Q & A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a baby related question but are struggling to find an answer?

Simply email your question to letstalk@frombumptogrump.co.uk and we will do our very best to find an answer.

 

The best question each month will win a Zincospray.

 

 

 

Nappy Rash Relief with Zincospray

Nappy rash can play havoc on your little one’s bottom, leaving baby’s skin spotty, sore and irritated. Most cases of nappy rash only produce mild symptoms such as a pink rash and blotches but more severe cases can cause dry, cracked and broken skin, which can be distressing for your baby. Help ease the discomfort of nappy rash by using Zincospray, the first pump-action spray, which offers a practical, hygienic and mess-free way to soothe and protect your baby’s skin.

It contains zinc oxide, which helps calm baby’s delicate skin, while its natural anti-inflammatory ingredients camomile and calendula help provide relief from redness, itching and soreness. Zincospray’s light non-greasy formula also creates a moisturising barrier to help prevent further irritation and when used regularly it can help prevent nappy rash from ever developing.

Unlike other products available, Zincospray is not applied by hand, therefore it provides a more hygienic way to alleviate the problem of nappy rash as the pump dispenser can be sprayed directly onto the affected area. Applying nappy rash cream by hand may cause irritation and cross contamination but by spraying the formula, mums and dads will find it easier to target the affected areas - especially on wriggly babies!

Recommended for use for all nappy changing on freshly washed and dried skin, Zincospray is available in a light weight pump-action bottle, ideal for changing bags.

Zincospray is available exclusively in selected Boots stores, priced £6.95 (125ml), and on www.zincospray.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

Q: My little boy is 11 months old, and has had a sticky eye on and off since birth. He has had three different types of antibiotic, but nothing has worked long term. The doctor and health visitor have both said he will grow out of it. Does anyone have any remedies that have worked for them?

A: The antibiotics you've been given will only be to clear up infections, they won't solve the problem. In most cases simply bathing the eye is sufficient, and the condition will usually clear up by itself. If it persists after 12 months your doctor will probably refer you to a specialist eye surgeon who can look into probing the tear ducts to unblock them. This is done under a general anesthetic and doesn't cause any pain to the child.

 

 

Q: Jamie who is almost 10 months old rarely walks on the flat of his foot. He is almost always on his toes. Should we be worried about this or will ir correct itself as he learns to walk properly?

A: Most toddlers go through a phase of walking on their toes and grow out of it, it can though be a sign of other problems such as a shortened achiles tendon, or mild cerebral palsy so if the 'toe-walking' continues, or you are concerned, it's probably best to take him to the doctor, they will be able to put your mind at rest.

 

 

Q: Can classical music help my baby sleep and is it suitable during pregnancy

A: Definitely. Babies in the womb can hear the music you play, so if you play classical music during your pregnancy, later on baby will find the same music comforting and familiar. If you find classical music doesn't help baby sleep then try experimenting with other types of music, some babies find it easier to sleep with some background noise, and it helps detract from other noise in the house, especially useful if you have other children who might be noisy.

 

 

Q: Why does my five month old baby suffer from athete's foot, when her feet are scrupulously clean?

A: Athlete's Foot flourishes on damp skin. Her feet might be very clean but could they still be wet after a bath? Make sure you dry her feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, and hopefully it will clear up.

 

 

Q: Our 15-month old forever wakes in the middle of the night wanting a bottle of milk. We have tried just giving him water or slightly flavoured water, but he wants milk. We have now tried giving him a very full bottle before bed but he still wakes at 4ish in the morning - any ideas on getting him to sleep through?

A: It could be that baby is indeed hungry, or it could be that they just want the reassurance and comfort that a bottle of milk gives them. One idea to give them that comfort when they wake at night without giving the milk. Don't turn the light on and don't make eye contact with baby, talk in a soothing voice and stroke his head until he is asleep again. If this doesn't work then perhaps you could try putting him to bed a little later and ensuring he's had plenty to eat and lots of fluids. Other ideas could be to try having a toy in the cot that responds to him waking and tries to soothe without you having to move, or if he has a comforter, make sure it is within his reach. Other than that it may just be a phase that he'll grow out of!

 

 

Q: How do you stop a baby hicuping?

