Antibiotics. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics and antibiotic soaps. The more kids use antibiotics, the more likely they are to get sick, with longer, more stubborn infections caused by more resistant organisms.
Breastfeeding. Breast milk is known to protect against gastrointestinal tract infection, otitis media (ear infection), invasive Haemophilus influenzae type B infection (which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, and inner ear infections), and infections of the upper and lower respiratory tracts—even for years after the breastfeeding is done. Kids who didn’t breastfeed average five times more ear infections.
Cigarette smoke. Keep your child as far away from it as possible! Exposure to second-hand smoke is responsible for many health problems, including more than 2 million unnecessary ear infections each year in the United States.
Sleep. Late bedtimes and poor sleep leave children vulnerable.
Vaccines. Prevnar and the flu vaccine are particularly helpful for protecting children from common infections in daycare.
Water. Plenty of fluids support immune function.
Xylito. This is a natural, nonsugar sweetener (found in raspberries and plums) that has been proven to prevent ear infections, sinus infections, and tooth decay. It is available as chewing gum, mints, and in powder form.
Yogurt. The beneficial bacteria in active culture yogurt can help prevent tummy aches, diarrhea, food poisoning, food allergies, eczema, sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, and colds—among other things.
Zinc. Good nutrition (plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and supplements where the diet is not adequate) is a foundation for good health. Lack of zinc is the most likely to result in increased infections. A multivitamin is a good safety net.
Monday, June 1, 2009
BOOSTING BABY'S / CHILD'S IMMUNITY
Adding one degree to temperatures taken under the arm when taking baby’s temperature
The situation with temperatures now being taken under the arm, in the ear, in the mouth, and in the rectum, checking for a fever has gotten a bit confusing. For instance, the rectum is normally warmer than under the arm—but how much warmer varies.
When talking to your doctor or nurse, tell them how you took the temperature and what reading you got. They can help you interpret the results. While 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C) is considered the normal core body temperature, this value varies among individuals, among different areas of the body, and throughout the day. The daily variation is minimal in children less than six months of age, about 1 degree in children 6 months to two years old, and gradually increases to 2 degrees per day by age six.
A person’s baseline temperature is usually highest in the evening. Body temperature, especially in children, is normally raised by physical activity, eating, strong emotion, heavy clothing, elevated room temperature, and elevated humidity. A rectal temperature up to 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) may be entirely normal (no fever). However, lower values might be a fever, depending on the child.
If you get an under-arm reading over 99.5 degrees F (37.5 degrees C) and need to know if your child has a fever, it is best to retake the temperature using any of the other, more reliable methods.
When talking to your doctor or nurse, tell them how you took the temperature and what reading you got. They can help you interpret the results. While 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C) is considered the normal core body temperature, this value varies among individuals, among different areas of the body, and throughout the day. The daily variation is minimal in children less than six months of age, about 1 degree in children 6 months to two years old, and gradually increases to 2 degrees per day by age six.
A person’s baseline temperature is usually highest in the evening. Body temperature, especially in children, is normally raised by physical activity, eating, strong emotion, heavy clothing, elevated room temperature, and elevated humidity. A rectal temperature up to 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) may be entirely normal (no fever). However, lower values might be a fever, depending on the child.
If you get an under-arm reading over 99.5 degrees F (37.5 degrees C) and need to know if your child has a fever, it is best to retake the temperature using any of the other, more reliable methods.
Soothing child’s teething pain without giving her medicine
When babies are teething, they often bring their own hands to their mouths because pressure on the gums brings relief. Massage tends to be more soothing when it comes from someone else, and teething is no exception. A great way to comfort a teething baby is to rub the gums firmly and gently with a clean finger.
The first few passes are sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but babies relax as the massage continues. Chewing cool objects helps teething pain. Wet washcloths or terrycloth toys fresh from the fridge or freezer have been the most popular with babies and toddlers in my practice. Some are delighted with smooth, hard objects, like the handle of a clean hairbrush. I haven’t seen many babies who prefer soft plastic teething rings.
