Is It Safe for Your Child to Eat Apple Seeds?

Did your mom ever tell you not to eat apple seeds or an apple could grow in your stomach? Well, your mom may have been right. You shouldn’t eat apple seeds, but it’s not because of the apple tree. Apple seeds contain substances called cyanogenic glycosides (a cyanide containing compound) which could cause health problems if consumed in very high quantities. Apple seeds aren’t the only fruit seeds that contain cyanide, so do the seeds of peaches, apricots, cherries, and raspberries, to name a few. It’s quite likely you’ve swallowed a few apple seeds in your life, if they’re poisonous, why didn’t you experience any serious symptoms?

Cyanide ?
Cyanogenic glycosides, as the name suggests, contains cyanide attached to a sugar molecule. When this compound is acted on by an enzyme, the sugar molecule is cleaved off, leaving behind the well known poison, cyanide. The truth is if you were to eat apple seeds in large quantities, they could kill you, but in most cases, the seeds pass through the digestive system without releasing significant amounts of cyanide unless you chew on them to release the toxin.

Even if some poison is released from the seeds, your body has the capability of neutralizing small amounts of cyanide and you probably wouldn’t experience serious effects unless you were to eat apple seeds in very high amounts.

Unfortunately, a small child or a pet may not be so lucky. It might not take a large number of apple seeds to cause symptoms in a child or pet which means you should avoid giving your pets apples unless you remove the seeds. The same applies to children.

What kind of symptoms would develop if you were to eat apple seeds to the point of toxicity? You might experience neurological symptoms including seizures, headache, lightheadedness, and dizziness along with fluctuations in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Vomiting and excessive salivation could occur. If you consumed enough seeds, you might develop severe breathing problems followed by respiratory failure and death. Because of the large quantity of seeds needed to poison a human, this isn’t commonly seen, although animals are not infrequently affected.

The bottom line? You probably shouldn’t panic if you swallow a few apple seeds. Just make sure your children and pets don’t eat apple seeds. (or other fruit seeds and pits).

Whatever you do – keep giving the kids those seedless apples! They’re a healthy source of fiber and antioxidants.

More great children’s health help at Child n’Parent.

Pregnant?  We can help!   Check our fun to read ebook “My Bloomin Belly.”

Dr. Kristi

Add comment March 4th, 2009

Child Proofing Your Home

In today’s economy, every dollar counts. There are many “child proofing” experts out there that would be happy to charge you hundreds and even thousands of dollars to child proof your home.  The big secret is that you can do it yourself for very little cost.

The first step in the child proofing process is to draw a basic layout of your home.  Identify areas in your home that  present a child safety concern.  Include electrical outlets that are low to the ground, outside doors and stairs.  Identify big hazards which would include a pool, sauna and any area where your child might be tempted to climb to an unsafe height.  Identify environmental hazards by red marking any rooms where your child might find unsafe things to play with such as matches, guns, knives and sharp scissors. Each danger area is a red zone until you make it safe for your child.

Good Work! You have designed your layout, now go room by room and make a list of items that you will need to childproof each area.  Some of the items may include:

  • Protective Covers:  One for each electrical outlet.
  • Stair Guard:  A protective barrier that can be purchased at a local store. It is designed to fit snugly against a wall and is tall enough to prevent babies and toddlers from climbing over.  You will need two, one for the top and one for the bottom of the stairs.
  • Plastic Tubs or Storage Bins:  For putting away dangerous objects and keeping toys organized.
  • Door Knob Covers:  Covers that make it difficult for a child to open an outside door.
  • Door Alarms: They sound off when a child has opened a door.
  • Cupboard Locks:  These will keep your child out of cupboards that contain dangerous substances such as household cleaners.
  • Pantry Lock:  To keep your child from getting into the food and climbing up the pantry.
  • A Cabinet and/or Lock:  For storing and protecting guns or locking up a pool gate.
  • A self swing and self locking gate:  For those areas that are difficult to constantly monitor such as a pool area or any dangerous area in your back yard.

With your list of the childproofing items you need, make some trips to your local department and hardware stores.  Look for deals, but do not compromise on safety.  If a lock or barrier seems too easy for you to open, chances are that your child will eventually figure out how to open it too.

Once you have made your plans and purchases, enlist the help of your husband, brother, uncle, or manly friend.  Give them an opportunity to show off their muscles and “tool time” skills.  While they are busy installing, you can cover electrical outlets and enlist other family members to help put away all of the dangerous stuff.

