3Sep2017
Dental Health for Kids, Kids Health
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September 3, 2017

Via Hello Magazine: How to limit the effect of sugar on children’s teeth

Kids tuck into more sugary snacks during the summer holidays than at any other time of the year, according to parents. With their children enjoying the freedom of the summer break, mums and dads are struggling to monitor the sugar intake of their little ones, the study found.

Worryingly, two thirds of parents admitted it’s an uphill struggle to prevent their kids from snacking on sugary treats. And as many as one in three even went as far as to reveal they don’t monitor how much sugar their kids consume. Yoghurts are the biggest issue, with seven in ten parents admitting their children eat these at least twice a week – despite some pots containing 15g of sugar or more.


While 49 per cent of mums and dads said their offspring will eat at least a couple of sticky cereals bars every week – even though they often include at least five teaspoons of sugar. Low sugar items such as fruit and vegetables are kept to a minimum for many kids, with one in ten parents revealing their children eat these foods once a week or less. And half said their offspring eat crackers and breadsticks on one occasion each week – if that.

A spokesman for mydentist.co.uk which commissioned the research of 1,000 parents with children aged six months to 16 years, said: “These are truly worrying statistics. ‘Despite oral health improving in children in recent decades, the number one reason for hospital admissions remains tooth decay even though children receive free dental care.

“Simple things like applying fluoride on children’s teeth twice a year from an early age can make a real difference, and regular visits to the dentist should be a given. It can be challenging for parents during the summer period with its change of routine to monitor their child’s sugar intake.

“Compounding this is the lack of consistency in food labelling. The majority are labelled with adult recommended daily intakes and there are numerous different colour systems utilised, adding to the lack of clarity. I would recommend that parents take their children for regular detail checkups and ask their dentist for advice on how to avoid high sugar foods.”

It also emerged 36 per cent of parents said their kids are exceeding the recommended daily sugar allowance of 6 teaspoons. Alarmingly 40 per cent of those polled thought the high sugar threshold is greater than it actually is. And a third of mums and dads couldn’t correctly explain what ‘sugar free’ or ‘no added sugar’ means, with some under the impression it means the food product is suitable for vegetarians. Almost one fifth said they are less likely to buy a product for their kids if it is labelled ‘sugar free.’ While just 18 per cent look at the traffic light labelling on food, despite recommendations consumers check this.

Among the most common methods used by parents to limit the effects of sugar on their children’s teeth are using a straw when drinking, ensuring their teeth are brushed twice a day and regularly visiting the dentist.

TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD’S TEETH CLEAN:

  • A fluoride varnish treatment is a great way to protect against cavities and prevent further tooth decay (kids over three twice a year)
  • Whenever your child does have a sugary snack, make sure they do so at mealtimes. At mealtimes they produce more saliva, which helps to reduce the effects of harmful acid attacks.
  • Encourage your child to drink fruit juices and sugary drinks through a straw.
  • Change4life have a great programme called Sugar Swaps. Sugar Swaps makes it easier to change the unhealthy parts of your diet for more smile-friendly options
  • Avoid sippy cups and bottles from an early age, especially at night
  • The best time to create healthy eating behaviours is when a child is between three and five. Choosing healthier options at this time in your child’s development is more likely to have a lasting impact on their dental health.
  • Limiting fruit juice to meal times will greatly reduce your toddler’s exposure to sugar, which can badly damage their teeth.
1Sep2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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September 1, 2017

Via Chinese Foot Reflexology: 6 Tips to Reduce Myopia (Nearsightedness) in Children

Does your child wear glasses? Are you concerned that their prescription keeps increasing every time they visit the eye doctor? You may have heard this is normal and there’s nothing that can be done, but that’s not true at all.

It IS possible to slow down the advancement of nearsightedness and even reverse it. Read on to learn 6 tips for reducing myopia (nearsightedness) in children. P.S. It works for grown-ups too!

Does your child wear glasses? Are you concerned that their prescription keeps increasing every time they visit the eye doctor? You may have heard this is normal and there’s nothing that can be done, but that’s not true at all.

It IS possible to slow down the advancement of nearsightedness and even reverse it. Read on to learn 6 tips for reducing myopia (nearsightedness) in children. P.S. It works for grown-ups too!

At my husband’s workplace, they have a newsgroup for parents. Recently, my husband forwarded me a post from a father who was concerned that his 10-year old son’s prescription kept increasing by 1.00 diopter every year. The father was worried about how high the prescription would be when his son grew up. The eye doctor told him to EXPECT it to continue getting stronger each year until his son stopped growing.

When my husband forwarded me the replies to this father’s message, my normally calm and cheery disposition was seriously ruffled. I was upset because every diopter of vision a child loses is a literal and metaphorical closing in of that child’s world. And it’s completely unnecessary.

Most of the parents told the father not to worry and that it was normal for his son’s prescription to continue increasing. I’m here to tell you that worsening vision is not normal. Healthy eyes are normal.

Many other parents suggested that once the son was a teenager, he could get contact lenses. Some parents suggested that he could also get laser surgery when he was 25.

To me, that is akin to telling someone whose child has early signs of type 2 diabetes to continue with his current diet and lifestyle, but then get insulin shots when necessary and eventually resort to dialysis when his kidneys fail.

That’s why when my husband sent me the newsgroup thread, I had to respond because I knew there was no reason why these children had to get stronger glasses. It is possible to stop and even reverse the progression of nearsightedness.

I know this because I started wearing glasses when I was 11. Those were the days when even a mild prescription would result in coke bottle lens glasses because ultra-thin lenses and contact lenses weren’t readily available. My vision got worse with each visit to the eye doctor and it progressed to the point where I was extremely nearsighted with severe astigmatism.

Three years ago, I ditched my contact lenses and made the decision to try naturally restoring my vision. It’s working!

I’ve reduced my prescription by 80% and soon I will no longer need glasses for computer work. I expect to be able to focus in the range of 20/20 in ideal lighting conditions within a year. Considering I wore glasses for over 30 years, I’d have to say that I’m definitely pleased with my progress.

It’s such a joy to see my world come into focus—to see my vision literally and metaphorically expand. That’s why I wanted to share my newsgroup response on this blog. If it helps just one child, one parent or one person to be inspired to make changes, then it will have been worth my time and effort.

I gave the newsgroup parents FIVE suggestions, but for you, my dear reader :), I’m including a bonus 6th item. It was too complicated to write instructions on practicing Chinese Reflexology in a newsgroup email, but it fits in perfectly with my blog :).

Here’s what I wrote…

How to Reduce Nearsightedness in Children

My prescription was as high as -6.75 with severe astigmatism, but I have reduced it by 40% and it continues to go down by approximately 0.25 diopters every 4 to 6 weeks. [Note: This number was based on a prescription that was measured 9 months prior to replying to the newsgroup. Since then, I’ve had my annual eye exam and my new prescription is an 80% reduction.] 

