Breast-Feeding - Benefits to You and Your Baby

Breast Feeding

By nature's design, breast feeding is the best possible way of meeting your infant's nutritional needs. At the same time, it provides a warm, intimate relationship between you and your child, which is quite  important for his healthy psychological growth. Breast milk is the ideal food for infants. It contains all the nutrients a normal child needs to develop and thrive.

Benefits to your baby

Besides offering your infant a natural, complete diet, breast milk also provides a number of other important benefits. Its proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals permits easier digestion with fewer intestinal problems such as diarrhea or constipation. Breast-def babies are less likely to become overweight. There is also less chance that your breast-fed infant will suffer from excessive water loss or other related disorders.

Breast-fed infants are less likely to experience allergic reactions or bacterial infections. In addition, breast milk provides the newborn with many natural immunities, because important antibodies are transmitted from mother to child through the milk.

Breast feeding also affords psychological benefits to the baby by allowing him to experience the close, physical warmth of his mother's body, to take pleasure in the sound of her voice and the sight of her face and, at the same time, to satisfy his sucking needs.

Benefits to you

As a breast feeding mother, you too will benefit by sharing a unique and satisfying relationship with your infant. The physical act of your baby's sucking will relieve the discomfort of your full breast. Breast feeding also helps you regain your figure more quickly, while permitting your uterus to return more rapidly to its normal non-pregnancy state. Furthermore, breast feeding is a convenient, economical means of feeding your child. A supply of milk, warmed to the right temperature, is available whenever your baby is hungry. Additionally, of course, breast feeding saves the time, effort and expense of formula preparation.

Some thoughts about breast feeding

Because breast feeding is unquestionably the best method if feeding your baby, you should talk with your doctor early during pregnancy so that you can develop a comfortable attitude toward it and prepare yourself physically for nursing. You may also want to discuss your decision with your husband, who can lend his full emotional support to your efforts.

 You must take proper care of your breasts and nipples both during and after pregnancy. During the final weeks of pregnancy you can begin to prepare your nipples for nursing by rubbing them once or twice a day with quick strokes using a towel or washcloth. Another helpful exercise involves rolling the nipple between your thumb and forefinger a few minutes each day. To prevent any unnecessary drying of the nipples, you should avoid soaping them while showering. Instead, allow clear water to run over them freely.

In order to breast feed successfully, you should eat correctly. A well balanced diet during your pregnancy, and especially while nursing, is important in order to supply an adequate amount of high quality milk. You will probably have to increase your daily food intake by 500 to 600 calories, paying particular attention to foods high in protein such as meat and eggs, as well as to green and yellow vegetables for vitamins and minerals. You should try to drink at least one pint of milk (approximately 1/2 liter) daily. Other liquids such as water and juices are also important for adequate milk production. 

Unless prescribed by your doctor, drugs of any kind should not be taken during your pregnancy, especially while breast feeding, since they can be transmitted to the baby through your milk. You must also avoid alcohol and cigarettes during this period.

First Time Parents Guide if Feeding Problems Develop on Baby

Preventing feeding problems is much easier than correcting them. When, despite parent's good intentions, feeding problems do develop, there should be an analysis of the causes. Then parents should agree on and firmly adhere to a course of action.

What is feeding problem? It's when a child fails to eat as his parents expect him to. Whether these expectations are right or wrong the results is the same - tensions which create unhappy family situation.

Most feeding problems fall into two classes. One is the child's not eating enough, or what the parents think is "enough." The other is the child's not eating specific foods the parents would like accepted. Usually these are "good for you" foods such as milk, meat and vegetables. It's well for these parents to remember a child's appetite is a good guide to how much he should eat and there is no one food which a child must eat.

Few feeding problems develop in the first year. Growth is rapid, foods needs are high and babies' appetites are good. Parents are satisfied with the volume they eat. It's in the second and third year's, when growth rate, food needs and intake diminish, that trouble is more likely to occur.

Everybody likes attention. A toddler is likely to get it, the first few times he eats less than usual. Whether it's mild coaxing or forced feeding, the child knows he's being noticed. Pretty soon he knows that refusing food is an attention-getter. It can even be more fun than eating. The remedy is to be alert to ignore the lowered intake.Most toddlers go through a normal stage of saying "no" to everything, even when they don't mean it. If it happens to attract attention, saying "no" at mealtime can get to be quite a game and a habit. It should be ignored like any other play for attention.

