather soon
and can be left properly covered. Some children are happier if
a dim light is kept switched on all through the night.
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If you want the child to go to sleep early, see that he does

not sleep during the day. If he is in the habit of doing this,
take him out during those hours to an interesting place or a
garden for a few days to break his habit of sleeping during
the day.
In your bed, the infant can sleep between you and a wall.
Otherwise, you can get bed-railings that can protect the child
from falling down. For a very small infant, raising the edge of
the mattress by putting a pillow underneath it serves
the purpose.
Do not worry that you will smother the baby as he lies in
your bed. This can only happen if the parent(s) are intoxicated
or heavily drugged.
Another reason to have children older than toddlers sleep
separately is to avoid them being unwitting witnesses to their
parents conjugal relations. Psychologists report that children
who watch adults having intercourse either can become
terrified or can develop undue curiosity about the same.
Moreover, children have to graduate from the parents room
to another room to prepare themselves for moving into the
outside world.
Support From Others
Graciously accept the help of your husband, mother and
mother-in-law, or indeed any good relative and friend in
helping to take care of your baby and relieve you. Let the
child bond with your husband, and with his grandparents.
Allow the baby to sleep with a close relative or a maid during
the day; this will make it easier for the child to sleep with
such a person when the mother is not well or when the child
must be weaned away from the mother during the night.
Most Sleep Problems Are Temporary
Yes, this is true, except perhaps with babies whose needs for
attention in infancy were not met. Children who do not get
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attention from their mothers cry themselves hoarse at first,

but finally give up and become withdrawn. People may feel
that the child has settled down, without realising that instead
his personality has been stunted.
Work With Family Routines
Although it is ideal that a child goes to bed early, this routine
may have to be changed if the father comes home from work
late in the evenings and again leaves for work early in the
morning. A child must spend time with his father. In such a
case, it may be essential to make the child sleep during
the day or allow him to remain asleep for a longer time in
the morning. The presence of the father definitely helps
in prevention as well as in management of common
sleep problems.
Common Sleep Problems
Getting up too frequently at night
Nightmares
Night terrors
Sleep walking
Getting Up Too Frequently At Night

Most problems associated with sleep can be prevented by
caring parents who promptly attend to the needs of the child
during the early months of his life and keep a watch on the
factors that may contribute to sleep disturbances.
Breast milk is digested fast and so a child may demand
frequent feeds in the early months. Parents who do not
appreciate this fact may allow the child to cry unnecessarily.
Flies and mosquitoes can be a nuisance. A mosquito net may
be helpful. Extremes of temperature must be taken care of. If
a heater is used in a room, a kettleful of water should be kept
on the boil all through the night to maintain the humidity of
the room. Otherwise, the childs nasal secretions dry up,
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causing discomfort. If the child has a stuffy nose, it should be

cleaned and nose drops used as detailed in Common Cold.
Physical discomfort in the form of a wet diaper or during
teething can add to the discomfort. Excessive activity during
the day may also delay the onset of sleep. Any sickness must
be attended to, especially ear infection and itching associated
with eczema or threadworms, which come out from the anus
at night and cause itching over the buttocks. Certain
stimulating drugs and caffeine can be responsible for difficulty
in sleeping.
Children who slept well in the early weeks of life may
suddenly give the mother sleepless nights around the age of
3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months. During these periods, some
babies have growth spurts when they need to suckle more
often to meet their normal demands of milk. On such
occasions, you should not presume that your milk is not
enough and that you must add artificial milk. This temporary
phase passes as you let the baby suckle more often.
Some mothers give the child a heavy meal at night or a
feeding bottle in the hope that he will sleep better. This is not
desirable and often does not work. Outside milk given in the
early months of life can lead to rapid development of
infections and allergic diseases. A heavy meal may come in
the way of the child going to bed soon.
Consult your doctor if you have tried everything and you
still feel that your child has problems sleeping. If he certifies
that the child is normal, do consider the possibility that your
child may need more body contact.
He may need to breastfeed for many more months and may
have to sleep longer in your room compared to other average
children.
Any emotional factor at home or school should be attended
to. Dont allow children to watch violent and scary movies
on television.
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Nightmares
These are seen mostly in preschool children. A child has a
scary dream and then he gets up crying. He is fully awake and
appears afraid. He may recount the dream and once
reassured, go back to sleep.
Night Terror
The child, again a preschooler, suddenly sits up in bed crying.
He is not fully awake and is not aware of your presence. He
screams as if terrified. He may be sweating and have a very
fast heart rate. No effort on your part calms him down.
Fortunately, he settles down after 15 to 30 minutes and goes
back to deep sleep. When he gets up, he does not remember
anything about the whole episode.
Sleep Walking
This is seen mostly in children of school going age. While
sleep walking, the eyes appear glazed. They may mumble
something that may be difficult to comprehend. Generally,
they do not hurt themselves, but care should be taken to
prevent injury. Most such children are otherwise normal and
the condition disappears in a couple of months. In rare cases,
it may continue to adulthood. No treatment seems to help.
Homoeopaths claim to be able to treat this condition.
In general, most sleep problems are sorted out by
common sense, by listening to the child and by attending to
his needs.
SORE THROAT (PHARYNGITIS)
Most sore throats are of viral origin. The back of the throat is
termed the pharynx. Infection of the pharynx and tonsils is
mostly due to viruses. A runny nose, cough, congested throat
and redness or watering of the eyes add to the possibility of
the cause being viral. Such infections do not need any
antibiotics.
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Streptococcal Sore Throat (Tonsillitis)

A streptococcal sore throat needs to be handled carefully
because, left untreated, it can lead to rheumatic fever with
involvement of the joints and the heart.
SYMPTOMS: The patient has fever, a sore throat, pus
points on the tonsils, and enlargement of the lymph nodes
below the jaw, but no running nose, cough or redness of eyes.
TREATMENT: Your doctor may like to take a throat swab
and do a blood test (ASO Titre) to further substantiate the
diagnosis. Children with tonsillitis are given a course of
penicillin or erythromycin. Antibiotics, if needed, must be
given for 10 days.
SPLINTERS
A splinter under the skin can be quite painful. To remove it,
clean the part and soak it in hot water for about 15 minutes. If
the splinter is visible, remove it with a pair of tweezers. If not,
use a needle, which should be either heated on a flame and
cooled or wiped with spirit, to take it out. Consult your doctor
if you fail to take it out yourself.
STAMMERING
Stammering may just be the result of a childs enthusiasm to
tell his parents about something. If his parents ask him to
speak slowly and carefully and say, Whats the hurry? Dont
stammer. People will laugh at you, the child will become
conscious of the speech. And the stammering will worsen or
the child may stop talking.
MANAGEMENT: If your child starts stammering, avoid
the temptation to correct the speech at that time. Such
children often do not stammer if they are asked to recite a
poem or sing a song that they have learnt by heart. Encourage
that. It gives them confidence and the stammering stops on its
own after a couple of months.
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Consult a speech therapist if you find that there is no

improvement after having waited for 2 to 3 months. Tell all
the members of the family and the schoolteacher not to make
any attempt to correct your youngsters speech. Let the
expert handle the situation. The results with such help
are excellent.
In a rare case, stammering may be inherited. It does not
improve spontaneously and instead starts getting worse. Such
children must be put under the care of a speech therapist as
soon as possible.
STRIDOR (NOISY BREATHING)
Congenital Stridor
This is noisy breathing that is present from birth. It can be
ignored if the child is feeding normally and looks well in all
respects. It resolves spontaneously and does not need any
treatment. It is noticed usually after the first week or two
and appears to get worse until the age of 3 to 6 months.
After the child crosses his first birthday, it usually
decreases, to disappear around 18 months. The childs voice
is not affected.
Acute Stridor
Seek immediate medical attention if a child develops a sudden
onset of noisy breathing.
Stridor of acute origin is discussed at length under Croup.
Acute stridor could also be due to a foreign body, smoke or
severe allergy.
TEETHING AND CARE OF TEETH
Teething Does Not Give Rise To Any Serious Illness
One of my teachers used to say, Teething causes teething
and hardly anything else. It is true. If your child has high
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fever or diarrhoea or any symptom worth taking note of, do

not ascribe it to teething.
When the actual tooth is erupting, your child may become
irritable or may drool a lot. It is also true that children do have
more diarrhoea around the period of teething, possibly due to
introduction of foods other than breast milk. The food may be
contaminated. Because of itching, the child may put things in
the mouth that may give him an infection. So we must look for
a possible cause for any symptom or an illness that occurs
when the child is teething.
Comfort During Teething
All your child probably needs is more body contact. Give him
something clean to bite. I do not recommend the gels for local
application available in the market. A little discomfort is a part
of growing up. Let the child start learning this gradually from
an early age. At the same time, let him feel secure in the arms
of a caring adult during such painful experiences. Rub his
gums if he likes it. Wash your hands and use your fingers for
this purpose.
If he continues to be irritable, give him a dose of
paracetamol repeated after 4 hours, if required.
Delay In Eruption Of Teeth
There is a lot of variation in eruption of the teeth. Some
babies celebrate their birth with a tooth. Most cut their first
tooth around 6 months. Others may do so around one year.
However, the gums may start getting ready from 3 to 4
months onwards, giving rise to irritability, a tendency to bite,
and drooling of saliva.
So long as the child does not have any associated problems,
delayed appearance of teeth is normal.
Dental Caries
Bottle-feeding and sugar are very bad for the teeth. Bottlefeeding is especially bad if the bottle is given to the child in
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sleep. Some children get more cavities in the upper teeth as

the tongue protects the lower ones. Lack of calcium does not
give rise to caries of teeth.
Dont let your child develop a sweet tooth from an early
age. To begin with, give no sugar or sweets. Later on, ensure
as little intake of sugar as is possible. Chewing gum, eclairs
and toffees are worse than sweets because they are likely to
remain stuck to the teeth.
When it comes to medicines, choose a tablet (if he has
already learnt to swallow a tablet) over syrup.
Breastfed children have a much lesser incidence of caries.
I have seen an occasional breastfed child with caries who was
given sugar during the day and who slept at the breast while
suckling giving the normal sugar in the milk a greater
chance to act on the teeth.
Dental Hygiene For The Mother
Ideally, a woman should get her teeth checked up even before
she conceives. In case of a difficult pregnancy, the mother
who is advised prolonged bed rest may neglect her oral
health. During pregnancy, doctors like to avoid dental
intervention, especially in the first 3 months. During this
period, antibiotics and other drugs are generally to be avoided
for fear of probable ill effects of these drugs on the growing
embryo. For instance, the antibiotic tetracycline given during
pregnancy can result in discolouration of the childs teeth.
The Importance Of Baby Teeth
Many mothers believe that baby teeth dont require any
attention because they will be shed.
Dr. Dinesh K. Daftary, dental surgeon and specialist in oral
medicine, points out that this is far from the truth and that
baby teeth have a definite role to play. They allow the child to
masticate food properly and also allow for the growth of the
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jaws and muscles. Baby teeth keep space for the next
permanent tooth, as it erupts, after the natural exfoliation of
the baby tooth.
If the baby tooth has to be extracted or falls before its time,
the adjoining teeth will start moving into this gap, leaving a
smaller space for the permanent tooth to erupt into at a much
later date.
Therefore, it is important to give the child a good oral
hygiene habit right from the age of 2 years. Ideally, the
mother should develop the habit of wiping her infants teeth
with a swab of wet cotton after he has been given milk or
food, to prevent these from remaining on the tooth surface.
After wiping the teeth with a wet cloth or with a wet cotton
swab, the toddler may be given a toothbrush or toothpaste to
play with. As he grows older, he may start asking for it. Then
he may be taught to brush his teeth properly.
Get Your Child Used To The Dentist
Take your toddler with you when you visit the dentist
yourself for a non-painful procedure. Let him have a look at
the dentists clinic, let him sit in the dentists chair if he wants
to. Some time after his second birthday, take him for a checkup. Then get a yearly check-up done. If he has any caries, let
the doctor attend to them.
The doctor may tell your child about the importance of
rinsing the mouth after each meal and brushing the teeth at
least once a day, especially before going to sleep.
The teeth must be cleaned with a soft brush. The dentist
may teach him to clean the teeth from below upwards for the
lower teeth and from the gums downwards for the upper
teeth. Do not worry if he does not follow this advice. The
important thing is to clean each and every tooth properly.
He may need your help for the first couple of months.
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Use Of Fluoride
Fluoride does guard the teeth against cavities, but it can also
be harmful. It is best to avoid giving oral fluoride preparations
to your child. Find out from your dentist if your citys water
supply has enough fluoride in it. If it does, do not use a
toothpaste containing fluoride. If not, the dentist may apply a
fluoride solution to your childs teeth or prescribe fluoride
toothpaste. In general, the World Health Organisation (WHO)
recommends that no fluoride toothpaste be used below
3 years of age. It could be used once a day between 3 and 6
years and twice a day in older children.
Beware Of Misleading Advertisements
Advertisements that show that your child can eat junk foods
containing sugars and yet remain free of cavities, provided he
uses a particular toothpaste, are misleading. One is surprised
at how such unethical advertisements are allowed on
television. Also, no toothpaste can guard the family against
tooth troubles if they do not follow the basic principles of
dental care.
PREVENTION OF DENTAL DISORDERS: Breastfeeding,
avoidance of sugar, regular brushing, and dental check-ups are
the key factors in preventing dental disorders in children. To
prevent the permanent discoluration of the teeth, the
antibiotic tetracycline should not be given to pregnant women
and to children below the age of 8 years.
Dr. Daftary offers the recommendations of The British
Nutrition Foundation Oral Task Force given in the British
Dental Journal as guidelines to mothers of babies and young
children:
Brush teeth twice a day.
Limit the consumption of sugary foods and drinks to
mealtimes.
Avoid cariogenic snacks and sugared drinks between
meals.
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Do not add sugars to bottles of infant formula.
Do not give drinks containing sugars or other

fermentable carbohydrates in bottles or feeders.
Do not allow babies with teeth to fall asleep when

feeding.
Ensure that, as far as possible, medicines given are

sugar-free.
Dr. Daftary strongly advises that the child should not be

allowed to develop the habit of drinking cola drinks because
these are highly acidic and tend to demineralise the enamel of
the teeth.
Teach your school going child to use a wet finger to clean
his teeth after a meal whenever proper brushing facilities are
not available. The purpose is to remove food particles sticking
to the surface of the teeth. No decay of the teeth with bacteria
is likely to take place if there is no medium such as food
particles or milk sticking to the surface of the tooth.
TETANUS (LOCK JAW)
A Rare Disease In Immunised Children
Usually, this disease is seen in rural areas where the umbilical
cord is cut with a dirty instrument, or cow-dung is put on the
umbilical cord. But it can happen even if the delivery takes
place in a hospital and proper antiseptic measures are not
taken while cutting the umbilical cord.
SYMPTOMS: Difficulty in swallowing and stiffness of the
jaw with difficulty in opening the mouth are present. This may
be followed by convulsions or spasms during which the child
arches the body backwards, becomes blue and may even die.
PREVENTION: Complete the course of immunisation.
Beware of wounds that can be infected with tetanus germs
found in the soil and the stools of animals. Special care is
needed in wounds due to nails, glass, thorns, dirty blades or
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needles, rusty wires, in gunshot and stab wounds, and in

animal bites.
Newborn babies can also get this disease and can even die.
Tetanus toxoid given to the mother (one or two injections as
per the advice of your doctor) is effective in preventing the
disease. Mothers who are not given these shots during
pregnancy are also protected to some extent if they were
immunised in childhood.
TREATMENT: Clean the wound with soap and clean water
and check with your doctor if your child needs a shot of
tetanus toxoid. If he is immunised, dont bother with this for
minor household injuries. Even for major injuries, if the child
is due for his booster dose of DPT, give him the same instead
of tetanus toxoid.
THRUSH
SYMPTOMS: This is a fungal infection. It presents as white,
curd-like patches stuck to the inside of the cheeks, lips and
tongue that cannot be removed easily. They must be
differentiated from the normal white coating of the tongue and
whiteness of gums, or a white pinpoint spot on the palate (roof
of the mouth) in newborn babies.
Thrush can also be seen with a red diaper rash that persists
despite treatment. A breastfeeding mother can also get it on
her nipples, which can become quite sore. The fungus is the
same in all these cases.
SOURCE OF INFECTION: If the mother has vaginal
thrush, the newborn baby can develop it in his mouth during
his birth. Prolonged use of antibiotics can also be responsible.
Patients with AIDS also get such infections off and on.
TREATMENT: Your doctor will advise a local application
which must be continued for 2 weeks, even if the thrush
seems to clear within 2 to 3 days.
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THUMB-SUCKING
Knowing a few facts might put you at ease if your child sucks
his fingers or thumb or even his toe. The habit is usually
temporary and quite common in normal children. Sucking is a
pleasant experience. If, by chance, the childs finger or thumb
goes into his mouth, he starts sucking it. The habit generally
disappears by the time the child starts eating solids.
If you do not like your child sucking his thumb, start
playing with him and gently take the thumb out from his
mouth without making him conscious of it. If you make an
issue of it, especially between the age of 9 months and
3 years, when the child is passing through a phase of
negativism, you are likely to worsen the situation.
Attend To Any Emotional Factor
In some children, this habit may persist because of some
emotional problem. Make sure that your child gets enough
body contact from you. Breastfed children may also have this
habit, though less often than artificially fed children.
Be extra careful about making a thumb-sucking child feel
secure. Give him attention when he needs it. However, you
need not necessarily start feeling guilty if your child is
sucking his thumb. Though emotional factors are to be kept in
mind, most children continue sucking their thumb as a habit.
How To Break The Habit
Gentle attempts to wean the child from the habit of thumbsucking are preferable to aggressive ones.
It is true that if the habit continues when the child starts
regular school, we should give extra attention to this problem.
Forceful sucking can lead to ulceration of the thumb and
wrong alignment of the teeth.
When your toddler continues to suck, tell him that he is no
longer a baby and he should now leave the habit. Pat him
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when he stops it. If he does it again, give him a gentle

reminder. Most likely, he will stop sucking his thumb during
the day and later on, he might also stop at night.
Putting bitter medicine or a leucoplast on the thumb does
not help much. The child may then start sucking another
finger. But discuss it with your child, if he is old enough to
understand if he feels that this remedy helps to remind him
not to suck, you may try it.
Whatever you do, make sure that you do not punish the
child and put him to shame in front of others. Do your part in
providing a secure environment and discuss the problem with
your doctor if the habit starts getting on your nerves.
TICS
Except for a rare condition called Tourettes Syndrome, most
tics are transitory and disappear within a couple of months.
SYMPTOMS: Tics refer to certain repeated involuntary
movements that appear suddenly in some school going
children. The otherwise normal child starts blinking,
shrugging the shoulders, twisting the neck, coughing, clearing
the throat or sniffing. The frequency of these movements can
vary from child to child. They do not occur when the child is
asleep. Though more common in school children, tics can also
be seen in toddlers and preschool children.
In some cases, there is a history of the child having passed
through a stressful situation before the appearance of the tics.
In others, an illness may have preceded the appearance of
these movements.
Parents must remember that children do not undertake
these movements on purpose. They have no control over
them. The movements take place spontaneously. Hence, the
child should not be ridiculed or punished for them. If the
parents are patient, the movements disappear within a couple
of months.
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Tourettes Syndrome
In the tics referred to above, the child has the same type of
movements all along. In Tourettes Syndrome, the
movements keep changing. Besides the abnormal movements
and symptoms given above, the child with Tourettes
Syndrome may exhibit a chewing movement and thrusting of
the tongue. Some of these children may have other specific
learning disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), discussed under that section.
TORTICOLLIS
Torticollis, wry neck or stiff neck refers to a condition in
which the patient keeps the head tilted to one side due to a
spasm of a neck muscle.
Torticollis In The Newborn
The typical story is that the mother notices a sudden new
swelling, the size of a big marble, on one side of the neck
when the baby is about 2 weeks old. This is called congenital
muscular torticollis or sternomastoid swelling. The baby is
not much bothered by it, but tends to keep the head tilted to
one side. The swelling disappears spontaneously after 2 to
4 months. If it persists, that side of the face starts looking
different from the other side.
CAUSES: The cause of this condition is uncertain, though
it is often associated with a breech or forceps delivery. In
some cases, a congenital dislocation of the hip also occurs.
TREATMENT: The treatment consists of stretching the
affected neck muscles by slowly moving the childs head away
from the side of the swelling. This is to be done quite
frequently, throughout the day. I often tell the mother to do it
whenever she changes the babys diaper.
If the torticollis persists, your doctor should refer the child
to an orthopaedic surgeon who will decide if surgery is
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needed. If the torticollis is noticed right from birth or if it

persists when noticed later on, your doctor would like to have
an X-ray of the neck taken to rule out any abnormality of the
vertebrae, which may call for surgery.
Torticollis In Older Children
This is usually due to an unusual posture, an injury, as
secondary to a sore throat, due to a problem with the spine or
due to a drug given to check vomiting. Check with your
doctor if any investigation or treatment is required.
TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA (TOF)
A Rare Condition Needing Urgent Attention
I would not have written about this condition but for the fact
that you may be the first one to suspect it before the nurses
or even the doctors think of it.
If your newborn baby has excessive salivation or coughs or
vomits each time you give him a feed, draw your doctors
attention to these symptoms. Most likely, the cause will be
something simple and not TOF. However, early diagnosis of
this condition is important to allow your doctor to take further
steps to help your baby.
TROPICAL EOSINOPHILIA
This is a disease that can be confused with tuberculosis,
asthma, and cough related to roundworms.
SYMPTOMS: Persistent or recurrent cough that gets
aggravated at night, weakness, loss of weight and low fever
raises the possible diagnosis of this disease.
If you live in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam,
Kerala or Tamil Nadu, doctors would first rule out this easily
treatable condition before thinking of other diseases like
tuberculosis or asthma. Tropical eosinophilia is more common
in these states because of a higher incidence of filariasis
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in these regions. Tropical eosinophilia is considered a