Eye doctors have told me this is impossible. People tell me it must be psychological or that it’s because of presbyopia (when people get older and need bifocals: for nearsighted people, this causes them to not need glasses for close work). However, this is not the case for me. I have physical evidence that my eyesight is improving

I kept all of my eye prescriptions for the past 20 years, but I started wearing glasses when I was 11, so I’m missing the prescriptions from my teenage years. However, I remember them because my parents made a big deal about my nearsightedness.

I started at -2.00, hit -3.50 at 13, then -4.50 at 16 and -5.25 in my late teens. Sometime in my early 20s was when I reached -6.25/-6.75. That was a momentous day because I had surpassed my father’s prescription which was -6.00 and that had been my greatest fear.

My optometrist confirms that my vision improvement is not due to presbyopia. My eyesight is improving because I actively do things to heal my vision. I have not had surgery nor have I worn Ortho K lenses. I’ve tried vision therapy, but only went for two sessions.

I do more than simply practice eye exercises. I take a holistic and natural approach to improving my eyesight. I don’t have to set aside any extra time for this because I’ve made vision improvement a way of living.

Here is the best advice I can offer you and your children:

  1. Get your kids to spend more time playing outside without wearing their glasses (at least half hour a day), preferably somewhere where they can see far away like a park vs. the backyard. This applies to adults too. You should be MOVING when you’re outside. Walking is good. Sitting on a camp chair is not as good, but it’s much better than sitting inside.
  2. Wear the minimum prescription that will enable you to meet legal requirements (e.g. driving is 20/40 in California – check for your state). For your kids, ask for the lowest prescription that the eye doctor is willing to prescribe (they tend to over-prescribe). Look for an optometrist who practices “natural vision therapy”. They are more likely to give a lower prescription.
  3. Stop saying things like “Your/my eyes are bad.” “You/I will need really strong glasses.” “Your/my eyes are getting worse.” Replace it with words such as, “Maybe your/my vision is stabilizing.” “Maybe it is possible for my eyes to improve.”
  4. Take off your glasses as much as possible (e.g. when eating, sitting with friends). Do not wear them unless you absolutely need to see something clearly that you can’t see without them.
  5. When working on the computer or doing close work, take breaks and look out a window or as far away in the distance as you can.

Seeing my vision improve dramatically over the past 3 years is an amazing gift. Every reduction of 0.75 diopters is like a new world opening up to me, one where I see my son’s face from across the kitchen table, where I don’t have to shell out $600 for high index lenses anymore because the regular ones are no longer too thick or too heavy, where I can see that I am only months away from using the computer without glasses, where I can read street signs that before were only a smear, and where 20/20 vision is not just a mirage but a real possibility.

It is freaking fantastic and I would love if everyone who wears glasses could experience what I am. However, the sad thing is that most people will never even TRY to improve their eyesight.

At the very least, please take some of this advice for your children so that they do not have to be cursed with severe nearsightedness like I was for over 30 years. While they may feel like they can’t see much, each diopter increase that you can avoid is a huge difference in terms of quality of life.

Tip #6 for My Blog Readers: Massage the Chinese Reflexology Point for the Eyes

There are a number of Chinese Reflexology and acupressure points that are beneficial for the eyes, but I’d have to write a small book here to describe them all. For the most bang for your buck, you can’t beat the Chinese Reflexology point for the eyes. Of all the points, it’s the easiest to locate and massage and it’s the one that offers the most benefit.

Nearsightedness occurs when the muscles in and around the eyes are tense and strained. Over time, this stretches the eyeball into an elongated shape which causes light rays entering the eye to focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina. This results in blurry vision, aka nearsightedness.

At the energy level, the muscle tension disrupts the smooth flow of Qi (energy) through the eyes. Over time, this results in a decrease of blood flowing to the area. The muscles and tendons become tight and “dry” when they are not nourished with an adequate supply of blood. This then perpetuates the worsening of vision. As well, the eyes and surrounding nerves do not get enough nourishment which also causes vision to deteriorate.

When you massage the Chinese Reflexology point for the eyes, you increase the flow of Qi and blood to the eyes. This helps the eyes receive adequate nourishment and the muscles and tendons to become “softer” and more flexible. As a result, it becomes easier for them to relax and over time, the eyeballs can return to their normal shape.

Locating the Eye Points

There are eye reflexology points located on both of your feet. They’re on the undersides of the feet, beneath the second and third toes. Think of it as a U-shaped area below your toe pads.

Interestingly (and confusingly) the energy meridians in your body cross over each other at your neck. Thus, the reflexology point for your LEFT eye is on your RIGHT foot. And conversely, the point for your right eye is on your left foot.

Massaging the Eye Points

BEFORE BEGINNING, IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO MASSAGE YOUR FEET, PLEASE ASK YOUR DOCTOR.

A reflexology stick enabled me to feel microscopic points of sensitivity on my toes and it also let me strongly massage areas that felt like peppercorn-sized rocks along the edges of my toes. It was excruciating, but very efficient in terms of clearing decades of blocked energy.

I generally advocate that people NOT use reflexology sticks unless they’ve been trained in how to use them properly because they very powerfully shift Qi and you don’t want to be massaging the wrong way as you can adversely affect the flow of Qi.

For kids, a reflexology stick is overkill. Instead, you can press and massage the eye reflexology points with your thumbs to clear stuck Qi.

Press and rub the U-shaped area on both feet in an up and down motion. Go slowly and press lightly. If a child wears glasses, the points may feel hard to the touch and/or feel sensitive.

I’d recommend starting out with 5 to 15 seconds at a time (per foot) and gradually increasing the pressure over the course of a few weeks. For children, always ask for permission to massage their feet and explain why you’re rubbing their feet. I recommend that you practice on yourself first so that you experience what it feels like and you gain confidence in locating and massaging these points.

Gradually build up the massage time until your kid will let you rub their feet for a minute and you want to massage for 60 seconds at least twice a week. Don’t try to rush things thinking that the more time you put in, the better the results. What’s more important is that your child look forward to having their feet rubbed.

That’s because Chinese Reflexology works best when it is practiced consistently over time. Change can be gradual and the longer a condition has been present, the longer it takes for the body to return to balance.

Sometimes you don’t even notice the improvement until months later because that’s when you finally realize an absence of the symptoms. Kids however tend to respond to energy healing really fast. So be persistent, practice Chinese Reflexology regularly and incorporate the other 5 tips to help halt the progression of your child’s myopia.

30Aug2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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August 30, 2017

Via Parenting Healthy Babies: Top 7 Causes for Child Vomiting

Your child throwing up suddenly can be alarming to you as a parent, particularly if you don’t understand what’s happening and why? You naturally want your child to be well always, so how can you help him? Well, by first understanding why he vomits and under what circumstances.

