May04

How to spot and treat seasonal allergies

You don’t always need to see the weather report on TV to know when the seasons are changing. Very often the sniffing, sneezing and watery eyes of your kids will alert you to the fact that summer or winter is on its way. You’ll know exactly when it’s time to unpack the gloves and scarves and the antihistamines.

What causes an allergy?
Many people are allergic to spores or pollen, so when the seasons change and plants release their pollen into the air, their immune systems treat the inhaled spores as invaders. They release histamines to fight these invaders, but it’s this influx of chemicals into the bloodstream that causes the allergic reaction.

Spot the signs
Allergic reactions in children may start at around the age of 10, and include symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, itchy nose, throat or eyes, and a congested or a runny nose. These symptoms are the result of seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever.

Diagnose the problem
If you’re not sure of whether your child has an allergy or if it’s something more serious, speak to your doctor. If he is unsure of the diagnosis, he may refer you to an allergist who will perform skin prick allergy tests.

Treat the allergies
Seasonal allergies are fairly easy to treat with antihistamines, but there are also ways to effectively reduce your child’s exposure to allergens. Weather reports often provide pollen spore counts, so when these are high, limit the amount of extended time your child spends outdoors. Have him wash his hands or take a shower and have a change of clothes after spending time outside. For more serious allergic reactions, your doctor may recommend that your child receive immunotherapy (or allergy shots) to desensitise him to allergens over time. Remember to check with your medical aid scheme whether any treatments such as this are covered on your plan.

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May04

One child is Sick, now how to keep the rest of the family healthy?

A sick child needs a lot of love, attention and care from both parents. What makes it harder is when the other little ones get sick as well. You then find yourself in a house full of kids who are sick, and it feels like your home is a sick bay.

Unfortunately, when one child gets sick the other ones are bound to get sick as well – in most cases this is unavoidable. Germs are air-born and you cannot keep one kid away from the others, they are siblings after all. However, there are things you can do to salvage the situation.

It is best to take the sick child to see a doctor so they can get medication and be on their way to recovery.

For the rest of the family that is still in the clear, you can do little things to try to prevent the cold. As simple as this may sound, wash your hands regularly. This will help in the fight against germ build up. Try to get your kids into washing their hands before eating, after playing with the dog and after using the bathroom. Most soap’s today are anti-bacterial but the regular soap is also effective.

Disinfecting your house is a good idea. This is now easy through aerosol sprays which help disinfect the air whilst being safe for the rest of the family. Buying detergents to help in disinfecting your house will also help and you can buy these at your local grocery store. Another thing that helps is using anti-bacterial wipes. You can use these when cleaning your house together with your detergents.

It is also wise to wash your plates and glasses in hot water and not cold. Remind your children to wash their hands after blowing their noses. Every year right before winter its best to take your kids for flu shots. In addition, taking Vitamin C, drinking fluids and a balanced diet also helps in the fight against flu. After all, prevention is better than cure.

Image courtesy of: www.woman24.com

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May04

Help your teenagers manage their own healthcare

Teenagers – otherwise known as “Knowitalls” – have reached that phase in their lives when they kneel down at the starting blocks of adulthood in order to run their own race. Contrary to what they might insist on, they cannot start off alone. They might not think too much of healthcare while in the throes of a hormonal rollercoaster ride, but here are some areas where a little of your help can go a long way:

Healthy choices
As difficult as it may be, you will need to let go of the reins on your teenager’s life. You can, however, help them to make good general health decisions by discussing the complicated stuff like smoking, drinking, sex, and drugs; and to inform them of the long-term consequences of making unwise decisions in this regard. Leading by example would also be a good place to start.

Doctor’s visits
There will come a time when your teenager will need to go into the doctor’s room on his/her own while you stay in the waiting room. They will have their own health concerns that they’ll feel more comfortable only discussing with their health care provider. Your role as Supermom is also to encourage them to get as much information about health issues from a medical professional as possible, and to not only rely on Dr. Google or their friends’ anecdotes.

Medical aid
Current medical aids and medical insurance schemes provide members with a plethora of options and choices. It would give your teenager some peace of mind to discuss the importance of choosing a medical aid that’s right for them, since they cannot piggy-back on your medical aid forever.

The best you can do for your teenager’s sense of independence is to provide them with good information and let them make their own decisions.

