TeenPregnancy

Teen Pregnncy. I am glad you came to me on this very important issue. I will not scorn. I will not judge. I will try and help. Below are some copy and pasted facts about pregnancy I think you should hear. I also have a link to an online pregnancy test. I hope this helps. Before I let you on your way, I will tell you I DO NOT SUPPORT ABORTION! This is your choice, but remember, this is your child. This child is currently trusting and loving you, inside you. PLEASE! Do not kill this little angel. Click Here for an Online Pregnancy Test

Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
Family and Consumer Sciences
Campbell Hall 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210

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Topics for Teen Parents
HYG-5233-96
Being a parent is one of the most important roles in your life. It is also one of the most challenging. Babies depend on parents to meet their needs. The way you care for your baby determines how he or she will develop as a child and as an adult. The topics for this fact sheet were selected by a group of teen parents.

Touch and Your Baby
Many of the simple things that you do with your baby are important. Babies need a lot of touching, holding, and cuddling during the first few months. Skin-to-skin contact tells the baby that he or she is protected, cared for, and loved. Babies enjoy the close physical contact they have with you. A baby can sense your mood by the way you touch him or her. Relax and enjoy interacting with your baby. Smile at him or her.

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Each baby grows and develops in his or her own way. When you read what your child should be doing when he or she is a certain age, remember that these charts show averages and do not apply to any particular baby. Any growth and development chart will provide a way to assess your child's development.

Your child may be doing something that is a month or two more advanced, or your child may be a month behind in a particular area. If you notice that your child is several months behind in any particular area, bring these delays to the attention of the baby's doctor. The doctor can determine whether or not there is a problem and help you know what, if anything, should be done.

You and Your Child's Self-Esteem
It is important to feel good about your self and your new role as a parent. You are a unique person with unique qualities to bring to the parenting role.

How you feel about your role as a parent is up to you. Take a good look at yourself and learn to recognize your strengths, abilities, and talents. Be proud of who you are. Look at your accomplishments and build on them. Identify your weaknesses. Decide what you can do to turn them into strengths.

In your role as a teen parent, feel good about the love and care that you can give your baby. Help your child develop positive self-esteem. Here are some ways to help your child develop positive self-esteem:

Treat your child with respect. 
Tell your child "I love you." 
Accept your child unconditionally. 
Give your child some undivided attention. 
Give your child the freedom to try new things. 
Set realistic goals for your child. 
Guide your child into as many successful experiences as you can. 
Help your child develop a value system. 
Allow your child to make decisions. 
Communication
Good communication between parents and children is important. It can make or break a relationship. In fact, communication is the single, most important factor in determining what kinds of relationships are made with others.

Communication involves more than just talking. It is a process in which one person really understands what the other person has said. It is important to understand the words and the nonverbal messages behind the words.

An important communication skill is listening. When you listen to your child, you show him that you care and that you respect him or her. Listening takes hard work and requires energy. Try to listen actively. Focus on the words and feelings.

When talking to children, it is important to tell them what acceptable behavior is and why it is acceptable. Simply telling a child not to do something does not teach the child anything except he should not do that particular thing. By explaining the reasoning behind the request, the child can learn.

Patience
Parents must be patient with children so they can learn at their own pace. Babies need to learn about the world around them. Babies do not know that they are to sleep at night and stay awake during the day. They don't know that they are to eat three meals a day and not spit out food they don't like. A toddler doesn't know that he or she shouldn't hit the neighbor even if he or she is being mean.

Learn about normal child growth and development so that you will know what to expect of your child at different ages. Help your child to succeed. If the child is struggling with a task, provide guidance. Help him until he has the skills and confidence to master the task. Be patient and understanding. Don't criticize failure. Encourage and praise your child.

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Prepared by
Lois Clark, CFCS
OSU Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Sciences
Auglaize County

If you're a pregnant teen, you're not alone - in fact, about half a million adolescents give birth each year. Though you're not the only one, chances are you may feel alone - or a range of other feelings.

Most teens who have babies didn't plan on becoming pregnant. You may have been surprised when you found out or hoped it wasn't true. You may have been terrified to tell your parents. You may have worried how this might affect your relationships with your family, friends, and the baby's father. Sharing the news of your pregnancy can be one of the most difficult conversations to have.

Whether you feel confused, worried, scared, or excited, you'll want to know how your life will change, what you can do to have a healthy baby, and what it takes to become a good parent.

