Identifying Food Allergies

Identifying Food Allergies

December 6th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Food allergies have been a growing concern among new parents, as the medical community raises more awareness of how common they are becoming. With frightening stories circulating about sudden and severe reactions to baby foods, many parents are anxious about allergies and taking extra precautions to be prepared.

Recognizing a food allergy isn’t too difficult in most situations, although you might not realize what it is at first. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in the case of a truly severe reaction will require immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of a Food Allergy

Common food allergy reactions include difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling, rashes, itching, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The onset of the symptoms is generally fairly quick, within a few minutes to a few hours after your child eats the allergenic food. In rare, severe cases, a food allergy can result in anaphylaxis, where the throat swells up, blood pressure drops and the child may go into shock and be as risk of death if not treated immediately. This type of reaction requires a 911 call without delay and a visit to the emergency room.

How to Determine Which Food Caused a Reaction

If the reaction occurs early in your child’s introduction to solid foods, it should be fairly easy to tell which food is the culprit. When introducing new foods to a baby, allowing a space of several days in between adding new foods will allow you to tell whether a reaction develops in response to the latest new addition to the menu.

Unfortunately, it isn’t always that easy. Some allergies can develop even if the child has tried the same food in the past with no reaction; allergic reactions can happen after several uneventful servings of the food. And in older children, who eat a much more varied diet, it can be very difficult to tell which food is to blame.

If you have a good idea which baby food caused the reaction, you should immediately remove it from your child’s diet. Even if the initial reaction was mild, a stronger reaction could occur the next time. If you aren’t certain which food is to blame, start by eliminating the most likely culprit – watch for highly allergenic foods such a dairy, strawberries, eggs and nuts as likely choices.

An allergist can perform tests to find out specifically which food your child is allergic too, but you will generally figure it out fairly quickly if you keep track of what your child ate and when reactions occurred.

What to Do If an Allergy is Discovered

First of all, you should of course prevent your child from eating that food. Next, make sure that any caregivers such as grandparents and babysitters are aware of the allergy. In the case of a severe allergy, you might be required to carry a special injectable medication that can be used in case of accidental contact with the food. You should also make sure all caregivers are ready and able to provide the injection should it become necessary.

Allergies can change over time, and your child may outgrow the allergy. Talk to your doctor about this possibility and how to go about re-introducing the food with caution. Some allergies are so severe that it is unlikely they will be outgrown and not worth taking the risk of finding out.

Frequently Occurring Feeding Problems

Frequently Occurring Feeding Problems

October 29th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Since a baby has little else to do in life besides eat and sleep, it would seem logical that eating would be something that presents little difficulty. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Many new moms run into feeding issues that while common, can be extremely frustrating. For an exhausted new mom, feeding problems can escalate into a major issue quickly. Take a look at some of the most frequently encountered feeding issues and how to resolve them.

Baby Won’t Latch On!

Breastfeeding moms are often discouraged and frustrated when what seems like the simplest of baby care tasks just doesn’t seem to be working. Poor latch is responsible for all kinds of problems, from gas in the baby to blocked milk ducts in the mother. Babies are born with the ability to suck, but latching on is just as new to them as it is to mom. It takes some practice, and sometimes requires some help.

First, try a different position, such as a football hold, to see if this helps baby access the nipple better. If you have tried everything and are still struggling, call in a pro. Make an appointment with a lactation consultant who can help you to get it figured out. Your obstetrician or the hospital where you gave birth should be able to direct you to a consultant.

Baby Won’t Take the Bottle!

Especially if you are introducing a bottle after breastfeeding, you might have some difficulty getting your baby to accept the different look and feel of the nipple. This will likely just take time, and some experimentation with different bottles. If your baby has been on the bottle since birth, however, and suddenly starts to refuse the bottle, there may be something else going on.

Refusing a bottle can be a sign of several possible problems, from teething to ear infections, both of which make sucking painful. It could also be a sign of an upset stomach. If a reason doesn’t present itself quickly and your baby continues to refuse the bottle, it’s best to put in a call to the pediatrician. An examination might reveal the reason for the refusal, and avoid potential dehydration from refusing fluids.