Whatever you select, be careful that the object is not something your child might choke on. If your baby is still uncomfortable, try chamomile tea (or chamomile-containing homeopathic teething tablets or gels). Parents report that these gentle remedies have been lifesavers.
The first few passes are sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but babies relax as the massage continues. Chewing cool objects helps teething pain. Wet washcloths or terrycloth toys fresh from the fridge or freezer have been the most popular with babies and toddlers in my practice. Some are delighted with smooth, hard objects, like the handle of a clean hairbrush. I haven’t seen many babies who prefer soft plastic teething rings.
Whatever you select, be careful that the object is not something your child might choke on. If your baby is still uncomfortable, try chamomile tea (or chamomile-containing homeopathic teething tablets or gels). Parents report that these gentle remedies have been lifesavers.
TEACHING SIGN LANGUAGE TO A BABY / CHILD
Many of the emotional meltdowns children experience between 9 and 30 months of age spring from their frustration at not being able to communicate. Their ideas far outstrip their language skills. The “terrible twos” are less terrible when children have learned more ways to get across their intense and conflicting thoughts. Baby signs are a wonderful way to do this.
Shaking the head or moving the hand is far easier to learn than the intricate manipulation of the lips, jaw, and tongue necessary for each new word. Large muscle coordination is learned before small muscle coordination—at about the same time kids want to express themselves. Baby signs can also speed language development.
These very simple maneuvers create rewarding ways for parents to connect with their children. They make an already magical time even richer, deepening family bonds. As older children get involved, not only can baby signs lessen temper tantrums and frustration in the little ones, but they can ease sibling rivalry as well.
Shaking the head or moving the hand is far easier to learn than the intricate manipulation of the lips, jaw, and tongue necessary for each new word. Large muscle coordination is learned before small muscle coordination—at about the same time kids want to express themselves. Baby signs can also speed language development.
These very simple maneuvers create rewarding ways for parents to connect with their children. They make an already magical time even richer, deepening family bonds. As older children get involved, not only can baby signs lessen temper tantrums and frustration in the little ones, but they can ease sibling rivalry as well.
Tests to find out if my baby has reflux
Reflux is a backflow of liquid in the direction opposite its normal movement, such as the regurgitation of stomach and peptic juices associated with acid indigestion and hiatal hernia.
A barium swallow or an upper-GI X ray can be used to diagnose reflux—if the child happens to reflux during the snapshot. A ragged esophageal lining is sometimes seen between episodes, and that would also be good evidence. A negative test doesn’t tell you anything, however.
A pH probe is more likely to find reflux if it is present. This test uses a probe that rests in the esophagus to detect acid that may slosh there through the course of an entire day. But some kids don’t slosh every day.
Looking directly at the esophageal lining (with a scope) is the most reliable way to detect reflux, but it is also the most invasive. This procedure usually involves snipping a tiny bit of lining to look at under a microscope.
Often the diagnosis of reflux is made based on the patient’s story and a physical exam alone. Improvement of symptoms with reflux treatment adds weight to this type of diagnosis.
A barium swallow or an upper-GI X ray can be used to diagnose reflux—if the child happens to reflux during the snapshot. A ragged esophageal lining is sometimes seen between episodes, and that would also be good evidence. A negative test doesn’t tell you anything, however.
A pH probe is more likely to find reflux if it is present. This test uses a probe that rests in the esophagus to detect acid that may slosh there through the course of an entire day. But some kids don’t slosh every day.
Looking directly at the esophageal lining (with a scope) is the most reliable way to detect reflux, but it is also the most invasive. This procedure usually involves snipping a tiny bit of lining to look at under a microscope.
Often the diagnosis of reflux is made based on the patient’s story and a physical exam alone. Improvement of symptoms with reflux treatment adds weight to this type of diagnosis.
