Children's Feet
It has been our experience that proper care and treatment of the feet, beginning in childhood, will prevent many of the mechanical and orthopedic problems seen in adults. Preventive medicine in the field of podiatric medicine is just as important to your child as it is in dentistry or general medicine. Many children walk excessively pigeon toed, flat footed, or bowlegged. Although they are not in pain, they are damaging their feet.
TOEING IN (The forepart of a foot or hoof)
Most babies begin life with their toes point slightly out. However, if the unborn baby lies with its feet pressed against the womb the wrong way, it can be born with its feet turned inward. The condition can make learning to walk difficult. Tripping may be the first sign of toeing in.
Exercises
Toeing in can often be corrected through stretching exercises. The podiatrist can teach parents some simple exercises that can help straighten out a baby's feet. The exercises take minutes a day, and they are performed until the problem is corrected.
Casts
In some instances, plaster casts can be used to coax a baby's feet back into normal position. Just as braces gradually reposition teeth, casts gradually reposition feet. The casts are changed periodically until the podiatrist determines that the feet are properly aligned.
FLAT FEET
Many babies naturally appear flatfooted. Usually, this will disappear as the baby begins to stand and walk.
Children with flat feet, or low arches, may not be able to keep up with other children because of the added strain on feet and legs.
Orthotics
Orthotic devices can be used to maintain proper foot support. They are made of plastic and must be refitted as the child grows older. Orthotics help to realign the foot and distribute body weight evenly.
HAVE PROBLEMS CHECKED
If you suspect any foot problems, have a podiatrist examine your child. You may spare your child further problems later in life!
Body Care
Instead of soap you can sometimes use a mixture of gram flour (besan) and milk to bathe the baby.
To massage the baby you could use...
- A mixture of gram flour (basen) and cream with a pinch of turmeric. Apply the mixture on the baby's body and gently rub it off.
- Take a small ball of wheat dough. Apply some massage oil on it. Massage the baby with this ball by rubbing it over the baby's body. The strokes should be against the hair growth. This is an excellent remedy for removing body hair from a newborn.
- A rich moisturizer can be made by melting 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp lanolin, 2 tsp glycerine and 3 tbsp olive or almond oil, over a double boiler. Beat well.
- Boil a handful of neem leaves and basil leaves and wash your hair regularly with it to get rid of lice.
- To get rid of Band-aid or ugly gray plaster marks apply some lukewarm coconut oil to the area and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash off with soap water.
- To remove paint or fast colour from your skin, apply curd on the effected part. After few minutes rub and wash it off.
This is the stage when your child's favourite word is "why?" Your child will now progress from perceiving the world in the form of separate things and single events. The child will now learn to establish links between different things. She will start to think about the meaning of experiences and to learn from them. Her sense of creativity and imagination will be awakened. Her concept of time will be expanded to include the past and future, not just the present. She will learn to think ahead, to plan.
Two years, three months
Your child will develop a sense of self. She knows who she is and can say her name. She will become more assertive about what she wants. She will pit her will against yours, saying "no" more often than not. She will try to build houses and castles with bricks.
Two years, six months
She will know both her first name and her surname. She will enjoy lending you a hand with simple chores like laying the table. She will be able to draw vertical and horizontal lines. She will realise that a boy's sexual organs are different from hers.
Two years, nine months
She will know the difference between boys and girls. She will be able to learn nursery rhymes and repeat them. She will ask questions and begin to understand numbers. She will try to draw a circle, but will not succeed without help.
Three years
Her social skills will improve and she will enjoy playing with other children. She will comprehend the meaning of words like "on", "under" and "behind" and will be able to formulate quite complicated sentences. She will almost be able to draw a circle.
100 WAYS YOU CAN LOVE YOUR HUSBAND HIS WAY
(If interested, there’s a list in the “Romantic Ideas” topic which gives husbands 100 ideas.)
