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Your baby’s health

Courtesy of Nurofen for Children

We at Mumschool understand that there is a lot to think about when you become a new mum and we want to give you a helping hand in caring for your ‘Baby’s Health’ with our presentation, don’t forget you can stay up to date with everything at Mumschool.com

Health services available to you

• For the first 10 days after birth your midwife will come in to see you every day or two, and she will continue her visits for up to 28 days or more if you need it, you can discuss anything from changing nappies to contraception
• Your health visitor will come to see you about 10 days after the birth and tell you about the local clinic where you can have your baby weighed, and about postnatal groups or classes where you can meet other new parents
• In the later weeks and months after birth you will need to make appointments to see your health visitor at the hospital, GP's surgery or health centre where she is based, although you can also usually consult her by phone between appointments
• Midwives and health visitors are there to help you with your new baby, talk to them about any concerns you have, and make sure you know the basics to get you on your way

How to tell if your child is ill

• Sometimes it is difficult to know when your child is ill but here are some things to look out for;
  • Signs of illness - vomiting, temperature, cough, runny nose, runny eyes
  • Behaviour that’s unusual for your child - lots of crying, very irritable, refusing food and drink, being listless or drowsy
• Above all trust your feelings, you know your baby better than anyone else and you’ll know what’s unusual or worrying

Taking a temperature

• There are different ways to take a baby's temperature, however, the thermometer strips aren't always reliable and taking an underarm temperature can be awkward, many health professionals use an ear thermometer which gives a quick digital reading. (Check the instructions carefully as taking the temperature of a small baby differs slightly from taking an adult or older child's temperature.)
• A normal temperature is between 36-36.8°C (96.8-98. 24F)
• In Babies and children any temperature of 38°C (100 .4F) or above is considered high and is classed as a fever
• If your baby's temperature stays above 38ºC for some time or is touching 40ºC or over, you should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or your GP/health professional as soon as possible.

What is a fever?

• A fever is usually the first sign that your child is fighting illness
• You’ll probably notice that your baby’s temperature rises, anything above 38°C is classed as a fever

Recognising the signs of a fever

• Your child will probably let you know if they have a fever by crying especially if they’re too young to talk
• These other symptoms may accompany a fever, but a fever is still a raised temperature:
  • Irritability and lethargy
  • Restlessness during the night
  • Pale with cool hands and feet but hot forehead, tummy and back
  • Vomiting suddenly
  • Loss of appetite
  • Shivering uncontrollably
  • Hot flushes all over

What causes a fever?

• A fever is a symptom of an underlying condition rather than an illness in itself
• So as well as taking steps to bring a fever down, like giving your child effective pain relief such as Nurofen for Children*, it’s important to seek medical advice to discover the root cause
• Here are some of the most common causes of fever in babies and children:
  • Colds and flu
  • Infected cuts and grazes
  • Chicken pox
  • Measels
  • Mumps
  • Immunisation
  • Urinary/ Kidney infections

When should you be concerned about a fever?

• There are occasions when you should be concerned about a fever and consult your doctor, if your baby falls into any of the following categories see your doctor immediately
  • The fever is accompanied by a stiff neck and irritability
  • Your child is under 6 months
  • Your child is between the age of 6 months and 1 year and the fever lasts longer than 24 hours
  • The fever lasts longer than 2 days

Treating a fever

• Most fevers are not serious and tend to go away on their own once the illness or infection clears-up
• To help make your baby more comfortable and help reduce fever;
  • Check they’re not getting too hot or too cold
  • Offer drinks and food, even though you might be turned down
  • Give them some medicine such as Nurofen for Children (for babies from 3 months and over 5kg/11lb), it contains Ibuprofen which can reduce fever for longer than paracetamol and gets to work in just 15 minutes

Why Nurofen for Children?

