Week 25

According to a 38-week lunar pregnancy calendar, week 25 starts the third trimester and month seven. By the end of week 25 baby will grow a half-inch longer. Most women will be checked for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28. An extra 300 calories a day is what is recommended during the last three months of pregnancy.

My health insurance is through my husband’s work and they just switched insurance companies. My doctor is not covered by the new plan. I am at week 25 based on a due date of October 20th, but my ultrasound shows I could be due later than that. Either way I didn’t quite meet the requirement of being in my last three months of pregnancy in order to keep my current physician.

I was so stressed and frustrated trying to figure out what to do. I do not want to change doctors! I spent hours on the phone, filling out paperwork, and crying. My mom was helpful and comforting. She sells insurance and gave me some ideas. The human resources person at Andrew’s company was great, too. After a couple of days I found out that my “transition of care” was approved!

Friday was my monthly check up. I canceled my appointment and then rescheduled. The nurse was nice enough to squeeze my appointment back into the schedule when I explained my insurance issues. I was so happy to see my doctor. She is wonderful. Everything was normal at my appointment. I’ve now gained 15 pounds.

I asked my doctor about my persistent heartburn. She told me that in addition to the well-known triggers, chocolate and mint could aggravate heartburn. I was told that if I was taking Tums more than once or twice a day I should take Pepcid or Zantac instead. I’d rather not if I don’t have to. I’ll see if changing my diet is enough.

On the plus side, the last few weeks I’ve been less tired and going to the bathroom less frequently. I’m sure that will change again soon.

I went to a cookout Saturday night. My friend is an excellent cook. Despite the warning on chocolate, I had to have some of the chocolate cake. It just looked so good. Baby kicked like crazy after that. He always kicks a lot after I have chocolate.

During the third trimester some health care providers may ask you to start “counting the kicks.” Individual recommendations may vary, but a good rule of thumb is as follows: Sometime in a 24 hour period baby should kick 10 times within two hours. Try counting in the evening, when baby is most likely to be active. My boy kicks ten times in ten minutes, several times a day. I’m told movement may lessen when he has less room to do summersaults.

Another thing that mothers should keep in mind is pre-eclampsia symptoms. Usually this isn’t a concern until after 37 weeks, but you should know what to look for. High blood pressure and protein in mother’s urine characterize pre-eclampsia. Call your physician if you experience swelling in the face or puffy eyes, excessive or sudden swelling of the hands or feet. If you gain more than four pounds a week, have unusual headaches, vision change, pain in the upper abdomen, or vomiting, call your health care professional right away.

Please view my other blogs:

• Terra’s Own Birth Day
• Our wiggle worm
• Crafting, sports, pilates and…waddling?!
• Things are a’changing!
• It’s a boy!
• Communicating with your big belly
• Keepin’ it all straight
• Terra’s Announcement
• Terra’s Trip to the Midwest
• My Little Secret
• Terra’s First Few Weeks

Please view my profile on Mommy.com here .

When summer’s rays break the horizon, it means family fun for everyone. Longer days, splashing at the beach, cookouts, and camping mean at least three months of good times. But, all that fun can be petered out by a nasty sunburn or a trip to the emergency room. A measure of good sense though can ensure that your family enjoys each and every day before the leaves turn.

Sun safety

One of the best things about summer, the bright sunshine, can be dangerous. The sun’s rays can send the temperature blisteringly high. Be aware of the forecast and pay attention for words like, “heat wave.” On especially hot days, keep your kids indoors, especially during peak sunlight hours.
When you are outside, make sure your family is protected from the sun’s rays by applying sun block that’s labeled with both UVA and UVB spectrum protection. Remember that you need to reapply frequently; check the products’ labeling instructions. Keep broad brimmed hats and sunglasses on hand too.

When playing outside, keep everyone in your family hydrated even if they don’t appear thirsty. To avoid heat related illness, spread snacks and small meals throughout the day instead of eating large, heavy meals and make sure you and your kids take frequent breaks in the shade if you’re working or playing hard.

Watch everyone for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke (sometimes called sunstroke). These signs can include cool, moist and pale skin (red skin if the person was just physically active), headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting to more severe symptoms like decreased alertness, increased body temperature (up to 105), moist or dry skin, rapid weak pulse or rapid shallow breathing.