Image courtesy of:  http://healthierpregnancy.wordpress.com/2010/06/04/doctor-visits/

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May04

5 Top Tips to Get Your Kids Eating Healthy

Everyone knows how difficult it is to get kids to eat healthily and no matter what you do, the stage where they don’t like vegetables is almost inevitable!  As a parent this is the time where you need to get creative and make the meals interesting for kids.

Here are 5 tips that will help:

  1. Remember that presentation is half the battle won already! Use bright colours, make the dishes visually appealing and add stories and personality to your menu. Play on their interests and ambitions; be sneaky, daring, fun and adventurous!
  2. Incorporate vegetables into everyday meal. Make soup with lots of vegetables, get together with the kids and make a vegetable pizza, even have “vegetable nights” where all the meals are mostly include vegetables. You can also include one vegetable with a meal every night where the reward for finishing the vegetables will be desert afterwards.
  3. Kids generally enjoy refreshments. Stock the fridge with juice and yogurt. Encourage your kids to have 100% fruit juice instead of fizzy drinks. Drinking milk and water is also something that will keep your kids fit and healthy. Fruit salads and fruits in generally should also be snacks instead of sweets and biscuits.
  4. Plant vegetables and make your own little vegetable garden at home. Get your kids to be actively involved in the garden, this will teach the importance of reaping what they have sown plus they get a practical example of how patients and hard work pays-off.
  5. In order to get your kids eating healthier, you first need to incorporate healthy eating habits onto yourself as well. Make exercising and physical activities a family event and eating healthy a part of the daily routine.

 

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Feb27

Healthy eating to promote good health in your child

There are a couple of considerations when it comes to feeding your child. We all know how it goes though: children would like the high-fat sweets, cold drinks and chocolates that generally tend to taste nicer than the healthy food.

As parents though, we are continually striving to give our children healthy, balanced meals to ensure they have the necessary nutrition to grow as well as the necessary energy to burn when they are running around.

It is preferable to choose foods from all the major food groups when planning meals to ensure your child gets everything they need throughout the day. The food groups include:

  • Dairy products (Milk, Cheese);
  • Fruit and vegetables;
  • Breads and starches;
  • Protein like meat (chicken, beef), fish, eggs and legumes; and
  • Fats and oils, including nuts.

Here are some tips to promote healthy eating in your children:

  1. Provide a variety of foods to choose from throughout the day so the child does not get bored.
  2. Try and avoid using sweets or chocolates as a form or reward.
  3. Having regular timed meal times where you control the level of distraction will help the child form healthy habits.
  4. Set the example by eating your veggies.

You can also chat to your paediatrician about what they suggest in terms of snacks, meals, liquids and treats. If you are on medical aid, you could also consider going to a professional dietician to get a proper eating plan.

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Feb27

Soothing your toddler’s cold

The picture of a little boy or girl lying in bed during the day running a fever, coughing and sneezing, can be heart-breaking. Children should be running around, playing games, asking the weirdest of questions, laughing all day long and generally being as happy as pink.

After seeing the Doctor, you will more than likely be told that your child has to stay in bed for a few days whilst the medication gets to work. There are a few other remedies though that may assist in relieving the symptoms of a cold.

  • Honey and Lemon

Give your little one some warm apple juice with a bit of lemon and honey. This will help sooth a sore throat.

  • Chicken noodle soup

This is still considered one of the best ‘feel good’ remedies for colds. Chicken noodle soup also tastes good, so it’s something your toddler will enjoy having.

  • Vapour rub

Rub some vapour rub on the toddler’s neck, back and chest to help make breathing easier.

  • Distractions

Distractions, such as movies or board games, can help take your child’s mind off the uncomfortable feeling of being sick.

Last, but not least, a mother’s love is always the best cure for any illness a toddler may have.

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Feb27

Some peace of mind as far as your child’s safety goes

There is a lot that moms have to worry about, including holding down a successful career, ferrying children to and from school, the wellbeing of your family as a whole, general household chores, and the list could go on. Added to that, you also need to stress about the healthcare and wellbeing of your children.

This goes beyond ensuring that your child is provided for in terms of being well fed and having medical aid and access to healthcare.

A mother’s job is never done and as such there are a number of tools that can help give mothers peace of mind as far as their child’s safety is concerned.

