Exercises for Babies and Toddlers

Car seats, strollers, and high chairs are great for keeping your little one safe and secure while you are traveling or getting things done at home.

But, if kids spend too much time being sedentary, it can interfere with their motor development. Also, they can get too comfortable being sedentary and less likely to play and be active. This inactivity adds to the rising rate of childhood obesity.

You do not need to engage your child in any serious physical activity, just encourage him to do more of what kids are naturally inclined to do—explore and play. To help your child learn to use muscles and develop coordination, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education has exercise guidelines for young children. Just keep in mind that if an activity is too difficult, kids become frustrated and lose motivation to try again.

Infants (Birth to 12 months)

Engage your infant in some activity every day. This includes setting up safe areas for the infant to play in, playing games with him, and carrying him to different environments to explore. Do not keep infants in baby seats or other restrictive settings for long periods of time.

To encourage your infant to be active, try the following:

• Lay your infant on a blanket on the floor with a few toys.
• Provide brightly colored, easy-to-grasp toys that can be squeezed or have different textures to encourage reaching and grasping.
• Place the infant on his tummy facing you, encourage him to lift his head and kick his legs.
• When the baby is learning to roll over, hold a favorite toy just out of reach to motivate him to keep trying.
• Play peek-a-boo or patty-cake; help move your child’s hands so he learns the motions.
• Carry the child to a new environment, set him down, and let him explore. Be sure the area is baby-proofed.

Toddlers (12 to 36 months)

As walking skills progress, toddlers have a lot of energy. Encourage them to use it all! Toddlers should accumulate at least 30 minutes of structured physical activity each day. Unstructured activity should exceed 60 minutes. Do not keep your child in a baby seat or inactive for long periods of time.

Try the following:

• Bounce, throw, and chase balls to develop hand-eye coordination . Use soft balls that will not break anything.
• Dance to music and follow-along songs to promote body awareness and balance.
• Play “Simon Says” and “Follow the Leader.”
• Provide safe, sturdy objects to ride, push, pull, balance on, and climb.
• Make chores into games that kids can help with, for example: 1) During dinner preparation, have him carry something to the table that will not break or spill or 2) On laundry day, have him throw dirty clothes into the laundry basket

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

As kids gain more strength and balance, it is easier for them to get the recommended minimum of one hour of structured physical activity each day. Unstructered activity should take up 1 hour to several hours per day. Some suggestions:

• To promote balance, help the child walk along a line on the ground. Be sure that it is a safe area with no cars around.
• Lay out objects to create a maze or tell a child to run around a tree and back, providing vigorous exercise plus mastering turns and balance.
• Around age 3, children learn to hop and are ready for the game “hopscotch,” which will promote balance and strengthen leg muscles.
• Around age 4, kids learn to skip; practice skipping with them across the yard, or work it into a game of “Follow the Leader.”
• Provide safe objects to ride, push, pull, balance on, and climb.

Emphasize fun, not competition. Preschoolers lack the social and cognitive development for organized team sports. Getting involved can leave them frustrated and make them lose interest in sports.

For Kids of Any Age

Physical activity should become part of the family’s daily routine. This means parents, too! Kids are more likely to stick with it if they see their parents and older siblings being active. Look for chances to fit in exercise and make it a part of your family’s lifestyle.

Plan day trips or vacations that include hiking, kayaking, swimming, bicycling, roller skating, skiing, or horseback riding. At home, set limits on TV time and encourage kids to get outside and play. Also, involve the whole family in housework and yard work. Try to make these activities fun.

If you make exercise a priority in your life, your children will likely do the same.

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RESOURCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics

National Association for Sport & Physical Education

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

About Kids Health

Healthy Living Unit

REFERENCES:

National Association for Sport & Physical Education website. Available at: http://www.aahperd.org/Naspe/

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Is There A Connection Between Allergies and Asthma?

Because asthma and allergies are so common and frequently occur together, most parents may want to know about preventing or avoiding these conditions.

Allergy Insight

“Allergen” is the word that doctors use to describe a substance in the environment to which our bodies may react with an allergic or asthmatic reaction. Common allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, latex, certain foods, bee stings, certain plants, and medicines.