manifestation of a species of microfilaria.
Some children with this disease may also have enlargement
of the glands in the neck and elsewhere. Others may cough up
a little blood. The child may also have a wheeze.
DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis is made by doing a blood test
which shows an absolute eosinophil count of more than 3000
eosinophils/mm3. For example, if the total white blood cell
count is 20,000/mm3 and the eosinophils are 20%, the
absolute eosinophil count shall come to 4000/mm3. In many
cases, the child with this condition has a typical
chest X-ray.
Children having roundworms may also have a similar sort
of cough. But in all conditions that resemble tropical
eosinophilia, the absolute eosinophil count is not so high.
TREATMENT: The dramatic response to a commonly used
drug for filaria (diethylcarbamazine) almost confirms the
diagnosis.
TUBERCULOSIS (TB)
Though common in children from poorer homes, I have seen
quite a few children with tuberculosis from the higher socioeconomic group. Fortunately, we now have excellent drugs
available for the treatment and, if diagnosed early, the
prognosis in most cases is excellent.
SYMPTOMS: The following are the symptoms that should
alert us to the possibility of the child having tuberculosis. But
dont jump to conclusions because similar symptoms can also
be found in many other conditions.
Persistent unexplained fever, cough, loss of weight and
appetite.
Enlarged glands in the neck or armpits or groin, which
seem to get stuck to each other (not discrete and
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separate from each other). They may also get stuck to

the overlying skin.
Pain in the chest with pleurisy (infection of the pleura
covering the lungs), unexplained swelling of a bone or
joint, and backache.
Persistent pain in the abdomen with diarrhoea or a
swelling in the abdomen.
Persistent headache, vomiting, convulsions or disturbed
consciousness.
Unresolved pneumonia or glands noticed in X-ray of the
chest.
Contact with an adult having tuberculosis.
Tiny little palpable glands in the neck or elsewhere should

not be confused with tuberculosis. They are often secondary
to some local skin infection rather than tuberculosis, or due to
diseases like chickenpox or lice in the head.
Pain in the abdomen is mostly due to causes other than
tuberculosis.
DIAGNOSIS: Confirmatory diagnosis can only be made by
demonstrating the presence of TB germs. That is not always
possible.
A Mantoux Test (Tuberculin test) is asked for. It should
not be done with 10 TU or 100 TU as is sometimes ordered by
some doctors. That may give false positive results. The test
should be done with 5 TU. Some recommend it with 1 TU, but
we find that with 5 TU, we are more likely to detect cases
needing more careful follow-up or treatment.
A positive test does not necessarily mean that the child
needs treatment for tuberculosis. We have to examine the
patient in totality, including the presence or absence of a BCG
scar, the symptoms, general condition, history of contact, and
results of other tests including the X-ray of the chest,
examination of pleural fluid in case of pleural effusion
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(collection of fluid between the coverings of the lungs), biopsy

of the gland or bone, examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
in case of suspected meningitis, etc.
The CSF is taken out by tapping the space between the two
lower spinal vertebrae with a lumbar puncture needle.
In absence of other features, a child with a positive
Mantoux Test of 10 mm. or more in the presence of a BCG
scar is weighed on the same scale every month. If he remains
fit and continues to gain weight, no treatment is given.
TREATMENT: Most cases of tuberculosis are now treated
with 3 anti-tubercular drugs to begin with. One is given for
2 months and the other two for 6 months or more. One of
these two is given on an empty stomach. Do not be surprised
if it makes the childs urine appear red; this is normal.
As these drugs can cause liver damage in a small number of
patients, your doctor may keep an eye on your childs liver
functions as and when required.
Some children have only mild liver dysfunction, but others
can develop jaundice and severe liver damage. In such cases,
the doctor will make significant changes in the treatment.
For parents, the most important aspect of the treatment is
to see that the treatment is not stopped prematurely.
After a month or two of treatment, children often look
completely normal and some parents become lax about
regular treatment. This can be hazardous. The organisms can
develop resistance to the drugs and they may not remain as
effective as before.
Management Of Contacts With A Case Of Tuberculosis
All the contacts must be subjected to a tuberculin test. Your
doctor will then decide whether the child needs any further
investigation or medication.
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A newborn of a mother having active tuberculosis should

be given BCG and kept apart from her as much as possible for
about 3 months. The child is to be kept under close
supervision by the doctor. Breastfeeding should be continued.
If the disease was diagnosed during pregnancy or soon after
delivery, your doctor may ask for a tuberculin test and a chest
X-ray to rule out a congenital infection being present
from birth.
TYPHOID
SYMPTOMS: Continuous fever (39C 40C) without
symptoms of cold and cough, but with headache, loss of
appetite, dullness, constipation, coated tongue, and delirium
points towards typhoid. History of contact with a patient
having typhoid at home further adds to the suspicion. Some
patients may feel chilly and have a slight cough. The abdomen
may be slightly bloated. Later in the disease, the child may
develop loose motions. Your doctor will take note of the above
features and would find an enlarged liver and spleen towards
the end of the week.
Confirmation Of Diagnosis And Treatment
No antibiotic should be given before collecting a blood sample
for culture. The hospital laboratory should be requested to
observe the culture for one week as the organism may
sometimes take time to grow. In case of a strong suspicion,
your doctor may decide to start the appropriate antibiotic while
waiting for the report. It may take 6 to 7 days before response
to the antibiotics is noticed. If the blood grows typhoid
organisms, the laboratory will test for the drugs to which the
organisms are most sensitive. Then your doctor may decide to
continue the same medicine or change over to a new one that
may also take a couple of days to show a positive response.
Before the culture report comes, a total white blood cell
count of less than 4000/mm.3 may also be supportive of the
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diagnosis of typhoid. Another test commonly asked for is the

Widal test. This becomes positive in the second week, but the
result of this test loses its reliability if the antibiotics have
been started too early in the course of the disease.
Paracetamol may be given for symptomatic relief of fever
and headache. Sponging of the body with warm water can be
done for lowering the temperature.
PREVENTION: The source of infection is contaminated
water, ice, food (including canned foods) and milk. The patient
continues to pass the germs of the illness in the stools for
upto 3 months afterwards. Proper hand washing is essential.
Water must be boiled and cooled before being consumed.
Do not listen to those who say that on some occasion you may
have to take unboiled water outside, and so it is useless to
take boiled water at home. You must note that a large number
of typhoid germs would need to be swallowed to start the
disease process. So we should always aim at cutting down the
bacterial load as much as possible.
Read the chapter on IMMUNISATION for vaccination
against typhoid.
UMBILICAL PROBLEMS
Umbilical Granuloma
You may notice that, after the umbilical cord of your newborn
has fallen off, a red moist swelling is left behind. This is the
umbilical granuloma.
The standard practice is to touch it with a silver nitrate
stick to dry it, but a simple method propagated by Dr. Nirmala
Kesree and her colleagues from Davangere in Karnataka
works quite well. Just put a crystal of rock salt (cleaned with
boiled and cooled water and dried) on the swelling. Keep it in
place with leucoplast or a band-aid. The swelling disappears
within a few days in most cases.
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If no improvement is noted by use of these methods, a

minor surgery may have to be undertaken.
Umbilical Hernia
This is quite common and does not need any treatment in
most cases.
This hernia becomes more prominent after the child cries.
Crying results in increased intra-abdominal pressure. This
pushes the abdominal tissue through the umbilicus because of
a small gap in the abdominal muscles in that region.
This hernia should be left alone. You may be advised by
others to put a coin on the swollen part and tie it up. This is
not required. In fact, if a leucoplast is used to keep the coin in
place for a number of days, your child may get an itchy rash on
the skin.
The swelling generally disappears by the time the child
enters his second year. In rare cases, surgery may be
required.
UNDESCENDED TESTIS
Soon after the birth of a male child, both the testes can be felt
lying inside the scrotum. Sometimes, the scrotum may appear
empty on one or both sides. The reason could be varied.
In the foetus, the testes lie inside the abdomen. They
come down just before the expected time of delivery. If the
baby is born before the expected time, it may take some
time before we can feel the testes.
Some testes are called shy testes or retractile testes.
These are normally present in the scrotum but as soon as
the scrotum is touched, especially with cold hands, the
testes tend to go up into the abdomen, making the scrotum
appear empty. Such a testicle does not need any treatment.
This child will have a normally functioning testicle.
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If one or both testes are really missing from the scrotum,

we wait until the child is 1 year old. If after that, it cannot be
felt on one or both sides, it is advisable to see a surgeon,
preferably a paediatric surgeon. If the surgeon is convinced
that it is undescended, surgery will be advised to bring it
down and to fix it into the scrotum. Although some surgeons
believe in postponing the surgery till the age of 2 or 3 years,
paediatric surgeon Dr. Jyotsna Kirtane believes it advisable to
operate at 6 months, because electron microscope studies
have revealed that the undescended testis may undergo
degenerative changes after 6 months.
If both the testes are not felt, and the clinical examination
reveals some doubt, the doctor may ask for a test to
determine the sex of the child.
There are two possible risks involved in leaving the
testes inside the abdomen. The first is degeneration and
infertility, and the other is the development of cancer of
the testes.
Here a passing reference may be made about uneven testes
in an adolescent. Assure your teenage that it is quite normal
for one testis to be lower than the other.
Children with undescended testes may have an associated
hernia, which is seen as a swelling coming up in the groin
whenever the child cries or strains. In such cases, it is
advisable to operate on the undescended testis as early as
possible, because hernia in a small infant tends to
get obstructed.
URINARY INFECTION
The Importance Of Diagnosis
Remember the following important facts about urinary
infection:
It is not an uncommon disease.
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THE A
While proper diagnosis and treatment can help,

carelessness in its management can lead to malnutrition
and kidney damage.
A routine examination of urine may suggest a possibility of

infection, but it must be confirmed by urine culture and
colony count of bacteria. The diagnosis is clinched if the
count is 1 lakh colonies or more per ml. of a single
organism. If the count is of this order, a sensitivity test
must be done to select the right drug for treatment.
The diagnosis is considered in a child with unexplained

fever, frequency of micturition (urination), painful
urination, unexplained loss of weight, or failure to gain
weight.
Isolated preauricular tags (tags of skin in front

of the ear) may be associated with urinary tract
abnormalities. A urinary tract ultrasonography
should be conducted in such cases.
The urethral opening (opening of the urinary tract above

the vagina) is quite near the anal opening in a female child.
Parents should clean the anal region after the passage of
stools, in the backward direction, away from the urethral
opening. Children should be trained accordingly.
As long as you change diapers when they need to be

changed, the incidence of urinary infection is not affected
by whether you use cloth or disposal diapers.
Collection Of Urine Sample

Urine for culture must be collected in a sterile bottle procured
from the hospital. A sample must be taken as per the direction
of the hospital. A morning sample is not essential. The sample
must be taken to the laboratory immediately after collection.
If that is not possible, it should be kept in a refrigerator.
TREATMENT: Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the child is
given the appropriate drug.
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A close follow-up is essential. Urine culture is done a week

and 2 weeks after the start of treatment. If the urine is
normal, a culture is done once a month for 3 months, once in
3 months for 1 year and then twice a year as long as possible.
In all male children, a sonography for the urinary tract and a
cystoureterogram (an X-ray taken after putting a dye into the
bladder) is undertaken a month after the diagnosis is made
and treatment has started. The same tests are conducted in
female children below the age of 5 years, if they get another
attack of urinary tract infection.
If any abnormality is found in these two tests, an
intravenous pyelogram should be done. In this test, the dye is
given into the vein and its excretion is followed in the
kidneys, ureter and bladder.
Children who get 3 infections in a year are put on a single
small dose of a drug, every night, for 2 years or more.
Less frequently, surgery is indicated in cases of persistent
infection, or where abnormalities of the urinary tract need to
be tackled surgically.
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Normal Discharge
Newborn babies and older girls (when they are likely to start
getting their periods) often have a clear, white, odourless
discharge without any itching or burning. This is normal and
needs no treatment except frequent changing of
undergarments.
Discharge That Smells Or Gives Rise To Irritation
And Burning
In adolescents, this sort of discharge needs to be correctly
diagnosed and the child should be shown to a
gynaecologist.
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THE A
In younger children, it is often due to lack of proper

cleanliness, a bubble bath, nylon undergarments or
threadworms. Rarely, it could be associated with a foreign
body in the vagina, fungal infection, diabetes, masturbation or
sexual abuse.
A urine examination should be undertaken if the child also
complains of burning while passing urine.
VOMITING
Vomiting In Normal Children
Quite a few small infants as well as older children vomit once
or more during the course of the day but remain otherwise
well. It seems that they have a rather more sensitive vomiting
centre in the brain. They vomit even if they seem to have no
other problem. They vomit if they are excited, unhappy,
fearful or because of any illness. The vomiting becomes less
frequent as these children grow and then stops without any
special treatment.
Parents must not show undue anxiety when the child
vomits. This may make matters worse. A typical scene is
witnessed when a child is getting late for his school bus and
his mother wants him to finish his glass of milk. He tries to
gulp it in a hurry and brings most of it up. Giving solids before
the child is ready for them, or forced feeding in children are
other common causes. The child should never be forced to eat
or drink in such situations. Older children should be put to
bed early at night so that they get up well in advance, before
the school bus arrives. If the child hates to drink milk in the
morning, do not insist that he has it.
Even if there is enough time, an occasional child does not
want to eat anything in the morning. In general, I would like
children not to go to school on an empty stomach. I would
suggest offering the child some fruit or fruit juice. If he
refuses that, give him some healthy snacks (fresh fruits, dry
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fruits, nuts, or a sandwich made with whole wheat bread) to

take to school for his short recess.
Some infants swallow a lot of air while feeding and bring
out milk quite often after a feed. Some are helped by burping.
Others vomit as soon as they are lifted up to be burped.
Check the position of these babies at the breast so that they
have enough of the areola (the dark portion of the breast
behind the nipple) in their mouth.
If bottle-fed, change over to cup feeding (which is better
than spoon feeding). If you must bottle-feed, check that the
hole in the nipple is not too small.
Some babies bring up curds after each feed or after some of
the feeds. They are otherwise well thriving, active and
passing urine normally. This is called possetting and is
normal. Nothing should be attempted to set it right. Maybe
you can buy some more bibs!
However, consult your doctor if your child is dehydrated
following vomiting. He may like to treat the cause and give
intravenous fluids if required.
A dehydrated child looks sick and passes too little, dark
urine. You should be equally concerned if he shows lack of
alertness or behaves as if he were not fully conscious. This
could be due to meningitis.
Three Common Causes Needing Attention
Obstruction of the intestinal tract due to surgical conditions
Infection
Head injury
Obstruction Of The Intestinal Tract Due To Surgical

Conditions
Consider the possibility of an intestinal obstruction if a small
baby brings up green vomit. Do not give this child anything to
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THE A
eat or drink and take him to your doctor. Such children may
also have distension of the abdomen and dehydration.
In a condition called pyloric stenosis, the child may present
with white projectile vomiting and failure to gain weight.
An intussusception and appendicitis discussed under
Abdominal Pain are also to be kept in mind.
Infections
An infection of the stomach and intestine (gastroenteritis) is
the commonest infection resulting in diarrhoea and vomiting.
This is discussed at length in the chapter on HOME
REMEDIES.
Suspect hepatitis (see Hepatitis) if your toddler or older
child has developed marked loss of appetite and passes high
coloured urine.
A small baby who stops taking his feeds, vomits and looks
unwell may have septicaemia a serious type of infection. It
may or may not be accompanied by fever.
An infant showing the above symptoms with a bulging soft
spot (anterior fontanelle) on the head, with or without
stiffness of the neck, may have meningitis, needing urgent
treatment (see Meningitis).
Children with whooping cough also tend to vomit after a
severe bout of coughing. Ear and urinary infection may also be
associated with vomiting.
Seasonal vomiting, probably due to a viral infection, may
affect a large number of children in a city. These children do
not have any of the serious features mentioned above and
settle down with symptomatic treatment of the vomiting in
2 to 3 days.
Some other causes of vomiting are poisoning, travel
sickness, gastro-oesophageal reflux and migraine. Some
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children with allergy to artificial milk can get a severe attack

of vomiting with even small intake of milk. Many drugs, like
antibiotics and drugs for diarrhoea and other illnesses, may
cause vomiting.
Head Injury
One vomit after a head injury in a child who is otherwise well
can be ignored. But the doctor must be consulted if the child
continues to vomit.
Blood In Vomit
Some children bring out a streak of blood with a forceful
vomit. This need not cause undue anxiety. But if it becomes a
common feature, your doctor would consider the possibility of
conditions like hiatus hernia. Of course, if bleeding is also
noticed from other sites, a bleeding disorder has to be kept
in mind.
TREATMENT: Treatment depends upon the cause. No
drug for vomiting should be given without the advice of your
doctor. If your doctor decides to give a medicine to check
vomiting, do not give anything by mouth for an hour. By then,
the drug will have started acting and you can give small
amounts of a drink or the childs favourite fruit or food. Do not
give too much at a time. Give small amounts but offer them at
frequent intervals.
A child may occasionally get a peculiar side effect due to
the commonly used drugs for vomiting. He may roll his eyes
upwards and his whole body may go into tonic spasms.
Fortunately, almost all cases recover after the drug is
stopped. Some patients are given another medicine to
counteract the effect of the earlier drug.
WHEEZING
A wheeze is a high-pitched whistling sound associated with
breathing due to narrowing of the air passage.
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THE A
This is to be differentiated from noisy breathing due to

partial blockage of the nose or due to the collection of phlegm
in the windpipe or its branches.
CAUSES: Most cases of recurrent wheezing are due to
asthma (see section on Asthma in Allergies). A viral infection
called bronchiolitis affecting smaller infants can also present
as a wheeze. In older children, tropical eosinophilia is also a
common cause. A foreign body in the airway or a gland (due to
tuberculosis or any other cause) pressing on the airway can
also give rise to a wheeze.
MANAGEMENT: If you suspect that your child is
wheezing for the first time in his life, let a doctor confirm it.
Do not give any medicine on your own.
If the child is not crying, the doctor will be able to hear the
wheeze well with his stethoscope. Hold your child up in your
arms with his head on your shoulder. Do not undress him. Let
the doctor listen to his back first and then notice his
breathing.
If your doctor confirms that it was a wheeze, he may give
the child an injection, or a medicine with a nebuliser, or by
mouth (see Asthma in Allergies) and wait for the response. If
he finds dramatic improvement, he may suspect that the child
has asthma. If you know that your child gets recurrent
wheezing, you must follow the advice given by your doctor.
You may also like to read the section on asthma. If he
considers that tropical eosinophilia should be ruled out, he
may ask for a blood test.
WHOOPING COUGH (PERTUSIS)
SYMPTOMS: In a typical case, the child with whooping cough
gets severe bouts of cough. He coughs and coughs, his face
becomes red, he grasps something for support and then
makes a funny kind of sound (a whoop), as if he were taking
a deep breath in, through the partially-closed upper end of his
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windpipe. The whole episode is often followed by a vomit.

