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Thursday, 8 December 2011

Baby Fever and Temperature

Fever is a frequent symptom of childhood ailments. Does it always require treatment? Which methods of subduing fever cause less harm to a child body?
Any doctor will say: in case thermometer shows less than 38 C, fever should not be subdued. After all, fever indicates child body is fighting against infection. Hyperthermia (high temperature) causes production of substances that neutralize viruses, firstly – interferon. The peak of interferon production comes to the 2nd-3rd days of illness, and if one does not interfere with the body, SARS successfully disappears in three days.
When a loving mom becomes panic-stricken and subdues temperature at already 37.5 C, the disease can last for a week or two! However, if a baby temperature is above thirty-eight, you should take action. Of course, all children are different: one endures 39.0 C calmly and the other may lose consciousness at thirty-seven.
Drugs to help
It is believed children under 14 years should not be given antipyretics based on aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). This component provokes bleeding. According to some studies, aspirin can cause brain and liver damage in children. Also, doctors do not recommend subduing temperature with analginum because of its toxic effect on the body.

If your doctor does not mind, you can give a child medicine containing paracetamol. Please note: the effect of antipyretic agents in the form of suppositories is longer than that of drugs in the form of suspensions or tablets. Anti-fever syrup starts action within 20 minutes after ingestion, suppositories – within 30-40 minutes. If you are used to subdue baby fever with syrup, choose the one not containing dyes and fragrances: they can cause allergy. Before taking this or that medication, always consult your physician.
What to do
Wipe baby’s body with a damp sponge right in a bed. You can use vinegar solution (vinegar mixed with water 1:1). Ensure a baby drinks much liquid, intake rate should exceed usual by 20-30%. Do not wrap a baby up: put on light pajamas and cover a baby with a thin blanket or bed sheet.
Avoid feeding a child by force, let him choose what he want to eat. If a baby has severe headache, you can put ice wrapped in a towel or diaper on his forehead. And remember: no drugs, no wiping reduce baby fever to a normal temperature. If he had a temperature of 39.5 C, it will drop no lower than to 38 C.
If your child has at least one of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately!  Urgent medical assistance is necessary, when:
- Dehydration: hollow eyes, decreased urination or dry diapers, hollow fontanelle in children under one year, no tears when crying, dry mucous membrane in mouth, dry tongue, severe drowsiness or unusual excitement, characteristic unpleasant odor from mouth.
- Cramps, purple rash or bruised eyes.
- Apathy, drowsiness, lack of response to attempts to wake a baby.
- Severe headache that cannot be relieved by analgesics and antipyretics.
- Persistent vomiting or uncontrollable diarrhea (more than 3-4 times).

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Sunday, 4 December 2011

The “essential” baby hair

If toddlers generally love the water and bath time, this is not always the same for the shampoo … This action is indispensable. Discover the few hair products essential to their well-being.
The bath is a perfect time to relax and play. Take this opportunity to help them discover the benefits of the shampoo. The bath is an inexhaustible source of fun, play and development since the hot water helps muscle relaxation and psychological preparation at bedtime.
If this instant sensation in high aquatic products requires appropriate physical, it must be true in regard to hair care. Like the skin, scalp baby is fine, very sensitive and easily irritated. The baby’s sebaceous glands have been stimulated during pregnancy by maternal hormones, they are so excessively developed at birth, hence the unavoidable presence of excess sebum in the skull. It then form crusts called dry secretions milk.
It is imperative to treat or prevent these minor ailments to choose hair products “special baby”, both soft, hypoallergenic, pH-neutral, color, fragrance free (or very little) and meet the film hydro-lipid. Formulated without soap, they also have the advantage that it does not sting the eyes.
For maximum hygiene of scalp and hair silky, young parents have the choice between different types of shampoo:
  • A gentle shampoo: formulated not to sting her sensitive little eyes, the baby shampoo can be used daily. It gently cleanses fine hair and shine while respecting the best hair. Enriched with glycerin, chamomile and coconut oil, this shampoo also facilitates the unraveling of the greatest.
  • A cleansing gel “2 in 1″, ideal for infants because it helps cleanse the body and the baby hair in one step. Practical, it can be shown as a tube for easy transport. Most often without soap, it compensates the drying effects of hard water through superfatting agents.
  • A foam shampoo, ideal for the prevention and care of cradle cap since birth, this type of shampoo can also take the form of foam to prevent the sensation of cold at the time of application. Its ultra cleansing base Fresh does not sting the eyes, do not flow, facilitates the removal of sebum sebum-regulating action of salicylic acid and limit fungal growth.
  • For her hair angels, you slide also in his toilet kit: A small brush: bristle soft tissue, it must be a reflex action after shampooing baby or to tease his little tuft of hair is fine down to rid his cradle cap.
    A fine-tooth comb: It may replace the brush when a mass of baby hair more voluminous. But be careful to use it lightly so as not to attack his scalp.
    A perfumed water: specially designed for small, it can also enhance styling. Spray two or three keys in the palm of your hand and massage the baby’s head.
    Finally, if your little one is an amateur caresses, you can also make a quick massage of the scalp by placing a few drops of sweet almond oil just before brushing.