Formula Upsets My Baby’s Tummy

From the first day of formula feeding to a later transition from breast milk to formula, there can be problematic responses to some of the ingredients. The proteins in formula are more difficult for a baby to digest than those in breast milk, and can cause problems like gas, constipation and diarrhea. Fortunately, there are many different formulas on the market, and you should be able to find one that works for your child.

It’s possible that the reaction is being caused by an allergy to something in the formula, whether it’s cow’s milk or soy; in this case you may need to try a hypoallergenic formula. If problems persist, see your baby’s doctor.

My Baby Falls Asleep During Feedings!

Babies sleep a lot, and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong if your baby is falling asleep during feedings. It could be simple fatigue, or baby has had enough to eat and is satisfied. If you are worried that your baby is falling asleep before ingesting enough, try feeding in a brightly lit room that discourages sleep. Unwrap baby from any blankets or sleep sacks; the cooler air will also encourage wakefulness. It might not be pleasant to have to turn on the lights for a night feeding, but if you don’t think baby is eating enough it might be required.

During the day, try to pick a feeding time when your baby is most alert, generally shortly after waking up. You might also find baby is the hungriest right after a nap and will eat more.

The Old Wives’ Tale of How You Carry and the Gender of Your Baby

The Old Wives’ Tale of How You Carry and the Gender of Your Baby

June 20th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you are newly pregnant, then you will find that you are immediately met with all sorts of advice and information. Some of it may be helpful and some of it may be worth tuning out. As you progress through your pregnancy, you may be amazed to find out that the unsolicited and often unwanted advice continues. You want to be careful so as not to offend anybody that wishes to share their experiences or advice with you.

It can all get to be a bit overwhelming as you not only hear conflicting information, but also a lot that you know firsthand is wrong. One such instance is the old wives’ tale that seems to always rear its ugly head. There are people, particularly old timers, that truly believe some of these old myths that have traveled their way through time. If you have been told about any of them, such as how you carry your baby determining the gender of your baby, then it’s high time to stay tuned to the real meaning behind them.

Is It Really An Indication?

One of the biggest myths that have traveled through timeless pregnancies and number of years is that of how you carry your baby. If you have never heard of it, then you are likely to be hit up with it as you progress through your pregnancy. The old wives’ tale goes that if you are carrying your baby lower, then you are inevitably having a boy. If you are carrying your baby high, then you must be having a girl.

This may sound familiar and you will likely be told this myth at some point in your pregnancy if you haven’t already. It’s one of those myths that are so well traveled and so timeless that many people really and truly believe this. You may even find that you are told this by a nurse or a medical professional who should know better than to believe in these often silly myths. Go ahead and humor the storyteller by listening to their story, but avoid the temptation to buy into it and believe that it is real.

There is a Reason for Everything

If you look up any of these old wives’ tales including this one at a reputable source such as this, then you will quickly see that there is no real merit to this sort of myth. In fact you carrying high or low is simply an indication of the position of the baby and how your body responds to it. This has a lot to do with the placement and development of the uterine and pelvic muscles throughout pregnancy. This can be contributed to by your own build of your body before pregnancy, as well as how your body responds to the pregnancy along the way.

If you are carrying high, then that means that the baby is located in the upper part of the uterus. If you are carrying high, then it means that your baby is located closer to the pelvis. The only thing to be concerned with if you are carrying low is that if you happen to be carrying the baby too low, it can cause things such as premature labor. Though this isn’t a certainty, it is something to ask your healthcare provider about to ensure that proper tests are run. It doesn’t however determine the gender of your baby, so avoid the temptation to listen to such talk!

What Daddy Should Pack for the Hospital

What Daddy Should Pack for the Hospital

June 7th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There’s so much emphasis on the mother-to-be throughout pregnancy, and often the dad is overlooked. As he is just as important a part of the process, there should be some thought put into the role that he plays. Without the dad or a similar system of support, the entire experience is made much more difficult for the mom. Both partners need each other and that’s why it’s so important to ensure that dad is available and present.

The dad wants to be a part of the birthing process just as much as anybody. He can offer comfort and support as the mom makes it through all of the different stages of labor. Every dad wants to be there to meet their new little bundle of joy for the first time, as it’s one of those precious moments in life that you will always treasure. So just as the mom has to get ready for the big arrival, the dad should be prepared and packed for the hospital stay as well.

