Ask our health visitor: breast pads,baby on planes, vaccinations

Eco-baby            

Q I’d like to use eco-friendly breast pads as an alternative to disposables – do you know where I can get these?

A Many mums prefer using washable pads. There are lots of eco-friendly breast pads readily available – an internet search should provide you with contacts, as many manufacturers sell online as well as by mail and phone order.

The National Childbirth Trust supplies them and you can order on 0870 112 1120 or visit nctpregnancyandbabycare.com. Your local chemist may also sell them.

High flyer

Q We’re taking our two-year-old son to Australia and I’m worried about how a long-haul flight may affect him. Is there any medication we can give him to keep him calm on the plane, and how can we help him cope with jet lag?

A Giving children medication to calm them is not advised, but there are lots of things you can do to help your son survive the journey. Check what facilities the airline has for young children and book these in advance.

You should be able to get suitable seats with more legroom for your son to move about, children’s meals and activity packs. Take some favourite books and toys – you may end up reading the same book many times but it will relax him.

Keep his favourite teddy or blanket handy, as well as a drink for him during take-off and landing to help with the build up of pressure in his ears.

You’ll probably find that he copes very well with the flight and he’ll be reassured if you are calm. You could ask your pharmacist about travel-sickness remedies if you feel he may need them.

Regarding jet lag, children are pretty resilient. It will take him a little while to get his body clock sorted, but it’s very difficult to keep toddlers awake when they want to sleep, so just try to adjust his bedtimes slowly to avoid overtiredness.

Food refuser

Q My eight-month-old won’t touch solids. He’s happy, sleeps through the night and is growing well on formula, but won’t have anything in his mouth except a bottle. The staff at his nursery say they’ve never seen a baby refuse food like he does. Have you got any ideas?

A Many parents have difficulties getting their babies to take solids, but please be reassured that with time and patience your son will get through this phase and begin to enjoy his food.

If he’s refusing to have anything in his mouth, I suggest you go right back to basics to remove the stress from the situation. Choose a time of day when your son seems hungry after his bottle and when you have plenty of time to introduce the food slowly, without him feeling hurried.

Start off with a very small amount of puréed fruit or vegetable on a baby spoon and offer it to him so that it touches his mouth and he can feel the texture and can taste it.

If he wants to touch the food and put his hands in his mouth, let him. If he doesn’t want it, make no reaction and just try again the next day. Keep going for as long as it takes.

Try not to give your baby attention for refusing food. Persevere, giving him lots of reassurance, and you’ll find over time that he will eat it. If you’re getting anxious about his feeding, ask your partner, a friend or relative to try, as he may pick up on your feelings.

If this approach doesn’t work, speak to your health visitor who will be able to visit you and offer more specific advice. Good luck!

Philippa Ridley, GP

Does she need this jab?

Q My baby is due for her first set of vaccinations and I’ve heard that some babies are given BCG injections as well. Why is this and will my baby need to have it?

A The BCG vaccination used to be given to all children in secondary school, but now the vaccination programme is targeting babies, children and adults who are considered most at risk of catching tuberculosis (TB).

BCG is currently offered to all babies who live in an area where there are more than 40 cases of TB per 100,000 people or whose parents/grandparents were born in or come from a country where the incidence of TB is this high.

If the area where you live or your family background presents a risk of TB, you’ll be offered the BCG vaccination for your baby.

For more information on TB and BCG ask your practice nurse for a leaflet, ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit immunisation.nhs.uk

5 steps to… giving your baby medicine

1 Ask your pharmacist for a medicine syringe – these are free of charge.

2 Always measure out the correct dose.

3 Hold your baby in his usual feeding position.

4 Place the syringe nozzle in his mouth and when he starts to suck, slowly squirt the
medicine into his mouth, aiming for the back of his cheek.

5 Offer him the breast, his bottle or a favourite drink to take the taste away.