From Tots 2 Teens

Infant Eczema Treatment

2011-04-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

Infant eczema is a common affliction affecting infants from about 2-3 months old. The most common type is atropic dermatitis characterised by dry, red and often very itchy skin particularly upon the face, arms, neck and in the folds of the skin.

There could be a number of reasons why a child develops eczema but it is not unusual for it to be hereditary, with other relativess suffering from related complaints like hay fever or psoriasis. With a very young infant it is challenging for you to know just what could possibly be the cause, however there are a number of things that can be done to eliminate the threat.

Infant czema is an allergic ailment and it is a good idea to remove any possible source of irritation as part of the treatment. Hoover and dust regularly around the house to ensure mites, as well as dust, are removed. Wooden, laminate or vinyl flooring is better than carpets which often can harbor dust. Air the house on a regular basis and if you possess animals make sure their coat doesn't get anywhere close to the baby, or anything the little one may be exposed to.

Always launder clothing, along with bedding, in the gentlest detergent possible. If a toddler is a severe sufferer, it is possible to
purchase silk clothing made for eczema patients. It is quite pricey so the best substitute to try is cotton. Fitting cotton mitts might help keep little one from scratching his/her face.

Washing your baby can dry out sensitive skin. Ensure that the water is merely lukewarm and pat your baby dry with care. One can find specific medicated goods designed to help moisturise the skin while in the bath tub, as well as to apply throughout the day.
You should talk to your health practitioner prior to using something, even herbal treatments, specially when an extremely young infant is concerned.

With some children diet could be a reason behind infant eczema. Some mothers opt to breastfeed to prevent the possibility of a reaction to
baby goods. If however you are breastfeeding your baby, don't forget that your own eating habits might affect your baby. Always consult your
doctor or health nurse concerning the ideal diet for both you and your child. Once you start introducing semi solids to a baby troubled with eczema, introduce one-by-one to monitor whether it has any effect on the eczema.

Some infants that suffer from eczema also develop infantile seborrheic dermatitis, or cradle cap as it is more commonly known. Unlike eczema it doesn't itch or cause distress, but nevertheless must be treated as it can form a very thick scab on the top of the head. Talk to your health care worker on how to get rid of it and always treat it carefully as it's easy to injury the sensitive skin surface and trigger an infection.

Luckily infant eczema has a tendency to improve as children grow older and as they fully understand their ailment they are less likely to scratch. Unfortunately some might develop connected ailments for example asthma or hay fever, so try to keep the atmosphere free from dust or airborne irritants.
To read more about infant eczema treatment visit Treating Eczema.

This article is for information only and should not be viewed as medical advice. You should always consult your physician before
treating any medical condition and the author accepts no liability for any action taken.

Quick Tips To Clean A Mattress

2011-01-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

Children often wet the bed so here are a few quick tips to clean the mattress.

Soak up excess moisture with a large towel. Sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda and allow to dry overnight. Vaccuum up the powder.

Spray with white vinegar. Mop until just damp. Treat with bicarbonate of soda as above.

Use an enzmatic cleaner. A dog or cat urine remover from a pet store works on human as well as animal urine. Other enzmatic cleaners are available, check online. Finish with bicarbonate of soda and vacuum.

If a stain is dry you can dap a little hydrogen peroxide on the stain to fade it. Be careful not to use too much or you may fade the color of the mattress. Vacuum.

Borax can be used instead of hydrogen peroxide. Dampen the stain and gently rub with a little Borax. Allow to dry and vacuum.

Although none of these treatments are very harsh, a child's skin is sensitive. If you have any doubts, do not use. We do not accept liability for any actions taken.
More detailed information can be found at How To Clean A Mattress.

clean a mattress urine removal urine stain removal

Recent Developments Suggest More Omega 3 Food Sources Will Be Genetically Modified

2010-09-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Two recent developments have raised issues for those concerned with ensuring an adequate intake of omega 3. Monsanto, the giant, biotechnology company has reached its pre-launch phrase of modifying Omega 3 rich soya beans and Aqua Bounty is waiting for US regulators to approved their GM salmon. For the consumer the choice will be between taking fish oil from organic sources and risking the depletion of fish stocks, or purchasing genetically modified products. Arguments against GM food are now raging on several fronts.

The Facebook campaign “Millions Against Monsanto”, started by the Organic Consumers Association, is receiving huge support with over 120,000 members on Facebook alone and many other websites promoting it. Environmentalists, although worried about overfishing, are also concerned about genetically modified fish. If the GM salmon, which grows twice as fast as non-modified fish, is approved as safe, other fish are likely to be similarly treated. Both Monsanto and Aqua Bounty claim their products are safe to eat and point out the benefits obtained from eating products with high levels of Omega 3.