Causes of Child Vomiting

Children vomit due to many reasons, and in response to a wide range of situations. These range from milk allergies, to overeating or drinking fast, bad cough and cold, migraine, bladder infection, or eating rotten food. Let’s take a close look at the top causes for children vomiting:

1. Food poisoning

The symptoms of food poisoning are just like those of viral gastroenteritis. They could start within a few hours of eating spoiled food to a few days after. Sometimes, long-term medical conditions like digestive problems, celiac disease or lactose intolerance can cause chronic vomiting, randomly for months.

children vomiting, causes children vomiting, food poisoning, food allergies

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis in kids is generally described as “stomach flu,” usually caused by a virus but sometimes by parasites and bacteria too. This stomach flu can lead to diarrhea which goes away in a maximum period of 48 hours. To avoid children getting stomach flu, they should wash their hands as often as possible.

3. Food allergies

When children react to certain foods, their immediate reaction is to vomit. Other reactions to food allergies are red and inflamed skin rash or urticaria, swollen faces, particularly near the lips, mouth and eyes.

4. Motion sickness

Children experience motion sickness when their inner ears sense motion but their eyes and joints don’t. This could cause children to vomit, lose their appetite, fatigue, cold sweat and an upset stomach.

5. Ear infections

When fluid builds up in the ear, it can cause vomiting and nausea, something akin to motion sickness. Usually, such ear infections heal by themselves, but if your child doesn’t improve after 48 hours, take your kid to the pediatrician.

6. Stress

Perhaps, your child has an important test or exam coming up that’s making him nervous? Children do express stress and tension by vomiting. Though it isn’t really serious, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor. Perhaps, he could suggest some coping strategies like meditation, guided imagery or breathing exercises.

7. Poison

If your child accidentally swallows something poisonous, it could make him vomit. If this happens with your child, don’t lose time. Contact your family doctor immediately and take your kid to the nearest Accident and Emergency department.

How to cope with child vomiting

For babies and toddlers:

  • If you’re a nursing mother, you should nurse your baby often. You should allow your baby to suckle you for a few minutes every 10 minutes.
  • If you breastfeed your baby, give him more feeds to re-hydrate him. How much extra fluid your baby needs depends on his age and size.
  • If your baby doesn’t get sufficient fluids from breast milk, perhaps your doctor can advise you to use an oral re-hydration liquid.

Children aged 1-11 years:

For children aged one and older, there are some time-tested ways of coping with vomiting:

  • Ensure your child drinks liquids often. If he sips liquids in small amounts but often, it will help him.
  • Let your child drink as much liquid as he wishes to have. Avoid giving him soda pop or child fruit juice as this contains a lot of sugar and insufficient amounts of electrolytes that are lost.
  • A mix of cereal and milk can help replace any lost essential fluids.
  • If your child still lacks sufficient fluids, you will need to try giving him an oral re-hydration solution (ORS).
  • In some time, begin giving your child regular and nutritious foods after six hours marked by no vomits.
  • If your child is old enough to eat solids and has been eating them till this incident, let him resume eating solid foods like toast, soup, mashed potatoes, bread and rice.
  • Avoid giving him high-fiber foods like beans, oats, fruits and sugary foods like ice cream or candy.

Conclusion

Treating your child who vomits for various reasons can be treated effectively by your family doctor or pediatrician. Now that you know the reasons for child vomiting, you will be better prepared to deal with his problem.

28Aug2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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August 28, 2017

Via Child and Youth Health: Bronchitis (‘chest infection’)

Many children, when they get a cold, also develop a cough. The most common cause of coughing is asthma, but the cough may be due to bronchitis.

This can be due to bronchitis, which is when the lining of the trachea and bronchi, (the tubes leading from the throat to the lungs), become reddened and swollen, and there is more mucus. Bronchitis is usually a mild illness in children. It is not possible to prevent bronchitis.

Alert!
Any child who is having difficulty breathing needs medical help as soon as possible.

What is bronchitis?

  • Bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection of the bronchi, causing swelling and more mucus than usual. This causes a cough, and sometimes pain which is felt in the throat or upper chest when the child coughs.
  • It can occur as part of many infections such as a cold, flu, whooping cough or measles.
  • Children who are exposed to tobacco smoke are more at risk of catching colds and developing bronchitis. The chemicals in tobacco smoke irritate the eyes, nose and air passages.

Photo Credit: flickr/ anjanettew

Signs and symptoms of bronchitis

  • A child with bronchitis may have the usual signs of a cold including a runny nose, sore throat and mild fever, and then develop a cough.
  • The cough is often dry at first, then moist after a couple of days. A child with a ‘barking cough’ may have croup.
  • There may be a slight wheeze and a feeling of shortness of breath. However if a child is very wheezy and short of breath, the problem may be asthma or bronchiolitis in a young child, not bronchitis.
  • Children usually recover from bronchitis in 5 to 10 days.
  • Some children keep getting attacks of bronchitis or can get chronic (long lasting) bronchitis. This can be due to allergies, someone smoking around them or to other problems in the lungs.

What you can do

  • If the child seems unwell, check with a doctor to find out what the problem is. This is urgent if there are breathing problems.
  • Bronchitis in children is nearly always due to a virus and antibiotics don’t help.
  • Cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under 6 years of age.
  • Cough and cold medicines should only be given to children aged 6 to 11 years on the advice of a doctor, pharmacist or nurse practitioner.
  • A recent research study showed that for children over 2 years old a single dose of honey in the evening was more effective that a common cough medicine, and more effective than no treatment. Honey should not be given to babies under 1 year old as it may lead to a rare but very serious illness.
  • Steam (eg from the bathroom shower or a humidifier) can help the child feel more comfortable, but does not shorten the illness. Be aware of the risk of burns and scalds.
  • A child who has bronchitis may not eat as well as normal, but it is important to offer extra drinks. (See the topic ‘Feeling sick’ for more ideas). Older children may like a hot lemon and honey drink.
  • Keep your home and car smoke-free.
  • If the child does not start to get better within a couple of days, or starts to become sicker, see a doctor.
24Aug2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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August 24, 2017

Via verywell: Pink Eye and You Child

When most parents think of pink eye (conjunctivitis), they are thinking of a bacterial infection of the eye. There are a lot of things that can cause pink eye though, including viral infections, allergies, and irritation.

Symptoms of Pinkeye

When caused by a bacteria, children with pink eye will have green or yellow discharge from their eyes and the white parts of their eye and the inside of the lower eyelid will be red.

In addition to being matted when they wake up, with bacterial conjunctivitis, you will have to frequently wipe away the drainage from your child’s eyes.

Children can also have pink eye from allergies (allergic conjunctivitis) which will cause their eyes to be red, itchy, and have tearing.

Viral infections can also cause pink eye. When a virus causes pink eye, the eyes will be intensely red and they will have tearing and a white discharge.

