Hello!
Your baby is now 7 months old, and we are sure there are lots of ‘new’ things happening at your home. This month we’ll talk about a few of these things, like how new foods are changing your baby’s poop, and new teeth. |
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Poop
Your baby’s poop may change when you start introducing solid foods. Poop may become firmer, have a strong odour, and contain pieces of food. Brown, tan, yellow, and green are all normal colours for a baby’s poop. It can be normal for children to focus and turn red when pooping, as long as the stool is still soft when it comes out.
- offering healthy, foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables. (apples, peas, beans, pears, and prunes are great ones to try!)
- offering small amounts of water in an open-faced cup.
- encouraging regular movement and activity.
Constipation
- If your child is having pain when pooping, and the stools are hard, and dry they may be constipated.
- If you are worried that your child is constipated often, or for a long period of time, connect with your healthcare provider.
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Teething
The first teeth commonly appear from 6 to 10 months of age, but may come in earlier, or even later than this. You may notice these signs that your baby is teething:
- Drooling
- Crankiness and irritability
- Red cheeks
- A need to chew on things
Fever, stuffiness, runny nose, and diarrhea are not signs of teething. If your baby is experiencing these symptoms you should speak to your doctor.
Babies who are teething may have sore or tender gums. You can help your child by:
- Massaging the gums with a clean, wet cloth that has been chilled in the refrigerator.
- Offering a teething ring to your child. Babies massage their own gums by chewing on hard, smooth objects.
Avoid giving your teething baby the following:
- hard foods like raw carrots that could cause choking,
- sweet foods and teething biscuits that could cause tooth decay, and
- over-the-counter teething gels unless advised by your doctor.
Caring for baby’s teeth
- As soon as teeth appear, brush your child's teeth at least twice a day, using a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Toothpaste is not necessary for children under 3 years of age, unless it has been recommended by a dental professional.
- When your child has finished feeding, do not allow milk to pool in the baby’s mouth. When milk sits on a baby’s teeth (e.g., while falling asleep) the natural sugar in the milk can cause decay. If you use bottles, hold your baby during feeds.
- Lift your child's upper lip regularly and look to see if white or brown spots are on the teeth. These may be the first signs of a cavity. If you see any, take your child to the dentist.
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Parent's dental health
A healthy mouth is important to overall health throughout life. Brushing your own teeth is a great way to role-model healthy habits!
Adults should brush twice a day for two minutes each time, using a fluoridated toothpaste, and don’t forget to floss daily! See your dentist regularly. |
Healthy Smiles Ontario
For more information call KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232 or 1-800-267-7875, ext. 1218. |
We hope the next couple of weeks are filled with toothy smiles! We’ll connect again next month when your baby turns 8 months old. |
KFL&A Public Health, 221 Portsmouth Avenue, Kingston, Ontario K7M 1V5
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