Put your sewing needles in a protective plastic container that your child cannot open.  Store the scissors and matches in high places that your child cannot reach.  Barricade your stairs and play safety police once a week where older siblings can scour the house while looking for potential safety hazards.  Set it up with colors or numbers for the different levels of danger.  A super danger zone could be labeled as red or a five, while a safe zone could be considered white, or a zero. While playing this game, give out ideas on how older siblings can help keep little brothers and sisters safe.  Pick up the toys just before bed and have family stranger danger and fire escape plans in place.

Protecting your child both inside and outside of the home is a challenging parental goal.  With a little masculine help and family team work, you will soon be able to declare your home a safe white zone.  Happy childproofing!

See our recent  post and protect your child from school germs!

By: Debby Hoffer

3 comments February 24th, 2009

Causes of the Common Cold in Babies

You’re expecting a baby soon or just had one. You’re babysitting an infant or toddler for the first time. You’ve just set up your toddlers first playdate. These three scenarios have one thing in common beyond the obvious. With over 100 viruses that cause the common cold lurking about, the very real possibility of catching the common cold awaits babies no matter what the scenario. Knowing the causes of the common cold in babies is, as they say, half the battle. Following are some instances to help enumerate the most common causes for the common cold in babies.

Common Cold Viruses Adrift in the Air

You just had a baby not long ago and someone visiting you and the baby is, unbeknownst to him or you, infected with a common cold virus in its most contagious part of the cycle, the shedding stage, and suddenly without warning sneezes into the air. Roughly, 40,000 droplets of what just came out if his nose is now set adrift in the immediate surrounding air. No actions are taken by anyone to avoid the contaminated snotlet droplets now floating around the baby, because it was just a little sneeze and doesn’t mean much. Two days later your baby has a 101.5º temperature and can’t breathe but out of his mouth.

Common Cold Viruses Stick To Your Hand Like Glue

You just landed your third babysitting gig for your mom’s friends who have a two year old toddler. You only get to watch her for two hours, but that’s twenty dollars you didn’t have before, right! Come 6 pm you arrive at the Smiths’ house and just before you ring the doorbell you cover your mouth with your hand like you’ve been taught when you cough. A quick passing though crosses your mind, ” I wonder if I’m getting sick, since I started coughing at school today and just now, again.” Just then the door opens and the Smiths are so happy you’re there and you follow them inside to the adorable waiting baby whose outstretched hands have been waiting for yours. It wouldn’t matter if it had been a couple of hours after you coughed into your hand, because you couldn’t get to the crook of your arm or into your shoulder fast enough, or just before you started holding hands with the baby. Common cold viruses stick to your hands like glue.

Common Cold Viruses Contaminate Innocent Playthings

You’ve been awaiting your little toddlers playdate with greater anticipation than your toddler. Finally, you and toddler in tow make your way to where the other three parents and toddlers are meeting. All sorts of toys have been collected together for the occasion, and all of the parents have been very conscientious about disinfecting whatever they brought to the toy pool now in the center of the room. All of the toddlers have been enjoying themselves playing with the toys, but you notice your toddler has since gravitated toward one of his favorite things to play with-the remote control-and has it in a death-grip because he knows at some point you’re going to suddenly pop up and take it away. You wrestle your friends remote control away from your toddler, and innocently enough neither you or your friend realize that someone contaminated it with a common cold virus only a couple of hours earlier. Every toy in the place is clean, but not that one innocent plaything toddler just has to have in his mouth whenever he gets a chance.

Whether by air, human touch or contaminated surfaces, the causes or situations where a common cold virus can make its way into your baby’s or toddler’s system are quite numerous. While most everyone is aware of how a baby can catch a cold, how many of us are as avidly conscientious about protecting the baby or toddler from catching the common cold as we should be.

For treatment of your baby’s cold here is help and for fighting off RSV infection see Child n’Parent.

By:  T. H. Pankey

For the best ebook to guide you through pregnancy see “My Bloomin Belly.”

Add comment February 9th, 2009

The Perfect Pregnancy Book

When I was pregnant I searched high and low for the perfect book on pregnancy.  I had in my mind what I needed in a pregnancy “handbook” but as hard as I looked I couldn’t find one that had covered everything I wanted and needed to know without boring me to death, or telling me about things that would likely never happen to me that scared me to death.  Total, I ended up buying three different books and another for my husband in hopes that we could cover all of our bases.

