Causes of headaches during pregnancy

Headaches are, as most as other sensations in pregnancy, caused by hormones. But in addition there could be reasons like low blood sugar, dehydration, caffeine withdrawal and stress, especially related to insomnia. Nevertheless it is not unusual to get headaches in pregnancy and mostly it improves as the pregnancy progresses.

First Birthday!

The ideal party for a one year old includes a few select guests who are familiar to the party person. Keep décor simple, and make sure that the food is suitable for tiny guests. This means that the adults will have to forgo the salted peanuts and other snacks that could cause choking. Do not be tempted to get in entertainers such as clowns – there will be plenty of time for that in the years to come, and your one year old is just as likely to be terrified by a clown as thrilled by it. Try not to put too much pressure on baby to perform for the crowd. Let baby be himself and enjoy the things he wants to do – even if that is just to play with the discarded wrapping paper. It’s baby’s day – so make it an easy one for him to enjoy!

Advantages of Bottle Feeding

For some women there are feelings or circumstances which make bottle feeding preferable. Formulas have become increasingly sophisticated and are highly nutritious. Babies who are bottle fed take longer to digest their food due to its inherent nature… so the four hour gap between feeds can be a blessing to both mother and baby. Night feeds can be carefully scheduled and helpers can be employed to deal with some of the feeds. In addition you will be able to keep close track of exactly how much formula your baby has drunk – which can be enormously reassuring to a new mother.

Hypospadias

Every now and again, something goes a little wrong during thr prenatal development of the urethra (tube that carried urine and semen) and the penis. This condition is called hypospadias and affects approximately 1 in 200 newborn boys.

First degree hypospadias, in which the urethral opening is at the end of the penis but not exactely in the right place, is considered a minor defect and requires no treatment. Second degree hypospadias, in whuch the opening is along the underside of the shaft of the penis, and third degree hypospadias, in which the opening is near the scrotum, can be corrected with reconstructive surgery.

Because the foreskin may be used for the reconstruction, circumcision, even ritual circumcision, is not performed on a baby with hypospadias. Sometimes, a girl is born with hypospadias, with the urethra opening into the vagina. This too, is usually correctable with surgery.

For more of your baby concerns answered, visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

To smack or not to smack

Although the act of smacking has been passed along from generation to generation, many experts agree that it is not an effective way to discipline a child. Children that are smacked may refrain from repeating a bad act rather than risk getting another smack, but they obey only as long as the risk is present.

Research shows that the short-term benefit of smacking - instant obedience is outweighed by the potential long-term risks. Smacking has shown to promote violence, aggression and other antisocial behaviour, for another, smacking teaches that the best way to solve a problem is with force, and prevents them from learning more constructive ways to deal with frustration and anger.

For more advice on discipline visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

Choosing a name for baby

Many are unhappy with their own name, but how can we be sure our baby won't be unhappy with the name we choose?

To a newborn baby a name doesn't mean much, but once friends begin to play a bigger role in your child's life usually during primary school negative feelings to the name you selected may emerge. Though there really is no way to ensure baby will love for a lifetime the name you choose, great thought when selecting a name might help lessen negativity later on.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing a name for your baby:

• make sure both you and your spouse like the name


• select a meaningful name


• select a name that fits e.g. Melanie for example, which means "dark" would be fitting for a dark-haired girl


• how will the name sound to others? are there any possible hidden meanings or soundalike words that might someday embarass your child?


• include a middle name so that if your child turns out to be unhappy with his first name, the middle name can be used


• consider choosing a name that's easy to say and spell


• avoid the trendy or the political names


• use a real name instead of a diminutive e.g Robert not Bob


• if you don't want your child to be one of five John's in the class, avoid picking a name from the year's "top ten "


• consider family feelings, but don't let them dominate
  
• be sure the name or names are euphonic with the last name and with each other
  

For more baby name tips visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

Swollen Scrotum

Are you a little worried about your son's huge scromtum?

...well the good news is that there is nothing to be concerned about. A boy's testicles are encased in a protective pouch called the scrotum, which is filled with a bit of fluid to cushion them. Sometimes a child is born with an excessive amount of fluid in the scrotal sac, making it appear swollen. This condition is called hydrocele and gradually resolves during the first year mostly without any treatment.

Remember to point the swelling to your doctor to ensure what you see isn't a inguinal hernia (more likely if there is also tenderness, redness and discolouration), which can appear similar to hydrocele.