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Child protection from violence

On the one hand, you want your child being sociable and friendly, on the other – cautious towards strangers. Babyhealth gives tips on how to give your child skills for personal safety.
1.Teach your child being always in sight
Ask your child always telling you about where he is and where is going, even going to the toilet. Children think it is reasonable, since they are extremely interested in where you are. Shortly a child’s declared «Plan guide» will become a natural part of your conversations.
2.Do not tell your child phrases of the type: «Do not talk to strangers»
The word «stranger» is also applied to a new nurse a child should obey, and a seller he says «thank you» to. All installations should always be applied and understood. For example, «always come to mother (father, grandmother, etc.) before you go somewhere with someone».

3.Praise for outsight
Ask a child talking about how the day went every day after kindergarten. In doing so, encourage him for watch of a «non-type» situation. For example, if he said some of the children were missing, or they played on a new site. Praise: «You are very observant!». In future, a child will always tell you about suspicious behavior of adults.
Do not leave a child alone, especially in the forest-park zone
4.Teach your child saying «no»
Kids are sure all adults care for them and wish them only good. Therefore, explain what actions are dangerous and teach saying «No» to adults.
«Bad» touches:
* Hug is too strong and long
* Unsought kiss
* Tickle a child after his request to «stop!»
* Touches of adult to intimate places
* When an adult makes a child touching or kissing him
5.Explain that child’s genitals are an intimate part of his body
You certainly can teach a child saying: «This is not good.  «Let me go!» Or «You cannot touch!»
6.Teach your child naming body parts without scruple
If a child is not trained to appropriate words, he can conceal a case of harassment.
7.A child should learn information about himself by heart.
Be sure to inspire your child he should not be afraid to call his name, age, address and phone number to police officers or firefighters.
Accustom a child taking food only from familiar people.
8 .Only close people can kiss children
Cheerful and sweet children, many of whom are looking for embracing and kisses are at greater risk.
Children should use words. At this stage you can set a simple rule: only a few key people in his life can snuggle your child physically.
9. Children should ask permission
From an early age, children need to ask your permission before you taking a candy or a gift from someone.
There are no secrets from parents
Tell your child: «Adults should not ask children to keep something secret». Tell a child no one dares to threaten him, and then add: «If anyone tries to compel you keeping secret, come to me immediately».

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Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Sleep Deprivation in Children

People usually sleep deprivation only occur on adult, where the sufferers have to work in shifts or seasoned jobs. However,sleep deprivation in children happens too and the effects of this kind of sleep problem are really devastating. In this post, you will find out what are the effects of sleep deprivation in children and what can you do to deal with this problem.

Effects of sleep deprivation in children

ment_316″>Sleep Deprivation Can Ruin The Kid’s Studying Ability
The first noticeable effect of sleep deprivation in children is the reduction in studying results. You may receive bad reports from school. It is quite hard to notice if the kids are in 1st or 2nd grades because at this time, the work load is not a lot so kids with sleep deprivation in children can handle quite well. However, at higher grades, when they need to use a lot of brain power and concentration, the effects of sleep deprivation can be significant.
Lack of sleep impairs the brain ability to make decision, focus and analyze. This doesn’t happen only in kids but also in adult. The kids will also find it hard to control the feeling and they usually have unreasonable angers.