• Nurofen for Children is the best selling brand of Childrens’ Ibuprofen based pain relief* (* Source: AC Nielsen MAT value and volume data to May 2009, UK.)
• Nurofen for Children comes in Orange or Strawberry flavour, so it tastes pleasant, making it easier to give, it’s sugar-free and colour free
• Nurofen for Children starts to work in just 15 minutes and can relieve a fever for up to eight hours, that’s 2 hours longer than a paracetemol based product
• Nurofen for Children can be used for a variety of ailments such as toothache, teething pains, fever and earache

Giving your baby medicine

• Sometimes administering medicine to your baby or toddler using a spoon can be quite messy
• You are never sure how much went in their mouths rather than on their face, clothes etc so it’s difficult to gauge the dose you have given them

Symptoms & signs of a more serious illness

• If your baby has any of the following symptoms consult your doctor as soon as possible;
  • A fit, convulsion or if your baby turns blue or very pale and seems floppy
  • A very high temperature over 38ºC, especially if there is a rash, difficulty breathing, breathing fast, grunting breathing
  • Unusually drowsy, hard to wake and doesn’t seem to know you
  • A purple rash anywhere on the body this could be a sign of meningitis
  • Yellow skin and eyes, this could be a sign of jaundice

Teething

• Teething is one of the great milestones of your baby’s development and memories of your baby's first big toothy grin will be treasured forever
• The age at which your baby’s primary teeth come through will vary, generally teeth begin to come through at around 6 months, usually the first are front teeth at the bottom
• There are twenty primary teeth your baby will get, 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom
• Sometimes teeth will come through with no pain, at other times your baby may experience more pain
• Symptoms of teething include restlessness, irritability, loss of appetite, fever, dribbling, desire to chew anything in sight or bite to alleviate the pain

Teething solutions

• It can sometimes help to give your baby something to chew on such as a teething ring, a good tip is to place a teething ring in the fridge so it’s cooling on baby’s gums
• For babies over two months you can use Bonjela teething gel, always read the label. Bonjela teething gel remains suitable for children over 2 months and is not affected by regulatory changes. Bonjela teething gel has a different formulation to Bonjela and Bonjela Cool Mint gel which are only suitable for adults over 16 years old. Please see www.bonjela.co.uk for more information on these regulatory changes
• Alternatively for babies over 3 months and weighing more that 5kg (11lbs) Nurofen for Children* can be given to help to reduce pain, always read the label.

Immunisations

• When your baby was in the womb, you gave them natural immunity against disease but now your baby’s in the big, wide world your baby is more vulnerable to infections
• Immunising your baby or child is one way to protect them from some serious diseases
• Immunisations are given to strengthen your baby’s immune system to fight off diseases, these diseases if caught by your baby can be very serious and cause lasting damage to your baby
• Vaccines take a small part of the bacterium or virus that causes the disease encouraging the immune system to make antibodies to fight off the infection or disease
• The vaccine is given by an injection in either the baby’s thigh or upper arm
• Sometimes your baby may have some side effects from the vaccine such as redness or swelling or being bit irritable, unwell or having a fever

What immunisation will my baby have and when?

• Your baby will have a number of immunisations in their first year
• Your health visitor or clinic will prompt you to make an appointment for these
• In the first year your baby will be offered the following immunisations;
  • 8 weeks old - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio vaccine and Hib (DTaP/IPV/Hib, given to protect against a bacterial infection which can bring on meningitis, blood poisoning or pneumonia)
  • 12 weeks old - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio vaccine and Hib (DTaP/IPV/Hib, given to protect against a bacterial infection which can bring on meningitis, blood poisoning or pneumonia) - Given as one injection), Meningitis C
  • 16 weeks old - Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio vaccine and Hib (DTaP/IPV/Hib, given to protect against a bacterial infection which can bring on meningitis, blood poisoning or pneumonia) - Given as one injection), Meningitis C pneumococcal infection
  • 12 months old – Haemophilus Infleunza type b (Hib), Meningitis C
  • 13 months old - MMR - Measles, Mumps and Rubella (German Measles) - Given as one injection

Caring for your baby after immunisations?

• If your baby develops a fever following their immunisations your doctor or nurse may recommend giving them an Ibuprofen suspension if your baby is over 3 months old and weighs more than 5kg/11lbs
• Nurofen for Children can reduce a fever for longer than paracetemol
• Nurofen for Children was the first Ibuprofen suspension to be suitable from just 3 months (over 5kg/11lb)