Seven ways to boost your child's immunity

There are healthy habits you can adopt that will give your child's immune system a boost:

1. Serve more fruits and vegetables. Carrots, green beans, oranges, strawberries: They all contain such immunity-boosting phytonutrients as vitamin C and carotenoids.

Phytonutrients may increase the body's production of infection-fighting white blood cells and interferon, an antibody that coats cell surfaces, blocking out viruses.

Try to get your child to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day. (A serving is about two tablespoons for toddlers, 1¼ cup for older kids.)

2. Boost sleep time. Studies of adults show that sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by reducing natural killer cells, immune-system weapons that attack microbes and cancer cells.

A newborn may need up to 18 hours of crib time a day, toddlers require 12 to 13 hours, and preschoolers need about 10 hours.

3. Breast-feed your baby. Breast milk contains turbo-charged immunity-enhancing antibodies and white blood cells. Nursing guards against ear infections, allergies, diarrhea, pneumonia, meningitis and urinary-tract infections. It may also enhance your baby's brain power and help protect her against insulin-dependent diabetes, Crohn's disease, colitis, and certain forms of cancer later in life.

Importance of breast-feed for at least the first two to three months in order to supplement the immunity your baby received in utero.

4. Exercise as a family. Research shows that exercise increases the number of natural killer cells in adults and regular activity can benefit kids in the same way, says Ranjit Chandra, M.D., a pediatric immunologist at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

5. Guard against germ spread. Fighting germs doesn't technically boost immunity, but it's a great way to reduce stress on your child's immune system. Make sure your kids wash their hands often with soap. You should pay particular attention to their hygiene before and after each meal and after playing outside, handling pets, blowing their nose, using the bathroom, and arriving home from day care.

When you're out, carry disposable wipes with you for quick cleanups. To help kids get into the hand-washing habit at home, let them pick out their own brightly colored hand towels and soap in fun shapes, colors, and scents.

6. Banish secondhand smoke. Kids are more susceptible than adults to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke because they breathe at a faster rate; a child's natural detoxification system is also less developed. Secondhand smoke increases a child's risk of SIDS, bronchitis, ear infections, and asthma. It may also affect intelligence and neurological development.

7. Don't pressure your pediatrician. Urging your pediatrician to write a prescription for an antibiotic whenever your child has a cold, flu, or sore throat is a bad idea. Antibiotics treat only illnesses caused by bacteria, "but the majority of childhood illnesses are caused by viruses," says Howard Bauchner, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and public health at the Boston University School of Medicine.                                               By www.parents.com

Importance of breast feeding

Breastfeeding is still the BEST nutrition for your baby in most instances no matter what the formula companies say.

With many formula companies now claiming to be "closest" to mother's milk, it may not seem as important to make the choice to breastfeed, but there are MANY benefits to breastfeeding that formulas CANNOT provide!

Breastfeeding promotes a closer bond between infants and parents (yes, even dad) than formula feeding does.

Breastfeeding also provides the infant with VITAL immune factors passed from the mother to the infant.  These immune factors give the infant protection from common and sometimes serious infections.

NO formula can provide immune factors to the infant.

The immune factors in breast milk are also shown to reduce your child's risk of certain childhood cancers.

Another important reason to breastfeed is that there is now more evidence that infants who are breastfed are less likely to be obese later in life.  With the epidemic of childhood obesity and the health problems that go along with it, breastfeeding may help protect your child from obesity-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

There are also health benefits for MOM!  There is growing evidence that breastfeeding will reduce your chances of developing either breast or ovarian cancers.  You also burn more calories when you are breastfeeding, so you can lose the pregnancy weight faster.

Feeding position There are many feeding positions that help you to be comfortable when you are feeding your baby.

Breast feeding and returning to work

*The most important thing is to find the breast pump that fits your needs.

*There are many choices available, but the best ones are dual pumps that will pump both breasts at the same time.

