Stork marks

Q. What are these?
A. These are also known as Salmon patches. They often occur at the nape of the neck, the forehead, the eyelids and under the nose of newborns. They are simply dilated blood vessels.

Q. Will they always be there?
A. No, they fade from the face during the first year of life. They are harmless and don't require treatment. The mark in the base of the neck may remain for life in some children.

Strawberry birthmarks

Q. What is it?
A. It's medical name is haemangioma. It's caused by a proliferation of immature blood vessels and forms a raised red mark resembling a strawberry.

Q. Is it always a red mark?
A. No, sometimes you can get other types which develop deeper under the skin and can look like bluish swellings. These can be called Cavernous haemangiomas.

Q. Are they more common in boys or girls?
A. Boys and girls can have them but they are more common in girls and pre-term babies. Some children can have several marks.

Q. How are they treated?
A. Most disappear by the time a child is five without any treatment. They often grow quite quickly until the baby is one they then become static and shrink over the next few years.

Problems.
Because they are a collection of blood vessels they can bleed. Most bleeds can be dealt with by applying firm pressure with a dressing or wad of tissue.
If the birthmark affects the babies feeding or vision or breathing your GP may refer your baby for treatment. Treatments include, laser therapy, injected corticosteroids, or surgical removal.

Cradlecap

Q. What is Cradlecap?
A. It's proper name is seborrhoeic dermatitis. It occurs soon after birth and is most common in the first two years. It's a build up of greasy white or yellowy brown scales on the baby's scalp or/and forehead.

Q.What causes it?
A. It's thought to be caused by an over activity in the baby's oil producing glands due to the hormones still circulating in the babies bloodstream.

Q. How do I treat it?
A. Loosen the scales by massaging warm olive oil or baby oil into baby's scalp. Leave it overnight then brush gently with a soft brush before shampooing out. If after repeating this a few times it doesn't improve you may want to try a cradle cap shampoo.

Problems.
If baby's skin is red or inflamed or the cradle cap is very severe we advise you see your GP as a mild hydrocortisone cream may be needed.

Nappy Rash

Many babies get nappy rash in the first year or so.

Q. What causes nappy rash?
A. It's caused by the skin being in prolonged contact with amonia from urine (wee) or bacteria from stools (poo) which can burn or irritate the skin. Other causes include:
sensitive skin
rubbing/chaffing
diarrhoea or illness
change in diet eg weaning
bubble bath or soap
baby wipes

Q. What does it look like?
A. It looks like red patches. The skin looks hot and sore and there may be spots.

Q. How do I prevent it?
A. Change the nappy frequently as soon as it's wet or dirty. Clean thoroughly use mild soap or gentle baby wipes. If you use soap make sure you rinse and dry the skin well. Leave the nappy off when you can and let fresh air get to the skin. A barrier cream may help.

Q. How do I treat it?
A. Follow the steps to prevent nappy rash. Ask us about which barrier creams are suitable and how to apply them.

Q. The rash isn't getting better, now what?
A. If it doesn't improve after treatment or if there is a persistant red, moist rash with little red or white pimples which have also spread into the skin folds, the baby may have thrush. In this case a special anti-fungal treatment is needed. Ask us, your GP or chemist for advice.

If in any doubt seek medical advice.

Crying baby

All babies cry. Some babies cry a lot. As a parent you want to make your baby happy but sometimes even after feeding, changing, rocking and playing nothing seems to work.
Here are some things to try.
If you are breastfeeding let your baby suckle at the breast.

If you have a baby sling try putting your baby in it and hold them close against you as you move about gently. Try gentle rocking or dancing to soft music.

Rock your baby gently back and forth in their pram or buggy. Try going out for a walk or drive. A lot of babies fall asleep in cars or while on a walk and if they wake as soon as you get home at least you've had a respite from the crying.

Find something new to look at or listen to. Cot mobiles, the radio, a stroll around the garden or park.

Some babies suck their thumbs or like a dummy. When a little older they may have a particular toy or blanket they like to suck or cuddle. Choose something washable and have a duplicate that you can alternate.

Stroke your baby firmly and rhythmically while holding them close to you. Baby massage may help. We will be offering courses for parents soon in baby massage. Talk to Ruth if you are interested.

If your baby likes a bath, this may help soothe them.

Put your baby down after a feed and leave the room for a few minutes. Sometimes a baby can be overstimulated.

Remember - this difficult time won't last forever.
Never be tempted to shake your baby to make them stop.
Contact us if you feel as if you are struggling.
There are some organisations which can help if the problem is prolonged. Check out the links in the sidebar or ask us.
If your babies cry is high pitched, or your baby has a temperature or appears in any way unwell contact your GP for advice.

Baby walkers

As health professionals we would like to see baby walkers banned from sale.

Q. Why don't you like baby walkers?
A. Baby walkers are associated with more injuries to infants than any other type of nursery equipment. In 2002 over 2,350 babies in the UK went to hospital following an injury sustained while in a baby walker. Almost 70% were under a year old. One third of all babies using a walker will be injured.

Q. What type of injuries do you mean?
A. Falls, the walkers can tip and baby can be thrown down steps or stairs. They can crash into sharp corners or fall on fires or hot stoves.
Burns and scalds. As well as the risk of falling against something hot because the baby can reach higher objects there is an increased risk of scalds due to the child pulling hot liquids down onto themselves.
Research from a hospital in Wales showed a quarter of babies aged 6-12 months in hospital with burns or scalds had sustained these injuries while in a baby walker. Many of these injuries were to the face and head.
Poisoning. The baby can acess things which previously they couldn't reach. An Australian study found baby walkers were the second most common factor associated with poisonings in children under 1.

Q. But I thought they would help my child's development.
A. This is untrue. There is a body of evidence that shows they DELAY development. Rolling, sitting and crawling are the building blocks for walking. They can actually cause problems, eg muscle shortening, destabilisation of the hips, tiptoe walking.

Q. Aren't they a good place to keep my baby occupied while I'm busy?
A. No. If anything a baby in a walker needs a greater level of supervision. Baby walker accidents happen very quickly and an American study showed in 70%of accidents the child was allegedly being supervised at the time.

Q. I thought new modifications had improved these problems and new walkers were safe to use?
A. This is unsupported by the evidence. There has been no reduction in the number of accidents.

Ask us for more information or collect our free handout from clinic if you would like to know more. Better still why not ask your MP about getting these dangerous items banned from sale.
(Our thanks to the Child accident prevention trust for use of their statistics)

Toddler diarrhoea

Between the ages of 1 and 5 some children may pass frequent, loose, smelly stools (poo). Usually the children are healthy and growing well. Your GP may not find any serious cause for this. This is known as Toddler Diarrhoea.

Q. My child is suffering from this and my doctor can't find a cause. What can I do?
A. Give less fluids between meals if your child drinks a lot. Drinks which contain artificial sweetners, low calorie drinks and some fruit juices can make this condition worse. You may need to do this gradually if your child drinks a lot. Sometimes giving a small snack such as bread and butter with a smaller drink may help.
Give more foods with a higher fat content e.g full-fat yoghurt, fromage frais and butter.
If your child eats a lot of high fibre foods eg wholemeal or cereal then try reducing these or swap to white bread, pasta and rice.

Problems.
If your child is vomitting at the same time or the diarrhoea is very watery or lasts longer than a few days, or if it contains blood or your child has severe or prolonged tummy ache then contact your GP urgently for advice.
Diarrhoea is not usually worrying, do not give any anti-diarrhoea medicine unless your doctor has prescribed it and make sure everyone in the family is extra careful with hand washing. Use a separate towel for the affected child.