Water safety

Water and fun go hand in hand. However, drowning is a very real danger. Swimming classes are a fantastic resource for young children to acclimate to water, build their confidence and skills; but it is dangerous to believe that children can be left unsupervised. Firstly, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that children are not developmentally ready for formal swim instruction until their fourth birthday; so while toddler swim classes will get children comfortable in water, they are not adept swimmers. Secondly, young children are not capable of making risk-taking decisions on their own. Parents need to make sure that everyone is swimming in supervised areas, obeying posted signs and noting local forecasts. Pick another day for a swim if it looks like stormy weather, lightening or high winds and surf if you’re swimming in open water.

If you are taking the boat out, make sure you’ve got all the right equipment for the proper number of people. That means life vests that fit all the passengers. An adult life vest for a small child will be useless in an emergency. Check the emergency supplies, like batteries, flashlights and maps and make sure they are in a watertight floatable container too. And, make sure you have enough fuel and that your engine is serviced and working before your pull away from the dock. Finally, alcohol and boating will sink your good time in a flash.

Playground safety

Kids wouldn’t be kids if they didn’t fall off the monkey bars or scrape their knees at the playground. But, there are preventable injuries that occur at playgrounds. Injuries can occur at playgrounds because children are playing on toys that are simply too big for them. Use your best judgment when supervising your children at the playground and steer them toward areas that are appropriate to their size. And, police your local playgrounds. Many injuries occur because of poor maintenance. Look for exposed bolts or open “s” hooks that can catch clothing or become trip hazards. And, of course, play structures should have padded surfaces underneath. This can be anything from woodchips to bouncy rubber.

Don’t bug me!

Pesky bugs can ruin a campout faster than you can swat them away. They bite, they sting and they burrow in your skin. And, before you’ve gotten home, you’re scratching yourself raw and swearing that you’ll buy stock in Calamine lotion.

Mosquitoes: Usually they’re in wooded and grassy areas like lakes and ponds. They have a reputation for carrying the West Nile Virus, but this rare. To help calm the itching from a bite, apply hydrocortisone cream. To prevent bites, stay indoors at dusk when they are most active; or, dress in long sleeves and pants.

Ticks : These tiny guys, ranging in size from a pinhead to a small seed, live primarily in wooded areas. They are responsible for transmitting the nasty Rocky Mountain fever and Lyme disease. To remove a burrowed tick, use tweezers and clean the area with antibiotic. You don’t need to call the doctor unless there’s a subsequent fever or rash. To prevent tick bites, use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants and always wear shoes and socks in wooded areas.

Fire Ants : These ants are easy to spot because they are red. They live in the Southeast and Southwest in mounds they make from fine soil. If you’ve got these mounds in your yard, have them professionally removed. To help with the discomfort of a bite, wash the area and put an icepack on it for 10-15 minutes. Call the doctor if there are signs of an allergic reaction (swelling or difficulty breathing). To prevent bites, steer clear of the mounds and keep shoes and socks on.

Bees and Wasps : Bees and wasps like sweet things, like flowers in gardens, meadows, parks and woods, and the smell of food and of decaying garbage; so, you’ll find them at parks and beaches where there is plenty of picnic trash. To remove a stinger, scrape a credit card over the skin and apply ice to the area. Call the doctor if there are signs of an allergic reaction (hives, dizziness, difficulty breathing). To prevent stings, teach children not to swat at bees and keep your sweet stuff covered to avoid attracting the pesky guys in the first place.

A note on insect repellent

Spraying an insect repellent with a 30% concentration of DEET on your exposed skin will help repel insects. But, you shouldn’t spray insect repellent on babies under two months old. For added protection, you can spray your clothes and camping gear, like sleeping bags, with a repellent called permethrin. Permethrin has to be sprayed outdoors and cannot be sprayed on skin. It is nontoxic.

No one ever looks back on summer and says, “Phew! I’m glad that’s over with!” That’s because summer is fun. Keep it that way by keeping your family safe and making sure they can enjoy all the days summer has to offer before fall brings winter in on its heels.