*The other choice you need to make is electric versus battery operated pump.

*You will generally get better suction and pumping action if you use an electric pump.

*You can look at the different models available at a medical supply company and be sure to ask your doctor for a recommendation.

*Next, try the pump at home and start storing some milk in advance of going back to work.

*The best time to start pumping is about one month after your baby is born.

*It is usually recommend pumping 1-2x per day about 1/2 way between feedings or after a morning feeding if your baby has not emptied your breasts completely.

*There are many ways to store your milk, but be sure to write the date you pumped on all containers of stored milk and always use the oldest milk first.

*Milk can be stored frozen in a regular freezer for one month and in a deep freezer for 3-6 months.

*Discard unused refrigerated breast milk after 48 hours.

*Do not place breast milk back in the refrigerator or freezer after it has been thawed.                                                                     By www.kidscarepeds.com

Important vegetables for kids and babies

Tomato

• It’s hard to imagine, but when Europeans first saw tomato, they thought it might be poisonous. In fact, they are highly nutritious and sweetly delicious due to their natural sugars – sucrose and fructose.
• Tomato the richest source of lycopene, a carotenoid that scientists think could be important for the health of the prostate gland in men. The riper, the more lycopene have.
• Tomato is a good source of vitamin C (cherry tomatoes have even more vitamin C) and it supply some vitamin E, folate and dietary fibre.
• Cherry tomatoes that are deep red in colour are also a source of beta carotene.
• 100g has 65-75 kJ.

Select those which are bright red for immediate use, and pale pink for future use.

Ripen it at room temperature until they are brightly coloured and slightly soft. Refrigerating tomato before they are ripe will reduce our flavour and ability to ripen to our full potential. It can be refrigerated once ripe but it should be left at room temperature for an hour before using.

Whether you choose the baby cherry tomato, egg-shaped (Roma), vine-ripened or the so-called ordinary round ones, they are a versatile food and can be used in a great many recipes. Even unripe green tomatoes are delicious when cooked.

Eat it raw after washing and removing the stem end. There is no need to peel it unless stated in the recipe, but if required simply dip it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes until skin splits, or peel it with a small sharp knife from stem end down.

Use it raw in salads, juice, sandwiches. Bake, stew, pan-fry, barbecue, microwave, stuff, puree and serve as a vegetable, in sauces, soups, pizza, omelettes, casseroles, with meat, chicken and fish and even in cakes.

Carrot  • Carrots are the reason why the whole family of brightly coloured compounds in foods were called carotenoids – they are such a rich source, especially of beta carotene. Carrots bodies can convert beta carotene to vitamin A. Vitamin A helps with night vision - that’s why children are told to eat carrot so they will be able to see in the dark!

• With many vegetables cooking destroys some of their vitamins, but you can absorb more beta carotene from cooked carrots than from raw ones. If you prefer to eat it raw, that’s fine because even one of us has two day’s supply of beta carotene. Baby carrots have even higher levels.
• They are sweetly delicious whether we’re old or young because they have some natural sugars, but younger carrots have more folate, one of the B vitamins which may help prevent birth defects in babies.
• They are a really good source of dietary fiber.
• 100g carrots has 130 kJ.

To pick the best carrot select bright-coloured, firm, well-shaped roots. When their tops are still attached, look for fresh, green leaves. Avoid any of that are dry, wilted, shrivelled, soft or split.

Refrigerate in a plastic bag or store in the vegetable crisper.

They are best washed, removing top and tail and eaten raw, skin and all. Carrot sticks are great for school snacks, with dips, in salads, or pureed as a healthy fresh drink.

Stir-fry, boil, steam, microwave, about 4-8 minutes, depending on the size and quantity.

Serve as a vegetable, in casseroles, soups, cakes, biscuits, pikelets, scones or sauces. Baby carrots are best left whole, cooked 3-5 minutes.

