LilSugar

Baby Moves: Normal Newborn Reflexes

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:19:21 PST

Each child is different in his or her own little way, but there are a few reflexes that every infant has. All the reflexes are usually tested during a baby's first visit to the pediatrician, but many don't require a doctor to point out and can be seen from the very first time you meet your bundle of joy. Here are seven newborn reflexes found naturally in all children.

Itchy Baby? 5 Products That Provide Eczema Relief

LilSugar — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:40:02 PDT

Are you itchy, baby? Eczema is an inflammation of the skin, characterized by redness and itching, and about one in five babies is diagnosed with the skin condition before their first birthday. Now that Fall is officially here, lower temperatures and indoor heating can dry baby's skin - causing eczema flare-ups - and mama will try just about anything to make it feel better. Check out these five tried-and-true products to help give your munchkin some much-needed relief!

Babyganics Bye Bye Dry Eczema Lotion ($7): Au naturel! Bye Bye Dry is a natural, nontoxic solution that provides relief from baby eczema. It's safe and gentle on your little one's skin and soothes baby's eczema itch.
Baby Naturals Baby Eczema Cream ($6): It's super rich! This rich moisturizer specially formulated for babies with eczema nurtures baby's dry skin, soothing it from redness and itching.
Excederm Soothing Baby Oil ($12): Oil up! The key to eczema control is moisture - and nothing delivers maximum moisture for dry, delicate skin than baby oil. It's nonirritating formula makes it ideal for children of all ages.
Cetaphil Restoraderm Body Moisturizer ($15): Moisture for all! This doctor-recommended lotion - for anyone 3 months of age or older - repairs and protects the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It's also free of fragrances, parabens, and nut oils.
Aveeno Baby Soothing Bath Treatment ($4): Bath time! This soothing treatment is made with colloidal oatmeal - proven to relieve irritated skin - and a special moisturizer that forms a soothing milky bath for baby.

Test Your Newborn Reflexes Knowledge

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:32:27 PDT

Babies are amazing. From the moment they are born, they can feed, grasp, and position themselves for movement. These newborn reflexes may be involuntary, but they are essential to protect them from danger. See just how familiar you are with your wee one's natural reflexes by taking this quiz.

Take the Quiz

The Umbilical Cord: Test Your Knowledge on Baby's Lifeline

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 04:41:37 PDT

New parents are carefully taught how to care for their lil one's umbilical cord after the tot goes home, but just how much do you know about it while it is performing its duties? Known as the lifeline that connects the fetus to the placenta, the umbilical cord often remains a mystery.

Take the Quiz

Baby First Aid: Do You Know What to Do in An Emergency?

LilSugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:31:59 PDT

Parents devote a lot of time and energy to keeping their kids safe. Corners are covered with foam, cabinets are locked, and food is cut into perfect baby friendly bites. Yet despite parents' best efforts, accidents happen, because try as they might, parents cannot baby proof the whole world. Knowing what to do in those crucial seconds before help arrives can make all the difference. Do you know what to do in case of an emergency? Take our quiz to find out.

Take the Quiz

Childhood Food Allergies on the Rise; Boost Your Knowledge

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:26:38 PDT

The incidence of food allergies among young children is showing no signs of slowing down. A new study finds that eight percent of US children under 18 have at least one food allergy, and 39 percent have had a severe reaction. As more families find themselves removing peanuts, milk, and shellfish (the most common food allergens) from their home, boost your knowledge on the subject and see what you need to know about this growing epidemic.

Do You Know Your Food Allergies?	Food Challenges For Testing Allergies	Facts About EpiPens
Understanding Food Allergies	Accommodating Classmates' Allergies	Birth Order Linked to Food Allergies

How to Know If Your Baby Is Dehydrated

Heather Dale — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:37:10 PDT

One would assume that with all the milk babies drink that they don't need any more fluids. But because babies have relatively small fluid reserves and high metabolic rates, they can easily lose electrolytes and water, which are crucial for their little bodies to function. And if your baby is having a bad bout of diarrhea, she'll also be susceptible to becoming dehydrated more quickly than usual.

Dehydration is reversible, but it's important to take action as soon as possible. If a baby's fluids aren't replenished over a long period of time then it even be fatal. Here are some important signs to watch for to know if your baby is dehydrated.

