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5 Things you should prepare for if you find out your child has eczema

A diagnosis of eczema can come as a shock to many mums. However, with a few precautions, your baby can grow up without being too troubled by it.

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Holding the baby in your arms is one of the best moments in the life of a mother. They are so small, helpless, trying to figure out life. As they grow older, they start to figure it out slowly – first by holding their neck, followed by turning around. Before you know, they are all poised to crawl.

Baby’s development is an exciting phase, laced with anxiety. A parent is always worried about the milestones, if the development is proper. At this age, the diagnosis of eczema could be a big blow. However, the good news is that most often, childhood eczemas resolve on their own. Till then, here are 5 things you need to remember.

1# Eczema is more common than you think

Eczema is one of the manifestations of allergies. In fact, if you have had any, the chances of your baby having allergies are one in eight. That said, it is nobody’s fault that your baby has it. The best thing to do is to prepare for taking care of the baby.

2# Skin care is the cornerstone of eczema management

In eczema, the baby may develop red patches on her skin that are often dry. It can happen as early as when the baby is two months old. The most commonly affected areas are the face, behind the ears, and in some races, the creases of the neck, knees and elbows. The cause is allergens, most commonly the ones in the food. However, clothes and toys may also trigger attacks.

Due to the dry nature of the patches, the baby may scratch the skin. This may lead to infections. So, if your baby is diagnosed with eczema, make sure that the skin is moist. Use unperfumed moisturisers to keep the skin moist.

3# With a few changes in the habitat, you can actually control eczema

If your child is diagnosed with eczema, you need to change a few things in her room. Keep the room cool as heat leads to flaring up of the condition. Clean the room daily. Dust mites may trigger the condition, so limit the number of soft toys. Also, wash the toys in hot water or keep them in a plastic bag and refrigerate overnight to kill the mites.

Wash the clothes and sheets using a hypoallergenic detergent. Pureen’s H-A-D is the perfect detergent for such occasions. It is a bio-degradable detergent that is tough on stains but gentle on the skin. It will ensure that the clothes your baby wears are clean without irritating the skin.

4# Don’t try and manage it on your own. Take the help of a doctor

Eczema is one of the most discussed topics in the mums’ groups. A lot of mums would suggest home remedies or natural remedies. However, for your baby’s sake, don’t try to manage it on your own.

Get the diagnosis confirmed by a doctor. Work with him to develop a management flowchart for your child. The allergens might be in the food. However, don’t stop any without consulting your doctor first. Otherwise, you may have deficiencies to deal with.

5# You have to be emotionally strong to deal with it

It is tough seeing your baby in pain. However, this condition is not that difficult to manage and your baby would not suffer from any developmental delays. You have to be emotionally strong as constant care is required.

So, don’t let the emotions cloud your judgement. It is up to you to spot the allergens in your baby’s case. Work with your doctor to effectively deal with the condition.

Eczema should not stop you from enjoying a quality time with your baby.

You can find Pureen’s H-A-D at at Q0010, Lazada, and Shopee.

The breastfeeding mum’s guide to sterilisation

Check this guide to sterilising baby bottles and other related equipment to ensure that your baby is protected from harmful microorganisms.

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It’s true – breastfeeding can be as convenient as plug-and-play. However, nursing mums sometimes need to use pumps, cups, bottles or bags, shields, and so on. If you use any of these, it’s important to go through this sterilising guide.

Sterilisation is done to remove harmful microorganisms. Newborns still need time to develop their immune systems until they’re about a year old. Past that, it’s still a great idea to sterilise items to prevent mold formation in cups, straws and valves. It takes just a few minutes but extends the life of your stuff.

Sterilise baby-feeding equipment before first use
 
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Breastfeeding equipment and accessories come in all shapes and sizes but there is one thing they all have in common: it is important to sterilise them before using any of them for the first time. Most mums prefer placing the items in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Remember to be careful and don’t leave the items in boiling water for more than 20 minutes.

More than one way to clean a bottle

After that first soak, there’s actually no need to boil again – there are more convenient ways to do the trick: steam, UV or sterilising tablets.
 
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Steam and UV sterilisers, as their names suggest, uses steam and ultraviolet (UV) light to kill bacteria. Steam sterilisers can come in two forms: an electric appliance that generates steam or a special container that allows steam to sterilise items when popped in a microwave. Steam is still considered the gold standard when it comes to sterilizing objects.
 
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The cold-water method requires sterilising tablets– simply place 2 litres of water in a non-metallic container, add a tablet, immerse your bottles and accessories for at least 30 minutes like when you’re using Pureen Sterilising Tablet (1 tablet in 2 litres of water) and everything’s good to go. Because the tablets are made of just enough Sodium Dichloroisocynurate to be effective but still safe, there’s no need to rinse after soaking! Each solution is good for 24 hours so it’s very hassle-free.
 
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Before sterilising an equipment using any of the above methods, it’s still important to wash everything using warm and soapy water to remove any milk residue. Liquid cleansers specially formulated using plant-based ingredients are the safest for babies and can also be used to wash fruits and vegetables.

