Parenting information
Is it normal for a baby to tremble while feeding?
Q: My 5-month-old baby sometimes has a slight tremor in their head when they are close to falling asleep while feeding, lasting about three to five seconds. It returns to normal after a gentle pat. What could be the cause of this?
This situation is medically referred to as physiological infantile tremor. The slight tremors that babies experience are due to the incomplete maturity of their developing brains, which leads to physiological muscle tremors. These slight tremors are common when babies start to feel tired, during the early stages of sleep, and during light sleep. When tremors occur, they can be all over the body or present as sudden, convulsive twitches in one arm or leg. Physiological infantile tremors are different from infant seizures or epilepsia. Occasional physiological tremors are common in infants and young children, and they only last for a short duration before gradually stopping. Generally, parents do not need to worry. However, parents can still monitor the baby's condition and, if they suspect abnormal tremors, they can record the situation on their mobile phone and seek advice from their attending physician. In cases of epilepsy, there are usually abnormal mental states, such as staring blankly, sudden disorientation, or continuous and rhythmic convulsions, such as one per second. Apart from this, if parents have any doubts, they should consult their attending physician for a diagnosis.
Will Mongolian spots on a baby disappear naturally?
Q: When BB was born, he had a large bluish-black birthmark on the back of his hand. He is now 7 months old, but it has not faded. Will the birthmark fade? Are there any ways to make the birthmark fade?
A: A baby has a large bluish-black birthmark on the back of their hand, medically known as an **Mongolian spot**. These are common in people of Chinese descent and typically appear on the buttocks or back, occasionally on the limbs. Whether a Mongolian spot fades depends on its depth of colour; darker spots take longer to disappear, while lighter ones fade more quickly. Generally, as the baby grows, the spots gradually become lighter or disappear, and doctors will monitor the situation for three to four years. If the spot is darker at birth, it will take longer to fade, and it might not completely disappear.
How to wean a baby off milk?
My 7-month-old baby wakes up twice a night and still wants to suckle even if not hungry, how can I help wean from breastfeeding?
A: Babies who suckle for comfort to help them fall asleep are expressing a need for security, which doesn't necessarily mean they are hungry. These babies may not need to be weaned, as many babies still wake up in the middle of the night even after weaning. Babies at this stage may begin to experience separation anxiety and have a strong need for security. They start to remember events from the morning, dream at night, and may wake up more easily in the middle of the night. At these times, a cuddle or gentle pat from a familiar person can help them fall back asleep. If the baby is accustomed to breastfeeding, letting them suckle at the breast is the most effective way to soothe them. Of course, parents can also use other methods to comfort the baby, such as playing soft music as the baby falls asleep or when they are drowsy, or gently patting the baby's body to make them feel secure.
Can a baby with diarrhoea have vaccinations?
Hello! My baby is 3 months old and has recently developed diarrhoea. I need to take him for his vaccinations. Can he have the injection in this condition? What should I be aware of?
It's best to get vaccinations when your body is completely free of any illness. If the baby has severe diarrhoea, it will affect the body's water content, potentially leading to dehydration and electrolyte loss. Vaccinations can also cause discomfort, such as fever. If the baby already has diarrhoea, getting vaccinated might cause a fever, which would increase the baby's burden. Therefore, it's advisable to wait until the baby has recovered before getting vaccinated.
Source: Expectant Mother
