Common Concerns During Infancy: Parental Concerns and Problems
Use of pacifiers
- Infants who manifest the following need a pacifier:
- Sucks on clothes ad hands.
- Those who actively searches for a thing to put in the mouth.
- Infants who is fed completely but still seems restless and discontented.
- Babies who have colic (babies interpret the abdominal pain in colic as hunger
- Parents can offer pacifier to the infant after feeding for more sucking. When sucking needs are met during ones infancy, the individual will not crave as much oral stimulation later in life and will less likely become a pencil chewer, cigarette smoker or nail niter.
- Instruct the parents to sterilize pacifiers when it falls on the floor before giving back to infants. The major drawback of pacifier use is the problem of cleanliness.
- Encourage parents to start weaning the infant from pacifier use anytime after 3 months of age and certainly during 6 to 9 months, when the sucking reflex is fading.
Colic (paroxysmal abdominal pain generally occurring in infants under 3 years of age)
- Educate the parents of the cause of colic which are:
- Overfeeding
- Swallowing air while feeding
- Instruct parents to burp the infant after feeding.
- Hold the infant in an upright position while feeding.
Diaper Rash
- Frequent diaper changing.
- Exposing the diaper area to air to help relieve rash.
- Advise parents to allow the infant to sleep without diaper at night to help control the problem.
- Application of Desitin ointment on the affected area.
Baby Bottle Syndrome
baby bottle syndrome
Baby bottle syndrome is a condition where an infants tooth is decayed because of putting an infant to sleep with a bottle. Tooth decay occur because while an infant is sleeping (with the bottle on the mouth), liquid from the prop bottle continuously soaks the upper front teeth and the lower back teeth. The carbohydrate in milk ferments to organic acid that demineralize the tooth enamel until it is damaged or decayed.
- Instruct parents never to put their babies to sleep with a bottle prop in the infant’s mouth.
- If the bottle is necessary for infants to fall asleep
encourage the parents to do any of the following:
- Fill the bottle with water not milk and use a nipple with smaller hole. (to prevent the baby from receiving too much fluid)
- In case where the infant refuses to drink water, instruct the mother to dilute the milk with more and more water each night.
Milliaria
Milliaria is also called a prickly heat rash which is commonly occurring during hot seasons. It also occurs when the infants are overdressed or sleep in over-heated rooms.
- Bath the infant twice a day during hot seasons.
- To help relieve rash mix a small amount of baking soda into the bath water.
- Lower room temperature.
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Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