We are all exposed to at least some allergens all the time. But, many of us can encounter these troublemakers without experiencing any symptoms at all. For most people, their body simply does not react to allergens. However, for millions of people, an excessive immune response to allergens triggers a cascade of unpleasant symptoms. These symptoms are sometimes mild, but they can be severe, or rarely, even fatal. Allergic symptoms most commonly include: itching of the eyes, throat, or skin; sneezing; nasal congestion; coughing; wheezing; or rash.

Typically, allergic substances enter the body in one or more of the following ways:

• Absorption through the skin (eg, poison ivy)
• Inhalation through the mouth or nose (eg, pollen, dust mites)
• Ingestion (eg, foods, medicines)
• Injection (eg, insect sting)

Asthma Insight

Asthma is a condition in which the lungs react to some kind of irritation by producing mucous and inflammation along your breathing pathway. This reaction may occur moments after exposure to an irritant or after several hours have passed. Allergy is a common cause of asthmatic reactions, but similar symptoms can be produced by non-allergen sources (eg, irritant chemicals, viral infections, or other lung irritants). Asthma is usually controllable with treatment. In between “attacks,” or after treatment, the lungs return almost completely to normal. An asthma episode usually includes difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or other respiratory symptoms.

Exposure to tobacco smoke may trigger asthma in children as smoke is an irritant. Other triggers include exercise, cold air, viral infections, and allergens. The allergens that most commonly cause an asthma episode are dust mites, mold, pollen, and animal dander. Food allergies can also trigger an asthma episode in some people. Foods like shellfish and peanuts can be asthma triggers.

The Allergy-Asthma Connection

It is possible for your children to have allergies but not asthma, or to have asthma without allergies. But, the two conditions often occur together. Eczema and hay fever are common allergies associated with asthma.

For some people, the connection between these conditions lies in the similar biologic responses they provoke to what are, for the most part, harmless environmental triggers. If you have allergies and/or asthma, your body is attempting to protect itself from substances it perceives to be dangerous. Unfortunately, this protective reaction triggers the release of body chemicals that cause results like sneezing, congestion, itchy red eyes, skin rash and/or wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough. With allergic asthma, the allergic reaction is confined to the airways, whereas other forms of allergy may affect the skin, eyes, or ears.

Putting Knowledge Into Action

You cannot change your child’s genetics, but you can do a number of things to safeguard your home and family against allergies and asthma. While developing allergies and/or asthma may be inevitable for some, following these tips may lessen the severity and frequency of episodes for people who are at high risk:

• Control exposure to smoke—Do not smoke at all. But, if you must smoke do so outside. Never smoke in a car that children ride in, even if your child is not in the car at the time. Wood smoke may also be an asthma risk; avoid wood heating. It may also be wise to assure that gas heaters and stoves are vented to the outside. These appliances produce combustion products that can irritate the lungs.
• Control exposure to pets—This is often debated as the evidence is inconsistent. In some studies, exposure to pets at a young age was associated with less risk of allergies.
• Control exposure to dust mites—Dust mites are microscopic creatures that are found in large quantities in your home. They tend to live in bedding, but are far too small to be seen. Strategies to reduce exposure to mites include:
  • Wash all linens in hot water every seven days.
  • Place zippered, plastic covers on pillows and mattresses. Although this often recommended, there is little evidence that this actually helps.
  • Vacuum carpeting and upholstered furniture frequently using a vacuum cleaner with a “HEPA” filter.
  • Keep indoor relative humidity below 50%.

There are other exposures you might want to avoid. Be aware that latex paints, chipboard furniture, and some rugs may release certain chemicals that can cause wheezing in children. If you can, choose to live away from busy highways. This will reduce any risk from automobile and truck exhaust.

Other sources of allergies include cockroaches, rodents, and mold. Careful cleaning of bathrooms and repairing leaky pipes can help reduce mold from growing.

Food is an important trigger for some children. Breastfeeding may help reduce the incidence of allergies, as well as asthma.

Knowing the underlying types, causes, and triggers of both asthma and allergies is the foundation of putting effective prevention and treatment strategies into action.