Children who have had whooping cough vaccine as a part of
DPT, either do not get the disease or get it in a milder form
without the typical whoop and the vomit. A history of contact
with a case of whooping cough aids in making the diagnosis.
MANAGEMENT: I would not delay the use of antibiotics in
whooping cough. The drug of choice is erythromycin, which is
started as soon as the diagnosis is made. The drug is more
effective if started early in the course of the disease. Some
believe that it does not help the patient, but reduces the
infectiousness to others. I beg to differ and feel that it is
helpful and should be given in full dose for a period of
2 weeks. I have also found a drug, salbutamol, commonly used
for the treatment of asthma, to be of help in reducing the
severity of the bouts of cough. A calm, smokeless
environment is of great help to a small baby. The mothers lap
is a great comfort for the child. A feed given soon after a vomit
is often retained.
If people in contact with the baby are given erythromycin
for a period of 10 days, they are likely to be protected to a
significant extent.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERNS
Your child will go through different stages in life that may

cause you concern because of the things she says or does or
does not do. Most of these manifestations are just a part of
growing up and require you to do nothing but handle the
situation calmly.
In many areas, a concept of readiness applies. The child will
not do something or not move on to another stage of
behavioural development till she is ready for it. This applies
especially to toilet training (discussed hereafter) and agerelated masturbatory tendencies, stealing and swearing. In all
such behaviours, the main management technique is to
distract the child and not to draw her attention to them.
DAYDREAMING
To a certain extent, daydreaming is normal. There is need for
concern only when it becomes so frequent that it starts
interfering with your childs normal activities; especially if she
stops taking interest in her studies, stops interacting with
others, becomes withdrawn and seems to live in her own
world of fantasy and dreams.
A child who is dull may daydream because she cannot cope
with her studies. On the other hand, a child with superior
intelligence may daydream because she finds her lessons too
simple.
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A child who has problems because of the wrong attitudes of

parents and siblings may daydream. She may have fantasies
of revenge, although she may also feel guilty for such
uncharitable thoughts towards her near and dear ones. A child
who has too much free time may also daydream. Keep
her occupied with activities that interest her. Talk to your
doctor if you feel daydreaming is becoming a problem with
your child.
LYING
When your 3-year-old tells you with mischief in her eyes that
she is not at home, she is not lying; she is playing a game with
you. Similarly, a preschool child may make up tall stories to
amuse herself or to amuse you. Do not take this seriously.
However, you cant afford to ignore the situation if she tries
to deceive you by being untruthful.
Still, dont be in a big hurry to punish her. First, try and find
out why she would want to tell a lie. When she broke the
glass last time and owned up, did you praise her for speaking
the truth and tell her to be careful in future, or did you beat
her up for her carelessness? If she was punished for being
truthful, she may have decided not to admit her mistake and
instead tell a lie.
Trouble at school or at home may also cause a child to take
recourse to lying. Young teenagers may leave home to go to
school or college and instead land up elsewhere. When
confronted, they may lie.
Parents who are not honest themselves can hardly expect
truthfulness from their children.
Children must get the message that we all make mistakes
and should not hesitate to own up to them. Teach your
children to learn from their mistakes and then move forward;
they should never be so afraid of the consequences that they
need to lie.
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TOILET TRAINING
Do not force an unwilling child below the age of 2 to sit on a
potty or a toilet seat, but attempt the process of toilet training
in a gentle way at an early age.
Most babies will pass a motion or will pee after getting up
from sleep or after a feed. Take advantage of this knowledge.
Take the child near the toilet. Hold him over it. Make a
hissing noise. Wait only for a short while. He may oblige you
by passing urine with or without stools. If he does, you have
saved a nappy and reduced the risk of your child getting a
nappy skin rash. If he does not, let it go.
Some babies who respond may do so because of a
conditioned reflex. In our rural areas (and also in some urban
homes), I have seen the mother (or the grandmother) sit
down on the floor with her legs straightened in front of her.
She makes the small baby sit between her two legs nearer her
ankles. The baby faces her, and her upright feet support the
babys back. The baby often passes urine and/or a motion on
newspaper in this position.
When the child is able to sit independently, buy a brightcoloured potty that sits on the floor. Place it near a wall, and
put the child gently on it as soon as she wakes up or after she
has had her feed. Sit near her or have your maid sit near her.
Give her a kiss if she passes urine or a motion. Do not look
annoyed if she doesnt.
As she starts walking around, you will be able to make out
when she is ready to pass stools or urine. She may suddenly
stop running. Her facial expressions may change. She may
point towards her genitals. Take a cue from her signals.
Quietly remove her diaper and help her sit on her potty. Do
not force her if she does not want to. If she wets her clothes
before you can march her towards the potty, do not scold her.
Give her a kiss when she does oblige by passing the motion or
urine in her potty.
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Your son may show interest in passing urine while standing

up as he grows, usually after he observes an older sibling
doing it. Your husband may also show him how. (However,
psychologists opine that it is not advisable for parents to keep
exhibiting their genitals before their children. If the child sees
them by accident, do not give the incident undue importance.)
He may now want to sit on an adult toilet seat. Put a small
training seat on it; this is easily available in the market. Do
not flush the toilet while he is sitting on the seat. Some
children get scared at this; they fear that they may get sucked
into the toilet.
Most children use the potty and later the toilet seat
properly between 2 and 3 years of age.
I have also noticed that a child who is encouraged to pass
urine just before bedtime at night and again as soon as he gets
up in the morning may have a dry night as early as the age of
one year. However, we must remember that some children
will wet their bed normally even at an older age, as discussed
under Bed-wetting in THE A - Z CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES.
MASTURBATION
Masturbation is a normal phase in most childrens lives. It is
not a behaviour problem unless parents make it so by
mismanagement. In fact, according to Dr. Mahinder Watsa,
consultant in sexual medicine, masturbation as a means of
relieving sexual tension is a better substitute for sexual
intercourse before marriage than indiscriminate sexual
encounters.
Age Incidence
Though more common during the adolescent period,
masturbation or self-stimulation of the genitals is practised at
all ages even in infancy and among both male and female
children. Most children stop masturbating after a year or so. It
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may be noticed more frequently to begin with, then becomes

less frequent and finally stops.
Masturbation must be differentiated from just touching the
sex organs or handling them. This is a phase through which
almost every child passes. Do not shout at her for this. At the
most, you may distract the child by giving her something else
to handle.
In a typical case, masturbation begins with rhythmic
movements of the hip while the child is lying on her back or
stomach. Later, she rubs her thighs together, keeps rubbing
them, her face becomes flushed, and she appears to be lost in
her world, looking constantly in one direction and finally
sweats (as if she has had an orgasm) before the whole act
ends. If the habit continues for some time, she may press
against any piece of furniture and repeat the act.
CAUSE: I have not found any obvious cause. All the
childrens parents have been very caring, though some
confessed that they might have made the child conscious of
the act, which might have made matters worse. However, rule
out any local irritation and feelings of insecurity in the child.
Your doctor will try to rule out conditions like diaper rash,
fungal infection of the genital area, eczema and itching due to
threadworms.
MANAGEMENT: Nothing need be done with smaller
children. It is likely to stop on its own. Be extra careful with
adolescents. First of all, the parents must understand that most
often, masturbation is a normal passing phase. Masturbation
does not mean that the child has become a pervert, that he/she
will become weak, or has fallen into bad company. The only
thing that parents can do is to make sure that the child does not
become guilt-ridden or obsessed with the subject.
The child must receive sex education from the parents or
from another appropriate source. The teenager must be
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encouraged to take part in sports and other outdoor activities.

At an opportune time, you may discuss the purpose of living
without ever making your young friend feel ashamed for
taking recourse to masturbation.
However, if you feel ill at ease with the situation, do
discuss the subject with a counsellor. The counsellor may find
that the child is passing through a stressful phase in his/her
life. The child may have been sexually abused.
Take note however if the masturbation is excessive or if
the child also does it in public.
STEALING
A toddler does not understand the difference between her
own property and someone elses. But as she enters the
preschool age, the concept of not taking what belongs to
others should be gently but firmly built into her evolving
personality. By the time the child enters school, it should be
made absolutely clear to her that we have no right on the
property of others. Anything belonging to others must be
returned. If parents or teachers ignore minor offences, the
habit may continue and may land the child in serious trouble
later in life. Therefore, a toddlers act of possessiveness can
be ignored, but the older childs attempt at stealing must be
nipped in the bud.
Disturbed family life, problems at school, poor parental
example, bad company, not enough pocket money and strict
parents or teachers, are all cited as possible causes
responsible for stealing.
A child is not likely to fall into the habit of stealing if you
meet her emotional needs. Discipline her in an atmosphere of
love and trust.
Professional help must be sought if the habit seems to be
becoming frequent.
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SWEARING
Small children pick up words like hell, shit, bullshit, sala,
idiot, etc. from adults without even knowing their meanings.
Foul language or dirty words can also be learnt from friends.
Minor swearing is not uncommon among school children. Do
not be too concerned as long as the child does not swear
at others.
Parents who do not swear, even if upset, have a right to tell
their youngster to stop it. If your son or daughter still swears,
deal with him or her firmly. (See the section on Discipline in
the chapter on MEETING THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF
CHILDREN.) Some parents will tolerate their son using dirty
words, but not their daughter. They may even say, Girls are
not supposed to use such language! This is not the right
approach. Both boys and girls need to be handled in a similar
manner.
Some parents become furious on hearing dirty words. They
may hit the child in anger or may use even more foul
language. Such an impulsive reaction could have the opposite
effect on the childs behaviour and should be avoided at all
costs.
Ignoring a toddler who uses a dirty word, and firm
handling of your older child is all that is required in most
cases.
HOMOSEXUALITY
Parents fears that their adolescent may be gay are usually
unfounded. Their suspicions are usually aroused by their
children cross-dressing (when a son dresses like a girl, or a
daughter like a boy) or if they behave like the opposite sex. It
is the stereotypical roles assigned to the two sexes that lead
to such false notions. Our society has set norms that suggest
that a boy cannot shed tears and that a girl cannot climb a
tree. This has to change.
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Most of us have a masculine side as well as a feminine side

to our personality. We must cherish both these aspects. Why
cant a man be tender and a woman strong and yet tender?
Conditioned by societal stereotypes, a teenager may
wrongly believe himself to be homosexual because he finds
another boy, or a male teacher, or an actor, or a sportsman
attractive. Some teenagers who think that they are
homosexuals or lesbians may disclose their sexual orientation
in their late teens; others may never reveal it.
Parents who are faced with a youngster who is not sure of
his or her sexual identity must sit down with the child and
explain that it is quite normal to appreciate the good qualities
in a person of the same sex and feel attracted towards them
and that it could be a passing phase.
No Easy Answers
Here are a few suggestions on handling the situation if your
son reveals that he is homosexual or your daughter informs
you that she is a lesbian.
Do not reject your youngster. Continue to love and support
him or her. Treat him or her as you would a heterosexual
youngster.
Share with him or her your anxieties about his or her
adjustment to the society in which he or she has to live, or
the increased risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases among homosexuals. The risk is more because if a
homosexual practises anal intercourse instead of vaginal
intercourse, the mucus lining of the rectum is more likely
to be damaged than that of the vagina.
If you strongly feel that homosexuality is unnatural, tell
them so. But respect the decision they have taken to
acknowledge a different sexual orientation, and do not treat
it as a purely psychological concern.
Consult a counsellor if you and the child find it difficult to
handle the situation.
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SUICIDE
Cases of suicide among teenagers are on the rise.
Do not take it lightly if a teenager attempts suicide or talks
about it. Even young school children may seem suicidal.
Although these may simply be attempts to get more attention
from you, take these calls for help seriously.
Sit down and talk to your child. Ask her if she is passing
through a rough time. Is she unduly depressed, hurt, upset,
angry? Does she feel hopeless or uncared for? Has she failed
in a test, lost a friend or a close relative? Is she disturbed
about fights at home? Has she done something she feels
guilty about? Spend more time with a child who seems
withdrawn or depressed.
After A Suicide Attempt
If your son or daughter has attempted suicide, you must get
professional help immediately. Talk to your paediatrician who
may refer the child to a psychiatrist or a psychologist-cumfamily therapist. Do not be ashamed about visiting a
psychiatrist or psychologist. It is important to visit these
professionals before things get out of hand. However, take
these steps under the guidance of your paediatrician or family
physician.
Some schools also have expert counsellors who can be
depended upon. These experts will help build your
youngsters self-esteem. Counselling of parents and the child
is all that is needed in most cases. Youngsters with serious
psychiatric problems may, however, also need some
medication.
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MANAGING A HOSPITAL STAY
Do not delay rushing your child to the nearest reliable

hospital in an emergency.
What Is An Emergency Situation?
Your doctor will usually advise you on this; but in the absence
of a doctor, if you feel that your childs condition has suddenly
taken a turn for the worse, act on your instincts and take her
to a hospital immediately. An experienced relative or a
neighbour may also be able to help you take an appropriate
decision in such a situation.
The decision to admit a child to a public or private hospital
should depend on the urgency and seriousness of the situation,
the accessibility of the hospital, the facilities available and the
cost of treatment. If a public hospital is nearer your home and
the child looks serious, do not hesitate to take the child there.
This is especially true in cases of accidental injuries where the
police are involved. You can shift the child later to another
hospital, if required. If the hospital has a casualty department,
go directly over there. The Casualty may be indicated in a local
language like Apghat Vibhag (in Hindi). If you cannot find it, go
directly to the childrens ward.
If you are travelling and need medical care in a remote area,
in a village or a small town, go to the nearest Government
Primary Health Centre.
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Talking To Your Child About Hospitalisation

If your child is older than 3 years, it is best to explain to her
why you have decided to take her to the hospital. She should
never ever get the impression that she is being hospitalised
because she was naughty or careless.
Visiting The Hospital In Advance
If it is not an emergency admission, you and your spouse may
like to visit the hospital to meet the doctor and nursing staff;
to find out about the facilities available and also to get an idea
about the expenses involved.
The Hospital Stay
In India, the mother, or any other relative close to the child, is
allowed to stay with her in the hospital. Besides, you can get a
pass for a visitor.
At the time of admission, you may be asked to fill a consent
form to permit any investigation or operation. Read it
carefully before you sign.
Secure in Dads arms in the intensive care unit
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If the child is too sick, she may be sent straight to an

intensive care unit. You are usually not allowed to stay with
the child in such a set-up. But if you feel that she will do
better with you by her side, discuss it with your doctor who
may give special permission for you or someone else to be
with the child. Since you will have to sit up all the time in
intensive care, have someone take turns with you.
Daily Routine In The Hospital
A friend once said of hospital that it is a place where they
wake you up to give you your sleeping pills. Indeed, in most
hospitals, there is a time for a sponge bath, for recording
temperature and pulse, and for taking medicine. If this
schedule disturbs your young child, discuss it with your
doctor and the sister-in-charge of the ward and together work
out a routine that is convenient for your child and yet does not
unduly upset the hospital routine.
For example, if your child had a disturbed night and went to
sleep in the early hours of the morning, request the nurse on
duty to avoid giving her the sponge bath at the usual time. If
the nurses are too busy to do this later, take on the
responsibility yourself.
Avoid crowding the bedside with visitors, except during the
visiting hours.
Also remember that nurses are human too. Ignore an
occasional shortcoming if the nursing staff and the rest of the
hospital staff are cooperative on the whole. If someone is
persistently rude, however, do inform your doctor to do
the needful.
Keep Yourself Informed
You have a right to know what drugs your child is getting.
If a drug is to be given at a fured time, see that the
nurses give it accordingly. A few minutes delay may be
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over-looked. Take permission to give the medicine yourself,

if you prefer this.
Similarly, keep an eye on the intravenous fluids being
given. If your child is right-handed, let the intravenous drip be
started in the left hand. Find out at what rate the fluid should
run (drops per minute). If the flow changes suddenly, report it
to the nurse. Inform the nurse when a small amount of fluid is
left in the bottle, so that she can stop it in time or get another
bottle ready, if need be.
In short, keep an eye on the treatment being given to your
child. Mistakes can happen because of lack of communication,
and the child may be given a medicine that the doctor had
ordered to be stopped. Therefore, do not leave everything in
the hands of the hospital staff. Trust them, but do not hesitate
to politely point out any mistake that you may notice in the
management of your child.
Also let the doctor know if your child is allergic to any
particular drug. Indicate it prominently on her case papers.
Inform the staff if your child has G-6-PD deficiency. Children
with this problem can have serious reactions to certain drugs.
The doctor may prescribe a certain diet for the child. If
there are no such restrictions, discuss with the hospital
dietitian what your child would prefer. You need the doctors
and hospitals permission to have food brought from home.
Investigations
Children older than 3 should be briefed about the tests that
may have to be conducted. If you are apprehensive about
blood collection for testing, leave the room when this is being
done. But if you feel that your child will feel more secure in
your presence, your doctor may allow you to be present.
Ask your doctor in advance if there is any need for fasting
before a test. For tests like ECG, ultrasonography, a CT
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(computed tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance

imaging) or echocardiography, the doctor may decide to
sedate a child under the age of 4 years. Older children may
undergo a procedure without any sedation, if it is properly
explained to them.
Surgery
Do not hesitate to share your fears or economic difficulties
with your doctor when he recommends surgery for
your child.
Emergency surgery cannot be delayed, especially in a
newborn baby; otherwise, a surgical procedure may be
deferred if the child has a cold, cough, fever; if it is more
convenient to get it done during holidays, after a wedding, or
for some other personal reasons. Some families wrongly
assume that surgery should be avoided during the summer
season or in the monsoon.
Inform your doctor if the child has had any problem earlier
with surgery, anaesthesia or a particular drug. Also, let him
know if your child has a bleeding tendency or if she is on any
medication, especially corticosteroids, insulin and drugs for
epilepsy. The doctor would also like to know if your child has
been given corticosteroids in the recent past.
In general, doctors advise that no milk or solids be given
for at least 12 hours prior to giving anaesthesia. Clear liquids
with glucose can be given for upto 4 hours prior to it.
Sometimes, the doctor may give some intravenous fluids
through a drip before surgery.
Sedation Before Surgery
Your doctor will probably give your child some medication
before taking her into the operation theatre. The idea is to let
the child go into a light sleep before she is taken away from
you. It also allows for the induction of anaesthesia without
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waking her up and also provides some relief from pain after
the child recovers from the effect of anaesthesia.
Observation After Surgery
The surgeon will keep the child in the surgery room situated
near the operation theatre for some time before sending her
to the ward. If your child is less than 6 months old, she will be
kept for about 2 hours to make sure that her physiological
functions, including her breathing and reflexes, are normal.
In the ward, the child may need medication for pain relief.
Your presence and that of your husband or a close relative can
drastically reduce the need for such medication. Your touch
can act like magic. Do not hesitate to hold your childs hand or
stroke her cheeks even if she is connected to medical
equipment. Whenever possible, hold her in your arms, hug
her and kiss her.
Maintain a cheerful atmosphere around the child. If you feel
like crying, do not suppress your emotions, but avoid breaking
down in front of your child. Your child may appear to behave
very unreasonably, but remember that she is probably just
very frightened. Encourage her to share her anxieties with
you so that you can reassure her.
Teenagers should be taken into confidence about the
management of their illness. If your doctor agrees, your
adolescent may be told about her illness, and have the planned
line of management explained to her. You are then likely to
get better cooperation from her during her hospital stay.
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EMERGENCIES
As mentioned in the chapter on MANAGING A HOSPITAL

STAY, do not waste precious time in an emergency. If you are
in doubt about the seriousness of the situation, rush the child
to the nearest doctor or a hospital. If required, give first aid to
the child.
Following is the list of possible emergencies discussed in
the book in the chapter on THE A-Z OF CHILDHOOD
ILLNESSES:
Abdominal pain
Allergies
Artificial
respiration
(see
Cardiac
Pulmonary
Resuscitation and Mouth-To-Mouth Breathing)
Asthma
Bites and stings
Bleeding
Bone, joint and muscle injuries
Breathlessness
Bulging fontanelle (see under Meningitis)
Burns
Choking
Common cold in an infant
Convulsions
Croup
Crying
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EMERGENCIES
Cuts
Dog bite (see Rabies)
Diarrhoea with dysentery (also see the chapter on
HOME REMEDIES)
Drowning (see Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation and
Mouth-To-Mouth Breathing)
Electric shock
Eye problems, including injury to the eye
Fractures (see Bone, Joint and Muscle Injuries)
Head injury
Hernia (see Obstructed Inguinal Hernia discussed under
Abdominal Pain)
High fever (see the chapter on HOME REMEDIES)
Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Nose-related problems, including bleeding from the nose
Poisoning
Rabies
Scorpion bite (see Bites And Stings)
Snake bite (see Bites And Stings)
Splinters
Stridor
Unconscious child (see Encephalitis, Head Injury,
Malaria, Meningitis and Poisoning).
Danger Signals In A Newborn
A newborn who appears sick and stops suckling must be
shown immediately to your doctor.
Some other danger signals in a newborn are:
Yellow or green vomit
Convulsions
Excessive crying
Listlessness
Breathlessness
Very hot or very cold skin.
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Guest Article - Dr. Jer Master
PRAYER AND YOUR CHILDS HEALTH
Dr. Jer Master, Ex-Professor of Paediatrics at Mumbais Bai

Jerbai Wadia Childrens Hospital, is a Christian Scientist and
firmly believes that Prayer can help preserve the well being of our
children and cure their ailments. In this article, she talks of how
parents can turn to a Power that is greater than medicine or any
human system.
For more than two decades, I worked as a practising
paediatrician. At a friends suggestion, I started studying
Christian Science, without really expecting it to change my
thinking or my work in any way. As I read, I received healings
myself. When confronted with children who were desperately
ill, a sentence or a phrase or a concept from the book Science
& Health With Key To The Scriptures would convince me of the
spiritual identity of the child, cared for and protected by God.
It is normal and natural for parents to pray for the health of
their children. Whatever their religion, and whether or not
they are atheist, they do it instinctively. Before children are
born and after, parents often find themselves turning to a
higher power whenever they are concerned.
This higher power, this Supreme Being is God. God may be
called by different names but the fact remains that only one
God created us all. Our children are Gods gifts of love to us,
which we must accept with deepest gratitude. Children are
meant to be a joy to us, and they are.
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The Power Of Prayer

Prayer is often thought of as beseeching God for His help,
without there being any certainty of its outcome. But there is
a way of praying scientifically, that allows us to be as sure of a
right result as when we solve a mathematical problem
correctly. This way is called Christian Science. It is a
therapeutic system emphasising spiritual healing through
prayer.
Mary Baker Eddy, an American woman, discovered it in the
latter part of the 19th century. Chronically ill since her
childhood, receiving no permanent relief from the systems
available in her day, widowed at 23, and a single mother, she
often prayed to find relief from her problems. In 1866, she was
seriously injured. As was her custom, she asked for the Bible.
She read an account of a healing performed by Christ Jesus,
which gave her an insight that brought about a sudden
recovery. Through her lifelong study of the Bible, she realised
that there was a spiritual law on which Jesus healings were
based. She was able to use that law to heal people who came to
her with a variety of problems. Many children were cured of
disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. She taught others to
heal, and eventually wrote the book Science & Health With Key
To The Scriptures, which is the textbook of Christian Science.
In most scriptures, God is referred to as Father, and has
masculine qualities like strength, power, dominion and
support attributed to Him. But since God is the only creator,
He/She is Mother as well, with qualities such as gentleness,
tenderness, selflessness, patience and kindness.
Our children therefore have one real parent their
Father-Mother God. The role of human parents is to reflect
and express the qualities of the divine parent.
In Science & Health With Key To The Scriptures, Mrs. Eddy
interprets the first line of the Lords Prayer as given in the
gospel of Matthew thus:
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Our Father which art in heaven,

Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious.. .
The book offers many ideas with which we can pray and
bring up our children well.
Love The Greatest Keeper Of Health
Parents sometimes differ strongly on methods of child care, a
situation which leads to upheaval in the home that is
unsettling for the child and results in insecurity. If we think of
God as both father and mother, there will be no scope for
dissension.
Parents often also worry that their children are not eating
enough, or not eating the right foods, or not gaining weight
according to age-appropriate milestones. While the book
offers guidelines on childrens normal diets, the important
thing to remember is that the chief nourishment required by a
little child is large amounts of love from his parents.
Love, spelt with capital L, is a name for God. This divine
love truly nourishes.
There is no formula for prayer. A sincere turning to God,
acknowledging that Love is the parent of the child, makes a
big difference to the childs welfare. It brings a sense of
serenity that calms parental fears. Then the focus shifts from
proteins and vitamins to love, and the joy and strength it
brings.
Healing Illness Through Prayer
Can prayer have any part in the healing of a childs illness?
I am not talking here of desperate situations where everyone
starts praying for divine intervention.
A young mother I know would heartily say yes, prayer does
work. Her two-year-old son had a bout of diarrhoea, a
condition fairly common in our country. She prayed to know
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that God creates all that is good; He did not create conditions
that could be harmful to any of His beloved children... The
mother continued her prayer by understanding that God
controls everything in His universe, even her childs health.
There was no involuntary action stimulated by something
injurious, because He is the only source of all action. In
Science & Health, it says, Mind is the source of all
movement, and there is no inertia to retard and check its
perpetual and harmonious action. Mind, spelt with a capital
M, is another name for God, mentioned in this book.
As the mother prayed with these ideas, she was freed of
her own fears, and became confident of Gods control, power
and love for the child, present right there and then. The
improvement in the childs condition began almost
immediately, and by the next day, he was his usual cheerful,
active self and completely normal.
Eliminate Fear Through The Love Of God
Healings like this one are happening all over the world every
day. The important thing is to let go of fear; then we can
actively trust God. Fear indicates that God is forgotten, or not
appreciated as an ever-present help in trouble. The antidote
to fear is divine Love. We are never afraid in the presence of
those whom we know love us. This love is power, the
strongest power that exists; a power that is tangibly available
here and now.
The fear that is felt about children is because they are
considered to be small, frail, physically immature, vulnerable
mortals. But that is not the way God created them or sees
them. Spirit, spelt with a capital S, is also another name for
God. Therefore, all that He creates is spiritual, without any
physical component. Since God is Mind, what He creates is
mental, in the shape of thoughts, concepts, ideas. That is what
children are; they are the spiritual thoughts of God. They are
held in the divine Mind, sustained by it and retained there in
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their inherently perfect state, from which they are never

moved. They are completely safe with their Parent, God.
The awareness of these truths enables us to take wise
steps to safeguard our children, while at the same time
freeing us from undue anxiety. Our childrens true identity is
not comprised in their body, but in the spiritual qualities
inherited from God purity, innocence, joy, liveliness,
honesty and intelligence. These qualities cannot be injured or
damaged in any way; no germs can get to them, no
inflammation attack them. These qualities are not static, but
unfold continuously, smoothly and actively. This identity is
eternal, whole, beautiful and utterly lovable.
Understanding God Is Essential For Healing
People often talk of faith when considering prayer. But the
prayer that works requires more than faith; it requires the
understanding of God, and the expression of love. Faith is
necessary, it is a first step, but it is not enough, until it is
based on an understanding of God. When we get to know the
nature of God, He no longer remains a mystery. We can
humbly pray to Him every day, affirming His greatness and
majesty, His tender love for ourselves and our family, and
know that His care surrounds us at all times in all
circumstances.
We can truly be grateful for all the good He has already
given us, and continues to shower upon us. This gratitude is
itself a powerful prayer, which enables us to see and
concretely demonstrate His presence as an active influence in
our lives, blessing our children.
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Guest Article Dr. Anand Gokani
THE ROLE OF NATURE CURE IN

CHILD CARE
Dr. Anand Gokani is a Consulting Physician and a
Diabetologist, who believes in allowing Nature to cure.
The phrase Allowing Nature to cure is perhaps more
appropriate than Nature Cure; because actually it is Nature
that cures we may just be able to assist the process.
An objective look at all the diseases that afflict children
shows us that a large number of them are self-limiting,
e.g. colds, coughs, flu-like fevers, diarrhoea, constipation,
other viral fevers like mumps, measles, chickenpox, etc. They
are called self-limiting because Nature launches an all-out
effort to recover from the disease as soon as it sets in. In most
circumstances, we need only to assist the natural recovery
process in order to effect a quick recovery.
Consider this example: A 5-year-old boy goes out for dinner
with his family. They go to a popular restaurant and enjoy a
rich meal. The child overeats, comes home and complains of
fullness of the abdomen. A while later, he complains of a
strong urge to vomit. He does vomit after a while and brings
out undigested food that smells strongly acidic. The parents
panic, and contact the doctor late in the night. The doctor
prescribes a medication on the phone to stop the vomiting.
The child is given this medication after which the vomiting
does stop. The next morning, the child gets diarrhoea, for
which he is given some more medication. The diarrhoea
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stops, but the child then has severe abdominal discomfort,

refuses food, and develops a fever. Now he is really sick... He
receives more medication, tests are done... After some days of
anxiety and concern, the child recovers but has lost some
weight, is cranky and weak and has no appetite.
This is an exaggerated story of what happens in every
home with a child. Children are prone to overeat on occasions
such as these. Often, the food may be stale or pungent, which
makes it toxic to the childs system. Sometimes, overeating
and indigestion lead to the fermentation of the food, and
toxins are produced as by-products. The body recognises this
as a threat to health and triggers a rejection mechanism in the
form of vomiting the shortest way out. When this avenue
of escape is blocked with medication the next avenue of
escape is sought. This causes diarrhoea. When this avenue is
also blocked again with medication the toxins gain entry
into the blood stream where they weaken the immune system
and allow viral or bacterial infections to supervene. When
there is a viral or bacterial infection in the body, the third line
of defence fever springs into action.
How Could We Have Assisted Nature To Heal The
Child In The Above Case?
Following the bout of overeating, the child felt like
vomiting. This is Natures mechanism of throwing toxic
substances out of the body. With a little reassurance, the
child could have been coaxed into drinking water which
would allow for easy vomiting. Two or three vomits would
have rid the body of all the toxic matter and the child
would have slept peacefully and would have probably been
completely well in the morning.
In order to rid the body of poison, the body needs a vehicle,
and the best vehicle is water. Hence, adequate water at
frequent intervals helps the body to carry out its detoxifying
functions very efficiently. Of course, if the symptoms persist
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THE ROLE OF NATURE CURE IN CHILD CARE
or the look of the child causes anxiety, you must get in touch
with your doctor.
How Nature Cures
The principle of Nature Cure is that all diseases of the body
are caused by the presence of unwanted toxic substances in
the body (toxemia) and simultaneously because of the absence
of useful substances in the body (deficiency). Hence, the
logical treatment of such a condition is to remove the
poisonous substances from the body and to supply all the vital
substances to it.
Nature has equipped us with the necessary tools to heal
from disease. We have been endowed with three major
instincts, namely thirst, hunger and fatigue. If we can sharpen
our ability to recognise these instincts and act upon them, we
have already set the healing process into motion. For
instance, when the child is sick, he loses his appetite (so he
stops eating conventional food), he feels tired (so he rests),
but he feels thirsty, so he drinks water. Often, the child may
be feeling so sick that he/she loses the awareness of thirst or
may have such marked nausea or aversion for food and drink
that even drinking water is avoided. In such circumstances,
parental intervention is required and gentle firmness could go
a long way to prevent the disease from being prolonged.
(However, in the case of severe nausea and vomiting
associated with fever, abdominal pain and distention, the child
should not be forced to drink fluids and a doctor should be
consulted as soon as possible.)
Water facilitates the detoxification process. Once the
poisons have left the body, the appetite for food returns and
he starts accepting food, which goes to replenish his body and
restore his health, strength and vigour.
Hence, in order to cure disease, one has to remove the
toxins and replace the vital substances. This understanding
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helps us to assist Nature in performing the task effectively

and restoring health.
Nature Cure is a gentle, sure and effective way to heal in
most cases, but there are occasions when, along with the
natural means, one requires the help of medications.
Medications, in such circumstances, are necessary only in
small doses and for a shorter duration. The means available to
us in Nature Cure are diverse and all-pervading. They are
available everywhere and they are almost free of cost. Hence
Nature Cure can be used by anyone at any time.
The means are Sunshine, Water, Air, Earth, Fire and a host
of combinations thereof:
Sunshine provides warmth to the body and triggers the
release of its hormones. It is vital for the maintenance of good
health. In Nature Cure, sunbathing has been given a lot of
importance in restoring health. The best time for sunbathing
is the early part of the morning or the latter part of the
evening when the suns rays are warm but not as harsh as the
mid-day sun.
Water is one of the best cleansing agents and hence is
the most important tool in healing from any sickness.
Bathing in water, cold and warm sponges.
Drinking enough water.
Enemas are a very useful adjunct in internal cleansing.
However, some precautions are necessary. An enema
should never be given by an inexperienced person. It
must not be given when intestinal obstruction is
suspected or if there is a suspicion of an intestinal
infection. Enema should not be given in high fever such
as seen in typhoid fever. It should never be given with
hot water. The temperature should be the same as room
temperature. Forceful introduction of the enema tube
could cause very serious damage.
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THE ROLE OF NATURE CURE IN CHILD CARE
Whirlpool baths, jacuzzis and hipbaths are some of the

other uses of water in Nature Cure.
Air is of paramount importance in healing. Breathing
exercises and physical exercise are good ways to optimise our
air intake. The ability to breathe correctly helps in providing
the body with adequate oxygen that is so necessary to heal
from disease. Yogic breathing exercises help to train children
to breathe correctly and also provide an impetus for enhanced
lung function. Yoga is an extremely versatile science that
could augment the physical, mental and spiritual growth of a
child. However, these exercises should be done under
supervision.
Earth is used directly in the form of mudpacks and
indirectly by cultivating it for all our various fruits, vegetables,
nuts, grains, sprout brans and other foods.
Fire is used to create warmth and also helps to cook our
food to make it easier to digest.
All these elements are used alone or in varying
combinations to provide the basis for optimum healing.
Toxemia And Deficiency
The key words are toxemia and deficiency. They cause
disease.
Toxemia is caused by toxic foods like the excessive use
of white sugar, refined salt, refined wheat (maida) and all
products made with these, including cakes, chocolates, icecream, pastries and sweets, salted snacks, bakery products
and other confectionery. Fried foods, spicy foods, alcohol,
tobacco, tea and coffee also contribute to the spread of toxins
in the body.
Additionally, in the presence of constipation, toxins are
produced by fermentation in the intestines.
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Deficiency is produced by using refined foods, e.g. refined

wheat, white sugar and salt, tea, coffee and highly cooked
food. Food cooked in the microwave oven is both toxic and
deficient. (If you use a microwave oven, do check the
temperature of the food or milk before you use it. The food
can be too hot for the child even if the container or the
feeding bottle feels cool to the touch The author).
Detoxification And Replenishment
Detoxification and replenishment heal disease.
Detoxification is done by the optimum use of water and
foods like fruits, vegetables, coconut water, honey and whole
grains.
Replenishment is carried out through food that detoxifies,
water, earth, fire, sunshine and air.
Help Nature Help You
Nature cures, Nature cares, but the condition it lays down for
us is that it works only if we work and live in accordance with
its laws.
Acting in accordance with the laws of Nature not only helps
one to keep healthy but also helps to heal in sickness. There
are times when medications are necessary, times when some
permanent damage has occurred, or times when the load of
infection or poison is overpowering the body and time is
precious. In such circumstances, medications, drugs, and
surgery have proved life saving. If, along with medical
treatment, the principles of Nature Cure are employed, the
quality of health accrued is far better than when Natural laws
are flaunted completely.
The important thing is that Nature Cure is not an exclusive
science. It is all-encompassing. It can work in conjunction
with Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Allopathy or any other science
of healing. Whats more, at times, it works even in spite of
these sciences.
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Guest Article Dr. Sunil Anand
HOMOEOPATHY: A GENTLE
COMPLEMENTARY SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
Dr. Sunil Anand, Hon. Lecturer, D. S. Homoeopathy Medical
College, Pune and a former Lecturer at the C. M. P.
Homoeopathy Medical College, Mumbai, practises in Pune and
Mumbai.
What Are The Principles Of Homoeopathy?
The founder of homoeopathy was Dr. Samuel Hahnemann
(1755 1843). Through numerous experiments conducted
over several years, he established that any medicine will
cure a particular disease if it is capable of producing
symptoms of the same disease in a healthy individual. For
instance, quinine, which is a derivative of the plant
Cinchona, has the ability to produce chills, sweating and
rigors if taken by healthy individuals. The same drug is
also used in the treatment of malaria, the symptoms of
which are the same as above namely chills, sweat and
rigors. Like cures like is the foundation of the basic
principle of homoeopathy. It is due to this principle that
homoeopathy derives its name from the Latin words
Homoeo (similar) and pathos (suffering).
What Are The Sources Of Homoeopathic Remedies?
To make a broad classification, homoeopathic remedies
comprise of the 3 natural kingdoms.
1. The Vegetable kingdom, which includes plants and flowers.
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2. The Animal kingdom, which includes the venom of

poisonous snakes and milk from some mammals. It is
worth noting that during the extraction of any animal
substance in homoeopathy, no animals are endangered or
put to cruel laboratory testing.
3. The Mineral kingdom, which includes metals, chemicals
and essential salts.
The homoeopath uses various techniques and recent
advances to understand remedies that already exist, but are
not used to their full potential due to a lack of in-depth
understanding of them. Each and every substance, by its own
inherent properties and characteristics, comes alive to an
observant homoeopath.
What Is Classical Homoeopathy Or Constitutional
Prescribing?
A holistic view to a case in which the characteristic emotional
behaviour as well as the important physical symptoms are
given equal weightage, can be termed as constitutional
prescribing or classical homoeopathy. The source of the
substance used also offers vital clues to a person for whom it
is indicated. For instance, one of the homoeopathic remedies
is Coffea cruda, prepared from roasted coffee beans. Caffeine,
a constituent of coffee, is known to increase the alertness of
mind and to stimulate creative thoughts and ideas. A young
girl of 4 years was brought to me for recurrent throat
infections. While the mother was relating her complaints to
me, I passed the child a few toys to play with. She chose
a game that involved fitting blocks of different shapes into
their respective compartments. What followed was very
interesting. To begin with, she felt a need to time her speed
in arranging all the blocks. And she wanted to increase her
speed every time. Once she got bored with this, she took the
same blocks and started making attractive patterns with
them. She would dismantle them and create a new pattern
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HOMOEOPATHY
every time. These two features are important characteristics

of the remedy Coffea firstly, the ability to be quick in
actions and secondly, a creative bent of mind and ideas. This
was noted in a casual manner just during play. What further
confirmed the remedy was the reported excitement in the
little girl, whenever she was told that there would be an
interesting outing the following day. This would result in
increased activity of her mind, leading to sleeplessness. Dont
we know of this ability of coffee? Have we not used it at some
time or the other to keep ourselves awake? It surely explains
why coffee is such a popularly consumed beverage among the
advertising profession in which one is required to come up
with new ideas at a rapid pace. The child responded
dramatically to this remedy and her throat infections were
cured permanently.
What Are The Recent Advances In Homoeopathy?
A lot of revolutionary ideas and techniques are being used by
homoeopaths in order to make prescribing more scientific and
accurate. A deeper understanding of substances according to
their placement in the periodic table is one such idea. Due to
this, the various elements are being understood by
homoeopaths in a new light. Let us take the example of the
metals. Copper is a metal that is used for a range of illnesses.
One of its important aspects is to produce spasms.
Toxicological cases of copper poisoning have confirmed the
ability of the substance to produce spasms of different types.
The theme of all the metals seems to be one of high
performance and competition. This is understood by a
valuable utility of metals in the manufacture of various
industrial components. Copper in the periodic table is placed
along with the metals iron, nickel, chromium and zinc. All
these metals seem to have a common aspect of attack and
defence, as part of their basic temperament, and a neverending reserve to excel and come up on top as victor. This can
make them appear very dominating with an attitude of
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intimidating others. These were the precise features I saw in

a 5-year-old boy who had asthma and eczema and was seen by
me at a seminar for homoeopaths in Munich. He had scratch
marks all over his face, like battle scars, received during
fights with friends and his siblings in order to assert his
dominance. It was noticed that he quickly got fed up of the
various toys that were offered to him. Instead, he chose to
jump from a chair, above the cord of the mike that was
attached to me and he wanted to go higher with every jump.
He also knew that the audience was viewing him through a
TV monitor and he seemed to relish that they were noticing
and applauding his determined and successful performance.
Moreover, to clinch the prescription, his mother described
the spasmodic way in which he would start coughing
continuously, once his asthmatic attacks would begin. These
are all features of the remedy Cuprum metallicum prepared
from the metal Copper. The mother was in touch with me
from Germany and her child recovered completely within a
short time. His aggressiveness too came down considerably.
What Is The Efficiency In The Treatment Of Cases
With Deeper Pathology Or Metabolic Disorders?
One of the group of remedies used very effectively by
homoeopaths is the ophidia group, prepared from snake
venom. One of these is Naja, prepared from the venom of the
Indian cobra. On studying toxicological cases of cobra bite
victims, what is observed is a coldness of the body with
gradually increasing drowsiness. The victims eject saliva
periodically. The swallowing reflex gets diminished, they lose
control of their sphincters due to which they pass urine or
faecal matter involuntarily and finally die unless there is
timely help in the form of an anti-snake venom.
A 3-year-old child with convulsions, mental retardation, and
with a rare metabolic disorder called Citrullinemia was
referred to me at the college outpatients department. He
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HOMOEOPATHY
presented with just the above picture, but of course without a

history of snakebite. In this illness, there is excess ammonia,
which proves to be highly toxic to the nervous system. As
protein foods produce further ammonia in the body, the child
had been advised a strict protein-restricted diet. His health
was deteriorating. As part of the detailed history, it was
revealed that the mother, during her pregnancy with this
child, had felt very let down by her husband when she
discovered that he was having an extra-marital relationship.
She had felt like terminating her life and that of the foetus
that she was carrying. But then there was a conflict within
her. She had to stay alive for the sake of her older child. When
the child was born and his disease diagnosed, she had felt
intense guilt about having those destructive thoughts during
her pregnancy. She seemed to believe that her bad state of
mind and her unhealthy attitude towards her pregnancy had
resulted in her child having such a deep pathology. Though
she was very bitter towards her husband, she yet chose to
perform all her duties in a noble manner like a dutiful wife. It
is worth noting the relevance of the pregnant mothers
predominant state in the selection of the childs remedy. All
these features were confirmed in a proving exercise
conducted among a group of homoeopaths and students who
took the remedy Naja themselves. Besides various physical
symptoms, they shared the common feelings of guilt and a
high sense of responsibility towards their duty. Based on all
this information, the child was given the remedy. Gradually,
his drowsiness got less, he became more conscious, started
regaining his lost sphincter control and started taking a few
steps by himself. The child is yet under observation and has
begun to tolerate protein foods in his diet without any toxic
effect and all his anticonvulsant medications have been
stopped. As there has been significant brain damage already,
the final outcome of the case is obviously limited. But it
conclusively points to the definite role of homoeopathy in the
management of metabolic disorders with deep pathology.
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How Can You Aid Your Homoeopath?