The most important thing you can do is to take good care of yourself so that you and your baby will be healthy and safe. A teen who gets the proper care and makes the right choices has a very good chance of having a healthy baby.

Prenatal Care
If you are pregnant, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to begin getting prenatal care (medical care during pregnancy). The sooner you start to get medical care, the better your chances that you and your baby will be healthy.

If you can't afford to go to a doctor or clinic for prenatal care, there are social service organizations that can help you. Ask your parent, school guidance counselor, or another trusted adult to help you locate resources in your community.

During your first visit, your doctor will ask you lots of questions including the date of your last menstrual period. This is so he or she can estimate how long you have been pregnant and your due date. Doctors measure pregnancies in weeks. It's important to remember that your due date is only an estimate - most babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period or 36 to 38 weeks after conception (when the sperm fertilizes the egg, which is the beginning of the pregnancy). Only a small percentage of women actually deliver exactly on their due dates, though.

Another common term you'll hear throughout your pregnancy is trimester. A pregnancy is divided into 3 phases, or trimesters: the first trimester is from conception to the end of week 13, the second trimester is from week 14 to the end of week 26, and the third trimester is from week 27 to the end of the pregnancy.

The doctor will examine you and perform a pelvic exam. He or she will also perform blood tests, a urine test, and tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including a test for HIV infection, which is on the rise in teens. If you are sexually active while you are pregnant, you must use a condom to help prevent getting an STD. Some STDs can cause serious medical problems in newborns such as blindness and meningitis, so it's very important to protect yourself and your baby from these infections.

The doctor will explain the types of physical and emotional changes you can expect during pregnancy. He or she will also teach you to how to recognize the signs of possible pregnancy complications. This is especially important because teens are more at risk for certain complications such as anemia, high blood pressure, miscarriage, and going into labor prematurely.

Your doctor will want you to start taking prenatal vitamins that contain folic acid, calcium, and iron as soon as possible. The vitamins may be prescribed by the doctor, or he or she may recommend a brand that you can buy over the counter.

Folic acid helps to prevent neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are a group of birth defects that involve abnormal development of the brain, the spinal cord, or the coverings of these organs. Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect. It's also essential that teens get enough calcium during pregnancy - for their own growing bodies and for the healthy growth of their babies.

Ideally, you should see your doctor once each month for the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, then every 2 to 3 weeks until 36 weeks, then once a week until you deliver the baby. If you have a medical condition such as diabetes that needs careful monitoring during your pregnancy, your doctor will probably want to see you more often.

During visits, your doctor will check your weight and blood pressure and will perform tests such as ultrasounds to check the development of your baby.

One part of prenatal care is attending classes where expectant mothers can learn about having a healthy pregnancy and delivery and the basics of caring for a new baby. These classes may be offered at hospitals, medical centers, schools, and colleges in your area.

It can be difficult for adults to talk to their doctors about their bodies, and even more difficult for teens to do so. But remember that your doctor is there to help you stay healthy during pregnancy and have a healthy baby. Don't be afraid to ask questions - there are probably few questions that your doctor hasn't already heard. Think of your doctor both as a resource and a friend who you can confide in about what's happening to you. And always be honest when your doctor asks questions about issues that could affect your baby's health.

Teen pregnancy is an important issue. There are health risks to the baby and children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer health, social, and emotional problems. There is an increased risk for complications such as premature labor during teen pregnancy and socioeconomic consequences as well.

Health Risks to the Baby 
Teenage births create health risks for the baby including the following:

Teenage mothers are less likely to gain adequate weight during their pregancy, leading to low birthweight, which is associated with infant and childhood disorders and a high rate of infant mortality. Low-birthweight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed, which can result in complications such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems.

Teenage mothers tend to have poor eating habits and are less likely to take recommended daily multivitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy. They are also more likely to smoke, drink, or take drugs during pregnancy, which can cause health problems for the baby.

