Health | Child Health and Prevention

Downsides to Sleep Training

Although every parent waits for their baby to sleep through the night, it is not something to rush. Some parenting authors advocate sleep training, which involves teaching your child to sleep at night for long periods of time.

A main part of these methods is letting your baby â€œcry it outâ€. However, this can be very harmful for a developing baby. At a young age, most babies are incapable of going all night without eating. Their stomachs are small and empty quickly, so they need to eat frequently throughout the night. Making your child sleep while hungry can cause him to have growth delays and weight loss.

Furthermore, the early months of your relationship with your child set the stage for later attachment. If you tend to your child when he cries, heâ€™ll grow to know that his needs will be met by his caretakers. Keep in mind that babies do not cry intentionally; it is their only way of communicating their needs. If you let them cry alone in their crib, they might start sleeping through the night. It wonâ€™t be because they learned to sleep better; it will be because they think that no one will meet their needs.

Crying is hard for a baby, and it stresses them out immensely. This reaction increases the amount of cortisol in the brain. Frequent extended periods of crying can cause prolonged exposure to cortisol, which may keep the brain from developing in an ideal environment. Feeding, comforting, and rocking your baby to sleep sets the stage for healthy brain development.

If you are considering sleep training, be sure to do your research and ensure that it is the right choice for your child and your family. For some parents, it is simply too difficult to let their baby cry. If thatâ€™s the case, donâ€™t feel guilty! Everyone needs to do what is best for their child.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: Child, Conditions and Diseases, Cortisol, Health, Sleep, Sleep disorder, United States, Weight loss

Teaching Your Child How to Be Responsible with Pets

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Very few children make it through childhood without wanting a pet. They lack the foresight necessary to think about the care a pet needs; they just see a cute animal and want one of their own. Rather than catering to your childâ€™s wishes and giving them a pet immediately, you can use pet ownership as a lesson for your child.

First, have your child watch a video with you on pet care. There are child-friendly videos for most popular pets. They cover the basics and show a child what will be required of them if they get a pet. Sometimes, the amount of work needed will turn a child off from pet ownership. However, if they are ready for the challenge, their pet could be a wonderful way to develop responsibility.

Help your child be responsible for their pet. Keep a chore chart; it should include the food, water, brushing, and cleaning of the pet. Before getting a pet, determine what chores will be your childâ€™s responsibility and what will be yours. Praise them when they take care of their pet; children thrive on their parentsâ€™ approval and it increases the likelihood that they will keep caring for their pet.

If your child begins slacking in their pet tasks, explain to them what happens when certain tasks are skipped. If they donâ€™t feed their pet, the pet gets hungry and sick. If they donâ€™t clean the cage, the pet gets dirty and can pick up illnesses. Understanding how their actions affect their pet can make an animal-loving child return to their pet tasks.

Teaching your child about pet care can be the start of a rewarding life-long love of animals. Their pet may even become a member of the family! Enlist the help of other family members, and youâ€™re sure to have success in teaching your child responsibility.

Filed Under: Child Care Tagged With: Animal, Animal welfare, Chats and Forums, Dog, Health, New Jersey, Pet, Recreation

Using Food Dehydrators As One Means To Control Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. A number of factors have been raised as to the cause of childhood obesity, including eating too much fast food and too much junk food.

If you see your child is beginning to show signs of childhood obesity, you can take steps to correct it before it gets any worse. This can include such things as avoiding fast-food restaurants and preparing healthy meals and snacks at home, limiting sweets, and making sure your child does get enough exercise.

It takes some effort on your part to prepare healthy meals and snacks, but with modern conveniences such as food dehydrators, it can be made easier. When you use food dehydrators to dry fruits and vegetables, you not only save some steps in the preparation process for a meal or snack, you can also be assured that your child is getting the healthy snacks and meals they need without added fats or oils. Also, because you are preparing the food, you can control how they will be seasoned.

For example, drying your own fruit will ensure that no added sugar, corn syrup, or anything else has been added to it, as may happen with pre-processed fruit. You can buy the fruit your child likes the best, dehydrate it, and then store it in individual snack bags or containers. You can then set these in a convenient location so that your child will automatically reach for them instead of something else that might not be as healthy.

Your child can eat the dehydrated fruit just as it is, either as an “out of hand” snack or as a topping for whole-grain cereal or low fat yogurt, or it can be soaked in water, fruit juice, or other liquid until it has “plumped up” again. Your child can then eat the reconstituted fruit.

Filed Under: Child Care, Excercise Tagged With: Child, Childhood obesity, Eating, Food, Health, Meal, Snack food, United States

Healthy Choices: Private Dining

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It’s a constant struggle, a careful management of calories and sugar – you devote your time to understanding the world and its many treats. Each seems more appealing than the last, soaked in grease and stuffed with candy. Your children are delighted. You, however, are horrified. Every ingredient yields damning effects and explaining those effects is almost impossible: your sons and daughters care nothing for the components of a meal, only the taste.

