Brief Answer:
Proper burping is important

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.

I have gone through your query and understand your concerns.

Let me emphasize the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Let me first ask whether the baby is exclusively breastfed or whether formula feeds are being given. Babies often get colics especially when on formula feeds. In such a case switching back to breast milk should provide relief. You should burp the baby for at least 15-20 mins after each feed.

All you need to do is to hold the baby's head-end elevated for this duration. The extra air is taken causes distention and hence colics. Proper burping will ensure its escape and the milk will not regurgitate back from the stomach to the food pipe, thus providing relief. You can otherwise give Coliaid Drops when needed. Gripe water does the same but does not have safety study reports. You need not give it on a regular basis. Colicaid is a safe medicine and you need not worry about any disadvantage of giving it.

If the child is on breastfeeds, Neopeptine need not be given. Nevertheless, it is safe.

Let me know if you have further queries.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Suppositories are safe

Detailed Answer:
For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. Unless the stool is hard and pellet like, you need not grow concerned. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. Suppositories can be used and are safe but are not usually required.

Let me emphasize on the fact that breast milk is the best possible milk for a baby and there can be no alternatives for the same. Most formula milks are cow milk based and hence difficult to digest. Moreover they make the child more prone to complications and infections. Mother's breast milk is produced on the demand of the baby. Hungrier the baby, more vigorous is the suck. More is the suck, more is the amount of breast milk produced. Giving formula automatically reduces the demand of the baby and thereby the production of breast milk. All you need to do is to switch back to exclusive breast feeding and the production will increase automatically. All you need to do is to monitor the urine output. If the frequency is more than 6 times in 24 hours, you would know that the amount of feeding is adequate. If the amount of passage of urine is less or if the child is lethargic you would need to take the child to a doctor without delay. Formula milk tends to produce constipation and therefore is not preferable.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Express and feed from that breast

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.

Lactational breast abscesses are treated by incision and drainage or needle aspiration (with or without diagnostic ultrasound) in order to release the infected fluid. Please ask your treating doctor whether you need drainage Antibiotics may or may not be prescribed. If the location of the abscess prevents direct breastfeeding, then it is recommended that you express milk from the affected breast while the incision is healing to prevent complications. But otherwise, it is not recommended not to feed if there is a breast abscess. In fact, the presence of an abscess indicates that breast milk is being inadequately drained and therefore the breast feeding needs to be enhanced.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Safe

Detailed Answer:
It is difficult to comment without listening to the chest whether antibiotic is needed in this case. But otherwise these medicines are safe for a child of 2y8m (assuming that the dosage is proper).

Most often such symptoms are due to viral infections which usually have an allergic component associated. Irrespective of treatment it usually spontaneously resolves in 5-7 days.If the respiratory rate is greater than or equal to 50 breaths/min you would need to give antibiotic for the possibility of underlying pneumonia. If the rate is lesser, you need not worry.Treatment is supportive and usually comprises of antiallergic medication like Sinarest. You need to give steam inhalation to your child. It helps in reducing the congestion and thereby the cough. Just sit with the child on your lap and place the source of steam before you. The water vapor will be in the air and automatically the child will breathe it in. Water vapor will reach deep inside and would help in diluting the cough and thus would provide relief.

Regards

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