This document updates previously posted information for parents about infant feeding and novel H1N1 flu (swine flu).  It now more clearly addresses parents who are formula feeding as well as breastfeeding, suggests that parents sick with novel H1N1 flu (swine flu) find someone who is not sick to feed the baby, and provides more detailed strategies for breastfeeding mothers to maintain breastfeeding throughout the course of infection. This document is based on current knowledge of the novel H1N1 flu outbreak in the United States, and may be revised as more information becomes available.

What is this new flu virus?

Photo of mother and babyThis novel H1N1 flu virus (sometimes called “swine flu”) was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

What can I do to protect my baby?

Take everyday precautions such as washing your hands with plain soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub before feeding your baby.  More tips on good health habits for preventing sickness from the flu virus can be found at this website:  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm.  In addition, try not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face while feeding your baby, or any other time you and your baby are close. If possible, only family members who are not sick should care for infants.  If you are sick and there is no one else to care for your baby, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  For more information, see the Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.

Is it ok to for me to feed my baby if I am sick?

Infants are thought to be at higher risk for severe illness from novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and very little is known about prevention of novel H1N1 flu infection in infants. If you are breastfeeding or giving your baby infant formula, a cautious approach would be to protect your baby from exposure to the flu virus in the following ways:

• Ask for help from someone who is not sick to feed and care for your baby, if possible.
• If there is no one else who can take care of your baby while you are sick, try to wear a face mask at all times when you are feeding or caring for your baby.  You should also be very careful about washing your hands and taking everyday precautions to prevent your baby from getting flu (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm).  Using a cloth blanket between you and your baby during feedings might also help.
• If you are breastfeeding, someone who is not sick can give your baby your expressed milk.  Ideally babies less than about 6 months of age should get their feedings from breast milk.  It is OK to take medicines to treat the flu while you are breastfeeding.

Does breastfeeding protect babies from this new flu virus?

There are many ways that breastfeeding and breast milk protect babies’ health.  Flu can be very serious in young babies.  Babies who are not breastfed get sick from infections like the flu more often and more severely than babies who are breastfed.

Since this is a new virus, we don’t know yet about specific protection against it. Mothers pass on protective antibodies to their baby during breastfeeding.  Antibodies are a type of protein made by the immune system in the body.  Antibodies help fight off infection.

If you are sick with flu and are breastfeeding, someone who is not sick can give your baby your expressed milk.

Should I stop breastfeeding my baby if I think I have come in contact with the flu?

No.  Because mothers make antibodies to fight diseases they come in contact with, their milk is custom-made to fight the diseases their babies are exposed to as well.  This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still developing.  It is OK to take medicines to prevent the flu while you are breastfeeding.  You should make sure you wash your hands often and take everyday precautions (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm).  However, if you develop symptoms of the flu such as fever, cough, or sore throat, you should ask someone who is not sick to care for your baby.  If you become sick, someone who is not sick can give your baby your expressed milk.

Is it okay to take medicine to treat or prevent novel H1N1 flu while breastfeeding?

Yes.  Mothers who are breastfeeding and taking medicine to treat flu because they are sick should express their breast milk for bottle feedings, which can be given to your baby by someone who is not sick.  Mothers who are breastfeeding and are taking medicines to prevent the flu because they have been exposed to the virus should continue to feed their baby at the breast as long as they do not have symptoms of the flu such as fever, cough, or sore throat.

If my baby is sick, is it okay to breastfeed?

Yes. One of the best things you can do for your sick baby is keep breastfeeding.

• Do not stop breastfeeding if your baby is sick. Give your baby many chances to breastfeed throughout the illness.  Babies who are sick need more fluids than when they are well.  The fluid babies get from breast milk is better than anything else, even better than water, juice, or Pedialyte® because it also helps protect your baby’s immune system.
• If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, he or she can drink your milk from a cup, bottle, syringe, or eye-dropper.

