The Most Common Diseases Of Babies And Their Treatment

The most common diseases in babies are ailments familiar to every family with children, from the flu to ear infections and various stomach ailments. It’s good for every parent of a young child to know how to deal with these common problems when a baby gets sick – because even if no parent wants their child to get sick, it will happen sooner or later.

In fact, some of the diseases presented in this article are so common during the first year of a child’s life that their treatment can be considered almost as part of caring for the baby’s basic daily needs. Not every child suffers from each of these diseases, but probably at least some of them.

The most common diseases of babies and their treatment

1. Constipation

Up to 30% of young children suffer from constipation . In addition to being uncomfortable for the child, the discomfort can lead to more serious problems if no relief is found. A child with constipation may express discomfort, for example, by taking a break or being in a generally bad mood.

The most common signs that your baby is suffering from constipation are:

The baby defecates less or less than normal
The baby’s stool is dry and hard
In some cases, the stool is more watery than normal

Constipation is most often related in one way or another to a baby’s diet, and the problem occurs especially during the first months of life, when the body is not yet fully mature. External factors can also cause constipation. Just like adults, children respond to environmental stimuli on their bodies, which explains why, for example, traumatic situations can cause constipation.

Relieving baby constipation

Massage can help relieve baby constipation. While parents, of course, want to help their child as soon as he or she cries about being sad, it is a good idea to start the massage only when the baby is calm.

Pediatricians encourage parents who use the infant formula to add a little more water to the formula than normal.
You can try to give the child small amounts of hand-warm water or orange juice or feed a small amount of plum.
Sometimes children who eat infant formula have difficulty tolerating milk protein, so prolonged constipation should be treated by switching to dairy products such as soy-based alternatives.
A warm bath may make it easier for a baby with constipation to feel.
If your child is already eating solid food, it is a good idea to feed him or her whole grain products regularly. Certain foods, such as carrots and rice, have been found to increase the risk of constipation in some cases.
If your child can already walk, it is important that he uses his energy during the day. Exercise promotes intestinal function.

The child should be taught not to hold stool.

2. Flu and cough

It is quite normal for a baby to get the flu at least once during their first year of life. Some viruses cause the common flu, but because a young child’s resistance is still developing and weaker than that of an adult, it is more difficult for him or her to fight the infection.

It is also very common for babies to explore the world around them by touching all possible places and objects both with their hands and mouths, which makes them remarkably susceptible to various viral infections.

The most common symptoms of the flu are:

Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Sore throat and dryness
Sneezing
Cough
Headache
Eye leakage
Muscle and joint pain
Fatigue
Rise in body temperature
Chills

Relieving baby flu and cough

There is no real cure for the flu, but its nasty symptoms can usually be relieved.

A variety of nasal congestion relief products are available that are also suitable for children. However, for young children, saline drops or nebulizers are often recommended, which are not only effective but certainly safe aids. The liquid, which consists of water and salt, moistens the mucous membranes and removes the mucus that has accumulated in the nostrils.
To relieve sore throat and dryness, it is important to provide the child with plenty of fluids – above all water, but also juices and hot drinks for older children, for example. Water also keeps the body hydrated, removes waste products from the body and dilutes secretions. However, drinking water is not recommended for babies under six months of age.

Coughing can be a really annoying symptom especially when prolonged and going to bed. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the cough. Cough medicines can relieve symptoms in some cases, and it is also worth trying to breathe water vapor. It is good to keep in mind that the function of a cough is to remove mucus from the airways, which is why stopping coughing can even be harmful.
It is important to keep the child in a warm and well-ventilated area that does not accumulate too much moisture. The main side of the sleeping pad for a runny child should be raised to make it easier for the child to breathe.

3. Diaper rash

Diaper rash is one of the most common health problems in babies, and almost every young child suffers from it at some point. This is an irritation in the baby’s groin and genital area due to moisture, heat, or lack of ventilation . These can be caused by a poorly dressed or poorly fitting diaper, poor sanitation of the baby’s genital area, or using the same diaper for too long.

Although diaper rash is classified as a mild skin lesion, it can turn untreated into a complex problem and in the worst cases lead to skin ulcers. Common symptoms of diaper rash include redness of the diaper area and later pain, swelling and itching.

Relieving baby diaper rash

The most important thing in treating diaper rash is to change your baby’s diaper often enough and wash the entire diaper area with water and neutral or antibacterial soap. The skin should be well dried so that the area does not remain moist.

4. Diarrhea

The faeces of a child with diarrhea pass with more water than usual, which makes the faeces loose or watery. Diarrhea is usually caused by inflammation of the gut caused by the virus and can also be accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting and fever.

Relieving baby diarrhea

A child with diarrhea usually relieves themselves in a couple of days, but diarrhea can last up to a week. The most important thing in home care for diarrhea is to prevent the child from drying out and to replace the fluids and salts lost by the body. If your child does not taste food, make sure he or she gets enough fluids.

5. Ear inflammation

Among the most common diseases in babies are also ear infections, which can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Inflammation of the ear in a baby or young child is usually associated with viral respiratory infection. Otitis media is usually associated with runny nose and cough, and most young children suffer from pain that manifests itself primarily as night restlessness.

Relieving baby otitis media

Ear infections are often treated with antibiotics, but some infections heal without a course of antibiotics, in which case symptomatic analgesic treatment and good hydration are sufficient.