Some youngsters use refusal of food as a bargaining device in obtaining certain desires. It's most unwise ever to bribe a child to eat. Families should always maintain the attitude that eating is a privilege, not a favor.

Babies are great imitator and quickly follow the example of a parent or older brother or sister. When they eat at the family table family member can help by being willing to set good examples. Only favorable attitudes, by word or gesture, should be expressed toward food. Too much discussion, even of the favorable type, is unwise.

Mealtime surroundings should be clean, bright and cheerful and the atmosphere a happy one. There should be no unnecessary distractions which draw a child's attention from eating. Decorations, conversation or activity should not be overdone. A desire to play can be a strong distraction for toddlers.Sometimes firm policies have to be made or its control.

Wise parents use every opportunity to develop and maintain a toddler's interest in food. Even though it's slow and untidy, self feeding should be encouraged. Protect the floor with newspaper and put the baby on his own. The food may often miss its target but baby's interest will be maintained through his sense of accomplishment. Toward the end of the meal, when the baby tires, he'll usually appreciate help with the last few spoonfuls.

Mealtime discipline, such as stress on table manners, can deter a toddler's interest in food. Training of this type is more effective in the later pre-school period when there's better muscular coordination. In the meantime, some progress might be made through imitation of good examples set by older family members.

Dawdling at mealtime is a common problem. Like refusal off food, it can easily become an attention-getter and is therefore ignored. Allowance should be made for a small child's lack of skill. But if a meal stretches beyond a reasonable period, it's well to remove thee food calmly and without comment.

Ending a meal for dawdling or outright refusal of food should be done in the most matter-of-fact way and without discussion or argument. The success of this procedure depends on the parents' calm firmness in withholding all additional food until the next regular meal. This is a hard thing for parents to do even when common sense and scientific evidence indicate a few hours of hunger can't hurt a child. Young children simply don't starve themselves.

This discussion shows most feeding problems to be psychological in origin and nature. Occasionally the blame may rest in the diet itself. Diets too high in fat, sweets or starch appetite is poor, the interval between meal might be increased. Sometimes feeding smaller portions helps. Seeing too much food can blunt appetite.

Sufficient fresh air, exercise and sleep are other factors known to have a favorable influence on appetite. In today's casual living, most youngsters get enough of these but they are worth checking if appetite is poor.

First Time Parents Guide on Vegetables and Fruits for Baby

The doctor will probably recommend beginning strained vegetables and fruits shortly after your baby is started on cereal and or meat. This is likely to be within the baby's second or third month, the introduction of individual varieties being interspersed with that of new varieties of cereal and meat.

The chief contribution of vegetables and fruits is a variety of vitamins and minerals. However, individual items might vary greatly in which and how much of each nutrient they provide. In general, green and yellow vegetables and yellow fruits have high vitamin A values. Most fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C but citrus fruits are the best contributors of this vitamin. Green vegetables supply appreciable iron. Used in wide variety, vegetables and fruits are among the best sources of trace minerals.

Serving your baby many kinds of vegetables and fruits helps build good food habits. They provide a wide variety of taste experiences when food acceptances are most easily established. This is especially beneficial in later life when parents no longer control a person's diet. Back in 1933, when "baby foods" were new, Dr. Manuel Glazier of Boston reported on a study made on 231 babies to determine what happened when strained vegetables and fruits were fed as early as one month of age. Even young babies digested the strained foods easily. Dr. Glazier concluded,". . . that the study showed the group fed solids early in infancy had better nutrition and better food and bowel habits and fewer food dislikes than the group fed solids in later infancy." The past thirty years have substantiated his findings.

Its a good idea to start with the plain strained vegetables and fruits before introducing those that are mixtures. And, as suggested under cereals, each new product should be tried three or four days, as the only new food, before moving on to another.

No less than two different servings of strained vegetables per day, at least one of them "green or yellow"is a good dietary pattern. in addition, you will want to include at least one, but probably more, strained fruits per day. A word of caution: perhaps you'll discover, as many parents have, that your baby accepts fruits more readily than vegetables. Be careful not to let this result in an overuse of fruits to the exclusion of vegetables which generally have higher nutritive values. In such cases it might be better to serve the vegetables first, while the baby is hungry, withholding the fruit until later.