Source : CDC H1N1

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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Every time you turn around at the supermarket there seems to be another food product labeled containing “probiotics” aimed at the health-conscious consumer. I have posted several blogs about how probiotics work in the intestine and research concerning the beneficial effects of these bacteria on IBD; however, there are things you should know before stocking up on foods claiming to have probiotic bacteria.

First of all, probiotic bacteria need to be alive to have any effect and if a product has been on the shelf for too long the bacteria can die, providing no benefit whatsoever. You should check expiration dates on the packaging and look to see if the product contains live and active cultures.

Just because the product has live and active cultures, doesn’t necessarily mean these are probiotic bacteria that will confer any health benefit. Different strains of bacteria do different things in the body. There are many bacterial strains being added to various food products, but the label “probiotic” doesn’t necessarily mean they will help your intestinal health.

You should know what bacteria you are consuming and understanding how they are named will help you sort it out. Bacteria are named by their genus (Lactobacillus), species (rhamnosus) and strain (GG). Not all types of Lactobacillus are probiotics, there are also multiple types of Lactobacillus casei and some are helpful while others are not. The more informed you are about which ones are beneficial to the intestine and IBD, the better decisions you will make.

Lastly, the amount of probiotic bacteria consumed makes a difference. Sending out one tank to fight against an army isn’t going to make a big impact; therefore, you should do research to find out how much of a particular strain of bacteria was enough to see a positive effect in clinical studies. If you can’t find a clinical study, ask me and I’ll dig through the literature to find one. I would take caution to not to go overboard; three times the dose does not mean it will work three times as well.

There is currently no FDA regulation of probiotics, so companies are claiming all kinds of results without having to prove that their claims are correct. Recent news about how Zicam, a homeopathic nasal cold product, can damage users’ sense of smell is a great example of how lack of FDA regulation can be harmful to people’s health. As a consumer, it is up to you to do your research. If you have questions about how probiotics can help you and your IBD, ask your doctor for suggestions.

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Have you seen the advertisements for products featuring acai
berry, one of nature’s super foods? In case you haven’t heard,
news of Acai Berry has been sweeping across the country.
Rated the #1 “super food” by doctors across America, it has 10
times the antioxidant power of red grapes plus vitamins, minerals,
and essential fatty acids.

Everyone seems to be talking about it these days. “America’s
Doctor” added acai berry to his “Ultimate Checklist For Great
Aging.” Plus, it’s been featured on NBC’s The Today Show, The
Wall Street Journal, and more.

GNS (Global Nutrition Sciences), one of America’s most trusted
supplement companies, wants to make you aware that most, if not
all, of the acai products you have seen are not what they appear
to be.

Using pictures of the acai berry, they claim to help you “flush
away the pounds,” yet many of these products contain little to
no real acai. You’re not going to get the antioxidant and
cleansing benefits of this rainforest wonder.

Some of the products don’t even let you see the label before you
try them! It’s no wonder… many are simply packed with
cornstarch or other worthless filler.

At GNS, they believe in honesty and producing a quality
supplement that they can stand behind proudly.

That’s why they have created Acai Berry Edge, a new cleansing
formula that includes 250 mg of high-quality acai berry extract
in every serving. This proprietary blend of cleansing herbs and
nutrients is scientifically designed to reduce gas and bloating
while cleansing your digestive tract of excess waste and water
weight.

You could have pounds and pounds of excess waste clogging your
system and giving you a permanently bloated appearance… why
put up with it any longer? Now you can get a 30-day supply of
Acai Berry Edge to try for yourself.

Berbagi

Before conception, you’ll want to focus on building up your body’s supply of nutrients so that the growing embryo can develop normally while still leaving enough for you to stay healthy too. Among the foods to include are:

* Dairy products such as milk, cottage cheese and low-fat yogurt to increase your calcium levels; leafy green vegetables, beans and calcium-enriched soy milk are also great sources for calcium
* Strawberries, broccoli and tomatoes for Vitamin C; eggs, sweet potatoes and nuts for Vitamin E to benefit ovulation and enhance the uterine lining
* Spinach, prunes, and oatmeal for iron to help to support the growing embryo
* Leafy greens, salmon and dried figs for the all-important folate

Ideally, these foods should be organic when possible because some studies show that pesticides and other environmental hazards could interfere with your ability to conceive.