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RESOURCES:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Allergy Asthma Information Association

Calgary Allergy Network

REFERENCES:

Alford SH, Zoratti E, Peterson EL, Maliarik M, Ownby DR, Johnson CC. Parental history of atopic disease: disease pattern and risk of pediatric atopy in offspring . J Allergy Clin Immunol . 2004 Nov;114(5):1046-50.

Brooks SM, Hammad Y, Richards I, Giovinco-Barbas J, Jenkins K. The spectrum of irritant-induced asthma: sudden and not-so-sudden onset and the role of allergy. Chest . 1998;113(1):42-9.

Chan-Yeung M, Ferguson A, Watson W, Dimich-Ward H, Rousseau R, Lilley M, et al. The Canadian Childhood Asthma Primary Prevention Study: outcomes at 7 years of age. J Allergy Clin Immunol . 2005 Jul;116(1):49-55.

Double trouble: The link between allergies and asthma. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AA00045 . Accessed December 2004.

DynaMed editorial team. Asthma in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated June 8, 2010. Accessed July 7, 2010.

Halterman JS, Aligne CA, Auinger P, McBride JT, Szilagyi PG. Health and healthcare for high-risk children and adolescents: inadequate therapy for asthma among children in the United States. Pediatrics . 2000;(1 Suppl): 272-276.

Holt PG, Macaubas C, Stumbles PA, Sly PD. The role of allergy in the development of asthma. Nature . 1999; 25:402(6760 Suppl):B12-7.

Markson S, Fiese BH. Family rituals as a protective factor for children with asthma. J Pediatr Psychol . 2000;25(7):471-480.

Mayo Clinic. Allergies and asthma: they often occur together. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sprained-ankle/DS01014. Updated April 8, 2010. Accessed July 7, 2010.

Ramsey CD, Celedon JC. The hygiene hypothesis and asthma. Curr Opin Pulm Med . 2005 Jan;11(1):14-20.

Singh AM, Moore PE, Gern JE, Lemanske Jr RF, Hartert TV. Bronchiolitis to asthma: a review and call for studies of gene-viral interactions in asthma causation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med . 2006 Oct 19.

Tips to remember: prevention of allergies and asthma in children. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology website. Available at: http://www.aaaai.o… . Accessed December 2004.

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Caring for a Newborn: When to Call a Doctor

If you’re a new mom or dad, you probably have only one main concern—the health of your newborn. It’s only natural to worry. But, one way you can decrease any worries is to arm yourself with information. Learn what symptoms to be on alert for and when to get medical care.

First Things First

Get accustomed to your newborn’s usual routine. For example, how often does he eat and sleep? How many times do you usually need to change his diaper in one day? How does he normally respond to you? Your baby’s typical behavior will help you to determine if he is feeling fine or if something is wrong.

Also, go with your instinct. If you think your baby may be ill, call the doctor right away. It is common for parents of newborns to call the pediatrician with questions and concerns. So, don’t hesitate to get expert advice.

Be Prepared

You will feel more in control if you already have the following medical information close at hand:

• The name of your newborn’s doctor and the phone number
• The doctor’s office hours and on-call hours
• Instructions as to what to do during after-hours
• Location of the hospital that the doctor is affiliated with
• The name, phone number, and location of the pharmacy that you use

If you do need to call the doctor, be prepared for any questions that you may be asked, such as:

• What are your newborn’s symptoms?
• What is his temperature? (Note: Rectal thermometers are typically used with newborns.)
• How many bowel movements has he had? Does he have loose stools? How many wet diapers has he had?
• What vaccines has your newborn had? Are they up-to-date?
• Does he have any allergies or conditions?
• Does your newborn take any medicine? If so, what kind of medicine and what is the dose?

Also, keep in mind that you may need to write down any instructions that the nurse or doctor gives you. So, have a pen and paper handy.

Another way you can be prepared is by learning first aid and CPR for infants. The hospital may offer these classes or you can check online (eg, American Red Cross or the American Heart Association).

