LilSugar

Baby Bump: An Apple a Day Keeps the Asthma Away

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:01 -0800

What you eat prenatally, can pay off in your lil one's health even after she leaves the womb. Recent research suggests that moms-to-be who eat apples during pregnancy, have children with lower rates of asthma. Those who consumed more than four apples a week had children who were 37 percent less likely to have asthma.

Studies also found a specific food would reduce rates of eczema in babies too. To find out what it is, just read more.

Mothers who consume fish (more than once a week) during pregnancy may lower their child's risk of developing eczema. Too much of a good thing can be bad though, especially in the case of fish. Consuming high amounts of fish can boost mercury levels in a developing fetus so don't overdo it.

Best practice is to focus on eating a diet wide in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins - but now you may want to make sure that it includes a few apples and pieces of fish.

Lil Tip: Eczema Relief the Natural Way

babysugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:00:24 -0700

My six–year–old niece has been through the ringer with eczema since she was born. Cortisone creams and prescribed medications were the only things that kept her from rubbing her beautiful skin raw. Moms hoping to avoid medicinal cures for the common scratchy nuisance may find relief in this homemade paste recipe.

Michele from Glam Spirit uses a combination of Vitamin E oil, Goldenseal powder and honey. Vitamin E oil, as you may know from stretch mark creams, helps heal the skin by keeping it moisturized and therefore, less itchy. Goldenseal is an herb that disinfects and reduces swelling. Honey also reduces inflammation and scarring while the antioxidant agents help heal pained areas.

To see how to make the homemade healer, read more.

Once you have all the ingredients, take the Vitamin E oil and mix it with the Goldenseal powder. Then add a small amount of honey. Apply the paste on the infected areas for a healthy and sweet road to recovery.

New Special Shows Day in the Life of a Child With Allergies

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:40 -0700

We are all aware of what our lil ones eat, but parents of kids with allergies have to be extra sensitive when it comes to the menu. The rate of allergies has increased over the past 20-30 years and now more than three million kids have them. By the time they enter middle school, one in every 20 kids is watching what she puts in her mouth.

Fifty-four percent of LilSugar readers' children attend a peanut-free school or daycare center, making them well-aware of the issues. While most kids know someone affected by food, eczema, asthma, hay fever, it is virtually impossible for them to understand the emotional issues they deal with on a daily basis. This Sunday, Sept 27., Nickelodeon takes on the world of life-threatening allergies with a new special called I’m Allergic to My World. The Nick News with Linda Ellerbee special follows the lives of several children with various allergies and shows what it is like to spend a day in their shoes. The eye-opening program is a must-see for anyone who has ever questioned their school's no-nut policy. Will you tune in to watch it?

Photo courtesy of Lucky Duck Productions

Lil Links: Celebrate St. Paddy's With Colorful Cupcakes!

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:00:49 -0700

Kiss these Irish-inspired cupcakes on St. Paddy's Day - Alpha Mom
The first 100 days of Michelle Obama in the White House - Cookie
Marcia Cross's daughters love chitchat - Celebrity Baby Blog
Molly Shannon hits the mall with Superman and Stella - Celebrity Baby Scoop
The mom secret: I hate babies - CafeMom
Right place, right time - Fit Pregnancy
Kids with eczema more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD - Health
Did motherhood change your drinking habits? - ParentDish
No more BPA in United States baby bottles - The Mommy Files

Dogs Fend Off Allergies

babysugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:16 -0700

If you've ever considered adding a furry friend to your family, I've got a good argument for you to do so.

A recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal examined 9,000 children and found:

Children growing up with a pet trains the immune system to be less sensitive to potential triggers for allergies like asthma, eczema and hay fever.

To see what the lead researcher had to say, read more.

Joachim Heinrich of the National Research Centre for Environmental Health in Munich said:

Our results show clearly that the presence of a dog in the home during subjects’ infancy is associated with a significantly low level of sensitization to pollens and inhaled allergens

So go to your local pound and pick out a pup to bring home to baby. Your family will get more than a new best friend.

Source

Lil Tip: Bundle Your Baby

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Tending to tots during winter can take a lil bit of extra effort. A recent CNN piece gave some quick tips to help mom figure out how to brave the winter months with baby. It said:

"Rule of thumb: Dress your child in one layer more than you're wearing yourself

Thick coats should come off before the car-seat straps go on

If your baby gets eczema or heat rash, both common in winter, try a humidifier

Don't use over-the-counter cough meds unless your doctor says they're necessary"

Lil Tip: Wash Up For Baby

babysugar — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 07:00:00 -0800

Your shower has come and gone, and your due date is quickly approaching. Instead of just sitting around and waiting for baby, make sure all of those little onesies and sheets are ready for their sweet skin. Babies can be prone to eczema, atopic dermatitis and allergies so it's important to treat their clothes with a different kind of detergent than you would normally use.

All Free and Clear is free of dyes and fragrances, which help to protect your lil one's precious body. Dreft and Method Baby are popular detergent choices for moms, too. They are dye free, but both contain small amounts of fragrance, which I personally love.

Here is a list of things to wash:

All of Baby's clothes
Towels and washcloths
Bibs and burp cloths
Bedding sheets, blankets, bumper, pillows
You might want to wash some of your shirts, too

Also, steer clear of the fabric softening liquids and dryer sheets. They can
cause flame retardant clothes to lose their effectiveness.

Get to throwing those loads in the washer. As for folding, you're on your own!