Maintain a Healthy Weight

Why Is a Healthy Weight Important?

Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions. If you are overweight or obese, you are at higher risk of developing serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems, and certain cancers. That is why maintaining a healthy weight is so important: It helps you lower your risk for developing these problems, helps you feel good about yourself, and gives you more energy to enjoy life. 

What Is Overweight and Obesity?

Overweight is having extra body weight from muscle, bone, fat, and/or water. Obesity is having a high amount of extra body fat. Body mass index (BMI) is a useful measure of overweight and obesity. The information on this Web site will provide you with information about BMI (including limitations of this measure) and how to reach and stay at a healthy weight. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about your BMI.

What Factors Contribute To a Healthy Weight?

Many factors can contribute to a person’s weight. These factors include environment, family history and genetics, metabolism (the way your body changes food and oxygen into energy), and behavior or habits.

Energy Balance

Energy balance is important for maintaining a healthy weight. The amount of energy or calories you get from food and drinks (energy IN) is balanced with the energy your body uses for things like breathing, digesting, and being physically active (energy OUT):

• The same amount of energy IN and energy OUT over time = weight stays the same (energy balance)
• More energy IN than OUT over time = weight gain
• More energy OUT than IN over time = weight loss

To maintain a healthy weight, your energy IN and OUT don’t have to balance exactly every day. It’s the balance over time that helps you maintain a healthy weight.

You can reach and maintain a healthy weight if you:

• Follow a healthy diet, and if you are overweight or obese, reduce your daily intake by 500 calories for weight loss
• Are physically active
• Limit the time you spend being physically inactive

Source: 

Babies and falls

Whenever your baby or toddler takes a serious tumble — from a couch, bed, highchair, crib, or countertop, for example — you'll need to do a thorough check for injuries, especially if he falls on his head or back.

You'll want to make sure that your child doesn't have any serious wounds, that he hasn't broken any bones, and that he hasn't suffered a concussion or other internal damage, including a serious head injury (such as a skull fracture or intracranial injury). Falls can be serious, but because baby and toddler bones are soft, they don't fracture as easily as those of an older child.

If your child looks okay to you and seems to be acting normally, chances are the fall didn't cause serious injury. Be thankful, but keep an eye on him. Continue to carefully observe your him for the next 24 hours, especially if he bumped or fell on his head.

Err on the side of caution: If you're uncomfortable with the severity of your child's fall — you think he must have gotten hurt — or if your child is acting irritable or confused, take him to the doctor to get checked out.

It's not necessary to keep your child awake after a fall, although if he is awake it'll be easier to monitor whether he's acting okay.

Call 911 if your child experiences any of the following after a fall:

A loss of consciousness. If your child isn't breathing, have someone call 911 while you administer infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (if your child is younger than 12 months) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (if your child is 12 months or older) until help arrives. If you're alone, give your child CPR for two minutes, then call 911 yourself.
Bleeding that you're unable to stop with pressure.
A seizure.
If your child is breathing but not responsive — he's unconscious after the fall or you're unable to wake him up after he goes to sleep, for example.
Take your child to the emergency room or talk to his doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

Signs of a broken bone, including an obvious deformity, like a wrist that's bent awkwardly, or an arm or a leg that seems out of alignment
Signs of a possible skull fracture: A soft, swollen area on the scalp, especially on the side of the head (above or behind the ear); blood showing in the whites of his eyes; or pinkish fluid or blood draining from his nose or ears
Signs of a concussion, such as persistent vomiting or excessive sleepiness. Depending on your child's age, look for a change in how he crawls or walks; headache or dizziness; weakness or confusion; or problems with speech, vision, or motor skills
Signs of a possible brain injury, such as changes in pupil size and unusual eye movements
Prolonged crying or screaming, which could indicate a possible internal injury such as abdominal bleeding

What should I do if my child develops a bump on his head?

"Goose eggs" on the head are common, especially in children who are just learning to get around by themselves. Although a bump on the head can look scary, it doesn't necessarily mean that your child is seriously hurt. When swelling occurs on the head, much of it protrudes outward because your child's skull is just under the skin.

To help the bump go down, wrap an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas, in a pinch) in a thin towel or diaper and hold it on the bump for two to five minutes at a time, off and on, for an hour. Nursing or feeding your baby or looking at a book with your toddler during this time can help distract him from the chill and discomfort.

If you think that your child is bothered by the bump, ask his doctor about giving him the appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give your child aspirin, which can lead to a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome.

Minor bumps and bruises are an unavoidable part of developing motor skills and independence.As long as your child is under constant adult supervision and his play area is free of ungated stairs, sharp edges, and other hazards, most falls will not cause serious injury.

