Moulana Moosa Olgar: Pregnancy

Pregnancy
by Moulana Moosa ibn Ahmad Olgar, extract: Upbringing of Children

After some time has elapsed, the couple desire that Allah Taa’la bless them with a child and thus through marital consummation Allah Taa’la grants their wish. The first stage that follows is that of pregnancy. A person should not be ashamed of being pregnant or treat it as a big burden, as there are many beautiful virtues and rewards for being pregnant.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The woman that dies in her virginity or during her pregnancy or at the time of birth or thereafter (in nifaas) will attain the rank of a martyr.”
It is mentioned in another Hadith that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Does it not please you (O Women!) that when you conceive from your husbands while he is pleased with you then that woman will receive such reward equal to that of a fasting person in the path of Allah and spending the night in ibaadat. When her labour pains commence the inhabitants of the earth and the sky are unaware of the stores of comfort that are prepared for her. When she delivers and breast feeds her child then she will be granted a reward for every gulp of milk, and if she had to remain awake during the night for the sake of her child, she will receive the reward of emancipating seventy slaves in the path of Allah. O Salaamat! Do you know who these women are? They are pious, upright, delicately natured but yet are obedient to their husbands and not ungrateful to them.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “A woman from her pregnancy till the time of weaning her child is like one protecting the boundaries of the Islamic state. If she passes away during this period she attains the reward of martyrdom.”
In another Hadith it is mentioned that, “The woman who dies of labour pains is regarded as a martyr (shaheedah).”
A woman should therefore gladly bear these difficulties patiently and calmly as she will be highly rewarded.
Hazrat Mail bin Yasaar (radiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Marry such women who are loving and produce children (in abundance) because (on the day of Qiyaamah) I will vie with other Ummats and be proud of your numbers.”
In another Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Even the miscarried foetus will drag its mother towards Jannat if she exercised patience with the hope of acquiring reward.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “When the woman breast feeds then on every gulp of milk the child receives, the reward is as though she has granted life to a being and when she weans her child, then the angels pat her on her back saying: CONGRATULATIONS! all your past sins have been forgiven, now start all over again.”
[By sins is intended the minor sins, this is also a great reward.]

DAYS OF PREGNANCY
During this time, great care and precautions should be adopted. During this stage, any physical weaknesses affect the growth of the child. In the early days of pregnancy, constipation should be avoided as there is a fear of miscarriage. Constipation is a fairly common complaint during pregnancy. Stimulant laxatives should be avoided in pregnancy and while breast-feeding. Similarly diarrhoea should be avoided as this can make her weak and at times can result in a miscarriage.
During this period nausea, vomiting and discomposure is experienced. This induces a desire for sour and salty foods. Some women have a sudden craving for black soil and soap etc. Caution should be taken that no such items are consumed which are detrimental to the health. Also extremely bitter and spicy foods should be avoided. During pregnancy simple foods should be eaten that assist in digestion.
If during the days of pregnancy any sickness befalls you, then immediate treatment should be given and the doctor should be told of your pregnancy. One should not feel ashamed of being pregnant. Those women who have their first pregnancy are ashamed to tell their in-laws and relatives and as a result they suffer.
The pregnant woman should remember that giving birth to a normal child does not lead to so much of weakness as in the case of a miscarriage. Therefore if one has a miscarriage, full precautions should be taken or else this weakness will affect her for the rest of her life.
During the early days of pregnancy, very heavy things should not be carried or lifted. Likewise jumping from a high place, hopping, running or any form of physical (pain) strain should be prevented as this may cause excessive bleeding or even a miscarriage.
The Islamic education of the child starts when the child is still in the womb of the mother. This is through the thoughts that she carries in those days, by the feelings that she has, by the kind of books that she reads, by the kind of company that she keeps and by the kind of things that she hears.
During pregnancy frightening pictures of deformed children or animals should not be seen. One should look at beautiful children, flowers and should smell beautiful fragrances.
Also during pregnancy reading evil books, having evil thoughts, bad intentions, practising of bad habits and doing sinful works should be avoided or else there is a fear that these evils may effect the unborn child later on. All these have an effect on the unborn child because the mother’s nervous system is affecting all the systems of the baby. Although the baby has its own independent systems, remember it is the mother’s womb that is carrying the baby and that the baby is being affected by whatever she is thinking, feeling, reading and listening to. It is better and advisable for the mother to keep good company, to read good books (the Quraan Shareef should be read in abundance) and to be at such places where she hears the words of Allah and about our DEEN. It is important to have good feelings, good thoughts and not to carry grudges, have fear of something or be unduly worried about something. One should always remain calm and happy and should not be allowed to be over concerned and allow oneself to be overtaken by grief. The thoughts that you generate within yourself will influence the kind of disposition the child will have. If you are sad and miserable the child will be equally affected. So remember the environment prior to the child’s birth is as important as the environment he is born into.