I spent hours reading and researching, and by the time I was done I was a bored, paranoid, emotional Mother -To-Be worried that I would forget something important or miss a sign and lose my baby.  It was terrible.  Looking back three pregnancies later I have to laugh.  After all, it is just pregnancy, and while it is very important, it is also something that our bodies do naturally and if we just stick to the basics our babies will be born fine, and we can actually enjoy our pregnancies.

Now, I have had numerous friends and family members who have gone through the same things as I did, and at the end, we sit back and joke about all of the silly things we did and worried about, and wonder why no-one told us the truth about pregnancy.

There are things that we were never told that really end up happening to most women.  Instead we were told the things that we had a one in a million chance of experiencing.  It made me angry, and I wanted to help other women so that they could focus on the important things; the things that really happen, and give them advice to make pregnancy what it should be;  A joyful and fun experience!

I was so excited to have the opportunity to co-write an amazing book called My Bloomin Belly.  This book is funny, packed with vital information, and walks women through pregnancy step by step.  I think that my favorite thing about this book is the real advice it gives.  It tells you what your options are and helps you make decisions that will be best for you, your baby, and your partner.  You get views from Doctors and Midwives.  Real pictures of a baby growing inside of a mother, not just drawings, will amaze you!  You will laugh at true stories of crazy things women have done while pregnant, and probably even relate.

If you buy just one book while you are pregnant, this is the one you must have!  It comes with another book packed with tips on getting financial assistance while pregnant and after, and has many topics that answer questions that we know every mother will have at some point during her pregnancy.

I know that you will love “My Bloomin Belly a Pregnancy Calendar Plus”.  Everyone that has read it tells me how amazing it is, and how they cannot live without it.  I wish you the best pregnancy, and hope that this book will help you enjoy it just a little more.

My Bloomin Belly is available at   www.pregnancycalendarplus.com

By:  Brandi Ellis

Add comment January 28th, 2009

Will St. John’s wort Help Children With ADHD?

ADHD is a relatively common diagnosis marked by hyperactivity, behavior problems, and inability to focus or complete a task. It’s thought that up to five percent of children suffer from ADHD with boys being more commonly affected than girls. No one knows exactly what causes this disorder although environmental toxins and a genetic predisposition have both been proposed.

Many parents are reluctant to use prescription medications to treat children with ADHD due to concern about potential side effects. For this reason, many parents have turned to alternative remedies to treat their kids. One such remedy that’s used is a herbal treatment known as St. John’s wort available from local health food stores. St. John’s wort has received attention in the past for its possible role in treating depression. Does St. John’s wort for ADHD work?

St. John’s wort in treating children with ADHD

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association this year assessed the role of St. John’s wort in treating children with ADHD. A group of fifty-four children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD were given St. John’s wort or a placebo three times a day for a period of two months. At several points during the study and at the end of the two month period, the children were clinically evaluated for changes in their symptoms as well as to determine any adverse reactions to the herb. Although there were no adverse reactions, the investigators found no improvement in symptoms in the group given St. John’s wort  relative to the placebo group.

St. John’s wort for depression in children

Although some, but not all, studies have shown that St. John’s wort for depression is as effective as standard anti-depressant medications, at least from this study, it doesn’t appear to be effective for treatment of ADHD in children. This is disappointing in light of parental concern about using prescription medications for ADHD treatment.

Conventional drug treatment of St. John’s wort has characteristically included stimulants such as Ritalin and short acting amphetamines such as Dexedrine. Although the majority of children do respond to these medications, side effects can include insomnia, personality changes, and problems with social interactions. Behavioral therapy is also generally used in conjunction with medications.

Although St. John’s wort for ADHD would have been an appealing natural alternative with its lack of significant side effects, there’s no documented evidence that it works and this controlled study, although small, found no benefit. Although there’s been some focus on dietary changes such as limiting sugar as an ADHD treatment, this also hasn’t been proven to be effective. The role of food additives such as preservatives and food coloring has also been proposed to play a role in ADHD symptoms. Limiting processed and packaged foods may be worth a try to see if the symptoms improve.

The bottom line? Disappointingly, there’s no real evidence that St. John’s wort for ADHD treatment works.

Learn more about help for parents with their children’s health at Child n’Parent.

