Fresh Parenting

Books Are Children’s Best Friend! (Choosing Children’s Books Tips)

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:08:07 +0000

Women say, “Diamonds are the girl’s best friend”. But, for children, books are children’s best friend! Just like my niece who is a book freak. She likes reading so much. Book store is like a heaven for her. I think that’s because we (especially me) started to introduce her to books when she was only 5 months. What I did at that time was reading her a book with great colors and big picture and taught her to turn the pages one by one. I didn’t even care whether she understood the content or not.

Then, when she was older enough “to read” (I mean see) the books by herself, I begun to introduce her to book store. She liked it very much and this ritual became her new habit. Whenever she saw that we had time to take her to the book store, she begged us to go to the book store to buy new books for her book shelves.

Well, it needed a lot of money of course, but it’s all paid when I see my niece now. She grows into a curious and intelligent girl who likes reading a lot. She can finish her readings only a few hours after she bought those books. She is the second best in her class at school. That’s why I’m so proud of her (and also to my self for introducing her to books early.)

Interested in following what I did to my niece? These are what you need to know if you want to select books for your children.

1. For infants and toddlers

Babies like picture books about objects, like clothing or animals. The good choices are cloth books and books made of heavy cardboard. These kinds of books are durable and easy for them to manipulate. Also choose books with bright, contrasting colors, interesting shapes, and textures. Singing books are also good for them! For toddler, books about numbers, shapes, and animals are the good ones.

What you should do:

- Teach them to learn to turn the pages

- Read the pictures for them.

Try these books:

The Sneetches and Other Stories - Dr. Seuss

For you, all breastfeeding mothers, please read this news for your baby’s shake. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is doubling the amount of vitamin D, from 200 IU per day to 400 IU per day, beginning in the first two months of lice. This recommendation also extends to all other babies, children, and adolescents. “We are doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D children need each day because evidence has shown this could have life-long health benefits,” Dr. Frank Greer, chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition, said.

This doubling recommendation is especially important for breastfed baby according to Dr. Carol Wagner, member of the AAP Section on Breastfeeding Executive Committee and who co-authored the report with Geer. “Because of vitamin D deficiencies in maternal diet, which affect the vitamin D in a mother’s milk, it is important that breastfed infants receive supplements of vitamin D,” she explained.

So, how much do you and your baby need for vitamin D then? Warner said that the best way to make sure that breastfed babies get enough vitamin D is to recommend a daily supplement of 400 IU. That number not only prevents but also treats rickets, the bone-softening disease. Enough vitamin D in childhood is also reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in later life. New research also shows vitamin D is important for the immune system and prevents autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

Here is the new recommendation:

Babies who are fully or partly breastfed should start having a daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D within a few days of birth.
Babies who are not breastfed, and older children, who consume less than one quart (about 2 pints or 1 litre) of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk a day should also be taking a daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D.
Adolescents should also be taking a daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D if their diet does not give them this amount every day.
Some children may need higher doses, for instance if they are taking certain medications that put them at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Healthcare providers caring for women during their pregnancy should consider monitoring their vitamin D levels, given the growing body of evidence that vitamin D is important for fetal development.

What should you eat to give enough vitamin D in your breast milk? Tuna, milk, liver, salmon, and breakfast cereals are good sources for you. You can also consult with the doctor for using vitamin D supplement as an addition.

Source: Medical News Today

HOW TO TRIM YOUR BABY’S NAIL SAFELY

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:49:05 +0000

Most moms are afraid to trim their baby’s nail because they are worried to cut their baby’s finger. Are you one of them? Here are some useful tips to trim baby’s nail without hurting her:

Trim after your baby has a bath - it will make the nails softer and easier to trim.
Don’t do the trimming all by yourself! Get someone to help you.
Distract your baby’s attention with toys or other amusing things.
Trim your baby’s nail while she’s sleeping. But do this without waking her!
Use baby nail clippers, baby nail trimming scissors, or an emery board, and never use adult nail clippers!
Push down the pad of the finger. Make sure that none of her skin is showing when you cut the nail.
Cut along the shape of the nail and round any rough edges with an emery board.
Cut toenails straight.
If you accidentally cut baby’s finger, press the finger to stop the bleeding. And use a clean cloth and apply a little antibiotic ointment after the bleeding stop.

Now, trimming your baby’s nail won’t be scary anymore, right?

How Barack Obama Teaches His Kids about Money

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:56:06 +0000

Are you trying to teach your kids about money? You can try Barrack Obama and his wife’s tips on teaching children about money. Just like other parents, Obama and his wife also set rules for their kids. One of them is about money giving. In a magazine interview Obama and his wife Michelle revealed that one of their steadfast house rules is not giving Christmas or Birthday presents to their kids, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7. “They spend ‘hundreds’ on birthday slumber parties and we want to teach some limits. Santa Claus is still permitted to deliver seasonal gifts however,” they said. The girls are also given an allowance of just $1 a week for performing household chores. Those chores include making their own bed, setting and clearing the dinner table, and putting themselves to bed by 8.30 pm. So, do you think it will work for your kids? Just try it with them!