WHAT TO READ DURING PREGNANCY
During the days of pregnancy, duas for the protection from calamities should be read in abundance. Also the performance of Salaat regularly is a protection from calamities. The following duas and surahs should be read in abundance during pregnancy:
A’oodhu bikalimmatillaahit taammmaati min sharri maa khalaqa
I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which He has created.
Hasbunallaahu wa ni’imal wakeel
Allah suffices us and He is the best guardian
Inniy u’eedhuhaa bika wa dhurriyyatahaa minas shaytaanir rajeem
And I command her and her offspring to Thy protection, from the evil one, the rejected.
Aayatul Kursi, surah Yaseen, surah Maryam, surah Yusuf and surah Muhammad
Also it is mentioned that Hazrat Fatima (radiyallahu anha) reports that when it was time for her to deliver her child, “Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) sent Umme Salma (radiyallahu anha) and Hazrat Zainab (radiyallahu anha) to me with the instruction that they read Aayatul Kursi, surah Al-Falaq and An-naas and the following verse for easy delivery:
Inna rabbakumullaahul ladhiy khalaqas samaawaati wal ardha fiy sittati ayyaamin thumma-stawaa alal arsh, yughshiyl llaylan nahaara wa yatlubuhoo hatheethan was shamsa wal qamara wan nujooma musakh-kharaatim bi amrihi. Alaa lahul khalqu wal amru, tabaaraka llaahu rabbul aalameen. Ud’oo rabbakum tadharru’an wa khufyatan, innahoo laa yuhibbul mu’tadeen.” Surah Al-A’raf (7:54,55)
If a woman has difficulty during childbirth, the following should be written on paper, wrapped in a piece of white cloth and tied around her left thigh. Insha-Allah it will ease the birth.
Also Aayatul Kursi and the two Ayats from surah Al-A’raf (7: 54,55) are to be recited near the woman in throes of birth. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Naas are also to be read and thereafter blown on her.

CERTAIN BEAUTIFUL NAMES OF ALLAH TO BE READ BEFORE AND DURING PREGNANCY
Yaa waahidul ahad, The ONE Un-Equalled
Anyone desiring good and pious children should inscribe this ism on paper, or cloth and keep it with him at all times.
Yaa awwalu, The First.
Anyone desirous of male children should say this ism 40 times daily for 40 days. His needs will soon be fulfilled. (Insha-Allah)
Yaa mubdi-u, The Originator
Anyone who, while placing his hand on the stomach of his pregnant wife, repeats this ism 99 times at the time of sehri, neither will she have a miscarriage nor will she give birth prematurely. (Insha-Allah)
Yaa barru, The Good.
Anyone who reads this ism 7 times and blows on his child soon after birth, Allah will grant the child protection from calamities until puberty. (Insha-Allah)
Yaa baari-u, One Who Gives Life.
If a barren woman fasts for 7days and each day, after making Iftaar with water, reads this ism 21 times Allah will grant her male children. (Insha-Allah)
Yaa musawwiru, Fashioner of Shapes.
If a barren woman fasts and each day, after making Iftaar with water read this ism 21 times Allah will grant her male children. (Insha-Allah
Yaa naafi-u, One Who Confers Benefits.
If this ism is said prior to having intercourse, Allah will grant him good and pious children. (Insha-Allah)

FASTING DURING PREGNANCY
If the pregnant woman is certain or almost certain that if she fasts the foetus will be harmed or she herself will be harmed, she is then permitted not to observe the fasts.
If a woman comes to know after having had the intention of the fast that she is pregnant and she is almost certain that fasting would be harmful for her, she is then permitted to break the fast and observe it on another day without expiation.