Homoeopathy is a system that bases its prescription on
symptoms. You can help your homoeopath by providing him/
her sufficient, accurate and valuable data in the form of good
symptom reporting. The entire family, including the children,
should be educated to express their symptoms and feelings,
describing the same in full detail.
For instance, telling your homoeopath that your child has
high fever is not sufficient. But in addition, telling the doctor
that, along with the fever, the child is also talking more than
usual, wants to be caressed by either parent, has a total
absence of thirst and an increased frequency of urination can
provide the true picture of the disease. This will certainly help
the homoeopath in finding the right remedy for your child.
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Guest Article Dr. Ashwinikumar A. Raut
AYURVEDA AND CHILD CARE
Dr. Ashwinikumar A. Raut is an MD in Ayurved medicine

Ayu means life, Ved means to know. To know about life is
Ayurveda.
We shall briefly focus here on the branch of Ayurveda that
deals with child care from intrauterine life till the age of
puberty. In fact, it is stressed that the would-be mother and
father should be physically, mentally and emotionally fit
before the conception in order to have a good pregnancy.
CARE DURING PREGNANCY
Our ancient Ayurvedic literature deals elaborately with the
emotional and nutritional needs of the pregnant mother. To
ensure proper growth and development of the foetus, herbal
decoctions, to be taken every month, are given to a pregnant
mother. These are especially recommended to women who
have a history of recurrent abortions or miscarriages.
Since the mind of the foetus starts being expressed in
the fifth month of pregnancy and the intellect in the sixth
month from the fifth month onwards, a pregnant mother
should adhere to a satvik diet which includes food that is
grown, prepared and consumed in a natural form and also
food which is less processed, easy to digest, warm and
unctuous.
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From the sixth month onwards, the diet should include

nootropic herbs (medicinal herbs that stimulate the brain and
nervous system) like brahmi, mandukparni, shankhapushpi,
etc. It is advised that food which is hot, pungent and heavy to
digest be avoided during pregnancy.
Strenuous and violent activities, squatting, suppression of
natural urges, prolonged stay under the hot sun and peeping
into pits or wells, and therapies like sudation (causing
excessive sweating), oleation (application of oil), emesis
(vomiting) and blood letting are prohibited during pregnancy.
It is important that the expectant mother is helped to remain
in a pleasant state of mind by listening to recitations from the
scriptures and avoiding thoughts that breed anger, fear,
jealousy or hatred.
BREASTFEEDING
According to Ayurveda, love and affection for the baby, a
happy state of mind with adequate rest and sleep, and a good
nutritious diet are essential for successful breastfeeding.
Besides that, certain plants and foods like kheer of halim,
methi, poppy seeds and dates, and medicinal products made up
of shatavari, musali, jeevanti, etc. may help to improve the
quality and quantity of breast milk.
CONCEPT OF DOSHAS
Health and disease in Ayurveda are discussed in term of three
doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). In health, equilibrium of these
three doshas is maintained. Disturbance in the equilibrium
leads to disease. It can be said in brief that kapha dosha is
associated with anabolic activity predominant in childhood,
pitta dosha with bio transformation as seen in middle age, and
vata dosha with catabolic activity as in old age. In other words,
childhood is associated with growth and development, middle
age with maintenance, and old age with degeneration. Hence,
it is believed that the majority of childhood diseases are
related to kapha dosha disturbance. For this reason, children
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AYURVEDA AND CHILD CARE
are kept away from such foods and activities that would
aggravate the kapha dosha. Hence children prone to frequent
illnesses are advised to avoid too many sweets, ice-cold food
and drinks, buffalo milk, playing in water and sleeping during
the day (applicable to children older than 4 years).
HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON CHILDHOOD
ILLNESSES
Abdominal Pain
Powder of ajamoda and saunf boiled in water and given

lukewarm.
A drink of the powder of jeera (cumin) and saindhav (rock

salt) dissolved in water.
Common Cold
Juice of tulsi leaves given two to three times with honey.
Sips of ginger juice and lime juice given with warm water.
Constipation
Dry black currants soaked in water and given with warm

water at bedtime.
A cup of warm milk with half a teaspoon of ghee given at

bedtime.
Dental Caries And Tooth Ache
Clove and asafoetida on a cotton swab to be kept over the

carious tooth.
Eucalyptus oil and camphor oil put on cotton swab to be

placed over the carious tooth.
Diarrhoea
Pulp of the Bilwa fruit or its sharbat with sugar water.
Powder of pomegranate fruit rind given with the juice of

pomegranate seeds.
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Fever
Musta, parpat, usheer, guduchi, ginger and dhania boiled

together in water and given frequently to drink.
Kirattikta and dhania boiled in water and given 2 to 3 times

a day to drink.
Loss Of Appetite
One pippali seed and two pinches of ginger powder boiled

in half a litre of water and given before meals.
Two pinches of ginger powder boiled in milk and given

to drink.
Throat Infection
Yashtimadhu stick given for chewing
Yashtimadhu, turmeric powder and salt boiled in water and

given for gargling.
Vomiting
Mix yashtimadhu powder with elaichi powder and give with

ginger and lime water.
Clove, saunf and sugar given with lajamanda (puffed rice)

soaked in water.
Worms
Give vidanga seeds boiled with milk.
Palash beej powder to be licked along with honey.
Note: The frequency and dosage of the above mentioned

remedies would depend on the severity of the symptoms and
age of the child.
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Guest Article Dr. Bharat Dalvi
CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE (CHD):

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dr. Bharat Dalvi, had his training in paediatric cardiology at
the Childrens Hospital, Boston; Hospital for Sick Children,
Great Ormond Street, London; and the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation, Cleveland.
The human heart is made up of four chambers. The upper
ones are the right and left atria, separated by a wall called the
inter-atrial septum. The lower chambers are the ventricles,
the right and left separated by the inter-ventricular septum.
The left side of the heart has oxygen-rich, pure blood
(or red blood). The right side of the heart has oxygen-poor,
impure blood (or blue blood). The red blood from the
left ventricle is pumped to the body through a big arterial
vessel called the aorta. The blue blood from the right
ventricle is carried to the lungs for oxygenation through the
pulmonary artery.
Normally, the pressure on the left side of the heart is more
than on the right. Therefore, the flow of blood in septal
defects (hole in the heart) is from left to right. Thus, in
uncomplicated septal defects, the patient is pink and does not
have cyanosis (the blue colour of the skin and mucous
membranes).
Frequently asked questions about congenital heart disease
now follow:
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When Should You Suspect That Your Child Could Be

Having A Heart Disease?
When the child has:
Rapid and distressed breathing
Blue discolouration of the nails, lips or tongue
Feeding difficulty she is not sucking well or has to leave

the nipple every now and then for a gasp of breath
Recurring cough with fever (ie. chest infection)
When the child is not growing well (inadequate weight

gain), and her physical milestones are not in keeping with
her age.
How Does A Paediatric Cardiologist Diagnose Heart

Defects?
With the help of medical history, including birth history.
By performing a thorough physical examination.
By ordering certain investigations. The most common ones

are an X-ray chest, ECG, Doppler echocardiography and
cardiac catheterisation.
Can My Child With CHD Participate In All Physical

Activities?
The majority of children with CHD are fully active and usually
do not need any restriction. Activity should be promoted.
Swimming, cycling and running should be encouraged. In a
few children with specific heart problems, the paediatric
cardiologist may advise against strenuous playing activities or
competitive sports.
If My Child Has A Murmur In The Heart, Does It
Mean He Has A Heart Problem?
A murmur is an abnormal sound heard by a family physician
or a paediatrician with his stethoscope. Not all murmurs are
produced by abnormalities in the heart. In some children with
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CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE
murmurs, the heart is functionally and structurally normal.

Such murmurs are referred to as innocent or functional
murmurs.
COMMONLY OCCURRING CONGENITAL HEART
DISEASES
ATRIAL SEPTAL DEFECT (ASD): It is a defect in the
partition separating the two atria. Usually, the left atrial
pressures are higher than the right atrial ones. Hence, the
blood flows from the left to the right atrium; ie. pure blood
mixes with impure blood. This results in increased volume of
blood going to the right heart chambers and the lungs.
TREATMENT: There are surgical and non-surgical
(transcatheter) modalities available.
Do ASDs Close Spontaneously?
Small ASDs detected on echo immediately after birth or during
infancy may close spontaneously, but most of the ASDs that
are moderate or large sized do not close on their own.
What Is The Ideal Age For Closure?
ASDs can be closed at any age, but if the child is
asymptomatic, the defect can be electively closed at around
3 years.
Which Of The ASDs Can Be Closed Without Surgery?
ASDs which measure 20 to 22 mm on echo and which are
located in the central portion of the partition are suitable
for non-surgical closure. They constitute about 30% of
all ASDs.
PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS (PDA): A patent
ductus arteriosus is an open tube that connects the two major
arteries arising from the heart the aorta (AO) and the
pulmonary artery (PA). This tube is normally open when the
child is in the mothers womb.
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When Does The PDA Usually Close?

PDA closes within a few hours after birth. In premature
babies, it may remain patent for a longer time, sometimes
even weeks.
What Are The Ways In Which A Premature Child With
PDA Presents?
Flow through the ductus and the degree of prematurity decide
the time and nature of presentation in the newborn.
The commonest presentation is in the form of shortness of
breath and the inability to provide adequate oxygen to the
body. Such babies need extra oxygen.
A large PDA may actually need to be assisted by a
breathing machine (ventilator).
After The First Year Of Life, PDA May Present With:
Shortness of breath
Feeding difficulties
Repeated respiratory tract infections (cough with fever)
Failure to gain weight
Delayed physical milestones delay in crawling, rolling
over, sitting with support
Repeated episodes of cough
Infection of the heart valve or vessel (infective
endocarditis)
Or it may be incidentally detected during routine
examination.
How Can A PDA be fixed?

It can be closed either with surgery or with non-surgical
techniques. Surgical ligation of PDA does not require use of
cardiopulmonary bypass. Non-surgical techniques involve
closing the ductus with the use of stainless steel coils or an
umbrella made of a material called nitinol.
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VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT (VSD): It is a

defect in the partition separating the two ventricles. Usually,
the left ventricle (LV) pressures are higher than the right
ventricle (RV) ones. Hence the blood flows from the LV to the
RV through the defect. This results in oxygenated, pure blood
going back into the lungs, resulting in the heart having to
pump an extra amount of blood. However, if a large defect is
left untreated, the pressure in the lung arteries tends to
increase. This results in impure blood from the RV flowing
into the LV and subsequently into the body.
SYMPTOMS depend upon the size of the hole and the
pressure in the RV.
During the newborn period, the pressures in the RV are
high and the child may be completely asymptomatic despite a
large defect. By 6 to 8 weeks of life, the pressures in the right
heart chambers tend to normalise, resulting in increased flow
through the defect, producing symptoms.
Symptoms in infancy include:
Shortness of breath or increased effort to breathe
Repeated lung infections or pneumonia
Poor growth
Delayed milestones
Feeding difficulties
Those babies with large VSDs who are not operated upon in
infancy or early childhood may present during late adolescence
or adulthood with shortness of breath, fatiguability and bluish
discolouration of the lips and nails. This is due to development
of high pressures in the lung vessels, resulting in the impure
blood being shunted into the body across the VSD.
Do All Babies With VSD Have These Symptoms?
No. Those with small holes can be completely asymptomatic
and may be detected on routine examination for an unrelated
problem.
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Is It Necessary To Close All VSDs By Surgery?

No. Small VSDs do not need surgical closure. Many of them
may even close spontaneously. Only the large ones that
produce symptoms and/or cause overload on the heart need to
be closed surgically.
What Is The Ideal Time To Close A VSD?
This depends on the size of the VSD, and the experience and
expertise of the operating team. A large VSD causing
significant symptoms should be closed immediately. Some of
the VSDs that do not produce significant symptoms but result
in high pressures in the lungs during infancy should also be
closed immediately. The earlier such defects are closed, the
greater are the chances that the pressures in the lungs will
normalise.
Moderate-sized VSDs that are neither producing symptoms
nor causing lung pressures to go up can be closed electively
by about 3 years of age.
Till What Time Are These Holes Expected To Close On
Their Own?
Most of the holes that will eventually close are expected to
close by 5 years of age. Thereafter, spontaneous closure of
the VSD is unlikely.
VALVULAR PULMONARY STENOSIS (PS): This is a
stenosis (narrowing) of the pulmonary valve that guards the
orifice between the RV and the PA.
Do All Patients With PS Need Treatment?
No, if the PS is mild, the child could be left alone without any
intervention. Such children have been shown to have normal
quality of life and longevity when compared to their normal
counterparts. However, if it is moderate or severe, the valve
obstruction needs to be relieved in order to prevent its ill
effects on the RV.
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What Are The Modes Of Treatment Available?

The treatment of choice for valvular PS is balloon pulmonary
valvuloplasty (BPV). This is a non-surgical method of dilating
the valve with the use of a specialised balloon catheter. In less
than 5 % of patients, balloon dilatation may not work, in which
case surgical relief of stenosis may be required.
VALVULAR AORTIC STENOSIS: This refers to a
narrowing of the aortic valve. The aortic valve guards the
orifice separating the left ventricle from the aorta.
Do All Patients With AS Need Treatment?
No. Mild aortic stenosis may be left alone. But some of these
mild AS, over a period of time, become moderate or severe, in
which case they need to be relieved. Thus all AS, including
the mild ones, need to be under regular medical supervision.
Moderate or severe AS needs to be treated before it affects
the LV function.
What Are The Modalities Available For Treatment?
AS can be relieved by a specialised balloon catheter. This
procedure is called balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). The
other option is surgical, which involves either repair or
replacement of the valve.
COARCTATION OF THE AORTA: In this condition, the
aorta is usually constricted distally, after it has given rise to
the branches supplying the brain and upper part of the body.
What Are The Effects Of Coarctation Of Aorta On The
Circulation?
The blood pressure above the narrowing is high. If
left untreated, the left ventricle muscle becomes thick.
Ultimately, the left ventricle fails to deliver blood to the
body commensurate with its needs. This is referred to as
left ventricular failure (LVF).
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Do All Patients With Coarctation Need Treatment?

If the coarctation is very mild, the child may be left alone. But
any coarctation that has resulted in high blood pressure or has
affected LV muscle thickness and/or contractility will need
treatment. Moreover, if the pressure difference between the
upper and lower portion (ie. before and after the narrowing of
the aorta) is more than 25 mm Hg, the coarctation will need to
be relieved.
What Are The Modalities Of Treatment Available For
Babies With Coarctation?
Coarctation can be fixed surgically by cutting off the narrow
portion and suturing the two ends of the aorta together. The
other way of surgical correction is by using a patch to widen
the narrow segment. This patch could be borrowed from the
vessel to the arm or a synthetic material could be used.
The non-surgical option involves balloon dilatation of the
narrow segment. This is achieved by passing a special
catheter called a balloon catheter from the groin. This is a
catheter which has a balloon mounted on its tip. The balloon
is placed across the narrow segment and inflated so as to
widen the narrow segment.
BLUE BABIES (CYANOTIC HEART DEFECTS):
Babies with cyanotic heart disease are more commonly
known as Blue Babies. This is a group of defects where the
blood pumped into the body has less than the normal oxygen.
This causes bluish discolouration of the skin, lips and tongue
(cyanosis). The cyanosis could be mild or severe, depending
on the nature of the defect, the age of the child and the level
of activity. Cyanosis is known to worsen with activity and is
often relieved by rest. Indians darker skin complexion and
presence of anaemia may result in parents being unable to
recognise mild cyanosis; even doctors may sometimes
overlook it.
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CONGENITAL HEART DESEASE
TETRALOGY OF FALLOT (TOF)

What Are The Structural Abnormalities In Patients
With TOF?
TOF has 4 structural defects
(1) Large defect in the partition separating the two
ventricles (pumps). This is the VSD.
(2) Narrowing of the pathway leading from the RV to the
pulmonary artery is most often at/or just below the
pulmonary valve.
(3)
The right ventricle is more muscular than normal.
(4)
The aorta, instead of originating from the left ventricle,

arises from both RV and LV, i.e. it is located just above
the VSD.
What Are The Effects Of TOF On Circulation?

The major abnormality is decrease in the amount of blood
going to the lungs due to obstruction to blood flow. The other
important problem is the impure blood from the RV entering
the aorta across the defect in the partition separating the two
ventricles (VSD), resulting in the mixing of pure and impure
blood. As a result, the babies with this abnormality become
blue and are referred to as Blue Babies.
What Are The Various Presentations Of Children With
TOF?
Parents may notice cyanosis.
Growth of these children is usually poor.
Shortness of breath and fatiguability on exertion.
Some of them may present with sudden episodes of severe
cyanosis with rapid breathing which may be progressive and
end up with convulsions (fits) or loss of consciousness.
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What Treatment Can Be Offered To These Babies?

They need open heart surgery for correction of this anomaly.
viz. closing the partition defect (VSD), removing the
obstructing muscle and opening the pulmonary valve if
narrow. Some of these babies are not suitable for a complete
repair. These children can be temporarily relieved by
increasing blood flow to the lungs with a shunt.
This procedure involves making a connection between the
A0 and PA. This helps reduce cyanosis and allows the child to
grow.
Do These Children Need Any Medicines?
While the children await surgical intervention, they are
treated for anaemia (if present).
Children who have worsening cyanosis on exertion may be
put on betablockers (a group of medications which blunts the
hearts response to exercise).
When Is The Ideal Time For Total Intracardiac Repair
(ICR)?
The ideal time for total ICR is variable, depending on the
experience of the surgical team as well as the exact nature of
the abnormality. Most of the centres in India would prefer
complete ICR by the age of around 2 to 3 years.
Do These Children Need Follow-Up After Surgery?
They do need a regular follow-up to assess the effects of
surgery as well as to see the effect of any leftover defects
(residual).
TRANSPOSITION OF GREAT ARTERIES (TGA)
What Are The Abnormalities Seen In This Condition?
Normally, the PA carries the blue blood from the RV to the
lungs for oxygenation, and the aorta carries the pure red blood
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CONGENITAL HEART DESEASE
from the LV to the whole body. In TGA, the PA is connected

to the LV, and the aorta to the RV. This results in purified
blood going back to the lungs and impure blood going back
into the body.
If impure blood goes into the body and pure blood back into
the lungs, how do these babies survive?
In order to survive, infants born with this defect need to
have at least one or more communications which allow the
red blood and the blue blood to mix so that at least a part of
the pure red blood goes into the body circulation. These
connections may be in the form of ASD, VSD or PDA.
What Symptoms Do These Babies Present with?
Most of these children present in the newborn period with
cyanosis and/or breathing difficulties. If the diagnosis is not
made immediately and proper treatment is not started, the
baby could die within hours or a few days.
What Treatment Can Be Offered To These Babies?
To improve the oxygen supply to the body, a special
procedure called balloon atria1 septostomy (BAS) is done. It
involves enlarging the natural hole present in the interatrial
septum. This helps the baby by improving the mixing
between the pure and the impure blood, thereby reducing the
cyanosis in such cases.
What Is The Definitive Mode Of Treatment For Babies
With TGA?
There are two types of surgeries that are used to correct
TGA. Your doctor can give you the details.
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PART
5
KEEPING YOUR CHILD HAPPY AND SAFE
Healthy Habits ...........................................................
486-490
Family Issues .............................................................
491-507
Prevention Of Accidents ...........................................
508-517
Keeping Children Entertained ..................................
518-525
Spending The Holidays Together ..............................
526-527
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HEALTHY HABITS
If you follow healthy habits, your child will be motivated to

adopt them too. By setting a good example in healthy living,
you can play a major role in inculcating such habits in your
child from an early age.
Keep the following 5 simple rules in mind for healthy and
happy living:
Adequate sleep
Regular exercise
Right type of food
Personal hygiene
Growing up in harmony with Nature
ADEQUATE SLEEP
In my practice, I see many children who present problems
related to lack of sleep.
The typical story is that of a school going child who has to
catch her school bus at 7.30 a.m. She sleeps at 11.30 p.m. and
is made to get up at 6.45 a.m. There is a mad rush after that
for everything the toilet, the bath, and dressing. The bus is
to arrive any moment. The mother hands her a glass of milk.
She has a few sips and wants to leave the rest. The mother
insists that she finish it. She attempts to and then vomits out
everything. Such children are often brought to me for
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HEALTHY HABITS
vomiting every morning. Interestingly, a detailed history

reveals that they do not vomit on holidays.
Other victims of inadequate sleep present problems of
tiredness and lack of attention in school. Young school going
children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep at night. Teenagers need
9 to 10 hours of sleep. The bedtime must be fixed, except
perhaps during the holidays.
Even parents need enough sleep. An occasional late night
is all right. Parents who follow the dictum of Early to bed,
early to rise set the right tone for healthy living. Children
must be helped to go to bed early. Set an example for this
healthy habit. Once you get used to the freshness of the early
morning, you will never want to miss it.
REGULAR EXERCISE
Each cell of our body needs oxygen. Every muscle and joint
needs movement. Inactivity leads to complications secondary
to loss of calcium from bones and can give rise to various
symptoms like general weakness, boredom and constipation.
It has an adverse effect on the fluid balance inside our body
and on the endocrinal as well as the muscular, skeletal,
respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It can, of course, lead
to problems like obesity with all its attendant risks.
Healthy parents exercise regularly and pass this habit on to
their children. Moderate physical activity in the early years
reduces the risk of heart disease later in life.
Exercise can take any form. Encourage the child to take
part in sports like kho-kho, kabbadi, badminton, tennis,
basketball, football, hockey, swimming, bicycle riding, etc. If
children show an inclination, let them get involved in
wrestling, judo, karate or athletics. Invite the child to join you
on a brisk walk, jogging, or just going up and down the stairs
of a high-rise building.
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Healthy parents exercise regularly and pass this habit on to their children
THE RIGHT FOOD

