Nanny Joe

Q: My baby is 3 months old and i need to get back to my work soon.He relies onlky on breastfeeding and refuses to be weaned off with any bottles/teats/pacis.Any tips as i dont know how it will be like without my breast milk.

A:

1) Now that you know you will be back to work soon;gradually alternate feeding your child between breastfeeding and feeding via a bottle.You can pump out your milk and put it into the bottle.Get your hubby involve in feeding so that your baby gets familiar with other people especially during feeding time.This will help in reducing the ‘clinging effect’ during feeding.

2) If you choose to continue breastfeeding;you can pump your milk out and store it in a breastmilk bag in the freezer.Usually frozen breast milk can be stored up to 2 days(experts say you can freeze it at the back of freezer at -4 degrees up to 6 months.I personally feel 2 days to ensure freshness as sometimes no sure gurantee for 6 months.This also encourages continuity in lactating as more often you express,the lactating period is normally prolonged).

To defreeze the milk, warm it up in a tub of warm water.

Q: What are the symptoms of chicken pox?

A:

Begins with a low grade fever,loss appetite and decreased activity.

- About two days later, your child will develop an itchy rash consisting of small red bumps that start on the scalp, face and trunk and then spread to the arms and legs (but may also occur in the mouth and genitalia).

- The bumps then become blisters with clear and then cloudy fluid, and then become open sores and finally crust over within about twenty four hours, but your child will continue to get new bumps for about four more days.

Q: What is chicken pox?

A:

Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness that should become much less a part of childhood as more children are given the Varivax vaccine.

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus and occurs most commonly in late winter or early spring.

Unvaccinated children usually develop symptoms about ten to twenty-one days after being exposed to someone with chickenpox (incubation period).

Q: What does my 12 year old daughter need to know about puberty?

A:

Puberty varies from individuals.

Your daughter should know by around age 9 or 10 that:

1. She will get her period at some point, a change that means she can become pregnant.
2. Her body, including her breasts, will be developing and could change more slowly or quickly than her friends’ figures.

Q: I am a single mother and my boy of 10 is about to hit puberty i guess….Without a father figure;can you help me on what i should inform him?

A:

According to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS),Your pre-teen son should know that:

1. His penis and testicles will start to increase in size and his scrotum will change color.
2. His erections will become more frequent during puberty, and he may have nocturnal emissions, or wet dreams.
3. He may experience a growth spurt and his voice will begin to change.
4. Hair growth in his private parts,coarse chin and etc

Q: How do i talk about sex to my pre-teen daughter?

A:

Talk and Teach your daughter regarding topics like:

• Privacy. Children need to understand from the time that they’re very young that no one is allowed to touch their private parts unless Mommy or Daddy says it’s OK (at the doctor’s, for example), and that the child should tell a trusted adult about any such touching. Kids sometimes play doctor, or “I’ll-show-you-mine-if-you-show-me-yours” — that’s common because children are naturally curious about each other’s bodies — but let them know in a gentle way, that other forms of play are better because they respect everyone’s privacy.
• Safe Surfing. Kids have to know that when they surf the Internet, they shouldn’t “talk” to someone unknown to them any more than they would if a stranger approached them on the street.

Beyond talking the talk, you can take action to limit your young child’s exposure to inappropriate sexual messages. Take these steps for starters:

• Monitor the television shows and movies your kids watch so they don’t become overstimulated and desensitized to sexual acts; keep any erotic tapes, magazines and books out of little ones’ reach; and call your cable company about locking out channels unsuitable for youngsters.
• Go to GetNetWise.com or safekids.com for information and filtering software to help block children’s exposure to inappropriate Internet materials.

Beyond the Birds-and-Bees Basics
Though schools often include sex education in the curriculum — they might impart some information about AIDS and pregnancy, for example — parents, too, should be involved with educating their children about these issues of physical health, and about the moral aspects of sexual behavior. Prepare your middle school-aged kids for puberty so they’re not caught with their proverbial pants down — offer your child the information in small doses, experts recommend, rather than in one “big talk.”

Q: When is it the best time to talk on sex to my child?I have a 8 year old daughter.Is it too late?

A:

The time to introduce the subject of sex is when a child wants to know what their “peepee” is. By talking to your children in a developmentally appropriate way, you remove the taint of taboo.

Experts recommend that you consider buying a children’s book on sexuality to guide you through the tougher topics, and when possible broach a sex-related subject in terms of a TV show or movie you and your child have seen, or a book he or she has read.

The goal is to inform and protect your children while making them feel good — not ashamed — of their bodies.

Q: My 16 year old son is thinking of specialising in the handling of ultrasound medical equipment after Career Day at school last weekend.Any ideas on how i can get more info?

A:

Congratulations on being supportive towards your son’s choice of career.It is very improtant to leave the options open and let hime really decide what he would want to do for his future.

Understand that your son is interested in handling ultrasound equipments medically and i believe that he is referring to the career as an ultrasound technician.The ultrasound technology is increasingly becoming an important tool in the medical industry besides in the gynaecology and obstetric field as it has increasingly been used to save lives for many other diseases.

There are a few good medical colleges offering ultrasound tech courses.There are a few ultrasound tech school which you can choose from according to the location and cost of the institution

These ultrasound technician school can offer counselling and further info on enrollment,career opportunities,cost and many more matters which can help as a guide for your son.

Q: My baby is 5 months old and she has 1 visible tooth.How do i care for this tooth?Can i use toothpaste?

A:

1.Wipe your baby’s gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze,

    or

2. Brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water (no toothpaste!). As soon as the first tooth appears, brush them with water.

3. Toothpaste is OK to use on your child’s teeth once he or she gets old enough to spit it out – usually around age 3. Choose one with fluoride and use only a pea-sized amount or less in younger children. Don’t let your child swallow the toothpaste or eat it out of the tube because an overdose of fluoride can be harmful for children.

4.By the time all your baby’s teeth are in, it’s a good idea to brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day, and especially after meals.

5. Another important tip for preventing tooth decay: don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle. The milk or juice can pool in her mouth and cause tooth decay and plaque.

*The American Dental Association recommends that children see a dentist by age 1, when six to eight teeth are in place, to spot any potential problems and advise parents about preventive care.

Q: In which position can i comfort my crying baby?

A:

Try a New Position