WHAT TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY
During the days of pregnancy good and pure foods are essential for the health of the child. But excess of healthy foods and fruits and too much of resting causes the weight of the child to increase due to which delivery becomes difficult. Therefore excess of healthy foods should not be consumed, nor should there be too much of resting. A little bit of work should be done.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “If a woman eats sweet melon, she will give birth to a handsome and pretty child.”
It is interesting to note that an intelligent child is born when a pregnant woman eats beans. Also it increases the mother’s milk.
During the days of pregnancy by eating coconut and sugar candy, it lessens the amount of vomiting. There is easiness at the time of the birth of the child. Also on the body of the child there would be no heat rashes and the child will be fair and pure (skin) and the child will be born healthy. (Insha-Allah)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has emphasised the importance of dates and their effectiveness in the growth of the foetus. He (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) recommended that they be given to women. Sayyidah Maryam (alayhas salaam) had dates as her food during her confinement and labour. Experiments have shown that dates contain stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery on one hand and reduces the bleeding after delivery on the other. Dates enrich the breast milk with all the elements needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease. Modern Science has proved that dates are a part of a healthy diet. They contain sugar, fat and proteins as well as important vitamins. They are also rich in natural fibres. Medical research has proven that they are effective in preventing stomach cancer. Dates also surpass other fruit in sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, Calcium, Sulphur, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorous, Manganese, Copper and Megnesium. In other words, one date is a mini-mine of a balanced and healthy diet.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said that bitter orange (grapefruit) is a cure for all illnesses. Also, it increases the milk in the mother’s breast.

http://www.beautifulislam.net/family/pregnancy.htm

Parent24: Home or hospital?

Birthing Centre in the USA - Source: Porter Medical Centre

More and more women are opting for home births assisted by midwives. What are the advantages of having a home birth?

Home birth

• The woman may feel more in control as she is in her own environment
• She has more privacy
• She will be assisted by the midwife of her choice
• It is cost-effective
• It can be a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere
• There is no unnecessary intervention
• A woman may use natural ways of relieving pain
• She can have as many people present as she wishes to
• She is never separated from the baby
• There is less distraction
• An episiotomy can be avoided
• Birth is seen as a natural process rather than a “medical” event
• Older children don’t have to deal with the absence of their parents

Make sure that you are assisted by an experienced, qualified nurse/midwife or by a qualified physician. In case of a medical emergency, you should be within 20 minutes of the nearest hospital.

According to Dr Martin Puzey, Gynaecologist, a woman should be cleared as being a low risk case for home birth by her gynaecologist. “People tend to forget that giving birth is a very dangerous process and is a time in a woman’s life when things can go seriously wrong,” he says. “Many years ago, the first thing a father asked of the delivering doctor after the birth was ‘how’s my wife … did she survive the birth?’. If a woman has a high risk pregnancy, she should examine her alternatives.”

Hospital birth

You may want to consider the following advantages of a hospital birth:

• The baby can be delivered by an obstetrician
• There are different pain relief options available
• Hospitals are well equipped in case of emergency
• Breastfeeding clinics or lactation consultants are available in most hospitals

Would you opt for a hospital or a home birth? What influences your choice the most?

Source: http://www.parent24.com/Content/Baby/birth/132/b32d800a66d442759043d8f80165f1aa/16-02-2009-11-29/Home_or_hospital

Parent24: Is Vicks OK for babies?

Vicks VapoRub can sometimes cause breathing problems in infants.

Julie Steenhuysen
Pic: iStockphoto.com

Vicks VapoRub can cause respiratory distress in children under 2 when inappropriately applied directly under the nose, U.S. researchers have said.

They said using the Procter & Gamble Co (PG.N) product in this way can cause a young child’s tiny airways to swell and fill with mucus, triggering severe breathing problems.

“The only problem we’ve seen is in a small child when it has been put under the nose,” Dr. Bruce Rubin of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina, said in a telephone interview.

Rubin said the ingredients in Vicks can be irritants, causing the body to produce more mucus to protect the airway. And since infants and young children have airways that are much narrower than those of an adult, any increase in mucus or swelling can narrow them severely.

“The company is really clear it should never go under the nose or in the nose for anybody and it shouldn’t be used in children under 2,” said Rubin, whose study appears in the journal Chest.