Disposable vs. reusable

Disposable items like breast pads should be used as soon as they’re opened. It’s important though to throw them away when they become damp. Yeast and bacteria thrive in warm, moist and sugary environments and you want to avoid that. On the other hand, reusable items are generally more durable than their disposable counterparts. They initially cost more but if you need a lot of disposables, the washable ones become more practical.
 
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A disposable option also exists when you need to store breast milk in a sterile container but find yourself running out of bottles or space in the freezer – milk bags! These were also sterilized and sealed before being sold so go ahead and use them straight away.

When your baby grows up (too quickly!)
 
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Although unnecessary, it’s still a great idea to sterilize items that are hard to clean like sippy cups and straws to prevent mould from growing. Teach your child that handwashing is still the best way to get rid of germs but it also wouldn’t hurt to keep a hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes handy!

Use only trustworthy products
 
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Sterilising equipment only works when you use high quality products. A reliable brand with a wide range of reasonably priced breastfeeding equipment and accessories is Pureen. Whether you need breast pumps, feeding bottles, breast pads, bottle steamers, sterilising tablets, or all of the above, their product lineup is amazing. They even offer an antibacterial detergent (for your reusable breast pads!), liquid cleansers, hand sanitisers and antibacterial hygiene wipes.

Pureen is an Asian company so it knows what Asian parents need and has been living up to its mission, “Thinking of baby and you” for more than 35 years already. Their products can be conveniently purchased from Qoo10, Lazada and Shopee.

The ready-for-anything mum’s diaper bag packing list

Heading out for the day with your child in tow? Stocking up your diaper bag with the utmost essentials will give you peace of mind that your baby’s safety and comfort will be taken care of, no matter where you might be.

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Before you became a mum, you’ve probably wondered on why mums would bring out such huge diaper bags with them, when the human that they need to take care of is so tiny!

But now that you’re a mum, you realize that the tinier the human, the more things you need to bring with you—you’d bring along the contents of his whole nursery if you could! But since you can’t do that, how do you zero in on the essentials, but still make sure that you’ll be prepared for any booboo?

Here’s a list of things to bring that will address all the minor concerns you’ll have when you’re out and about with your child:

1.  2 complete sets of clothes

Remember to match the clothes with the weather, and to bring a jacket in case you’re headed somewhere with the AC on full blast. Two sets of clothing might seem like a little too much, but it will save you from worrying of running out (and frantically buying clothes for him on the spot.)

 

2.  Two or more nappies

If you’ll be using reusable diapers, remember to bring along the cleaning product you use for it as well.

 

3.  Changing mat

You never know where or when you’ll be able to change a diaper, and sometimes there’s no bathroom in sight. A changing mat, or even just a long piece of cloth, will be of great help to you when you need to change the baby’s nappy, pronto. 

 

4.  Baby wipes

While other mums prefer to use water and cotton balls, that system isn’t particularly handy during a changing emergency. Baby wipes are much more handy, especially when you’re changing a squirming baby who won’t lie still! Another plus—it comes in handy when you need to disinfect any surface, from high chairs to new toys.

 

5.  Diaper crème

Keeping your child’s skin smooth, safe, and protected is a bigger challenge when exposed to outside elements. Bring your diaper crème along to avoid any redness or discomfort.

 

6.  Plastic resealable bag

Babies soil their clothes in so many different ways, from spit up to food, so a plastic resealable bag is your best friend when it comes to keeping their soiled clothes from contaminating the rest of the contents of your diaper bag. It can also serve as an instant trashcan for your soiled diaper.

 

7.  Small towel

Isn’t it a wonder that children get so sweaty, even when it’s not even hot? Wipe them down frequently, especially during active play.

 

8.  Baby powder

Aside from keeping your baby smelling as sweet as—well, a baby, a sprinkling of baby powder will go a long way in protecting your child from sweat, redness, or rashes.

 

9.  Mosquito spray

You won’t be able to stop your baby from wailing or scratching an insect bite, and that scratching might lead to a wound or infection. What’s worse is that an innocent-looking insect bite might even turn out to be more, like dengue or Zika! Banish your worries away by keeping a travel-sized mosquito spray with you.

 

10.  Feeding bottle

When it comes to a hungry baby, you’ve got to feed anytime, anywhere! Bring enough bottles with you, depending on the length of time you’ll be out.

 

11.  Milk formula dispenser

Even if your milk formula comes in a travel pack, it’s best to put the milk formula into a dispenser for easy access and mixing.

 

12.  Water (if already within age)

Children sometimes remember to drink when they’re completely parched already. It’s better to bring your own water with you, especially if they’ll be playing or moving a lot. If your child prefers their milk warm, an insulated water container, like a Thermosflask, will keep the water you’ll mix in with the milk powder at the right temperature.

 

13.  Toy

To make it better, let them choose one on their own. It will give them something fun to do while you’re out and about.

Pureen products can be conveniently purchased online from Qoo10, Lazada and Shopee.

 

 

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