Blogging Parents » Health

Not enough breastmilk

snowy_023 — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:52:55 +0000

Many mother have the problem of insuffiency of breastmilk to give to their infant. And it really bothers a lot to breastfeeding mom. It certainly worth worrying, because the baby’s entirely nutritional needs are dependent on the mothers milk.

Low level of stress, healthy nutrition, emotional support and nipple stimulation through baby’s sucking are all important contributors in breatsfeeding success. However, for some mothers who have problem with their milk, let your baby suckle. Don’t ever stop breastfeeding your baby, even if you feel your breast aren’t producing milk. The more you nurse your baby, the more your breasts are stimulated to produce milk. Let your baby suckles for as long he wants. Giving a massage to your breasts is a great way also, it helps to increase the production of milk. While it stimulates the breast, it also promote circulation, which it can improve yoyr blood flow to some extent.

In our modern world, many people find it difficult to relax and to rest. Having a baby, giving birth and breastfeeding are all dependent on the body’s efficient work force. Giving your baby enough nutritional needs will help them sooner to have a healthy life.

Bullies Target Obese Kids

Jacaranda — Mon, 03 May 2010 22:51:34 +0000

For kids, a few extra pounds may invite trouble from the schoolyard bully. This is what the researchers have discovered that I recently read.

The study shows or it suggested that just by being overweight, a child has a very big chance of getting bullied. Although there are many factors that play a role of getting bullied, like gender, face or family related, being overweight is still the main reason. Being overweight or obese trumps all those other factors when it comes to aggressive behavior from other children.

The study found that being overweight increased the risk of being the target of bullying by 63 percent.

“One of the reasons we started this study is that obesity is so much more common today. Now that about half of kids are overweight or obese, it doesn’t make you such an outlier anymore, so we thought maybe kids wouldn’t be bullied for being overweight anymore,” said study author Dr. Julie Lumeng, an assistant research scientist at the Center for Human Growth and Development at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She added that the researchers also hoped they might be able to find some protective factors against being bullied, such as doing well in school.

“What we found, much to our dismay, was that nothing seemed to matter. If you were obese, you were more likely to be bullied, no matter what,” she said.

Results of the study will be published in the June issue of Pediatrics, but were released online May 3.

The study included 821 boys and girls from a nationally representative sample of children selected from 10 sites around the United States. Bullying behaviors were assessed in third, fifth and sixth grades. The youngsters were mostly white, half of them were male and 15 percent were overweight in the third grade.

By sixth grade, teachers reported that 34 percent of the study children had been bullied, and mothers reported that 45 percent of the children had been bullied, while 25 percent of the children themselves said they had been bullied.

Previous research has shown that boys, minorities and children from low-income groups are more likely to be bullied, so the researchers took these factors into account to see if they made a difference. The study authors also considered a child’s social skills and academic achievement in their analysis.

“No matter how much we retested, the findings were very robust. Obese kids are more likely to be bullied,” said Lumeng.

She said that one of the reasons she believes the findings were so consistent is that prejudice against overweight or obese people is “so pervasive that it’s acceptable.” But, she added, “Obesity is really complex. It’s not all about willpower. It’s a brain-based disorder, and I hope that message becomes clearer.”

Dana Rofey, an assistant professor with the Weight Management and Wellness Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, said she wasn’t surprised by the findings. “Bullying is the most common psychosocial complaint that our patients present with,” she said.

“For parents and pediatricians, one of the issues our study raises is that if you’re caring for a child who’s overweight, you need to be alert to this and you might want to gently bring it up with the child. Ask, ‘How are things at school going?’ or ‘Does anyone ever say something that makes you feel bad?’ because this may be an issue that’s difficult for kids to bring up,” said Lumeng.

If your child lets you know that he or she is being bullied, Lumeng said your first response should be to validate your child’s feelings and let them know that it’s not OK for someone to treat them like that.

What to do next can be tricky, agreed both experts.

“Be supportive, and let your child know that you’ll help them. Consult with your child and ask how he or she would like you to get involved,” advised Rofey. Many youngsters may ask their parents to take a hands-off approach, she said. But she recommends setting some guidelines. “Say something like, ‘It seems you have this under control right now, but let’s keep talking and checking in about it.’”