By:   Vanessa Lee

Add comment January 13th, 2009

Build Your Baby’s Confidence

The first moment that you gaze into your newborn baby’s eyes, you know that life will never be the same.  In an instant, someone smaller than a watermelon becomes incalculably more important and precious to you than anything else in the world.  We wonder about our children’s future and strive to give them everything they need to become happy, healthy, and confident individuals.  Believe it or not, experts have concluded that process begins right away, before your baby can do much more than eat, sleep, and—well, you know.  Here a few simple things you can do to give your baby the best start possible.

Hold your baby often.

Taking care of your baby is much more than bottles and diaper changes.  You are actually helping your baby to thrive while enjoying your cuddle times with them!  Your baby will instinctively know your scent and find comfort nuzzled up to you.  Children who are held often know not just that they will be taken care of when they have a physical need, but that they are loved as well.  Don’t worry about “spoiling” your baby during the first six months or so of life.  Making sure they get plenty of physical contact each day will actually give them the security they need as they get older to handle being apart from you.  You don’t have to carry them in a sling all day long or give up the crib for your bed; just be sure to give your baby some quality time each day.

Talk to your baby often.

No, newborns won’t know what you’re saying, but the sooner you begin communicating verbally to them, the sooner they will begin to understand you.  Talking with your child encourages brain activity and gives them the attention they need as well.  If you’re not sure what to say to a gurgling little being that can’t do anything but make spit bubbles in response to you, just say the things you are doing at the moment.  For example, “I’m going to pick you up and change your diaper now,” or, “I am putting three scoops of formula into your bottle.”  What you say, sing, or coo to your baby isn’t the important thing.  They simply want to hear your voice and have their presence acknowledged.

Encourage your baby often.

Experts say that children need to hear ten positive comments to every one negative comment received.  Set the precedence of being an encouraging parent early on.  A newborn may not be able to understand you, but they do understand your body language and the tone of your voice.  Tell them how thankful you are to have the opportunity to raise them and how wonderful you think they are.  As your infant begins to grow and develop, clap for them, congratulate them, and encourage them in any way you can.  Make sure they see that twinkle in your eye that says they are your pride and joy every day.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to give your baby everything they need to grow up to be happy, secure individuals.  You really don’t need to spend a fortune on educational videos and parenting self-help books.  As it turns out, all your baby really needs is the one thing you are sure to always have:  love.

Find more help to get your infant to sleep through the night and better bottle feeding at Child n’Parent.

By:  Destiny

1 comment January 4th, 2009

Preparing Your Toddler for the New Baby

Whether your pregnancy was planned or surprise, a new baby is going to bring a somewhat shocking change to your toddler’s world.  While they may not be old enough to fully grasp what is going on, there are a few things you can do to prepare them for the changes ahead.

Make the idea of a new brother or sister exciting.  Yes, we know that adding a newborn into your home is inevitably going to mean less time and attention to your toddler, but the point is to minimize the negatives.  Talk often of how much you love having your toddler around and how they are going to love having the baby around, too.  Tell them about ways they can help with the baby and how much fun it is going to be to have someone new to play with.  Spending a little time thinking about what type of relationship you would like to foster between them will help these encouragements to come naturally to you.

Though tempting, talking about the significance of your growing belly may serve more to confuse than inform your toddler.  Most are not yet able to grasp the concept of a sibling growing in a belly and then coming out, and many a mother has been surprised to find that their toddlers didn’t even notice the watermelon-sized loss in their midsection when the baby makes its appearance.  An occasional belly comment or kiss is fine, but for the rest of the time, stick to emphasizing baby over belly.

Get around another baby or two to help your toddler conceptualize what you’ve been talking about.  There’s always a surplus of new moms who would love a little break, and giving them one can actually help both you and your toddler prepare for life with another baby.  Be sure not to put any expectations on your toddler while the baby is around—if they prefer to play on their own as if the baby isn’t even there, that’s okay.  It is still a productive exercise.

Get your baby gear out early.  Don’t wait until the last minute to get the swings and playpens out.  Minimizing the amount of change that happens at the time of your baby’s arrival will help your toddler not to feel overwhelmed.  They may not fully understand you when you explain to them that soon a baby will be inhabiting those items, but they will be much better prepared to deal with it when it happens.

