The Natural Beat » Children’s Health

Organic Wool Baby Blankets – an Important Part of Baby’s Layette

Tess — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:15:07 +0000

The story of purchase of baby bedding does not end with buying a crib and a mattress for the baby. You have to be fully prepared with the baby ’s bedding layette in time before the baby arrives. If you have ensured that the bedding that you buy for your baby is free from allergens, you have taken the first positive step towards a healthy growth of your baby.

A baby blanket is an important part of a baby ’s bedding. Babies loose heat quicker than adults and need to be covered properly even in moderate temperatures. A baby blanket can also be used for swaddling babies and therefore, can help in protection from cold while giving a secure and snug feeling of a being hugged.

The safest option would be to buy a blanket made from organic materials. Cotton and wool are two common types of blankets that can be produced organically – devoid of any synthetic content. Cotton blankets may be cold to touch and can, at times, be a bit uncomfortable for the baby. Wool wards off cold much better and is warm to touch.

A website for crib comforters and quilts will give you relevant information about wool and organically produced wool blankets and many other baby products that you may want to include in the layette. Among different sources of wool, Alpaca or Llama wool is least likely to cause allergic reactions. Baby blankets made of blends of this and sheep wool are soft and delicate.

Wool blankets are the softest and most comfortable among all types of blankets. Some wool blankets have a cotton or flannel backings. Unbleached cotton and flannel are not cold to touch even in extreme cold weather. A bigger sized baby blanket will serve well during car trips and at day care centers.

A down crib comforter compares well with an organic wool blanket. It depends upon how you perceive the needs of your baby and the limit that you have set for the budget for the layette. Whether you buy a comforter or a wool blanket, or for that matter, a cotton blanket, the most important factor that you should keep in mind is the organic nature of the product. Some manufacturers and stores are particular about this aspect and provide sufficient evidence about their product being totally organic and safe for the baby. Make sure that such evidence includes avoidance of chemicals during the manufacturing and the growing processes.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

References:

http://ezineartic...-Be-Carefully-Chosen

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Originally posted 2008-01-20 15:50:02.

Your Colicky Baby

Tess — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:52:53 +0000

What is Colic?

Babies between the ages of 0 – 6 months often develop colic. This could be due to wind or other digestive problems or even the incorrect formula.

Signs of colic include persistent fretfulness and crying (especially after feeds), and baby may become red in the face and pull up his legs to relieve the pain in his stomach.

Colic may become worse when baby is lying down and symptoms can improve if he is walked around. It may also help to lie him over your lap on his tummy and rub his back. Be sure to wind baby properly after feeds.

How can iBaba help?

iBaba (which means “Baby”) is a specially formulated homeopathic remedy which is gentle and effective and safe for use by even newborn infants.

It will soothe your baby’s stomach, help to relieve wind and reduce fretfulness, helping your baby (and you!) to have a good night’s sleep.

Use iBaba safely and easily to:

* Relieve the symptoms of infant colic
* Help your baby to sleep peacefully

How has iBaba helped others?

I am so happy to have found iBaba, it made life easy again – Earie A. Australia

“Please ship ASAP. Thanks! I am a firm believer in this product for teething and irritability.” – Dawn, GA, U.S.A.

“I wanted to write and tell you how good your product is for baby colic. I have recommended it to all my friends with babies!” – Brenda Collins.

“My baby cried all the time and we went from one doctor to the other one. They all said it was ‘colic‘ and it would go away after 3 months, but it did not! iBaba has made such a difference, thank you. My baby sleeps peacefully now.” – Yolanda, USA

“We walked up and down with our new baby who had colic so bad she hardly ever slept for five minutes. From the very first time, the remedy worked and I could hardly believe what a difference it made! From a poor screaming baby to a peaceful one in just a few minutes – WoW!! Bless you all for the work that you do!” – Pru Leary, USA

