Since he is too small and delicate a lot of attention is needed while taking care of him. Your mother, friends, relatives, and neighbours everyone will give you their advice. Listen to them, but don’t apply everything that is being said.

Because being a mother you know what is best for your baby.

Few tips on how to look after Newborn Babies

Feeding

Mother milk is best for newborn babies. Because it is having all the natural enzymes and antibodies required for the babies immunity against infirmities. Protect against allergies and sickness But now a day bottle feed has become very common. So whether you want to breastfeed or bottle-feed it’s the choice of the mother and what your physician has recommended.

Sleep aid tips for a newborn

For the parents of newborn babies, it may take some time to understand the sleep cycle of the baby. Newborn babies sleep for 17 to 18 hours a day sleep directly affects the child’s mental and physical growth. As time goes on you will observe the sleep duration of your newborn is also changing being a parent it’s you who to understand or observe the sign of sleepiness. Different babies show different signs. Some are crying while rubbing their eyes. So whenever he is feeling sleepy, make him sleep. Some newborn babies don’t sleep at night. So it is recommended that whenever your babies are sleeping the new mothers can also sleep or take rest.

Skincare

Newborn babies skin is very smooth and delicate. We can’t use any product for our babies. Consult a doctor before using any skincare related product. Rashes problem is very common among babies. There is no need to get tensed. But if the baby seems irritated by the rash and is having a fever, consult your baby’s doctor immediately.

Bathing

Newborn babies need not be bathed daily. It is enough if you bathe them two or three times a week. Bathe your baby using a sponge or wet towel. Please remember since the baby’s skin is soft so use only soft towels. Making your baby bath in a tub is only recommended once the baby’s umbilical cord falls off. Just for the sake to avoid infection.

Baby’s medicine

The first and foremost important thing is that always consult a pediatrician for any type of problem or medicine. Never change the baby’s pediatrician again and again whenever you are giving medicines to your baby’s physician’s advice. Check the right dose prescribed by the doctor and give as recommended never ever overdose.

All the information given in this article is only general information. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional or physician.

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 Importance of massages for babies:

The sense of touch is very important for a baby. It is the first sense that they develop. A gentle touch is reassuring to them. And babies need to be constantly reassured as they get used to the world. Babies feel it when you touch them, pat them, or rock them. Whenever they are in pain, babies want loving arms to hold them. They feel it as a sign that someone is there to take care of them.

A gentle and stimulating massage by doctor, nurse, and parents also gives this reassuring feeling to the babies. Even adults enjoy massages. It makes them feel good. But a massage is more important for a baby than it is for adults. It comforts them, helps in the baby’s development, and strengthens the bond between the parents and the baby.

Advantages of massaging your baby:

• Massage helps in the baby’s physiological and emotional development. It is especially helpful for prematurely born babies.
• Many people believe that regular massages help in strengthening the child’s bones and also helps in muscle development.
• Some even say that babies experience fewer health problems when they are regularly massaged.
• In India, people believe that massage with warm oil can reduce the risk or severity of cough and cold.
• Massages also help the babies digest their food. And better digestion helps the babies to take sufficient feed needed for their health and wellbeing.
• Babies who are massaged regularly as less likely to be colic.
• When massaged regularly, babies are less prone to crying fits and are calmer.
• If your child has difficulty sleeping, a gentle massage can do wonders. It soothes the baby and makes the child sleepy.

As a parent, you want to do everything that’s beneficial for your child. So, don’t ignore massaging your child. It can help in your child’s health and happiness. Add it to your daily routine. And feel the blessing of seeing your baby happy and comfortable.

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There’s a lot you can do to ensure your child’s self-esteem. Here are some of the best ways.

Best ways to build your child’s self-esteem

1. Lead by example:

Children learn best through observation. They may ignore your teachings, but they often do what they see you doing. So, show them it is okay to be proud of themselves by being proud of yourself. Celebrate your achievements and strengths. Make it clear that you believe you can overcome your weaknesses, and do what you want to do. This will teach your children to be proud of their abilities, skills, and talents, and forgiving of their weaknesses.

2. Praise your child:

Don’t forget to praise your child. Applaud their achievements and skills. If you give your child a task, then praise them for the job well done after they’re finished. Show your child that their positive acts merit positive praise. But be honest in your praise.