Lastly, begin now to think of ways for you and your toddler to spend time alone.  Whether it’s going to the park or enjoying an ice cream cone together, make a habit of doing it often, and don’t break the habit once the little one arrives.  It is normal for children of the toddler ages to be needy whether they are an only child or one of dozens.  Giving your toddler some quality time and affirmation is what they need most.  After all, it’s not the knowledge that they are your only child that they need; they need to know that they are your very special child.  And thankfully, that is something you don’t need to work very hard at.

More help preparing your child for the new baby at Child n’Parent.

By:  Destiny

Add comment December 20th, 2008

Healthy Meals for Kids When Eating Out

Eating healthy

Dining out is challenging enough for adults but when it comes to kids, the challenge is even greater. Even though many sit-down and fast food restaurants are adding healthier adult dining options, the meal choices for the little ones are still surprisingly high in calories and fat. When surveying the kid’s menu at fast food restaurants, the standard seems to be fried chicken nuggets or chicken strips served alongside a serving of greasy French fries. It would almost be a joke to call this meal low fat or nutritionally sound. If you’re looking for a healthy menu for kids at a restaurant or fast food stop, what are your options?

The solution to a healthy children’s menu doesn’t appear to lie with the chain restaurants. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recently surveyed the kid’s menu at seven leading chain restaurants and found the choices to be high in calories, fat, sugar, and low in nutritional value. The worst of the bunch was Outback Steakhouse where the children’s menu offering of cheeseburger, fries, soda, and sundae added up to a whopping 1,700 calories and 58 grams of fat. Is it any wonder that the number of obese children is skyrocketing?

Although most restaurants have yet to embrace the concept of a healthy children’s menu, there are ways you can make meals more nutritionally sound for your children when you’re dining out as a family.

Choose Your Restaurants Carefully

If you’re looking for a sit-down restaurant with a healthy menu for kids, most of the chains and franchises aren’t going to offer what you’re looking for. One exception would be Cracker Barrel restaurant where kids can get a variety of veggie items on a kid’s plate as well as grilled (not fried) chicken strips. Buffet restaurants are another option since they offer a variety of vegetables that can be substituted for the standard French fries. To help your child eat healthy, be prepared to give him some assistance in his selections since buffets are notorious for displaying tempting high calorie, high fat treats and desserts.

Fast Foods?

Subway restaurant offers a healthy menu for kids. Their “Fresh Fit for Kids” meal consists of a miniature sub sandwich, a healthy side item such as yogurt or fruit, and juice. There are also healthy options for adults which makes this a good choice for the whole family. Most of the other fast food restaurants are still lacking in options for a healthy children’s menu.

The Second Option

Modify your child’s menu selections when eating out. If a healthy menu for kids isn’t available, improvise a bit. See if you can substitute low fat milk for the standard whole milk. At sit-down restaurants, order a small side of vegetables in place of the standard French fries on the children’s menu. Substitute juice or water for the ubiquitous high sugar soda. If your child is still hungry after eating this type of meal, bring along a package of nuts or an apple to offer to him after dinner in lieu of dessert.

With a little planning, you can dine out with your children without guilt even if a healthy menu for kids isn’t offered. It’s far better than serving your kids chicken nuggets and fries.

By Dr. Kristi

3 comments December 10th, 2008

Meeting Santa Clause

You’re standing in line anticipating what fun it will be to finally introduce your child to the man in the big red suit.  The fond childhood memories of previous meetings with him are running through your mind and you smile as you think about what toys your little one might ask Santa for Christmas.

The line is getting shorter and you make arrangements to buy some pictures to share with Grandma and Grandpa.  Eagerly you flex your fingers and scoop to put your little one on the big man’s knee.  As the photographer is getting ready to do her stuff, your little one takes a good look at Santa and is shocked to find a big old hairy, scary stranger complete with wrinkles and white hair.  Your little one’s mouth takes the shape of a big black hole to scream “Mommy I want to go Home!”

Meeting Santa Clause is a significant event that requires preparation.  From the time our children are tots, we strive to teach them about stranger danger.  Is it any wonder that they become confused when we plop them on some stranger’s knee and expect them to enjoy the experience?  A little coaching beforehand can go a long way to make the Santa Clause experience both memorable and enjoyable.  Here are some tips to prepare your child for the big meeting with Santa Clause.

1.     Show your child a picture of Santa Clause and ask them if they know who he is.  Share your own personal views about Santa Clause with your child.