References:

www.americanredcross.org

www.parents.com

For just pennies an ounce compared to store bought remedies, you can use Essential Oils to treat all your minor summer-time injuries in a safe, economical and effective way.

Bug bites and stings

For bee stings, first remove the stinger and clean the area with diluted bicarbonate soda. For a wasp sting, clean the area with either diluted lemon juice or vinegar and then put two drops of lavender and two drops of tea tree oil on a cold cloth and put it over the sting site. This will take away the pain and work as an anti-bacterial agent at the same time, while the cold cloth will help reduce the swelling.

Lavender has remarkable soothing properties not only on the skin, but the scent has a calming effect. It is an anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic and promotes healthy healing of the tissue.

Tea Tree Oil is unusual in that it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: viruses, bacteria and fungi. It has a powerful immune-stimulant, so when the body is threatened by one of these infectious organisms the tea tree oil increases your ability to fight infections.

For bites, again Lavender is great for soothing the bite area. Ylang Ylang will also work wonders as well as Chamomile. You will always want to put Tea Tree oil on a bug bite to fight off infection. The Tea Tree oil along with either Lavender, Ylang Ylang or Chamomile can be applied to the bite by either a cotton swab or directly to the skin.

For younger children you may want to apply the oils to a bandage pad and then cover the bite area to keep them from scratching until the oils takes effect.

Sunburns

Because of Lavender’s healing and soothing properties it is considered the best treatment for any type of burn. For a minor sunburn mix 15-20 drops of Lavender with 2 tablespoons of cool water, soak up the mixture with a cloth and gentle dap on the burn area. For more severe sunburns apply the Lavender oil directly to the skin.

For smaller children adding several drops of Lavender, Sweet Almond and Tea Tree oils to a lukewarm bath will both help to cool the sun burnt area as well as aid in healing. You should pre-dilute and mix the oils in a cup or warm water before pouring them into the bath water.

You can apply a couple of drops of Tea Tree oil to the area to prevent blistering. Another great treatment is fresh Aloe Vera. Break open a leaf and spread the thick gel directly on the burn. The most effective Aloe Vera is fresh, because the enzymes in a live plant are what make Aloe Vera so effective and only last a short time after the leave is removed from the plant.

To treat the dry leathery looking skin that can be the result after a sunburn starts to heal, use Lavender mixed at a 2 to 10 ratio with an base oil just as Sweet Almond and gently message it into the skin twice a day.

Scrapes and cuts

Again Lavender and Tea Tree oil are the Essential Oils of choice. After cleaning the area apply a couple drops of both oils either directly to the cut or with a cotton swap. You can also apply the oils to the bandage pad instead of directly onto the wound. It may sting temporarily, but will soon pass. Reapply the oils each time you change the bandage.

You can also add a little Vitamin E cream to the injury to help in healing. Comfrey Ointment is a powerful healer and should only be applied to thoroughly cleaned cuts as it can actually heal dirt into the wound. Fresh gel from an Aloe Vera leave is both soothing and healing and should be applied 2 to 3 times a day, until fully healed.

Please remember when using Essential Oils that they are highly concentrated and should only be used in the recommended amounts and frequency. Most oils are for external use only.

Week 16

I broke down and got some new clothes. I got a maternity swimsuit, a skirt, and some dress pants. It was also time for some new undergarments.

Another checkup: I gained two pounds since my last visit, four total. The doctor said, “This baby is a mover and a shaker!” She was trying to find the heartbeat and baby kept moving. The heartbeat was 150. Andrew was so excited that we got to schedule the ultrasound. He really wants to know baby’s gender.

I think I felt the baby move! I was lying in bed, waking up. It felt like a little wave inside my tummy. Most women feel the first movements between week 16 and 20. I’m not feeling movement regularly yet and I only feel something when I’m lying still. I dreamt we were having twins! I woke up at 4am and couldn’t fall back asleep.

I’ve been trying to put my feet up to avoid swelling. I work mostly at a desk. A cardboard box is good enough, no fancy foot rest necessary.

More excitement this week: My poor husband ended up in the emergency room Friday afternoon. Everything turned out okay, but I was a wreck with worry. Fortunately he recovered quickly. He was back to work on Monday.

