Child Health
Growth and Development of Child:
From newborns to teens, parents often have questions and wonder if their children are developing normally. These articles and sites will provide information on your child's growth and development.
A healthy birth and growth weight is good for your baby. The average birth weight for a typical baby will be boys (3.2-3.6kg or 7-8lb), girls (3-3.5kg or 6 3/4lb -7 3/4lb) and the average height may be boys (48-52cm) and girls (48-51cm).
After losing some of her birth weight (up to 10%) during the first days after birth, your baby will start to grow steadily. By the middle of her first month, she will probably be gaining about 0.5 to 1 ounce per day. After the first month, weight gain may be 1.5 to 2 pounds and length may increase 1 to 1.5 inches per month. These are just averages; as long as your baby is staying on her own growth curve, you should have no concerns about her progress. Your pediatrician will measure her weight, length, and head circumference once a month and plot your baby's own growth path on a chart, so any growth problems can be spotted early.
All babies grow at different rate. There is no need to worry if your baby has periods of slow growth interspersed with spurts but if two consecutive measurements seem low, consult your pediatrician.
At 3 months, the 'typical' baby weighs 13 pounds and measures 24 inches. But don't worry if your baby is smaller or larger. Babies, like adults, vary in size and shape. In fact, the 'average' weight for a 3-month-old can range from 9 to 16pounds and the average length from 22 to 25 inches.
Make sure that your child's growth is normal by checking the growth chart given below showing the growth rate every month in the first year and bi-monthly figures in the second and third year. This is a chart showing the height, weight and head circumference- the green marking shows the range of head circumference in centimeters (cm) likely in a normal child with the dividing line showing the average growth. The orange-red marking shows the range of weight measurements in Kilogram (kg) and the dividing line shows the average increase in weight. The light blue-dark blue markings shows the range of height measurements likely in a normal child with the dividing line showing the average increase in height.
From newborns to teens, parents often have questions and wonder if their children are developing normally. These articles and sites will provide information on your child's growth and development.
A healthy birth and growth weight is good for your baby. The average birth weight for a typical baby will be boys (3.2-3.6kg or 7-8lb), girls (3-3.5kg or 6 3/4lb -7 3/4lb) and the average height may be boys (48-52cm) and girls (48-51cm).
After losing some of her birth weight (up to 10%) during the first days after birth, your baby will start to grow steadily. By the middle of her first month, she will probably be gaining about 0.5 to 1 ounce per day. After the first month, weight gain may be 1.5 to 2 pounds and length may increase 1 to 1.5 inches per month. These are just averages; as long as your baby is staying on her own growth curve, you should have no concerns about her progress. Your pediatrician will measure her weight, length, and head circumference once a month and plot your baby's own growth path on a chart, so any growth problems can be spotted early.
All babies grow at different rate. There is no need to worry if your baby has periods of slow growth interspersed with spurts but if two consecutive measurements seem low, consult your pediatrician.
At 3 months, the 'typical' baby weighs 13 pounds and measures 24 inches. But don't worry if your baby is smaller or larger. Babies, like adults, vary in size and shape. In fact, the 'average' weight for a 3-month-old can range from 9 to 16pounds and the average length from 22 to 25 inches.
Make sure that your child's growth is normal by checking the growth chart given below showing the growth rate every month in the first year and bi-monthly figures in the second and third year. This is a chart showing the height, weight and head circumference- the green marking shows the range of head circumference in centimeters (cm) likely in a normal child with the dividing line showing the average growth. The orange-red marking shows the range of weight measurements in Kilogram (kg) and the dividing line shows the average increase in weight. The light blue-dark blue markings shows the range of height measurements likely in a normal child with the dividing line showing the average increase in height.
During the first six months of his growth, along with the gain in height, weight and head circumference, he slowly develops control over his body and senses in stages and responds to what is going on around them. At first he could barely raise his head, then he will be able to raise chest and head while lying on his stomach. Then he will push up or prop himself up on his arms and kick his legs out behind him maybe raise both legs off the floor and even balance on the stomach, probably by the end of four months. Sometime during the first six months the baby will learn to roll over from front to back at first and then from back to front. The baby will be able to hold light things put in his hand and soon reach out to swing at objects. She smiles, coos and gurgles and her eyes follows a moving object.
Please note that these are only general developmental guidelines for an average healthy child. A healthy child may reach a developmental milestone earlier or later than the average shown in these guidelines. Each child develops differently and just because a child may appear to be behind in one developmental area does not mean there is something wrong. If you feel your child is behind in several areas of development, contact your pediatrician for advice.
Baby Care- The first two wondrous years:
Becoming a parent is a unique and happiest moment for everyone. After all the weeks of preparation and planning you can now hold your baby.