And so you create menus that will appease all – providing healthy alternatives to the easier snacks. You substitute. You supplement. You ignore the whines for soda and syrup (even as those whines become insistent as the weekend approaches and there is no school to distract). Your family will not suffer from poor choices and unhappy diets. They will instead be offered all of the vital nutrients, the necessary selections.

Those selections can be found beyond the dining room table, however. You will not have to trap your children at home, forcing them to ignore the outside temptations. You can instead maintain their weight and energy while eating out – even in a steakhouse.

No restaurant is without awareness. Consumers are changing their habits, learning to create far more appropriate meals. The purpose is to avoid the heavy fats and heart shattering cholesterol. And because of this private dining institutions are now redefining their menus and reassessing their appetizers. There is a sudden trend of health and deliberation. Ingredients must offer both flavor and good sense. Choices must be wise without sacrificing taste.

Such a balance is difficult to achieve but it has been proven possible; and those who wish to escape their kitchens will find dining out now a viable alternative. It can be done without ruining a diet or forcing your children to endure too large portions and even larger calorie counts.

It’s convenience without regret. It’s ease without worry.

Filed Under: Health, Nutrition Tagged With: Calorie, Child, Dining room, Health

Medical Tourism Options

Most childcare can be defined by commonsense. It is better to feed kids vegetables than McDonald’s. Exercise is better than video games. Educational endeavors provide better long term influence than letting children sit in front of the television all day. Scientific studies have indicated these as not just common sense but fact.

It is important to keep kids in their running shoes. Active children tend to be more happy and productive. Unfortunately, even the best laid out plan to keep children healthy might not work. For even the most financially needy families there are options to provide children with cost efficient medical care.

Corporations have been outsourcing work to other markets for decades. Other markets can perform identical work for a fraction of the cost of the same labor in the United States. Perhaps the most expensive labor in the United States occurs in the health care industry, which means that traveling to emerging markets can provide Americans with the same medical care that they could enjoy domestically for a fraction of the price.

Medical tourism is a growing industry. Some patients use the medical procedure as the centerpiece of a trip to an exotic location. Procedures that can be planned months in advance can be taken to a location overseas that offers superior medical care for a fraction of the cost.

Some people are hesitant to travel to seek health care due to the lack of reciprocity in case that something goes wrong. The ability to sue a doctor for a botched procedure is part of the reason why coverage is so expensive in the United States.

Rather than worrying about the procedure, patients need to perform due diligence and find high quality clinics that guarantee their work. Taking care of children often requires thinking outside of a parent’s comfort zone. During an era of transitioning medical care, medical tourism is an option for more families.

Filed Under: Child Care, Excercise, Health, Nutrition Tagged With: Bumrungrad International Hospital, Health, Health care, Insurance, Medical tourism, Medicine, Tourism, United States

How to Handle a Picky Child Eater

Most parents worry about what their child is eating–and not eating. However, don’t be overly concerned because MayoClinic.com reports that most children receive adequate nutrients over the course of a week. That said, you may still be looking for tell-tale advice in getting your child to develop healthy eating habits. Getting a picky child eater to eat a wider variety of foods is never easy, but with some tips and understanding, you can overcome this mealtime challenge.

First, it is important to understand your child’s appetite. Children only eat when they are hungry, so if your child says that he is not hungry, nine times out of ten, he’s not. Children’s stomachs are smaller and they tend to fill up quickly. If your child ate a good portion of food off her plate and says she is full, don’t force her to eat every last bite. She’s probably full. Snacks are often a big problem for the parents of a picky eater. Do not let your child have snacks too close to dinner because they will be too full for their meal. Try to serve snacks and meals around the same time each day so your picky child eater develops a routine.

New foods are often a sticking point for picky child eaters. Therefore, don’t try to give them large quantities of a new food. Instead, just give them a small amount so they can get a taste of it. If they do not like it, try again at a later date. Getting your picky child eater involved in the planning of his snacks and meals is a great way to get him motivated to try new foods. Let him assist you in the grocery store by choosing things that he may like, as long as they are healthy choices. Once at home, have your child assist with cooking preparation or setting the dinner table. Last but not least, make eating fun. For example, whenever possible place vegetables with healthy dips or prepare foods in kid-friendly shapes.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health Tagged With: Food, Health, Selective eating disorder

Keeping Your Child Healthy with Pay Day Loans

All parents wants their children to be healthy. That means giving your children the proper food, making sure they get enough exercise, and keeping their emotional and mental health strong, as well. If you’re like most parents, though, you can sometimes find yourself strapped for cash. That can mean that you don’t get to buy the kinds of foods you really want to feed your family, or you can’t take your child to get a much-needed doctor visit or medication when sick. There are options for people in that situation, so they don’t have to feel like they’re being neglectful.

One of the things you can do as a parent in that situation is borrow a little from your savings, or from your family or a trusted friend. If that’s not possible, pay day loans can also help. You can just borrow some money against your next check and pay it back when you get paid. That way, you get the food your family needs, or you can take your child to the doctor, all without worrying about how you’re going to pay for it. Times get tough for almost everyone, and families with children often struggle the most.

