How to check your little one's pulse? Let's talk about this!

Moms and dads, you may have thought to yourself, 'Oh, my child has a fever and a fast heart rate,' or you may have seen the doctor sometimes holding your child's hand and checking something. Today, we're going to talk about how to check your child's pulse or heart rate at home. Knowing this can be useful at times, especially when your child is sick, to get a rough idea of ​​their condition.

What is a pulse? The story that makes the heart beat!

Simply put, pulse is the number of times our heart beats per minute. You know, our heart is the pump that pumps blood throughout our body. Every time this heart beats, clean blood, that is, oxygen-rich blood, is pumped through the blood vessels throughout our body. The pressure waves that occur as the blood flows through those blood vessels are what we feel in our hands as our pulse. It is like the sound of water rushing through a pipe.

Now look, this pulse rate varies depending on different things. That means it's not always the same.

• Age: The pulse rate of very young babies is usually high. As they grow older, that is, as they get older, this pulse rate gradually decreases.
• Activity: The pulse rate increases when the baby is running, playing, exercising, or crying a lot. Similarly, the pulse rate decreases when the baby is sleeping or resting.
• Emotions: The pulse rate may increase when the child is suddenly scared, excited, very happy, or in pain.
• Body temperature: When a child's body becomes hot, such as when they have a fever, their pulse rate usually increases.
• Medications: Some medications can cause your heart rate to slow down or increase.
• Medical conditions: Some medical conditions, such as certain heart conditions, changes in thyroid function, and anemia, can also cause a slow or irregular pulse.

Let's take a look at the normal resting heart rate (beats per minute) of a healthy child. These numbers are only approximate, as there can be slight variations from child to child.

• Newborns (0-28 days): between 100-205 beats per minute
• Babies 1 month to 1 year: Between 100-190 beats per minute
• Children 1 to 2 years old: 98-140 beats per minute
• Children 3 to 5 years old: 80-120 beats per minute
• Children 6 to 11 years old: 75-118 beats per minute
• Young children over 12 years old: 60-100 beats per minute (same as adults)

" Important: These are normal ranges. But remember, if your child is playing hard, running around, or jumping, their pulse rate may be much higher than these numbers. This is completely normal . We should always be concerned about the pulse rate when the child is relaxed and calm ."

Should we prepare these things before checking the baby's pulse?

Okay, now let's see how to check your baby's pulse. You don't need any fancy equipment for this. All you need are these things:

1. A watch with a minute hand or a `Stopwatch` (stopwatch): It should be able to measure 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or a full minute accurately. `Smart Phone` (smartphone) which is used by many people these days also has this `Stopwatch` (stopwatch) feature. You can use that too.

2. Keep the child calm and relaxed: This is the most important thing. If you take the pulse when the child is running around, crying, or laughing loudly, you will not get an accurate reading. Therefore, keep the child calm and relaxed for at least 5 minutes before taking the pulse. You can take the pulse while the child is watching TV, listening to you read a story, or talking to you quietly. If it is a small baby, take the pulse when he is sleeping or when he is very calm.

One more thing to remember, do not use your thumb to check the pulse. Did you know? Our thumb also has its own pulse, that is, a `pulse`. Then you may get confused whether it is the baby's pulse or your thumb's pulse. Therefore , always use your index and middle fingers (two of your fingers) and slowly place them where you feel the pulse.

How to check the pulse of very young babies (infants)?

The best and easiest place to check the pulse of a baby under a year old, especially a few months old, is on the upper arm . To be precise, between the shoulder and the elbow, on the inside of the arm. We medically call this the `Brachial Pulse`.

Here's how to do it, it's very simple:

1. First, have the baby lie down on a bed or in a flat, safe place. Bend one of the baby's arms (the arm you want to check for a pulse) a little, hold it, and place it so that it is right next to his ear. Then it will be a little easier to find the place where I mentioned the `Brachial Pulse`.

2. Now, using your index and middle fingers , gently place them on the inside of the upper arm (between the shoulder and elbow) and see if you can feel them. Don't press too hard, just touch very gently and slowly.