Children’s remedies

Children have problems too! Many medicines for children contain additives, artificial color and preservatives. Some are addictive and others may cause side effects which end up being worse than the condition that they are supposed to treat. Even some of the more natural, herbal medicines should not be given to children under the age of 12, unless supervised by a health care practitioner! Parents are understandably concerned and may feel confused about what they can and can not give their children. As a Psychologist and as a parent, I have seen a need for safe, effective and healthy natural remedies especially formulated for children’s health. Together with Native Remedies, I have spent a lot of time in researching and formulating a range of natural remedies especially for young children. All remedies are herbal or homeopathic and carefully chosen for maximum effect and maximum safety, to safely heal and solve your child’s problem – naturally. While herbal remedies help to heal and promote health, homeopathic remedies work by strengthening the child’s own body to heal itself. The remedies are non-addictive and presented in child-safe doses. No artificial colors or preservatives are used and manufacturing is in accordance with the highest pharmaceutical standards. – Michele Carelse, Clinical Psychologist

Is iBaba safe and easy?

iBaba is easy to administer and is especially designed to be safely and effectively used for even newborn infants.

Unlike many other colic remedies, iBaba contains no alcohol or artificial ingredients and contains only 100% natural and proven homeopathic ingredients.

Dissolve a small pinch of granules on the baby ’s tongue at the very first signs of colic for quick relief.

iBaba can be repeated after 20 minutes for up to 10 doses if necessary, but one or two doses usually does the trick!

Improvement should be noted within 5 – 10 minutes

What are the ingredients?

iBaba contains the following proven ingredients in homeopathic formulation:

Chamomilla (6C) is a well-known homeopathic remedy for infant colic and teething.

Mag. Phos (6C) Mag. Phos (6C) is an effective and gentle homeopathic painkiller and is often recommended to safely treat cramping pain. It is suitable for all age groups including small babies.

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Originally posted 2006-12-04 12:05:49.

Safe And Organic Crib Springs Mattress

Tess — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:57:57 +0000

The nine months long wait for a new arrival becomes tough for many parents. The anticipation and the desire to see your little one, increases with each day. To pass time many mothers spend a fair amount of time in converting one of the rooms into a nursery. This includes choosing colors, matching them, painting walls with cartoons and animals, ensuring correct window treatments for the baby. Setting up the nursery also means buying specific furniture for the baby ’s requirement. A changing table and a crib become extremely important.

While the makeover of the room is something that satisfies the parent more than the child, the crib mattress is one new addition that the child will spend most of his time on. And therefore it is essential that you ensure that you choose a crib mattress that is safe and comfortable. With numerous brands and a wide range of prices, meeting the premier requirements of safety and health of your baby is not difficult. But making the right choice can get confusing at times.

A crib mattress should be firm enough to provide support to the delicate back of your baby and still not be too hard for a comfortable sleep. If you are prudent enough to choose a good and durable mattress, it may even serve the purpose of a toddler mattress.

Foam mattresses are made from synthetic materials and their quality depends upon the density and thickness of the foam. That is not the case with innerspring mattresses, which may have any material for the filling. Their quality of an innerspring mattress depends upon various other characteristics. You should make sure you inquire about these while purchasing innerspring mattresses for your baby.

* The number of coils in the mattress – the more the better.
* The gauge of the steel used for the coils and the border rods used to bind the coils.
* Insulators and cushioning layers.
* Safety and fire resistance.

The new guidelines for baby safety advise that you place your baby on his side or back when putting him to sleep. The baby will turn over on his own much faster than you think. But due to the fact that children sleep for much longer hours, the baby will be in direct contact with the mattress for a long time. This makes it necessary for you to pay equal importance to the materials that are used to make the innerspring mattress.

Safe organic crib mattresses can provide the toxin free environment that you would like for your baby. They are made of organic cotton or wool that is organically produced. No toxic chemicals are used while growing the natural fibers. Organic mattresses are also free from harmful chemicals and dyestuffs that are otherwise used for treating the fiber or the fabric during the manufacturing process. Cotton and wool are naturally resistant to fire and do not flare up on ignition.

The boost that the organic movement has received over the last decade is based not only on the need for a greener planet but also for safety and a healthier lifestyle.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

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Originally posted 2007-10-29 10:30:43.

Anxiety And Mood Disorders in Children

Tess — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:52:10 +0000

With the pressures of society coming down heavily on our children, anxiety and mood disorders have become extremely prevalent. Though the term �

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Originally posted 2006-10-03 11:49:45.

Symptoms of Meningitis And Septicemia in Children

Tess — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:11:00 +0000

The problem with being a parent and having children is that so many childhood illnesses have similar symptoms. You may not know if your child simply has a cold, the flu, or something more serious. It’s important to learn the symptoms of meningitis and septicemia in children to ensure you can make the best decisions for the sake of your child.