First Time Parents Guide on Meats for Babies

At one time, meats were almost the last foods included in the baby's diet. Even then, the high nutritive values and digestibility of lean meats were recognized. It was simply too much trouble and often too expensive to prepare them in proper form at home. Today, many doctors suggest that strained meats be started at about the same early age as cereals. Some even prefer that it be the first solid food. Check with your baby's doctor before starting meats.

Meats supply many nutrients important to babies and young children. Foremost at their complete, high quality protein which are used n the growth and maintenance of every body cell. Proteins are also constituents of many body regulators and are apparently related to the body's defenses against infections.

Meats provide a variety of minerals. They are among the best sources of iron and phosphorous, constituents of all body tissues. Liver is especially high in iron. The early feeding of meats has been shown to promote hemoglobin and red blood cell formation in babies."Trace minerals," needed in tiny amounts but so important to many body functions, occur in wide variety in meats.

Meats also supply essential vitamins. Al are excellent sources of niacin and supply some riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and thiamine. Pork is especially high in thiamine, heart is a good source of riboflavin and liver is one of the richest sources of vitamin A.

The plain strained meats are the best starting meats.By using them, you quickly learn which individual meats agree with your baby. Also, while a baby's capacity for strained foods is small, plain meats provide more nourishment per spoonful. 

Strained meats are more concentrated in food values than the strained vegetables and fruits. Therefore they should be introduced with some caution.At first, feed only one or two spoonfuls, diluting it well with formula or other liquid. Over a few days, reduce the liquid until straight meat is being served. 

Baby Tips for New Parents: Cereals – First Solid Foods

Cereals are the most frequently prescribed first solid foods. Cereals are designed to meet the special needs of young infants. They are bland and palatable. Thoroughly precooked and low in crude fiber, they are readily digested.They have a creamy texture and consistency when stirred into milk, formula or other liquid.

Babies have high iron requirements. Milk supplies very little. As usually used, strained foods contribute some but not enough. That's why iron-enriched dry baby cereals have been widely available and prescribed for over forty years. One-half ounce (six tablespoons) of any cereal meets an infant's full daily recommended dietary allowance for iron.

As further aids to your baby's well being, important B-vitamins (thiamine, niacin and riboflavin), calcium and phosphorous are added to cereals. Cereals are good sources of calories and most supply at least moderate amounts of proteins.

Of all baby foods, the iron and vitamin enriched cereals can meet special infant needs for the longest time.They are protective against iron-deficiency anemia throughout the first and even second year.

You will find cereals just as convenient and economical as they are nourishing. They mix with liquids instantly, requiring no cooking or straining. The smallest portion can be prepared without waste of cereal, fuel or time.

In addition to directing when cereal or other solid food is started, the doctor may be quite specific about which one to give first. Definite directions should be followed closely.

Mix the chosen first cereal according to directions on the package. It forms a creamy smooth mixture faster if you stir the cereal into the liquid - not vice versa.

If all goes well, repeat this same food three or four consecutive days before starting on a new one. This is a wise procedure when introducing every new food. Most foods agree with most babies. But if one doesn't, it's easier to spot the offender if it is the only new food given during a few days.

Parenting Guide on Food for the First Year of your Baby

A DAILY FOOD PLAN. In the interest of meeting individual needs, babies' diets should not be rigidly standardized. However, the first year should see a gradual transition to the following broad pattern. This means working toward including in the diet,daily, suitable portions of foods selected from each of the following groups:

Milk group, including cheese and ice cream

Meat group, including beef, veal, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, eggs (dry beans, peas and nuts as occasional alternates for older children and adults).

Vegetable-Fruit group, including a dark green or deep yellow vegetable (for vitamin A value) and citrus fruit or other good vitamin C source, daily.

Bread-Cereal group, emphasizing the whole grain, enriched or restored varieties.

This daily food plan is a practical one to follow. It's so general, it can be used for persons of all ages, and in accordance with national, regional or social food patterns and individual likes and dislikes. It is a simple, flexible and enjoyable way of consuming an adequate diet without worrying about individual nutrients.

Milk. Traditionally, milk is the principal food of babies and plays a major role in the diets of young children. This food, provided by Nature of young mammals, furnishes a wide variety of important nutrients. Whole milk contains significant amounts of vitamin A, riboflavin and thiamine. It is the best practical source of calcium and a good source of phosphorous. The proteins in milk are present in liberal amounts and are of excellent quality, well utilized in the growth of infants and children. Milk contributes many trace minerals and several of the lesser known vitamins.