3. Never compare:

Parents often get into the habit of comparing their child’s skills and abilities to some other child. This can have a serious effect on your kid and may lead to an inferiority complex. Every child is unique. Appreciate the talents of your children and be proud of them.

4. Be a good listener:

When your kid tries to tell you something, listen patiently. This will make them feel that they are important to you. When your child is sad, angry, stressed, or depressed, communicate openly and calmly with them. If they have created a mess, help them out of it by judicious advice. But never judge or criticize. Suggest positive behaviors and options to solve their problem. And leave the door of communication open, assuring them they can come to you for help at any time.

5. Let them try:

Your child may get interested in something that you consider too hard for them. But never tell them they won’t be able to do it. If it’s not dangerous, let them try. If they succeed, applaud them. And of they fail, assure them it was a tough task and they should be proud of themselves for even trying it. Being a parent, you do not want your child to feel disappointed and fail. But give them the freedom to choose. And be there to support them, motivate them, and comfort them with positivity if they fail.

6. Teach your child the value of planning:

When children achieve a goal, it boosts their self-esteem. You can help them achieve their goals by teaching them the value of preparation, practice, and planning. Praise them and motivate them at every step. And show them how best to work towards their goals. This will increase their confidence not just in themselves but in you too.

7. Help them recognize their strengths:

Your child may feel bad about some of their weakness. Divert their attention to their strengths. Teach them that all people are different and that if they are weak in one thing, they are stronger in something else. Encourage them to develop their strengths, instead of focusing on their weakness.

8. Say, “I love you” every day:

Your children are precious to you. Make sure they know it. Tell them you love them at every opportunity. Say “I love you” to them every day. You may also tuck short, sweet notes in their lunchboxes or coat pockets, or send them a loving card in the mail. It will boost your children’s self-esteem and strengthen your bond with them.

Conclusion:

Self-esteem is as important for a child as it is for an adult. Children are very sensitive and may easily get hurt and feel bad about themselves. Help them recognize their strengths and keep them feeling good about themselves. Lead by example and pamper them by praise and attention. These will do more good than buying them fancy presents.

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The errors in the management and health of the infant before and during the first dentition can make a lot of difference. This is why parents need to be careful while their child is teething.

When do the milk-teeth appear?

The first set of teeth are also called milk-teeth. They are twenty in number. These teeth usually appear in pairs. Teeth in the lower jaw usually precede the corresponding ones of the upper jaw. The first milk-teeth generally appear about the sixth or seventh month. The last of the set may appear anytime between the twentieth to the thirtieth months.

Thus, the whole period of the first dentition may extend to a year and a half to two years. The process varies, however. Different babies may complete their first dentition at different pace and order of teeth appearance.

Symptoms of teething:

The appearance of milk-teeth is preceded and accompanied by several symptoms. You might notice an increased flow of saliva and swelling in the gums. Occasionally, there might be flushing of the cheeks. The child frequently thrusts its fingers or any other object within its grasp into its mouth. Its thirst is increased. Your child starts taking the breast more frequently but for shorter periods because the gums are tender and painful.

Your child may also become more fretful and restless. There might be a sudden fits of crying, starting from sleep, and a slight tendency to vomiting. Teething might also be accompanied by the looseness of the bowels.

These symptoms may precede the appearance of the tooth by several weeks. This is called “breeding the teeth.” In such cases, the symptoms disappear in a few days only to recur when the tooth approaches the surface of the gum.

How to help your child during teething:

If the child has a healthy constitution and has been fed on breast milk, the symptoms attending teething will be of the mildest kind. Such children won’t experience much discomfort during their first dentition. The management of such infants during teething is simple and easy.

However, if your child is experiencing problems, here’s what you can do:

• A healthy child has easier teething. So, make sure your child has plenty of fresh air, and is well exercised.
• The child should be breastfed often, but for a shorter duration. This will soothe the child’s thirst, keep the gums moist and relaxed, and soothe their irritation. Feeding for the shorter duration will prevent the child’s stomach from being overloaded.
• Since the child is being fed on mother’s milk, the mother should also be careful about her health and diet. Avoid all stimulant food or drinks.
• When the dentition begins, apply gentle pressure on the gums. It will comfort your child by dulling the pain. For this purpose, several things can be used, including coral, a piece of orris-root, scraped licorice root. A flat teething ring is preferable as it is safer. There is no danger of it being thrust into the child’s eyes or nose. You can gently rub the swollen gum with your finger too. It will comfort your child. Whatever you use, make sure it is clean.