Two major concerns regarding the development of GM crops are firstly, the possibility of cross pollination with plants in neighboring fields and secondly, the harmful effect on insects feeding on the pollen. This could be controlled by developing male only (sterile) strains of the crop. The salmon produced by Aqua Bounty are sterile and Aqua Bounty claims there is no danger of cross breeding with wild fish. However the reassurances given by the companies, do not allay fears that GM food is harmful in some way. Fear is so widespread that the public worldwide demands further reassurance, yet many are unaware of the extent of genetic engineering. The Telegraph newspaper has reported that major supermarket stores in the UK cannot guarantee all their meat and dairy products have not been produced using GM feed, only food labelled organic would be non-GM.

Demand for omega 3 products continues to grow as the public becomes more aware of its nutritional value.
“The benefits of Omega 3 are particularly important for children,”says Margaret Tye who runs the child related website Omega 3.
Research has shown that it can improve brain power and increase the ability to concentrate. Reading levels of children given Omega 3 supplements showed considerable improvement and it is often recommended for children suffering from ADHD. Many elderly people also rely on Omega 3 to keep their joints supple and its ability to help lower cholesterol makes it a popular supplement for maintaining a healthy heart. Unfortunately fish are the best source of Omega 3, as non-GM plants produce so little.

With demand so high, producers are looking for ways to increase the supply and consumers are faced with the choice of whether to use organic sources and risk depleting fish stocks, or use modified products. For many people this is a bewildering choice between the strong arguments put forward by large companies like Monsanto and those who believe that genetic engineering is dangerous.

omega 3 GM food genetically modified food

Severe Diaper Rash

2010-09-07T03:22:00.000-07:00

Severe diaper rash is a worrying problem for many Moms. Check out this site if you are looking for the right cream or ointment that might help.
Severe Diaper Rash.

Colic Baby

2010-08-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

I have just reorganised my Colic Baby Blog and amalgamated all the short posts into one article. I rarely update it, so I thought one article would be more useful than having to trawl through disjointed posts.

Battle Abbey Revisited

2010-08-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

Battle Abbey is one of the most significant sites in English history. Although I only live about 10 miles away, I haven't visited for a number of years, but yesterday I took the children for the first time.
For those of you not in the UK and perhaps not too hot on our history, Battle Abbey was built on the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Although destroyed by Henry VIII, enough of the abbey remains to tower above the battle field.
Surrounded by the beautiful rolling Sussex countryside, it is hard to imagine that hundreds of soldiers were once slaughtered here. Whenever I have visited it has never been crowded and yesterday we were able to picnic on the battlefield in total isolation.
In the evening, after returning home, there was a BBC programme tracing the route of the invading army from landing at Norman's Bay, marching to our home town of Hastings and then on to the battlefield. Who says history is dry!!

Morning after pills to be available online.

2010-08-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

Morning after pills are to be available online from Boots the chemist. The pill may help prevent unwanted pregnacies, but will it encourage casual sex and the risk of infection? Many parents will also be concerned that they will be unaware of what their underage children are doing.

Puberty At 7.

2010-08-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

An interesting article in Health Today on a rise in the number of 7 year old girls starting puberty. To a Mom, their little girl is still a baby and emotionally they still are. It's interesting to read the many comments published with this article.

Should Grandparents Be Paid Childcare?

2010-08-11T01:01:00.000-07:00

Should grandparents be paid child care? Many not only look after their grandchildren without pay while parents work, but also spend their own money on them. Should the UK government be more supportive? What do you think?

Useful Mum Site

2010-08-09T23:53:00.000-07:00

If you are a UK based mum, check out Netmums.com.
I found a great local farm to visit in the activities.

Children's Activities

2010-07-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

Last day of term today so I've got to think of how to entertain the children for the next six weeks. One of the best websites I know is www.activityvillage.co.uk. Lots of good ideas and printable sheets.

British Children Getting Fatter

2010-06-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

It has been reported that British children are getting fatter faster than their American counterpsrts.
A few years ago I visited the US from England and was amazed by the size of many people. Now if you look at the passers by on any English High Street and you will see a high percentage of overweight and obese people. Despite all the health warnings about obesity we are getting fatter.
It is time we listened to the health experts unless we want the next generation to be a nation of diabetics and heart victims.
From Tots 2 Teens - Obesity.

Head Lice Don't Fly - They Crawl!

2010-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you may think head lice fly, the number of times your children seem to catch them, but of course they don't even jump! They still seem to get around very well though, so I thought it was time I mentioned them again. Our children have been clear for over a year. My head lice treatment is to use the lice comb twice a week when the hair is wet and then spray with a head lice repellent. I use Vosene 3 in 1 leave-in spray. It smells horrible until the hair dries and then the smell disappears. You can use it every day if necessary. I don't know which countries it is available, I am in the UK.
Hope this will help you.
For more information please visit Head Lice Treatment.

Children & Safety Issues

2010-01-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

If you are a parent you obviously want to keep your children safe. Most of the visitors to this site are US based so I am giving a link to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, http://www.cpsc.gov. It is worth checking this site periodically to see if you have bought something that has been found to be dangerous. Even if you are not in the US, many products are sold worldwide, so it is worth the site is worth a visit.