The B vitamins, especially B6, B12 and folic acid in the form of folate are rock stars for their ability to keep your sex hormones in balance. Folate is widely considered the uber-nutrient for reducing the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida in the developing embryo. Many health experts encourage women to begin taking a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid three months before they try to conceive.

If there is a history of neural tube defects in your family, the requirement may need to go up to 800 micrograms, according to ob-gyn Margaret Nachtigal, M.D. “There is evidence to show that women who have taken folic acid for a while have a lower rate of neural tube problems,” she says.

Most cereals are now fortified with folic acid — and yes, even a serving of Lucky Charms contains a whopping 50% of your daily recommended allowance. You can also get folic acid from such foods as dark leafy greens, avocados, broccoli, legumes and oatmeal. Wash these down with a glass of orange juice — the vitamin C helps with folic acid’s absorption.

source:Parenting.com

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Baby Products Recommendation
They say that home is where the heart is. But what you may not know is that it’s also where 65% of colds and more than half of food-borne illnesses are contracted. The things we do around the house every day have a big impact on both our long- and short-term health.  Here are six common household activities that may be making you sick.

1. Using a Sponge

The dirtiest room in everybody’s home is the kitchen, says Phillip Tierno, PhD, director of clinical microbiology and diagnostic immunology at the New York University Langone Medical Center and author of The Secret Life of Germs. “That’s because we deal with dead animal carcasses on our countertops and in the sink.” Raw meat can carry E. coli and salmonella, among other viruses and bacteria.

Most people clean their countertops and table after a meal with the one tool found in almost all kitchens: the sponge. In addition to sopping up liquids and other messes, the kitchen sponge commonly carries E. coli and fecal bacteria, as well as many other microbes. “It’s the single dirtiest thing in your kitchen, along with a dishrag,” says Tierno.

Ironically, the more you attempt to clean your countertops with a sponge, the more germs you’re spreading around. “People leave [the sponge] growing and it becomes teaming with [millions of] bacteria, and that can make you sick and become a reservoir of other organisms that you cross-contaminate your countertops with, your refrigerator, and other appliances in the kitchen,” Tierno explains.

Solution: Tierno suggests dipping sponges into a solution of bleach and water before wiping down surfaces. “That is the best and cheapest germicide money can buy — less than a penny to make the solution — so that you can clean your countertops, cutting boards, dishrags, or sponges after each meal preparation.”

In addition, once you’ve used your sponge, be sure to let it air-dry. Dryness kills off organisms. Another way to keep bacteria from building up in your sponge is to microwave it for one to two minutes each week. “Put a little water in a dish and put the sponge in that,” Tierno advises. “That will boil and distribute the heat evenly [throughout the sponge] and kill the bacteria.”

2. Vacuuming

Conventional vacuum cleaners are intended to pick up and retain big pieces of dirt, like the dust bunnies we see floating about on our floors. But it’s the tiny dust particles that pass right through the porous vacuum bags and up into the air. So, while our floors may look cleaner after running a vacuum over them, plenty of dust, which can exacerbate allergies and asthma, remains.

Pet allergens and indoor dust, which contains the highest concentrations of hazardous materials like heavy metals, lead, pesticides, and other chemicals, are found in higher concentrations in the smallest particles of the dust, explains David MacIntosh, MD. He is principal scientist at Environmental Health & Engineering (EH&E), an environmental consulting and engineering services firm based in Needham, Mass.

“The everyday habit of cleaning with a conventional vacuum cleaner results in a burst of particles in the air and then they settle back down over the course of hours,” says MacIntosh.

Solution: Look for a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Unlike those in conventional vacuums, HEPA filters are able to retain the small particles and prevent them from passing through and contaminating the air you breathe in your home.