When your child does take a tumble, try not to overreact. Rushing to his side every time he stumbles will wear you out and make him overly cautious. If he's upset, calmly comfort him and encourage him to get back on his feet. Still, falls are the number-one cause of accidental injury in children, and 1 in 3 of these accidents is preventable.

Do what you can to keep your child safe, including:

Cushion sharp corners on furniture. Because they're low, coffee tables are common culprits in childhood bumps and bruises. You may want to pad the corners of your coffee table, or you may find it worthwhile to pack the table away until your child is a confident, steady walker.
Put skidproof pads under all rugs. Or remove throw rugs until they no longer trip up your child. And use a nonslip mat to keep your child from sliding once you're bathing him in the big tub.
Keep your child away from elevated porches and decks, and place gates at the top and bottom of each staircase. (Choose a mesh gate rather than the accordion style, which can trap and pinch little fingers.) Place guards or acrylic glass sheets (such as Plexiglass) on banisters and railings if your child can fit through the rails.
Move chairs and other furniture away from windows..
Be extra vigilant about holding your baby or toddler on the changing table. Some tables have straps that can help you keep your grip on a real wiggler, but they may not be enough to prevent a fall, so don't ever leave your child on the table unattended.
Keep the stairs in your home free of objects that you might trip over when you're carrying your child.
Lower your child's mattress as soon as he starts standing up in his crib.
When you're at the grocery store, buckle your child into the shopping cart. And don't walk away from the cart, even for an instant. Also strap your child into his stroller and his highchair.
Keep a sharp eye on your child at all times if he's started climbing on the furniture. You'll want to act quickly to keep him from falling.
Use window guards on windows. Don't rely on screens, which aren't designed to keep kids from falling out.

Disciplining Your Child

We all struggle with the "appropriate" way to discipline our child. Do we spank, do time out, or take toys away? These are some effective ways/tips to discipline your child.

1. Three types of parenting:

An authoritative parent has clear expectations and consequences and is affectionate toward his or her child. The authoritative parent allows for flexibility and collaborative problem solving with the child when dealing with behavioral challenges. This is the most effective form of parenting.

An authoritarian parent has clear expectations and consequences, but shows little affection toward his or her child. The parent may say things like, "because I'm the Mommy, that's why." This is a less effective form of parenting.

A permissive parent shows lots of affection toward his or her child but provides little discipline. This is a less effective form of parenting.

2. Choosing discipline techniques:

The discipline techniques you choose may depend on the type of inappropriate behavior your child displays, your child's age, your child's temperament, and your parenting style.

• Reward Good Behavior

Acknowledging good behavior is the best way to encourage your child to continue it. In other words, Compliment your child when he or she shows the behavior you've been seeking.

• Natural Consequences

Your child does something wrong, and you let the child experience the result of that behavior. There's no need for you to "lecture." The child can't blame you for what happened. For example, if a child deliberately breaks a toy, he or she no longer has that toy to play with.

Natural consequences can work well when children don't seem to "hear" your warnings about the potential outcome of their behavior. Be sure, however, that any consequence they might experience isn't dangerous.

• Logical Consequences

This technique is similar to natural consequences but involves describing to your child what the consequences will be for unacceptable behavior. The consequence is directly linked to the behavior. For example, you tell your child that if he doesn't pick up his toys, then those toys will be removed for a week.

• Taking Away Privileges

Sometimes there isn't a logical or natural consequence for a bad behavior -- or you don't have time to think it through. In this case, the consequence for unacceptable behavior may be taking away a privilege. For example, if a middle schooler doesn't complete her homework on time, you may choose to take away television privileges for the evening. This discipline technique works best if the privilege is:

• Related in some way to the behavior
• Something the child values
• Taken away as soon as possible after the inappropriate behavior (especially for young children)

• Time-Outs

Time outs work if you know exactly what the child did wrong or if you need a break from the child's behavior. Be sure you have a time-out location established ahead of time. It should be a quiet, boring place -- probably not the bedroom (where the child can play) or a dangerous place like a bathroom. This discipline technique can work with children when the child is old enough to understand the purpose of a time out -- usually around age 2 and older, with about a minute of time out for each year of age. Time outs often work best with younger kids for whom the separation from the parent is truly seen as a deprivation.