While the researchers only tested the Vicks product, Rubin said similar products, including generic versions, could cause the same negative effects in infants and toddlers.

Rubin and his colleagues began looking at use of the medication after treating an 18-month-old girl who developed respiratory distress after the salve was put under her nose.

They studied ferrets, which have an airway anatomy similar to humans. In the animals with a chest infection, the product increased mucus secretion and decreased the animal’s ability to clear mucus.

“We were able to document changes that we think explain this,” Rubin said.

David Bernens, a spokesman for P&G, said the finding came as a surprise. “Vicks VapoRub has been proven safe and effective through multiple clinical trials. It has been in the market for over 100 years,” Bernens said, noting that the label says the product should not be used in children under age 2 without a doctor’s advice, and not under the nose.

“We warn people not to do that,” he said.

Since the initial episode, emergency doctors at the medical center have begun asking all parents of children in respiratory distress if they used the Vicks product in a similar way and they have seen two more cases, Rubin said.

“I recommend never putting Vicks in, or under, the nose of anybody — adult or child,” Rubin said in a statement, adding that he would never use it in a child under age 2.

Dr. James Mathers, president of the American College of Chest Physicians, said in a statement that parents should consult their doctor before giving any over-the-counter medication to infants and young children, particularly cough and cold medications, which can be harmful.

Have you used Vicks on a baby? Did it help or make things worse?

Source: Parent24.com

Tibb: THE BEST FOR YOUR BABY!

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. There is something deeper, infinite and more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and laughs because it sees the sun.

Vincent Van Gogh

There is nothing more wondrous than a newborn baby. Babies invoke in us a sense that the future is a blank canvas just waiting to be filled. They leave us with an inherent desire to protect and care. Above all, we learn from the innocence of a baby to love unconditionally.

With the arrival of a little one comes great responsibility. Throughout pregnancy, and from the first breath drawn, we want only the best for this little person that has been given to us as a gift from the Almighty. But what exactly does the best care for your baby mean? And specifically with regards to healthcare, how does one make the most of the first and most important year of one’s baby’s life to ensure a healthy, happy and bright future?

Most parents have an amazing sixth sense when it comes to their children. The best advice, especially for new moms is to believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Of course, sometimes even nature needs a little nurture, and there is a great deal that you can do, simply and practically to make the first year less about sleepless nights, colic and teething, and more about smiles and milestones which abound fruitfully throughout this crucial time of your baby’s life.

Tibb regards infancy as the most important phase in the cycle of life . It is a time of constant development and as such, we need lay the best possible foundation for our children’s future mental, physical and emotional well-being. If you are familiar with our previous articles, you will know that Tibb philosophy deals considerably with the concept of Temperament. Temperament relates to the combination of heat, moisture, dryness or coldness in an individual. With regards to the life cycle, Temperaments is also affected by the different phases of growth and maturity. We start life with an excess of moisture (common sense since we spend nine months surrounded by water), and as we age we slowly become drier, so that in old age most people are predisposed to illnesses with dry qualities.

In her book, ‘Sister Lilian’s Babycare Companion’ , renowned midwife, Sister Lilian, states, “Excess mucous underlies most of the minor and even some serious common childhood complaints that many infants are prone to.” This is in line with Tibb’s view on childhood and temperament. Some of the most common causes of excess mucous at this stage are:

Sensitivity to formula milk. Where possible, remember that breast is best, especially in the first year of life!

Too much dairy and grain products in mom’s diet. Whilst there are no hard and fast rules regarding what you eat, certain foods do tend to aggravate baby’s tender tummy. It is advisable to watch out for telltale signs every time you introduce something new to your diet. Look to the wisdom of mothers, sisters and grandmothers. There are always some truths in old wives tales.

Too much mucous in baby’s system can sometimes result in colic and winds. Try adding a few drops of dill to baby’s bath or in a water/honey mixture. Tibb’s Bonnycare, which contains dill, is fast gaining reputation as one of the best remedies for stomach cramps in babies.

Climate is also important in the first year of life. Babies need to be kept out of extreme weather conditions. Cold, and overly dry environments, in particular, enhance mucous conditions. Winter especially, tends to aggravate blocked, stuffy noses and chest conditions. As such, precautions should be taken. Remember, you are the first line of defense.