3. Sleeping With Pillows and a Mattress

The average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells per hour and perspires one quart every day even while doing nothing, says Tierno. The skin cells accumulate in our pillows and mattresses and dust mites grow and settle.

If that’s not gross enough for you, Tierno explains that a mattress doubles in weight every 10 years because of the accumulation of human hair, bodily secretions, animal hair and dander, fungal mold and spores, bacteria, chemicals, dust, lint, fibers, dust mites, insect parts, and a variety of particulates, including dust mite feces. After five years, 10% of the weight of a pillow is dust mites. This is what you’re inhaling while you sleep.

“What you’re sleeping on can exacerbate your allergies or your asthma,” says Tierno.

Solution: Cover your mattress, box springs, and pillows with impervious outer covers.

“Allergy-proof coverings seal the mattress and pillow, preventing anything from getting in or out, which protects you,” Tierno says. He also suggests that you wash your sheets weekly in hot water. Make sure the temperature range of the water is between 130 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Grilling Meat

So much for the summertime staple: Barbecuing meat creates the cancer-causing compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines (HCAs). When fat drips from the meat onto the hot grill, catches fire, and produces smoke, PAHs form. That’s what’s contained in that delicious-looking charred mark we all look for on our burger. HCAs form when meat is cooked at a high temperature, which can occur during an indoor cooking process as well.

Solution: “Limiting your outdoor cooking, using tin foil, or microwaving the meat first is a sensible precaution,” says Michael Thun, MD. He is emeritus vice president for epidemiology and surveillance research with the American Cancer Society.

Wrapping meat in foil with holes poked in it allows fat to drip off, but limits the amount of fat that hits the flames and comes back onto the meat, Thun tells WebMD. Some of the excess fat can also be eliminated by first microwaving meat and choosing cuts of meat that are leaner.

5. Opening Your Windows

When the weather turns nice, many of us throw open our windows to breath in the fresh spring air. But that may be an unhealthy move, considering the combination of seasonal allergies and poor air quality of many cities throughout the U.S. According to a recent report by the American Lung Association, 60% of Americans are breathing unhealthy air. And the pollution inside our homes may be worse than outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat to our country. Bacteria, molds, mildew, tobacco smoke, viruses, animal dander, house dust mites, and pollen are among the most common household pollutants.

Solution: Shut the windows and run the air conditioner. All air-conditioning systems have a filter that protects the mechanical equipment and keeps them clean of debris.

“Pollen and mold spores that have made their way indoors will be run through the air-conditioning system and taken out of the air as they go through the duct work,” MacIntosh says.

But much like with the vacuum cleaner, these filters can only capture the largest particles. “The conventional filters just pick up big things, such as hair or cob webs,” says MacIntosh. “Filters intended to remove the inhalable particles, which are very small, exist on the market and some are very effective.”

They may also be worth the investment. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that cleaner air might add as much as five months to a person’s life.

Tierno says that air purification systems are important, particularly in a bedroom where bacteria are teaming.

6. Sitting in Front of the TV

Sitting in front of the television has become a national pastime and one of our least healthy behaviors, particularly because we often do it while snacking on food that is high in calories.

“When you’re sitting there in a trance, you can really pack on some calories,” says Thun. “Today, more than one-third of the U.S. population qualifies as obese and one-third qualifies as overweight. Thirteen million Americans are morbidly obese.”

Excess body weight puts us at greater risk for heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and a host of other diseases, Thun says. “That poses a greater health risk than the toxic cleansers under our sinks.”

Solution: Turn off the TV, put away the bag of chips, and go for a walk.

source: Web MD

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Swine Influenza and You

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

H5N1 Case in Indonesia

A health official in indonesia reported yesterday that a hospitalised woman was tested positive for bird flu. indonesia has witnessed 52 deaths due to bird flu//, the number being the highest of any country. Most of the deaths occurred from the beginning of this year.