• Corporal Punishment or Spankings

Corporal (physical) punishment, such as spanking, isn't recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics or mental health associations. Why? Primarily because nonphysical discipline techniques work better with fewer negative consequences. According to the AAP, spanking may result in the following problems:

• Spanking may make children more aggressive
• Spanking can become more violent and harm a child
• Spanking may cause children to think that it's OK to physically hurt someone you love

While I personally think spankings are okay, I understand there are those who do not. For me a spanking means a pop on their bottom only and just 1-2 times and obviously not hard enough to truly hurt them. You should never spank out of anger because that is the point when it can become dangerous. Also, you should explain to the child WHY they are receiving this punishment. Using spankings does not make someone a bad parent at all. Deciding not to use spankings is perfectly fine as well. It has been my experience that as a parent, you just have to find what works best in YOUR home for YOUR child(ren).

3. Tips:

• Reward good behavior.

When punishment is the centerpiece of discipline, parents tend to overlook their children’s best behaviors.  Rewarding good deeds targets behaviors you want to develop in your child, not things he shouldn’t be doing. This does not mean you give your child a treat every time he or she does something that they are told to do. Positive reinforcement can include words of encouragement as well. ex: "Great Job!!!", "I'm so proud of you for doing that!!!!" There are times where your child may do something exceptional and warrant a larger reward such as a treat, extra outside play time, a little more television time, etc. 

• Be clear about the rules.

If you do not have clear rules or only discuss them when one has been broken, children will have a hard time following them. Explain the rules when you and your child are not upset, that way you can speak clearly and your child will listen and understand. Practice discipline when it works for you. For example, if you have 30 minutes to spare, tell your child to do a small chore (such as picking up toys). If your child does it, that is great and work out a reward for them (words of praise, extra play time, a treat, etc). If your child throws a tantrum then you have time to deal with it appropriately and calmly. Over time, this will help your child come to the realization that when you say pick up toys, they need to listen and do it.

• Neutralize arguments.

If you have a child who likes to try to argue you into submission, the best thing to do is to avoid no-win arguments. or go "brain-dead." 
For example: If your child says, "This isn’t fair," say, "I know." If your child says, "All of my friends get to have this," say, "I know." Or you can use the phrase, "And what did I say?" to enforce rules you have already discussed with your child. Sometimes the less you say, the more clear your point becomes.

• Buy yourself time.

Some people think that children need to experience the consequences of their action as soon as possible and that you need to stay calm as you discipline them. That's a nice thought, but it is not always realistic. Sometimes you can not keep your cool and respond right away. Allow yourself to calm down before dealing with the situation. You can tell your child, "Wow, bad decision. I need some time to figure out what I’m going to do about that." When your emotions are in check, express empathy for your child first, then deliver the consequences. Empathy gives your child room to connect his behavior to the outcome. Yelling is not absolutely necessary, sometimes simply allowing it to become their problem is good enough.

• Be consistent about rules.

You have to stick to your rules as much as you expect your child to stick to them. If they don't know what to expect from their parent, then the parent can't expect them to behave. You may want to back down for fear of ruining your child’s fun. Keep in mind that kids benefit from limits. Rules and structure give children the security of knowing their parents are watching out for them. As kids get older, you can take a more flexible approach. Around the ages of 9 and 12, kids should get a little room to test out the rules safely.

• Model good behavior.

Personal conduct makes more of a lasting impression than words. Your children are watching you more than they will watch anyone else in their lives. Example: If you want your child to be polite, then they need to see you at your best manners at home as well as in public.

• Be respectful of your child.

If you show your child respect -- even when disciplining your child -- your child is more likely to respect you, other family members, and other people in his or her life. If you "lose it" or overreact with disrespect, apologize. Behave the way you want your child to behave.


The fact is, raising disciplined children is not easy. Despite your best efforts, there will always be good days and bad days. As a parent, you have to just do the absolute best you can. At the end of the day, you are only human as is your child(ren). No one is perfect and to expect anyone to be is just ridiculous.

Question

What is a membrane sweep?

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Expert Answer

Emma Dufficy

Hospital midwife.

A membrane sweep is a way of trying to bring on labour to avoid going too overdue. It'll be the first step your midwife or doctor offers, before other methods of induction, to get your labour going.

Your midwife or doctor will carry out the procedure. During an internal examination, she will try to insert a finger into the opening of your cervix (neck of your womb) and then gently but firmly move her finger around. This action should separate the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding your baby from your cervix. This separation releases hormones (prostaglandins) which may kick-start your labour. 

The procedure may also be called a stretch and sweep, because if a sweep isn't possible, your midwife may still try to stretch or massage your cervix. This stimulation may be enough to start the ripening of your cervix. If your cervix then starts to soften and open, your midwife may be able to do a proper sweep next time she sees you. 

