When can I start taking my baby to the swimmingbaths?
Should I wait until after he has had his jabs?
Babies can be taken swimming at any age and it doesn't matter if they haven't yet completed their full course of immunisations.
The management of some leisure facilities suggest that babies shouldn't go swimming until they have had all of their jabs.
This advice dates back to the time when polio was common and people were concerned it would spread in busy places like public swimming pools.
Sometimes babies experience side effects a day or two after their vaccinations.
These are generally quite mild, and should not prevent you taking your baby swimming. Babies who are feverish, or who get a mild form of mumps in the weeks after the MMR vaccine, may not feel up to swimming for a few days so you may prefer to wait.
I am worried about my friend. She recently had a baby and I think she is suffering from postnatal depression. Can you tell me what the signs are?
Postnatal depression can affect women in different ways. The symptoms can begin soon after the birth and last for months and usually include one or more of the following: low mood; irritability; tearfulness; panic attacks; difficulty concentrating; lack of motivation; lack of interest the new baby; feeling lonely; feeling guilty, rejected, or inadequate; feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope; difficulty sleeping; headaches, stomach pains, blurred vision.
Constant tiredness, a lack of appetite and a reduced sex drive are also associated with postnatal depression. These normally affect most people for a while after childbirth.
It is important for partners, family members and friends to recognise the signs of PND and to seek professional advice as soon as possible.
WHAT IS...WHIPLASH?
Whiplash is a term that is used to describe a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways.
The vigorous movement of the head damages the ligaments and tendons in the neck. Whiplash typically causes pain, stiffness and a loss of movement in the neck.
Headaches, muscle spasms and pain in the shoulders or arms are also possible symptoms.
They can take several months to fully settle.
The outlook will vary depending on how severely the neck has been sprained. The majority of people are pain-free after three months. It may take a few weeks if the neck ligaments and tendons are only slightly damaged. However, in severe cases, whiplash and associated injuries can last for several months or even years.
If anyone experiences symptoms, a medical examination will determine what needs to be done.
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