Teenage mothers are less likely to seek regular prenatal care. Prenatal care is essential for monitoring the growth of the fetus; keeping the mother�s weight in check; and advising the mother on nutrition and how she should take care of herself to ensure a healthy pregnancy. According to the American Medical Association, babies born to women who do not have regular prenatal care are 4 times more likely to die before the age of 1 year. 
Children Born to Teenage Mothers 
In addition to increased health risks, children born to teenage mothers are more likely to experience social, emotional, and other problems:

Children born to teenage mothers are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care, and cognitive and social stimulation. As a result, they may have an underdeveloped intellect and attain lower academic achievement. 
Children born to teenage mothers are at greater risk for abuse and neglect. 
Boys born to teenage mothers are 13% more likely to be incarcerated. 
Girls born to teenage mothers are 22% more likely to become teenage mothers. 
Other Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother, 80% of whom eventually rely on welfare. 
Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school and only about one-third obtain a high school diploma. 
Teenage pregnancies are associated with an increased rate of delinquent behaviors in the fathers, including alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning potential. 
In the United States, the annual cost of teen pregnancies from lost tax revenues, public assistance, child health care, foster care, and involvement with the criminal justice system is estimated to be about $7 billion.

Tips On Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding your baby has many advantages for both you and your baby. Breast milk is perfectly formulated with everything your baby needs to grow and develop, and is more convenient and cheaper than formula. Breastfeeding is also beneficial to you as a mother by helping your uterus return to its normal size more quickly, and helping you to burn more calories. Breastfeeding is associated with lowering your risk for osteoporosis as well as some forms of breast and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding is natural, but it does not always come naturally for mother and baby. Breastfeeding is a learned skill and takes patience and practice. Success with breastfeeding takes time, but here are some tips to help make the process go more smoothly.

Be prepared
Take a breastfeeding class before your baby is born or talk with friends or family who have successfully breastfed. This will help you to know what you need to get started as well as help you to avoid some common problems.

Nurse soon after the baby is born
In the first few hours after birth, the baby is often most alert and her suction reflex is ready for nursing.

Get comfortable
Support the baby with several pillows and sit in a comfortable position. This will allow you to work with the baby without straining your arms or back. There are several different positions including cradle hold, football hold, and side-lying position. Have the nurses in the hospital show you these positions and work with you to find the best positions for you and your baby.

Get the baby latched on properly
If the baby latches on improperly, it is painful and frustrating. When the baby is latched on correctly, he will have all of your nipple and a good deal of the areola in his mouth and will not be making clicking or smacking noises. In order to get the baby latched on correctly, first tickle the baby�s bottom lip with your nipple. The baby will open his mouth. Center your nipple in his mouth and bring the baby towards you.

Switch breasts
Alternate which breast you start with and try to feed out of both breasts at each feeding. Burp the baby between breasts and after he is done eating.

Break the suction
To remove your baby from the breast, put one finger in the corner of her mouth to gently break the seal.

Wake baby up
If your baby falls asleep before finishing nursing, you may need to stimulate him by tickling his feet, undressing him, changing his diaper or using a cool damp washcloth to keep him alert enough to get enough food.

Nurse on Demand
Your baby will tell you when he is hungry by nuzzling against your breast, making sucking motions, or crying. Putting a baby on a schedule can deprive him of the nourishment he needs and tell your body to make less milk. Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. The more your baby eats, the more your body knows to produce. When your baby eats when he is hungry, your body will begin producing the correct amount of milk.

Drink plenty of fluids
Many breastfeeding mothers get thirsty while they are nursing. Keep a glass of water nearby. Getting enough water will also help you as you are starting to build your milk supply.

Be patient and keep trying
Breastfeeding can be frustrating when you first start. You are tired and want to make sure your baby is not starving. Try to stay relaxed and if you feel yourself getting too frustrated, take a break. The more relaxed you are the more easily you and your baby can work together to get the hang of breastfeeding.

Give yourself time
For many women, it takes a week or so before breastfeeding is running smoothly. Don�t give up too quickly. Ask for help if you are having trouble or if breastfeeding hurts. Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable at first, but it should never hurt. The post-partum nurses, a lactation consultant, or a woman who has been through it before and succeeded can encourage you and help you to get everything working properly.

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�Breastfeeding,� Planning your Pregnancy and Birth, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2000.
�Feeding your Baby,� Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby�s First Year, Mayo Clinic, 1994.
�Breastfeeding,� Encyclopedia of Women�s Health and Wellness, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2000.

Post Partum

The time when a new baby arrives is filled with so much joy and excitement, but for more than half of all new moms; the time is also filled with dread, worry, anxiety and frustration. Post partum disorders are a very real occurrence that can affect anyone from the first time mom to the 4th time mom. Doctors have reported 3 different types of disorders that new moms may experience after bringing home a new baby. If you or someone you know may be dealing with a post partum disorder, please consult a doctor, a counselor or inform someone close to you.

