Ask our health visitor: January 2006

Don’t hold your breath    

Q Do you have any tips on what to do when babies hold their breath in anger? Recently my one-year-old son got so upset that he held his breath. I couldn’t ignore it as he started to turn blue and I panicked. I’d be grateful for any advice.

A When a child holds his breath in anger it can be really frightening for parents, but please be reassured that your son won’t do himself any harm. His body’s reflexes will ensure that he automatically starts breathing again long before he is in any danger.

If your son has another breath-holding episode, make sure that he is in a safe place and that he can’t hurt himself. If you spot the signs, see if you can distract him before he starts to hold his breath but if you can’t, just wait for him to come out of it, remaining very calm. This way he doesn’t get attention for it – as with all types of angry and frustrated behaviour, it is best to ignore it.

Ear ear

Q My little girl is nearly three and she’s prone to ear infections. Is there anything I can do to prevent these and is her hearing likely to be affected?

A After an ear infection there can be a build up of fluid in the middle ear, which usually goes after a few weeks with no ill effects – it is a temporary problem and nothing to worry about. But in some children the fluid stays around and can cause hearing loss.

This condition, known as ‘glue ear’, can be easily diagnosed and treated. As your daughter has had frequent ear infections, it’s worth seeing your GP to discuss whether there have been any effects from the infections, especially if you’re concerned about her hearing.

Unfortunately some children are more prone to ear infections than others and there is little we can do to prevent them, but a smoke-free environment will help, as will avoiding other children if they are unwell.

Eyes right

Q My two-year old sits very close to the TV, and I’m worried that he could be damaging his eyes. He also insists on having a night light in his room, but I’ve heard that this isn’t good for his vision either. Should I get his eyes checked?

A study published in 1999 suggested children could suffer from short-sightedness if they slept with the light on. But recent research has cast doubt on this theory, so if your son likes to sleep with a nightlight on, don’t worry.

Most children like to be close to the TV, but you’re right to be concerned, as it’s not good for his eyes. Encourage your son to move away from the screen and sit down with you to watch the programme, and only have the TV on when you both really want to watch something, then turn it off afterwards.

Athough neither of your concerns are signs that there’s something wrong with your son’s eyes, it’s well worth having his eyes checked. All children under 16 are entitled to free eye tests – your GP or health visitor will be able to recommend an optician if you like.

Su Laurent, paediatrician

Is this normal?

Q My baby was born six weeks early and at birth only one testicle had descended into his scrotum. Now he’s seven weeks old and the other one still hasn’t descended. Why could this be and should I be worried?

A This is common in babies, especially those who were born prematurely. It’s called an un-descended testicle and it usually happens because the testis has become stuck en route between where it was formed in utero and where it should have migrated to before birth (the scrotum).

Sometimes the testis has in fact descended but there is a very strong reflex, meaning that every time the baby is examined, the testis springs up out of the scrotum and into the abdomen.

The best way to check if both testes are present is to examine your baby when he is relaxed in the bath. If both testes are in the scrotum, there is no cause for concern.

If the testis has not descended, your GP will refer your child to have this corrected with a simple surgical procedure so that it can develop normally. If possible, this should be done before the age of one, and the outlook is generally very good.

5 way to… care for dry skin

Your child’s skin is very delicate, so winter chills and central heating can leave it chapped and dry. Here’s how to help keep it baby-soft:

1 Avoid soap and bubble baths – this can dry skin even more, so try an emollient cream instead.

2 Ask your pharmacist to recommend a moisturiser that’s suitable for babies and apply it regularly.

3 Dab petroleum jelly on a chapped face to protect her skin from dribbles, runny noses and wind.

4 Increase humidity in your home by hanging damp towels over the radiators.

5 Make sure she drinks plenty of fluids to keep her hydrated.