Medical Concerns

Call the doctor if your newborn:

• Has a cough
• Has any eye problems (eg, mucus or redness)
• Has a runny nose, which can make it difficult for your newborn to breath
  • Note: You can use a rubber bulb aspirator to clear the mucus from his nose.
• Is vomiting
• Is eating less than usual or is having problems with breastfeeding (eg, difficulty latching onto the nipple)
• Is not moving his bowels
• Has stools that are looser than normal
• Is crying more than usual and is unable to be soothed
• Has problems sleeping
• Has blood or pus on his navel or penis
• Has a rash
• Has drainage coming from his ear
• Is not responding to sounds

If your newborn has any of the following, call your doctor immediately:

• Rectal temperature above 100.4°F (38°C)
• Rectal temperature below 97.8°F (36.5°C)
• Any breathing problems, like difficulty breathing or fast breathing
• Other signs of not getting enough oxygen, like blue lips or fingernails
• Extreme tiredness or drowsiness, difficulty awakening
• Is limp
• Signs of dehydration (wetting less than six diapers in 24 hours, sunken eyes, sunken soft spot, no tears when crying)
• Soft spot on the top of the head looks swollen
• Seizure
• Yellowish skin or eyes
• Bloody urine, stool, or vomit
• Injury to any part of the body, especially the head

If you are extremely concerned and you think the situation is an emergency, call 911 to have an ambulance come.

You can care for your newborn’s health by knowing which symptoms to watch out for and by being prepared if medical care is needed. Remember that many moms and dads have felt the same way you do and have reached out for help and guidance from doctors and nurses. If at any time you feel concerned about your little one’s health, call the doctor.

Looking for Children’s Health Products? Click here to see what iHerb has available.  Use Coupon Code WOW123 to get  you $5 off any first time order.

RESOURCES:

American Heart Association

American Red Cross

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Canadian Red Cross

REFERENCES:

How will we know if our newborn baby is ill? Baby Center website. Available at: http://www.babycenter.ca/baby/newborn/babyillnessexpert/. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Medical care and your newborn. Kids Health website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/medical/mednewborn.html. Updated October 2008. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Neff D. Discharge instructions for newborn jaundice. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at:http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated March 10, 2011. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Neff D. How to change your newborn’s diaper. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/. Updated September 20, 2010. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Neff D. How to take your newborn’s temperature. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/.Updated March 8, 2011. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Newborn appearance. Doernbecher Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.ohsu.ed…. Updated December 11, 2009. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Newborn baby: when to call the doctor. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://my.clevelan…. Updated September 24, 2010. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Newborn illness—how to recognize. Doernbecher Children’s Hospital website. Available at: http://www.ohsu.ed…. Updated December 11, 2009. Accessed April 8, 2011.

Sick baby? When to seek medical attention. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00022. Accessed April 8, 2011.

When to call your baby’s doctor. March of Dimes website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/sickbabycare_calldoctor.html. Updated August 2008. Accessed April 8, 2011.

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American Heart Association Guidelines for Children’s Heart Health

In 2002, the American Heart Association (AHA) published an updated version of its “Guide to Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease”. It presented recommendations for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in adults. Since then, research has shown that the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease (eg, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of physical activity, overweight and obesity, and smoking) are occurring in alarmingly increasing rates among children and young adults. These findings, in combination with evidence of the presence of fatty streaks (often the precursors to atherosclerotic lesions) in the arteries of children as young as three, led researchers to believe that the time to begin preventing cardiovascular disease is in childhood.

To address this need, the American Heart Association (AHA) published guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in children and young adults. Researchers have learned that behavior patterns adopted in childhood are carried into adulthood. Habits such as diet, level of physical activity, and smoking have a large impact on the number of cardiovascular risk factors. Stopping them before they start is the best way to begin.

About the Guidelines

The guidelines represent a practical approach to the promotion of cardiovascular health in children. These guidelines are designed to be used by primary care physicians, specialists, and parents alike.

The guidelines are broken down into two strategies. The first is a set of general recommendations directed at promoting cardiovascular health in all children and young adults. The second strategy is designed to help physicians and parents identify and manage those children who are at the highest risk for atherosclerotic disease. The following is a brief discussion of each strategy.

Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health in All Children and Adolescents

According to the AHA guidelines, there are a number of things you, as a parent, can do to promote cardiovascular health in your children:According to the AHA guidelines, there are a number of things you, as a parent, can do to promote cardiovascular health in your children:

• Encourage a healthful diet—emphasize eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish, legumes, poultry, and lean meat.
• Encourage your child to maintain an appropriate body weight.
• Talk to your child about the importance of maintaining a desirable total cholesterol level through healthy eating.
• Talk to your child about the importance of maintaining a desirable blood pressure through healthy eating, weight awareness, and daily exercise.
• After age two, limit consumption of high-fat foods and trans fats (eg, hydrogenated oils).
• Limit salt and sugar intake.
• Talk to your child about not smoking, and set a good example yourself.
• Actively work to limit your child’s exposure to tobacco smoke.
• If your child already smokes, help him quit.
• Encourage your child to be physically active every day.
• Limit the amount of time your child participates in sedentary activities (eg, television, computers, video games, telephones).

Guidelines for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in at-Risk Children and Adolescents

If you and your child’s doctor determine that your child may be at risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life, it will be important that the two of you work as a team to help your child reduce her risks. The AHA guidelines for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in these children include:

• Monitor your child’s blood cholesterol and lipid levels
  • Targets: low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of less than 130 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) to 160 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L); in children who have diabetes this should be < 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L).
• Monitor your child’s other lipid levels
  • Targets: fasting triglycerides of less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of more than 35 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L).
• Manage your child’s blood pressure. A child’s blood pressure will change as he or she ages, but try to keep this level below the 95th percentile for you child’s age, sex, and height
• Manage your child’s weight by helping him or her achieve a BMI < 95th percentile for his or her age and sex.
• If your child is diabetic, work with her to manage the disease along with all other risk factors for vascular disease
• If your child doesn’t smoke, talk to her about the importance of not starting. If your child does smoke, work with her to kick the habit.

Above all, one of the most effective ways to teach your children about how to live a healthy lifestyle, is to follow one yourself. Children learn by example and the dietary and exercise patterns you demonstrate while they grow up will have a definite impact on the choices they make later in life.

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RESOURCES:

American Council on Exercise

American Heart Association

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

REFERENCES:

American Heart Association guidelines for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease beginning in children. AHA Scientific Statement. Circulation. 2003;107:1562-1566. Available at: http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/107/11/1562. Accessed March 29, 2010.

Heart disease is a pediatric problem: New guidelines point to lifestyle “training” in childhood. American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003554. Accessed September 11, 2003.

Youth and cardiovascular disease—statistics. American Heart Association. Available at: http://www.america&#8230; . Accessed September 15, 2003.

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Tips for Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is never too early to establish good oral hygiene habits. This will ensure healthy teeth and gums for your child.

Here are some tips for parents from the ADA.

Clean Gums for Clean Teeth

After each feeding, wipe your baby’s gums with a clean gauze pad. At birth, your baby already has 20 primary teeth, some of which are almost completely formed in the jaw. Wiping the gums will remove the plaque and bacteria that can harm teeth as they erupt from the gums. Begin brushing with a soft toothbrush when the first tooth erupts.

Drinks for Bedtime and Nap Time

Never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juice, or sweetened liquids. This can lead to tooth decay. Instead, fill a bottle with cool water for your baby.

First Dental Visit

Take your child to the dentist by the child’s first birthday. The dentist will check for decay and other possible problems and can show you how to properly clean your child’s teeth.

Balanced Diet

Ensure that your child eats a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the five major food groups:

• Breads, cereals, and other grain products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Milk, cheese, and yogurt

Nutritious Snacks

Provide nutritious snacks, such as cheese, raw vegetables and fruit, or plain yogurt. Limit the number of starchy or sugary snacks your child eats. After a snack that contains sugars or starches, the teeth are attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more.

Daily Brushing

Make sure that your child brushes at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance once they are three years old. Set a good example by brushing your own teeth at least twice a day.

Daily Flossing

Teach your child to clean between the teeth daily with floss. A parent should begin using floss on a child’s teeth as soon as any two teeth touch.

Regular Dental Visits

Take your child to the dentist regularly. Children should know that the dentist is a friendly doctor who will help them take care of their teeth. Be positive and try to make dental visits an enjoyable experience for your child.

If you’d like to see iHerb’s selection of Dental/Oral Care products, click here. Use Coupon Code WOW123 to get $5 off any first time order.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

American Dental Association

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dental Association

The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association

REFERENCES:

American Dental Association website. Available at: http://www.ada.org/.