A membrane sweep increases the likelihood that labour will start within 48 hours. It has a higher chance of working if your cervix is already softening and preparing for labour. Rest assured that it doesn't increase the risk of infection for you or your baby. If your waters have broken but labour hasn't started, membrane sweeps are not recommended as, in these circumstances, they can increase your risk of infection. 

A membrane sweep can be uncomfortable, as the cervix is often difficult to reach before your labour begins. Some women find the procedure painful. If you've been practising breathing techniques ready for labour, you may find they help you to relax while your midwife is carrying out the sweep. You may experience some slight spotting of blood, cramps or irregular contractions immediately afterwards. 

If you're a first-time mum, you should be offered a membrane sweep at your antenatal appointments at 40 weeks and again at 41 weeks. Some midwives will offer a membrane sweep every 72 hours (three days). If this isn't your first baby, you should be offered a membrane sweep at your 41-week antenatal appointment. 

If you've passed your due date, you should be offered a membrane sweep before other methods of induction. You may be offered two or three membrane sweeps before your doctor or midwife suggests other ways for you to be induced . 

If you don't want to have a sweep, you can decline the offer. Although there’s no guarantee it will start your labour, it does help some women avoid having their labour induced in more invasive ways. If you don't want a sweep and don't want your labour induced, you may prefer to try some natural ways to get labour started.

Asthma in babies

My baby is wheezing. Is it asthma?

Though it may be alarming to hear your baby wheezing (a whistling sound), it may not be due to asthma.

As many as 30 per cent of young children have at least one episode of wheezing by the time they are three years old. This is usually when they have a virus or an upper-respiratory tract infection such as a throat infection or a cold. Once the infection has gone, the wheezing problem usually settles. Most babies outgrow these viral-related symptoms by the time they start school.

If your baby wheezes frequently but doesn't have a cold, ask your GP for their opinion.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

A baby's airways are so small that they can make a wheezing sound which isn't true asthma. Wheezing can be quite common in children under the age of three.

Asthma is a long-term (chronic) inflammation of the small breathing tubes (bronchioles) in your baby's lungs. Your doctor will only make a firm diagnosis of asthma when they see a pattern of symptoms emerging over a period of time. Considering your family's medical history will also help with the diagnosis.

Symptoms of asthma are:

• A persistent, dry cough, which is worse late at night, or early in the morning.
• Shortness of breath and tightness in your baby's chest.

It may be difficult to know whether or not your baby has asthma. So your doctor may treat her with asthma medications for a short time. If the symptoms improve as a result, the chances are that your baby has asthma.

What causes asthma?

Asthma in most babies is a reaction to a trigger, often an allergen such as pet saliva, skin or urine, dust mites, or pollen. Airborne irritants such as cigarette smoke and mould spores can also be triggers.

However, a respiratory infection, usually caused by virus such as a cold, may also cause an attack.

As in other types of allergies, the trigger for the attack stimulates antibodies to produce histamine and other allergy chemicals. In asthma, these chemical reactions happen in your baby's lungs. Chemicals released by the antibodies swell the lining of your baby's lungs and tighten the muscles of her airways. Mucus is also produced.

Why may my baby be more likely to develop asthma?

Asthma may be more likely to develop if:

• You or your partner smoke. This makes her nearly four times more likely to wheeze compared with a baby in a smoke-free home.
• You smoked in pregnancy.
• Your baby was born with a low birth weight or was born prematurely, particularly if she was very premature.
• One or both of your baby's parents have asthma, or another allergic condition, such as eczema. This may mean that she develops it earlier than babies who don’t have asthma in the family.
• Your baby has an allergic condition such as eczema, or a food allergy.
• Your baby lives in a home that has damp or mould problems.

I've heard asthma's on the rise. Why?

Asthma has been on the increase over the past few decades, but it has started to level off. Experts aren't sure why, but one possibility is that children's immune systems are less mature than they used to be.

Babies' immune systems were once busy fighting diseases such as rubella and whooping cough. But now that there are fewer infectious diseases to fight off, their immune sytems may be more immature.

This means that your baby's immune system may respond to an allergen a little too zealously, and this may contribute to her asthma. Some experts suggest that early exposure to certain bacteria may help babies to develop effective immune systems that can ward off allergies, including asthma.

Babies living on farms tend to have lower rates of asthma, possibly because they are exposed to a wide range of bacteria.

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma is a long-term (chronic) condition, and there is no known cure. However, many children outgrow their asthma,  or find that it becomes less severe when they get older.

In the meantime, you can help to manage your baby's asthma with medicines, and by reducing her exposure to the trigger for the asthma when you can. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment and method to manage your baby's asthma.