“A 67-year-old woman living in the Cisarua area of Bandung had contact with fowl,” the official from the bird flu information centre over telephone. “The woman was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 7 and was still alive, ” the official added. “The woman tested positive to the H5N1 virus after a test at a health ministry laboratory and one conducted by NAMRU, the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit based in Jakarta,” the official added.

Hadi Yusuf, the director of the Hasan Sadikin hospital in Bandung, southeast of the capital Jakarta, said, “The woman is being treated with the anti-viral drug Tamiflu and antibiotics. “Her condition is bad. For a second day, she has been on a respirator and her blood pressure is high.” Yusuf said, “The woman had come down with a fever two weeks after being in the vicinity of dead chickens. ”

The indonesian government has not taken up mass culling of birds, in spite of the rise in the number of human deaths, mentioning the costs and uselessness in a big, densely populated country where a few fowls in the back yard is common.

Related Allert Issues:

Flue News Network

Baby Products Recommendation

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Overview

If it seems like your child’s eating only a few bites of plain pasta, you’re not alone. Nearly 40 percent of kids under 6 are picky eaters, and while it can be frustrating for you, it’s actually a normal developmental stage. At this age, kids’ instinctual response to something new is suspicion and caution, and they may be asserting their independence by refusing your offerings. But picky eating won’t last forever - most kids grow out of it by age 8 or 9. In the meantime, there are plenty of things you can do to try to expand his palate.

Encourage adventurous eating

Use these tips and your child may finally eat his broccoli!

Be patient. A typical toddler needs multiple exposures to a new food before he’ll risk tasting it - and 10 to 20 tastes before he actually likes it. So put the food on the table and let him decide if he wants to try it. Offer a variety of foods - like a main dish, rice or bread, a vegetable and/or fruit, and some milk - so there’s something he’ll want to eat. If he still won’t try the “new” food after ten exposures, take it out of rotation for six months or so.

Cut back on portions. A toddler’s stomach is the size of his fist, and he’s growing only one-tenth as much as he did as a baby, so he likely needs less food than you think. Dainty portions are also more appetizing. A few spoonfuls will appeal more to your child’s natural curiosity.

Involve your child. He’ll be more interested in eating the final product. Ask, “Should we have green beans or broccoli?” But don’t offer too many options - he might feel confused. Share kitchen duty, too. Have him tear the lettuce for a salad or pour ingredients. At the grocery store, invite him to pick a new fruit to try or to select a different colored veggie every week.

Get creative. Try presenting foods in new and fun ways:

Set the bar. Have a salad-bar night at home with lots of cut-up veggies so your child can create his own combination.

Make art. Give your child a pita as a base, and have him decorate it with a face: olive eyes, tomato ears, carrot nose, and green-bean smile.

Rename it. Call broccoli “tiny trees,” baby carrots “logs rolling across a plate,” or banana slices “banana wheels.”

Ditch plates. Use an ice cube tray or a muffin tin to serve small portions of colorful foods, or put chicken or tuna salad in an ice cream cone.

Roll it up. Instead of making sandwiches, try rolling some lunch meat and cheese slices in a tortilla, or some turkey around a mozzarella stick.

Stick it. Thread strawberries, banana chunks, and apple slices onto wooden skewers with blunt ends. Or put bite-sized food on toothpicks so your child can “sample” everything.

Add flavor. Kids have delicate taste buds, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy flavorful food. In fact, with their naturally sensitive palates, children really notice when something tastes good. So toss some garlic or olives with pasta sauce, use ginger in a chicken dish, or sprinkle cinnamon on cooked carrots.

Appeal to her toddler ego. Grab a veggie off her plate, say “Mine!” and eat it. Your child may just eat one herself in protest. If she has an older sibling, say, “I see you’re not eating your chicken. Mind if I give it to your brother?” Your child’s competitive urge might kick in, and she’ll try some for herself.

Be sneaky. What kids don’t know won’t hurt them
and in this case, it’ll be good for them!

