LilSugar

How Do You Take Your Child's Temperature?

LilSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:30:31 -0800

'Tis the season for cold and flu and weary mamas are celebrating by monitoring their tot's temperature more than ever. From the dreaded rectal method to the easy arterial swipe, there's more than one way to take your child's temperature. Most mommies have a preferred method - what's yours?

H1N1: When Should You Take Your Tot to the ER?

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:09 -0800

Parents have a tough enough time deciphering symptoms between the flu and a cold, and now there is the added confusion of learning the warning signs of the H1N1 virus. Present day parents have a lot to stress about, but knowing the facts puts most of us at ease. Before you fret over the next time your tot spikes a fever, check out this guide for emergency warning signs of H1N1 in children.

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Basic Tips For Battling Bedwetting

LilSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:12 -0800

Potty trained tots may go all day without an accident, but nighttime poses a whole new set of challenges – even for the kiddos who've been using the toilet for years. Unlike adults, children are not always able to wake-up to use the restroom and so accidents happen. Until baby gets through the night with dry underpants, try these tips for battling bedwetting.

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Are You Taking Your Child to the Doctor More?

LilSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:32:40 -0700

Thanks to the H1N1 virus, cold and flu season kicked off earlier than usual this year. Since it's no longer safe to assume that a fever and cough are just symptoms of a pesky cold, worried parents are spending less time diagnosing their ill children and more time heading to the pediatrician to find out what is (or is not) ailing their little one. Many mums have made it a weekly routine even. Have you found that you are taking your babe to visit her doctor more this year?

Overwhelmed about deciding to give your child the H1N1 vaccination or not? Join our A Place to Vent group over in our LilSugar Community and share your stress with fellow moms who understand your plight.

Say Good-Bye to Separation Anxiety

LilSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:45 -0700

Separation anxiety is a hard time in a little one's life. Tough as it may be, mommy should try not to stress if her tot doesn't want her to leave his side - this completely normal stage of development will indeed pass. In the meantime there are a few tricks for making it a little bit less tearful for everyone.

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Has Your Child's Weight Ever Been an Issue?

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:08 -0700

Everyone knows that babies come in all different shapes and sizes. That's why it was so odd to hear of a healthy but chubby 4-month-old who was recently denied health insurance coverage. His 99th percentile ranking for height and weight for his age made him ineligible for coverage. The industry standard is to deny a policy for any new patients above the 95th percentile, including babies.

On the flip side, a friend of mine was given a stern talking to about the need for red meat from her mother-in-law because her daughter, a perfectly happy and healthy 9-month old, fell below the 10th percentile for her age group's height and weight. It's hard for any parent to hear that their child does not meet "national standards" and even worse when they are judged or worse, denied health benefits for it.

Thankfully, the Colorado company has rectified the situation and the lil boy is now protected. Has your child's weight ever been an issue?

Treats May Not Be So Sweet This Halloween

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:07 -0700

Halloween may be a tad scarier this year thanks to a new British study. Researchers across the pond have spent the past four decades tracking 10-year-olds' candy intake and found that those who ate the sweet treats on a daily basis were more likely to be arrested for violent offenses than those who didn't. The scientists behind the study say that its results support the belief that those who eat healthily tend to make better behavioral decisions.

Many parents will shake this off denouncing the idea that an innocent little treat like candy could truly not be tied to violent crimes. Will you let a study like this spook you into tightening the pumpkin strings this year?

Would You Invest in an Autism Screening Assessment?

LilSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:45 -0700

If you could buy one more piece of the puzzle, would you? Some parents rely on their pediatricians for recommended tests and screenings, while others are willing to take matters into their own hands. When it comes to autism, many mamas seek out doctors willing to use a modified vaccination schedule or conform to a controlled diet in order to reduce the chances of their lil one developing the disorder. While researchers work on the possibility of a prenatal screening, one company is touting its ability to screen 24- to 48-month-olds for the likelihood that they will develop the disorder.

The same company that developed a system for testing a child's language development through the mail has introduced the LENA Language and Autism Screen ($200). By placing a recording device in specially designed clothing and letting it record 12 to 16 hours of a child's speech, LENA claims they can process the data and provide parents with a probability of their youngster being diagnosed with autism.

Given the importance of early detection, would you invest in an autism screening assessment?

Five Tips For Remaining Playground Safe

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:48 -0700

Keep monkeying around on the playground – but do so safely! Neighborhood playgrounds filled with jungle gyms, slides and fireman poles that keep lil ones occupied throughout the day also pose potential hazards that can thwart an otherwise fun afternoon. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 200,000 children visit the emergency room each year for playground injuries. Before packing up the snacks and sporting equipment, check out our top five tips for keeping lil hands, heads and legs free from injury.

Don't ride on slides with your tots. According to a new study, placing a child on your lap to ride down a slide can significantly increase the possibility of fracturing their legs. When a child's leg gets stuck against the side of a slide, the pressure from a parent behind them can cause it to bend in ways that force it to break.
Keep swinging on the swing set, not from mama's arms. Though swinging from mommy's arms may be fun, the pressure from doing so can cause lil elbow bones to be pulled partially out of joint, leading to a condition called Nursemaid Elbow that can be very painful for tots.

To see the rest of the helpful reminders,

Five Tricks For Brushing Up Dental Care

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:09 -0700

Children don't need an excuse to show off their pearly whites, but getting the kiddos to brush them on a regular basis may require some trickery. Lectures about cavities and future orthodontia don't seem to get them running to the bathroom, but some cute toothbrush holders and brushing accessories may just do the trick. Products like Toothpaste Pete ($5) stick right onto your current tube of toothpaste to add some laughs to the washing-up routine. Check out the rest of our tricks and picks for keeping those teeth fresh and clean.

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