A scratched eye or corneal abrasion can also cause tearing, redness and pain in a child’s eye. While most infections affect both eyes, an abrasion would be expected to just cause symptoms in one eye.

Diagnosing Pink Eye

Although cultures can be done, the cause of pink eye is usually diagnosed by a physical examination and the pattern of symptoms.

Did your child just get sunscreen or shampoo in his eye? Then he likely has irritant pink eye.

Does she have a clear runny nose during the peak of her usual allergy season and both of her eyes are red and itchy without any discharge?

Then it is likely allergic conjunctivitis.

Was he exposed to pink eye at daycare and now has a red eye with lots of green discharge? Then he likely has classic bacterial pink eye.

Treatments for Pink Eye

Bacterial causes of pink eye require an antibiotic, either topical drops or ointments or an oral antibiotic if your child has another bacterial infection (like an ear infection).


Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with typical allergy medications, and topical drops, like Pataday and Alocril.

Viral causes of pink eye do not usually require treatment. They can linger for several weeks though, moving from one eye to the other, although symptoms are typically milder in the second eye. Unlike bacterial pink eye, with a virus, symptoms can include pain and photophobia. Preauricular adenopathy (swollen lymph gland in front of the ear) on the same side as the red eye is a classic sign of viral pink eye.

Whatever the cause, you should usually wipe away any eye discharge with a cool moist cloth and wash your hands frequently in case it is contagious. Over the counter drops can also often help with the redness and irritation in older children.

What to Know About Kids with Pink Eye

Other things to know about kids with pink eye include that:

  • pink eye is probably overdiagnosed. With an upper respiratory tract infection, many children have reflux or backup of their nasal drainage through their tear ducts and into their eye. These kids will usually have a runny nose and cough and a little drainage from their eyes, especially when they wake up. They will not have continuous eye drainage throughout the day and their eyes will not be red. This pattern of eye drainage is usually not pink eye and doesn’t require treatment.
  • a blocked tear duct is sometimes confused with pink eye in younger infants. While both might cause eye discharge, the eye shouldn’t be red with a blocked tear duct.
  • for bacterial infections, eye ointments are typically used for younger infants, while older children usually do better with eye drops.
  • pharyngoconjunctival fever is a classic childhood illness caused by adenovirus leading to pharyngitis, fever, and pink eye
  • encourage your kids to stop wearing their contact lenses when they have pink eye
  • unless caused by an allergy or irritation, most causes of pink eye are contagious
  • even though pink eye might be contagious, it is not usually a good reason to keep a child out of daycare or school, unless he also has a fever or behavioral changes.

If your child with pink eye doesn’t respond to typical treatments, or if he also complains of pain or vision problems, an evaluation by a Pediatric Ophthalmologist might be a good idea.

23Aug2017
Kids Health Guide, Kids Nutrition
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August 23, 2017

Via US News: What Sensory Therapists Can Teach Us About Feeding Picky Kids

Parents of young children commonly commiserate about their kids’ eating habits. Complaints often relate to a child’s exceedingly limited “kid food” diet, rejection of anything green, refusal to try anything new or the explosive mealtime battles that make dinnertime stressful for everyone. I frequently encounter exasperated parents who – convinced they’ve tried everything – come to the conclusion that their child is constitutionally a “picky eater” who is incapable of expanding his horizons.

So I decided to roast-test this hypothesis with two experts in the field of feeding challenging eaters: Jessica Piatak, a pioneering occupational therapist, and Kristina Carraccia, an innovative speech therapist, both at The Center for Discovery, based in New York. Piatak and Carraccia specialize in working with children with severe developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and medical frailties and have developed an approach dubbed “Food Exploration and Discovery,” or “FED” for short. This approach has been used to successfully transition children with severe sensory and behavioral disorders from extremely limited diets comprised of two or three processed foods to varied, nutritious, whole foods-based diets. While some children take longer to transition than others, the duo has yet to meet a “picky eater” whose diet couldn’t be broadened with their gradual, personalized and flexible approach.

Piatak and Carraccia’s FED approach is grounded in a single, fundamental principle: The goal is not to simply get food into a child at any given meal, but rather to reach a point where a child eats because she or he is intrinsically motivated to do so. This is a long-term goal for lifelong behavior change, and as such, may take a long period of time to achieve. Progress is gradual and taken in very incremental steps.

Within two weeks, new residential clients are typically already eating whole food-based versions of their preferred foods, but it can take closer to three to six months until more variety has been added successfully. For clients living at home and attending outpatient feeding therapy, the process often takes longer, as the home environment is less controlled than at the center. There have been cases on both ends of the extreme as well. One client took just ten days to go from 10 foods to 35; another client took closer to two years. But to date, every child has eventually gotten there.

Think the eating habits of your little neophobe – who fears trying anything new – are hopelessly unsalvageable? Piatak and Carraccia beg to differ. With a flexible approach, the right mindset and a lot of patience, you can turn things around at the dinner table. Here are some of their tips to get you started:

Never force a child to touch, taste or eat a food.

Many schools and families employ tactics like having a child take a “no thank you bite” – just a taste, with the promise that if they don’t like it they can say no thank you – or withholding rewards unless a child eats certain dinner foods. These approaches undermine the goal of helping children become comfortable enough to try – and accept – new foods, by placing pressure on them and making mealtimes stressful. Think about how you might feel if, while visiting a foreign country, you were forced to take a no thank you bite of fried insects or calf’s brain! That’s what confronting a plate of unfamiliar greens can feel like to some children – particularly to those on the autism spectrum.

If you’re committed to raising a more varied eater and having harmonious mealtimes, then creating a pressure-free mealtime is essential. To do so, commit to staying on your side of the division of feeding responsibility and resist the urge to force, coerce, bribe or cajole food into your child’s mouth. As the world’s foremost authority on childhood feeding practices, Ellyn Satter, teaches: You decide what to serve and when. Your child gets to decide whether to eat it, and if so, how much.

Set guidelines and expectations for mealtime.

Children can become anxious when they don’t know what to expect, and often do best when routines are predictable. Dinnertime is no different. Kids may worry that there won’t be something they want to eat, or perhaps that they’ll be forced to try something scary. Piatak and Carraccia use various mantras tailored for such situations to help place children at ease. An example of such a mealtime mantra, according to Carraccia, might resemble this: “We sit with our family. If there’s something on your plate you don’t like, you may put it on another plate. You can eat it if you want to, but you don’t have to. Everyone helps clear the table when we’re finished eating.” Repeating these ditties help make mealtime comfortable, and reduces the pressure that can lead to dysfunctional mealtime dynamics.

Encourage children to play with food … away from the table.