Week 18

Ok, so I’m officially wearing maternity clothes. Most of the maternity tops are still too big, but the pants are so much more comfortable. I’ve found there are a lot of empire waist shirts in the junior’s section that are very flowy.

We went to a car show in Wisconsin Dells over the weekend. We had lots of fun, but I stayed up way too late. I took a nap after work on Monday. It’s important not to get too tired. The baby’s rapid growth will compound the demands placed on mother’s heart, lungs, and kidneys. Baby will grow from five and a half inches to as long as ten inches this month.

I’ve had some back pain lately. I think it’s mostly from trying to sleep on my left side. Some tips to try are maintaining good posture, avoiding extra weight gain, elevating your legs while sitting, and wearing good shoes.

I found it fascinating not only that baby’s hair has started to grow, but that in one month baby’s hair can be an inch long!

Please view my other blogs:

• Terra’s Announcement
• Terra’s Trip to the Midwest
• My Little Secret
• Terra’s First Few Weeks

Please view my profile on Mommy.com here .

For parents, first-aid comes with the territory of having children. Here is a guide to a few of the most common injuries and what you should do.

First-aid for scrapes and cuts

Minor flesh wounds can bleed a lot, especially on the face. Don’t panic. Rinse the wound under clean water so you can see what you’re dealing with. Then, apply pressure with the cleanest cloth available—sterile gauze if possible. If blood soaks through the first pad, don’t replace it, just put another pad directly on top. Lifting the pad releases the pressure you’ve put on the wound; it also pulls away any scabbing and clotting that has formed, removing the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Elevate the cut above your child’s heart to help slow the bleeding.

Seek medical attention if : The cut severs a part of the body, bleeding cannot be controlled, the blood is spurting or continues to soak through pads. These are all emergencies.You might also want to call the doctor if the cut’s edges are wide or if it is on the lip and it crosses onto the pink border of the face.

First-aid for simple sprains

A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament or tendon. Your child will complain of pain, have difficulty moving the injured part and might have bruising or swelling. For the first 48 hours, practice R.I.C.E.: rest, ice (no more than 20 minutes at a time), compression (for at least the first two days) and elevation (above the heart). If your child tolerates it, you can help him with the pain by giving him ibuprofen. Always follow dosing instructions.

Seek medical attention immediately if : The sprain looks like a broken bone. Signs of something serious can include your child exhibiting severe pain if the area is touched or moved or if your child can bear absolutely no weight on the area. If your child has a pins and needles sensation in the area, or if there are obvious signs of a break, like a misshapen limb, go to the emergency room. You may need to seek medical attention if there are signs of infection, like the area being abnormally warm to the touch.

First-aid for broken bones

All broken bones require prompt medical attention. Remove clothing from the area and place a cold compress on it with as little pressure as you can. Keep the compress wrapped in a cloth. Do NOT move the bone. If the bone has broken through the skin, do not attempt to press it back in.

If there is concern of a broken neck, do not move your child. Call for emergency medical personnel to transport him to the nearest medical facility. Keep your child calm and wait for assistance.

First-aid for identifying and treating burns

Burns are divided into three categories called degrees. First degree burns result from brief contact with a heat source, resulting in a red, painful mark on the skin and probably some swelling. A second degree burn is more severe and will be redder and often leave a blister. A third degree burn is the most severe but is often painless due to nerve damage.

If your child is burned, remove all clothing from the affected area, except clothing that may be stuck or melted to the skin. Run cool, but not cold water over the burn. Do NOT put any ointments, home remedies or butter on any burn, as they will trap the heat of the burn on the skin and cause continuing pain and damage to the skin. If it’s a first degree burn, place sterile, dry gauze over the burn to protect it and let it heal.

Seek emergency medical attention if : The burn was the result of a large fire, an electrical burn, or is on your child’s face, scalp or genitals. Seek medical attention if your child’s burn appears to be infected. Signs of an infected burn include puss leaking out or streaking on the skin near the burn site.

First-aid for a knocked-out tooth

If your child’s toothy grin is damaged, first determine whether it’s a permanent or baby tooth. A baby tooth has a smooth edge. If it’s a baby tooth, you likely won’t need to do anything, as a permanent tooth will eventually replace it.