• Puree cooked peas, carrots, or peppers, then mix into pasta sauce. (Or just add some baby-food veggies.)
• Substitute half whole-wheat flour for white flour when making baked goods.
• Mash up cooked cauliflower and add to mashed potatoes.
• When heating up a can of cream-based soup, substitute milk for water.
• Add shredded zucchini or carrots to quick bread or muffin batter.

When all else fails

Although it can be frustrating to have your child constantly reject what you’re offering, don’t let meals become a battleground. Keep the atmosphere pleasant. Rather than focusing on what your child’s eating (or not eating), try telling a funny story about your day and ask him to do the same. Or distract him by posing interesting questions: “What kind of animal would you be?”

What not to do

Don’t force your child to eat. Pressuring will only backfire and make meals unpleasant for everyone. You’ll also be teaching him to ignore his internal signals for hunger and fullness, which can lead to overeating later on.

“My four-year-old loves to squeeze ketc hup, shake salad dressing, and sprinkle Parmesan, so I put all the condiments out for her. She eats more when she gets to dress up her own food.”
— Holly Garman, Port Washington, NY

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Don’t use dessert as a bribe. It may work in the short-term, but eventually your child will start hating the food you’re asking her to eat because she’ll view it as a punishment. Better to let her have a little dessert no matter what she eats at dinner. It’ll help her learn that sweets can be a small part of a healthy diet.

Don’t worry! Although it may seem like your child’s subsisting on air, he’s likely eating more than you think. Research has shown that kids whose parents think they are picky eaters have diets that are not significantly less nutritious or lower in calories than those of other kids, once they were adjusted for body weight. If you’re still concerned, ask your pediatrician.

Summary

Picky eating is normal and common in young kids. You can use a variety of ways to try to entice a fussy eater to accept new foods, but it’s best not to pressure him. Just keep mealtimes pleasant, and remember that, like any phase, this too shall pass.

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I always communicate with my Dad and Mom.. I like to hearing while they are talking each other ,, especially when the topic is about me,,, wouuu,,,, it make me very happy,,, there is such no word to describe my happiness about that…

Dial my Dad’s number was my favorite phone number,,, even I make that number as a speed dial,,, Well.. my Mom always keep me aware about using my phone,,, c’os I always push the wrong button in order to speed dial my Dad… by doing that mistake,,, I always dial someane else number,,, that make my mom busy to answer the call back from the number…

My Dad has the answer for that mistake,,, he only set up my phone only two number,,,, first my Dad’s and the second my Mom’s… Yeah,,, that’s fix the problem,,, so I always dial directly to my parent,,, even when they were in the lounge or next to me,,, he,,he,, he,, what an amazing technology nowadays that baby like me use the cell phone to communicate…. P.s.. I don’t like baby phone anyway,,,,

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Bliss on the brain
Don’t bother trying to keep things new and exciting — nothing pleases your baby more than knowing what’s going to happen next, says Jill Stamm, Ph.D., author of Bright From the Start. A regular nap schedule, a nightly cuddle, and your singing “You Are My Sunshine” for the hundredth time will keep him content. Happiness is that simple when you’re tiny. (Hey, he hasn’t even heard of the economy yet.)

Totally pacified
Sucking is your baby’s most instinctive survival reflex, designed to get him nutrition. But even after his tummy’s satisfied, his urge to suck may not be. That can make him cranky — unless you let him go to town on a paci or his fingers (both are perfectly okay). His sense of calm will be restored.
Put on a happy face
Your baby loves looking at you. Loves it. Loves it like you love looking at her (or Hugh Jackman, whatever). So flash her a goofy grin and open your eyes wide so she knows exactly what happy looks like. Play peekaboo. Lean in close and kiss her nose. Whatever gets your smiling face in her field of vision will be a thrill

And…reach!
Stretching doesn’t just feel good to adults. Try this stretch for some all-over happy, from Nicole Netelkos, owner of Om Baby Yoga in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ: With your baby on her back on a blanket, gently extend her left leg and right arm out from her body. Next, hug her right knee up to her chest and gently move it toward her left side. Repeat the moves with the opposite limbs.