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk, People magazine

How to Take a Good Picture of Your Kids

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:33:49 +0000

Wondering why your kids looks “terrible” on the camera? Here are the keys to take a good picture of your kids:

1. INFANTS look beautiful on the camera while they are asleep. Use natural light and avoid flash if possible. Keep the image tight on the child and crop out distractions. When your baby is awake, have another person to accompany him or her. You can crop the shot to keep that other person out of the image, or you can keep both of them in the photo.

2. TODDLERS look best when they don’t know that you’re taking a picture of them. Use the candid shots for them. Keep your camera handy and snap the photo quick when they start doing something. They don’t have to be looking directly into the camera.

3. CHILDREN AGES 4 PLUS are look good at sitting for photos. If you want to dress them up, make sure that they are comfortable with that costume. Crop tight on your subject, use natural light. If you are using toy to get their attention, make sure it makes them laugh, not make them scared.

4. OLDER CHILDREN are good at dressing up for photos. What you need is how to get a natural smile from them by saying something funny to them.

Easy isn’t it? Now, say cheese!

Boost Your Baby’s Development with Fish and Breast Milk!

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:21:21 +0000

Good news for breastfeeding and fish lover mom! A study that was conducted by the researchers from Harvard University said that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and compounds in breast milk aid infant development. The research, which looked at 25,446 children born to mothers participating in a Danish study between 1997 and 2002, found that children whose mothers ate the most fish during pregnancy (about 2 ounces a day on average) were more likely to have better motor and cognitive skills. Children who were breast-fed for longer periods of time also scored better, especially at 18 months. Breast milk also contains omega-3 fatty acids. The benefit of fish consumption was similar among infants breast-fed for shorter or longer durations. But, U.S. women are advised to limit their fish intake to two servings a week, because some fish contain high traces of mercury. Cod, plaice, salmon, herring, and mackerel are good low-mercury fish choices to consume.

SOURCE: Harvard Medical School, news release, September 2008

Is It Okay To Use Essential Oil for Relieving Kid’s Fever?

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:46:10 +0000

Who says that essential oil is only for adults? Children can also get the benefits from essential oil, including for relieving fever safely. The differences are only on the dosages and dilutions that are generally significantly lower for your little one, comparing to those used with adults. Dilutions for caring touch massage, for example, can start as low as 1 drop per ounce of carrier for newborns. The child’s weight and overall condition also must be considered. A child that is big for their age could use slightly higher amounts of essential oil, comparing to a child that is weak from illness.

So, what about using essential oil for relieving your kid’s fever? Here are the tips for you:

1. Steam inhalation

Boil some water and pour it into a stable bowl. Drop a few drops of essential oils into the water.

Essential oils: eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.

How to use it: drape a towel over your kid’s head like a tent, and show him or her to hold their face near the water in the bowl.

Benefits: the warmth help to relieve chilliness and support the immune system fight against the fever causing illness.

2. Direct application

Wet a washrag with cool water and drop a drop of essential oil on it

Essential oil: lavender

How to use it: use the washrag to wipe a feverish child’s head, chest, and abdomen.

Benefits: to relieve a hot or sweaty fever that may help your kid settle down to sleep.

3. Aromatherapy bath

Put the essential oils in an Epsom salt base and mix well. 20 drops per cup of salt is an effective amount for your kid.

Essential oil: peppermint, lavender, sage, rosemary

How to use it: pour ¼ cup of Epsom/essential oil mixture into the bath and use it for bathing. Please make sure that the water warm enough for him or her.

Benefits: to make your kid feel comfortable and fresh and break your kid’s fever.

4. Diluted in drinks

Dilute the essential oil in tea or juice for your kid.

Essential oil: lemon, peppermint

How to use it: give the diluted tea or juice to your kid

Benefits: to relieve your kid’s fever.

5. Diffused in an air diffuser

Diffuse the essential oil in an air diffuser

Essential oil: lemon, lavender, chamomile, sage, pine, rosemary, and eucalyptus, peppermint

How to use it: try lemon, lavender, and chamomile to help your kid have a deep sleep. Try sage, pine, rosemary, and eucalyptus to encourage immune system support.

Benefits: deep sleep, good immune system, and cooling effect for fever

So, what do you think? Are you ready to try them? Don’t forget to consult with the doctor first before trying!

DO’S AND DONT’S FOR YOUR KID’S COLD AND COUGH

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:35:56 +0000

Here are the things that you should and shouldn’t do when your kid gets cold and cough:

* DON’T use cough and cold drugs if your kid is under 4 years old!

About 7,000 children under 11 go to emergency rooms each year after taking cough and cold medicines, according to the CDC. Roughly two-thirds of those occurred after children drank medication while unsupervised, according to the CDC. Currently, leading makers of over-the-counter pediatric cough and cold drugs has changed their label on the product. According Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) the label will say: DON’T GIVE OVER-THE-COUNTER PEDIATRIC COUGH AND COLD MEDICINE TO CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 4. The new labels will start showing up on store shelves this year. But, the CHPA says there are no plans to take products with the old labels off the shelves since the FDA hasn’t indicated a need to do so.