Survey Finds Most Parents Still Uneasy About Vaccinations

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:16:11 PDT

Parents are taking their kids in for "a little pinch," but they aren't happy about it. According to a study just released today, 95 percent of US children receive the recommended vaccines (on schedule), but 77 percent of parents are still uncomfortable with the shots. More than a year after the link between autism and vaccines was debunked, many parents are still voicing concern over the safety of the ingredients used in the vaccines. Other issues parents raised include the complexity of the immunization schedule, pain from the injection, and the number of shots tots get in one sitting.

Even if you follow the CDC's vaccination schedule, are you nervous about it?

Dr. Sears Says Parents Must Make Better Food Choices, Tiger Mom Doesn't Work

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:26:01 PDT

Parenting trends come and go, and in his 30 years serving parents and children, Dr. Bill Sears has seen it all. The pediatrician, author of more than 30 baby and parenting books, and founder of the attachment parenting movement has some strong views on how we are raising our tots today, and he's not afraid to voice them.

I spoke with the doctor at the launch of his new Dr. Sears Family Essentials line of all-natural snacks, beverages, and baby care products. After discussing the importance of adding DHA to kids' diets, our conversation shifted to current parenting issues. See what he had to say!

LilSugar: How concerned should parents be with environmental health issues, and how can parents reduce their effects on kids?
Dr. Bill Sears: Very concerned. But they can talk about it. But the fact of life is, they can make changes in the food issue much quicker than environmental issues.

LS: In all of your years of watching babies and parents, what trends do you find most interesting now, and which do you find most disturbing?
Dr. Sears: The best trend right now is parents finally taking nutrition seriously. They're making the connection between what my child eats and how my child's brain grows, how my child learns to behave. They've always known that, but they're now doing something. For the first time in history, we're seeing an action plan.

The second trend is pediatricians are not being so wimpy. We used to say, "Oh you're child needs to eat healthy," or "Your child's a bit overweight." We don't use the term overweight anymore. We use the term prediabetic. For a mom, sitting in my office, and I say to you, because I care, that Susi is prediabetic, you're going to make a change much more than if I say she's a bit overweight. So that’s a trend that we’re seeing, because the old things are not working.

My concern still is that parents have not gotten the message that my child is what he eats. We cannot blame the food industry. The food industry will make what parents will buy. If you don't buy it, they won’t make it.

Keep reading to see what Dr. Sears had to say about the Tiger Mom movement!

Dr. Sears Discusses the Biggest Health Risk Facing Your Child Today

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:27:25 PDT

It's time to shape young taste. That's what Dr. Bill Sears is doing as he delves into his latest endeavor. The pediatrician, author of more than 30 books, and founder of the attachment parenting movement is moving out of the bookstore and onto grocery store shelves with the introduction of the new Dr. Sears Family Essentials line of all-natural snacks, beverages, supplements, and baby care products.

In an effort to teach children to make healthier food choices, while helping to fight childhood obesity, doctors Bill and Jim Sears, the latter of whom can be found on The Doctors each day, have created a line of snack foods microinfused with omega-3 DHA and effective doses of protein and fiber to give tots a healthy start in life. I sat down with the doctor to learn about the line, and discuss some of the most pressing issues facing parents today.

LilSugar: What are the biggest health risks facing babies and kids today?
Dr. Bill Sears: The biggest health risk is NDD (Nutritional Deficit Disorder), and the reason is that the brain, above all other organs, for better or worse, is most affected by what you eat. The brain grows the fastest in the first two years. You put those two together and in the first two years, children need to eat the best. Really in the first five years, because 90 percent of brain growth occurs in the first five years.

LS: You have a whole line of omega-3 fatty-acid products. Why is it so important to include the nutrient in a child’s diet?
Dr. Sears: Simple – they are growth foods. They are the best growth food for the brain, the heart, the body, the eyes, and they’re the number-one deficiency. (They are) the most thoroughly scientifically researched nutrient, with over 22,000 medical journal articles about them. I’m a show-me-the-science guy, and I’m not putting anything in those packages that is not backed up by good science.

LS: How important is it to feed kids organic foods? Does it really make a difference?
Dr. Sears: Go organic. It's very important (and a) good investment. A child’s body does not get rid of pesticides like the adult body does. Their kidneys are immature, what we call their "garbage disposal system" is immature. Secondly, a child, especially a baby, has more fat tissue than an adult, proportional to their amount of weight, and fat is where toxins are stored. Growing cells – multiplying cells – are more affected by pesticides than we as adults who are finished growing.

Want to see more of the legendary doctor's thoughts on parenting – including the Tiger Mom philosophy? Tune in tomorrow for more of our conversation.