Baby is a very distracted and picky eater
This situation is a common worry. Feeding our babies is such a core part of our role as parents that we deeply want to know that we are doing it right. Children’s feeding needs change in response to their activity level, their developmental phase, the air temperature, and the relative humidity, and sometimes because of viruses they pick up. Some days they may need almost nothing, others they may need quite a bit.
Babies are born with a sophisticated internal mechanism for determining just how much food they need to thrive. Healthy babies given the right selection of healthful foods will tend to eat just the right amount, so our job is to provide a healthful selection of foods.
When we force or coax babies to keep eating, they lose trust in their bodies’ own signals. Airplane noises are not needed to encourage good eating habits.
Babies who aren’t getting enough to eat tend to be irritable or droopy. A bright, happy child is a good sign. Babies should urinate regularly. If they don’t urinate in eight hours, it bears looking into. Throughout childhood, their growth will be plotted at regular check-ups to be sure that they are growing on target for themselves.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce fever interfere with her body’s natural defenses
Always, a child’s high fever is always terrifying to parents. Fever as enemy is deeply ingrained in our cultural memory. But far from being an enemy, a fever is part of the body’s defense against infection. While a fever signals to us that a battle might be going on in a child’s body, the fever is fighting for the child, not against.
Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections thrive at 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C). Raising the temperature a few degrees can give the body an extra edge. In addition, a fever activates the body’s immune system, accelerating the production of white blood cells, antibodies, and many other infection-fighting agents.
Fever treatment is not likely to be helpful if a child is drinking plenty of fluids, is comfortable, and is able to sleep. Steps should be taken to lower a fever if the child is uncomfortable, vomiting, dehydrated, or having difficulty sleeping. Sleep and hydration are also an important part of healing.
If comfort (not sleep or fluids) is the main reason for reducing a fever, the illness may last an extra day—but the whole experience may be more comfortable.
Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections thrive at 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C). Raising the temperature a few degrees can give the body an extra edge. In addition, a fever activates the body’s immune system, accelerating the production of white blood cells, antibodies, and many other infection-fighting agents.
Fever treatment is not likely to be helpful if a child is drinking plenty of fluids, is comfortable, and is able to sleep. Steps should be taken to lower a fever if the child is uncomfortable, vomiting, dehydrated, or having difficulty sleeping. Sleep and hydration are also an important part of healing.
If comfort (not sleep or fluids) is the main reason for reducing a fever, the illness may last an extra day—but the whole experience may be more comfortable.
GETTING WATER IN BABY'S / CHILD'S EAR
Water in the ear does not cause ear infections. Ear infections are caused by germs that enter the ear through the back of the nose or throat. Water in the ear can cause an infection of the skin lining the ear canal, however. This is called swimmer‘s ear, and is very uncommon in babies and toddlers, even those who spend a lot of time in water.
Bacteria normally live in the ear canal with no ill effect. If the ear is wet for a long period of time, the skin can become prunelike in the same way one‘s fingers and toes become soft and wrinkled when waterlogged. Bacteria can easily move into the soft skin. Tiny scratches in the ear canal (usually from sticking a finger or some other object into the ear) also leave the skin vulnerable to infection. The skin can even be breached if the ear becomes extraordinarily dry and the skin cracks.
To prevent swimmer’s ear, make sure the ears are completely dry after they get wet. Turning the head back and forth and gently pulling the ear in different directions helps drain water from the ear. Using a towel, dry the opening of the ear very carefully as far as you can reach (never penetrate the inside of the ear with the towel or smaller objects).
To prevent swimmer’s ear, put a few drops of rubbing alcohol in the ear each time it becomes wet. Another good alternative is a few drops of white vinegar; the acetic acid inhibits the growth of bacteria in the skin.
Bacteria normally live in the ear canal with no ill effect. If the ear is wet for a long period of time, the skin can become prunelike in the same way one‘s fingers and toes become soft and wrinkled when waterlogged. Bacteria can easily move into the soft skin. Tiny scratches in the ear canal (usually from sticking a finger or some other object into the ear) also leave the skin vulnerable to infection. The skin can even be breached if the ear becomes extraordinarily dry and the skin cracks.