Playing the Support Role

Though this role is crucial to the birth of his child, the dad will ultimately play a support role. As he packs for the hospital, he should ensure that many of the items on his checklist reflect this role and are in place to help mom through the stages and get everything in order after the birth. Take a look at this checklist for example whereby many of the items recommended for daddy to bring include those which will support his partner. Consider bringing items such as a stop watch and a pad of paper to write down contraction times and track the labor overall. Be sure to bring along a video camera, regular camera, and anything else that can be used to capture every aspect of the birth that you will surely want to remember later on.

Bring whatever is necessary to keep your partner comfortable and focused. This can include massage oils, scented items to keep her calm, pillows, special comfort items, and of course music. Talk to your partner in advance and be sure that you know what she would like to help keep her calm and as happy as can be throughout the birth process. This is where your support role becomes very important and therefore you want to be prepared to help out in any way that you can.

Getting Yourself Comfortable

Chances are that you’re going to be in the hospital for a while. Either the labor may carry on longer than you had anticipated, or you may be staying with your partner throughout the duration of her hospital visit. Either way you want to be sure to pack a change of clothes and even something comfortable like pajamas for the occasion where you spend the night. Bring some pillows along for you as you can’t always be sure of what the sleeping arrangements will be.

Pack some snacks for yourself as you need to keep your energy up during the long birthing process. Also be sure to bring some money as you will surely have to grab a meal or a snack from the cafeteria during your stay. Along with the camera and any other items that you bring to capture the precious moments, be sure that you bring along the phone numbers of anybody that you’ll want to contact with the good news after the birth. All of these things will make your stay more comfortable and allow you to focus on your partner and your new baby.

Preparing for Your Baby with Childbirth Classes

Preparing for Your Baby with Childbirth Classes

May 27th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You hear all about the things that you have to do during pregnancy in preparation for your new baby. Though there are some things that may seem more pertinent and pressing than others, there are some things that are fundamental and can be quite helpful.

One thing that seems to be on every new parent’s checklist is childbirth classes. Though parents that have been through the process will often say that they didn’t necessarily use much of the knowledge when the time came, they are a valuable part of pregnancy. Not everybody signs up for these classes as they certainly aren’t a requirement, but they can be of great help in getting you and your partner as prepared as possible. So what can you possibly learn? How valuable can they really be? Understanding what goes on in childbirth classes can be of great value in advance.

What Value Do They Bring?

There are so many different kinds of childbirth classes out there. Each offers a unique perspective and many different preparation methods for your new baby. The point of these classes is to help a parent understand certain aspects of the birthing process and of parenthood in general.

The most common type of childbirth class is one that focuses on what it really means to go through the childbirth process. This will walk you through all of the ins and outs of the process, and gives you a very real accounting of what one can expect. This is good for both the man and the woman in so many different ways. For the woman, it can help her to see what her body will naturally do. It can outline what happens in the various types of birth, and what will happen if things go in a manner that wasn’t predicted. Sometimes preparing for the unpredictable is the most beneficial thing that a woman can see.

These classes can be quite valuable to the man as it helps him to mentally prepare for his role as a coach. He will likely be there with his partner every step of the way and will help her through the birthing process. This is an important role and requires a great deal of time and attention so that he knows how to keep her calm and focused. This can be a great bonding experience for both parents as they can share the excitement for the upcoming birth of their baby. As you can imagine, this all provides some great value and is something that helps in the full preparation.

Additional Resources to Consider

As part of the childbirth classes at some hospitals or medical facilities, parents can sign up for additional classes. They can take a tour of the hospital so that they can see where they will deliver, where the rooms are located, where the nursery is, and generally see the layout of the hospital overall. Many parents often wish to get involved in childbirth classes that focus on breastfeeding, caring for their baby, or even on CPR. There are many different derivations of these classes, and they are all aimed at preparation and helping to make the best parent possible. Though this may seem like a lot to take in, if you carry away just a few lessons with you over time then it’s well worth it.