Baby Blues

Baby blues is the most common type of post partum disorder that new moms may experience. Anywhere from 70-85% of new moms will experience these blues that can last a few hours or up to a few weeks after giving birth. The most common symptoms are sudden mood swings, irritability, restlessness, crying spells, anxiety, loneliness and feelings of sadness. Normally the symptoms will subside on their own and rarely require more than some rest and lots of support.

Post Partum Depression

Some women will have symptoms that progress longer than two weeks and are more intense than those of baby blues. These symptoms are called Post Partum Depression or PPD, and affect 10-20% of women. Symptoms can develop a few days to a few weeks after delivery. Symptoms will include those of baby blues but will be severe enough to keep a woman from being able to accomplish every day tasks. Other more serious symptoms can include suicidal thoughts, inability to cope, hopelessness and despondency. PPD can be treated with medication and counseling, but if left untreated can last up to 18 months after delivery and become more severe.

Post Partum Psychosis

Post partum depression can develop into a more severe condition called Post Partum Psychosis. Post partum psychosis will affect 1 out of 1,000 woman and usually develops within 3 months of childbirth. Symptoms will include: deep sadness, irritability, apathy, intense anxiety, lack of appetite, crying spells, irrational behavior, impaired concentration, delusions, visual hallucinations, insomnia and a lost touch with reality. Treatment for post partum psychosis can include psychotherapy, medication, and sometimes hospitalization.

Cause of Post Partum Disorders

There is not one known cause linked to post partum disorders. These disorders can affect women from all ages, all ethnicity�s, and all socio- economic status. Some believe that the symptoms are triggered by hormonal changes that accompany childbirth. Research also shows that those with a family history of depression are at higher risk of developing a post partum disorder. Other contributing factors might be:

An un-planned pregnancy 
Complicated/difficult labor 
Fetal anomaly 
Lack of support 
Recent life change including death of a loved one, a job change or a move 
All post partum disorders are treatable and education is one of the best tools. There are many helpful websites that provide extensive information on these disorders. 
www.postpartum.net
www.postpartumsupport.com
www.depressionafterdelivery.com

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Information obtained from American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Indoor Safety

One of the most important safety items in the home is an emergency sticker on the phone. This sticker should include the telephone numbers of the police, fire department, ambulance, local hospital, physician, and poison control center in your area. You should also have your home address and number listed. Here are some additional helpful safety facts and tips:

Burns and Smoke Inhalation:

Most burns are caused by a scald from a hot liquid. 
To reduce the risk of hot water burns in the bath, reduce the temperature of your hot water heater to between 120�F and 130�F. At 140�F, water takes only 6 seconds to cause a scald burn, whereas at 120�F, it takes 5 minutes to cause a scald burn. 
Installed and maintained (twice a year battery checks) smoke detectors can prevent most deaths and serious injuries from house fires. 
Keep curling irons, irons, and heating sources out of the reach of children. 
Turn pot handles towards the rear of the stove, use back burners, and place burner guards to help avoid kitchen burns. 
Falls:

A common fall occurs when a baby climbs out of a crib. Many crib injuries result from unsafe cribs. 
20% of all falls occur on stairs. It is important to keep stairways as safe as possible by providing adequate lighting, removing toys, and tacking down loose carpet. 
Use appropriate gate enclosures. Use a safety gate that is permanently mounted or firmly attached to the wall with double closures that cannot be operated by children. 
Firearms:

Injuries from firearms are a leading cause of death and permanent injury in children. 
If a gun is kept in the home, adults should ensure that it cannot be found or operated by children. 
When a gun is kept in any home it should be stored unloaded, and the ammunition should be stored in a location separate from the gun. 
Trigger locks or lockboxes should secure every gun in the home. 
Poisoning:

Safe storage of medicine, vitamins, and household cleaning supplies is one of the most important methods of poison prevention. 
Poisons should never be stored in empty food or drink containers. 
A high, locked cabinet is the best place to store poisons. 
The most frequent call to poison control centers involves children who have eaten plants. Learn the names and toxicity of the plants in and around your home. Remove them if they are poisonous. 
Syrup of ipecac (used to cause vomiting) should be kept in every home. However, some poison ingestion is worsened by vomiting. Consult with your doctor or poison control center before inducing vomiting with ipecac. 
Call the Poison Control Hotline for more information at 1-800-222-1222. 
Drowning:

The household bath is the most common site for drowning in the first year of life. 
Infants and toddlers should always be supervised by an adult in the bath or near any container of water, including buckets and toilets. 
Toilet lids should be kept closed.