There are ranges of baby monitors that can help make watching over a child a bit easier. Baby monitors are a form of voice or video communication, which allow parents to hear and/or watch their children from separate rooms. These devices also notify adults of any problems in the child’s room. Baby monitors are very popular because they are not expensive and are highly efficient.

There are different kinds of baby monitors designed for different places where your baby may be. These include:

  • Automobile Video

Allows parents to check on their children in the backseat without having to turn and look back.

  • Intercom

These baby monitors can work in different rooms, e.g. if the baby is in the nursery and the mother is in the lounge. Mothers can hear what is going on in the nursery and it gives them a chance to comfort their child without being in the same room.

  • Smart Phones

Software has been developed for smart phones where, if a noise is detected in the nursery, a number is automatically dialled and the parent is able to hear what is going on in the room.

  • Digital Wireless

Some more advanced systems are completely digital and wireless, where a portable handheld device can be taken with the parent anywhere in the house, streaming audio and visual feedback.

Baby monitors are a good investment and can assist parents in ensuring their baby’s wellbeing.

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Feb27

New mommy and new baby dealing with illnesses

Being a new parent takes some adjusting to. From the moment that little one is handed over to their mother, there are a number of emotions that are experienced. Although overwhelming joy and awe are the most common, another response that some first time mothers start experiencing is doubt in themselves and concern that the baby may fall ill.

New mothers are often told that they are paranoid, but that paranoia keeps them alert to any changes in behaviour or routine that could indicate the onset of an illness. As we all know, babies are not able to tell us when they feel ill, so it is often up to the mother to interpret these changes in the child’s behaviour.

Here are a few symptoms that mothers can look out for in their newborn that may indicate that they have become sick:

  • Coughs, diarrhoea and paleness of the skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleeps longer than usual
  • Cries and seems irritable for lengthy periods of time (out of the ordinary)
  • Fever or a drop in temperature

Mothers should not hesitate to take their babies to see a doctor. Being over cautious in situations where a baby may be ill is definitely not a bad thing.

To avoid any unnecessary angst during this period, mothers should also ensure that they are well equipped to provide their baby with the necessary healthcare that he/she may need including having medical aid and the contact details of your doctor and a few healthcare “experts”.

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Jan31

Medical aid for young moms

young_momWhen a child is feeling a bit under the weather, most first time parents tend to panic. What should you do, what medicine should be administered, should you take the child to the doctor right away and if so, how will you pay for it? With the doctor’s visit at least, this stress can be avoided if you are on medical aid as a young parent.

There is a lot of debate at the moment around antibiotics and other drugs being given to children under certain ages. Some physicians agree that giving your child antibiotics and other drugs should be stopped as far as possible, while other suggest that it is necessary to ensure continued good health. Some doctors even feel the pressure from parents to prescribe something, even if the doctor knows that the child’s condition will work itself out in a couple of days. That’s why it is essential to have medical aid because you can always send your baby for check-ups and get immediate help if there is something seriously wrong.

On the topic of administering antibiotics and the general health of your baby, spending time with the paediatrician will give you insight into what symptoms to look out for and what preventative measures can be taken to avoid illness.  Furthermore, reading up on this subject via reputable sources and books will also help to ensure you are informed of the latest changes in the industry and any important factors your should be aware of.

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Jan20

Early Morning Emergencies

We’ve all heard stories of waking up early in the morning to find your child ill. Here is one such story.

There’s nothing worse than waking up early in the morning only to find that your baby isn’t well at all. As a mother there’s no worse feeling than seeing your baby sick and there isn’t much you can do for him. My baby was vomiting and the first thought was stomach bug, so thought I should wait it out until he gets better – which unfortunately didn’t happen.

Sick child before SAchool

 As time went on I got more worried, so I decided to take him to the doctor, when it dawned on me that I have no medical aid. It’s something which so many people overlook yet in this moment I wish I had gotten one.

I jumped in the car and decided to take my chances at the local free clinic. Rushing in, I forgot that it was s free clinic because it looked like everyone who lived in our area was there, that’s how packed it was. Two hours went by and if felt like the queue wasn’t moving at all and with a crying baby I had to make a decision fast.

I always have cash in my purse for emergencies which came in handy on this day seeing as I had to pay cash at the doctors’ offices for a consultation. Some consults do cover meds but in my case I was written a prescription which required more money and we all know that medicine doesn’t come cheap.

The moral of this story: Medical aid is the best investment one can have especially when you’re a mom.

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