Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Child's Diet

Serve more fruits and vegetables. Foods that come from plants, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, are the only sources of dietary fiber. Experts recommend aiming for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. All produce isn't equally rich in fiber, though. Some of the standouts are artichokes, avocados, dried fruits, okra (not exactly a favorite of most kids), baked potatoes with the skin, pears, and carrots. Concentrate on the ones your child likes.
Serve vegetables raw. If you want to boost his enthusiasm about vegetables in general, make it a family project to cultivate a veggie garden. He'll be excited to see the snow peas he grew arrayed on his dinner plate.
Choose whole grain cereals and breads.
Whole grains contain significantly more fiber than do processed grains. They're also good sources of vitamin E, B vitamins including folic acid, and other important nutrients. One of the most quick and healthful breakfasts you can fix for your child is whole grain cereal with reduced-fat milk; read labels to find a brand that delivers at least 5 grams of fiber per serving and isn't loaded with sugar. For even more fiber, vitamins, and minerals, top it off with raisins or sliced strawberries. When shopping for bread, don't rely on appearance: You may think that the more brown the bread looks, the more whole grain it contains. But some brown loaves simply have added food coloring. Furthermore, a stamp reading "wheat bread" doesn't mean whole wheat and even a loaf labeled "whole wheat" may mix in more refined flour than you want.

Pull a pasta switcheroo. Whole grain pastas, available at most natural foods stores, have a lot more fiber than the standard supermarket versions, so it's worth seeing if your child will eat them. When the spaghetti is swimming in his favorite tomato sauce, he may not even notice that you've substituted whole wheat for white. Whole wheat or spelt lasagna noodles are even harder to detect amidst the cheese, veggies, meat, and sauce.
Add beans to the menu. Beans and lentils are terrific sources of fiber (not to mention protein, B vitamins, iron, and other crucial nutrients). Even a quarter cup of kidney beans, for instance, provides a hefty dose of fiber. Dried lentils cook up quickly, but dried beans usually require soaking followed by an hour or so of simmering. If you're too busy for that, just buy canned beans, opting for low-sodium versions when available or else emptying the can into a strainer and rinsing the beans off. Try black bean chili or three-bean salad.

Choose high-fiber snacks. Keep carrot sticks, celery sticks, fresh fruit, dried fruit, and popcorn handy for when your child gets hungry between meals. When he has to have a cookie, offer a fig bar, a raisin biscuit, or an oatmeal cookie.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Widespread Itching

Widespread Itching baby or kids
Widespread Itching: Unknown Cause
Cause :
The possible causes are many, such as: Chickenpox ,Dry Skin ,Eczema, Heat Rash , Hives ,Insect and Spider Bites,

Home Care
The following measures may help to relieve itching regardless of the cause:
+ Wash the skin once with soap to remove irritants.
+ Give your child cool baths every 3 to 4 hours unless your child has dry skin.
+ Follow with calamine lotion (nonprescription) or a baking soda solution (1 teaspoon in 4 ounces of water).
+ For very itchy spots, apply 1-percent hydrocortisone cream (no prescription needed) unless your child has chickenpox.
+ Encourage your child not to scratch; cut your child's fingernails short.
+ Your child should not wear itchy or tight clothes and should temporarily avoid excessive heat, sweating, soaps, and swimming pools.

gift mothers day

Monday, May 08, 2006

Toddler Diaper Rash

What is diaper rash?
By the time your child reaches the toddler years, you've probably already seen your share of diaper rashes: red, inflamed skin hiding under the diaper or training pants. The rash -- usually found in the genital area, the inner thighs, or the buttocks -- can be either dry or moist. Sometimes the rash looks pimply, making the expression "smooth as a baby's bottom" seem like a misnomer.
Even if the diaper rash doesn't leave your toddler uncomfortable, you should take it seriously. If the rash isn't treated, it can grow with the help of bacteria or a fungus into something worse, such as a bacterial or yeast infection. Bacterial infections can be accompanied by fever and may develop into oozing yellow patches or pus-filled pimples. Yeast infections, which often occur when your child is on antibiotics, typically begin as tiny red spots that multiply and form a solid red blotch. A diaper rash caused by yeast is often located in the skin folds -- moist areas where yeast likes to grow.
What causes it?
The main culprit is wetness. Even the most absorbent diaper or training pants are apt to leave some moisture on a toddler's skin. If your child stays in a dirty diaper too long, he's more likely to develop diaper rash. However, it can strike even kids whose parents are diligent diaper changers, often because the children are having an allergic reaction to diaper wipes, a disposable diaper, a laundry detergent that was used to wash cloth diapers, or a new food in their diet. Toddlers who are sick or taking antibiotics may get diarrhea (a side effect of the medication), which can also lead to diaper rash.
What's the best way to treat it?
The best remedy is to keep your child clean and dry by changing his diaper frequently. If he can play in a room with an easy-to-clean floor, leave his diaper or training pants off for as long as possible to let the air keep him dry and speed healing. If fresh air isn't enough, try an over-the-counter lotion containing zinc oxide. You might also want to switch your brands diapers and detergents to ones that are free of fragrance and additives -- that should clear up the problem if the diaper rash stems from allergies.
A normal diaper rash clears up after three or four days of treatment at home. If your child's rash persists, spreads, or worsens, call your pediatrician. He or she can prescribe topical medication to treat the rash and help you determine what's causing the inflammation -- bacteria, food allergies, or a yeast infection.
How can I help prevent diaper rash?
The best defense against diaper rash is a dry bottom. For maximum dryness, follow these four easy steps:
+ Change your child's diaper as soon as possible after it becomes wet or soiled.
+ Clean your child's genital area thoroughly after each bowel movement and allow it to dry.
+ Coat his bottom with a thin layer of protective ointment, but skip the powder or corn starch (both can get into your child's lungs).
+ Don't secure diapers so tight that there's no room for air to circulate. Plastic pants, diapers, and clothing must fit somewhat loosely to let your child's bottom breathe.
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