To prevent swimmer’s ear, make sure the ears are completely dry after they get wet. Turning the head back and forth and gently pulling the ear in different directions helps drain water from the ear. Using a towel, dry the opening of the ear very carefully as far as you can reach (never penetrate the inside of the ear with the towel or smaller objects).
To prevent swimmer’s ear, put a few drops of rubbing alcohol in the ear each time it becomes wet. Another good alternative is a few drops of white vinegar; the acetic acid inhibits the growth of bacteria in the skin.
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In these session, attachment is a psychological bond between an infant and her or his primary care giver, usually the mother. Crying and smiling bring infants in contact with care givers and are called attachment behaviors.
Attachment provides a secure emotional base from which mature relationships develop. Research shows that inadequate attachment impedes social and emotional development throughout life. For example, when an infant is subjected to maternal deprivation, and thus does not form a secure attachment, subsequent development is often severely atypical.
Traumatic events such as physical abuse or malnutrition that occur during infancy will affect development and behavior, usually in a negative way. Less extreme experiences are also influential, but their effects may be temporary and less apparent. All early experiences are known to influence attitudes toward the learning process, the self-concept, and the ability to form and maintain social and emotional relationships in later life.
Attachment provides a secure emotional base from which mature relationships develop. Research shows that inadequate attachment impedes social and emotional development throughout life. For example, when an infant is subjected to maternal deprivation, and thus does not form a secure attachment, subsequent development is often severely atypical.
Traumatic events such as physical abuse or malnutrition that occur during infancy will affect development and behavior, usually in a negative way. Less extreme experiences are also influential, but their effects may be temporary and less apparent. All early experiences are known to influence attitudes toward the learning process, the self-concept, and the ability to form and maintain social and emotional relationships in later life.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
During the first 24 months, the physical Development of the average child makes considerable gains in height and weight, begins teething, develops sensory discrimination, and begins to walk and talk.
Sensory acuity develops rapidly during the first three months of life. Research shows that newborns are capable of visual and auditory discrimination. By two days after birth infants can discriminate odors. Infants react to loud noises, and they probably possess taste discrimination. Within three months they can distinguish color and form; they show a preference for complex and novel stimuli as opposed to simple and familiar stimuli.
Newborns perform motor movements, many of which are reflexive. Soon after birth they gain voluntary control of movements. The major stages of locomotion are crawling (propulsion using arms only), creeping (propulsion on hands and knees), and walking. The average infant walks between 13 and 15 months of age.
Normal infants possess neurological systems that detect and store speech sounds, permit reproduction of these sounds, and eventually produce language. Infants utter all known speech sounds, but retain only those heard regularly. Wordlike sounds occur at 12 months and have meaning at about 18 months. One- and two-word sentences are used to convey meaning. Early words generally include naming objects and describing actions, for example, “fall floor.” Acquisition of complex language after 18 months is very rapid.
Sensory acuity develops rapidly during the first three months of life. Research shows that newborns are capable of visual and auditory discrimination. By two days after birth infants can discriminate odors. Infants react to loud noises, and they probably possess taste discrimination. Within three months they can distinguish color and form; they show a preference for complex and novel stimuli as opposed to simple and familiar stimuli.
Newborns perform motor movements, many of which are reflexive. Soon after birth they gain voluntary control of movements. The major stages of locomotion are crawling (propulsion using arms only), creeping (propulsion on hands and knees), and walking. The average infant walks between 13 and 15 months of age.
Normal infants possess neurological systems that detect and store speech sounds, permit reproduction of these sounds, and eventually produce language. Infants utter all known speech sounds, but retain only those heard regularly. Wordlike sounds occur at 12 months and have meaning at about 18 months. One- and two-word sentences are used to convey meaning. Early words generally include naming objects and describing actions, for example, “fall floor.” Acquisition of complex language after 18 months is very rapid.
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