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Protect Your Little Ones from Mosquitos July 17, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Infants- Sleeping and Napping, Nursery, Toddlers, active kids, babies, health, safety, summer fun.
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Mosquitos are an unpleasant nuisance and can ruin an enjoyable summer evening but they also carry West Nile which could be deadly especially to am infant.   An ounce of prevention is much better than a infant howling with itchy red welts.        Understanding what attracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them.  Mosquitos like humidity such as perspiration and moist plants, dark clothing, carbon dioxide, floral scents, still air, early mornings or evenings and lactic acid which is released after exercising or eating salty or high-potassium foods.  People who eat garlic are often not bothered by insects as much.  Avoid taking your infant out at night and dump all old standing water such as rain barrels and items that have accumulated water. 

You might want to try several of the suggestions below.

 -  Dress your infant or small child in long sleeves and long pants-even if it’s really hot you can easily choose a light fabric which will help cover their bare legs and arms. Mosquitos are attracted to bright colors.
 
- If you have mosquitos in your house your children and infants should wear loose long-sleeved pajamas and sleep under a light sheet.
 
- A moving fan may prevent mosquitoes from landing near a crib but be sure it is not within reach of the baby or small child.
 
- Children should never use a DEET concentration over 10% since beyond this concentration they can get systemic absorption and be more susceptible to the effect of DEET.   Read labels carefully! There are repellents made specifically for infants for purchase in drug stores.
 
-  Lemon eucalyptus mosquito repellent smells nice and has no DEET but you should check the label for suggestions for infants and toddlers.  Organic eucalyptus and lemon balm oils are also both natural and effect.  Two ounces of chopped garlic mixed into a cup of warm water makes a fairly reliable organic spray but it does smell bad. Soybean oil has also been known to be effective. Many parents say that Avon Skin-so-Soft can repel the majority of mosquitoes. Mosquitos may land but not bite.
- Use insect screen with fine mesh on windows and doors in the house and tents.  Use a mosquito net over beds if mosquitos cannot be kept out but be sure the net is secure so that a baby cannot get tangled in it.  A small net is great for a stroller when you have outside events-just drape over stroller and tuck in the edges.  Some strollers even come with a bug net.

 -  Never allow children to apply their own mosquito repellent since they may inadvertently apply too much.

 -  Apply insect repellent to children’s clothing too.
 
-  Plant marigolds around your patio area and places where children play.  Marigolds are a natural insect repellent.  Lemon grass is also a natural repellent.  These plants help but do not completely repel pesky mosquitoes.  Light citronella candles on your porch or patio too in the evenings when the family is out. Citronella candles reduced mosquito bites by 42% and citronella incense reduced bites by 24%.
 
-  Make sure to trim your child’s nails.  If the child has a bite it will keep  it from becoming infected if he or she does scratch.  Cold vinegar helps relieve the itch and sting.
 
 -  Check on the label to see if the makers of the repellent say that it is safe for young children.  If they do not say it is safe, avoid using it on babies and toddlers. Make sure that the bug repellant is DEET free!  DEET has been shown to be harmful to young children. 
 

How to Calm a Crying Baby June 9, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Infants- Sleeping and Napping, New Moms, safety.
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Yep, they cry and sometimes they cry a lot!  Caring for a fussy baby can be frustrating and can leave even the most self-confident parent feeling alone. 

Babies cry to communicate-they have to cry because there is no other way for a baby to talk.  They cry to tell you they hungry or thirty, uncomfortable, ill, bored, tired, scared or even lonely.  Some babies cry before bed or nap time just because they are very tired.  Sometimes they may be teething, have gas or colic but sometimes the answer is as simple as a diaper change or being picked up and cuddled.  It’s normal for babies to cry sometimes and some people even think it’s good for them.

Here’s some ideas on How to Calm a Crying Baby:

Check first for any physical needs-is the baby hungry, thirsty, need to be burped, too hot or too cold or is the diaper wet or dirty.

Check for signs of illness or fever.  If you think your baby is sick, seek medical attention immediately.

Try rocking the baby or hold the baby close and sway or bounce him.

