Durban - Toddlers are, as the label suggests, those who toddle. Shortly after a baby turns a year old, he or she begins to crawl, toddle along and eventually walk. They also begin to talk. This is a time of great cognitive, emotional and social development.
However, as your precious little one leaves your arms to explore the world, they may encounter ailments and other challenges.
Dr Andre Botha, who has long been one of Durban’s most well-respected paediatricians, shared some tips and advice for parents:
* Don’t say “No!” No is a challenge to the toddler and in a toddler’s language means: “Do it.”
* The number of new viral infections in the first two years of life, out of home, has risen from about six a year to between nine and 18. This means the child can have six months of on-and-off fever, cough and runny nose.
* There is no medication that is effective and safe that:
a) Shortens or improves a blocked nose.
b) Decreases nasal discharge.
c) Decreases the cough associated with blocked/runny nose (a cough is medicine for the chest).
d) Shortens the duration of the illness.
* For every degree centigrade the body temperature rises, the metabolic rate increases 17-fold. Hence at 41ºC, the metabolic rate is 51 times the normal rate. At this point, undress your child, give him or her fever medication and wait 45 minutes. With an uncomplicated virus, the little one will be smiling and there will be no need to call the doctor.
* Fever medicines do not work effectively if given in too small a dose, so give enough. With paracetamol, give:
5ml to a child weighing 6-8kg;
7.5ml for 8-13.5kg;
10ml for 13.5-16kg;
12.5ml for 16.5-20kg.
Give non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (for example, Mefenamic acid) if the temperature is more than 38.5ºC.
* Don’t be afraid of fever. Out of 100 children below the age of 5 who have a temperature of more than 40ºC, only two or three will have something more serious than a viral infection. The degree of illness when the temperature is down should alert you to the risk of serious disease.
* Antibiotics kill only bacteria and not viruses.
* The body must pass a stool every day. Hard stools are bad for your child’s health, but this is easy to remedy.
* About 90 percent of brain growth occurs in the first year of life, so invest heavily in stimulating your children.
* Never tell or live a lie. Toddlers can see into you.
The Mercury