Offer your child fruits and raw vegetables from an early age.
Do not introduce her too early to fried foods and too sweet or
too salty preparations made from refined flour or maida.
The best way to develop healthy food habits in children is
to practise healthy habits yourself. Avoid the preparation of
foods that you know are not healthy.
The list of unhealthy foods includes all cold drinks
(especially colas), fast foods which have too much salt and
saturated fat, cream biscuits, sweets, coffee, cakes, pastries,
chewing gum and potato wafers. According to an article in
the Journal of Pediatrics, cola drinks appear to be
strongly associated with calcium deficiency in children
because of their high phosphorus content. Association
of cola drinks with bone fractures has also been
reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
As children grow, explain the difference between foods that
are healthy and those that are not good for our system. If an
older child insists, then let her have the so-called unhealthy
foods once in a while say once a week. It is very likely that
her friends are bringing such food to school from home, and
being too rigid with an older child can backfire.
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HEALTHY HABITS
A child must be allowed to feed herself from an early age,

even if she makes a mess. I have seen children aged 7 years
being spoon-fed by their parents; this is not healthy. A healthy
mind and an independent personality are even more important
than a strong physique. Your child is likely to remain a spoonfed baby, dependent on others, if you treat her as a baby for
too long.
Do not give your child sweetened water. Give her plain
water without adding sugar from an early age. In most
Indian cities, it is necessary to boil drinking water. After it
comes to a boil, let it keep boiling for at least 5 minutes.
Incidentally, boiling water is a better proposition than using
water filters. The best source of pure water is, of course,
coconut water and the water contained in fresh fruits.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
Set a good example to help your child learn the principles of
good hygiene from an early age. Since children often take a
doctors advice rather seriously, consider seeking the help of
your doctor in this connection. Care of the skin, nails, teeth,
eyes, hair and genital areas is essential. These are the
vehicles for many infections.
Moderation Is The Key
Dont get obsessed with cleanliness. There is no need to wash
all your childs toys every day or to clean the floor twice a day.
Ideally, your baby should get some infections while she is still
being breastfed. The protective umbrella of breast milk
ensures that she develops antibodies against many infections
that she acquires as an infant or as a toddler.
GROWING UP IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
Help your children develop an interest in Nature from an
early age. Let them play with the mud, sand and water. Watch
the stars on a clear night, a rainbow when rain alternates with
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sunshine, and the changing hues of the sky when the sun is
setting.
Yes, let your children learn to appreciate the beauty of
Nature and its wonders. Take them to the planetarium. Help
them appreciate the vastness of the universe. Make them
understand the role of Nature in keeping us alive. It will help
them develop respect for the quiet job done by the
earthworms, the snakes, the birds and trees and all that they
see around them.
Let your child know that, like sunlight, water is our other
friend. Get her used to touching cold water. Bathing with very
hot water is not advised even for newborn babies. If the water
is cold, remove the chill by warming it a little. Gradually, let
children get used to taking cold water baths.
Like sunlight, water is our other friend. Let your child get used to touching cold water.
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ADOPTION
For 20 years, I had the privilege to care for and provide
medical relief to children in an orphanage. That also gave
me the opportunity to share the joy of over 300 families
whom I helped to adopt children from this orphanage and
through adoption agencies like the Indian Association for
Promotion of Adoption (IAPA) and the Family Service
Centre.
Here I lay out information on the subject of adoption based
on my personal experience, on Nilima Mehtas book (Ours By
Choice, published by the author, 1992), and information
provided by the IAPA.
To Adopt Or Not To Adopt?
A couple should never adopt a child unless both are keen
to adopt. If you are considering adopting another child,
besides your biological one, take your first child into
confidence.
Private Adoption Or Adoption Through An Agency?
Always adopt through an adoption agency because these
agencies employ men and women experienced in finding a
child best suited to the prospective parents. They also ensure
that the child you adopt is legally free for adoption.
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Waiting Period
After the social worker has helped you with the completion of
the documentation and the formalities, the time of waiting
begins. The agency will locate a child suitable to and
compatible with you; this may take anything between 3 to
6 months or even longer.
Do not be tempted to register with several agencies in the
hope of getting a better choice or a faster placement. The
agencies have their own networking system whereby
they co-ordinate with each other to locate a child suitable
for you.
Is This Your Child?
If you have already pictured your child in your mind, share
this image with the social worker; she will identify a baby who
best matches your expectations and needs.
You will be provided with the birth history and social
background of the child (but not the natural mothers identity,
which is kept confidential as per the law), whenever it is
available. The childs health profile will also be made available.
Show the child to a paediatrician of your choice to confirm
normal physical and mental development and to rule out any
congenital disorder, if you like. The paediatrician will keep in
mind that a child kept in an institution, though normal, may be
below average when compared with one who gets constant
individual attention from her biological parents. But I have
seen that once the child starts getting individual attention
from a loving adoptive family, she achieves her physical and
mental milestones at an unbelievably rapid pace.
Legal Procedures And Costs Involved
When you have decided to adopt a particular child, a lawyer
recommended by the agency or known to you will help you
file all the relevant papers in court. After this, you can take
the child home in pre-adoptive foster care.
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You may be required to attend court when the case

comes up for hearing. Then the lawyer will hand over the
documents related to the adoption the court decree, the
Deed of Adoption (if relevant) and the childs birth affidavit
to you.
The costs involved are not exorbitant. The lawyer will
charge his fees and the agency charges a reasonable fee for its
services.
Are There Any Risks Involved In Adopting A Child?
Adoptive parents should be ready to take the same risks as
natural parents do. In fact, adoptive parents have certain
advantages the choice of when to adopt, and the chance to
check on the childs physical and mental normality. In
comparison, biological parents take risks concerning their
childs possible handicap(s).
How Will Heredity And Environment Shape The Future
Of The Child?
Physical characteristics like the skin, hair and eye colour,
height, etc. are determined by heredity, but it is the
stimulating environment that the child grows up in that
moulds and maximises her potential.
What About Illnesses?
Before adoption, certain tests are carried out to rule out the
possible common illnesses that the child might have. The
children are often underweight when brought home; some
may have scabies, others lice, but these are problems that can
be easily tackled.
When And How Does One Tell The Child About Her
Adoption?
The process should first start with sharing your decision to
adopt with your immediate relatives and close friends. As far
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as the child is concerned, adoptive parents often successfully

use stories of people like Sant Kabir (who was adopted) to
initiate the revelation of her adoption to the child.
It is important that the child learns about her adoption from
her adoptive parents rather than from an outsider. The
information may be given to her around the age of 3 years;
and certainly before she begins school.
Some agencies suggest the following response: For a long
time, we wanted a baby just like you. We were lonely and our
house seemed empty. Then, a person who knew where there
were some babies who wanted mummies and daddies, helped
us find you. You were so lovable and beautiful, just as you are
now. You were the very baby we wanted, so we brought you
to your new home, to be our very own forever.
Telling a child about adoption is a gradual process. The
most natural thing would be to give the child a big hug and
kiss when you are happy and say: We are so glad that we
adopted you. This way the child begins to associate the word
adoption with love and a sense of belonging.
As the child grows older and learns how babies are born, an
inevitable question is: Mummy, was I also in your tummy?
If you say No, the child might ask: Then whose tummy was
I in, and why didnt she keep me?
In most cases, the adoptive parents are not fully aware of
the natural mothers reasons for relinquishment of her child,
so here you could say: I dont know the real reason why she
could not keep you, but Im sure she had problems and
couldnt look after you and wanted you to have a happy
home.
The child must be helped to understand that the woman
whose tummy she was in gave her birth and that you are her
real mother now and for always and that she is now part
of your family. In this manner, she will develop a sense of
belonging to you as your child.
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A time comes in the life of some adopted children when

they become restless and want to search for their roots and
identity. They want to trace their biological parents. This is
not possible in the Indian context, because adoption agencies
have a sealed and confidential record system whereby there is
no access to the relinquishment document and it remains a
property of the court.
ALCOHOLISM
As a paediatrician, I have seen several families ruined due to
alcoholism usually in the father. Neither the rich nor the
poor are spared. The children of such families are the worst
sufferers. That observation has made me discuss this subject
in these pages.
Should You Drink At All?
There have been suggestions that moderate drinking is good
for health. This is also reported in the Consumer Reports On
Health, published by the Consumers Union in the United
States of America. I suggest that you read the following
carefully and then decide for yourself if moderate drinking is
good for you.
Studies have shown that those who drink moderately
1 drink a day for women and 2 for men have 20% to 40%
less risk of developing coronary disease than non-drinkers.
(One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or
11/2 ounces of 80-proof liquor.) However, the reduction in this
particular risk is comparable to what you might gain from a
low fat diet.
Potential Risks Of Moderate Drinking
Breast cancer: New studies indicate that even moderate
drinking may raise the risk of breast cancer significantly
more than was previously believed.
Addiction: New drinkers who are impressed by the
reduced risk of coronary disease due to moderate drinking
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may not be able to keep their drinking in control and may

become victims of immoderate drinking as given below.
Accidents: The risk of dying from accidents or violence is
up to 40% higher in moderate drinkers than in abstainers.
Other diseases: Moderate drinking may increase the risk
of cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the mouth, throat,
larynx, oesophagus and liver.
Danger during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Some
studies suggest that having as little as one drink a day
during pregnancy may increase the chance of miscarriage,
slightly lower birth weight, cognitive and behavioural
problems, or minor physical defects in the baby.
Extra risk in certain individuals: Do not even think
about starting to drink if you have a family history of
alcoholism or depression, a personal history of anxiety,
depression, or dependency on a medication, or the slightest
doubt about your own self-control.
The Age Factor
The earlier one starts drinking, the greater is the risk, both of
starting to drink heavily and of eventually developing an
alcohol-related disease.
Risks Of Immoderate Drinking
Immoderate drinking can harm rather than protect the heart
by raising the blood pressure, weakening the heart muscles,
and triggering abnormal cardiac rhythms. Excessive drinking
increases the risk of breast cancer even more than moderate
drinking does.
The biggest sufferers besides the person who drinks in
an immoderate manner are the other family members.
I have come across many instances of men battering their
wives and children following immoderate drinking. It leads to
shame, social isolation, economic loss, debts, antisocial
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activities and divorce. Children suffer from severe anxiety and

fear. The whole familys life gets disorganised.
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Child Sexual
Phenomenon
Abuse
Is
Not
Only
Western
Sexual abuse of children is being increasingly reported from

India. More cases have come to light from the cities, but I do
not think it is just an urban phenomenon, it seems that cases
from the rural areas often go unreported.
Boys As Well As Girls Can Be Victims Of Sexual Abuse
Male as well as female children can be sexually abused. Of
course, it is more common with female children. I mentioned
the male child as well because I once saw a case of syphilis
affecting the anal region of a boy due to sexual abuse by a
neighbour. Some people also have a wrong notion that having
sex with a virgin will cure venereal disease, and therefore
prey on young children.
Guidelines For Parents
I would not like to scare parents to such an extent that they
start overprotecting their children and in the bargain, make
children mistrust all adults around them.
Sometimes, it is just the curiosity of a boy or hormonal
changes in a teenager that may have led to such an episode.
Possibly, there was no intention to sexually abuse the other
person. But all boys and girls must be made to understand
that it is not right.
The moment children enter school, they should be told that
certain parts of their body are private and that others have
no business to touch or play with them.
The issue of the possibility of sexual abuse should be
discussed in a casual way in the presence of the child. An
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incident that has appeared in a local newspaper, magazine or a

journal could be used to bring up the issue.
Let the parents create an atmosphere in which a child feels
free to report to them if anything like this happens. The
parents should then listen sympathetically and follow up the
case. The child should not be made to feel guilty or unduly
fearful whereby she stops reporting to the parents in
the future.
Sometimes, the person who abuses the child will brainwash
her in such a way that the child will not be able to tell her
parents. Very often, it is a family friend or a relative who is
the culprit; though it can also be a complete stranger.
I encourage the custom in certain families where a grownup brother or sister, and grown-up children and parents are
not allowed to sleep in the same room. Also, as far as possible,
children should not be left alone with servants. Movies, books
and magazines that tend to titillate should be avoided.
Sexual abuse should be suspected if one finds a sudden
change in the childs behaviour. The child may become
withdrawn or may show aggressive behaviour. She may start
bed-wetting or start masturbating excessively. She may seem
afraid of meeting new people and feel insecure in the absence
of her parents.
Seek the help of your doctor or a family counsellor if you
have any suspicion that your child is being sexually abused. A
book and reference guide on the subject is Bitter Chocolate:
Child Sexual Abuse In India. Written by Pinki Virani, Bitter
Chocolate records the testimonies of the police, doctors, child
psychologists, mental health professionals, social workers,
lawyers and traumatised victims themselves.
Helping Children In Need
If you sense that a child any child is being abused,
whether sexually or otherwise, call your local Childline at the
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number 1098, throughout India. Childline began in 1996 as a

24-hour phone service for children in need, and it is today run
through a network of non-governmental organisations in
14 cities.
DEATH
Children usually develop an idea of the concept of death
between the ages of 5 and 9 years. The death of a member of
the family (a relative or a pet) or a friend; the television,
movies or stories; religious influences and reactions of adults
at home when a close one dies, all contribute to influence the
childs concept of death.
Do not evade questions about death. Help your child to
know that death is an inevitable part of lifes journey. That we
get upset when we lose something, or that we weep when a
person dear to us dies need not be considered a sign of
weakness. Similarly, anxiety about the future, feelings of guilt
that we probably did not give our best to the one who has left
us, or anger at the doctors who attended the patient are
common reactions.
A child may show undue anxiety and fear, with
restlessness, loss of appetite and difficulty in going to sleep.
Some children may believe that they caused the death by
their bad behaviour in general and lack of respect. The child
may also show no sign of grief if she was not attached to the
bereaved; dont let this upset you. The important point is to
accept the childs reaction as natural and respect it.
Should a child be taken to a funeral or to the burial
grounds? Personally, I am for it if a child of school going age is
keen on it. Keep someone in charge of the child; she should
be brought back home if what she sees unduly upsets her.
Children are less likely to be disturbed if they are prepared in
advance about what they are likely to see at the time of burial
or cremation.
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A child may ask about what happens after death or where

one goes. Follow your instinct when you answer, but never
tell the child that bad people go to narak or hell. In some
families, children are told that the person who has died has
gone to be with God; tell your child this if you are comfortable
with it. Soon, more questions may follow; ask a counsellor for
help if you feel inadequate to answer them.
Terminally III Children
It is important that the parents be allowed to stay with a
terminally ill child. Contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation if
your child has a particular desire she would like fulfilled; ask
your doctor or hospital counsellor about this.
Answer her questions honestly. And let her know that you
will always love her even when she is no longer with you.
DIVORCE
Parents who are either considering a divorce or have already
divorced sometimes consult me about the possible adverse
effects of the separation on their children. These children can
become withdrawn. Their school performance may suffer.
Some of them may feel guilty they may wrongly believe
that they were responsible for the rift between their parents.
They can develop a strong bitterness against one or both the
parents. Physical problems related to emotional disturbances
may emerge. Fear may overwhelm the children. They may be
afraid of losing the parent to whom they are more attached.
They may even worry that the parent in whose custody they
are now may marry again and that the new person in their
lives the stepparent may not give them the love and
security that they seek.
Some children quietly pray that the parents may come
together again. When they notice that this is not happening,
they start having behavioural problems. The insecurity of the
early years may have a permanent effect on these childrens
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personalities and it may influence their own parenting skills

later in life.
On the other hand, divorce may bring the children closer to
other members of an extended family like uncles, aunts or
grandparents.
For these reasons, carefully consider your decision to
divorce. It is difficult to forget the hurts caused by ones
partner, but it is possible though not always easy
to forgive.
Do Prepare For Divorce If That Seems To Be The Right
Option
Here I must quote a few beautiful lines from a song in the
Hindi film Gumrah.
Taluq Bojh Ban Jai To Uska Chodna Acha,
Voh Afsana Jise Anjam Tak Lana Na Ho Mumkin,
Use Ek Khubsurat Mod Dekar, Chodna Acha.
(When the relationship becomes a burden, it may be wise
to quit. Let the story which cannot be brought to its logical
end be given a beautiful twist and left alone).
Certainly a distinction must be made between a real
burden and day-to-day problems. Sometimes, problems and
difficulties in life help us grow. But if the relationship leads to
the stunting of our growth, it may be time to end it.
Daily fights between parents can also adversely affect the
growth of the children and can inflict wounds that may be
difficult, or even impossible to heal. In such a situation, it may
be right to prepare for a divorce.
Once the decision to file for divorce has been made, it is
important to sit with your partner to discuss how you can part
as friends rather than enemies and how you can minimise the
effects your divorce can have on the lives of your children.
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Take the help of a common trustworthy friend or your childs

paediatrician if the situation is not amicable.
PET ANIMALS
I am in favour of children having a pet, provided you can
organise the care that it requires. Therefore, discuss the
subject with the family and even your doctor before you bring
a pet home. Your doctor should be consulted because the hair
of some animals can lead to attacks of asthma in those having
a family history of asthma or other allergic disorders. The size
of your living accommodation should also be considered
before you take a final decision about the type of pet you
should own.
A pet can help a child to learn to give and to receive love.
Looking after a pet will also teach your child to assume
responsibility for the care of another. A pet can also be a good
companion for an only child or a child having chronic medical
problems.
A pet can help a child to learn to give and to receive love
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REMARRIAGE AND STEP-PARENTS

There is no doubt that those belonging to step-families are
likely to have problems in adjusting with each other. But then
adjustment is needed in all human relationships. I have seen
both happily adjusted step-families and unhappy birth families
and vice versa.
Some preparation is essential before a parent marries
again. Children, especially older ones, must be taken into
confidence. The single parent can explain to the children that,
in spite of all possible efforts, it has not been possible for a
lone parent to give them the best care. The parent can also
honestly express his or her own need to have a companion.
The prospective parent can be introduced to the children
before marriage. It is important to explain to them that
their daddy or mummy was different from the would-be
step-parent, who is also a good person.
When the step-family starts living under the same roof, the
new person in the family should be ready to face opposition or
even accusations.
Discipline should be left to the childrens birth parent. If
the step-parent treats the children with respect and
understanding, the children start appreciating that. This
should be enough to break the ice and the children may start
coming closer to the step-parent.
The step-parent may also find out about the hobbies that
the children have. He or she should encourage them to
pursue the same. If the child likes to swim, they can all go
together. The family may go out on a picnic to have fun
together.
If the new couple have children of their own, the parents
need to handle the situation even more sensitively. If one of
the parents is divorced, the children should be allowed to visit
the other parent.
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As days pass, patience, understanding and a sense of

humour can help step-families become united.
If parents also take time to care for the less fortunate
people in the community, children may join them in such
healthy activities, making the process of integration easier
and smoother.
TWINS
If you have twins and you want a small family, you might as
well decide not to have any more children, your chances of
having twins again are higher compared to other mothers who
did not have them.
If you have twins, your chances of having twins again are high
Prepare In Advance
Your doctor will be able to tell you when you are pregnant if
you are heading for twins. You and your family should
mentally and physically get ready to receive them. You will
need extra help, especially if you already have another child.
Read about breastfeeding twins. With a little support, most
mothers have no problem breastfeeding their twins.
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FAMILY ISSUES
Management
Elsewhere in this book, I have said, Treat every child as a
royal soul. This is especially important in the case of twins,
and more so if they are identical. They may develop such an
affinity with each other that they may not mix with other
children. While you should be pleased that they like each
other, let them develop their own individualities.
Discuss their schooling with the teacher. Let them be
placed in separate divisions in school.
WORKING WOMEN
All women work whether at unremunerated household
work or paid employment outside the home. Mothers
play multiple roles in childbearing, child-rearing and
house-keeping be appreciated.
Working Outside The Home
A woman who works outside the home deserves special
mention. While she is happy to be a homemaker and wants to
continue to play that role, she may also need to work for
economic reasons or to satisfy her personal aspirations. It is
the responsibility of her family as well as that of the employer
to support her so that she can function efficiently and happily.
For this to happen, more awareness needs to be created about
such matters with the participation of men and women.
Working And Pregnant Women
A large study involving nearly 16,000 women in
17 European countries has shown that well-educated
women who work in psychologically demanding
professions are 40% more likely to give birth
prematurely.
The study warns pregnant women not to strain and
push themselves to the limit. They should also find time
to relax.
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Are Men Ready To Pitch In?

Earlier, the average Indian husband wanted his wife to stay at
home. Reluctantly, he may have agreed to let her go out to
work. But when they both came home equally tired, he still
expected his wife to give him a hot meal cooked by her or
under her supervision. He did not help her in the household
chores. He also expected that his wife would meet all the
needs of their children.
Fortunately, this scenario is changing. A Mumbai
eveninger carried an article by Firdaus Ali about fathers who
wanted to participate in the process and experience of
bringing up a child. The gentlemen interviewed did not shy
away from playing substitute mother, while their wives
worked. All the fathers were enjoying teaching, discussing,
playing and perhaps reliving their own childhoods... New
thoughts, ideas, innovations are some of the gifts growing
children impart to their fathers, wrote Ali.
Reveals Dr. Rajesh Parekh, who shares the joys of
watching his three children grow while his wife Dr. Firuza
Parekh is busy at the Jaslok Hospital Infertility Clinic: We
have adjusted our timings in such a way that we spend more
time with the kids. Children too, benefit from watching their
parents share the responsibility of their care. Dr. Parekh
explains: They develop respect for both sexes. And since
there is no hierarchy within their family, they would make far
more democratic adults in the future.
Ten Helpful Points For A Mother Who Is Considering
The Option Of Working Outside The Home:
1. If financial constraint is not the limiting factor, stay with
your child most of the time in the first 3 years of life.
Even older children miss Mom if she is not around. They
need her, not only to listen to their woes but also to share
their joys.
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FAMILY ISSUES
2. Take a part-time job.