Thinking Ahead for Your Stay in the Hospital

Thinking Ahead for Your Stay in the Hospital

May 16th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

It’s almost time for the baby’s arrival and you have a lot to do. You want to get the house ready and be sure that everything is just perfect for you to bring your little bundle of joy home. Though you’ve probably planned out every little detail of your pregnancy and are sure that you’ve anticipated everything for baby’s arrival, there is often one major thing that is overlooked.

You’ve probably considered everything after the birth, but have you thought through all the details for your actual hospital stay? Many women get so consumed with the actual birth and arrival, that they often forget to plan ahead for this major hospital stay. Thinking through a few major details can take a great deal of stress out of things later on.

Think Of Who You Want There

One thing that can really stress a lot of women out is who they have there at the hospital. If you think this through in advance and then consider your options, this can be easily communicated in advance.

  • Do you want just your partner there with you when it comes time for the delivery?
  • Are there any other family members that you want present?
  • Do you wish for others to be there in the room with you or wait in the waiting room?

These are all areas that can tend to be stressful if not planned out in advance, so giving some thought can alleviate much of that. You also want to consider visitors after the baby is born. Many family members and close friends will have the best intentions and wish to visit you in the hospital. Consider if this is something that you are comfortable with, or if you’d rather wait until you get home to welcome visitors in to see the new baby.

Making Arrangements Beforehand

Anything that you can do in advance will help you to relax and enjoy the new baby once it has arrived. Take the time to pre-register for your hospital stay while you are still pregnant. If you have any other children, consider who will watch them while you are in the hospital. Work it out with your spouse if you want them to be there with you in the hospital the whole time. Consider who can be there quickly when labor comes on and who can stay with your child while you are in the hospital. These are all important considerations that should really be thought out in advance. Not only can this help you to sit back and relax a bit, but it can ensure that you make the proper arrangements. Be sure that you work out similar arrangements if you have a pet that must be cared for while you are in the hospital so that Fido isn’t left at home without food or water for a couple of days.

Think Of How You Want The Hospital Experience To Be

Though things don’t always go the way that we plan, you do want to think about what you’d like to happen while you are in the hospital. Do you want to keep the baby in the room with you at all times? Are you interested in sending the baby to the nursery at night so you can get some sleep? Do you want a lactation consultant to visit you if you plan to breastfeed? Think through anything that is important to you so that you can plan for it in advance. All of the plans that you make can allow you to focus on the beautiful new baby that you have, and take the guesswork out of things later on.

Taking the Stress Out of the Labor Experience

Taking the Stress Out of the Labor Experience

May 15th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Even if you are lucky enough to experience a healthy and happy pregnancy, there’s always something on your mind. If you are a first time mom, you are likely worried about the labor and delivery experience. If you have been through it before, then you may be worried about the pain that you know to be true. Though the birth of a child can be one of the most beautiful experiences in life, there is also a great deal of pain associated with it. Though you may try your best to avoid thinking about it, that big day is coming. It can be quite helpful to think through the best ways for managing your labor experience. Whether you are worried about the pain or just have anxiety about the experience itself, there are some excellent ways to take the stress out of everything.

Consider Your Options

First and foremost, you want to think through your options for pain management. If you take a look at a resource such as this from the respected ‘What To Expect’ series, then you can see that there are many different routes you can take to get the pain out of the experience.

Every woman is different, every pain threshold is different, and every birthing experience is different. It can really pay off to consider all of your options beforehand and see what you think works for you. Though most women get an epidural to deal with the pain of labor, other routes may work better for different women. It’s a very personal choice as some women opt to go the natural route, and so you may want to stop and consider this before the big day arrives. Talk to your doctor and see what options and insight he can offer. Take the guesswork out of the equation so that you know what you can expect and know how you want to manage the pain.

Stay Calm and Think of the End Result

Though childbirth is definitely an experience that doesn’t come without pain, it’s important to think about the end result. This is not like anything else you will experience in your life. After all of the pain and potential anxiety, you will end up with a baby. You will most certainly forget about all the pain and any of the other negatives once you hold the baby that you have carried for nine months. So if you can get into that mindset before you go into the hospital, it will really serve you well when the time comes to go through the delivery itself.