2.    Ask your child if they would like to meet Santa Clause in person and visit with him about what they would like for Christmas.  Explain that you will both have to wait in line and be patient while the other boys and girls take a turn having their visit.  Be sure to pack snacks and drinks to ease any hunger pains that are sure to develop.

3.    Explain to your child that a Santa Clause in person is much bigger than the Santa Clause in the picture.  Describe a live Santa Clause in detail and ask your child if he or she would be too scared meet the jolly man.  If the answer is yes, save your money and don’t go.

4.    If your child agrees that he or she would like to meet Santa Clause, explain that you are going to arrange to have some pictures taken of them while sitting on Santa’s knee and it is very important that they smile their very best.

5.    Go easy on your budget and have them come up with just one or two items to ask Santa for Christmas.  Let them know they can ask Santa two or three questions about his home, his red suit and his reindeer.

Santa Clause is a classic tradition that spans generations.  However, children are smart and they can often sense that a mall Santa Clause is not necessarily the “real” Santa Clause. Below are some cute questions they may come away asking:

1.     Mommy why did he have a fake beard?
2.    Are those his real elves?
3.    How did they get all that snow all the way here from the North Pole?
4.    Does Santa go home at the end of the day?
5.    Mom, are you sure that that’s the real Santa Clause?
6.    How does he remember what I want for Christmas?
7.    Do I really have to be good?
8.    If I do something wrong, how does he know?
9.    Mommy why does Santa have bad breath?
10.    How many cookies does he have to eat to fit into that suit?

Prepare your responses in advance so that you can explain Santa’s mysterious ways in your own  fashion.  Everyone keeps Christmas according to rich family traditions that are passed on from generation to generation.  How you explain Santa Clause to your child is up to you.

I’m going on forty and I still believe in the giving nature of Santa Clause.  A few days ago I was reading the famous letter that a little girl named Virginia O’Hanlon had sent to the Editor of The New York Sun asking if there really was a Santa Clause.  My heart warmed at the Editor’s response:
“Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.  He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy.”
“He lives, and he lives forever.  A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

We want to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Child n’Parent!

By  Debby Hoffer

Add comment December 4th, 2008

When Your Baby Has a Fever

The information in this blog is for information purposes only.  For medical diagnosis or treatment, always consult a physician.

Babies have underdeveloped temperature control systems. Mosquito bites, bee stings, allergic reactions, viral infections, bacterial infections- all of these can cause an infant to burn. Usually, a fever occurs when the body detects an unwelcome presence. By raising the heat, the body makes itself inhospitable to germs and wakes up white blood cells.  Fever also activates the body’s immune system.

Normal body temperature is 98.6 , but it may vary by a few degrees. A feverish infant will be cranky, sluggish or look flushed. Then it is time to take the temperature. Wait 20 minutes after a bath to take it, since the warmth of a bath raises the body heat and will distort the temperature reading.

Newborns and very young infants should be evaluated by a doctor for any fever that reaches 100.4? Fahrenheit (38? Celsius) or higher. For other babies a reading of less than 102  is less than serious. Give them plenty of fluids and keep them in a cool well-ventilated room. Re-check their temperature at intervals to make sure it is going down. A cold compress will make the baby more comfortable and help lower their temperature. Keep an eye on the child for twenty-four hours. If it has not subsided by then, call your doctor.

Consult a doctor immediately when your baby runs a fever of 102  or above.  If the fever reaches 104 , it is serious, and the child must get to a hospital as soon as possible. If the fever is accompanied by runny nose, sensitive eyes, red spots, or itchy red spots, consult a doctor, since these symptoms are indicative of measles or chicken pox.

For medicines, you can give children’s acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) for fevers above 102?F (39?C), if your child is uncomfortable.  Fever medicine usually lowers the fever by 2 to 3?F

Never, ever give a child aspirin, as it has been associated with Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a series of flu-like symptoms that set in right as the patient begins to recover from a virus. The symptoms include vomiting, delusion, combativeness, dizziness, listlessness, and signs of brain dysfunction.

Parents, especially new ones, are often worried when their little one gets sick. Don’t be alarmed. Babies often get fevers; but they are rarely life threatening or dangerous. Just follow procedure and have the number of good doctor on hand.
If there are ever any serious concerns, ask a doctor.

Find more help with your baby’s health at Child n’Parent.

By Stephanie Moore

Add comment November 19th, 2008

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