Baby Health Advice

Becoming a mom changes a woman’s life in a myriad different ways. For one there is a little bundle of joy in your life. You will have to spend a lot of time caring for the little bundle of jou. The most important thing you can do for the health of your upcoming child is to plan well ahead. This means getting your body in the best condition possible. The more fit you are before you become pregnant the better the chances are that your child will be born healthy. It is important to follow the immunization schedule strictly as advised by your doctor to keep babies healthy.

All vaccines protect the child against one or other disease and should be scrupulously administered to the baby as per schedule. Keeping your baby’s immunization records up to date is a very important factor for your baby’s health. Immunizations are usually given from birth to early childhood. Your child can be immunized safely during routine “checkup” visits to your doctor or clinic.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should receive the following vaccinations:

• Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib)
• Inactivated polio (IPV)
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• Influenza (flu)
• Varicella (chickenpox)

Babies are born equipped with a natural immunity which is further strengthened by colostrums from the mother. But this shield quickly wears off leaving the baby susceptible to infection. Immunizations involve medicines administered orally or injected are routine procedural shots that can keep your child healthy for a lifetime. Most of the immunizations are for diseases that generally are seen in the early years of a child’s life and others will help to prevent your baby from getting particular illnesses over the course of their entire life. Although the experience of getting these vaccinations is very painful for a baby but they are well worth for the long term health of the child. These vaccinations protect your baby from very serious diseases.

Babies can become very ill and may even die if they are allowed to develop the diseases that are prevented by these shots. If immunization is due, do not postpone it just because your baby has a mild cough, cold or diarrhea. Children keep getting minor problems like these. However if the baby is seriously ill don’t immunize the child then. First attend to his or her illness and give the vaccines later on. Your doctor or health care clinic will advise you when it is time for your baby’s first shot, which normally occurs at three months. As new vaccines are being added frequently, your doctor will keep you informed of them and when to give. Do keep a record of all the immunizations given to your child so that the baby completes the course as per schedule.