Unduly early introduction of baby cereal in an attempt to get baby to sleep better at night. Even though baby may have gained adequate weight, the digestive system takes longer to mature and is often only ready to tolerate solids after five months, so please be patient.

Together with diet and environment, another important aspect of an infant’s physical and emotional growth, is the art of touch. Babies’ love being close and take comfort in being gently rocked. They often sleep best when lying close to mom. A wonderful way in which you can connect with your baby is through massage. Interestingly, though baby massage has recently been gaining popularity in the west, it has actually been a part of Indian culture for hundreds of years.   Be sure to read about massage techniques and the use of Aromatherapy oils for illnesses and health promotion in next month’s article.

Parenting is hard work, but the rewards are well worth it. Remember that a healthy baby is a happy baby…but more than that,     A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.

Source: Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb

The Virtues of Pregnancy

• When a woman is pregnant with a child, all the angels will make Istighfar (repentance) on her behalf. Allah SWT will, for each day of her pregnancy, write for her 1000 good deeds and erase from her 1000 bad deeds.

• When a pregnant woman starts to feel the pain from contractions, Allah SWT will write in her records as someone who is doing jihad (spiritual or physical struggle) in His path.

• When a woman becomes pregnant by her husband and he is pleased with her, she obtains the reward of a person engaging in fasting for Allah SWT and a person spending the night in ibaadah (worship).

• A woman from the time of pregnancy until childbirth and weaning the baby, is like the Mujahid (someone fighting in the path of Allah, swa) who is stationed on the frontiers of the Islamic land. If she dies during this period, she dies the death of a shahid (martyr).

• Two raka’at salaat performed by a pregnant woman is better than 80 raka’at salaat performed by a non-pregnant woman.

• A woman who is pregnant gets the reward of fasting during the day and of doing ibaadah (worship) during the nights.

• A woman who gives birth gets the reward of 70 years of salaat (prayer) and fasting. For each vein that feels pain, Allah SWT gives her the reward of one accepted hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah).

• If the woman dies within 40 days of giving birth, she will die as a shahid (matyr).

(Hadith)…….”A woman that dies in her virginity or during her pregnancy or at the time of birth or thereafter (in nifaas) will attain the rank of a martyr”

Nabi(salalaallahu alayhi wassallam) is reported to have also said “…….When her labour pains commence, the inhabitants of the earth and the sky are unaware of the stores of comfort that are prepared for her. When she delivers and breast feeds her child, then she will be granted a reword for every gulp of milk, if she had to remain awake during the night for the sake of the child, she will receive the reword of emancipating seventy slaves in the path of Allah Ta’ala. O Salaamat! Do you know who these women are? They are pious, upright, with a delicate nature yet obedient to their husbands and not ungrateful to them”

Source: Madrasa In’aamiyyah via Toronto Shariah Program [shariahprogram.ca]

Breastfeeding an unwell baby

Along with the science-based benefits of breastfeeding, there are numerous emotional benefits for mother and baby. One of these is being able to nurse your child when they are sick.

Here’s some things to know about nursing your sick baby or toddler:

• Sick babies need mother’s milk, and lots of it – When you baby is sick, hunker down for the duration, because it is completely normal for your baby to want to latch on and not let go! Unless they have a vomiting illness, in which case you may want to limit the volume of milk consumed at a time, there is no reason not to let them do this. Much of the time, they may not be getting a lot of milk anyway, but the nursing for comfort is essential. Plus, if you also have, or get a touch of the baby’s illness, your body will produce antibodies which will be transferred to the baby through your milk!

• In the case of a vomiting or diarrhea illness – Breastmilk *does* count as a “clear liquid.” It is *not* necessary to stop breastfeeding and feed water, broth or electrolyte drink. Unlike formula, breastmilk is perfectly digestible (the only downside compared to water would be the slightly more messy nature of the possible vomit!). Pediatricians often do not know that breastmilk is acceptable as a clear liquid – you may need to educate them on this point.