Most of the feeding therapy at The Center for Discovery happens nowhere near the dinner table, according to Piatak. Success at the dinner table starts with a variety of play-based desensitization techniques that allow children to become comfortable with the sights, scents, textures and eventually, tastes, of an unfamiliar food in a fun, low-stakes environment. Food play encourages kids to interact with new foods in a non- threatening way with no expectations. As they learn more about the properties of a food, however, they will often get more comfortable licking or even tasting it.

Says Piatak: “We’ll stick food in a toy dump truck. Or we might put shredded veggies on our faces as a beard or mustache and make funny faces in the mirror. Water play is also a favorite – we’ll play with foods in the water and sometimes add bubbles. We’ll teach the kids how to spit food into a bowl, which they usually think is so funny. And once they know they’re allowed to spit out a food, they might be willing to taste it. I might wonder aloud what this food sounds like and let the kids guess; then I’ll challenge Kristina [Carraccia] to crunch louder than me.” Improvisation, adds Carraccia, is key.

Transition gradually and incrementally.

Rome was not built in the day, and it’s unrealistic to expect that your exclusive Goldfish and chicken finger-eating child will transition to quinoa and kale if you go cold turkey. The FED approach meets a new client where he or she is, by learning about his or her preferred foods and brands and trying to replicate them in very subtly modified ways. “We start by presenting other versions of their favorite foods – like maybe organic chicken nuggets or hot dogs – to try and replicate their preferred brand. Or we might mix some different rice into the usual type they accept at home, or switch our cheese for their usual type of cheese on a grilled cheese sandwich,” explains Piatak.

Slowly, the therapists begin incorporating new foods by continuing to make small changes to preferred foods. Perhaps it’s adding a different spice to pizza to change the flavor. Then, pizza on crust becomes pizza on bread, pizza without sauce, pizza with a half teaspoon of protein or vegetables on it. Over time, they might take the bread part out entirely and swap in a turkey burger covered with sauce and cheese. Then the sauce is gone. Then the turkey burger transitions to a veggie burger, or shredded vegetables are incorporated into homemade patties. In the population that Piatak and Carraccia serve, this process is intentionally and often painstakingly slow in order to help desensitize children with strong sensory aversions to new foods. In your home, you may be able to skip a step or two in the process.

Offer the familiar when introducing the new.

Many moms I’ve spoken with are of the opinion that offering a favorite food, such as fries or hot dogs, when trying to introduce a new, healthier food will undermine their chances of success. Surely, if there’s a preferred food offered, then a child has no incentive to try the new food, right? In fact, the opposite is likely true.

Anxiety levels can be high when a child encounters a table full of unfamiliar foods, and the stress may make them retreat into a defiant refusal to try anything. But a child who is assured that there is at least something on the table that she or he can comfortably eat may find the stakes are lower for trying something new. So hot dog night is a great time to introduce a complement like split pea soup, and pizza night is an opportunity to offer a buffet of topping options – from mushrooms and olives to basil and artichokes – that a child can encounter and consider.

Piatak and Carraccia use the familiar to springboard into new foods. If a child loves yogurt, for example, they might dip a broccoli floret in the yogurt and just let him feel the bumps of the floret with his tongue as he licks off the yogurt. Importantly, they counsel patience with the transition. Just because a child doesn’t put the food in his mouth, that doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made simply through the exposure. Each additional encounter desensitizes a child that much more, and as comfort grows, so does willingness to try new foods.

Never trick children into eating something.

Trust is the basis of a feeding relationship – as with any relationship – and you’re violating that trust by, say, sneaking pureed spinach into their brownies or beets into their smoothies. Furthermore, since the goal is to have children eat because they are intrinsically motivated to do so, you achieve nothing by tricking a piece of spinach into their bodies that they didn’t choose to consume on their own volition. What’s that old adage about winning a battle but losing the war? Carraccia explains that they never hide what’s different about the food from a child. “We say: ‘This is pizza with a little bit of broccoli,’ and we never try to deceive. We’re always honest, and we don’t try to mix things in so the child doesn’t know, because this entire process is built on trust.”

22Aug2017
Kids Health Guide, Kids Nutrition
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August 22, 2017

Via MedicineNet.com: Top Brain Foods for Children

A healthy, balanced diet is not just good for kid’s bodies, it’s good for their brains, too. The right foods can improve brain function, memory, and concentration. Like the body, the brain absorbs nutrients from the foods we eat, and these 10 “superfoods” on the following slides can help children boost their brainpower.

1. Brain Food: Salmon

 

Fatty fish, such as salmon, is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that are needed for brain growth and function. Getting enough of these fatty acids can help kids improve their mental skills.

Make salmon sandwiches (on whole wheat bread) instead of tuna for a healthy alternative.

2. Brain Food: Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein, and their yolks have choline, an important nutrient for memory development.

Try a homemade breakfast burrito, loaded with veggies for a quick and healthy breakfast before school.

3. Brain Food: Peanut Butter

Kids love peanut butter, and that’s a good thing since this healthy snack is packed with vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects nerve membranes. It also has thiamin, which is good for the brain, and glucose which gives energy.

Peanut butter makes a great dip for fruits such as bananas, and for veggies such as celery.

4. Brain Food: Whole Grains

Whole grains such as breads and cereals provide glucose, an energy source the brain needs. Whole grains also contain B vitamins, which are good for the nervous system.

Add whole grains to most meals by switching to whole grain breads, wraps, and crackers.

5. Brain Food: Oats/Oatmeal

Oats and oatmeal are excellent sources of energy and brain “fuel.” Oats are packed with fiber to help keep kids feeling full so they don’t snack on junk food. They are also an excellent source of vitamins E, B complex, and zinc to help kids’ brains work their best.

Oatmeal can be a base for almost any topping such as apples, bananas, blueberries or even almonds.

6. Brain Food: Berries

Berries can help improve memory and are packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Seeds from berries also contain omega-3 fats that help with brain function. Look for strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries – the more intense the color of the berry, the more nutrition it has.

Berries can be used in smoothies or just as they are for healthy snacks or desserts.

7. Brain Food: Beans

Bean, beans, good for the heart… so the saying goes. They are also good for kid’s brains since they have energy from protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. They can keep energy levels high. Kidney and pinto beans are good choices as they contain more omega-3 fatty acids that other bean varieties, which are important for brain growth and function.

Add beans as a salad topper, as filler for lettuce wraps, or even add them to spaghetti for a more nutritious meal.

8. Brain Food: Colorful Veggies

Vegetables with rich, deep color are an excellent source of antioxidants to keep the brain cells healthy. Some veggies to include in your child’s diet are tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, or spinach. It’s easy to sneak veggies into spaghetti sauces or soups.

Replace potato or corn chips in your child’s lunch with baked sweet potato wedges or easy-to-snack-on veggies such as sugar snap peas or baby carrots.

9. Brain Food: Milk & Yogurt

B vitamins are necessary for growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes, and dairy products are a good source for these nutrients. Low fat milk or yogurt is great sources of protein and carbohydrates foe the brain. Dairy is also an excellent source of vitamin D, which children and teens need in greater amounts than adults.