By Freshforkids.com

Image by Dreamstime.com

Important fruits for kids and babies

Apple

It actually help keep you strong and healthy so that you can do all the things you want to do, like play sport, have fun, climb apple trees. You see it contain lots of goodies to help grow well, keep your skin clear of zits, make your hair look great. Apple contain:

• A dietary fibre called pectin that has some amazing skills – it can dissolve in water and can also encourage good bacteria to live in your bowel and fight off any bad bacteria that try to settle there.
• A mineral called boron which helps your bones stay strong and healthy – important for climbing apple trees!
• Lots of antioxidants - substances which help protect your body against disease.
• Vitamin C - an apple supplies a quarter of your day’s vitamin C needs.
• 100g apple has 240 kJ.

Select those with a firm, smooth skin which has the characteristic colour for many variety and you can store apple in the refrigerator not at room temperature; this way we will maintain our crispness for up to 1 month.

Its eaten raw and are ideal for school lunch boxes and snacks. You can bake, stew or microwave apples, then turn it to pies, tarts, crumbles and fritters.

Banana

• Athletes, eat banana because they are a good way to get the kind of good carbohydrates that power muscles. 
•They are also a good source of dietary fiber.
• They are a rich source of potassium which helps keep your heart, nervous system and kidneys healthy.
• They provide you and your kids with vitamin C
• They are a good source of vitamin B6. This vitamin is needed for the nervous system, for healthy skin and to produce energy in the body
• Contrary to popular belief, bananas has no fat and it would be almost impossible to get fat on bananas. 100g banana has 380 kJ.

It’s best to select at different stages of ripeness. That way banana won’t all ripen at once, and make sure you choose those with shiny, unblemished skins.

It can be store in a fruit bowl at room temperature. When it's ripe it can be stored in the fridge. Their skins will turn black but their flesh will be unaffected.

When banana ripe they are great to eat out of hand, making it ideal for school lunches and snacks. Simply peel skin and eat or add to your favourite fruit salad. Toss or brush it with orange juice to stop us browning.

Use slightly firmer bananas for baking, grilling, frying, barbecuing or microwaving. Serve with meat or fish or add us to sauces or curries. 

A good way to use very ripe bananas is to mash and add to cakes, pancakes, puddings, muffins, breads, ice creams, smoothies or sandwiches.

By freshforkids.com

Photos by dreamstime.com

Importance of fruits and Vegetable to kids

Baby's Eye

Baby’s Eyes Develop

The eyes begin developing two weeks after conception. Over the next four weeks all of the major eye structures form. During this time the eye is particularly vulnerable to injury.

 During the last seven months of pregnancy the eye continues to grow and mature, and the nerve that connects the eye to the brain (optic nerve) is formed.

What Can a Baby See?
At birth a baby’s eye is about 75 percent of the size of an adult eye. During the first two years of life, the optic nerve, visual function and internal eye structures continue to develop.

The newborn’s visual acuity (sharpness of vision) is approximately 20/400. This is equivalent to seeing only the big letter “E” on an eye chart. Vision slowly improves to 20/20 by age 2 years. Color vision is present at birth.
Baby’s Eyes Exam
The first eye exam takes place in the newborn nursery. The pediatrician performs a screening eye exam to check for infections or structural problems with the eyes: malformed eyelids, cataracts, glaucoma or other abnormalities.
 Eye Problems Occur in Infants
Infections - Some newborns may catch conjunctivitis as they pass through the birth canal. Older babies can get this eye infection through exposure to persons infected with it. Infected eyes appear red and puffy and have a sticky discharge.
* Antibiotic eye drops may be given as treatment.
Blocked tear ducts - Tears drain from the eye through a duct, leading from the inside corner of the eyelid, and into the nose. Some babies are born with a blocked tear duct, which causes tears to back up and overflow. In most cases, the tear ducts open on their own by 1 year of age.
* Sometimes massage therapy of the duct may be needed. Occasionally the ophthalmologist must perform a surgical procedure to unblock the tear duct.
Amblyopia (commonly called lazy eye) is the medical term for a loss of vision in an apparently healthy eye. This occurs in babies and young children if there is an imbalance between the eyes. Amblyopia usually does not have symptoms and often is discovered at a school vision screening. An eye imbalance can occur when there is cataract, strabismus, ptosis (droopy eyelid) or eye injury.
* It is ideally treated by an eye doctor before the child is 6 to 10 years old, or the vision loss will be permanent. Treatment encourages the child to use the lazy eye by wearing glasses, and/or wearing a patch over the “good” eye or instilling an eye drop to the good eye.