It would be difficult to argue against the "rightness" of human milk for human babies. Most mothers who wish to can breast feed but many factors can influence this personal choice. It is well to make a tentative choice between breast and formula feeding well before the baby is born. Either methods gets off to a better start with advance preparation. The final decision for or against breast feeding should rest with the mother and her doctor.

Today. most babies can be expected to thrive on formula feeding if that choice is made. The availability of "clean" milk and improved standards of food handling in homes have made it safe from a sanitary standpoint.

Your baby's doctor should prescribed and approximate schedule for artificial feeding. His directions will be based on your baby's own nutritional and digestive needs. He might prescribe a formula made by mixing definite proportions of evaporated or fresh milk, water and sugar. But he is more likely to specify one of the convenient "premodified" milk formulas on the market today, which for most babies only need diluting with an equal amount of boiled water. Many physicians today prefer the formulas with added iron for routine use.

Despite its nutritional excellence, plain cow's milk doesn't qualify as a "perfect food". Even in the generous quantities usually fed babies, it fails to supply sufficient vitamin D, vitamin C, thiamine and iron. That's why doctors recommend the introduction of "supplementary foods" before a baby's body stores of these nutrients are depleted. 

Parenting Guide on Common Illnesses of Infants

Infant illnesses need the doctor's immediate attention and care. Following are the more common illnesses:

COMMON COLD

Although the common cold more frequently remains a cold and nothing more, it may lead to a number of serious diseases. This is why it is important that when Baby develops a cold, you should consult your doctor. The symptoms by which you can tell if your baby has a cold are: sneezing; running or stuffy nose;flushed cheeks; little appetite; may be slight fever and cough. Make sure that Baby's room is well ventilated. Don't force food if cold interferes with the baby's appetite.

CROUP

The symptoms are barking cough, hoarseness and rapid breathing, spasmodic attacks chiefly at night, from 1/2 hour to 2 hours duration. Notify the doctor and while you are waiting for him, get warm, moist air into the child's room. A satisfactory device for doing this is by means of an electric vaporizer. If you don't have this, use a boiling kettle to make steam but put the kettle far enough from the child's crib.

COLIC

This is a condition that is nearly always associated with gas in the gastrointestinal tract. This may be so distressing that the baby will cry hard, clench his fists, draw up his legs and then straighten them out repeatedly. His stomach may be hard, his hands may be cold and clammy.

Burp the baby to release the gas, then put him to bed lying on his stomach with a wrapped hot water bag under his abdomen; or insert a rectal tube in the baby's rectum with the free end of the tubing placed in a bowl of hot water, thus releaving gas. If he doesn't seem to be relieved, call your doctor at once.

Another condition that is similar to colic is some form of indigestion. The baby is restless, cries most of the time and frequently passes gas. If the baby has indigestion and is losing weight or fails to gain weight, get in touch with your doctor.

CONVULSIONS

in convulsion, the baby's eyes roll upward or become fixed and his whole body twitches spasmodically. Convulsions are usually of short duration but may be prolonged. The most common cause is high fever during an infection such as cold or a sore throat.

Call your doctor immediately. In the meantime, sponge the baby, put an icebag at his head and wrapped hot water bag or bottle at his feet. Convulsions that occur without fever are likely due to a more serious condition and should have immediate medical attention and care.

Parenting Guide on your Babies Yardstick of Growth

Baby will follow his own pattern of growth and development, not according to a fixed set of standards. Do not be surprised or dismayed, therefore, if the activities listed are reached before this yardstick says he might or if Baby appears backwards compared with other babies of the same age.

FIRST MONTH

Hearing is fully developed, but eyes do not focus and may appear crossed. Yawns a lot, hiccups, sneezes. Hands tightly curled, head needs support. Sleeps most of the time when not feeding.

SECOND MONTH

Turns head to voices. Cries vary for food, discomfort, and excitement. May begin to sleep through the night. Settles into regular routine.

THIRD MONTH

Smiles, babbles and finds that crying gets results. Can turn from side to back, holds up head. Enjoys bright colors and can hold rattle if put in hand.

FOURTH MONTH

Holds up head without support. Coos and smiles in response. Reaches for toes. Plays with hands and can grasp toys.

FIFTH MONTH

Birth weight usually doubled by now. Reaches for objects. Carries everything to mouth. Can turn from back to side. More selective in taste. Raises hands to be lifted.