Sleep deprivation in children

There are a lot of reasons for a child to stay late. If he/she hasn’t gone to school yet, a comic book, video games or TV can keep them stay late. When the kids go to school, the amount of homework can be the reason forces them to stay late. Whichever the reason, they all cause sleep deprivation in children. If you have a sleepless night, you will know how badly you feel in the next day, so do the kids.

How to deal with sleep deprivation in children

While the effects of sleep deprivation in children can be very devastating, you will be happy to know that it is not too hard to manage this situation.
It is very important to have a sleep schedule for the kids to follow. You must know that young children need more sleep than adult so be sure to arrange time for them to sleep enough the amount required at their age. It is very important to be strict when the kids begging for “a little more” or “just one hour” to stay late.
If you found out a sleep deprivation in children because of the big workload, it is very important to teach them how to manage the works so they will have time to sleep enough. If your children have already had a lot of work at school to do, don’t add to many tasks for them. A child with enough sleep will perform way better than ones who don’t have adequate rest daily.
Sleep deprivation in children is subjective problem. With that said, you can totally manage it if you have a good schedule to manage your work and good discipline to follow the sleeping routine when there are a lot interesting things to do. As the senior, you should help the kids manage their work and remind them to go to bed at the right time.

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Sunday, 27 November 2011

Night Terrors In Toddlers – Causes and Effective Treatment

Night terrors or sleep terrors are quite common in toddlers. Quite many parents think that night terrors are similar to nightmare. However, they are two complete different sleep problem we might see in kids.

The differences between sleep terrors and nightmare

It is essential for parents to distinguish between sleep terrors and nightmare as they have different approaches of treatment.
  • When the toddlers suffer nightmare, they will be awaken. However, when they have sleep terrors, they are still sleeping
    In the morning, the child will remember the nightmare but they don’t remember the experienced sleep terrors
  • While it is possible to comfort the child while he/she has nightmare, you will find it is not possible to do so with sleep terrors simply the kids is not awake.
  • In night terrors, kids can have movement such as sit up, even walk around without recognizing. However, when experiencing nightmare, kids will stay on bed until they are awake.

Possible causes of sleep terrors

Up to now, doctors still don’t know what the exact cause of sleep terrors is. However, it is assumed that inadequate sleep can be the possible cause.

Dealing with night terrors in children

As the possible cause of sleep terrors is inadequate sleep, help the baby sleep better at night can bring positive effects. Research shows that if your toddler sleeps better at night, the frequency of night terrors will be reduced. There are quite many way you can do to help children sleep better:
  • Reduce daytime naps
  • Practicing good sleep habits
In addition to the above methods, the intervention approach has been proven to be highly effective in dealing with night terrors in toddlers. Here are things you need to do in the intervention method:
  • Records the times that your baby has sleep terrors (usually after 90 minutes since your baby fall asleep, at this time; he/she has passed theREMsleep).
  • When you have the sleep terrors schedule, just around 30 minutes before he/she has another one, you will wake him/her up and then help him/her get back to sleep again.
  • Usually, you will not get the same time of sleep terrors occur every night. In this case, you should wake the child up before the earliest point you recorded 30 minutes.
  • It’s not necessary to fully wake up the kid, when you see he opens his eyes, you can let him get back to sleep again.
You should follow this routine for 7 days straight then skip for a night. If your kid don’t have any other sleep terror, that’s good. If the kid still has night terror, you should repeat the routine again and skip one night after 7 days.
With the intervention method, you will help the kid “skip” the sleep terrors. The second time they fall asleep; they will sleep deeper and have less chance of having another night terror.
It is always recommended that you consult this matter with the pediatrician if you don’t have confidence to deal with it alone.

