FLAT HEAD SYNDROME Plagiocephaly (commonly known as Flat-Head Syndrome) now affects nearly half of all babies under 6-months of age in the UK. It is caused by pressure on the soft skull bones, which have not yet fused, and become moulded into a different shape. This can occur when an infant spends excessive periods of time lying or resting in the same position on their backs; in pushchairs, car seats, bouncers and cribs.
BABY MATTERS From teething to nappy rash, we take a look at how to prevent and reduce some of the most common symptoms affecting babies
One solution is the Lovenest+ baby head positioner. The innovative, ergonomic design offers support without restricting movement, and features a special incline to ensure pressure is evenly distributed across the infant’s head, thereby maintaining the natural curvature of the skull. Antibacterial, thermoregulating Coolmax® fabric, adapts to baby’s temperature to ensure optimum comfort. Suitable from birth to 6m, it can be used in pushchairs, bouncers, cots and cribs. The Lovenest+ is available to purchase for £19.99 at www.babymoov.co.uk. To help raise awareness of this little-known condition and ways it can be prevented visit https://youtu.be/brxq943JriY
There are certain trigger times1 when your baby may be more prone to nappy rash Weaning
Any change in diet can lead to looser stools and a greater likelihood of nappy rash affecting your baby.
Common Cold
When a baby has a cold, stools are often looser, meaning that nappy rash is more likely to occur.
Teething
A runny nose, lots of saliva and diarrhoea are often the signs of teething. It’s also a time when nappy rash can strike.
Antibiotics
Nappy rash is often linked to antibiotic use. Antibiotics may mildly upset the digestive system leading to diarrhoea and nappy rash.
TEETHING Teething is an unavoidable gripe that babies have to go through, causing a range of symptoms from drooling, to loss of appetite and disturbed sleep. Gertie the Good Goose is a truly adorable, 100% natural and safe teether which is perfectly sized to fit babies’ hands, Gertie has been thoughtfully designed to lend her feet, tail, feathers and beak during the teething phase, which can be a long and difficult time to manage. Soft to touch, lightweight and with a slight vanilla scent, Gertie provides pain relief, comfort and giggles - this teething toy is undoubtedly the most stylish and kooky teether ever made! RRP: £14.99 | Stockist: www.gertiethegoodgoose.co.uk
First sleep through the night
Sleeping through the night means that nappy changing may be delayed, making nappy rash more likely to develop.
Change in diet
Such as moving on from breast milk may lead to more frequent and watery stools, potentially leading to nappy rash.
Diarrhoea
Nappy rash usually starts when the baby’s delicate skin is in prolonged contact with urine and faeces in the nappy. It’s much more difficult to prevent this if your baby has diarrhoea.
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1.Morris H, The bottom line on nappy rash, British Journal of Midwifery, September 2012, Vol 20, No 9, pages 540-543
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Mums Magazine Summer 2017
www.mums-magazine.co.uk