Conclusion:

Teething need not be a painful experience for your child and a stressful experience for you. With just a bit of care, you can help your baby have more comfortable teething.

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The statistics are alarming. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys suffer child sexual abuse at some point in childhood. And 91% of child sexual abuse is done by someone the child or child’s family knows. Other statistics say that 60 percent of child victims are sexually abused by someone their family trusts. And about 40 percent of child victims are sexually abused by older or more powerful children.

Effects of child sexual abuse:

Sexual abuse can leave long-lasting effects on the child, hampering their physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. It can cause physical injuries, lead to unwanted pregnancies, and may even cause health issues later in life, including heart disease, obesity, and cancer. There may be many adverse psychological effects as well that can torment the victim throughout life. Sexual abuse can lead to depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, abusive behavior, or other behavioral problems, and increased risk of suicide or suicide attempts.

How to prevent child sexual abuse

Sexual abuse can destroy the life of even an adult. But when children face it, the effects may seep even deeper and be less obvious but longer-lasting. So, you need to ensure your child’s safety. Here are some ways you can save your kids from child sexual abuse:

Know what’s happening in your child’s life:

You may be busy. Still, you need to stay involved in your child’s life. And you need to be aware of what they do, where they go, who they meet, and how they are passing their time. Show interest in your child’s day-to-day life. Encourage them to talk to you freely and openly. Ask them about how they feel about different persons in their life. This will help you notice if the child feels uncomfortable or troubled with any person or place.

Be careful about caregivers:

Don’t trust anybody blindly. Whether it is a new babysitter, teacher, coach, or even a neighbor — screen them carefully before entrusting them with your child’s care. Remember, a large number of children are sexually abused by people their family trusts.

Teach your children:

Talking to your children about good touch and bad touch or sexual abuse is an uncomfortable conversation. But it is necessary. Talk to your children in age-appropriate language about good touch and bad touch. Give them the confidence that they own their body and can refuse anybody’s touch, even if it is a hug from an uncle or aunt. From a young age, teach your children the proper names of the body parts so they feel comfortable about their body and can talk about it without embarrassment.

Teach your children about arousal:

A child may become more vulnerable to sexual abuse if attacked by a skilled molester who will make the child experience arousal. As it feels good, the child may equate the act with love and become willing prey to the bad guys. You need to teach your child that touching certain parts of their body will evoke a physiological response. But they must never allow anybody to touch these parts (mouth, chest, private parts) or to undress them. The children must have the confidence that they own their body and can say no to any touch. You will also need to tell them about ‘safe touch’ by parents and doctors, which is needed to ensure their hygiene and health.

Assure your kids:

Assure your kids you are available for them whenever they want to talk about anything. Tell them they can ask you or tell you anything. Assure them that if they experience abuse, it will not be their fault and they need not hide it or feel ashamed of it. Tell them they won’t get into trouble no matter what they wish to communicate to you. Give them the confidence that you are there to help them, no matter what the problem. Do it repeatedly. This will give them the confidence to confide in you if anything makes them uncomfortable.

Educate yourself:

Despite all your assurances, your child may still hesitate to tell you about the abuse he or she is facing. So, you need to be watchful. Different children would react to the abuse and trauma differently. But if you notice any marked change in the child’s behavior, find out the reason behind it. Your child may suddenly start wearing baggy clothes, or cut her hair very short, try to look unattractive, or starts showing extreme reactions to minor problems … all this can result from the abuse he or she is facing. If you notice any marked difference in your child’s behavior, talk to your child, and understand the problem.

Believe:

If your child becomes a victim of sexual abuse and tries to tell you about it, believe it. And tell your child, “I believe you.” Don’t interrogate them yourself. There are professionals who know how to find out things without making the child relive the trauma. Get the child professional help as soon as possible. And assure them it is not their fault.