If your baby has asthma, it shouldn't prevent her from taking exercise and leading a healthy, active lifestyle as she grows. Your GP will tailor your baby's treatment so that she can run around and play without triggering her asthma. Exercise will help her to control her asthma and keep her strong.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a74/asthma-in-babies#ixzz3brlnLWFf

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs and airways — the tubes that bring air into and out of the lungs. If your baby has asthma, these airways are irritated and swollen, and this can affect his ability to breathe.It's important that you work with your baby's healthcare provider to prevent and treat asthma attacks. With the right medications, education, an asthma action plan, and regular medical follow-up, most asthmatic children do just fine.

What happens during an acute asthma attack?

If your baby has an acute asthma attack, the lining of his airways will become even more inflamed and produce more mucus. Then the muscles around his airways will tighten and his breathing tubes will narrow. He may breathe rapidly, cough, or wheeze (make a whistling sound) as his breath is forced through the narrowed airways. You may notice your baby's nostrils flare or the skin around his ribs suck in with each breath.

If left untreated or there's a delay in seeking medical attention, an asthma attack can be deadly. As soon as you notice any symptoms of an attack, promptly give your baby the "quick-reliever" medicine prescribed by his doctor. (If you don't have any emergency medicine, call 911 or take your baby to the closest emergency department.)

Once the medicine opens his breathing tubes, the symptoms should subside. If the symptoms persist or get worse, call 911 or take your baby to the emergency department right away.

What do allergies have to do with asthma?

Exposure to allergens such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pollens, or animal dander can trigger or worsen symptoms in some children with asthma. This is referred to as allergic asthma. Seasonal allergies to outdoor pollens (also called hay fever) won't usually be a problem until your child is 4 or 5, because it can take that long for him to be exposed to enough pollens to develop a sensitivity to them. Allergies to dust mites, mold, or animal dander may develop earlier in life, though.

About 75 to 80 percent of children with asthma also have significant allergies. If your child has asthma and you suspect that he has allergies, you may want to take him to an allergist for further evaluation and treatment that may help prevent asthma attacks.

Are there other triggers?

Yes, other possible triggers include cold air, viral infections (such as the common cold), tobacco smoke, and other air pollutants. And once your child's big enough to run, just dashing around could trigger an asthma attack. In fact, if he often coughs and wheezes after a romp on the playground, he may have what's called exercise-induced asthma.

How common is asthma in children?

Asthma is the most common serious chronic childhood disease, and it's the third most frequent cause of hospitalization in children under 15 years of age. Asthma affects 6.5 million children in the United States today. Fifty to 80 percent of children with asthma develop symptoms before they're 5 years old.

How can I tell whether my baby has asthma?

You'll need your doctor's help. Asthma can be difficult to diagnose in children younger than 2, because conditions other than asthma can cause wheezing or wheezing-like sounds. In fact, viral respiratory infections are probably the most common cause of wheezing in babies.

However, if your baby coughs frequently and has allergies or eczema, and your family has a history of asthma and allergies or eczema (especially if you and your partner both have them), there's a good chance that your baby has asthma. His symptoms are likely to be worse at night.

Your child's doctor will examine your baby and take a careful history, including a family health history, to help make a diagnosis.

How do you treat asthma?

If your baby has asthma, you'll want to work with his doctor to develop a strategy for preventing and dealing with asthma attacks. First figure out what triggers the attacks and then do your best to help your child avoid those triggers. Some children have attacks only when they have a cold, for example, while others have attacks after coming into contact with an allergen or an irritant like cigarette smoke.

Stopping an asthma attack
Your doctor will probably prescribe one or more drugs for your baby. Drugs known as quick relievers or rescue inhalers are used to stop an asthma attack. These fast-acting medications relieve the spasms in the airway, making breathing easier. Quick-reliever drugs such as albuterol are administered using either a nebulizer machine or a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).

A nebulizer is an electric or battery-powered machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist that your baby can breathe into his lungs through a mask. Nebulized breathing treatments usually take about ten minutes.

An MDI is a small aerosol can that's inserted into a long tube called a holding chamber or spacer, which has a small mask attached to it. The albuterol is sprayed into the holding chamber and then inhaled by your baby as he breathes through the mask. This type of breathing treatment can be given in less than a minute.

The choice of a nebulizer or a metered-dose inhaler depends mostly on which device is easiest for you and your baby to use. In general, they are equally effective in getting the medicine into your baby's lungs to stop an asthma attack.

Preventing an asthma attack
Drugs known as controllers are used to prevent asthma attacks. These include inhaled steroids, which can help reduce inflammation and swelling and prevent your baby from wheezing. You would give your baby daily inhaled steroid medicine using either an MDI or a nebulizer, depending on the steroid prescribed by his doctor.