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Pets and Your Kids’ Allergies

Not too long ago, expectant parents were often advised to give away their family pets before a baby arrived, especially if there was a family history of allergies or asthma. The prevailing theory was that being around pets at a young age increased a child’s risk of developing allergies and asthma. Given that many households have at least one pet and that people tend to form strong attachments to their pets, this was often an upsetting and difficult task—but one that seemed necessary. Research, however, makes it clear that the controversy surrounding this approach is far from over.

The Science

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at the relationship of exposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life, and the allergy development six or seven years of age. The study’s findings were not what you might expect.

In the study, 474 children were followed from birth to age six or seven. The babies involved were healthy, full-term infants. When the children were six or seven, they were tested by both a blood test and a skin prick test for the presence of allergic antibodies. Researchers found that children who were exposed to two or more dogs or cats in the first year of life were less likely to have allergies.

Studies published in the Lancet and the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine also had similar results, finding that early cat exposure was related to a reduction in allergy development. In addition, a 2007 review of available studies found that early exposure to pets was associated witha a decreased risk of eczema. But these studies were all observational and a cause and effect relationship cannot be made from them.

Unfortunately, scientists remain uncertain which children might benefit (or be harmed) by early exposure to animals. To date, studies on this important topic do not adequately control for differences in the degree of animal exposure or for genetic factors that we know strongly influence the development of allergies (such as whether one or both parents are allergic). The evidence that pet ownership is associated with less risk of allergy is both interesting and suggestive, but pending larger and better scientific studies, it should still be regarded as preliminary.

Until we have more solid evidence, parents should make decisions about pet ownership without expecting that human newborns will derive health benefits from their furry friends.

If Your Child Already Has an Allergy

Although several studies have found that being around pets might help prevent young children from developing allergies, it cannot help a child who already has an allergy to cats, dogs, or other pets. If your child has already developed an allergy to your pet, it is a good idea to keep your child away from the pet.

If you do have a pet in your home and an allergic child, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology offers the following tips to help minimize contact with pets and their allergens:

• Avoid petting, hugging, and kissing pets if you are allergic.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom.
• Sweep, dust, and vacuum frequently.
• Use a micro-filter or double bag in your vacuum to help reduce pet allergens in the carpet.
• Do not have direct contact with litter boxes if you are allergic.
• Do not place litter boxes in areas with air filtration intake vents.
• Wash hands after touching a pet.
• If you cannot keep pets off furniture, consider covering upholstered furniture where a pet sleeps or rests with plastic covers.
• Wash your pets with tepid water on a weekly basis.
• Have someone who is not allergic brush the pet regularly and do brushing outside the home.
• Use an indoor air, electrostatic, or HEPA air cleaner to filter pet dander from the air. Air cleaners should be used at least four hours per day.
• Talk to your doctor about the possibility of allergy shots for your child.
• Consider keeping your cat or dog outdoors with proper shelter.

Click here to see iHerb’s selection of Children’s Health products and here for allergy support! New to iHerb? Use Coupon Code WOW123 to get $5 off any first time order.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

About Kids Health

Allergy Asthma Information Association

REFERENCES:

Allergy statistics. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease website. Available at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/allergystat.htm. Accessed December 7, 2003.

Celedón JC, Litonjua AA, Ryan L, et al. Exposure to cat allergen, maternal history of asthma, and wheezing in first five years of life. Lancet. 2002 Sep 7;360(9335):781-2.

Cooper PJ. Toxocara canis infection: an important and neglected environmental risk factor for asthma? Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Jan 30.

DynaMed Editors. Allergic rhinitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated March 11, 2010. Accessed March 12, 2010.

Ferguson BJ. New horizons in the management of allergy. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2003;36(5):771.

Ownby DR. Exposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life and risk of allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age. JAMA . 2002;288(8):963-972.

Perzanowski MS, Rönmark E, Platts-Mills TA, et al. Effect of cat and dog ownership on sensitization and development of asthma among preteenage children.Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Sep 1;166(5):696-702.

Steele MT, Ma OJ, Nakase J, et al. Epidemiology of animal exposures presenting to emergency departments. Acad Emerg Med. 2007;14:398-403.