If it’s a permanent tooth, find it and try to handle it by the top part only, the crown. A dentist can put it back in, but it has to be done within 30 minutes. The dentist will have the most luck reinserting it if you keep the tooth and your child’s tooth socket moist.

Rinse your child’s mouth with saline solution or milk. Do not scrub and only use tap water as a last resort as it contains chlorine which will dry out the socket. To keep the roots of the tooth moist, you have a few options. If your child is old enough, ask him to stick the tooth back in the hole and hold it there until you get to the dentist. If not, you can hold it in your own mouth, jamming it between your cheek and lower gum. Or, you can drop it in a glass of milk.

Bumps on the head, scrapes to the knee and bruises are all part of being kids. Wiping the tears and knowing what to do is what they rely on you for.

Resources on first aid for children

First-aid for teeth First-aid for sprains and strains First-aid for burns First-aid for cuts First-aid for broken bones

The doctor will want to know whether you baby smiles yet, imitates your facial expressions or has started cooing and babbling. He’ll want to know whether your baby follows faces and how he responds to being held and soothed. Here is a breakdown of what the doctor will be looking for when you take your infant for a two-month well-baby check up.

Motor skills and body development

He’ll ask if your baby is able to grasp a toy if you hand it to him, or if he’s able to figure out putting his fingers in his mouth to soothe his crying. Let him know if your baby can lift his chin off the ground, even for a few seconds, when he’s on his tummy.

The exam

Head : The doctor will examine the fontanels (the soft spots), or gaps between the skull bones, on your baby’s head to make sure they are closing at the appropriate rate. They are open when your baby is born both to let him fit through the birth canal and to give his brain room to grow. They’ll close up between 12 and 18 months.

Ears :
Most babies have their hearing checked immediately after birth. The doctor will check your baby’s ears now for fluid retention with an instrument called an otoscope. He may make sure that your baby responds to various sounds, including your voice.

Eyes : The doctor will look for blocked tear ducts or discharge and will use a bright object to attract your baby’s attention so he can track your baby’s eye movement and check for crossing. He’ll use an instrument called an opthamaloscope and a light to look in your baby’s eyes.

Mouth : Your baby’s mouth will be checked for a form of yeast infection common in infants called thrush. It looks like little white bumps on his tongue or gums. The doctor may ask about drooling to see if your child has started teething.

Skin : The doctor will do a check for birthmarks and rashes. He may look to see if initial jaundice has cleared. By now, this is usually not a concern.

Heart and lungs : The doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for abnormal heart rhythms. A heart murmur is fairly common in infants and not something to be concerned about.

Abdomen : By putting gentle pressure on your baby’s stomach, the doctor can feel for tenderness and enlarged organs. He’ll also be able to tell if your baby has an umbilical hernia—a condition where a bit of intestine breaks through the abdominal wall. It usually goes away by itself by age two.

Hips and legs : The doctor will move your baby’s hips and legs to check for proper alignment and to check the joints.

Genitals : Tenderness, lumps and infections are key here. In girls, the doctor will ask about discharge. For boys, the doctor will make sure that the testes have descended into the scrotum and that there isn’t a fluid filled sac, called a hydrocele.

The shots

This well-baby visit ends with your baby’s first round of immunizations. In the U.S. that includes DtaP, HepB, Hib, IPV, Prevnar and RotaTeq. (RotaTeq is actually a sweet tasting liquid and not a shot.) Expect your baby to cry and want a hug after these. Afterwards, he’ll probably be feverish, possibly lethargic and even a little less hungry for up to 48 hours. You may see some bruising at the injection sites.

Well-baby checks are more daunting for the parent than the baby. But, they are vital to your baby’s health and development, allowing doctors to catch problems early. Make sure you arrive armed with information and answers and bring questions of your own.

References

Cleveland Clinic well-baby check-up

Mayo Clinic well-baby exams

The best time to get your children to try new foods is when they are hungry. Let’s face it, everything tastes better when you are hungry. If you want them to try a nutritious snack food that you think they may not like, give it to them right after school. My kids are starving when they get off the bus and will pretty much eat anything I put in front of them.