SIXTH MONTH

Eyes and hands work together. Sits with some propping. Definite emotions. Makes sounds like "mamma," "dadda." First teeth may appear, usually the lower ones.

SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS

Sits without support. may start crawling. Transfers toys from hand to hand. Associates ideas with words.

NONE TO TWELVE MONTHS

Crawls. Stands with support. May even take first steps. Can say word or two, understands many. Probably has 6 to 8 teeth. Triples birth weight.

Parenting Guide on Baby's Bowel Movement

The stools of babies fed S-26 resemble those of breast fed infants in color (yellow to yellow green), consistency (soft, pasty) and frequency.

Some babies do not necessarily have to move their bowels every day; bowel movements vary in different babies. However, hard and formed stools are a sign of constipation. Loose bowel movement which are unusually frequent constitute diarrhea. Any sudden change in the usual consistency or frequency may indicate illness and you should notify your doctor immediately.

Newbie Parents Guide on What To Do When Your Baby Cries

The only way Baby can tell you he is hungry or uncomfortable is by crying. You'll learn soon enough to distinguish his hunger cry from the cry of discomfort or pain.

To be sure, always make Baby comfortable. Sometimes all the air he has sucked while feeding is not brought out so try bubbling him. Perhaps he may feel too warm, so take off some of his clothes or cover. Or perhaps he may feel cold - his flesh will feel cold to your touch so put on more clothes or cover. If he is wet or has a soiled diaper, change to a fresh one. If he has skin irritation or diaper rash, bring him to the doctor. If he seem to be hungry, give him his bottle. If there seems to be no reason at all for his crying, he may just want to be cuddled for a few minutes. See that he gets enough attention and tender snuggling when you feed him.

Helpful Facts on Bottle Feeding with Formula S-26

The best alternative or supplement to your own breast milk is Formula S-26, a complete and modern infant formula. Babies raised on this food will grow, sleep, and thrive as well as breast fed babies.

The protein in Formula S-26 is of the same quality and quantity as that in human milk - 60% lactalbumin and 40% casein. The protein in cow's milk formula and in most canned milk formulas is 80% hard to digest casein and 20% lactalbumin. Formula S-26 is far more digestible, and si less likely to produce milk allergy, colic, "spitting up", diarrhea or constipation. The concentration of minerals in this formula is close to that of mothers milk - 250 mg. per 100cc. This protects Baby's immature kidney, which has only half the concentrating capacity of yours, from the stress of a mineral overload. Thus he is protected from dehydration even during hot weather, when he is likely to lose more water due to perspiration.

Formula S-26 contains lactose, or milk sugar, as its only carbohydrate, just as your own milk does, while most canned or cow's milk formulas require the addition of further carbohydrate. Lactose helps promote development of firm tissues, essential nerve and brain structures, and aids normal bowel function.

The fat in formula S-26 is a digestible, carefully balanced blend of oils, rich in unsaturated fatty acids. This protects Baby from skin rashes, reduces gastrointestinal upsets, and improves vitamin utilization. This formula  also contains the correct quantities of essential vitamins and trace elements needed for normal body functions, eliminating the need for vitamin mineral supplements.

All these features of formula S-26 afford Baby a food which closely resembles mother's milk in its composition, digestibility and nutritional value. In addition formula S-26 is easy to prepare, and comes in convenient, easy to open cans.

Important Facts About Breast Feeding

Doctors generally encourage breast feeding because human milk is the ideal food, the natural food intended for human infants.

For the first few days after Baby is born, your breast will secrete a thin, milky fluid called colostrum. During this time Baby will probably oblige by not being too hungry. After this your milk develops and fills the sinuses located behind the areola, the dark colored area around the nipples.

During the first weeks, it is more comfortable to lie down to nurse your baby. You may lie down on your side with baby resting on your arm.

10 most common skin plagues after pregnancy

1. Melasma. The birthmark-like blotches most commonly found on the cheeks are caused by your fluctuating hormones. It is best to treat it right away. The longer it stays on your skin, the deeper the discoloration sets. Products with tretinion and hydriquinone will help whiten the dark spots, and daily sunblock use is essential.

2. Skin discoloration. Most new moms complain of dark skin on their neck, underarms, and groin area. This is caused by hormones and should lighten up within six month's time. Avoid scrubbing the area, doing so irritates the skin and aggravates the darkening. A nice solution would be to use a bleaching lotion or something with hydroquinone.