A: Many babies frequently get hiccups when they are excited or after a feed, so firstly, don't worry! Burping them regularly during a feed can help prevent hiccups. If baby appears to be disturbed by the hiccups then distracting them with a toy and lots of attention will usually help. Other than that it's really just a case of waiting till they go away, baby will grow out of it eventually!

 

Q. My 5 week old daughter has a couple of very big and some small strawberry birthmarks, they look unsightly
and i'm worried about when she is older. are there any treatments for these birthmarks as they are growing already.

A: Strawberry birthmarks affect around 2% of babies. In 30% of children the birthmark will fade by the third birthday and by the fifth birthday in 50%. By the seventh birthday 70% will have faded.
If they don't fade the child can be given Steroid medicine or injections to shrink the blood vessels that cause the marks, in rare cases plastic surgery is used to help. In short, try not to worry too much as they will more than likely fade as your daughter gets older, and will probably be gone by the time she's old enough to be embarrassed by them. Occasionally they can be troublesome, eg. if they're near the eye area, so ask your doctor about it just to be on the safe side.

 

 

Q. My baby hates having a bath and it is turning into a nightmare experience. Any ideas?

This is very common and not just specific to babies. There is no definite answer. The more relaxed you are can help. Distractions such as toys, another person to get their attention or music, may help. Make sure the water temperature isn't too hot or cold. If all else fails, just make it a quick experience!

 

 

Q. My baby takes forever to get to sleep, he just won't settle even though I know he is tired - do you have any tips you can share with me?
A. Firstly make sure the room baby is sleeping in is calm, quiet and dimly lit, if the room is a hive of activity with family members coming in and out all the time he's bound to be curious about what's going on around him! When one of my children was a baby we bought a tape of womb noises, supposed to recreate the sounds of being in the womb and relaxing the child, eventually we discovered that the noise of the washing machine and vacuum cleaner worked even better so we recorded those and played them back to her! It could be worth a try for you. Good Luck!

 

Q: My baby's nose is very snuffly and I am anxious to clear it to help him breathe easier. I have had lots of tips from helpful friends but am worried some may do more harm than good?

A: For those times when baby has a cold or is extra snuffly, a good place to start is with steam to help clear passages. You could try taking him into a steamy bathroom or boiling a kettle to give the same effect. Alternatively, there are various menthol preparations designed to be sprinkled near baby which will help clear the nasal passages. Naturally, if these do not help to clear the problem, contact your GP who may prescribe a nasal drop to ease the discomfort.

 

Q: How old does my baby have to be before requiring a passport and is it necessary to have an official photo taken?

A: A baby requires a passport to travel abroad from birth and they can no longer be included on their parent's passport. Although not the easiest of things to achieve, you do need to get a proper passport photo taken. It may be a good idea to visit a photo developing shop who will retake any pictures if they aren't clear enough. Also, avoid dummies, hats and your own body in the frame. For further advice, visit the Passport Officewebsite here.

 

Q: When should I start weaning my baby onto solid food?

A: Weaning usually begins between 4 and 6 months of age, but this depends on your own baby.. Introduction of solids is not recommended before the age of 4 months because your baby's digestive system is not able to cope properly before then. There is also no nutritional reason for giving any food other than breast milk or infant milk before 4 months.
If you don't think your baby is ready for solids at 4 months there's no need to start weaning then, but it is important that you start by the age of 6 months. By 6 months, breast or infant milk will not be able to satisfy all your baby's nutritional needs, and it is important from a developmental point of view to start giving other foods.

 

Q: When can I start to take my baby swimming?

A: There is no reason why you can't take your baby swimming as soon as you feel comfortable doing so after giving birth. However, a lot of health visitors will recommend that you wait until after the first set of jabs at 8 weeks. It is always best to check with the swimming pool first as thery may have their own criteria.

 

Q: When can I take my baby on an aeroplane?

A: If you gave birth less than 48 hours ago, you and your baby will not be not allowed to travel on an aeroplane. Babies between 2 and 7 days old can fly if you have a letter from your GP. If you have given birth by caesarean section you must wait 10 days before you can fly. In general, it is best to wait until the baby is over two weeks old.