1. Respectfully communicate with him.
2. Let him know he’s important to you.
3. Purposefully try to understand his feelings—even when you disagree with him.
4. Show interest in his friends giving him some time with them if they’re trust-worthy.
5. Let go of the small stuff. We all have annoying habits and preferences that are different from our spouse’s. (Dave Ramsey)
6. Tell him you both love him AND like him.
7. Either show interest in his hobbies or allow him space to participate freely. (D Ramsey)
8. Protect his dignity on a daily basis.
9. Be tender with him realizing he has feelings also.
10. Foster an atmosphere of laughter in your home. Look for ways to laugh together.
11. Try not to make sudden major changes without discussion, giving him time to adjust.
12. When you go out on a date together don’t bring up problems—have fun instead.
13. Focus on what he’s doing right, instead of focusing so often on the negatives.
14. Show interest in what he feels is important in life.
15. Give him special time with you apart from the children.
16. The first minutes after a spouse comes home often sets the stage for how the rest of the evening will go. Try to make that time a positive experience. (Ease into the negative.)
17. Give him time to unwind after he gets home from work. Your evenings will be much more enjoyable. (Dave Ramsey)
18. Don’t allow family members to treat him disrespectfully. Defend him to anyone that dishonors his place as your husband.
19. Compliment him often.
20. Be creative when you express your love, both in words and in actions.
21. Talk with him about having specific family goals for each year to achieve together to feel closer as a marital team.
22. Don’t over commit yourself. Leave time for him.
23. Extend God’s grace to him and be forgiving when he offends you.
24. Find ways to show him you need him.
25. Give him time to be alone. (This energizes him to reconnect at other times.)
26. Admit your mistakes; don’t be afraid to be humble. Peel away your pride.
27. Defend him to those who disrespectfully talk about him. Love protects
28. Respect his desire to do well—not his performance.
29. Rub his feet or neck, or scratch his back after a hard day.
30. Take time for the two of you to sit and talk calmly (schedule it when necessary).
31. Initiate going out on romantic outings (when he’s not tired).
32. Email him when he’s at work, telling him how much you love him.
33. Surprise him with a fun gift of some kind that he’d really enjoy.
34. Express how much you appreciate him for working so hard to support the family.
35. Tell him how proud you are of him for who he is (giving him specific reasons).
36. Give advice in a loving way — not in a nagging or belittling way.
37. Help your husband to be the Spiritual head at home (without “lording” it over him).
38. Reserve some energy for him so you’re not so tired when he wants you sexually.
39. Don’t expect him to do projects beyond his natural capabilities.
40. Pray for him to enjoy God’s best in life.
41. Take special notice for what he has done for you and the family.
42. Brag about him to other people both in front of him and even when he’s not there.
43. Keep conversations brief when he’s tired—so he isn’t “flooded” by too many words.
44. Tell him 3 things you specifically appreciate about him.
45. Honor him in front of the children (differ respectfully in private when necessary).
46. Give him time to unwind for a little while after he comes home from work.
47. Get up with him, even when he gets up earlier than you want to and pray with him (you can go back to bed afterward, if possible —it’s a sacrifice worth making.)
48. Be his “help-mate” in whatever ways you sense he needs it.
49. Participate in shoulder-to-shoulder activities with him (like watching a movie and such) without talking. Sometimes men just like to BE with you and not talk.