You may also want to turn to some very natural or alternative ways of coping with the pain and anxiety. Not only can this take much of the stress out of things, but it can also allow you to do so naturally. Breathing techniques can work wonders for getting you through any painful bouts. Never underestimate what a clear head and deep breathing can do for helping you through even the most challenging circumstance.

Many women also find that turning to aromatherapy can be of great help too. This doesn’t have to be anything extensive, but can be something as simple as bringing along various objects that are contain scents that are calming to you. Turning to calming music can also help to keep you calm throughout the birthing process. Think through whatever helps to calm you down and ensure that you have it on hand to help take the stress out of the birthing experience.

Simple and Effective Ways to Get Exercise Into Your Day

Simple and Effective Ways to Get Exercise Into Your Day

May 14th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

No matter what your stage of life, finding time for exercise can be tough. When you were busy with your career, you had no time to do anything but work. When you were pregnant, you were likely too tired to get up and get moving. Now that you’re post partum you may feel as though all you do is care for your baby and have little time for anything else.

After an initial adjustment period, you may just find that fitting exercise into your day is far easier than you had anticipated. The problem is that most people look at exercise as a sort of torture or a way by means they must hit the gym and sweat profusely. With your new adjustment to motherhood, a new baby to care for, and likely a new body to get back into shape, this is likely not the way that you want to do it. So if you are really struggling to find time to exercise, consider some really easy tips that can get you moving and physically fit.

Don’t Always Take the Easy Way

The problem with most people is that they take the easy way. We are often in a hurry and just want to get from Point A to Point B as quickly and seamlessly as possible. Avoid this temptation and you open up a bunch of great exercise opportunities. Consider parking a bit further from the store and walking to get your heart pumping. Rather than grabbing the closest parking spot, this method ensures that you get a brisk walk in and really adds up if you do it consistently. Another easy way to get in some exercise is to take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator-a bit harder to do if you happen to have the baby in a stroller, but whenever possible can get in some heart pumping exercise.

Another excellent way to get some exercise in is to consider putting the baby in the stroller and walking to wherever you need to go. Obviously you want to consider weather and distance in this, but just a quick trip to the store can be made much more enjoyable and add in some serious physical elements if you try this out. Beats taking the easy way and is a great way to get in some exercise and bond with the baby!

Get a Friend in on the Act

Many new moms find that they barely have enough time to care for their baby, much less do anything else. If you feel that you’ve been neglecting your friends lately or are looking for a creative way to add in some physical activity, this may be the way to do both.

Consider getting your friend to go walking with you outside or at the mall once a week. Meet a friend for a quick jog around the park when you’re up for it. If you both have kids, put them in the stroller and get in a power walk before you end up at a park. Whenever you can get a friend in on the act it allows you to spend some quality time with them and get in your exercise. If all else fails, look for an exercise class in your area that includes the baby. There are yoga or power walking classes everywhere made just for mother and baby that ensure you get quality time with your new little bundle of joy, and that you get in the perfect amount of exercise.

Don’t Worry If You Drank Alcohol Before You Knew You Were Pregnant

Don’t Worry If You Drank Alcohol Before You Knew You Were Pregnant

May 12th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Every new mom-to-be has their set of worries. They worry about maintaining a healthy pregnancy. They worry about ensuring that they give their unborn child everything that they need to help them grow big and strong. They worry about the potential risk of miscarriage or birth defects. Along with these common worries comes the notion of what you can and can’t eat or drink during pregnancy. You may think that pregnancy is a time to consume whatever you want, but there is actually a list of restrictions or limitations. One such substance on the list is always alcohol in any form. Therefore this leads new moms to a scary new worry-what if they drank before they knew they were pregnant?

Usually Nothing to Worry About

Let’s face it, most women do not find out that they are pregnant until several weeks into the pregnancy. They may have just missed a period or realized that they were late and suddenly are surprised when they see the results of a pregnancy test. Therefore there could be the potential for several weeks of alcohol consumption which has many moms worried. There have even been experiments run on this very phenomenon in the medical community. The reality is that there isn’t much of a potential risk to your unborn child if the drinking was done that early on. The baby is just barely developing at this point, and therefore you can usually put aside all concerns.

