5 Baby-Health Myths Every Parent Should Be Aware Of
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Parents could worry too much over their baby’s health. A little sneeze of their baby can trigger panic. Added to this are the superstitions passed on by their family, friends and various cultures. The half-knowledge that they may have, or wrong interpretation of the information widely available on the internet can make it worse. The fact that babies cannot be vocal about how they feel or describe their symptoms make the whole situation worrisome.
However, one thing to be noted is that most of the symptoms are highly common among children and children do get better on their own without medical intervention. Here are few myths that revolve around your baby’s health that you need to rethink:
1. Over-The-Counter Medicines
Do you require medicines for you baby for a cough or a cold? Have you ever given it a thought? Parents normally believe that over-the-counter pediatric medicines for a cough or cold help cure your baby faster than allowing the cold to run its natural course. They even think it is safe to use these medicines. As far as the efficacy is concerned, pediatric medicines for a cough and cold are not recommended for kids under four years and often most of these medicines do nothing much to improve your child’s condition. As of the safety, parents should be cautious of any overdose of these medicines. In fact, these medicines are unnecessary.
2. Herbal Remedies For Babies
Herbal remedies are not always bad for kids. But one must be aware of the quantity that is just right for your baby. Also, some natural remedies are good for babies, but some aren’t beneficial. You must have an eye for the right herbal remedies. The most common natural remedy for babies is honey. While honey is not supposed to be too good for our baby under one, but in the case of a cold, cough or a sore throat, it could work wonders.
3. Using Alternating Medicines
If your baby is suffering from fever, it’s not a great idea to use alternating drug compositions. Few parents do that! In fact several parents tend to get panicky about their babies being down with a fever. And therefore they become hell-bent upon treating them of their febrile condition. What parents need to realize is that fever is merely a way of cleansing one’s body of infection. Parents need not worry of seizure until there is a sudden spike in the temperature that might lead into a convulsion. An aggressive treatment is needed only in case of seizures, and that is the time to see your doctor as well. And most importantly stay out of administering alternating compositions without a doctor’s prescription.
4. Ear Infections
Ear infections in babies most likely arise from water passing through their ears during baths. Most parents believe that ear infections must invariably be treated with antibiotics. But the reality is most of the ear infections resolve on their own, without applying any antibiotic. In fact there are countries where people leave their babies untreated of ear infections and leave them to get better on their own.
5. The Fabled Link Between Autism And Vaccines
The anti-vaccine protesters have done enough to add to the existing myth that vaccination cause autism in children. But there has been no scientific evidence that can testify this. In fact with time, the definition of autism has changed. Autism now encompasses conditions learning disability, language disorder, mental disorder among others – while also considering the spectrum of the mental deficit in various degrees. It is yet not known whether the traditionally known symptoms of autism are just as prevalent as in the past few years alongside the rising classifications of autism.
What was the recourse you took to when your baby fell ill any time? Write back to us!
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