If your baby's asthma proves difficult to control, his doctor may refer him to an asthma specialist.

You'll want to make sure that any sitters or daycare providers responsible for your baby's care are familiar with his condition and know how to treat an asthma attack.

What can I do to prevent my child from developing asthma?

There's nothing you can do to fully prevent your child from developing asthma if it's in his genes. And you won't know whether your child will be asthmatic until he shows persistent symptoms, such as wheezing and constant coughing. That said, you may be able to minimize the severity of your child's symptoms or delay the onset of his asthma until he's older (and his lungs are bigger and stronger) if you do the following:

• Limit his exposure to dust mites: Encase your baby's mattress in an impermeable cover, remove carpeting and plush toys from his room, use blinds instead of heavy fabric drapes, and wash his bedding once a week in hot water.
• Keep your baby away from secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke isn't technically considered an allergen, but it does irritate the lungs.
• Limit his exposure to air pollution. Air pollutants such as ozone can irritate the lungs and cause breathing problems in people with sensitive respiratory tracts. Check your local newspaper or radio for reports on the Air Quality Index, and consider keeping your baby indoors on days when the air quality is poor.
• Avoid using a fireplace or wood stove. Although the warmth and coziness are inviting, the smoke may irritate your child's respiratory system.
• If your child has developed an allergy to your family pet, keep the pet outside if you possibly can. Of course, depending on your pet's disposition and your living situation, this won't always be possible.
• Reduce mold in your home. Install exhaust fans or open the window in the kitchen when cooking and the bathroom when showering, for example. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier, if necessary, to keep the humidity level between 35 and 50 percent. Repair leaks, which can cause mold growth behind walls and under floors, and clean moldy surfaces using soap and water. Make sure damp or wet clothing or surfaces are dried as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.

Can my child be cured of asthma?

There's no cure for asthma, although some asthmatic babies who wheeze only when they have colds or upper respiratory tract infections outgrow the tendency to wheeze over time. In general, asthma is thought to be a lifelong condition, although the frequency and severity of symptoms may change as your baby grows.

Close medical follow-up and appropriate treatment will enable your child to manage his asthma as he gets older so he can run, swim, and play like other children. Most children with asthma grow up to be healthy adults.

Asthma can be frightening for both you and your child, but remember, you're not alone. You may be surprised to learn how many families are dealing with asthma. Share your concerns about your baby's asthma with other parents in the BabyCenter Community.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_asthma-in-babies_74.bc?showAll=true

Bronchiolitis and RSV

One common condition that mimics asthma in infants is bronchiolitis, which is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The infection affects the tiny airways called bronchioles. The airways swell, making breathing difficult. Infants are often affected because their airways are so small that they become easily blocked.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis include rapid breathing, a cough, wheezing, and fever. Infants who develop bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma later in life. But it's unclear if that's because RSV infection causes asthma or because the child was born with a tendency to wheeze and was therefore more prone to both bronchiolitis and asthma. Studies are being done to clarify the relationship between bronchiolitis and the later development of asthma.
Less common reasons for wheezing in infants include:

• a foreign object or piece of food inhaled into the lungs
• premature birth — preemies who have insufficiently developed airways may wheeze
• cystic fibrosis — this disease can cause wheezing, too, but usually involves additional symptoms, such as delayed growth.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/asthma/wheezing_asthma.html#

Autism-- Early Detection

Early Detection!
As a parent, you’re in the best position to spot the earliest warning signs of autism.
You know your child better than anyone and observe behaviors and quirks that a pediatrician,
in a quick fifteen-minute visit, might not have the chance to see. Your child’s pediatrician
can be a valuable partner, but don’t discount the importance of your own observations and
experience. The key is to educate yourself so you know what’s normal and what’s not.

 • Monitor your child’s development. Autism involves a variety of developmental delays, so
keeping a close eye on when—or if—your child is hitting the key social, emotional, and
cognitive milestones is an effective way to spot the problem early on. While developmental
delays don’t automatically point to autism, they may indicate a heightened risk.

 • Take action if you’re concerned. Every child develops at a different pace—so you don’t
need to panic if your child is a little late to talk or walk. When it comes to healthy
development, there’s a wide range of “normal.” But if your child is not meeting the milestones
for his or her age, or you suspect a problem, share your concerns with your child’s doctor
immediately. Don’t wait.

 • Don’t accept a wait-and-see approach.  Many concerned parents are told, “Don’t worry” or
“Wait and see.” But waiting is the worst thing you can do. You risk losing valuable time at
an age where your child has the best chance for improvement. Furthermore, whether the delay
is caused by autism or some other factor, developmentally delayed kids are unlikely to simply
“grow out” of their problems. In order to develop skills in an area of delay, your child needs
extra help and targeted treatment.