Don’t make a big deal out of new food items or recipes. If you are substituting something healthier in a familiar recipe, don’t mention it unless it is obvious. Serve the dish to your family just like you always do. I have a friend who switched her cheesy mashed potatoes for a cheesy cauliflower dish and her family never knew the difference.

Mix the nutritious snack with something they like. If you are trying to get your children to eat more raw veggies, give them a dip, like ranch or chip dip, to go along with them. If it is fruit you are trying to get them to eat, make a fruit dip. You can also put caramel sauce on apples and bananas. Even though the dips and sauces may not be all that nutritious, to me it is a worthwhile sacrifice to get then to eat the fruits and vegetables. Remember to make it interesting, make it fun, and make it colorful.

Try setting a good example for your children by eating healthier snacks yourself. At my house, my kids eat whatever I am trying to eat. If I get apples and peanut butter they come out of the woodwork and eat it all for me. If they see you eating a healthy snack, they will be more likely to eat a healthy snack, too.

Don’t go cold turkey on the junk food unless you want a mutiny on your hands. It is best to gradually convert your family’s nutritional standards to healthier eating habits than to do it all in one day. Let your family get used to each change before you move on to the next one.

Make trying new food or recipes a family fun night. Let everyone pick something they want to try or make and then prepare dinner as a family. Make it a contest. You can even have a prize for the most creative nutritional dish. Or everyone can vote on which dish they want you to make again.

Both my sons eat things I won’t eat, like broccoli. I would make it for them to try and not mention how gross I thought it was. I let them make up their own minds about whether or not they like certain foods. In other words, if you tell them something isn’t good, they may never try it.

The biggest thing to remember when trying to improve the nutrition of your family is to never give up. Keep trying new combinations and recipes. Eventually you will find something your family loves.

One of the most personal decisions a woman must make with her impending motherhood is whether or not to breastfeed her baby. While breast feeding is proven to be the healthiest option, using baby formula is a safe alternative for women who lack the physical capability or time necessary to breast feed. Knowing the healthiest options of baby formula ensures that their child receives adequate nutrients.

Formulas generally come in three types: cow’s milk, soy-based, and protein hydrolysate. Cow’s milk, like Nestle Good Start Supreme, is a lactose-based version of formula that is most commonly iron-fortified and is made with the correct amount of carbohydrates and a balanced proportion of fat and protein to most closely resemble breast milk. A lactose-free alternative is a soy-based baby formula. Enfamil ProSobee and Similac Isomil are two types of soy formulas that are especially effective for babies who do not react well to lactose or milk proteins. Another lactose-free version is the protein hydrosolate formula, like Progestamil, which is made for babies who have protein allergies and problems digesting. These types of baby formula are made with a pre-digested protein, meaning the proteins are already broken down to mimic digestion, making the process easier for babies.

After determining which type of formula is best for your baby, you must decide which way you would like to prepare it. You have a few options: powdered, concentrated, or ready-to-use. Powdered and concentrated liquid formulas must be mixed with water before feeding, and are generally more economical. Ready-to-use formulas do not have to be mixed, but are usually more expensive than powdered and concentrated versions.

Enhanced and fortified versions of baby formulas have become popular due to the added dietary benefits they provide. DHA and AHA nutrients are Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in natural breast milk. Some studies have shown that enhancing formula with these nutrients makes it most closely simulate breast milk. Iron-fortified baby formulas are significant in that they provide the iron that would normally be present in natural breast milk, ensuring that babies receive at least the minimum recommended amount of iron to supplement what they are not receiving from breast milk. Babies should not drink low-iron formula because it does not provide an adequate level of nutrition for a growing infant.

Aside from possible variations in taste, there are no significant differences between name-brand and generic brands of baby formula. While recipes may differ, every formula is FDA approved and contains all of the required nutrients for a baby.

There are several physical factors that a baby may show that can identify a problem with the type of formula they are being fed. Below are some common problems and solutions:

• Reflux : Adding a rice supplement, like Enfamil AR, will thicken the formula, making it easier for the baby to digest and minimizing the risk for reflux.
• Constipation : Constipation or dry stools may be cured by using a soy-based formula. More-frequent intake of fluids and massaging the stomach are also ways of alleviating constipation.
• Colic : If a baby gets colicky after feedings, he or she may have an allergy. If changing formulas does not work, consult your pediatrician.
• Diarrhea : switching to a lactose-free formula may temporarily help to reduce diarrhea in babies.
• Vomiting : Consistent vomiting is often a sign of a protein allergy. Using a hydrosolate formula may solve this problem.