3. Stretch marks. They are familial, if your family has them, the bigger your chances of getting of getting them too. There are available products and treatments but these tears underneath the skin won't disappear completely. It is recommended to use a whitening agent for the dark marks. If the marks are light, lightening the surrounding skin first to make the marks less obvious.

4. Acne. It is best to first establish the reason for the flareup. If it's the hormones brought about by pregnancy. Some use birth control pills for their anti androgen ingredients. The downside, however, is that you might stop producing breast milk. It is best to ask your ob-gyne for an alternative that won't make you stop lactating.

5. Change in skin texture. Most new moms find their oily skin oilier or their dry skin drier, or sometimes, their usually dry skin turns oily and vice versa. It is best to use soaps and other products meant for your new skin type. You can also change your moisturizer and choose milder products.

6. Darkening and soreness of nipples. This is brought about by hormones, so it's best to wait it out. Even the linea negra, the dark line that goes vertically from the top of the tummy down disappears in time. As for soreness of the nipples due to breastfeeding, check if you're doing it right. To help ease the pain, you may use petroleum jelly or lanolin.

7. Scar and keloid. This is a problem for moms who gave birth via C-section. Run of the mill scars heal by themselves. They gradually fade. The hard part is when they turn into a keloid. A keloid must be treated immediately to prevent it from getting bigger and harder. It can be painful and itchy. An injection of cortisone can help shrink it.

8. Hair loss. An effect of hormone fluctuations. It would be advisable to take oral calcium and zinc supplements and applying menoxidyl once to twice a day.

9. Warts. Most moms do not associate warts with post pregnancy issues because they come much later, but it is. You become more susceptible to them, a common treatment for warts would be cauterized.

10 Dark under eye circles. These are caused by blood vessels getting engorged. It is recommended by doctors to use products with vitamin K to help lessen the puffiness, and to ask help from the poeple around you so you can catch up on that much needed rest.

Your Baby has a hard Time Pooping, How can You make it Easier for him?

A child's abdominal muscles are not fully developed until the age of one. So before then, expect him to have a harder time pushing. In the meantime, you have to be conscious of his poop schedule. It takes some babies every two or three days to poop. Every child has his own schedule. If this is his own growth spurt time, he will consume almost everything he eats. Breastfed babies absorb breast milk completely.

If you child is still having a hard time. Gently giving him an abdominal massage on his left side, where the large intestines are. You may also try using a glycerin suppository to tickle his anus. This will create a reflex, causing your baby to push.

Is It Harmful for Your Baby To Always be Prescribed Antibiotics?

Many of the conditions children suffer from are viral, and you do not treat viral illnesses with antibiotics. A viral infection takes it course. Even if you give medication, it will just take its course. Antibiotics are anti-bacterial, and a virus is different from a bacteria.

That's why it's important for you to know whether your child's illness is viral or bacterial.

Also some antibiotics are known to be autotoxic when consumed in large amounts. In general, antibiotics should be used very carefully. The problem is that the body builds resistance to it when overused and abused.

Tips On Storing Breast Milk so it Wont get Spoiled

Breast milk has a longer shelf life than infant formula. Breast milk has live antibodies that fight germs. It's called living milk. It's resistant to spoilage.

Breast milk can stay outside at room temperature for a whole day. In the refrigerator, it stays good for a day. In the freezer, it's good for months. However, if the milk has been touched, meaning your baby has drank from the bottle, then it may spoil more easily.

Make sure your baby sitter or yaya strictly follows storing, thawing, and heating procedures for breastmilk.

Asthma and Exercise can Go Hand in Hand

Asthma and exercise can go hand in hand. Parents misconceptions that exercise can be risky for their asthmatic children may be partly to blame for levels of physical activity among children with the disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

The study, found that 20 percent of children with asthma do not get enough exercise, even though research has shown that running, swimming and other kinds of physical activity decrease the severity of asthma symptoms.

Researchers conducted a telephone survey of 137 parents of children with asthma and 106 parents of healthy children. About 20 percent of all parents indicated they believed that exercise is dangerous for children with asthma.

About 25 percent of the parents of asthmatic children said they were afraid that exercise would make their child sick, and that their child gets upset with strenuous activity. The children of parents who expressed such views were more likely than other children to be inactive.