Welch M. When pets are the problem. Healthy Children website. Available at: http://www.healthy&#8230;. Updated February 18, 2010. Accessed March 16, 2010.

7/6/2009 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Langan SM, Flohr C, Williams HC. The role of furry pets in eczema: a systematic review. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143:1570-1577.

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Kids Get Headaches, Too

Kids, not just adults, get headaches too. Luckily, very few headaches are caused by serious conditions, such as a tumor, infections, or a head injury. Regardless, common headaches can be very painful and distracting for children.

Childhood Headache Tips for Parents

Pay Attention to a Headache

Although some kids will feign headaches or tummy aches to avoid things they don’t want to do (like go to school), most childhood headaches are real. Some children have migraines and others have tension-type headaches. Migraines can be triggered by stress, food, or environmental factors, such as noise or bright lights. Tension-type headaches can be a response to stress or challenges at school, home, work, or among friends.

Find Headache Relief

Take your child to the doctor for help with headaches. Your child may need medication or changes in his daily routine, such as diet, exercise, and rest and relaxation. If over time, your doctor is not able to treat or manage the headaches, ask for a referral to a pediatric neurologist or headache specialist.

Take It Easy

Kids who get headaches can participate in most activities, but sometimes it will be best to just take it easy. If your child has headaches, try not to overcommit him to too many activities. Leave some time for rest and relaxation. Overall, kids who get headaches will benefit from balanced, nutritious meals (especially breakfast), regular sleep patterns (including a full night’s sleep), and exercise. Although exercise may help relieve tension, it may not be a good idea for your child to exert himself during a tension headache.

Tell Teachers and School Staff

Your child spends most of the day at school, so you need to make teachers and school staff aware of your child’s headaches. Have your doctor write a note explaining any medications and special instructions, such as rest or recovery periods. Make sure that your child is allowed to take his medication when needed. Migraines, for example, should be treated as soon as your child senses one coming on. Waiting until class ends is likely to lead to a much more severe migraine and a longer recovery period. Children with headaches may need to miss school, but if your child missing school often, you should seek further medical attention.

The Headache Diary

If your child has headaches, encourage him to keep a headache diary to help recognize when and why the headaches happen. Take this information to your child’s doctor because it will help to determine the cause of the headaches and create a treatment or prevention plan.

The National Headache Foundation suggests the following questions for your child’s headache diary:

• What does the headache feel like?
• Where is the pain located? How much does it hurt?
• Does your headache appear without warning or are there signs of it coming, such as weakness, nausea, dizziness, or sensitivity to light or noise?
• Do you see bright lights, blind spots, or changes in vision?
• Do headaches occur after eating certain foods or drinking certain beverages (eg, soft drinks with caffeine, pizza, or chocolate)?
• Do certain situations, events, or physical activity produce a headache?
• When do the headaches occur—once a week, twice a week, once a month?
• Does anyone else in your family have headaches?

When Is Further Evaluation Necessary?

Most headaches in children are due to migraine, muscle tension, or other benign causes and rarely need more evaluation than a careful history and physical examination. Headaches may, however, be a symptom of serious health problems and need further study. Every child’s headache needs to be evaluated individually. But, in general, the following symptoms justify further evaluation:

• Weakness, visual or speech difficulties, or a change in personality
• Vomiting in association with headaches
• Headaches that awaken a child in the morning
• Headaches associated with abnormal findings on a doctor’s physical exam
• Headaches in association with excessive urination or unusually early development of puberty (or failure to menstruate when expected)
• Headaches that worsen steadily in severity or frequency over days or weeks, change in a long-established pattern of headache, or the onset of a “worst ever” severe headache
• Headache associated with depression or anxiety (Further evaluation generally focuses on the anxiety or depression unless headaches meet one or more of the criteria above.)

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RESOURCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics

National Headache Foundation

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Headache Network Canada

REFERENCES:

Children’s headaches: an informative guide for young sufferers, their parents, and school health professionals. National Headache Foundation website. Available at: http://www.headach&#8230;. Accessed July 29, 2008.

Migraine headaches and treatment. National Headache Foundation website. Available at: http://www.headach&#8230;. Accessed July 29, 2008.

Reprint from iHerb Health Library