. The responsibilities of a 'Mother' and 'Father' comes with the arrival of your baby.
Most of us know very little about baby care at first. This section contains the first two wondrous years after the delivery of your child. So Parents, have fun and enjoy this very exciting time in your life!
Some important things that parents should keep in mind
. Choose cotton cloths for babies to avoid skin allergies.
· When you buy any thing for your child, read all manufacturers directions and safty precautions carefully.
· Never leave a young child along with your baby; he might pick him up and drop him or give him dangerous objects to play with.
· Keep a supply of first aid equipment in your house.
· The baby must be kept warm and dry to prevent heat loss.
· Oil should not be put in ears or nose. It can cause serious damage and infection.
· Strong odoured soaps and cosmetics should be avoided rather mild soaps should be used. These may lead to skin allergies and rashes.
· Never leave the baby alone in the bath even for a second.
· No home remedies should be given even for minor problems. Consult your doctor as soon as you feel something is wrong.
· Mother should eat a well balanced diet which is more important if you are breast feeding.
· Breast milk alone should be given till the baby is at least 4 months. Even in very hot climate there is no need to give extra water.
· If the baby is bottle fed, never leave her alone with her bottle she may choke.
· When you buy any thing for your child, read all manufacturers directions and safty precautions carefully.
· Never leave a young child along with your baby; he might pick him up and drop him or give him dangerous objects to play with.
· Keep a supply of first aid equipment in your house.
· The baby must be kept warm and dry to prevent heat loss.
· Oil should not be put in ears or nose. It can cause serious damage and infection.
· Strong odoured soaps and cosmetics should be avoided rather mild soaps should be used. These may lead to skin allergies and rashes.
· Never leave the baby alone in the bath even for a second.
· No home remedies should be given even for minor problems. Consult your doctor as soon as you feel something is wrong.
· Mother should eat a well balanced diet which is more important if you are breast feeding.
· Breast milk alone should be given till the baby is at least 4 months. Even in very hot climate there is no need to give extra water.
· If the baby is bottle fed, never leave her alone with her bottle she may choke.
Health care of your baby
Babies can become seriously ill quickly and any infection may be dangerous, so don't take chances; as illness at this age requires immediate attention.
Call your pediatrician if your baby has these symptoms.
· Has a temperature over 102.2o F (39oC) for more than half an hour.
· If your baby is too cold and too hot
· If your baby's breathing is very noisy and rapid
· If your baby throws up green vomit or vomits and cries uncontrollably as if in pain.
· If your baby shows that an area is tender to the touch
· If your baby has a low volume over a 24-hour period
· If your baby has blood in his urine or in his faeces
· Refuses two successive feedings, or does not demand to be fed for six hours
· If your baby seems particularly irritable or restless or seems abnormally quiet or drowsy.
· If your baby has a taut, bulging fontanelle when he isn't crying
Baby's Immunization Chart
The table below lists the different vaccines and ages when your child will require to take them.
The table below lists the different vaccines and ages when your child will require to take them.
BCG
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a live vaccine developed in 1921 to protect babies and young children against the most severe forms of Tuberculosis (TB) such as TB meningitis and military TB. In countries where TB infection and TB diseases are common, the world health organisation strongly endorses the continued use of BCG in national immunisation programme to minimise the harmful effects of TB infection in the first year of life.
A nodule appears 3-4 weeks after BCG vaccination. It may soften or ulcerate in 2-4 weeks. No application or fomentation is necessary. It heals, leaving a scar, indicating effective vaccination.
DPT
DPT vaccination is given to immunize babies against the diseases diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. The vaccine is administered as three dosages within 6 months and a booster at 18 months and at 4-6 years of age. There may be mild fever and pain, redness and swelling at the site of the injection. A small painless lump may remain for a few weeks. For fever and pain, paracetamol syrup/tablet may be given.
OPV
OPV is oral polio vaccine administered as drops for protection against polio.
HBV (Hepatitis B)
A hepatitis B injection for jaundice is given shortly after birth while the mother and child are still in hospital.
Books for Young Children:
Invisible Alligators - by Hayes Roberts - Little Sari discovers invisible alligators quietly sneaking around creating trouble for her and everyone else.
The Brave Monkey Pirate - by Hayes Roberts - The Pirate Modi uses his father's ship to follow a map. Will what he finds help him brave a shot at the doctor's office?
The Wiener Dog Magnet - by Hayes Roberts - Just what is it you can do with a wiener dog magnet? Kiki Marie is about to find out.
The Farm Animals - by Rolando Merino - An illustrated story of animal sounds. This is now a free complete online Click-a-Word Talking eBook!
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