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My little one doesn’t have much hair. Will rubbing XO or other alcohol on her scalp help boost its growth?
Rubbing alcohol onto her scalp is unlikely to be of any benefit, and may be harmful if it gets into her eyes. Hair growth is dependent on a number of factors: Ethnicity, genetics, general health and nutrition. If she is gaining weight well, has normal-looking skin and nails, and is otherwise doing well, there is likely not to be anything to worry about. Sometimes, nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc and vitamin B deficiency, can lead to poor hair growth. Zinc is found in red meat, poultry, seafood, nuts and beans, and dairy products, as well as whole grains. Vitamin B is found in fish, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy.
Is it true that I shouldn’t offer milk when Baby has diarrhoea? Grandma says we should feed her only the liquid from rice porridge until she recovers.
The most important concern when treating diarrhoea is to prevent dehydration. As milk makes up the majority of a baby’s diet, removing it significantly increases the risk of dehydration, as Baby may not take sufficient volumes of another fluid. Rice water was previously regarded as a safe alternative to oral rehydration fluids when treating gastroenteritis, especially in third-world and resource-poor areas. That is because boiling the rice porridge ensured the sterility of the rice water.
However, over recent years, the tendency is to recommend continuing Baby on her usual milk, unless she is unable to tolerate it due to excess vomiting or severe diarrhoea. The reason milk often seems to cause diarrhoea to worsen is that the virus or bacteria causing the condition damages the gut lining, and temporarily reduces the gut’s ability to produce the enzyme lactase. In other words, Baby becomes transiently lactose intolerant.
If you are feeding formula, your doctor may suggest that you change to a soya-based or lactose-free formula for a while until the diarrhoea improves, after which you can continue with your kid’s normal formula. If you are breastfeeding, you should continue to nurse, but increase the frequency of feeds to compensate for increased fluid losses.
ASK THE EXPERT
These questions were answered by Dr Natalie Epton, specialist paediatrician and neonatologist at International Paediatric Clinic. Got a question? E-mail us at magyoungparents@sph.com.sg.