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If a baby is sick

Almost anyone, even the strongiest and healthiest baby falls sick from time to time. And if child diseases is an unavoidable thing, let’s try to treat them philosophically.
Childhood diseases is a difficult test, not only for kids but also for his loved ones. Any mother will confirm that it is better to get sick ten times herself, than seeing a suffering little man. A kid feels your mind very good. If you are lost, too nervous, or worse, show panic, it will certainly be transferred to a child. Therefore, no matter how hard you feel in soul, try to get together. Your confidence that everything will be fine will help a child in the fight against disease. Sick child becomes irritable and capricious. Take it easy, be softer and tolerant. Of course, this is not always easy.
A sick child feels anxiety and needs support. Mom’s task is to calm down a child, explain what is happening to him in simple words, believe in a speedy recovery together with him. This is very important, even if a child asks nothing and shows no interest. But some children prefer not asking direct questions, having more reliance on phone conversations and parents’ behavior. It is compassion and empathy should be expressed to a kid, no pity. Pity does not help, but makes a man weak and helpless. Empathy comforts, but also inspires confidence. “I understand you. I love you very very much! We will deal with the adverse disease. You will soon be recovered, cheerful and healthy!” So much better.
Try to give a baby maximum attention, spend together all free time. Do not be afraid a baby will get spoiled over time of disease. It is important to maintain a good mood of ill child. Tell a pipsqueak on how he will recover. Dream together, where you will you go or what you will do. Do not overwhelm your child with new toys, and all kinds of gifts. You can do this and you need to, but knowing the measure. New toys excite a child too much, but it is not necessary now. It is better to take good old friends to a bed – a favorite bear, hare or duckling. They survived a lot of «hard days» along with a baby. And if a baby has been dreaming of some particular toy for a long (ie a dog or a car), then now it is time to realize this dream. This will be a real joy!
If a child refuses taking drugs or does not agree to any procedure, does not make him by force. Almost always you are able to convince a pipsqueak treating freely. Game is a great weapon to combat the disease. As you know, illness is sad and boring. And if you can raise a child’s mood, exhilarate him, involve in an interesting job, then the recovery process will go much faster. Sick child should not necessary be kept in bed for the whole day, unless, of course, it was not prescribed by a doctor. Indeed, there are certain diseases, when strict bed rest is a guarantee of full recovery. But in most cases, such serious measures are not needed. A child will identify himself when he should relax, and when run. Children overcome temperature better than we adults, and it is worth listen to their intuition and not to insist on lying in bed without any particular need. During illness a child can engage in routine affairs. You must only make a minor adjustment. First, limit noise, mobile games. Secondly, take away big, bright, noisy, musical toys. You will need all kinds of magnetic boards, which help collecting geometric patterns or figures of speech. It is very important to never frighten a child with doctors and hospitals.

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Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Nappy rash or how to protect baby skin

Signs of nappy rash include redness and swelling of inguinal skin folds, buttocks and perineum, as well as rash blisters and peeling in these areas and are found in 58% of infants. Some moms associate such reaction of baby sensitive skin with diapers. However, the name of this condition appeared long before invention of disposable diapers.
Wet diapers are main baby enemies, while nappies help solving the problem. Nevertheless, they help only partly, as we deal not only with damp cloth contact, but also a baby allergic disposition, indigestion, artificial feeding – factors that create a predisposition to diaper dermatitis or nappy rash. The disease brings trouble to kids of 6-12 months, with girls more often than boys.
Delicate and thin baby skin is vulnerable to adverse effects. The slightest lapse in care – and problem areas are covered with ominous red spots, a child becomes moody, restless and is constantly crying. Taking action in the beginning, you can get rid of nappy rash for 2-3 days. But if you ignore the problem, worries and troubles will turn your life into a nightmare! Buy special baby cream, powder or lotion for problem skin, prone to inflammatory reactions. Do not leave a baby in wet diapers and change them timely.
Employees of the Institute of Pediatrics in collaboration with foreign colleagues from Germany, Spain and the UK compared different diapers effects on children’s skin. They selected 250 children from 1 to 18 months, applied gauze diapers during 7 days, and then used disposable diapers for half children.
Their skin condition was much better than that of babies left in fabric nappies. After all, even best fabric cannot stay dry after it absorbed moisture. That is why they created diapers with absorbent material inside, which links liquid and forms gel. True, protection of disposable diapers may not work, if you use them the wrong way.
Change them before and after sleep, walk, feeding and, of course, every time a child evacuates. Throwing away old diaper, leave a kid naked for at least 5 minutes. This way his skin will breathe for a while. Keep in mind such feature: not every diaper suitable in size fits a baby in absorbency. And of course, do not use small diapers, even if you bought too much of them.
Another tip: Avoid applying too much cream or other means against nappy rash on baby skin, as well as packing a baby in a diaper immediately. Cream needs time to be absorbed, otherwise it will score pores in a diaper and reduce its ability to absorb moisture, thus only worsening skin problems.

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