Rofey also recommends teaching your child how to avoid situations that might lead to teasing or bullying, and talking with your child about how to reach out to adults if they need to. Depending on the situation, she said that parents may need to step in and advocate for their children at the school. But, she advised always letting your children know what steps you’ll be taking.

Source:http://health.yahoo.com/news/healthday/bulliestargetobesekids.html

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Night Time Coughing of Toddlers

Jacaranda — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:32:40 +0000

How do you stop night time coughing in toddlers? For a couple of nights now or a month at most, Matthew has been coughing consistently every night. I decided to search the internet about it too, since I believe that if my boy is experiencing this, I am pretty sure that we are not alone. Somewhere out there there are also parents who are searching and seeking for help about their child coughing every night.

So, how do you stop night time coughing in toddlers? Most of the answer you would find online is to use Vicks vaporub. Of course, this will not actually cure the coughing but it will suppose to help them breath to when they have a cold or their nose is stuff.

Another common answers that ‘experienced parents‘ gave is the weather or the room temperature. This one I could agree. In our case, it is true that the rough, barking cough starts during night time when we are about to go to bed. Being in a hot tropical place, we always turn on the air conditioning for a more relaxed and pleasant sleep.. but apparently this is the one that’s causing my boy to cough.

One parent advised:

Coughs seem to be worse when it’s cold. Yes the house might get a little warm but your child will sleep better and it will only be for a night or two. I tend to raise mine to 69-70 degrees.

I think that I’ll be following that suggestion first. Let’s see if that would work.. but I am expecting a sweaty night.

What else do you think that might be causing all those coughing? Appreciate any inputs.. Thanks!

Nose Bleed Info on Toddlers and Children

Baby Constipation: Tips Cure and Remedies

Jacaranda — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:32:06 +0000

Today’s (overdue) post is about baby constipation. We’ll try to list down the causes of it, the tips and cures and also enumerate the best treatment or remedies in dealing with toddler constipation. Like I said, this is an overdue post. I could have made a post like this way back when my first born (Matt) was a little over 1 year old.

Matt is turning 4 years old now and his little brother, Sean, will be turning 2. That is why this topic on baby constipation is a little late. Good thing (NOT) that my sons sometimes still suffer constipation which reminded me to browse the web and search for remedies for constipation.. specific for babies and toddlers

(image credit – everything-daddy.com toilet training)

Constipation in Toddlers

Constipation is when the stool gets super hard that it takes extreme amount of effort to get it out there. Or basically it refers to the passage of hard stools (poop, poo). We parents assume that our child is experiencing constipation when there is no bowel movement for 3 or 4 days.

Constipation is a common and frustrating problem in children. Before I search information about it, I thought that my sons could be in a very serious situation.

Causes of Constipation in Toddlers

Constipation is most commonly caused by a diet that is low in fiber. This is true for both adults and children. For toddlers, aside from eating food that is low in fiber, constipation can also be caused by drinking too much milk specially in my case where my 4 year old is still drinking plenty of milk while my 2 year old is still breastfeeding. Breastfeeding or breast milk (in excess) can also cause baby constipation. Another common and obvious cause is not drinking enough water or waiting too long to go to the bathroom.

Cure and Treatment for Constipation

How do treat constipation? What are the popular or effective remedies for it? Let us list some tips, cure and remedies for child constipation below. Since we are talking about toddlers, we will only write natural medicine or remedies that are safe for babies and toddlers.

Let’s list down some of the natural ways or safe ways we can do to help our child and prevent constipation

Foods Rich in Fiber

Since one of the causes of constipation is lack of fiber, or eating food that is low in fiber, one thing we can do is to regularly add a fiber rich foods in their diet.

Let us enumerate some foods, fruits and vegetables that are fiber rich and could cure, treat or even prevent constipation in children.

Here are some foods that are rich in fiber:

Potato
Raisins
Pineapple
Karo Juice
Prune or Prune juice
Beans
Sweet potatoes
Peas
Raw tomatoes
Corn (or even popcorn!)
and others…

How much fiber is enough for a 2 or 4 year old? Or is there such a thing as fiber overdose?

Children require (age in years + 5) g of fiber per day up to a maximum of (age in years + 10) g per day.

So a 3 year old needs 8 g and should have no more than 13g of fiber per day.