Ptosis - In a few children, the muscle that raises the upper eyelid fails to develop properly in one or both eyes. This muscle weakness, which causes the upper eyelid to droop, is called ptosis. Ptosis sometimes may result in amblyopia.
* If the ptosis is severe, surgery is required to lift the eyelid. 

Strabismus - Strabismus means that the eyes are misaligned. For instance, one eye may be turned in- esotropia (crossed eye)- or turned out- exotropia (walleye).

* Any infant who continues to show an eye misalignment after 4 months of age or a child who later acquires strabismus should have a complete eye exam. Untreated strabismus may lead to amblyopia.                                       by www.uic.edu

Clean baby eyes

Clean the baby’s eyes with sterile gauze (one for each eye!) Soaked in saline. Start with the cleanest edge for not extending the secretions throughout the eye.
White secretions, sometimes with a little blood, are not synonymous with infection. They are caused by falling levels of progesterone made by the mother during pregnancy. They must disappear by themselves. Otherwise, you’d better talk to your pediatrician.

by www.bornangels.com

Trimming your baby's nail

Keeping nails short is important to your baby's safety. Because infants can easily scratch and cut their own delicate skin while happily waving their hands and feet.

It's also important to keep babies' nails trimmed once they start interacting and playing with other kids who could be scratched. you can,

1- Find a good position that allows you easy access to your baby's hands. This may mean placing your baby in your lap or even waiting until your baby's asleep.

2- Make sure you are in an area with good lighting so that you can see what you're doing.

3- Hold your baby's palm and finger steady with one hand and cut with the other.

4- Cut your baby's nails with baby nail scissors, which have rounded tips for safety, or baby clippers. 

 make sure to keep the nail edges rounded instead of jagged with nail files or emery boards

5- If you accidentally draw blood don't worry. Using a sterile gauze pad, gently apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

*Because babies' nails tend to grow quickly from infancy to toddler hood, they may need to be trimmed as often as once or twice a week. Some newborns need their nails to be trimmed even more often than that during the first few weeks of life.

By kidshealth.org

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Tips to clean baby's ear-wax

The most important thing is parent still think that earwax is dirt, but actually earwax is not dirt. earwax even protects ears from dirt. earwax is nature's essential protective lubricant for the ear canal, so earwax is clean and healthy. The ear will continuously produce earwax, and it will come out on its own eventually. So you only need to clean earwax when it come out outside of the ears, but do not clean earwax inside your baby's ear canal.

Usually earwax buildup so much, but if you concerned about a buildup or earwax, just ask your child's doctor about it. if there's so much wax that the doctor can't see the eardrum, than the doctor will remove it, and check your baby's ear for an ear infection.

so the point are:
do not use cotton swab to clean inside of your baby's ear canal because:

-it  can harm your baby's eardrum

-and  it can push back the earwax inside, and finally can clogging up the canal.

 Don't ever insert cotton swab to clean the canal of your baby's ear, because you can harm your baby's ear drum. just clean the outside of the ears with a washcloth, that's all!

Once again, earwax is not dirt, it is clean and healthy, it helps to protect your baby's ear, so there is usually no reason to try to get it out of your baby's ear. just wait, it will come out of the ear on it's own. just clean the earwax after it come out to the outside your baby's ear.

By my-first-baby.blogspot.com