* DON’T you ever give multiple products at the same time

Believe me! You must follow this advice, because these words are not from me but from Janet Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. She also said that parents should follow, very carefully, the directions on the package.

* DON’T use drugs to make your kid sleepy

Don’t use over-the-counter pediatric cough and cold drugs containing antihistamines to sedate or make your kid sleepy. So, please do read the contents of the drug, will you?

* DO follow the dosing recommendations exactly and use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.

* DON’T you dare to give an adult medicine to your kid!

Ah, I know you won’t be that stupid to do that, right?

* DON’T use two medicines at the same time that contain the same ingredients!

* DO keep your kid hydrated

Cold can make your kid dehydrated. So, keeps him or her hydrated by giving enough fluid. It can be from your home made chicken soup or fruit juice or other foods and drinks that have healing effect for the cold and cough. For example, giving honey to relieve the coughs (but do remember that honey can not be given to children under 1).

* DO use saline nasal drops or a humidifier to ease the congestion, and keep your kid’s head elevated when resting.

* DO go to the doctor when the cough and cold are getting worse!

NEW TEST FOR DETECTING DOWN SYNDROME

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:09:01 +0000

Are you pregnant and worried about the risks of amniocentesis and other available tests for chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome? There is a good news for you! The safer test may be on the horizon! This new technique, as described in Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, takes advantage of fetal DNA in pregnant woman’s blood. The technique that is developed by Stanford University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital scans for fetal aneuploidy, an abnormality in the number of fetal chromosomes.

Down syndrome is a type of aneuploidy that arises from extra copy of chromosome 21. Based on that, the researchers used samples from 12 women with aneuploid pregnancies and 6 with normal pregnancies. They found that women from the first group had more chromosome 21 fragments in their blood than the women with normal pregnancies. This test has the potential to detect other forms of aneuploidy too and could lead to earlier diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy because the fetal DNA shows up in maternal blood early in pregnancy.

SOURCE: Stanford University, news release, Oct. 6, 2008

10 FOODS THAT MAKE YOUR KIDS SMARTER (Part 2)

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 02:18:18 +0000

Here we are at the part 2 of my article. Let’s continue with the other five foods that can make your kid smarter.

6. Berries

Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, blackberries are the good ones for your kids. Choose the berries with more intense color cause it shows that there are more nutrition in them. Studies have shown that there are improved memory with the extracts of blueberries and strawberries. Berries seeds are also a good source of omega-3 fats.

How to give more berries to your kids:

* Add berries to veggies. Add them to veggies that may need a flavor boost. For example, sliced sweet cherries with broccoli or strawberries with green beans.

* Toss berries into a green salad

* Add chopped berries to a jar of salsa

* Add berries to yogurt, hot or cold cereal, or dips

* Top berries with nonfat whipped topping

7. Beans

Beans give energy from their protein and complex carbs, fiber, vitamins and minerals. These foods help to keep your child’s energy and thinking level at peak all afternoon if he enjoy them with lunch.

Tips for eating more beans:

* Sprinkle beans over salad and top with salsa

* Mash vegetarian beans and spread on a tortila

* Mash or fill a pita pocket with beans and add shredded lettuce and low-fat cheese

* Add beans to spaghetti sauce and salsa

* Mashed beans with applesauce (your baby will love it!)

8. Colorful Veggies

Choose tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, and spinach for your kids to get antioxidants that keep brain cells strong and healthy.

How to give your kid more veggies:

* Try sweet potato fries. Cut up in wedges or sticks. Spray them with vegetable oil cooking spray and then bake them in the oven (400 degrees, 20 minutes or until they start to brown).

* Make pumpkin muffins. Mix 1 15-ounce can of pumpkin with a box of your favorite cake or muffin mix. Stir them and follow the directions.

* Fit baby carrots and tiny tomatoes into your kid’s lunch bags.

* Make spinach salads with lot of strawberries, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds stuffed in them.

* Sneak all sorts of chopped veggies into spaghetti sauce, soups, and stews.

9. Milk and Yogurt

Dairy foods like milk and yogurt are packed with protein and B-vitamins that are important for growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes. These foods also provide a bigger protein and carbohydrates - source of energy for the brain. The vitamin D in milk and yogurt also benefits the neuromuscular system and overall life cycle of human cells.

How to make your kids eat more dairy:

* Put low-fat milk over cereal

* Give your kid calcium and vitamin D fortified juices

* Cheese sticks are great snacks that you can give to your kid

* In a tall glass, layer yogurt with berries (fresh, frozen, or dried) and chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts).

10. Lean Beef (or Meat Alternative)

Lean beef is a good best absorbed of iron - an essential mineral that helps your kid stay energized and concentrate at school. Just 1 ounce a day can help the body absorb iron from other sources. Beef also contains zinc, which helps with memory.

How to help your kid to eat more iron from beef and its alternative:

* For dinner, grill kebobs with beef chunks and veggies

* Stir fry a bit of beef with your kid’s favorite veggies

* Grill black bean or soy burger, then top with salsa or tomato slice

Now, you know what you should give to your kid to make him/her smarter. It’s so easy to practice. Isn’t it?

Need more ideas for more recipes for your kids and family? Click Here