Conclusion:

Child sexual abuse is a nightmare no parent wants to think about. But avoiding this topic can prove too expensive. Teach your child from an early age that they own their body and make them comfortable in talking about it. Give them the confidence that they can talk to you about anything. Be very careful while choosing caregivers for your child. And if you notice any marked change in your child’s behavior, find out the reason behind it without any delay.

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What is childhood obesity?

Many children are chubby. That does not mean they are obese. Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat (BF). Different countries have different cut-off points for marking excess fatness as obesity in children and adolescents. But on an average, “Overweight” is defined as at or above the 95th percentile of body mass index (BMI) for age. And “at risk for overweight” is defined as at 85th to 95th percentile of BMI for age.

What causes obesity in children?

An unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits are the biggest causes of obesity in children. Pampering by parents, their desire to give comfort to kids, and overprotectiveness may sometimes turn unhealthy for children. Children love junk food and soft drinks. But such highly processed food rich in calories, fat, and sugar can lead to obesity. Kids nowadays also live a less active life than their parents or grandparents. They are too dependent on being driven to places instead of walking. And they spend too much time with smartphones, televisions, and computers. This leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Children need outdoor activities and sports for healthy growth and strong bones.

Genetics may also play a role in pediatric obesity. And the family environment is also responsible. If the parents have an unhealthy lifestyle, children will learn and follow the same.

Certain psychological problems like depression may also lead to an unhealthy eating pattern. This can cause obesity. Worse, being overweight can aggravate depression too. Children can get stressed too and may develop other emotional problems like low self-esteem. All of this can lead to mood eating and binging. And this can increase the child’s weight.

Effects of obesity in children:

Physical effects:

Overweight and obese children may develop several physical, psychological, and social problems. And their struggles with weight management may continue even in adulthood. People who were obese as children may develop health issues like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.

Childhood obesity has been linked to several medical conditions. These include Type 2 diabetes, hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease), sleep apnea, asthma, cardiovascular disease, cholelithiasis (gallstones), high cholesterol, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, skin conditions,  impaired balance, menstrual abnormalities, and orthopedic problems. Obesity can also lower immunity and make children more vulnerable to infection.

 Psychological and social effects:

Children who are overweight or obese may also develop psychological and social issues. They may have low self-esteem, feel depressed, and withdraw from social interaction. It may also affect their academic performance. Children struggling with obesity often protect themselves from mockery and negative comments by retreating to safe places, such as their homes. And they may seek comfort in eating food they love.

Overweight children tend to have fewer friends. They have less social interaction and outdoor games and activities. They spend more time engaged in sedentary activities alone, like playing games on a smartphone.

How to prevent and control childhood obesity?

If your child is overweight or obese, do not despair. There’s a lot you can do to help your child achieve a healthy weight. Here are a few tips to control childhood obesity:

 Diet:

The first thing you need to do is to control your child’s food choices. But remember, you must take care of the child’s overall health, not just weight loss. So, have them eat healthy food, not less food. Limit their intake of junk food and soft drinks. Educate them about the harms of fast food items.

Encourage them to have healthy and nutritious meals that include grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, berries, dairy, etc. Try to make these interesting for the children so they won’t say no to healthy food. Also, let them have frequent healthy snacks to control their food urges and prevent binge eating.

Exercise:

Exercise is very important for children. It does not just help in weight management but also takes care of health and bone strength. So, set up a routine that includes sufficient distraction-free time for the children to exercise.

More physical activities:

Encourage children to take part in outdoor games instead of spending hours with phones or computers. The more active lifestyle they lead, the better it will be for their weight control.

Emotional support and encouragement:

Children with weight problems may develop several psychological issues. So, it is imperative to give them emotional support. Losing weight is a hard battle. It can be harder for children. You need to support them through it.

Be a good role model:

You can’t expect your children to exercise and eat healthy food if you don’t lead by example. Examine your family environment and food choices. Make exercise a family activity. Have healthy meals together and make this family time enjoyable. If you want your child to stay away from junk food, you need to do it first.

See a doctor:

If even proper diet and regular exercise are not reducing your child’s weight, it might be because of genes or some health problems. Consulting a doctor can give you a better idea about how to control the obesity of your child.