However, you may need to limit the volume or duration of breastfeeding sessions in order to reduce the vomiting. It can be a little bit of a trick to figure out just how much you can let them drink at a time once you feel or hear the milk let down and have them retain it. They get pretty angry when you take them off, but a little bit at a time will keep them hydrated and give them just what they need. Also, after a vomiting experience, you may want to wait 30-45 minutes to allow their stomach and esophageal muscles to relax again before. If it is hard for you tolerate waiting, or it is hard for your baby to see you without nursing, you may want to hand him or her over to another comforting caregiver and leave the room temporarily.

• About Cold Medications — Despite some warnings about using decongestants with children under two, many prominent pediatricians agree that there are times when using decongestants or expectorants may be necessary and appropriate. Occasionally medication may be necessary to reduce congestion enough to allow the baby to nurse and stay hydrated. Cough suppressants are generally not recommended with the exception of a child whose sleep is so interupted by coughing that they are not getting any rest. Be sure to confer with your pediatrician regarding appropriate dosing and advisability in your particular situation. And be sure to tell your doctor whether you are using a children’s or infant/toddler formulation, because infant drops are more concentrated and can cause overdose if a children’s formulation dose is given.

• Breastmilk can be used in lots of different ways other than orally — Using breastmilk in the eyes for conjunctivitis, in the ears for early ear infection, in the nose to resist sinus infection or throat relief from post nasal drip are just a few used. Also use breastmilk topically on skin lesions or injuries. Use reasonable cleanliness measures like washing hands before pumping or hand-expressing milk and use sterile bottles or eyedroppers for storage and application. And while I encourage natural treatments, be sure to be consulting your doctor about when it might be time for your child to be examined for an infection that may be beyond home remedies.

Breastfeeding and breastmilk can be absolutely invaluable during childhood illness. Keep in mind that breastmilk reduces the overall incidence and severity of many illnesses in the first place by increasing health and transferring immunity from mother to child. But when illness does strike, breastfeeding can provide unmatched comfort and health benefits. Get well soon!

Source: BellaOnline

Subhunallah, another ‘western’ discovery that supports the Islamic perspective that BREASTFEEDING is best for mum, baby and the Ummah…

Masha allah to all the breastfeeding mommies out there, You will indeed be rewarded insha allah.

Note: The above article is from a non-Muslim expert.  Breastfeeding is not permissable for a child older than 2years. Weaning as per Islamic teachings is to begin at around 18/20months so that by 24months the child is completely weaned off his/her mother’s milk.

May Allah make your feeds easy and as beneficial as possible. Ameen

Teething

The following information is courtesy of the Editor at www.Babeeze.co.za – hope it helps the mommies out there

TEETHING TIME

Is there ever a right time for teething? Is there a set time and order that you can expect your little one to start teething? The answer again is no – babies differ.

If I look at my little one – he started late – around 10 months and instead of getting his lower incisors, he received his upper first molars. And a week later there was one upper and one lower incisor.

But if you are lucky and have a “by the book” baby as some of my friends have you can look to expect the following:

Most commonly teething starts around 6-7 months with the lower incisors. Thereafter, more baby teeth begin to erupt every month or two. So, starting with the incisors, and then the first molars. Followed by the canines and then lastly the second molars.

Here is a basic chart that you can look at following:

TOOTH	ERUPTION	FALLS OUT
Upper Jaw
Central Incisor	7-12 months	6-8 years
Lateral Incisor	9-13 months	7-8 years
Canine	16-22 months	10-12 years
First Molar	13-19 months	9-11 years
Second Molar	25-33 months	10-12 years
Lower Jaw
Central Incisor	6-10 months	6-8 years
Lateral Incisor	7-16 months	7-8 years
Canine	16-23 months	9-12 years
First Molar	12-18 months	9-11 years
Second Molar	20-31 months	10-12 years

Symptoms of teething:

• Often teeth simply appear without any signs but in most cases you may find
• Your little one may drool a bit more than normal
• Your little one may want to chew on things or place objects into the mouth to bite down on
• Gums may look a bit swollen
• Cheeks become very rosy
• Crying, diarrhea and nappy rashes are often common symptoms.
• Agitated or niggly.

Tips for soothing gums:

• Give your little one something cool to gum on e.g. a teething ring (the ones you can place in the fridge are often great).
• Vidol powder is always a great one to keep on hand (especially if out and about) – keep a few sachets in his/ her nappy bag.

Or let them chew of a piece of dried mango or biltong – just be careful of choking.

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