Low-fat cheese sticks make a great to-go snack and are a good source of calcium.

10. Brain Food: Lean Beef (or Meat Alternative)

Lean beef or meat alternatives are excellent sources of iron, which helps kids maintain energy and focus in school. Beef is also a good source of zinc, which aids memory. Vegetarian kids can get their iron from black bean and soy burgers. Beans have what is called nonheme iron, which needs vitamin C to be absorbed so have them eat their veggie burgers or beans with good sources of vitamin C such as peppers or orange juice.

Grilled lean-meat kabobs or grilled black bean burgers make a tasty and healthy alternative to regular hamburgers and hotdogs for your next barbeque.

18Aug2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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August 18, 2017

Via Parents: 8 Facts About Chickenpox

Chickenpox, also called varicella, is a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus. Although many of us had it as children, we may not be up to date on all the facts. “Years ago, chickenpox was considered a benign, inevitable disease of childhood,” says Mary Anne Jackson, M.D., division director, infectious disease at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Missouri, and member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) committee on infectious disease. These days, chickenpox is less common thanks to a vaccine for the disease that was introduced in the U.S. in 1995. And while it’s true that the disease is usually mild in most children, it can be serious in some kids, teens, and adults.

Read on to learn what parents should know about chickenpox.

1. An itchy, red rash is the classic sign of chicken pox.

Chickenpox appears as an extremely itchy, blistery red rash that typically starts on the face and trunk before spreading to the rest of the body. Blisters can crop up anywhere, including in the mouth, eyelids, and genital area. The chickenpox rash progresses from red bumps to fluid-filled blisters to scabs. Other symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, and fatigue. People tend to be sick for five to ten days.

2. It is highly contagious.

Chickenpox can spread easily through the air when a person with the virus coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by touching the fluid from chickenpox blisters. A person with chickenpox is contagious from one to two days before he gets the telltale rash until all of his chickenpox blisters have formed scabs. If exposed to the varicella zoster virus, it takes between 10 to 21 days to develop chickenpox. If your child gets chickenpox, he’ll have to stay home from school until the rash has completely crusted over, which is usually around day six or seven of the rash. Also, keep him away from other kids who haven’t had chickenpox or who haven’t been vaccinated against it, advises the AAP.

3. Chickenpox is usually mild but can be very serious.

For most healthy children, chickenpox, with its itchy rash, fever, and fatigue, is more of a nuisance than a danger. In some cases, though, chickenpox can lead to serious complications such as dehydration, pneumonia, bleeding problems, encephalitis (brain swelling), bacterial skin infections, toxic shock syndrome, and bone and joint infections. Certain groups, including infants, teens, adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems due to illness or medications, are at higher risk of complications from chickenpox. But even healthy children and adults can become seriously ill. Before the chickenpox vaccine became available, the disease sent about 11,000 Americans to the hospital and was responsible for about 100 to 150 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

4. Chickenpox isn’t nearly as common as it used to be.

Before the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in the U.S. in 1995, chickenpox was one of the most common childhood diseases. “There were more than 4 million cases a year, and 90 percent of children contracted it by the time they were 9 years old,” says Dr. Jackson. “By 2010, the number of cases of chickenpox had decreased by more than 80 percent in children and 90 percent in babies.” The key to keeping those numbers low: Parents should continue to have their children vaccinated.

5. The chickenpox vaccine is your best defense against the disease.

The surest way to protect your child against chickenpox: Have him vaccinated, agree the CDC, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “We’ve had a decade and a half to see how the vaccine works and it is very effective,” says Dr. Jackson. “In virtually 100 percent of cases it will prevent serious illness in otherwise healthy individuals. The “total efficacy” rate is between 80 and 85 percent, which means that between 15 and 20 percent of vaccinated people may still get chickenpox, but they’ll have a milder case. They’ll typically have fewer than 50 blisters (compared to a full-blown case with roughly 500 blisters), mild or no fever, and few other symptoms, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

6. For the best protection, children (and adults) need two doses of the vaccine.

The CDC and AAP recommend that children get two doses of the chickenpox vaccine — the first at 12 through 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years of age. (The second dose may be given earlier as long as it’s at least three months after the first dose.) People age 13 and older who have never had chickenpox are also encouraged to get immunized. They too should get two doses, scheduled at least 28 days apart.

7. You can usually manage your child’s symptoms at home.

If your child gets chickenpox, don’t be surprised if his pediatrician doesn’t tell you to bring him right in. “Bringing a child into the office risks spreading it in the waiting room,” says Rodney E. Willoughby, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and member of the AAP’s committee on infectious disease. “Generally, a phone call suffices and, if needed, arrangements can be made to bring the child in through a separate entrance and directly into an exam room.”

If your child has a fever, you can give him acetaminophen. Never give aspirin or aspirin-containing products to a child with a fever from chickenpox, cautions the CDC. The use of aspirin has been associated with a serious disease called Reye’s syndrome that affects the liver and brain. The AAP also advises against giving your child ibuprofen as it can increase the risk of severe strep skin infections. Oatmeal baths and calamine lotion can help lessen the itchiness. Keep your little one’s fingernails trimmed and discourage him from scratching to avoid getting any of his chickenpox blisters infected or causing scars.

An antiviral medication called acyclovir can reduce the symptoms of chickenpox but it is usually only given in certain circumstances (such as when a child has eczema or asthma) and typically not to otherwise healthy children experiencing chickenpox without complications.

The AAP recommends that you call the pediatrician if your child has a temperature greater than 102 degrees, a fever that lasts for more than four days, or any signs of bacterial infection (for example, if the rash becomes tender, warm to the touch, extremely red, or starts leaking pus). Another time to call the pediatrician: if your baby develops a fever and widespread rash. His doctor will likely want to keep a closer eye on him to make sure what he has is actually chickenpox, and that no complications arise, explains Dr. Willoughby.

8. Once someone has chickenpox, he probably won’t get it again — but he could get a related disease called shingles.

After a person has chickenpox, the varicella zoster virus that causes it remains in the body in an inactive state. The virus can reactivate years later, which causes a disease called shingles. According to the CDC, there are about 1 million cases of shingles each year in the U.S. Anyone who has had chickenpox can get shingles but the risk increases as people age. There is now a vaccine for shingles that’s recommended for adults age 60 and older.

16Aug2017
Kids Allergy, Kids Health
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August 16, 2017

Via CheatSheet: The Best Pets for Kids With Allergies

“Can we keep him?!” Whether you hear those words from a child who wants to adopt a puppy or a roommate who wants to take in a cat, you probably feel guilty saying “no” because of allergies. Kids and adults alike develop allergies to common pets, and it gets tough to find a pet that everybody can agree on when somebody runs the risk of itchy eyes, endless sneezes, and annoying rashes.