It is always important to consult with your pediatrician regarding feeding problems. If changing formulas does not provide a solution, then an intestinal infection or other health issue may be the problem.

From “no dieting”, comes the idea of no labeling “bad” foods. In a healthy, well-rounded diet, there is room for a cookie, a milkshake or a hamburger. There’s no reason to say a child should never have any. It is okay however, to say that a child should have only one cookie because too much sugar can give him a tummy ache.

Nutrition is complicated and children can benefit from specific explanations. Telling him that raspberries give him energy that will last longer than the sugary cereal and he’ll be able to play longer, might help him make a better choice. Labeling a food as “bad,” makes it taboo and we all know that when something is forbidden, even as adults, we want it more.

If your child’s diet is full of natural, good, healthy foods, there will not be a lot of room for “bad” foods anyway. Fruits, like mango, peaches and ripe apples are sweeter than most candies. These are good treats, and it’s pretty hard to find an overweight child who got that way from eating too much fruit.

Modeling healthy behavior

Mom and Dad can’t push their broccoli aside, eating only tater tots and pizza for dinner, and then expect their kid to eat salmon and rice. Your child watches what you do and looks to you for cues on how to live his life. Make sure you are setting a good example with nutrition.

The most important part of modeling is to never set a child apart from the family as different. He shouldn’t be served “special” food because you are trying to make a fresh start for his health or because he has a “weight problem.” Everyone should be learning to live healthfully together.

Set meal and snack times

Your child does not need to have a bowl of popcorn while he watches television or does his homework. He gets adequate nutrition if you plan his meal and snack times and keep them firmly set. Help teach him to recognize his body’s cues for hunger and other ways to alleviate boredom or other emotional triggers for eating.

Portion control and seconds

Portions are going to vary depending on your child’s age. But, even adults are usually guilty of taking a much larger serving than their body needs for adequate nutrition. Practice serving smaller portions at meal and snack times, limiting the portions of fats and sweets.

When you serve meals, put a reasonable-sized portion on your child’s plate. It’s okay for your child to ask for more food if he is still hungry. Your child may be overeating at meals because he eats too quickly. Encourage proper eating techniques: chewing slowly and resting between bites to allow his stomach to register the food. If he is asking for seconds after eating properly, he is probably still hungry.

Physical activity

Studies have linked obesity both to overeating and to lack of physical activity. Physical activity helps keep weight in check. It teaches your child to recognize and appreciate his own body and what fuel his body needs to be as active as he wants it to be. It also helps prevent overeating because active children don’t like to be weighed down with heavy stomachs. Any kid who’s thrown up a pizza on the soccer field can tell you that.

Encouraging choices

Ultimately, you should be encouraging your child to make his own healthy food choices. You don’t want to be standing over him every day hoping he chooses a banana over a Hershey bar. By filling your home with more bananas than Hershey bars and choosing the banana more often yourself, you will encourage him to make better choices. By preparing healthy meals and snacks on a daily basis, you are giving him the opportunities to make healthy decisions for himself.

Only a doctor can diagnose whether your child is overweight. This is especially true in a toddler who may be growing with his own individual growth pattern or structure and may be perfectly normal, although look a bit chunky. A doctor will calculate a BMI (body mass index) or may take caliper measurements to determine your child’s overall fat ratio and health. If steps are necessary, he will advise you.

Whether or not your child is overweight, these are healthful steps to keep your family on track to a healthy and normal weight. They will also keep your family’s attitude towards weight and nutrition positive and focused without becoming obsessive. Keeping healthful eating on your family’s plate is always a good idea.

References Preventing childhood obesity Nutrition for children

You can hear your daughter coughing in her room. She’s been up all night and neither of you has gotten any sleep. This is the third time she’s had bronchitis this year. And, even after the antibiotics, you know she’ll still cough when she plays at the park. What should you do?