• Trust your instincts.  Ideally, your child’s doctor will take your concerns seriously and
perform a thorough evaluation for autism or other developmental delays. But sometimes, even
well-meaning doctors miss red flags or underestimate problems. Listen to your gut if it’s telling
you something is wrong and be persistent. Schedule a follow-up appointment with the doctor, seek a
second opinion, or ask for a referral to a child development specialist.


Regression of any kind is a serious autism warning sign

 Some children with autism spectrum disorders start to develop communication skills and then regress, usually between 12 and 24 months. For example, a child who was communicating with words such as “mommy” or “up” may stop using language entirely, or a child may stop playing social games he or she used to enjoy such as peek-a-boo, patty cake, or waving “bye-bye.” Any loss of speech, babbling, gestures, or social skills should be taken very seriously,  as regression is a major red flag for autism.

Signs and symptoms of autism in babies and toddlers

 If autism is caught in infancy, treatment can take full advantage of the young brain’s remarkable
plasticity. Although autism is hard to diagnose before 24 months, symptoms often surface between 12 and 18 months.  If signs are detected by 18 months of age, intensive treatment may help to rewire the brain and reverse the symptoms.
The earliest signs of autism involve the absence of normal behaviors—not the presence of abnormal ones—so they can be tough to spot. In some cases, the earliest symptoms of autism are even misinterpreted as signs of a “good baby,” since the infant may seem quiet, independent, and undemanding. However, you can catch warning signs early if you know what to look for.
Some autistic infants don't respond to cuddling, reach out to be picked up, or look at their mothers
when being fed.

Early Signs of Autism in babies and toddlers

•Doesn’t make eye contact (e.g. look at you when being fed).
•Doesn't smile when smiled at.
•Doesn't respond to his or her name or to the sound of a familiar voice.
•Doesn’t follow objects visually.
•Doesn't point or wave goodbye or use other gestures to communicate.
•Doesn’t follow the gesture when you point things out.
•Doesn’t make noises to get your attention.
•Doesn’t initiate or respond to cuddling.
•Doesn’t imitate your movements and facial expressions.
•Doesn’t reach out to be picked up.
•Doesn’t play with other people or share interest and enjoyment.
•Doesn’t ask for help or make other basic requests.

The following delays warrant an immediate evaluation by your child's pediatrician.
*By 6 months: No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions.
• By 9 months: No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions.
• By 12 months: Lack of response to name.
• By 12 months: No babbling or “baby talk.”
• By 12 months: No back-and-forth gestures, such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving.
• By 16 months:  No spoken words.
• By 24 months: No meaningful two-word phrases that don’t involve imitating or repeating.

Signs and symptoms of autism in Older children
As children get older, the red flags for autism become more diverse. There are many warning
signs and symptoms, but they typically revolve around impaired social skills, speech and language
difficulties, non-verbal communication difficulties, and inflexible behavior.
Basic social interaction can be difficult for children with autism spectrum disorders. Many kids
on the autism spectrum seem to prefer to live in their own world, aloof and detached from others.
•Appears disinterested or unaware of other people or what’s going on around them.
•Doesn’t know how to connect with others, play, or make friends.
•Prefers not to be touched, held, or cuddled.
•Doesn’t play "pretend" games, engage in group games, imitate others, or use toys in creative ways.
•Has trouble understanding or talking about feelings.
•Doesn’t seem to hear when others talk to him or her.
•Doesn't share interests or achievements with others (drawings, toys).
Children with autism spectrum disorders have difficulty with speech and language. Often, they start talking late.
•Speaks in an abnormal tone of voice, or with an odd rhythm or pitch (e.g. ends every sentence as if asking a question).
•Repeats the same words or phrases over and over.
•Responds to a question by repeating it, rather than answering it.
•Refers to themselves in the third person.
•Uses language incorrectly (grammatical errors, wrong words).
•Has difficulty communicating needs or desires.
•Doesn’t understand simple directions, statements, or questions.
•Takes what is said too literally (misses undertones of humor, irony, and sarcasm).
Children with autism spectrum disorders have trouble picking up on subtle nonverbal cues and using body
language. This makes the "give-and-take" of social interaction very difficult.
•Avoids eye contact.
•Uses facial expressions that don't match what he or she is saying.
•Doesn’t pick up on other people’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures.
•Makes very few gestures (such as pointing). May come across as cold or “robot-like.”
•Reacts unusually to sights, smells, textures, and sounds. May be especially sensitive to loud noises.
•Abnormal posture, clumsiness, or eccentric ways of moving (e.g. walking exclusively on tiptoe).
Children with autism spectrum disorders are often restricted, inflexible, and even obsessive in their behaviors,
activities, and interests.
•Follows a rigid routine (e.g. insists on taking a specific route to school).
•Has difficulty adapting to any changes in schedule or environment (e.g. throws a tantrum if the furniture is
rearranged or bedtime is at a different time than usual).
•Unusual attachments to toys or strange objects such as keys, light switches, or rubber bands.
•Obsessively lines things up or arranges them in a certain order.
•Preoccupation with a narrow topic of interest, often involving numbers or symbols (e.g. memorizing and reciting
facts about maps, train schedules, or sports statistics).
•Spends long periods of time arranging toys in specific ways, watching moving objects such as a ceiling fan, or
focusing on one specific part of an object such as the wheels of a toy car.
•Repeats the same actions or movements over and over again, such as flapping hands, rocking, or twirling
(known as self-stimulatory behavior, or “stimming”). Some researchers and clinicians believe that these behaviors
may soothe children with autism more than stimulate them.