50. Be a student of his ways so you show your love in ways he best comprehends it.
51. When your husband is in a bad mood give him time to recover. Don’t crowd him.
52. Help him to finish his goals, hobbies, or education when your see he needs it.
53. Treat him as if God has stamped on his forehead: “Handle With Care.”
54. Work to get rid of habits that annoy him.
55. Be kind and thoughtful to his relatives. Don’t make him choose between you.
56. Don’t compare his relatives with yours in a negative way.
57. Thank him for things he’s done around the house. (It means a lot to men).
58. Don’t expect credit for all you do for him. Do it as “unto the Lord.”
59. Make sure he agrees with everything important that you’re planning to do.
60. Do little things for him—let him sleep in, bring him coffee, etc.
61. Don’t belittle his intelligence or be cynical in your words with him.
62. Initiate sex periodically. And respond more often.
63. Sometimes let him enjoy his day off work without having to “work” at home.
64. Get to the point in your discussions. Spare him details unless he wants them.
65. Discover his sexual needs.
66. Surprise him with a 15 second kiss when he gets home from work.
67. Wink at him from across the room when you’re out at a group function.
68. Give him the benefit of the doubt when he mis-speaks.
69. Don’t quarrel over words.
70. Be kind and courteous with him. (Don’t be kinder to strangers than to him.)
71. When things go wrong, instead of assessing blame, focus on how to do better.
72. As a kindness, don’t say, “I told you so.”
73. Try not to argue over money. Peacefully discuss future expenditures instead.
74. Take him out on dates—pre-planning all of the details ahead of time.
75. Hold his hand and snuggle up close to him at times both at home and in public.
76. Praise his good decisions; minimize the bad ones.
77. Tell him you love him more often.
78. Put love notes in his pockets and brief case.
79. Sit with him while he’s watching TV—even if the program doesn’t interest you.
80. Don’t expect him to read your mind (despite your thinking he should— extend grace).
81. Periodically, give him time with his family alone.
82. Check with him before you throw away his papers and stuff, when possible.
83. Work to keep yourself in shape in every way.
84. Let him express himself freely, without fear of being called stupid or illogical.
85. Carefully choose your words. Remember to “speak the truth in LOVE.”
86. Don’t criticize him in front of others—keeping his dignity in tact.
87. Visit his childhood home with him.
88. When you’re angry, express it in respectful ways. Don’t give the silent treatment.
89. Pray for him.
90. Make him homemade soup when he’s sick.
91. Look your best—dress to honor him and make him proud to be seen with you.
92. Support him when someone tries to put him down. Be his best cheer leader.
93. Don’t disagree with him in front of the children.
94. Take him for a weekend get-away without the children.
95. Cheer his successes whether in business or in other areas of everyday living.
96. Graciously teach him how to demonstrate his love for you.
97. Give him coupons to redeem—maybe for a back scratch or a shoulder rub.
98. Buy him a gift certificate to his favorite lunch spot and put it in his wallet.
99. Hide notes for him around the house where only he will find them.
100. Thank him for just being himself.
The author is unknown, for the list of “100 Ways.”
I CARE FOR YOU
• Between the ages of 1 and 2, babies requires about 10 to 13 hours of sleep, daily. This includes two to three hours in the day time and 9 to10 hours at night.
• Seven to nine in the evening is a suitable time to put the baby to sleep.
• Babies lose interest in food while teething. Don't force food on the baby, but ensure nutritious snacking between meals and breastfeed as often as the child wants. Continue this until the child’s second birthday.
• The floor and the play area where the babies crawl around should be kept clean and hygienic.
• Use a firm crib mattress. To avoid suffocation hazards, keep soft objects and loose bedding like pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskin and stuffed toys out of the crib.
• Their clothes and beds should be kept clean.
• Limit high sugar and fat foods, without being overly restrictive.
• Make meal times a pleasant and sociable experience.
• Physical activity is an important part of good health and helps children to maintain appropriate healthy weight levels.
• Toddlers need at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Provide outdoor or alternative activities for muscle building, like walking, throwing ball, kicking etc.
• Be supportive; help children feel good about themselves by supporting, accepting and encouraging them regardless of their body size and shape.
• Children should be taken for a general check-up once a month.
• Maintain a high intake of fluid for the kids.
• Never give children medications that have been prescribed to someone else, whether it's an adult or child. Even if two people have the same illness, they may require different drugs with different dosage and directions.
• Do not expose the infant to cigarette smoke.
• Kids under 2 should not have any time in front of a TV or computer screen.
Hope these tips help in basic child care.
Article by Dr. D Narayanappa,Professor and Head of the Department of Pediatrics, JSS Medical College and Hospital Mysore,