Just Quit When You Know For Sure

It can become overwhelming to worry about all the things you ate, drank, or did before you knew you were with child. However all of this worry isn’t going to do anything positive for the baby in the long run. Do your best to avoid the temptation to worry, as hard as it may be. Chances are that when you were drinking, it was within the first few weeks, right around the time that you expected to have a period. The embryo is so tiny and just starting to develop, that some alcohol won’t hurt the development. As evidenced in forums and medical advice sites across the web, drinking in early pregnancy is one of the most common concerns of pregnancy. However the most important thing to do is to quit drinking alcohol once you find out that you’re pregnant. This will ensure that there is no further potential risk and that you get on the path of caring for your baby first and foremost.

When In Doubt, Ask Your Doctor

If all else fails and you really need to put your mind at ease, then by all means talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. This is a time when many women have a lot of worries and questions, and therefore you can and should always count on your doctor. Ask them their thoughts on the subject, and chances are that they will tell you undoubtedly that there is nothing to worry about. Though they certainly wouldn’t recommend drinking during pregnancy, doing so early on before you even knew will likely pose no potential dangers to your unborn child.

As with any aspect of pregnancy, always talk to your doctor first. Tell them about this concern at your first appointment just to clear your head. When they tell you the same thing and assure you that there is nothing to worry about, then just do your part to put this aside and focus on proper care for your baby moving forward.

The AAP’s New Stance on Food Allergies

The AAP’s New Stance on Food Allergies

May 1st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

About 50 million children in the US suffer from allergies, some of them very severe. Many new parents are extremely concerned about potential allergies in their children, and how to proceed cautiously with potentially allergenic foods, such as peanuts, shellfish, milk and eggs. As food allergies tend to be the most severe and potentially life-threatening, a great deal of research has been focused on how to reduce the risk. The AAP offers several recommendations.

When to Introduce Allergenic Foods

The AAP previously recommended delaying the introduction of potentially allergenic foods to a baby to prevent allergies. Recent research, however, refutes this. Previous recommendations were to avoid allergenic foods during pregnancy and through the first 2 years of life. In fact, the results might be the opposite – eating these foods during pregnancy and introducing children to them earlier may actually reduce the risk of allergies in the child. The current evidence at the very least does not support any benefit to avoiding these foods.

There is an exception to these guidelines; if there is a family history of severe food allergies, especially if the parents or siblings have allergies, it’s still a good idea to follow the old rules, and avoid exposure. Children with a genetic predisposition to food allergies should try the baby foods in question cautiously and at an older age, when they are stronger and more able to recover from a reaction.

If you are concerned about allergies, talk to your doctor to find out what the best path is for you, both during pregnancy and when your baby is born. Every case is a little different, and talking to your doctor can help you make sense of how the recommendations apply to you.

One of the best things a mother can do to prevent her baby from developing allergies is to breastfeed the baby for at least the first four months. Babies who are breastfed are less likely to have not only food allergies, but other types of allergies as well. This effect is most pronounced in children with a high risk for allergies. There is also no evidence that avoiding allergenic foods during lactation prevents or reduces the risk of allergies in the baby.

Does Your Baby Have an Allergy?

It can be hard to tell if the reaction is mild, so if you suspect an allergy, see your baby’s doctor. Not all allergic reactions will be serious or life-threatening, but an initial mild reaction does not mean that the next reaction won’t be stronger. If you notice anything strange after your baby has eaten a new food for the first time, such as a diaper rash, rash on the skin, upset stomach including strange bowel movements or vomiting, call your baby’s doctor. Avoid the food in question until you have talked it over with a medical professional.

In order to make it clear which foods are the culprits, be sure to introduce new foods one at a time, and wait a few days in between new foods. This way, you can tell which food is responsible for the reaction. You may not see a reaction the first time your baby tries the food, either. Sometimes the allergic reaction does not occur until the second or third time the food is ingested, which is why several days should be allowed in between adding to baby’s diet.

If your baby does develop an allergy, you may not have to avoid the food forever. Many childhood allergies are outgrown in time, but be cautious about re-introducing the food, should you choose to do so. If your child has not outgrown the allergy, a strong reaction is possible.

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