Ask her doctor. Nearly 9 million children have asthma, a chronic, inflammatory condition of the bronchial airways that makes airways smaller and causes them to produce extra mucus, making airflow more difficult.

As a parent, what symptoms can you watch for and how early can you tell that asthma is setting in?

Frequent respiratory infections

Children who have asthma often have a weakened immune system, and their lungs cannot handle even the smallest infection. Asthma sufferers frequently find themselves in the doctor’s office, being diagnosed with bronchitis or even pneumonia. If it seems like your child is always fighting off a cold or the flu, or something more serious, it might be time for your doctor to look a little deeper.

Coughing

Coughing is usually the first indicator of asthma. Crying, stress or exertion like exercise exacerbates coughing in asthma sufferers. It can be especially bad at night when your child tries to relax. Nighttime coughing of undiagnosed and untreated asthmatics can greatly disrupt sleep, so your child may complain of fatigue.

Wheezing and chest tightness

As air tries to pass through the tiny passages of a constricted airway, breathing can sound like a high-pitched, whistling sound, commonly referred to as wheezing. This is a terrifying sound because it seems your child is gasping for air, which in a sense, he is.

Aside from the telltale wheezing, children may complain of tightness in their chests, like there is a weight on them when they breathe. Some younger children have described it saying their clothing feels too tight.

Asthma attack or sudden onset

The primary symptom of a full-blown asthma attack is the inability to breathe. If this happens,your child will likely panic. Stress and fear will cause his symptoms to accelerate and worsen. Do all you can to keep him calm, and get him emergency medical attention immediately, through your closest emergency department. Inform your pediatrician as soon as possible.

The cause of a sudden-onset attack can be due to the symptoms of your child’s asthma compounding to become suddenly acute or to a combination of triggers in his environment. Every child’s triggers will vary but common ones include airborne allergens like mold, dust or pollen.

What about babies?

In children that are too young to speak, it\’s still possible to spot early indicators. In addition to shortness of breath, you may notice a softer, shorter cry; rapid, noisy breathing; a sucked-in-looking chest (between the ribs at the front of the neck); and difficulty feeding. A baby who has trouble breathing will have trouble eating and breathing at the same time, and will therefore be a fussy eater.

Every mother has watched the rapid and odd breathing patterns of her newborn. A normal newborn’s respiratory rate is about 40 times per minute. Adults typically breathe between only 12-20 times per minute. So, try not to panic as you watch your baby breathe heavily. He may not be short of breath.

What if it is asthma?

If your child is suffering from asthma, he has not been handed a life sentence of playing indoors with little stimulation for fear of aggravating his condition. Children with asthma, thanks to a wide range of treatment options, can play and be active.

Your child’s doctor will run tests to find out what your child’s triggers are, meaning exactly what environmental factors will cause your child’s respiratory system the most distress. This will help your family keep those triggers to a minimum. For example, some asthma sufferers cannot tolerate fragranced air fresheners, and you can help by tossing your scented sprays.

Next, your child’s doctor will determine what type of medications your child needs to control his condition. There are a variety of medications available, and depending on the severity of the condition, your child may be on a number of treatments to help control his symptoms. Most asthma medications are divided into two categories: anti-inflammatory and bronchodilators.

Anti-inflammatory medications help prevent asthma attacks by reducing swelling of the airways and reducing mucus production. This category of medication includes steroids and corticosteroids, commonly prescribed to asthma sufferers. Bronchodilators relax the muscle bands that tighten around the airways, rapidly opening airways to let more air through. They also help clear mucus from the lungs.

Your child may need a variety of medications, including a fast-acting inhaled medication for sudden-onset symptoms. As with all medications, there are a variety of side effects, and your child’s doctor will help your decide what benefits outweigh which side effects.

Your doctor will also recommend avoiding common triggers, like mold, pollen and ragweed; and helping your child become conscious of his symptoms, slowing down when he feels an attack coming on, learning to be more tuned-in to his own body.

If you notice that your child has only one or two of the symptoms mentioned above, he likely doesn’t have asthma. However, watch for a combination of symptoms, and talk with your doctor.

Asthma references

WebMed asthma symptoms in children British United Provident Association facts on asthma in children National Institutes of Health facts on asthma in children Childhood asthma symptoms WebMed asthma medications