Conclusion:

The environment at home and school can have a lot of effect on the child’s health and wellbeing. This includes the child’s weight management. If parents follow a healthy lifestyle at home and eat a nutritious meal, a lot of weight-related problems can be controlled. Understand the causes behind your child’s obesity and control them. Help your child to make nutritious food choices and live an active life. Being overweight is not the fault of the children, but a struggle they face. Parents can and must help them overcome this struggle and have a healthy life.

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But is the use of technology good or bad for children? Well, the answer lies somewhere in between. Technology can benefit kids in many ways. It can harm them in many ways too. Let’s take a quick look at the main advantages and disadvantages of children’s use of technology.

Advantages of Children’s use of technology:

1. Development of skills:

When you let your child spend some time with smart devices or computers, it may help them develop necessary skills faster. For example, many smartphone apps and games for young children are designed as learning tools. They can help in developing the child’s hand-eye coordination, dynamic spatial skills, and fine motor skills. When the children watch cartoons, they often repeat the dialogues and sing along with the songs. This helps in developing their language skills. Spending time with smart devices and computers may also help in children’s visual attention. It can help them to maintain focus for a longer duration. Also, certain apps and games may give children a habit to pay more attention to details to complete tasks.

2. Educational tools:

Technology can be a great educational tool. It can help children learn their lessons in a more fun way. Developmentally appropriate computer programs can improve your child’s reading and math skills. Even many schools across the world are using innovative technology to impart education.

Technology brings the world’s knowledge at your child’s fingertips. Their learning need not be limited to their course books. Children are curious beings by nature with minds full of questions. Technology can help them find all the answers they want. Proficiency in using technology also prepares the children for good professional opportunities in future.

3. Motivation to complete tasks:

Many smartphone or computer games require children to complete various levels. They are required to solve problems, find solutions, and to keep trying till they succeed. This may help in developing children’s problem-solving skills. And may develop a good foundation to keep the child motivated to complete tasks at hand.

4. Broadens horizon:

Technology brings the world of knowledge to your child. Through various audio-visual means, including 3D and Augmented Reality, children can see and learn things beyond their scope of experience. Online courses can also give them knowledge and skills beyond their school curriculum. It can enhance their creativity by letting them explore more creative ideas and skills.

For older children, technology is not just helpful but essential. They need it to compete with their peers. They need it to stay connected with their friends. It also allows them to connect and build relationships with people from faraway places.

5. Security:

Parents can also use technology to protect their children. Smart wearables and tracking apps can help parents keep track of their children’s whereabouts. Phones can keep children stay connected with their family even when they are far away.

However, while the use of technology can help kids, its abuse can harm them too. We have seen some advantages of technology for kids. Let’s take a look at its harms too.

Dangers of children’s use of technology:

1. Bad effect on health:

Too much love for smartphones, tablet devices, and computers can have several bad effects on your child’s health. Staring at screens for a long duration can hurt their eyes. Too much screen time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. It can cause obesity and other health problems. Love of smartphones and computers may even lead to smartphone addiction and gaming disorder.

2. Habit of finding an easy way out:

The Internet brings the world of knowledge within your child’s reach. It can be very beneficial in broadening your child’s horizon. But they may also abuse the great power of the internet to make their study work easier. For example, copy/pasting the information from the internet, instead of studying a book to learn it. This might help them score well but will hamper their learning.

3. Psychological problems:

Spending too much time with gadgets can also result in psychological problems like social withdrawal, loneliness, depression. Children who spend too much time communicating through social media and messaging apps may feel awkward in face-to-face interactions. They may have poor social skills. Playing violent games too much might even increase their aggressive response and reduce their empathy. Spending too much time with smartphones and computers might even lead to smartphone addiction and gaming disorders.

4. Poor performance in studies:

Love of smartphone games, social media, online videos, etc. may divert children’s attention away from studies. This might lead to poor performance in school. And that, in turn, may lead to several psychological issues like lack of confidence and depression. And, of course, it harms their future scope too.

5. Exposes children to cyber threats:

Children’s unmonitored use of smartphones and computers can expose them to unsuitable content and cybercriminals. Children do not recognize the threats of the cyberworld. And their curiosity may take them to dangerous and unsuitable places on the internet. This may put them in danger and lead to traumatic incidents.

