HOW TO CHOOSE A PEDIATRICIAN ?

Choosing a pediatrician is an important event that should actually begin even before the child is born. As a general pediatrician, I frequently speak with both current and expecting parents about choosing a pediatrician. Many parents are not aware of the importance of selecting the right doctor for their children, or of how to go about doing it. Let us first begin by asking the basic question:
Why Choose A Pediatrician To Care For Your Child?
The role of a pediatrician involves all of the following:

Screening and evaluating babies and children for appropriate growth and development, and assessing abnormalities and disabilities, if any.
Vaccination of babies and children, and advice about specific disease
prevention.
Advice on feeding, diet, food supplements, and other nutrition concerns.
Assessing illnesses and treating them, including admission to hospitalisation for serious diseases. Coordination of care for children receiving treatment from different specialists, and responsibility for the child's overall health.
Health education for the family.
Pediatricians have the most comprehensive medical training
to respond to these needs.

Source: Mehta child care

How Are Pediatricians Trained?
A Pediatrician is a 'qualified' Child Specialist. In India this means that after doing his basic MBBS (5 years) a pediatrician has to undergo an additional training (for 2-3 years, on-the-job training) in dealing exclusively with children. This residency training prepares pediatricians to help meet the needs of healthy children in such areas as normal growth, development, nutrition and behavior. After completing the training an exam needs to be passed to become a Pediatrician. A normal physician has less pediatric training than pediatricians, and may not be able to provide the same quality of care to a child as a pediatrician. Some pediatricians have additional subspecialty training beyond residency.
In the next part we will discuss the 'ideal qualities' to look for in a pediatrician!

Diwali: firecracker safety tips for children

The "festival of lights" Diwali is upon us in India. It is also a "festival of firecrackers" and millions of firecrackers are burnt every year throughout the country celebrating the victory of 'good over evil'. Unfortunately this needles cause of noise and air pollution also has another problem............. firecracker injuries
Here are a few tips to reduce the chance of your child having a firecracker injury:

• Did you know that most injuries are caused by 2 types of firecrackers, the rocket and the 'anaar'? Avoid the use of the these 2 crackers
• Never, ever leave children unsupervised when they are playing with crackers.
  Do not light fireworks inside your home.
• Buy good quality licensed fireworks of reputable vendors. Follow the instructions on the label while lighting them.
• Before you start the evening, fill a couple of buckets of water in case the untoward happens.
• Wear cotton clothes only while playing with crackers, keep the silk and satin for the pooja!
• Close-fitting clothes of thick material are a safer bet than loose or flowing garments.
• Do not allow your kids to keep fireworks in their pockets.
• Store crackers away from candles, diyas, fire or heat sources.
• Light one firework at a time.
• Do not relight crackers that haven't burst. Soak the 'dead' crackers in a bucket of water.
• Do not let kids play with used crackers or the previous year's crackers.
• Don't hold the firecrackers while lighting them.
• Instruct your kids to light 'anaar' and 'rockets' from the side without bending over them and quickly moving away before they burst.
• Hold sparklers away from the body.
• Prevent your kids from engaging in dangerous pranks like lighting crackers on their palms, throwing sparklers at each other or making fireworks themselves.
• Burn loud and noisy crackers away from infants and small children.
• Get your kids to invite their friends over and burst fireworks together. Hire a professional to organize a 'group' celebration. Not only can you prettier firecrackers but a safer Diwali too!
  For more on firecracker safety check out Indiainfo and Charak Clinics

Preventing/healing sore nipples

Preventing/healing sore nipples

Make sure your baby is sucking the right way. If the sucking hurts, your baby's mouth may not be positioned correctly.
Let your nipples air dry between feedings. Let the milk dry on your nipples.
Offer your baby the less sore of your two nipples first. Your baby's sucking may be less vigorous after the first few minutes.
Change nursing positions.
If possible, position any cracked or tender part of your breast at the corner of your baby's mouth, so that it gets less pressure during feeding.
Wash your nipples daily with warm water. Don't use soap or lotion that may contain alcohol, which can dry the skin.
Avoid bra pads lined with plastic.
Express milk until your let-down reflex occurs. This will help make your milk more available so your baby sucks less hard.
Breast feed often to prevent engorgement. Engorgement can make it hard for your baby to latch on.

For more information on breastfeeding check charak clinics and family doctor