There is about 2g of fiber in:

* A serving of bread or cereal
* A small fruit
* ½ cup of vegetables
* 1 medium potato

Ensuring your child has enough fiber in the diet will help toddler constipation.

source

Drink Lots of Water and Decrease constipating foods

Constipating foods include milk, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots, and bananas. Drinking too much milk (your child may only be drinking 2-3 cups a day, but it may be too much for his system to handle) is heavily associated with being constipated. Switching to soy milk has been shown to soften stools. If your child is unable to drink milk, then offer a daily multivitamin or other sources of calcium.

Those are just a few things we can do to help relief them from the pains of constipation. Another thing we can to is to encourage the child to sit on the toilet after meals. Try to add this to their daily routine. Toddlers maybe often reluctant to sit on the toilet if they have already experienced the painful bowel movement, but still try to add it up to the routine.

My wife and I have discussed this and will try to do the suggested tips. I hope you do too if you are in the same situation as we are.

Do you have any other suggestions in relieving the kids from constipation? Share them here if you want. Thanks!

Facts About Minor Wound Care

Jacaranda — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:11:04 +0000

My son had an very terrifying accident the other day, January 9 to be exact. He jumped on the bed and cut his toes with a tin sheet (his white board toy). It bled. It bled so hard that I ~~almost~~ panicked!

You probably think you know all the facts when it comes to the topic of minor wound care – if you cut your finger, just dab a tissue on it and you’re ready to go! Unfortunately it is not as simple as that. Minor wounds deserve special treatment in order to heal most efficiently and minimize the appearance of scars. So before you peel off that bandage make sure you know the difference between the facts and the misconceptions on minor wound care.

Misconception: It is best to let a minor wound heal over with a scab.

For a long time I thought this is the truth.. until know, I think it is. But if scab makes the healing process longer, I need to search more about it.

Fact: Scabs actually impede the healing process by creating a barrier between healthy skin cells. The cells have to work their way under the scab in order to form new tissue and heal. Scabs can also be easily torn or scratched, causing re-injury.

Misconception: It is best to let a wound “breathe” or air out.

Fact: The best way to protect a wound is to cover it with a bandage until fully healed. Bandages that absorb a wounds fluid and maintain a natural moisture balance are ideal for healing and enables skin cells to migrate together to form new tissue.

Misconception: It is best to leave a wound uncovered.

For me, I think the wound should be covered when it is still fresh and eventually take it off so that air can flow around it to heal faster, apparently that may not be the case.

Fact: Covering a wound with bandages is essential to wound care: a bandage provides extra cushioning and protection from any re-injury that may occur, as well as preventing exposure to water, germs and dirt.

6 Tips in Choosing a Good Child Day Care Center

Separation Anxiety in Toddlers and Children

Jacaranda — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:32:21 +0000

It’s school time once again. Many of the first time parents will be looking for advise to help them with this new chapter in their parentinghood journey.

I am pretty sure that there are many new parents out there that will be bringing their child to school for the first time. For several years, your baby has been clinging to you and dependent on you in whatever the things that he’s been doing and now, he will be on his own in school for the first time.

This is the main reason that led me to post this article. This one is called “Separation Anxiety“. Around the first birthday, many kids develop separation anxiety, getting upset when a parent tries to leave them with someone else and in this instance, leave them in school.

Teary and tantrum-filled goodbyes are a common part of a child’s earliest years. Though separation anxiety is a perfectly normal part of childhood development, it can be unsettling.

What is Separation Anxiety?

Wikipedia defines Separation Anxiety – Separation anxiety disorder is a psychological condition in which an individual experiences excessive anxiety regarding separation from home or from people to whom the individual has a strong emotional attachment (like a father and mother). It becomes a disorder when the separation reaction becomes strong enough to impair peoples ability to conduct their day to day lives and relationships.

Top Tips for children with separation anxiety

Like wikipedia states, Separation anxiety becomes a disorder when it affects the day to day lives and relationship of the child and the caregiver or guardian of the toddler, the parents.

Here are some Tips that every parent should be familiar with in order to cope with separation anxiety.

Diet is all important for a child’s emotional and physical well being so give them a balanced diet without additives and chemicals.

When you have to leave them, explain when you will be back and talk about things that you will be doing while you are away.

Keep calm and rational however they react.

Concentrate on what is going well for them at school and at home.