Sing or talk to the baby in a soothing voice.

Gently rub or stroke the baby’s back, chest, head or tummy.

Offer a pacifier or try to distract the baby with a favorite or even new toy.

Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket

Turn on some music or any noise-even a vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer might work.

Take the baby for ride outside in a stroller or drive her around in a car seat. 

Try each of these things for a few minutes or a combination of a few together.  If nothing seems to work, it is OK to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib) and take time to calm down yourself.   Just leave the room and perhaps shut the door.  Take a few deep breaths and relax.  Call a friend or a family member for support or help.  Remember it’s entirely normal for a baby to cry and it’s entirely normal to feel frustrated that you can’t comfort her immediately.

Home Sweet Home Page May 28, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Parenting Teens, education, safety, technology.
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As you first log on to the Internet the first page you see is your home page.  With Internet Explorer, you can set a number of home pages that your children can navigate and enjoy-you just might enjoy them too.  Many adults set their home page to read the latest news, play games and check the weather. Kids can do this too.  They can start surfing at a site they like right away and parents can relax and know it’s okay.
*ScholasticNews Online, is a great site where you can read the dayily news, catch up on a campaign and election updates or participate in a poll.  They let your child give their opinion too regarding current topics.  The Kids Press is a news column written for kids by kids.  You can test your IQ with games and quizzes and read the latest sports, television and music news.  You can have news downloaded to your desktop five days a week and all of it is timely but geared to kids.
*Science News for Kids, is the place to go to read about all the latest science news.  From there you can link to the game zone and puzzle zone.  Read and have fun with animals, chemistry, the environment, space, math, technology and the weather.  If your child is crazy for anything science than this a particularly good one. features the latest news, a poll zone, kid scoop, games and a homework helper.
*Kids Yahoo, is more commercial but it has a lot of bells and whistles that kids like.  They can heck out the latest music and games, send e-cards, read your horoscope and it’s a good place to access reference materials for reports and homework.
*At PBS Kids News Flash Five,  animated characters report on art, technology, science, sports and national and world news.  You can even write and submit your own story.

One nice thing about these homepages for your kids-you know they are safe and they won’t be seeing anything you’d rather them not see or read.

Summer Means Swim Time for Kids May 27, 2008

Posted by artinshamrocks in Discipline, Parenting Teens, Toddlers, education, safety, toys.
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Nothing says summer like water!!!  Taking a dip in the pool, going to the splash park, trips to the beach, floating the river, boating or just playing in the a wading pool.  Water however poses one of the season’s biggest safety hazards.  Sorry to say, the National Safety Council says that children under four have the highest death rate due to drowning and 64% of theses deaths happen in the summer months.
 
Constant supervision is the key to safety.  Don’t let your kids near water unless you have the time to watch them, no matter what your child’s skill level is and no matter how deep the water is.  When it comes to protecting children from drowning, nothing works better than good old fashioned vigilance.  If you sunning, reading a book or talking to another parent, then you are not actively supervising.  Do not totally relax even if there is a life guard on duty.  Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to disaster for children around water. 
 
Here’s a few safety tips:
 
1.  Enroll children in a water safety course early but keep in mind 
     that the American Academy of Pediatrics says most kids aren’t
     ready for swimming lessons until after their
     fourth birthday.
 
2.  Do not allow children who cannot swim to use inflatable toys 
     such as water wings or mattresses unless you are in the water
     with them.  When boating everyone should use approved life
     jackets ALL the time.
 
3.  If you have your own pool you need to create and enforce
     safety rules.
 
4.  Take a CPR course; it could save your child’s life!
 
5.  Never leave kids alone near water and keep a watchful eye on
     them at all times even if you are at a public pool with a life
     guard on duty.  Encourage children to watch out for
     each other too.
 
6.  Be respectful of the ocean and beach because conditions can
     change rapidly and become dangerous.
 
Also realize that children are fascinated with water and can get a little too excited.  Don’t rely on their judgement as to their swimming ability or if they can handle deeper water.  Also watch for rough play that is getting out of hand in the pool.