It is not uncommon for babies to experience irregular breathing. This is when newborns stop breathing for 5 to 10 seconds and then immediately begin breathing again on their own. This is normal. However, you should call your doctor or take your baby to the emergency room if he or she stops breathing for longer than 10 seconds. If your baby begins to turn blue rush him to the emergency department of your closest hospital.

• Cool your baby down. Take off his clothes and let him stay nude for some time in a cool area.
• It is not usually painful but can be extremely itchy.
• A child can also get heat rash if he is running a high temperature which makes him sweat excessively. If he has a temperature, contact your doctor immediately.
• Be careful as your baby could suffer from heat exhaustion due to excess sweating.
• Dress your baby in loose fitting cotton garments during hot weather.
• Avoid using creams and lotions as they can increase skin irritation.
• Consult a pediatrician if your baby has a fever or if the rashes do not resolve/ get worse.

It is important for all lactating mothers to remember that you require additional nutrition in this period as well. It is very important to have a health nutritious, well balanced diet with plenty of fruits, veggies and water. Do not go on crash diets or try to lose weight as this can interfere with how much milk you can produce for your baby. You will gradually lose the excess weight you have gained during pregnancy. Do not take notice of any comments about your weight. Remember your baby is much more important that what a few silly people say.

The only exception to make is- avoid any food that you feel may be causing irritation to your baby. If you eat a particular food and your baby seems to cry/ feel uncomfortable when you feed him afterwards, avoid those particular foods e.g. oily foods/ certain veggies like cauliflower.

Oil massaging is a common practice in our country. During massaging you have to be very careful about the amount of force you use. Too much force can injure your baby. Make sure that you wash off all the oil as residual oil can cause a lot of skin irritation for the baby.

Do not put water/oil into the ears or nose of the baby at any cost. It can lead to bad infections. The ears and the nose have self cleaning mechanisms that work well enough.

About 1 in 5 of all babies will develop colic, a phrase for uncontrollable crying in an otherwise healthy baby. A baby with colic cries persistently for far more than normal- which is more than 2 hours per day for more than 3 days in a row.. In addition to this a colicky baby looks truly uncomfortable. He may also pass wind when he is crying. He may refuse to feed and sleep.

• The most probable cause for colic is the baby's immature GIT (digestive system).
• It usually resolves itself as the baby grows.
• Some mothers find that something in their diet e.g. oily foods/ certain veggies like cauliflower cause colic in their babies. If you do find anything similar it is best to avoid it.
• Always check with your doctor if your baby is crying more than usual. Let your doctor make the diagnosis of colic after ruling out any medical problems.

Nappy rash is a rash occurring in babies in the area covered by their diapers. The skin covered by the nappy -the genital area, the folds of the thighs and the buttocks are affected. The rash will appear red and inflamed. The affected areas can be dry or moist. There are a few reasons for nappy rash and treatment must be prompt.

• The main cause for this rash is excessive moisture in the covered areas.
• A baby who stays in a dirty nappy for a long time is more likely to get nappy rash.
• Nappies should be checked and changed frequently.
• Babies have sensitive skin so do not use harsh detergents/soap to wash cloth nappies. Use mild soaps and make sure they are washed off thoroughly.
• A baby having loose motions can easily catch a nappy rash as well.
• An untreated nappy rash can result in a more serious infection.
• Keeping your baby clean and dry is the best prevention.
• Consult your doctor for proper treatment.

It is important that you keep a close eye on your baby's eyes. It is easier to correct many eye problems when they are detected early. If detected later the problems are more difficult to treat. So you should keep a close watch for any signs that your baby may be having an eye problem. The best way to do this is to observe your baby's regular activity and note -

• If the baby has difficulty following objects with her eyes [when you move objects in front of her face] by the time she is 3-4 months old.
• If the baby has trouble moving one/ both of her eyes in any particular direction.
• If the baby's eyes are crossed most of the time .
• One or both of your baby's eyes tend to turn outwards.
• Premature babies have a higher risk of eye problems, so they need more care.
• Inform your Pediatrician of any problems you may notice/suspect promptly.