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Indoor Safety, American Heart Association, 1997

Safety Supplies

The following list of safety supplies is designed to help you make your child�s daily environment as safe as possible.

Safety Supplies:

Syrup of ipecac to use in certain types of poisoning.

Plastic plug covers for electric outlets.

Plastic outlet covers to use when an electric cord is plugged into the outlet.

Cabinet latches and locks to keep children away from medicines, cleaning supplies, knives, etc.

Emergency telephone numbers for quick dialing.

Smoke detectors with working batteries.

A fire extinguisher

A hot-water gauge for measuring the temperature of tap water.

First Aid Kit

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Amended, �Safety Checklist�, American Heart Association, 1997

Vehicle Safety

Injuries suffered while riding in motor vehicles are the number one preventable cause of death in young children. Passenger air bags have saved numerous lives, but air bag deployment has also been associated with the deaths of several infants and children. Most of those injured by air bags have not used car seats and seat belts properly.

The following steps can reduce the risk of injury from an automobile accidents or air bag deployment:

Infants should always be secured in appropriate car seats when the motor vehicle is in motion.

Infants should never ride in the lap of an adult while the motor vehicle is in motion.

The BEST seat for children 12 years old and younger is the BACK seat.

Infants less than 20 pounds or under 1 year should use Rear Facing car seats in the back seat. Never place an infant in the front seat of a car.

Infants more than 20 pounds and children up to 4 years old should use car seats in the BACK seat.

Child safety seats may be needed for children 4 to 7 years old to restrain them properly with a lap-shoulder restraint system. Be sure that the lap belt rests low across the child�s hips and that the shoulder belt crosses from hip to shoulder, not across the neck.

For questions about children and air bags, call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393.

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�Motor Vehicle and Traffic Safety�, American Heart Association, 1997

When to Take Your Baby to the Doctor

There are six common ailments that may affect your newborn baby. These ailments include: fever, respiratory illnesses, ear infections, diarrhea & vomiting, constipation, and rashes. Below is information related to each ailment and indicators when you should take your child to the doctor.

Fever:

Fever is the body�s normal response to infection and is designed to help fight the infection.

Body temperatures may fluctuate between 99� and 100� depending on activity and how warm the baby is dressed. These temperatures are considered normal when factoring in activity and dressing warm.

Temperatures reaching over 100� are recognized as a fever.

If fevers help fight infection, some people argue whether you should attempt to lower them or not.

Reducing the fever may be possible by giving your child a lukewarm bath or sponge bath. Acetaminophen (dosage obtained from pharmacist) may also help reduce the fever

Here are symptoms, if combined with fever, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Infant younger than two months old
- Fever over 100.4�F
- Fever not responding to usual measures
- Fever plus a rash
- Fever for longer than two to three days 
Respiratory Illnesses:

The common cold is most infants� first illness.

Colds are caused by viruses caught from others (not by fresh air or cool weather).

A cold can take a week to ten days to run its course.

Here are symptoms, if combined with a cold, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Coughing to the point of vomiting
- A deep chest cough
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Wheezing
- Cold lasting longer than two weeks
- Fever developing several days after a cold begins
- Difficulty breathing 
Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most common reasons for doctor visits.

66% of children have had an ear infection by the age of two.

Acetaminophen (baby dosage obtained from pharmacist) may provide relief and help the baby rest better.

Here are symptoms, if combined with ear infections, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Sleeplessness several days after cold begins
- Repeated vomiting
- Persistent fever / irritability after two days of treatment
- Inconsolable crying
- Redness or swelling behind the ear
- History of ear infections
- Pulling or tugging at ear 
Diarrhea & Vomiting:

Most illnesses that result in vomiting or diarrhea are caused by viruses.

Bacteria, parasites, dietary changes or medications may also be responsible.

Recovery for babies may take several days.

The main concern is avoiding dehydration. Drink lots of liquids.