Common Self-stimulatory behaviors
•Hand flapping
•Rocking back and forth
•Spinning in a circle
•Finger flicking
•Head banging
•Staring at lights
•Moving fingers in front of the eyes
•Snapping fingers
 •Tapping ears
•Scratching
•Lining up toys
•Spinning objects
•Wheel spinning
•Watching moving objects
•Flicking light switches on and off
•Repeating words or noises
Prenatal factors that may contribute to autism:
Taking antidepressants during pregnancy, especially in the first 3 months 
• Nutritional deficiencies early in pregnancy, particularly not getting enough folic acid
• The age of the mother  (children born to older fathers also have a higher risk of autism)
• Complications at or shortly after birth,  including very low birth weight and neonatal anemia
• Maternal infections during pregnancy
• Exposure to chemical pollutants, such as metals and pesticides, while pregnant

Autism

safe medicaitons while pregnant

Problem	Safe to take
Heartburn, gas and bloating, upset stomach	Antacids for heartburn (Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Tums) Simethicone for gas pains (Gas-X, Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas, Mylicon)
Cough or cold	Guaifenesin, an expectorant (Hytuss, Mucinex, Naldecon Senior EX, Robitussin) Dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant (Benylin Adult, Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough, Scot-Tussin DM, Vicks 44 Cough Relief) Guaifenesin plus dextromethorphan (Benylin Expectorant, Robitussin DM, Vicks 44E) Cough drops Vicks VapoRub Not safe to take: Cold remedies that contain alcohol The decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine, which can affect blood flow to the placenta
Pain relief,headache, and fever	Acetaminophen (Anacin Aspirin-Free, Tylenol)
Allergy relief	Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine (Chlor-Trimeton allergy tablets) Loratadine, an antihistamine (Alavert, Claritin, Tavist ND, Triaminic Allerchews) Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine (Banophen, Benadryl, Diphenhist, Genahist)
Constipation,hemorrhoids, and diarrhea	Psyllium (Konsyl-D, Metamucil, Modane Bulk, Perdiem) Polycarbophil (Equalactin, Fiber-Lax, FiberNorm, Konsyl-Fiber, Mitrolan) Methylcellulose (Citrucel, Unifiber) Other laxatives and stool softeners (Colace, Dulcolax, Maltsupex, milk of magnesia) Hemorrhoid creams (Anusol, Preparation H, Tucks) Loperamide, anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium, Kaopectate II, Maalox Anti-Diarrheal, Pepto Diarrhea Control)
Yeast infectionsand other fungal infections such as athlete's foot	Clotrimazole (Cruex, Gyne-Lotrimin 3, Lotrimin AF, Mycelex 7) Miconazole (Desenex, Femizol-M, Micatin, Monistat 3) Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) Tioconazole (Monistat 1, Vagistat 1) Butoconazole (Femstat 3, Mycelex 3) Butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra) Tolnaftate (Absorbine Athlete's Foot Cream, Absorbine Footcare, Genaspor, Tinactin) Undecylenic Acid and derivatives (Cruex, Desenex, Fungi Cure, Tinacide) Not safe to take: Certain antifungal products not listed here (Certain Cruex, Desenex, and Fungi Cure products may contain other antifungal agents not listed here that should not be used during pregnancy. Check labels carefully.)
Insomnia	Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels, Nytol, Sominex) Doxylamine succinate (Unisom Nighttime Sleep-Aid)
Itching	Hydrocortisone (Cortaid, Lanacort)
Cuts and scrapes	Polysporin