See article on children and anxiety.

Make sure that your child does not have problems at school or has unrealistic beliefs that make him or her worried.

Address these beliefs when he or she is calm, an anxious brain can not take in rational information.

“Date Rape Drug”, GHB, Rohypnol – Parents Beware

Jacaranda — Sat, 30 May 2009 07:00:06 +0000

This news and piece of advice may not be applicable to new parents or to those who only have young childrens or babies. This is specifically for parents who have a young woman, a teenager or someone who goes out a lot. Please be aware that there is such a drug called the “Date Rape Drug” or what is called Rohypnol, Rop Can, La Roche, Ruffies and others.

What is Date Rape Drug or Rohypnol?

Rohypnol has been associated with date rape, and has also been called the “Forget Pill,” “Trip-and-Fall,” and “Mind-Erasers.” In combination with alcohol, it can induce a blackout with memory loss and a decrease in resistance. (definition from Jacaranda’s Rohypnol post)

How to Protect Yourself From the Date Rape Drug

First things first, always talk to your child and be open about anything. Don’t let the communication between you and your daughter a burden.

Prepare Your Daughter for the Risks of Date Rape

Step 1:

Instruct her to go on group dates whenever possible. Your daughter is much less likely to become a victim of date rape when socializing in groups. Find other young couples from her school that she can join for dates.
Step 2:

Advise her to avoid dark and secluded places. Tell your daughter to limit her dates to social places like malls, restaurants or amusement parks. It’s much more difficult for her to become a victim of date rape if she stays in populated, public places the entire time.
Step 3:

Give her your car to use on dates. Having to share a car with her date means she’ll be alone and at his mercy for extended periods of time. Sexual assaults can happen just as easily in a parked car as a locked bedroom.
Step 4:

Insist that she abstain from drinking too much on dates. Alcohol can lower inhibitions, lead to poor decision-making and encourage aggressive tendencies, especially in young men. Drunk dating can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
Step 5:

Talk to her about the risk of date-rape drugs. Drugs such GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine are commonly used by date rapists to subdue victims. These drugs can be odorless, colorless and flavorless, making it difficult to detect when added to food or drink. Advise her never to accept a beverage from anyone but the server and not to leave her food or beverage unattended.
Step 6:

Equip her with mace or pepper spray. This can be a reliable way to subdue an attacker and make an escape. Pepper sprays are readily available at retail stores and through Internet sites that specialize in self-defense products.
Step 7:

Suggest that she take a self-defense course. While a rapist might have a height or weight advantage, there are several simple techniques she can use to overpower an attacker. There are self-defense courses that are specifically designed for women.

Tips & Warnings

Tell her to trust her instincts. If she feels uncomfortable with on a date, tell her to call you right away. Reassure her that there will be no judgment or punishment, even if she’s disobeyed any rules you’ve set for her on her date. As a parent, your daughter’s safety is your top priority.

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Ideal Weight and Height of a Toddler

Jacaranda — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:57:24 +0000

We all know that a child or a baby’s average height and weight is proportional to his age. Generally, a doctor or a Pediatrician, during your child’s regular checkup, will figure out whether a child’s height and weight measurements are ideal for his or her age. This is one way for the doctor to know if a child/baby is healthy or not.

Weight and Height Chart

Below is a graphical chart for us parents to know if our toddler or children is in the bracket of ideal height and weight. Of course you still should visit your Pediatrician for your child’s regular checkup.

The Pediatriacian knows about what is an ideal height for a child’s age.. that goes the same for the weight. But how can ordinary parent like ourselves know if our child/baby has the idea average weight and height? The first thing that pops to mind is a weight and height chart.

Here’s a simple Height versus Weight versus Age chart or table that can serve as our reference… Click image for larger view.

As you can see, the image consists of two graph showing a certain “Vincent Stephen”’s height and weight graph. In the foreground image you can see the Weight Chart – it’s age, versus weight. I assume that the purple colored chart or the numbers inside those purple are the ideal weight for a particular age of the baby.

Example, if you have a 20 month old baby, the ideal weight would be 26 pounds or 12 kilograms.

The image or chart at the background shows the ideal height of a child in any given age.

This height and weight chart is a very good tool in monitoring your child’s health in terms of proper height and weight.

Bookmark this page so you can refer to it any time in the future.