Growing Our Five-A-Day

2009-12-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

With my stomach still reeling from 2 days of Christmas eating I am going to spend the evening looking through the seed catalogues and planning what I am going to grow.
We are very lucky to get meat, milk and eggs from local farms, but I do like to grow as much fruit and vgetables as possible in my small garden. With a bit of careful planning something is available most of the year. Growng organically means I don't worry too much about chemicals in the children's food. Just wish the veg would grow as fast as the weeds!

Children giving to charity.

2009-12-20T05:58:00.000-08:00

This year I set aside a regular amount of money each month and allowed the children to choose which charity they wanted to donate to. Of course many animals charities were chosen, but I was quite surprised by some they decided to support, for example, money for minor eye operations in third world countries.
When they realised children may be involved, many charities responded with further information, small gifts or an activity for the children to undertake.
As a result, I think the children have gained far more in understanding the needs of others as they have given in monetary terms.

How To Earn From Blogs

2009-12-12T00:23:00.000-08:00

Running a blog is great fun but it is also nice to make some money online. This is possible even on your blog. One great company is shareasale.com. Even if you don't sell a product, you can still earn money so why not give it a try?
You could start a new blog concentrating on a particular topic and earn commission from related companies. Or just do as I do and have a shareasale.com banner on your blog. How long will it take you to set that up? No time at all!

Breastfeeding Tops

2009-12-10T06:02:00.000-08:00

Finding fashionable breastfeeding tops and breastfeeding dresses can be difficult unless you lve in a big town or city with plenty of shops, but it is possible to find a wide variety online. One of the best companies is

.

If you want to read more about breastfeeding, please visit Breastfeeding Your Baby.

Educational Toys for Christmas

2009-12-07T08:28:00.000-08:00

Children are like sponges absorbing everything in their environment. It is therefore essential that parents and carers provide a constant source of stimulation for them. The easiest way to do this is by giving them toys that are fun and educational. With Christmas coming, now is an ideal time for the perfect educational toy. These can range from the simplest of toys such as wooden blocks, which help with co-ordination and color recognition, to the more advanced computer games...read more at Educational Toys

Personalized Children's Gifts

2009-12-04T02:13:00.000-08:00

Personalized children's gifts make great Christmas presents. Children seem to love seeing their name printed on a present. It can be something as simple as a mug, or a name plate to put on their bedroom door, or a more expensive engraved bracelet.
Last year I managed to find personalized pencil cases.
There are personalized baby gifts to help toddlers learn their name, such as the wooden name trains. For older children, books with their name in the story are very popular. If you want more ideas visit Personalized Childrens Gifts

Online Homeschooling

2009-12-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

Homeschooling can be a wonderful experience for parents and children alike. But parents sometimes feel uncomfortable coming up with an entire curriculum, designing lesson plans, and in some cases, even grading papers. This is especially true when the subject matter is something they’re uncomfortable with, or are not well versed in. This is sometimes especially true in the case of higher grades such as high school. These parents might be relieved to know that there are many online homeschool programs that will do as much, or as little, of the curriculum as they need! To read more visit Online Homeschooling.

Christian Homeschooling

2009-12-02T03:37:00.000-08:00

Christian homeschooling is the perfect alternative to secular schooling for parents that want to give their children an education that focuses on Biblical teachings. Not only does Christian homeschooling allow time for scripture readings, Bible stories, and lessons learned from the Bible, it also gives parents a chance to incorporate God and His work into every lesson that they teach. Christian homeschooling also allows parents to replace some secular teachings that they may not agree with, for Biblical teachings. Please visit Christian Homeschooling

Homeschooling Materials

2009-11-30T21:57:00.000-08:00

There are many homeschooling materials and curriculums that can be delivered right to the home or found online. These can be a great help to parents who are homeschooling. However, even these curriculums can be sometimes difficult to sort through and organize in a fashion that will make teaching them easier. For tips on how to handle homeschooling resources so your lesson plan is clear for you and your child visit homeschooling materials.

Homeschooling Programs

2009-11-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

After making the decision to homeschool, many parents wonder what curriculum they will be using to teach their children. One of the best things about homeschooling children is that parents are given the choice as to what they want to teach their children and the methods they want to use to do that. There are many different programs for homeschooling children of all ages. Here are a few of the most popular
homeschooling programs.

Homeschooling Information

2009-11-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

As the regular school curriculum seems to be on a continuous decline, more and more parents are starting to discover the benefits of homeschooling. Homeschooling allows children to receive one-on-one teaching, unlike traditional classrooms. But it also allows gives them a chance to find information about everything, just about anywhere they go. And although there are arguments against homeschooling based on socialization factors, children who are homeschooled are given the chance to make friends with other children that they feel close to, without any of the negative effects of socialization, such as being teased at school. Therefore, homeschooled children often have many more positive friendships than ones that could be ever be built within a classroom setting....read more on the benefits of homeschooling