Fortunately, even if just looking at a cat makes your eyes itch or you find yourself sneezing the moment a dog comes near you, you can find a pet that works for you.

15. A small dog that sheds less

Many dog lovers with a pet allergy assume that they can get a “hypoallergenic” breed. Unfortunately for them, The New York Times reports that “there may be no such thing as a low-allergy or allergy-free dog.” Researchers found that the quantity of dog allergies is no different in homes with supposedly hypoallergenic breeds than in homes with breeds that aren’t hypoallergenic. Some people think that dogs who shed less are the safest bet, but they still shed dander that contains an allergy-irritating protein.

The Mayo Clinic reports that if you’re allergic to dogs but still want one, you should choose a small dog. (A small dog will shed less dander than a larger dog.) Keep him out of your bedroom and bathe him weekly. Either choose carpet-free flooring or shampoo your carpet regularly, and use a HEPA purifier to reduce airborne allergens.

14. A cat that sheds less

As with dogs, you can find many articles that claim to list hypoallergenic cat breeds, but there’s really no such thing as a cat that’s guaranteed not to cause problems for allergy sufferers. The Nest reports that some breeds do seem to produce fewer allergens, or shed less allergen-coated hair, than others. Siberian cats are supposedly easier on people with allergies, as are Balinese, Javanese, and Oriental shorthairs. The Devon rex and Cornish rex have very short coats, and Sphynxes have thin fur. These three also shed less than other breeds, leaving behind fewer hairs to spread allergens.

If you want to try adopting a cat despite your allergies, The Nest advises having a backup plan in place in case things don’t work out. You’ll need to keep your house extra clean to reduce allergen accumulation. Consider removing your carpets, and wearing more cotton and less wool. You probably can’t convince a cat to take a weekly bath, but you can usually wipe a cat down with a wet towel, and brush weekly or bi-weekly to reduce shedding.

13. A rabbit

Even if you know that you’re allergic to dogs or cats, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll react to all fuzzy animals. In fact, your immune system is very specific. An allergy to cats or dogs doesn’t guarantee an allergy to any other animals, so you might want to consider a rabbit. Researchers have found that severe allergies to rabbits are unusual, though some people do react to a protein found in rabbits’ skin and hair. Petcha reports that rabbits spread this allergen over their bodies by grooming themselves.

You probably don’t want to keep a rabbit if you have a severe reaction, such as reoccurring skin rashes, chronic fatigue, bronchitis, or other respiratory issues. But if you find yourself mildly allergic to your rabbit, you can minimize your reactions by having someone else in the household groom the rabbit daily, keeping the animal out of your bedroom, and keeping the rabbit away from your face. You may also want to avoid adopting an Angora rabbit or other longhaired breed, simply because they shed more dander and groom themselves more extensively.

12. A guinea pig

If you don’t want a rabbit, another option to consider is a guinea pig. PetFinder reports that if you have allergies to a lot of mammals, you can go to an allergist to get tested for a guinea pig allergy. Guinea pig hair and dander don’t themselves cause allergies, but they do make “excellent” airborne carriers for irritating proteins in the animal’s saliva, urine, and secretions from glands in the skin.

If you do have a mild allergy to guinea pigs, but still want one of these adorable pets anyway, you can take a few precautions. Don’t keep your guinea pig in your bedroom, and don’t store hay in the house. Buy a HEPA air purifier and position it close to the guinea pig’s cage. Have a non-allergic family member clean the cage, which is a major source of allergens. Lastly, always wash your hands and arms after handling your guinea pig.

11. A hairless guinea pig

Pet Health Network has an unusual suggestion for allergy sufferers looking for a pet who won’t cause sneezing fits: Consider a hairless guinea pig. Despite the name, this little animal isn’t completely hairless. (They have what many people call “peach fuzz.”) But you don’t need to brush them, which may translate into fewer allergens flying around the house — 0r at least fewer opportunities for you to expose yourself to those allergens.

You will need to keep your hairless guinea pig out of the sun so that it doesn’t sunburn. Otherwise, hairless guinea pigs just need the same care you’d give to a guinea pig with hair. (That means a lot of hay, a little bit of vegetables, plenty of fresh water, and a daily vitamin C supplement.) Guinea pigs love attention, and they’re robust enough for even small children to handle safely.

10. A hamster or gerbil

Parents reports that some children have allergic reactions to rabbits or guinea pigs. (Possibly because rabbits and guinea pigs are larger than other small pets and shed more. That increases the amount of allergens exposed to owners.) In that case, you may want to consider a smaller rodent, such as a hamster, a gerbil, or a rat. If you’re worried about an allergic reaction, you should assess not only whether you or your child are allergic to the animal itself, but also whether you’ll react to the animal’s food or bedding.

Fortunately, most people keep small rodents in cages, which keeps the rest of the house allergen-free. So while they do produce dander, it likely won’t end up all over your house. Keeping an animal in a specific part of the house is generally recommended as a smart way to reduce your exposure to allergens.

9. A rat or mouse

Another great option for a small but furry pet? A rat or mouse. They are mammals, so they can cause allergies like kittens or puppies. But Parents reports that because rats and mice are much smaller than other popular furry pets, they produce considerably fewer allergens that can get spread around your house. It also helps that you probably won’t let a rat or a mouse run around your entire house.

Rats can make a great pet if you (or your child) wants an animal who will be cuddly; Parents says that rats love people to hold them. Mice, on the other hand, are a little more fragile and a little more difficult to handle. They still enjoy interacting with people though, which can provide hours of entertainment.

8. A parakeet or cockatiel

Considering a bird in order to avoid allergic reactions to furry pets? That’s probably a good move if you’re only allergic to dogs, cats, or rodents. But keep in mind that birds also shed dander, which means that they can cause allergies similar to those mammals cause. The safest bet is a small bird, which may shed less dander and cause fewer allergic reactions than a larger bird.

Parakeets and cockatiels produce a relatively small amount of dander, which makes them great candidates for households with allergy sufferers. PetMD also recommends an electus, pionus, or toucan as pet birds that are less likely than other breeds to induce an allergy attack. Parakeets specifically shed very little dander, even when they’re molting. Whatever bird you choose, you can use a HEPA filter and regularly clean your home to reduce your exposure to their allergens.

7. A hedgehog

Parents reports that children with pet allergies typically aren’t as irritated by hedgehogs as they are by other animals. Because hedgehogs have quills, they shed less dander, and veterinarians report seeing fewer allergic reactions to them. Just keep in mind that you need to do some research on local and state laws because hedgehogs are among the pets that are illegal to own in some states.

PetMD reports that hedgehogs make great pets for people who will handle the animal each day to socialize it. You should allow your hedgehog to come out of its cage each day for exercise and social interaction. These animals famously roll up in a ball in response to feeling frightened or threatened. But handling your hedgehog each day when he’s young will help him be accustomed to people and less likely to ball up.