Conclusion:

In today’s world, our life is surrounded by gadgets. So it is impossible as well as unadvisable to banish your child from using technology. Modern technology can be very beneficial for your child. It can help in developing their skills, give them support in studies, and broaden their horizon. At the same time, it can be very harmful and dangerous too.

So children’s use of smartphones and computers must never be unmonitored and unregulated. And it should never be allowed to affect their physical and psychological health. You, as a parent, need to be very watchful to make sure your children are using technology, not abusing it. And that their use of gadgets is within healthy limits.

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How to build your child’s immunity

There’s nothing better than breast milk to boost a baby’s immunity. It is full of immunity-enhancing antibodies and white blood cells. Breast milk can guard infants against allergies, ear infections, diarrhea, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and even Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

However, boosting older children’s immunity is more challenging. The following tips can help:

Nutritious Diet for immunity boosting:

Children’s diet can have a direct impact on their health. And the trouble is children love to eat food that hurts their health. They love fast foods that harm them and hate vegetables and fruits that are good for them. Your task is to reverse these feelings.

Children need a healthy diet full of essential nutrients. But don’t use the word Nutritious before them or they will run away. Just try to feed them more fruits and vegetables. Carrots, green beans, oranges, strawberries are especially helpful in boosting immunity. They have immunity-boosting phytonutrients called carotenoids. Phytonutrients help the body to produce more infection-fighting white blood cells. They also boost the production of interferon which is an antibody. It coats cell surfaces and blocks out viruses.

For better health and stronger immunity, your child should eat five servings of fruits and veggies every day. This means, about two tablespoons for toddlers, 1 cup for older kids, five times a day.

Regular Exercise:

A good diet alone is not enough for a fit body. Regular exercise is needed too. Exercise reduces the risk of obesity, which lowers immunity and may cause serious health issues. Exercising regularly can help in toning muscles and increase bone density and strength. As per MedlinePlus, exercise causes changes in White Blood Cells and antibodies. The brief rise in body temperature during and after exercise may prevent bacteria’s growth and help the body fight infections better. And it is great for building immunity too. Exercise helps flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce children’s risk of getting a cold, flu, or other illness.

But how to make your children exercise? First, make sure their games include more physical activity. Children nowadays prefer playing on smartphones. You need to curtail this smartphone addiction and make their playtime healthier. And when you exercise, encourage them to join you. Make exercise a family activity. When they see you exercising, they will be more motivated to do it.

Outdoor activities:

Compared to earlier, children today spend less time outdoors. They prefer watching TV or spending time with their computers and smart devices. Many parents hesitate to send their children out, fearing for their security and health.

But being outdoors is good for your children’s health. Constant exposure to air conditioning can lower immunity. Whereas fresh air can clean their lungs of impurities such as car fumes and dust. Being out in the sun can boost their Vitamin D. Being outside will increase their physical activity and reduce the risk of obesity. Playing outdoors may also reduce children’s risk of depression and hyperactivity. All this will help in improving their health and strengthening children’s immune system. It is also an easy way to increase their physical activity.

Sufficient sleep is vital for your child’s immunity:

Sleep deprivation can affect the health and emotional state of even adults. It can be very harmful to children. Children need more sleep than adults. An infant needs up to 16 hours of sleep time in a day. Toddlers need 11 to 14 hours of sleep, and preschoolers need 10 to 13 hours’ sleep time.

Disturbed or less sleep can make your children more vulnerable to infections. Sleep deprivation reduces natural killer cells, immune-system weapons that fight against microbes and cancer cells. So make sure your children are getting enough sleep. It is essential for their health and happiness.

Reduce their stress:

We think stress troubles only adults. But children can get stressed too. There are many things that can disturb your children. It might be the stress of studies, peer pressure, bullying in school, lack of confidence, obesity, and so on. Stress, anxiety, and depression can lower your child’s immunity too. So if you notice increased moodiness, withdrawal, and other behavioral changes, try to find the reason for them. Take steps to reduce your child’s stress and anxiety. Take the help of a medical practitioner if you need to. It is essential for their health and wellbeing.