"These results are troubling" study lead author Dr. David Lang said in a prepared statement.

"Despite medical advances and a better understanding of asthma, we found that beliefs still exist that exercise is dangerous for asthmatic children and that children with asthma should not exercise. In reality, physical activity has important benefits for all children, including those with asthma," Lang said.

It's essential that pediatrician educate asthmatic children adn their parents about the benefits of exercise, he said.

A Child have a Higher Risk of Dehydration

A dramatic reduction in the amount of fluid in the body causes dehydration, which can be a serious, even life threatening, condition if left untreated. And children, especially babies and toddlers, are at a greater risk of dehydration than adults because they have less fluid reserves and because they are sick more often.

The biggest cause of dehydration in youngsters is diarrheal illnesses

There's the fluid loss from the diarrhea and in addition kids feel lousy, so they don't drink.

Symptoms of dehydration in children include dry mouth, no tears and a lack of urination. Babies less than 3 months should urinate at least once every 6 hours; toddlers should wet at least three diapers a day, and older children should be going to the bathroom at least two to three times in a 24 hour period.

Signs of more serious dehydration include sunken eyes, lethargy and a loss of elasticity in the skin. If you notice these symptoms or a lack of urination, contact your child's doctor.

The first line of treatment of dehydration is drinking fluids, preferably an oral electrolyte solution designed especially for children. Sports drink designed for adults aren't as effective as the ones made for kids.

Encourage you child to take small, frequent sips of a pediatric electrolyte drink any time they're sick with a fever or diarrhea. More serious cases of dehydration may require intravenous rehydration.

Factors That Contribute To Your Child's Height

Height often plays an important role in people's lives. Medically, pediatricians use growth chart to make sure that a child is growing at the proper rate. In May sports, such as volleyball and basketball, being tall is an important factor.

"Height is might" that is what most people would say. While Filipinos are not genetically predisposed to be a tall race, most parents still wish that their kids grow up to be taller than most children. But what exactly makes a person tall?

There are many factors that contribute to a person's height. Knowing what influences growth and development will help children achieve their optimum height.

1. Genetic make-up. Children inherit their parents attributes, so tall parents, in general, will produce tall off springs. Traits such as physique are also passed down from parents.

2. Prenatal Factors. While a baby is still in his mother's womb, the mom's habits, amount of exercise, and choice of food affect the child's development. Expecting moms need to stay in the pink of health to avoid any complications such as hypertension, anemia, and congestive heart failure, which could cause low birth weight in babies and a higher chance of perinatal morbidity incidence.

3. Nutrition. It is important to plan a balanced diet and incorporating a lot of "grow" foods in your child's meals. Include meat and egg in his meals, which are packed with protein. You must also encourage your child to drink milk, fortified with bone developing calcium.

4. Vitamins. Vitamins help maintain and facilitate the proper functioning of certain organs and organ systems found in a child's body. The following vitamins perform a vital role to ensure that the body efficiently absorbs nutrients and keeps the body's systems in prime working condition.

5. Exercise. While there are no definite exercises that promote height enhancement, certain activities like stretching help improve posture, since incorrect or poor posture contributes to slouching. This, in turn will make a child appear shorter than he actually is. Discrepancies in the vertebral curves, muscle coordination, strength, physical and mental health, and fatigue are leading causes of postural changes in a child.

6. Sleep. The daily amount of sleep your child gets affects his height. Growth hormones are secreted deep sleep. It is advisable for your kid to get sufficient sleep to boost a child's height.

Simple Tips To Avoid Stress

Individuals with no family history of disease still contact illness. Many times this is from unfavorable stress levels. Although a little stress pushes a person to perform well at work and play, today's fast paced, urban jungle lifestyle oftentimes causes too much.

Stress increases the body's levels of the hormone cortisol, which increases glucose and blood pressure levels. Though increased cortisol is physiologic and i necessary for dealing with acute stress situations like speaking before an audience, or driving through rush hour traffic, prolonged and frequent elevated levels can lead to illness. Stress also causes decreased functioning of the immune system, making individuals prone to acute infections.

Fight stress by:

• Engage in regular physical activity
• Get enough sleep
• Cultivate relationships with family and friends
• Set aside time for prayers and meditation
• Take up hobbies
• Say no to people or events that clutter your schedule
• Read a book or watch a movie
• Cut down on caffeine, smoking and alcohol
• Take regular vacations
• Laugh a lot