For more of your baby concerns answered visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

Rare birth disorders: Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome

What is RTS?
Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is a genetic multi-system disorder characterised by facial abnormalities, broad thumbs and great toes, and mental retardation.
In many cases, RTS is caused by a deletion or mutation in the short arm (p) of chromosome 16. RTS is found equally in both males and females and is considered to be a rare syndrome, occurring in 1 out of every 100,000 to 300,000 live births.

Features and characteristics
There are many characteristics associated with RTS. Not every individual has all the characteristics, however, the following is a list of traits that have been reported:

Broad thumbs and/or toes (sometimes angulated)
Mental retardation (from mild to severe)
Beaked nose
Short stature (delayed bone age)
Broad nasal bridge
Malformed ears
High arched palate
Widely spaced eyes
Downward slant of eyes
Extra fold of skin on either side of the nose
Strabismus
Droopy eyelids
Heavy or highly arched eyebrows
Small head (microcephaly)
Small lower jaw
Flat red birthmark on forehead
Hyperextensible joints
Small tilted pelvis
Hairiness
Undescended testicles in males
Feeding difficulties
Respiratory infections
Eye infections
Cardiac anomalies
Vertebral abnormalities
Gastroesophageal reflux and vomiting
Kidney abnormalities
Orthopedic problems

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of RTS can be made following a complete clinical exam (including X-rays of the hands and feet for bone malformations, a CT-scan or MRI for characteristic brain malformations, an EEG for electrical activities of the brain, and an EKG or echocardiogram for congenital heart defects). RTS may also be confirmed by FISH studies, which could possibly detect a deletion or mutation in chromosome 16p. While some children with more severe characteristics can be diagnosed at birth, others who are more mildly affected (lacking severe medical problems, extreme physical characteristics, or moderate to severe mental retardation) may not be diagnosed until adolescence.

Treatment
Most children with RTS will benefit from an early intervention programme with an emphasis on speech therapy, as speech is typically an area of slower development. Additionally, some children with RTS will not be able to speak verbally and may need to learn sign language as an alternative form of communication. Some children with skeletal abnormalities may also benefit from physical and occupational therapy.

What to expect
Individuals with RTS are usually happy, social people. Children with RTS love to touch anything and enjoy manipulating objects. They typically enjoy books, water, people, and music. Children with RTS usually will learn to crawl between 1 and 2 years of age and walk between 2 to 4 years of age. Their receptive skills are typically much higher than expressive skills (they can understand most of what is said to them but may not be able to express themselves).

Most children with RTS will need to be in a special education programme and will need assistance with feeding and dressing.

For more info on common birth defects visit www.babyonline.co.za

Is leaking milk from breasts normal?

The first few weeks of nursing are almost always very damp ones, with milk leaking, dripping or even spraying frequently. The leaks spring anytime, anywhere, and normally without warning!

Because leaking is a physical process that has a strong mind connection, you're most likely to leak when you're thinking about baby, talking about your baby, or hearing your baby cry. A warm shower may sometimes stimulate the drip, too. But you may also find yoursefl springing leaks at very randon times, even when baby is not on your mind. Milk may also drip when you're late for a feeding.

Living with leaking breasts isn't fun nor comfortable but this is a common side-effect of breastfeeding.

Here are 6 tips to try to help deal with leaking breasts:

1. keep a stash of nursing pads on you
2. If you find you drip alot at night, line your bra with extra nursing pads before going to bed

3. Opt for prints especially dark ones, these camouflage the milk stains best

4. Don't pump to prevent leaking, it will stimulate more milk.

5. Apply pressure - you can try stem the leak when you feel it starting by pressuring your nipples or folding your arms tightly across your breasts.

For more handy tips to deal with the side-effects of breastfeeding visit http://www.babyonline.co.za/

The most common birth disorders: Autism

What is it?
An inablity, which dates from birth or develops within the first two and half years of life, to develop normal humna relationships, even with parents.

There are great differences among children with autism. Some who are midly affected may exhibit only slight language delays and greater challenges with social interactions. Others who are more severely affected don't smile or respond to parents or anyone else in any way and dislike being picked up or touched. Often there are extreme problems with speaking, stange positions and mannerisms, erratic and inappropriate behaviour and, sometimes self destructiveness. The child may have normal intelligence but appear to be retarded or deaf.

How common is it?
There are an estimated 2 - 6 cases per 1000 babies

What causes it?
Autism has no single cause. Researches have identified a number of genes that play a role in the disorder. In some children environmental factors (including maternal smoking while pregnant) may also play a role. Autiem may also be cuased by a combination of biological factors, including exposure to a virus before birth, a problem with immune system or genetics.

Treatment
At present there is no cure, but some children have been helped with behaviour modification therapy, stimulation, special training and sometimes drugs.

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