Soothe his stomach
Calm tummies make for contented babies, so if yours howls like he’s in pain or draws his knees to his chest, especially after a meal, a stomachache could be taking its toll on his still-developing digestive system. To ease baby gas pains: Lay your baby facedown on your lap, so there’s pressure on his belly, and pat his back. Or lay him on his back and pedal his legs in the air. Aah, relief (sometimes stinky).

Drier is better
No matter how quickly you swoop in on a dirty diaper, your baby will probably end up with diaper rash at some point. But you can bring the smiles back quickly by applying a zinc oxide ointment to irritated areas; it heals the rash and forms a barrier against wetness to prevent another one. And really, who doesn’t feel happy with a warm, dry bum?

Handy trick
By 3 or 4 months, most babies are able to grab things, and get a kick out of clutching something in their little paws. A shockingly easy way to get a giggle: Hold something colorful and soft just in front of your baby, let her reach for it, then hand it over.

Baby steps
Even pre-walkers get a kick out of putting their legs to the test: Hold your baby under his arms and bounce him between a mini — obstacle course of overturned laundry baskets and boxes; when he lands, let him put some weight on his legs before whisking him off to the next stop. It’s a just-wild-enough ride to put your baby in a good mood.

Feel-good feet
Even though your baby doesn’t have sore tootsies, she’ll still be delighted when you give her feet a massage, since your gentle touch feels good and the massage will relax her. For a quickie foot rubdown, apply gentle pressure to each of your baby’s tiny toes, then rub the palm of your hand in a circular motion on her heels. Press your thumbs up and down across the soles of her feet, then finish up with a kiss for each big toe.
Melody Warnick, a mom of two, could always make her babies happy by blowing raspberries on their tummies (and feeding them promptly).

source: Parenting.Com

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I’VE GOT LARYNGITIS

Two days ago, I have fever after preschool, it was make me so sick. I went home directly, wanna see my Mom (she was sick too,,, thypus), I love being around her while I’ve got sick… When she found out that I’ve got fever,, she was very worry and called my Dad immediately. “Sammy got sick, he has a bad fever after his pre school”,,, that message from my Mom to Dad…

Mean while, I felt so tired at the time,,, and I’ve got sleep…. I didn’t know when my Dad’s arrived home. I just knew when I woke up several hours later. “My son,,, you’ve got very bad fever”, my Dad’s told me. I have to take medicine to reduce fever.. It wasn’t good for me at the time,,cause I feel no good at all. Well,,, I’ve just a little kids,,, all I wanna do is playing all the time,,, It was true that I’ve got ill, but my Dad already home,,,so,,,I played with him.

The first think I felt while I was sick, I couldn’t sing as usual,,, It was not good, because I wanna show my parents, a new song from pre school….

Today,,, they brought me to the hospital, to see a doctor. After wait for long queing, I saw the doctor,,,, he advised my parents to get me a blood test… Well,, I was so affraid,,,not just the hospital, even the doctors and nurses,,especially, they wanna took my blood for test…. Struggling from the blood test process,,, I fell free at last, because I can go home finally. The doctor said that I’ve got LARYNGITIS,,, I should take the medicine and have enough rest… there are many possibilities causing laryngitis,,,,

Laryngitis Causes

Laryngitis is usually caused by a virus or occurs in people who overuse their voice. Occasionally, you may develop laryngitis from bacterial infections and, rarely, from infections such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or a fungal infection. People with prolonged laryngitis should see their doctor to be checked for tumors, some of which may be cancerous. Smokers are especially at risk for cancer.

Laryngitis Symptoms

• The most common symptoms of laryngitis

• • Hoarseness

• • Feeling a tickle in your throat

• • The urge to constantly clear your throat

• • Fever

• • Cough

• • Congestion

• Many times laryngitis may develop with, or a few days after, a sore throat.

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