Here are symptoms, if combined with diarrhea or vomiting, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- High fever. Unable to retain clear liquids
- Signs of dehydration
- Bloody stools
- Bright yellow or green vomit
- Diarrhea lasting longer than seven days 
Constipation:

Formula-fed babies tend to have drier, less frequent stools than breastfed babies.

Even if your baby strains to pass a stool, he may not be constipated.

Curling the knees up against the baby�s chest may help.

Adding water or juice to the diet or fruits and vegetables for older babies can make stools less dry.

Never give an infant an enema or a laxative unless your doctor advises this.

Here are symptoms, if combined with constipation, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Infant feeding poorly or vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Infant in pain
- Blood in the stool
- Home remedies don�t help 
Rashes:

Rashes in the diaper area are fairly common.

Keeping the diaper area clean and dry is the key to treatment.

Here are symptoms, if combined with rashes, that warrant taking your child to the doctor:
- Fever
- Child acts sick
- Blisters or open sores
- Rash doesn�t respond to simple measures in - few days
- Painful rash

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�Six Common Ailments and How to Handle them,� Lamaze Baby, Spring 2001 
The information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and is not meant for diagnosis or treatment. Any information found on this site should be discussed with a health care professional. Use of this information should be done in accordance with the health care plan outlined by your health care professional. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Baby Skin Concerns & Care

BABY ACNE � Collection of small red spots or smooth pimples on baby�s face caused by exposure to mom�s hormones during birth.

Treatment � Keep baby�s face as clean and dry as possible. The bumps may come and go, but they will eventually disappear altogether.

BOILS � Painful red bump usually occurring on pressure points such as buttocks, which gradually gets larger. A white or yellow center of pus will appear after a day or two. It is caused by an infection under the skin.

Treatment � Clean skin gently with water and antiseptic. The boil will come to a head and burst on its own. Don�t squeeze it � you�ll risk spreading the infection.

CRADLE CAP � Is a yellowish-brown scaly rash on the scalp caused by over productive oil glands.

Treatment � Apply baby oil to baby�s scalp. Gently massage in baby oil before shampooing, wash the scalp, massaging lightly to loosen the scales. Comb baby�s hair with a fine tooth comb. It usually clears up by 8-12 months of age.

DIAPER RASH � Red, spotty irritated skin in the diaper area. It is an inflammation of the skin caused by prolonged contact with urine and/or stools; reaction to laundry detergent

Treatment � Apply Zinc Oxide cream at the first sign of redness. Keep baby�s bottom area as dry as possible and sprinkle baby powder when changing diapers.

DRY SKIN � Flaky patches of irritated skin usually occurring in exposed areas caused by a lack of moisture in the skin.

Treatment � Apply petroleum-based ointments to the area. If the problem persists, consider bathing less often and switching to sensitive skin detergents and soaps.

ECZEMA � A skin reaction causing itchy, red scaly skin occurring most commonly on the face, elbows and back of knees. It is an allergic reaction to food, animal fur, wool and detergents. It may also be triggered by anxiety

Treatment � Seek to prevent skin from becoming too dry. Apply petroleum-based ointments to soothe dry skin.

HEAT RASH � Faint rash which usually occurs on the face and in skin folds where perspiration gathers caused by over heating or blocked sweat glands.

Treatment � Remove a layer of the baby�s clothing. Bathe baby in luke-warm water and dress in loose fitting clothing. Keep rash dry and uncovered as much as possible

HIVES � Itchy rash of raised red patches usually occurring on the face or torso. Patches may have pale centers and vary in length from 1/16 to 1/2 inches. It is a reaction to prickly plants, harsh sunshine, allergy to food or medication, or viral/bacterial infection.

Treatment � If the rash remains after 4 hours, your doctor may treat with antihistamine cream or medication.

IMPETIGO � Rash of small red spots usually occurring around the nose and mouth. The affected skin forms blisters which crust into brownish-yellow clusters. A bacterial infection of the skin.

Treatment � Impetigo, though not usually serious, is contagious and should be treated by your doctor.

MILK SPOTS � Tiny white spots on a newborn�s nose or cheek caused by immature oil glands.

Treatment � No treatment is necessary. The oil will come out on its own after a few weeks.

THRUSH � Cream colored raised patches on the inside of the cheeks, mouth, tongue, and sometimes around the anus. It is an infection caused by candida, a yeast which lives in the mouth and intestines.

Treatment � Thrush should be treated by you doctor. Your doctor will probably prescribe a medicine to help clear up this irritating rash.

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