It’s great to know that you have financial options. You can feel better overall and sleep better at night, because peace of mind is highly prized and very valuable. Don’t assume that you can’t get help when you need it, because it is possible to get assistance. Your child deserves to grow up strong and healthy, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that you can provide that for you kid without feeling like you’re fighting a losing financial battle. Things may improve for a family in a though spot, but it’s important to take full advantage of anything that can hep you keep your child healthy.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Child, Health, Parent

Choose Safe Baby Products

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Children’s health is an expansive topic, and many people devote their lives to developing products that are safer and better for babies and children. If you are a parent, then you understand how important it is to use the best and safest products for your baby, whether it’s baby food, baby clothing, toys, games, bottles, bedding or anything else that may come in contact with your infant. If you want your baby to grow up to be a beautiful child, you need to choose products that are safe and that promote healthy growth and wellness.

It is important to be proactive as a parent when it comes to buying products. Watch the news, read the paper and pour over consumer sites to make sure that the products you buy are not being recalled because of safety concerns. Visit Internet forums and other websites for advice from other parents on what clothing, food, bedding and baby furniture items are best, safest, easiest to use and most beneficial for your little one. When you put this extra time and effort into buying things for baby, the pay off is tremendous in the form of a healthy, happy and active baby.

Providing your child with a safe environment is absolutely vital because young children cannot take care of themselves. This should be one of your biggest and most important concerns when raising a child, especially when you consider the accidents that can occur when you are not being vigilant about child safety. You need to do whatever you can to protect your child. Shopping smart and knowing what products are best is one of the easiest and most beneficial things that you can do to keep your baby safe and your family healthy and happy.

Filed Under: Child Care, Health, Parenting Tagged With: Baby food, Health, Parent, Product (chemistry)

Things To Consider When Choosing A Family Pet

Many families with children decide to get a family pet. Sometimes the parents want to raise a pet with the child so they will be close or give in once the children are old enough to beg for a family pet. When choosing a pet, it’s a good idea to take a few minutes to think about what kind of pet will fit in well with the family. If any family member is allergic to a particular type of animal, of course that disqualifies that choice from the list of candidates.

Both dogs and cats are wonderful family pets, providing lots of play and snuggle time. If there are small children in the family, be sure to keep an eye on their interactions with the pet. Small children can easily hurt a cat or a dog and sometimes get hurt in return. Vigilance is the only way to ensure this does not happen. With some loving guidance, children can learn how to properly take care of and love a pet.

Once a dog or a cat has been chosen to join the family, there are several things to do in preparation for the pet’s arrival. The first is to consider food and water. What will the pet be eating and where will the food and water bowls be located? Next, where will the animal be sleeping? A pet bed provided in a safe and quiet spot in the home is a good idea. With a place of its own, the pet can escape from little hands for a rest from time to time. Pet insurance is something some pet owners consider. Much like health insurance for humans, pet insurance will cover some veterinarian costs if the pet becomes ill or experiences an injury that requires veterinary care. A family pet can be a wonderful and memorable experience for everyone, human and animal alike.

Filed Under: Child Care, Excercise, General, Health Tagged With: Animal, Dog, Health, Insurance, Pet, Pet insurance, Recreation, Veterinary medicine

Common Skin Problems In Children

Skin rashes are common in children, and can be caused by a number of things, including allergic reactions, skin irritation, or even insect bites. Two of the more common ones are eczema, sometimes called atopic dermatitis, and impetigo.

Eczema causes dry skin and a red, raised rash on the skin, which can itch really badly. It can occur anywhere, but most often occurs on the face, legs, and arms. It is believed to be the body’s response to an allergic reaction, which can be caused by such things as stress, food allergies, sensitivity to soap or detergent, and changes in the weather. In fact, eczema can become worse in winter, when the air is dry and cold.

Anyone can have eczema, including children, and one of the most common causes of eczema in children is food allergies. If you suspect your child has food allergies, and he is showing signs of eczema, you might want to consult with an allergy specialist to determine exactly what your child may be allergic.

Treatment for eczema includes keep the skin moisturized, either with regular skin care products or with prescriptions creams or ointments, bathing you child in water that is not too hot (lukewarm is good, if he can stand it being that cool), and preventing your child from scratching the affected areas.

Another common skin problem in children is impetigo. Impetigo is actually an infection on the skin’s surface, and is caused by both the staph and strep bacteria. Impetigo starts as small blisters or scabs, which form a crust that is yellowish in color. If the bacteria have gone deeper into the skin, the blisters may be larger, and will break with the slightest contact, leaving a raw, red area.

Treatment for both kinds of skin eruptions is the same-antibacterial ointments prescribed by a physician. Sometimes oral antibiotics are also given.

Impetigo is contagious, so care should be taken not to let the child come into contact with other children or family members. Give your child his own washcloth and towel, and wash the used ones in hot, soapy water.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Allergy, Eczema, Health