3. Work from home.
4. See that you have a proper person to look after your child
in your absence. It could be your husband, your mother or
mother-in-law, some other relative or a paid caretaker.
5. Discuss with your husband if he may be able to adjust his
work timings in order to help out with the child.
6. Make sure that some person is at home when the child
returns from school. Some employers may allow you to
start work early and leave early so that you can be at
home to receive your child. If it is not possible on a
particular day, leave a note for the child with the other
attendant(s) as to why you could not be present. Talk to
her on the phone. It is not a good idea to allow a child to
come home to an empty home; she is likely to feel
insecure and get into bad company.
7. Do things together as a family whenever possible. See
that you have at least one meal together. Spend more
time talking to each other or playing simple games
together. It may even mean watching a TV programme
that the whole family enjoys.
8. Save some money for holidays. These need not be
expensive. Plan in advance so that you can have real fun
together.
9. Do not try to be a perfect parent whose home is spotlessly
clean, who does social work and who has a prestigious job.
Know your limits. See that you have 7 to 8 hours of sleep;
that you have time with a common friend with whom you
can share everything on your mind and with whom you
can laugh (and also cry if required). Make sure also that
you and your spouse spend quality time together.
10. Share your feelings with your spouse and children. Find
out how everyone can share the responsibility of carrying
out household chores.
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PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS
Most Accidents Can Be Prevented

I do not like the dictionary definition of an accident being an
unexpected event or an event that happens by chance. It is
true that sometimes an accident can take place in spite of all
precautions taken by us, but this is not usually the case. An
accident is often a harmful event that could be avoided by a
little careful thought.
Accidents do not always happen by accident. This child did get a head injury from a
moving fan on another occasion
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Follow The Basic Rules Of Road And Automobile

Safety
Teach your child the safety rules to be observed while
crossing the road. Some cities are fortunate to have classes
Letting a baby sit in the front seat of the car is risky. Avoid it
Letting a baby sit in the front seat of the car is risky. Avoid it.
for school children run by the traffic police in specially

designed parks for road safety. Mumbai has such a facility.
Take advantage of such facilities. Train your child never to
leave your hand and cross the street. Do not allow your child
to ride a bicycle without first briefing her on road sense, rules
and responsibility.
Wearing a seat belt can dramatically improve a childs
chances of survival in a car accident. Seat belts in most Indian
cars are unsuitable for small children. For this specific reason,
never let your child sit in the front seat of a car. And make
sure you lead by example. Always fasten your own seat belt.
Never let your child put her hand or head out of the
window. Irreparable damage may result.
Make sure your child is wearing a helmet if she is on your
two-wheeler. Also put a helmet on her if she is riding a horse.
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A carrier is a good investment
Do not drive with your toddler in your lap. Do not be tempted

to pile your whole family onto a single two-wheeler. I was once
forced to draw the attention of a scooter driver to the fact that
his 3-year-old daughter, clutching his waist, was half-asleep.
Do not let yourself be distracted on the road.
According to a report in 1999, cellular phones in the US
accounted for 984 automobile collisions, 2 deaths and
317 injuries each day.
When you go out, use a carrier that straps your baby to
your chest or your hip. Till you get a carrier, learn how to use
a shawl or a thick cloth sheet to serve the same purpose.
Many mothers in the hill areas of our country use this simple
device with great ease.
BURNS
In children, the common causes of burns are spilling of hot
water, oil or other liquids, crackers, fire from a stove or any
other source, and electricity.
All of us need to be careful about placing stoves or heaters
on a platform at home, out of our childrens reach.
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Diwali Dangers
In general, I am against crackers. However, I appreciate
parents who help the child buy the right type of crackers and
allow them to play with them under supervision.
Burning oil lamps and candles are other sources of burns
during Diwali.
The Loss Prevention Association of India offers useful
suggestions to minimise deaths and injuries due to fireworks.
Buy fireworks from authorised/licensed dealers. Make
sure the packet is intact and instructions for use are
printed clearly.
Have an adult around when children are handling
fireworks.
Never light fireworks inside the house or in confined
spaces. Use open, clear grounds, away from congested
localities.
Do not bend over fireworks light them from the side.
Move away quickly once they are lit and do not return to
them. They may explode in your face.
Never throw lighted fireworks. You may injure a
bystander.
Wear close-fitting cotton clothes.
Keep a first aid box and cold water handy.
Pour water in case of burns. Do not smear ointment,
butter, ghee, grease or any other oily substance on
wounds. If the burns are serious, see a doctor.
Make Your Home Safer
While an electric heater or immersion rod (to heat water) are
convenient appliances, they can prove very hazardous to a
small child in the house. Bare electric wires, an electric iron,
and open electric sockets placed within the reach of a crawling
infant or toddler can be very dangerous.
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Go about your house to see how you can prevent accidents

waiting to happen.
Do you see matchsticks lying around?
Do you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen? Make
sure all adults at home and older children know how to
use it. Has it been tested lately to ensure it is in good
working condition?
Do you have tablecloths on your table that a toddler can
pull at and have a full teapot or hot dishes come down on
her?
Do you smoke in bed, or in the presence of children?
Do you hold your child while sipping hot tea or while
boiling water in the kitchen?
Have you told your children what to do if there is a fire
in the house or in the building?
The point that I am making is that you can anticipate
danger in order to minimise the risk of burns.
Teach children what to do in the case of fire as soon as they
are old enough to understand.
They must crawl towards the exit if there is smoke in
the room.
They must never take the elevator (lift) if there is a fire
in the building.
They should not run if their clothes catch fire.
Instead, they should be trained to stop, drop and
roll on the ground. Remember stop, drop and
roll.
Lightning Strikes
Also train your child about the dangers of lightning.
Approximately a third of all lightning strikes are fatal. Deep
burns, brain injury and cardiac or respiratory arrest can
arise from lightning. To prevent the same, teach your child
not to take refuge near hilltops, riverbanks, hedges,
telephone poles and trees during a big thunderstorm.
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Instead, the safest shelter is a closed home, while

a closed automobile, cave, ditch or even lying on the
ground, curled up with hands pulled in together, are
relatively secure.
POISONING
Only you can determine whether or not your child will be in
danger from improperly stored medicines and poisonous
items like insecticides, kerosene, acid for use in the
bathroom, and drugs. Nurses are trained to read the label of a
medicine 3 times before giving it to a patient. Let us learn this
principle from them.
Lead Poisoning
Children can be victims of lead poisoning if they eat
wall scrapings or chew on furniture having unsafe amounts of
lead in the paint or if they have toys painted with similar unsafe
material. Surma applied to the eye may also have lead in it.
Lead poisoning can cause anaemia and brain damage. Most
paints, especially those of yellow colour, have a dangerous
amount of lead. White paints are relatively safer.
ACCIDENTS AT HOME
Careful planning in the placement of furniture can prevent
many of the accidents that involve children falling out of
windows and from balconies. Never play with babies or
children near open windows, on balconies or terraces. Also
ensure that you have grills or bars installed on all window
frames, and that the childs head and neck cannot get stuck
in them.
Make sure that proper guards restrict access to the stairs
till the child is able to navigate them safely.
Children playing hide-and-seek should not be allowed to
hide in open cupboards lest they lock themselves in.
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Door handles of bathrooms should be at a higher level so

that a small child cannot lock herself in.
DROWNING
It goes without saying that you should not take children
to beaches that have been declared unsafe like Aksa beach
in Mumbai.
But more positively, take the time to teach your child to
swim, or to make sure that she is well versed with the need to
wear a life jacket when she enters the water or goes on a boat
ride. It makes sense to carry your own if the boating facility
does not provide it. Young children can also drown in bathtubs
and in stored water which is kept uncovered. Never leave an
infant alone with even a bucketful of water; she may put her
head into it and drown herself. Keep wells in and around the
house covered. Make sure that lifeguards are always on duty
at private swimming areas or pools. A child below 3 years
should not be allowed to learn swimming. He can play with his
parents in the water.
Safety device in place during a boat ride
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DOG BITE
If you are a dog lover, you must have made sure that your dog
is regularly vaccinated against rabies and other diseases as
advised by your doctor. But what about the stray dog which is
seen around your building? Have you made sure that, that dog
is also vaccinated? Have your children learnt to stay away
from stray dogs and not to tease them or hit them?
INJURIES FROM SHARP OBJECTS AND DOORS
Children are often inspired by teleserials like Ramayana and
Mahabharat to play with bows and arrows, which can lead to
major eye injuries. Some toy guns available in the market also
release dangerous projectiles.
Sometimes, we do not realise that sharp objects like
knives, scissors and blades lying around the house can be
dangerous for our kids.
Also be careful while closing and opening room doors or car
doors. Severe injuries can be caused to fingers being caught
between doors if we are not cautious enough.
SUFFOCATION
Plastic shopping bags lying around the house can prove
hazardous. An infant or a toddler playing with a bag may put it
on his head and then not be able to remove it. Small children
can also choke on the scraps of balloons that have burst.
Peanuts, tamarind (imli) seeds, buttons and beads are often
aspirated by unwary infants and toddlers or get pushed into
their nostrils. A child may also choke on a thin, raw carrot that
he has bitten off. Never allow a toddler to have foods like nuts
while he is playing, talking, laughing or running around
because he is more likely to choke on them.
There is also a possibility of suffocation when a child tries
to put a rope around anothers neck, or when he tries to wear
a tie around his own.
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Infants do not need pillows to make their heads rounded or

for any other reason. If you want to raise a childs head,
put the pillow under the mattress. I am in favour of small
infants sleeping with the parents. I have never seen a
baby crushed because of this. However, if the mother is
drowsy because of some drug or alcohol, then the child should
not be made to sleep with her.
May I also add that I am against an umbrella-type device to
protect an infant from mosquito bites, because this may close
automatically and suffocate the child. A net covering the
whole bed is preferable.
SWALLOWING UNDESIRABLE OBJECTS
Smaller children should not be allowed to handle coins and
small objects like safety pins and needles. Small, round
objects without sharp edges may smoothly pass out of the
stomach and intestines, but others may get stuck and
cause problems.
UNSAFE TOYS
Infants and toddlers should not be allowed to play with
games or toys having small parts that they can swallow or
aspirate. Some parts of Lego, for instance, may not be safe.
Watch out also for stuffed toys with buttons used for the eyes
or the nose, which can get detached and be swallowed. Toys
with sharp edges could cause injury. Even expensive toys
may not always be safe.
Only toys that meet the Bureau of Indian Standards
specifications should be available for sale. I have noticed that
toys made by village craftsmen from unpainted wood or mud
are often (though not always) quite safe.
Flying kites is fun, but quite a few children cut their
fingers (or even neck) on the sharp thread used for flying
the kite. Similarly, it is not uncommon to see children
forgetting all safety measures while running around in a
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street or on a terrace to catch a kite. Caution your child

against this.
I am against walkers; they are not good for the
sequential development of the childs milestones and
can also result in serious injuries.
ACT BUT DO NOT PANIC
If you are at the scene of a road accident, rush the patient to
the nearest hospital. A course in first aid is helpful to revive a
child who stops breathing or to know exactly what
precautions to take while transporting the patient to the
hospital. Go to the casualty department of the hospital.
ACCIDENT-PRONE CHILDREN
Some children (and I would say even some adults) are more
prone than others to get involved in all sorts of accidents.
Similarly, there are children who have the habit of putting
everything into their mouth. All such children need extra
attention, to ensure prevention of accidents.
The persistently hyperactive child or the child prone to
attacks of epilepsy should also be kept under supervision in
special circumstances, when there could be the possibility of an
accident. For instance, a child with epilepsy can go swimming,
but only under the watchful eye of a guide or his parents.
LEARNING FROM ACCIDENTS
Parents who allow their child to touch a hot object and yet
make sure that he does not harm himself in this process are
educating him about prevention of accidents. Parents who let
a child climb a tree after having made sure that he is old
enough to do it and that the branches of the tree are strong
are giving the child confidence to learn new activities. But a
child who is suddenly pushed into water to learn swimming
may remain afraid of water throughout his life. No purpose is
served by it. It may do permanent harm to his psyche.
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KEEPING CHILDREN ENTERTAINED
All of us like to be entertained. Children are no exception. A

month-old child enjoys hearing some soft, recorded music or a
lullaby sung by her parents or someone else. A 2-month-old
looks at her mother and waits to be entertained by a broad
smile in response to her overture.
A father and child laugh together, share a joke, fly a kite or
build sandcastles on the beach, have a bath together, read a
storybook, fool around with each other these are all good
examples of entertainment that does not cost much.
Spending time together in such pursuits helps the
child enjoy the company of her parents, to come closer to
them, to feel more free to share her problems with them
if need be, and to grow to become a happy and
healthy individual.
HOBBIES
Hobbies provide children with a good means of selfexpression. A hobby does not interfere with a childs studies
unless she starts spending too much time on it at the cost of
her schoolwork. Dont force your child to take up a particular
hobby. Expose her to different possible hobbies and help her
pick according to her aptitude.
If your child shows an interest in dramatics or crafts, help
her join a summer camp that has a theatre workshop.
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Hobbies provide children with a good means of self-expression
In Mumbai, Prithvi Theatre and the National Centre for

Performing Arts conduct these. At the Prithvi Theatre,
children from 9 to 16 years of age can join. Nehru Centre in
Mumbai also organises the Kaleidoscope summer camps for
the 5 to 15 age group. Most big cities provide some such
activity for younger children. If not, parents of a particular
school can themselves take the initiative to start something
similar in the school.
Among the hobbies which children can pursue are music,
dance, gymnastics, sports, painting, swimming, martial arts
like karate and judo, reading, nature study, bird-watching,
astronomy, yoga, photography, chess, stamp collection or
growing plants in a garden or in a terrarium.
TOYS
Basic Principles To Be Followed While Selecting Toys
Choose toys appropriate to your childs age and physical
development.
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Make sure that the toys are safe (see chapter on

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS).
Toys need not be expensive.
Toys should not make too much noise.
Below The Age Of 3 Months:

At one month, a child enjoys watching a moving object
with bright and different colours within a distance of about
30 cms. (12 inches). So a mobile to be hung above her crib is
an investment worth making. Some of these toys also
play music.
After she crosses the 3-month mark, the same mobile can
be hung up elsewhere. Music from a tape recorder or a
music box may also be played, but make sure it is soft.
Between 3 And 6 Months:
A child likes to look into a mirror at this age. She loves music.
You can now let her handle a rattle. Light, plastic rattles with
rather big ends are preferable to expensive silver rattles
Colourful nursery toys can be hung on babys crib
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with smaller ends. Colourful posters and soft toys are

added attractions.
Between 6 And 12 Months:
While your baby will still show interest in her older toys, now
is also the time for floating toys, wooden blocks, magazines
and cardboard books with bright pictures, balls, squeezy
toys, a spoon and a cup or a saucepan, cars, buses and
trucks, pushalong toys, a rubber hammer and a toy telephone.
At this age, children also love to play peek-a-boo with
older people.
Between 1 And 2 Years:
Hardbound picture books with stories, blocks, wooden
animals, dolls, teddy bears, buckets and spades, vehicles,
simple jigsaw puzzles and bottles and boxes of different sizes
are popular with children in this age group.
Crayons and papers, plasticine, a handbag, a toy cooker or a
tea set, large wooden beads to string, playing with sand,
playing ball with others and riding a tricycle interest children.
At this age, they like to build castles in the sand, dress up
dolls, and pour water into containers.
To the fleet of vehicles may now be added an ambulance, fire
engine, airplane and scooter. Model animals, garden tools,
a rope ladder, masks, a model village or a housing colony
would interest the child. An easel may be given to a child who
shows an interest in colouring.
At this age, children exhibit a vivid imagination. They
will imagine the presence of people who are not around.
They may like to play at being mummy and daddy, or doctor
and patient.
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Table games with dice (ludo and snakes & ladders), and
carrom start interesting the child. Give them material to draw
and paint. Allow them to have scissors with round edges and
old newspapers to cut. Let them make models of chairs or
tables with plasticine or play dough.
Spinning toys are favourites at this age. A skipping rope may
also be introduced. A child can be given a thick needle
and thread.
A child may like to ride a bicycle or to join you or his friends
in kite flying.
Keep It Simple
Toys are increasingly becoming sophisticated and high tech.
Multinational companies are entering the market, and your
child can probably have the same toy as his cousin in New
York. Keep in mind, however, that while some of these are
engineered to stimulate your childs skills, others may just be
trendy. In exchanging the simple toys that were once
de rigueur in our lives for automatons, our children may be
losing out on the joy of constructing imaginary surroundings
with traditional toys.
NOISE POLLUTION
Because we know that excessive noise is injurious to health,
we should remember that we add to noise pollution when we
buy our child noisy toys. Add to this the noise produced by
certain firecrackers, marriage bands and loudspeakers during
the festival seasons and jagratas.
If you cant talk to people 2 metres away in a party,
then the background noise level is dangerous. Young
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people visiting a nightclub should be advised to take

regular breaks from the dance floor, and to stand away
from the speakers. Choose restaurants with tablecloths
on the table and soft furnishings on the walls.
Loss of hearing due to noise is now well established. There
is also evidence to indicate that noise may endanger overall
health as well.
TELEVISION
Should Children Be Allowed To Watch TV?
Whether we like it or not, television has come to stay. Also,
some of the programmes on sports, travel, music and science
are quite educative. Keeping this in mind, I suggest that you
stick to intelligent rationed viewing for yourself as well as for
your child.
The Ill-Effects Of Television
Shital Shethi raises the issue of television viewing in Indian
Pediatrics, the official journal of the Indian Academy of
Pediatrics. Quoting experts like Zuckerman, Suckerman,
Forman, Kerschbaum and Schor, she points out that
television displaces reading, outdoor play time and hobbies,
increases aggressive behaviour and acceptance of violence,
results in difficulty in distinguishing between reality and
fantasy, distorts perception of reality in relation to
consumerism and violence, trivialises sex and sexuality, has a
negative effect on cognitive learning, and increases passivity.
Wrote Arvind Kala in Mid-day, TV watching causes
a communication breakdown in families. See a family of
4 before a TV set, for example. The wife wants to see a
soap, the husband wants BBC, the son wants Prime Sports,
the daughter wants Channel [V], and everybody wants the
remote. How can conversation even begin in such a
context?
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It is not uncommon to see young children watching

television for hours, and munching junk foods. Add to this a
life without exercise and sports and you have a fat child with
all the attendant risks of obesity.
And what about commercials? They can definitely lead to
bad eating habits and undue demands on parents.
A Balanced Approach
I recommend the following guidelines to parents:
Restrict TV viewing to 1 hour during school days and

2 hours during weekends or holidays.
Parents should restrict their own viewing. Cooperation

should be sought from others in a joint family. If it is not
forthcoming, let others have the TV set in another room. If
that is not possible, take the children out or let them go to
bed early.
Let all members of the family come to an agreement about

which programmes should be seen. Film actor Sunil Shetty,
father of two, says, I prefer that my kids watch Discovery
and National Geographic, not violent serials. Even cartoons
sometimes have a negative impact because of the violence
and negative attitudes they often portray.
Inculcate the habit of reading, playing and exercising from

an early age.
Encourage your child to develop a hobby.
Dont expose infants to television.
Be firm about TV programmes which a child should not

see. If she does happen to see such a programme, find time
to discuss with her the characters, and that these are all
made up and rarely portray real life situations. With an
older child, discuss a different possible approach to
handling problems that are portrayed.
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The school authorities could invite experts to speak to the

students about the possible dangers of indiscriminate
television viewing or misleading advertisements.
Children may even be encouraged to write to the sponsors
of programmes. If the programme is good, let them
appreciate it. If it is not appropriate, let it be known to the
sponsors and the government that such programmes are
not acceptable and that the government must take stern
steps to prevent such programmes being shown on
Doordarshan, the cable network, or the foreign television
channels.
During holidays, see that the childs spare time is well
occupied. She may be encouraged to join classes in public
speaking, music, drama, dance or the martial arts.
The family may plan a holiday trip. Take the children for
nature walks or to explore the city museum. Both boys and
girls should be encouraged to learn cooking. Some parents
can get together and plan to share the responsibility of
keeping the children busy in groups, on different days of
the week.
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SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS TOGETHER
The primary purpose of taking a holiday should be to have real

fun with your family. Holidaying gives us an opportunity to
understand our children and spouse better. It gives us more
time to introspect and decide if our priorities in life need to
be reordered.
Holidays may also enable us to explore our country and our
world. Children may also get more time to pursue their
hobbies or to join certain coaching classes.
When you next decide to have a holiday, do not forget the
main reason for taking the money and time for doing so.
Holidays need not necessarily be expensive affairs.
Building sand-castles fun for the entire family
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SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS TOGETHER
A family I know decided to go for a holiday during the offseason. The hotel rates were much lower and the place was
less crowded. They got extra attention all around. Instead of
spending money on a holiday trip during the expensive
summer season, another family decided to install an airconditioner at home. The father took leave from work to be
with the family to have a holiday at home. They played an old
video recording of a family wedding. The children were so
introduced to various relatives. The family saw some
interesting cartoon films and adventure films and played
indoor games. They loved every moment of this time spent
together.
Medical Care On Holidays Spent Away From Home
If you are going to a malaria-infected area, the whole family
should start on a prophylactic drug (see Malaria in THE
A-Z OF CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES).
If you are going abroad, ask your travel agent if any special
vaccines need to be taken.
When you are away from home, avoid taking unboiled
water, cold food items, salads and milk preparations at places
that are not likely to be safe. Drink only packaged water if you
cannot get boiled water.
In general, I am against readymade commercial cereals for
small infants, but you may carry tinned cereal (to which only
water need be added) if you are going to a remote area.
You should also carry your family first aid kit with you.
(See chapter on A FIRST AID KIT).
527
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IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
Action For Autism,

T-370, Chiragh Gaon,
3rd Floor, New Delhi 110 017.
Tel: 2641 6469/70
Association For Consumers Action On Safety And
Health (ACASH),
Servants of India Society Building,
2nd floor, 417, SVP Road,
Girgaum,
Mumbai 400 004.
Baby Friendly Hospitals,
The Convenor, National Task Force,
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI),
Indian Medical Association,
IMA House, Indraprastha Marg,
New Delhi 110 002.
Breastfeeding Promotion Network Of India (BPNI),
BP 33, Pitampura,
Delhi 400 034.
Childline,
For Helping Children in Need:
Tel : 1098 (throughout India)
529
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Family Planning Association Of India,

Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point,
Mumbai 400 021.
HELP (Health Education Library for People)
Om Chambers, 5th floor,
Kemps Corner,
Mumbai 400 036
Tel: 2368 3334/1014
Indian Academy Of Pediatrics,
Kailas Darshan, Kennedy Bridge,
Mumbai 400 007.
Indian Association For Promotion Of Adoption And
Child Welfare,
7, Kanara House,
Mogul Lane, Matunga (W),
Mumbai 400 016.
Make-A-Wish Foundation,
B 2/12, Samruddhi Society,
B. Parulkar Marg,
Dadar, Mumbai 400 028
10/l Sambasivam Street,
T. Nagar, Chennai 600 017.
303, Jharna, Dr. Ambedkar Road,
Mumbai 400 052.
National Down Syndrome Congress,
1605, Chantilly Drive,
Suite 250, Atlanta GA 30324.3269.
The Spastics Society Of India,
K C Marg, Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai.
Tel: 2643 0703/04
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INDEX
A
Abdominal pain, 237-47
causes, 237
Abrasions, 247-8
Accidents, 508-17
Acne, 389
Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS), 252-5
myths about, 253-4
prevention of, 254
risk among homosexuals, 252, 442
symptoms, 253
Acute epiglottitis, 319
Acute glomendonephritis, 248
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis, 319
Acute nephritis, 249
Acute stridor, 409
Addiction, 249-51
drinking and, 249, 495-7
how to suspect, 250-l
misconceptions about, 250
parents role, 251
Adequate sleep, 398-9
Adolescent,
behaviour of, 97-9
diet for, 209-11
parenting adolescents, 142-47
pubertal growth, 66-7
Adoption, 491-5
Aids, 252-5
Albinism, 390
Alcohol,
alcoholism, 495
danger during pregnancy
and breastfeeding, 496
effect on family, 496

risks of, 495-7
Allergic diseases,
and breastfeeding, 155
Allergies, 255-63
Alpha-foeto-protein test, 6
Amniocentesis test, 6
Amoebiasis, 241
Amylase-Rich-Food (ARF), 198
Anaemia, 263-B
due to goats milk, 266
G-6-PD deficiency, 267
bookworm, 266
iron-deficiency, 263-6
other causes, 267
when to suspect, 263
Animal bite and rabies, 382-3
Anorexia, 268-71
Anterior Fontanelle, 31
bulging, 365
Aortic stenosis, 479
Apgar scoring, 25
Appendicitis, 243
Appetite, poor, 268-71
Arthritis, 356-7
Artificial feeding,
cup or bottle-feeding, 190
Ascariasis, 238-9
Asthma, 256-9
AtriaI septal defect, 475
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), 271-72
Autism, 272-3
Ayurveda, 469-72
531
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B
Baby-friendly hospitals, 19-20, 26
Bacillary dysentery, 240-l
Bacille Calmette and Gurin (BCG)
vaccine, 82-3, 85-86
Backache, 273-4
Bath for newborn, 47-8
Bed-wetting, 274-6
Behaviour of child
at different ages, 89-99
Birth deformities, 276-7
Birth spacing, 3-4
Bites and stings, 278-82
mosquitoes, 278-9
scorpion stings, 279-80
snake bite, 280-2
spider bite, 278
Bleeding,
causes, 283-4
when to seek attention, 283
Blocked milk duct, 172
Blocked nose, 307-8
Blue baby, 480-3
Boarding schools, 126-7
Boils, 390-l
Bonding,
holistic, 53
with foetus, 54
with unborn child, 54-6
Bondla, 178
Bone,
injuries, 284-5
tumours, 291
Bottle-feeding, 188-93
Bow legs, 287
Boys,
pubertal growth of, 66-7
Brain tumours, 291
Brassy cough, see Croup
Breast,
abscess, 171-2
anatomy, 160
engorgement, 171-2
leaking, 179
Breastfeeding,
adequacy of milk supply, 164, 176-7
advantages to
baby, 153-6
mother, 151-3
and diarrhoea, 181-2
at night, 169
baby refusing to feed, 178
breast size and, 160
check for enough
breastmilk, 176-7
cleft lip and, 304-6
cleft palate and, 304-6
colic and, 154
comfort suckling, 163
convenience, 153
delays conception, 152
during first week, 164
exclusive, 166
expression of breastmilk and, 185-6
helps regain better figure, 152-3
how long to continue, 187-88
in jaundice, 353-4
in second year, 187-88
inadequacy of milk supply, 176-9
mothers diet, 183
mothers illness, 184
positioning during, 161-3
premature babies, 180-l
proper positioning for, 161-3
protection against,
diarrhoea, 154-5
infections, 154-5
pneumonia, 154-5
provides complete nutrition, 153-4
reduces risk of bleeding after
delivery, 152
reduces risk of cancer, 152
secret of successful, 151
sudden stoppage of, 178
surgery in baby and, 185
to twins, 180-l
total duration, 187-88
vitamins, 153
working women and, 179-80
Breastmilk,
allergy to, 182
amount in first days, 164
check for adequacy, 164, 176-7
drug to increase supply of, 177
expression of, 185-6
not enough, 164, 176-7
removal by warm bottle method,
186-7
Breathlessness, 287-9
Bronchial asthma, 256-9
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INDEX
Bronchiolitis, 288-9
Bruxism, 239
Burns, 289-290
C
Caesarean delivery, 159
cafe au lait spots, 28
Calcium
need of breastfed baby, 168
diet rich in, 9
Cancer, 291
risk and breastfeeding, 152
Candida infection, 395
Caput succedaneum, 30
Cardiac massage, 292-6
Cardiac pulmonary resuscitation, 292-6
Cephalhaematoma, 30
Cerebral palsy (CP), 296-8
Chickenpox, 298-300
Child,
sexual abuse, 497-9
shaking is dangerous, 347
specialist, see, Paediatrician
Childbirth, 18-21
Choking, 300-2
Chorea, 384
Chromosome abnormalities, 277
Circumcision, 302-4
Cleft lip and palate, 304-6
Cold,
allergic, 307
antibiotics in, 306, 311
antihistamines in, 309
blocked nose in, 308-9
Colic, 320-l
Colostrum, 150
Colour of eye, of newborn, 31
Comfort suckling, 163
Common cold, 306-11
Congenital abnormalities, 276-7
Congenital dermal sinus, 36
Congenital dislocation of hip, 36
Congenital heart disease (C.H.D.),
473-83
Congenital ptosis, 336
Congenital stridor, 409
Conjunctivitis, 334
Constipation, 311-3
Convulsions, 313-6
causes, 315
crying, 315
febrile due to fever, 315
management, 313-6
Cough, 316-8
causes, 317
important facts, 316
symptomatic relief of, 318
Counselling,
genetic, 6
preconceptional, 53
Cracked nipples, 173
Cradle cap, 31
Craniotabes, 31
Croup, 318-9
causes, 318
treatment, 319
Crying baby, 320-2
colic, 320
fits following crying, 315
hunger and, 320
management of, 321-2
other causes of, 320
sickness and, 320
Cup feeding, 190
Cutis marmorata, 29
Cuts,
management of, 322-4
Cysticercosis, 240
D
DPT (Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus)
vaccine, 83
DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus) vaccine, 83
Daydreaming, 435-6
Death, 499-500
concept among children, 499
questions about, 499
terminally-ill child, 500
what happens after, 500
Deep sleep, 399
Dehydration and urine, 226
Delivery,
drugs during, 21
going out after, 50
kit, 21
place of, 18-9
right place of, 19-20
sex after, 52
Demand feeding, 169-70
Dengue fever, 324-5
533
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Dental caries, 410-l

Dental disorders, prevention of, 413-4
Development of child,
milestones, 68-81
monthwise in first year, 69-80
normal variations in, 68
yearwise, 80-l
Diabetes mellitus, 325-6
Diaper
cotton and disposable, 391-2
rash, 391-2
using draper, rectangular, 16
triangular, 17
Diarrhoea,
breastfeeding during, 230
diet during, 227-30
management at home, 226-31
watery, 226-31
with blood and mucus, 240-l
Diet,
fibre in, 312
for adolescents, 209-11
for young children, 203-8
Diet in pregnancy, 7-9
calcium-rich, 9
lacto-ovo-vegetarian, 8
lacto-vegetarian, 8
non-vegetarian, 7
vegan, 8-9
vegetarian, 8-9
Diphtheria, 326-7
Discipline among children, 113-20
Dislocation,
elbow, 285
hip, 36
Divorce, 500-2
Dog bite, 382-3, 515
Downs syndrome, 327-8
Drowning, 514
Dual antigen, see, DT
(Diphtheria, Tetanus)
vaccine
Dysentery, drugs in, 240-l
Dyslexia, 128-9
E
Ear infection, see, Earache
Earache, 328-31
Earbud, 47
Eczema, 259-61
Education, 123-38
backwardness in studies, 127-9
homework, 130-l
regular studies, 130-l
sex, 133-8
Elbow,
dislocation, 285
pulled, 285
Electric shock, 331-2
Emergency kit, for delivery, 21
Encephalitis, 332-3
Engorgement of breast, 171-2
Entertainment, 518-22
Eosinophilia,
Tropical, 419-20
Exanthem subitum, 364
Expression of breastmilk, 185-6
warm bottle method, 186-7
Eye problems, 333-6
chalazion, 336
conjunctivitis, 334-5
discharge, 334
glasses, 333
injuries, 335
itchy eyelid, 336
night blindness, 336
ptosis, 336
redness, 334
stye, 335-6
squint, 333
watering, 333
F
Falciparum malaria, 360-l
Fallot, tetralogy of, 481-2
Family planning, 4
Fast foods, 209
Fears, 336-7
Febrile convulsions, 315
Fever, 231-5
Finger tip, injury to, 286-7
Fits, 313-6
Flat nipples and breastfeeding, 174-5
Flat foot, 337
Flu, 351
Fluoride, use of, 413
Foetus,
hearing, 54
Folic acid, 2
Fontanelle, 31
bulging, 365
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INDEX
Food,
healthy food habits, 215-9
poisoning, 242
pyramid, 212-4
right type of, 215-9
Foot problems, 337-8
Foreign body, in ear, 330-l
Foremilk, 170-l
Foreskin, 46
G
G-6-PD deficiency, 267
malaria drugs and, 267
Genetic counselling, 6
German measles, 339-40
Giardiasis, 241
Girl child, 24
pubertal growth of, 66-7
Glands, in neck and elsewhere, 340-2
Glandular fever, 341
Glomerulonephritis, 248
Goats milk, anaemia due to, 266
Gripe water, 154
Growth
and development, 60-81
chart, 60
drugs to stimulate appetite, 62
facts, 60-2
head circumference, 66
height, 64-5
in weight, 62-4
length, 64-5
pubertal growth, 66-7
teeth, 66
Guest articles,
Ayurveda, 469-72
Congenital heart disease, 473-83
Healthy food habits, 215-9
Holistic bonding with the unborn
child, 53-7
Homoeopathy, 463-8
Nature cure, 457-62
Parenting adolescents, 142-7
Prayer and child health, 452-6
Reading to the child, 139-41
H
Haematemesis, 283
Haemophiha, 357
Haemoptysis, 283
Happy family, manifesto for, 120-2
Hay fever, 262-3

Head,
circumference, 66
injury, 345-7
compression of brain, 346
concussion, 346
first aid, 346-7
headache due to, 344
hospitalization and tests, 347
shaking of child, 347
when not to worry, 345
when to worry, 346
normal variations in newborn, 30-l
Headache, 342-5
Healthy food habits, 215-9
Healthy habits, 486-90
adequate sleep, 486-7
growing up in harmony with
nature, 489-90
personal hygiene, 489
regular exercise, 487
right type of food, 215-9, 488-9
Holidays for the family, 526-7
Heart
congenital disease, see,
Congenital heart disease (C.H.D.)
rheumatic heart disease, 383
Height, and length of child, 64-5
Heimlich manoeuvre, 302
Hepatitis, 347-9
Hepatitis B, 347-8
vaccine, 84, 87
Hiccup, 33
Hindmilk, 170-l
Hip,
congenital dislocation of, 36
transient synovitis of, 359
Hobbies, 518-9
Hodgkins disease, 291
Holistic bonding,
with foetus, 54
with unborn child, 54-6
Home-made soft foods, 195-9
Home remedies for,
diarrhoea, 226-31
fever, 231-5
Homework, 130-l
Homoeopathy, 463-8
Homosexuality, 441-2
risk of AIDS in, 442
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Hookworm anaemia, 266

Hospitalization, 444-9
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV), 252-5
Hydrocephalus, 349
Hygiene, 489
Hyperactive children, 271-2
Hyperkinetic children, 271-2
Hypertension, 349-50
I
Ideal family, 120-2
Immunization, 82-8
Impetigo, 392-3
Infantile colic, 320-l
Infectious mononucleosis, 341
Influenza, 351
Inguinal hernia, 244-5
Intestinal obstruction, 243-4
Intussusception, 244
Inverted nipple, 174-5
Iron-deficiency anaemia, 263-6
J
Jaundice, 351-6
Joint disorders, 356-7
Joint family, 39-40
Junk foods, 209
Juvenile diabetes, 325-6
K
Kala-Azar, 357-8
Knock knees, 287
L
Labour, drugs during, 21
Lacto-vegetarian diet, 8
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, 8
Laughter, passage of urine
during, 276
Leaking breasts, 179
Learning and schooling, 123-38
Leg aches, 359
Length and height, 64-5
Leprosy, 393-4
Leptospirosis, 358
Leukaemia, 291
Lice, 394
Limp and pain in legs, 359-60
Lock jaw, 414-5

Lying, 436
M
Maalishwali bai, 38-9
Malaria, 360-l
Malnutrition, 361-3
Mantoux test, 421
Masturbation, 438-40
Measles, 363-5
measles-like illness, 364
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
vaccine, 87
Meconium, 35
Medicines,
proper use of, 225
Meningitis, 365-6
Meningomyelocele, 366
Menstrual problems, 367-9
Menstruation, 367-9
Mental retardation, 369-72
Middle ear infection, 328-30
Milia spots, 29
Milk,
artificial, 188
breastmilk, 150
Molluscum contagiosum, 394-5
Mongolian spots, 28
Monitor lizard (Goh) bite, 278
Montgomerys glands, 174
Mosquito bite, 278-9
Mosquito repellents, 279
Mother,
advantages of breastfeeding to,
151-3
illness and breastfeeding, 184
Mouth-to-mouth breathing, 292-6
cardiac massage and, 292-6
drowning and, 295-6
steps to be followed, 292-6
Mumps, 372-3
N
Nappy rash, 391-2
Nature,
cure, 457-62
growing in harmony with, 489-90
Nebuliser, 257
Nephritis, 248
Nephrotic syndrome, 373-4
536
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INDEX
Newborn care, 37-52

Night blindness, 336
Nipples,
flat, 174
retracted, 174-5
soreness of, 173-4
Nocturnal emission, 135
Noise, harmful effects of, 522-3
Noise pollution, 522-3
Normal growth and development, 60-81
Nose,
bleeding, 374-5
blocked, 308-9
drops,
saline, 308
Nursery school, 124
O
Obesity, 375-7
Oral polio vaccine (OPV), 83-5
Oral typhoid vaccine, 88
Otitis extena, 330
Otitis media, 328-30
P
Paediatrician,
qualities of, 222-3
Pain in abdomen, 237-47
Parenting adolescents, 142-7
Patent ductus arteriosus, 475-6
Personal hygiene, 489
Perthes disease, 360
Pertusis, 433-4
Pet animals, 502
Phototherapy for jaundice, 354-5
Physiological jaundice, 352-3
Pica, 266
Pimples, 389
Play school, 123-4
Plugged milk duct, 172
Pneumonia, 377-8
Poisoning, 378-9
Poisonous snake bites, 280-2
Poliomyelitis, 380
Poor appetite, 268-71
Prayer and child health, 452-6
Preconceptional care, 53
Pregnancy,
amniocentasis, 6
antenatal classes, 6
blood pressure during, 5

confirming, 5
danger of drinking, 496
diet during, 7-9
non-vegetarian, 7
vegetarian, 8-9
drugs during, 10-l
exercise, 11
family planning, 4
folic acid and, 2
genetic testing, 6
high blood pressure, 5
mantras, 54
pre-conceptional Care, 53
rest during, 11
right age for, 2-3
safe motherhood, 2
sonography, 6
space between two children, 3-4
tests through, 5-6
twins, 504-5
ultrasound, 6
Pregnant mother,
buying for baby, 13-5
choice of hospital, 19-20
diet, 7-9
getting ready for hospital, 20
rest, 11
spiritual atmosphere and, 7
state of mind, 7
Prelacteal feeds, 165
Premature baby, 380-l
Prolapse of rectum, 382
Ptosis, 336
Pubertal growth, 66-7
Pulled elbow, 285
Pulmonary stenosis, 478-9
Pyogenic meningitis, 365-6
R
Rabies, 382-3
Reading to the child, 139-41
Rectum prolapse, 382
Reflexes in newborn, 26
Rest during pregnancy, 11
Retracted nipple, 174-5
Retractile testes, 425
Rh factor, 355-6
Rh incompatibility, 355-6
Rheumatic fever, 383-4
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Rheumatic arthritis, 384

Rheumatoid arthritis, 385-6
Rickets, 386-7
Rooming-in, 26-7
Rooting reflex, 176
Roseola infantum, 364
Roundworm, 238-9
Rubella, 339-40
Running nose, 307
S
Safe motherhood, 2
Saline nose drops, 308
Sanskaras, 53
Scabies, 395-6
Schooling of children, 123-38
Schools, 123-7
Scorpion stings, 279-80
Scratches, 247
Semi-solid foods, introduction
to infant, 194-202
Setting-sun sign, in newborn, 31
Sex,
after delivery, 52
education, 133-38
when ready for, 137-8
Sexual abuse, 497-9
Shaking the child, 347
Shoes for child, 338-9
Short child, 387-8
Sibling rivalry, 40-2
Skin conditions, 388-96
Sleep and sleep problems, 397-407
Snake bites, 280-2
Sneezing in newborn, 32
Solid foods, introduction
to infant, 194-202
Sonography, 6
Sore nipples, 173-4
Sore throat, 407-8
Spacing, between births, 3-4
Spasmodic croup, 318-9
Spastic child, 296-8
Speech,
delayed development, 80
Spider bites, 278
Splinters, 408
Sponging in fever, 234
Sprains, 285-6
Squint, 333
Stammering, 408
Stealing, 440
Step-parents, 503-4
Stings and bites, 278-82
Stork bites, 29
Strawberry naevus, 29
Stridor, 409
Studies,
backwardness in, 127-8
Stye, 335-6
Suicide, 443
Sudden infant death
Syndrome (SIDS), 155
Sunburn, 396
Swallowing objects, 516
Swearing, 441
Sweating in newborn, 31
T
TB meningitis, 365-6
Tapeworms, 240
Tear duct blockage, 333-4
Teenager, how to handIe, 98-9, 142-7
Teeth
impact of breastfeeding on, 155, 411
in newborn, 32
Teething and care of teeth, 409-14
Television, 523-5
balanced approach, 524-5
ill-effects of, 523-4
Temperature recording in fever, 235
Testes
in adolescent, 426
retractile, 425
shy, 425
torsion of, 245
undescended, 425-6
Tetanus, 414-5
Tetaus Toxoid, 83
Tetralogy of Fallot, 481-2
Thalassemia,
major, 268
minor, 268
Threadworms, 239
Thrush, 415
Thumb sucking, 416-7
Tics, 417-8
Tinea versicolor, 395
Toilet training, 437-8
Tongue, coating on, 33
538
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9/15/2003, 4:01 PM
INDEX
Tongue-tie, 323
Tonsillitis, see, Sore throat, 407-8
Tooth, see, Teething and care of
teeth, 409-14
Torticollis, 418-9
Tourettes syndrome, 418
Toys, 519-22
Tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF), 419
Traditional massage woman, 37-8
Transient synovitis of hip, 359
Trichuris trichuria infection, 240
Triple antigen, 83
Tropical eosinophilia, 419-20
Tuberculin test, 421
Tuberculosis, 420-3
Twins, 504-5
Typhoid, 423-4
U
Umbilical cord, 34
Umbilical granuloma, 424-5
Umbilical hernia, 425
Umbilical problems, 424-5
Undernutrition, see, Malnutrition, 361-3
Undescended testis, 425-6
Urinary infections, 426-8
Urine
in exclusively breastfed
babies, 175-7
laughter and passing of, 276
passed by newborn, 36
Urticaria, 261-2
V
Vaccines, 82-8
Vaginal bleeding,
newborn, 35
unexpected, 368-9
Vaginal discharge
newborn, 35
normal, 428
with smell, 428-9
Vaporub, 309
Variations (normal) among

newborns, 28-36
Vegan diet, 8-9
Vegetarian diet, 8-9
Ventricular septal defect, 477-8
Vernis, 29
Vitamins,
for newborn, 44
in breastmilk, 167-8
requirement of artificial milk-fed
babies, 192-3
Vitiligo, 397
Vomiting,
blood in, 432
causes,
head injury, 432
infection, 431-2
surgical conditions, 430
needing attention, 430-2
normal, 429
treatment, 432
when to worry, 430
w
Warm bottle method, of removing
breastmilk, 186-7
Warts, 397
Watering of eyes, 32
Watery diarrhoeas, 226-31
Wax in ear, 331
Weight of children, 62-4
Wet dreams, 135
Wheezing, 432-3
Whipworms, 240
Whooping cough, 433-4
Wilms tumour, 291
Working women, 505-7
Worms,
ascariasis, 238-9
hookworms, 239
roundwomrs, 238-9
tapeworms, 240
threadworms, 239
whipworms, 240
Wrapping up baby, 50-1
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Guide To Child Care R.K Anand

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PART

Making Preparations ..................................................

Labour And Delivery .................................................

Management Of The Newborn In Hospital ...............

Normal Variations In A Newborn ...............................

Care Of The Newborn ................................................

Guest Article: Holistic Bonding With Your Unborn

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

normal baby can be increased considerably by carefully

Planning for 1 or 2 children is a healthy trend. A gap of 2 to 3 years is

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

Paradoxically, however, the opposite could also hold

MEDICAL CARE THROUGH PREGNANCY

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

arrangements can be made at the time of delivery to reduce

an opportunity to interact with other women in various stages

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

Imnortant Nutrients Lacking In A Diet Devoid Of All

Carnitine and (needed

Food items that could correct the

* Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can cause anaemia and

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

your doctor if you are on ongoing medication as for

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

Talk to your baby. Enjoy your growing bond with her.

Your Vegetarian Baby

You have to prepare for bringing your newborn home long

: 2 dozen cotton square nappies,

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

: 1, for keeping clean diapers

Frocks or jhablas with

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

Rectangular folded diaper

Place baby on diaper

Triangular folded nappy

First, take the bottom tip upwards

Then fold one side to the middle

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

In Europe, women are being given a chance to have their

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

If you weighed less than 40 kilograms or more than

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

Assisted by the government, UNICEF and WHO, this task

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

You may also want to bring along a photograph of

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWBORN IN

MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWBORN IN HOSPITAL

It is also possible that you may feel exhausted or sleepy.

The baby is wide awake for about 40 minutes after delivery

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

communication that the infant possesses. There is a

MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWBORN IN HOSPITAL

The Kangaroo Position

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

MANAGEMENT OF THE NEWBORN IN HOSPITAL

In some hospitals, the baby is unwisely kept in the

DR. R. K . ANANDS GUIDE TO CHILD CARE

NORMAL VARIATIONS IN A NEWBORN

NORMAL VARIATIONS IN A NEWBORN