6. A snake

Want to avoid pets with fur or quills? Then our next suggestion is to consider a reptile. They don’t have fur to shed. And while many — most famously, snakes — do shed their skin, Parents reports that the skin typically lacks the proteins that cause allergic reactions. However, one concern with reptiles is exposure to salmonella. While most reptiles that are properly cared for remain healthy, some do carry salmonella as part of their normal intestinal bacteria. Though it’s normal for those animals, it can harm humans, especially those with compromised immune systems.

Fortunately, Parents reports that children with allergies aren’t any more susceptible to salmonella than anybody else. But you should keep in mind that reptiles make better pets for older children, who understand the importance of washing their hands after they handle the reptile. And don’t forget; larger snakes will require live meals, like mice.

5. A turtle

Another easy pet that’s unlikely to cause an allergic reaction — even for adults and kids with lots of allergies — is a turtle. Pet Health Network names turtles — and similar reptiles, like tortoises — as a great option for people with allergies, compared to popular pets like cats and dogs. When cared for properly, some turtles and tortoises can live for more than 50 years, which means that you’ll have a long time to enjoy the companionship of these allergen-free pets.

As with snakes and other reptiles, it’s possible for turtles to carry salmonella. That means anybody who handles the turtle must wash their hands thoroughly afterward. For that reason, many people advise that you don’t buy your children a turtle until they’re old enough to understand the importance of washing their hands.

4. A bearded dragon

Parents reports that bearded dragons make great allergy-friendly pets. Because the dander that cats, dogs, and other mammals shed is a major source of allergies, reptiles who don’t generate dander are often a great option. Reptiles like bearded dragons also don’t have hair that can further trigger your allergies. And not only will bearded dragons interact with people, but they’re also easily trained with positive reinforcement.

Again, just note that reptiles can carry salmonella, so many veterinarians don’t recommend them for children under age 5. Also, pregnant women, older people, and anyone with a weak immune system probably shouldn’t handle them. Otherwise, you’ll just need to wash your hands before and after you handle your bearded dragon.

3. A tarantula or a scorpion

PetMD notes that many exotic pets are safe for allergy sufferers, including tarantulas and emperor scorpions. Stafford Oaks Veterinary Hospital reports that while tarantulas and scorpions “aren’t for everyone,” they do make great and completely hypoallergenic pets. According to The Spruce, tarantulas, specifically, are unique but quiet pets. They obviously aren’t the best choice if you want a pet you can handle extensively, but they may be right for you if you don’t want a cuddly animal and would prefer something fascinating to watch instead. There are numerous sizes and species to choose among.

And while tarantulas can bite, the toxicity of the venom is usually on par with a bee or wasp sting. Emperor scorpions are also relatively innocuous, and are also pets that you shouldn’t expect to handle very often.

2. A frog

Frogs of both the land and underwater variety are easy pets to care for and are pretty unlikely to irritate people with allergies. Underwater frogs are the easiest type to feed and care for, since they can eat pelletized food instead of the live insects you’d need to feed to a land frog. Pet Health Network notes that frogs and toads make great pets for people who are more interested in watching an animal than handling one.

Like reptiles, frogs and toads lack allergy-inducing fur. Instead, they just have thin, delicate skin covering their bodies. In general, you shouldn’t handle an amphibian often, both to avoid damaging their sensitive skin and to prevent transmission of infectious bacteria to the animal. Some frogs and toads actually secrete toxins that can irritate or poison you if absorbed by your skin, so be aware of that when choosing one to call your own.

1. A goldfish or betta fish

Fish are arguably the safest pets for people who suffer from allergies. Because they stay in water, you don’t actually have any direct or airborne contact with a fish, so you probably won’t have any issues with allergies.

But that doesn’t mean you’re completely out of the woods, Parents notes. You shouldn’t handle fish or stick your hands in the aquarium water, since aquatic environments can expose you to bacteria that can cause an infection. If you (or your child) has a cut or scratch, contact with fish can cause fish-handler’s disease. (You’ll see a red circle develop around the infected area, and feel itchiness and burning.) Just remember to carefully wash your hands to reduce the risk of exposure. But as long as you handle them carefully, a goldfish — or any other kind — is a truly hypoallergenic pet that kids or adults can enjoy.

17May2017
Kids Health, Kids Health Guide
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May 17, 2017

Why Bedtime Routine for Baby is Important? 

As soon as possible, you should start a bedtime routine with your baby. You can start when the baby is six to eight weeks old, and your baby will surely reap benefits from the early routine setup. Establishing a stipulated system will make your baby appreciable of the consistent pattern. The baby will be comfortable knowing beforehand what is it follow next. This would facilitate better and faster sleep for your baby. Even without your presence in the house, make an attempt to maintain the routine of the baby. And when you try to settle down your baby in a new place, the bedtime routine will ease the baby.

Some tips that you can involve in organizing the routine of the baby are giving your baby a bath, helping him to get into pajamas, telling stories, or playing a game. Select activities that soothe the mind rather than those that excite the mind, because they would help your baby to fall asleep faster.

Keeping track of a baby by following a bedtime routine is beneficial to both the parents and the baby. At the fag end of the day, the routine gives an opportunity for the child and the parent to create a special bond between them. Following are a few ideas worth a try:

Babies Need Good Sleep

Light Exercises  

Bedtime Routine

At times you should allow the baby to let his stored energy to escape before you settle him down. Two good ways to do so are bouncing in a bouncer or on a knee or having a ride on a horse. When the excitement is done with, change into an activity that is quieting and relaxing. Follow this only when your little one goes to sleep effortlessly during bedtime, or it might be too much excitement for him.

Warm Bath

A warm bath cleans the baby and makes him relax. Then again if you see that your baby can not adjust with a bath at night and feels uncomfortable and can not go to sleep, then it would be prudent to strike it out from the list of bedtime routines. 

Bedtime Activities

Indulging in some quiet playing games can bring some fun moments to the bedtime ritual, like a floor game, stacking blocks, or peek-a-boo.

One of the most famous bedtime routine that almost all parents do is reading stories to the baby at night. This ritual has many benefits– it introduces your baby to the new world where he would grow up to be through a huge vocabulary and is a step towards acquiring skills of language.

Bedtime Routine

Singing is another idea. Sing a popular song and let the process grow into a tradition in your family. By and by your baby will understand that when the song ends its time for him to get some shut-eye.

Baby Bedtime Routine

On the way to the bed, bid good night to inanimate objects in the house like favorite toys and other items. You can also include pets and other family members– this way your baby will get acquainted with the various things in the house and would begin to understand and identify things by their names. Because they would be his childhood playmates for sometime, leave out no stuffed toy.

A host of other activities could be included in your bedtime routine. Indulge yourself and the baby with the fun methods and let them be a great time for the two of you.

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