3. You will feel your pulse slowly going 'tick tick'. When you find the exact spot, look at your watch and count how many times your pulse beats for 15 seconds .

4. Then, multiply the number you counted by 4. That answer is the baby's heart rate (beats per minute).

For example, imagine that you counted 35 beats in 15 seconds. Then 35 x 4 = 140. That means the baby's pulse rate is 140 beats per minute. Do you understand?

Sometimes you may not be able to feel the pulse right away. Especially if the baby moves a little. If that happens, don't panic. Try moving your fingers around a bit, or check on your other hand. This requires a little patience.

Places to check the pulse of slightly older children

There are several other places to check the pulse of children over a year old and older.

• Wrist Pulse - Radial Pulse: This is where we often check the pulse of adults. Turn the child's hand over and place your index and middle fingers on the side of the wrist where the thumb is (just below the crease of the hand). This `Radial Pulse` is felt on the inside of the hand, at the base of the thumb.
• Carotid Pulse: The Carotid Pulse is felt on either side of the neck, just below the jawbone, on either side of the trachea (windpipe ). However, it is not recommended to check the pulse of young children here . This is because if pressed incorrectly, it can be uncomfortable for the child, and some sensitive receptors in the neck may be stimulated and the heartbeat may be affected. Therefore, the most suitable place is the wrist or, for babies, the upper arm.

When checking the pulse of older children, as mentioned earlier, count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Or you can count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Or, if you are very sure, you can count the pulse for a full minute.

When should we see a doctor?

While checking your pulse is something you can do at home, there are some situations where you should definitely seek medical advice. Be aware of these symptoms:

• Tachycardia: When a child's pulse rate is consistently and significantly higher than the normal rate for their age, even when they are relaxed and calm (for example, more than 220 beats per minute in a small baby, more than 180 beats per minute in a slightly older child).
• Bradycardia: If the baby's heart rate is consistently and significantly lower than the normal rate for their age, even when they are at rest (for example, less than 60 beats per minute in a small baby, and the baby is sleepy, not sucking, and lethargic).
• Irregular Pulse: If the pulse feels irregular, not in a rhythm, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, skipping, stopping, etc.
• If you have other symptoms like these along with your pulse:
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing while breathing, rapid breathing.
• Blue discoloration of the lips, tongue, or skin (Cyanosis).
• If you are talking about chest pain (if it is a slightly older child).
• If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint all the time.
• Excessive sweating (without fever), feeling cold.
• If the child is not as active as usual, is constantly sleepy, lethargic, or lazy.
• Complete refusal to drink milk or loss of appetite (especially in young babies).

"In such a situation, you should immediately see a registered doctor without wasting time . Because these may be symptoms of a heart condition or other serious illness. Therefore, it is wise not to panic, but to seek medical advice quickly."

Likewise, if you have any doubts or fears when you check your pulse, or if you think, "Is this right? I don't understand," then the best thing to do is to ask a doctor. It is also very important to overcome your fears.

So, these are the most important things to remember! (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so let's go over the things we talked about that you need to remember again, shall we?

1. Pulse is the number of times the heart beats per minute.

2. Keep the child calm and relaxed for at least 5 minutes before checking the pulse. Do not check during an anxious time.

3. Use your index and middle fingers to check for a pulse. Never use your thumb.

4. The best place to check the pulse of infants (under one year old) is the upper arm, on the inside (`Brachial Pulse`).

5. You can check the `Radial Pulse` on the wrist of slightly older children .

6. Count your pulse for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get your pulse rate in one minute. (Or count for 30 seconds and multiply by 2).

7. Have a rough idea of ​​the normal pulse rate for your child's age, but remember that it can vary slightly.

8. If the child's pulse rate is consistently high, low, irregular, or has other dangerous symptoms such as difficulty breathing or blue lips, seek medical advice immediately.

9. Don't be afraid to talk to a doctor anytime you have any doubts . Ask questions that are on your mind.

I hope this information is useful to you. It is very important as a mother or father to take care of your child's health and be aware of their changes. I sincerely believe that knowing these little things will be of great help to you.

` Pulse, Heart Rate, Brachial Pulse, Radial Pulse