Besides these, you also need to make sure your child’s immunity is not getting affected by your poor lifestyle. If you or your partner smoke, secondhand smoke can affect your children. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you can’t make your children exercise. Similarly, if you eat a lot of fast food, you can’t force your children to avoid them and eat veggies instead.

With the increasing environmental pollution and the risk of infections, children must have strong immunity. For that, they need a healthy diet and lifestyle. But it is difficult to make children eat what they should, play as they should, and sleep when they should. Explain to them the benefit of proper diet, exercise, sleep, etc. And above all, be a good role model.

The post Top 5 ways to boost your child’s immunity for life. appeared first on WellnessHub Nourishing Your Mind, Body, and Soul.

Most popular mosquito repellents have one of these three active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE).

DEET:

DEET has been used in mosquito repellents since 1965. Over the years, there have been some reports of DEET causing rashes, skin irritation, and even seizures. But most of the serious reactions to DEET involved the drinking of the chemical or using it in other unsafe ways. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved DEET for people of all ages, including children. And the American Academy of Pediatrics considers insect repellents containing DEET safe for children older than 2 months.

Insect repellents carry DEET in varying strength. Some repellents might have only 10% DEET, others might have 30%. The higher concentration of DEET does not mean the mosquito repellent is more effective. It just means its effect will last for a longer duration. Using repellents with more than 30% DEET might not be safe for kids.

 Picaridin:

Picaridin is the second most common active ingredient found in insect repellents. It is an odorless synthetic chemical that resembles a compound found in peppers. Its use in bug repellents is relatively new. And it might lead to a few side effects like irritation in the eyes. It has not yet been studied as extensively as DEET, but it is generally considered safe for children.

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus:

This is an oil extracted from the leaves of the Eucalyptus Citriodora tree. This oil contains a compound called para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) that can block the skin odor and prevent mosquito bites. That is why OLE is used in many insect repellents. These repellents are safe for children older than 3 years. But OLE’s effects on younger kids haven’t been fully tested yet. And experts don’t recommend direct applying of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on the skin.

Natural repellents:

Many parents don’t want to use chemical-based mosquito repellents on their children’s skin. They look for natural and chemical-free alternatives containing plant oils like citronella, lemongrass, peppermint, and cedarwood. These might be effective to an extent but need to be reapplied more.

How to use mosquito repellents on children?

Mosquito repellents can protect children from many diseases caused by bug bites. However, improper use of them can cause problems too. Here are the precautions you need to take for safe use of mosquito repellents:

1. Avoid using repellent on infants younger than 2 months. Prevent the mosquito bites by using netting over the baby’s stroller when going out.
2. Children younger than ten years should not apply the mosquito repellents themselves.
3. Never spray mosquito repellents directly on your child’s face. Apply it on your hands first.
4. Be careful that the repellent does not enter the child’s eyes or mouth.
5. Only use the mosquito repellent on the skin not covered by clothes.
6. Don’t put the repellent over injuries like cuts, wounds, skin rash.
7. Don’t use more repellent than necessary. Using a DEET based repellent once a day is enough.
8. Read the label of the repellent and follow all instructions carefully.
9. Don’t spray the repellent in a closed area or near the food.
10. Always wash your hands after applying the mosquito repellent on your child.
11. When the child is back from outside and the mosquito repellent is no longer needed, wash it off.

Other precautions you can take to keep children safe from mosquito bites:

1. Prevent mosquito breeding in your house. Get rid of standing water in your home, yard, or garden. Remove anything that can collect water and become a breeding ground of mosquitoes. This includes broken garden pots, birdbaths, unused tires, buckets, etc.
2. If children are going out of home, dress them in long-sleeved shirts and long pants in light colors. This is especially important during dawn and dusk when the mosquitoes are most active, or when your children are going to an area where there might be many mosquitoes.
3. Shoes and socks are better than sandals to prevent insect bites on feet.
4. Tell your children to stay away from places like drains, garbage cans, etc. More mosquitoes hover around such places.
5. Avoid use of perfumes, scented soaps, or hair sprays on children as the scent may attract insects.
6. Use screens on doors and windows to keep the mosquitoes out of your home.

Mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases like Zika, dengue, and chikungunya. Other insects like ticks can also cause several health problems. So, it is important to keep children safe from bug bites. Careful use of mosquito repellents can keep your children protected from mosquitoes.

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You want to keep your children safe from all dangers. So you must ensure they stay safe from sexual predators and pedophiles too. Such criminals can be present anywhere. At school, or even at home as a trusted relative or neighbor. So it is imperative that your kids know when they are being wrongly touched. And that they can communicate this to you.

Tips to teach your child about good touch & bad touch.

1. Open Communication:

Tell your children, again and again, that they can talk to you about anything and should tell you everything. And when they try to communicate, give them your attention. You might be busy with a thousand things. But when your child talks to you about his or her social life or experiences, listen carefully. If you feel they are not telling you everything, ask questions, encourage them to open up. Make the child feel that you really need to know and understand whatever they wish to communicate. That you are there to help and protect them, so they need not hide anything from you.

2. Anatomy lessons:

As soon as your children are able to understand, teach them the names of their body parts. This will make them comfortable talking about their body. It will also help them tell you in case someone touches them wrongly. Teach them which of their body parts are private and must not be touched by anybody.

3. Use correct language, images, and videos:

Don’t avoid using correct anatomical names while teaching body parts to your kids. You need to give them the confidence that there’s nothing embarrassing in talking about their body. Talk about their body parts in a loving yet practical way.

Children learn more easily by seeing visuals. So you can use appropriate images and videos from the internet to help them learn their anatomy.

4. Their body belongs to them:

From the beginning, assure your children that their body belongs to them. Nobody has the right to touch them if they don’t like it. They have a right to refuse anybody’s hug, kiss, and any such touch. Not all these touches will be bad. People often want to hug and kiss kids out of affection. But when a child knows she can refuse such forced affection, she will be more confident in protesting against a bad touch.

5. Don’t confuse them:

When you are teaching your children they can refuse anybody’s touch, you must not force them to hug or kiss anybody. You may want them to hug their grandmother or kiss an uncle. But it will only confuse them. Teach them the value of family and love, but don’t force their affection.

6. They have a right to protest:

Tell your kids in clear language that if someone’s touch makes them feel uncomfortable, they must say NO loud and without fear. They should tell the person to Stop and scream and run away. And they should tell you about this at once.

7. Go beyond the swimsuit rule:

Many people suggest you should teach your child the swimsuit rule. That is, tell the child that all the parts that their swimsuit covers are their private parts. And if anybody touches them, they must say no, scream, shout, and run away. But don’t just stop at this. Most predators don’t begin by touching the child in private parts. They first groom the child by hugging, patting hair, etc. So teach your child to protest if any touch makes them uncomfortable. And to inform you about it.

8. Safe touch:

While you teach your child to protest against all unpleasant touches, you must also teach them that touch of mother, father, and doctor is safe touch. Explain to them that even when a touch of parents or doctor feels unpleasant, or when these people ask the child to remove his or her clothes, it is for the child’s safety. You don’t want your child to refuse a doctor’s check-up, do you? Tell the child that they must allow touching of private parts or other uncomfortable touch by parents and the doctor, but nobody else. Explain to the child the reason for this.

9. Avoiding people who make them uncomfortable:

Teach your kids that if some person makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable, they should stay away from such a person. But they should always tell you what makes them uncomfortable. This is essential so you can take the necessary steps to protect your child whenever needed. If your child wants to avoid a person or place, they must tell you why. And you need to listen carefully and understand what’s troubling them.

10. It’s not their fault:

Help your child to understand the right touch from wrong. And tell them if they ever experience a wrong touch, it will not be their fault. And they must not hide it. They must not blame themselves for anybody else’s wrongdoing. If somebody touches them in the wrong way, they must not feel guilty or ashamed of it. They should tell you everything so you can help them.

You should start teaching your child about good and bad touch by the time they are two years old. And continue talking to them about it till they are at least seven years old.

Talking about good touch and bad touch is uncomfortable. But preparing your child to recognize and protest against scarring incidences is important. Sexual abuse at an early age can leave long-lasting bad effects. But when your children are prepared against molesters, they can face them better. And they can understand that the incidence was not their fault.

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