Meningitis

Quick, which health condition do these symptoms sound like: fever, fatigue, vomiting, and headache? You may have said the flu. If looking only to these symptoms for diagnosis, you may not think you have anything to worry about. Unfortunately, you may be wrong. These same symptoms may be a sign of meningococcal disease, also known as bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition and mistaking the symptoms for something less serious could mean the difference between life and death. It is a condition whereby the membranes and fluids around the brain and spine become inflamed. If left untreated, a person may experience paralysis, brain damage, or even death. Early detection is important in order to treat a person and avoid these serious results.

Bacterial meningitis can develop quickly. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, headache, runny nose, and high fever, all of which could be mistaken for a simple viral infection. However, you can suspect bacterial meningitis if the following symptoms are also present:

* Skin rash
* Sensitivity to light
* Lethargy or fatigue
* Stiff neck
* Seizures

Very young children may experience jaundice, stiffness of the neck and body, poor feeding, high-pitched crying, a soft bulge at the top front of the skull, and a fever or low temperature. If you or a child has many of these symptoms at the same time, get to the doctor as quickly as you can.

Septicemia

Septicemia, or bacteremia, is another illness parents will want to learn to recognize the symptoms of. It is associated with the gram-negative bacteria such as staphylococci and streptococci. Symptoms include fever, chills, a rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing.

Septicemia, left untreated, may lead to organ failure or septic shock which has a mortality rate of as much as 60% among people having autoimmune problems. Patients without an autoimmune problem have a mortality rate closer to 5%.

The body has a variety of bacteria within the intestinal tract which pose no threat. However, once they enter the bloodstream, they can wreak havoc by developing into an overwhelming infection. The most common causes of septicemia include having a surgical procedure, urinary catheters, knife or bullet wound, or getting infected fecal matter into a wound.

Diagnosis of septicemia will come through a visit to the doctor where they’ll take your medical history, a physical examination, and blood tests to determine the offending infectious agent.

Treatment is normally aggressive and may vary depending upon the underlying infection, how far the septicemia has progressed, the overall health of the person, and any other disease present. Normally treatment will include antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and blood pressure medications depending upon whether low blood pressure or shock develops.

No parent wants to see their child affected by serious health conditions such as bacterial meningitis or septicemia. Unfortunately, children of all ages are affected by both of these conditions each year. Learning to recognize the symptoms of meningitis and septicemia in children will enable you to get medical treatment as soon as possible so treatment can begin and your child can begin their road to recovery.

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How to Keep a Fever Down in Children

Tess — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:11:00 +0000

As a parent or someone who cares for children, it’s important to know when they’re sick. They’re cranky, don’t feel well, and they may be feverish. Learning how to keep a fever down in children is an important thing to know, especially if the children are too young to tell you how they feel.

Know how to take a child’s temperature. Temperatures may be taken rectally, under the arm, or orally, with different thermometers of course. There are also thermometers which take a temperature in the ear. Please realize each of these methods may not give you the same result. Be sure to let your child’s doctor know how you took your child’s temperature should you need to contact them.

It’s also important to know what constitutes having a fever. Some children may have a higher or lower normal body temperature so a fever to them may be different. During one of your child’s well visits, ask the doctor at which point you should contact them if your child has a fever. They will let you know if they consider 100 degrees or a higher number to be a fever.

If your child is still alert, eating and drinking well, interested in playing, and using the restroom you may not need to do anything. A fever is the body’s way of fighting off infection; by reducing the fever you may be prolonging an illness. If you’re the least bit unsure, don’t hesitate to contact the pediatrician’s office; that’s what they’re there for.

There are natural things you can do to bring down a fever without resorting to using fever-reducing medicines.

* If you are concerned about your child’s temperature, you can try bathing them or giving them a sponge bath with lukewarm water. Bathe the child in a few inches of warm water; the act of the water evaporating is what actually cools the child. Keep the bath short, no longer than ten minutes, and don’t give them more than once an hour. Never use cold water or rubbing alcohol to try to bring a child’s fever down.

* Ensure your child has plenty of clear, non-caffeinated liquids or juice. This will keep your child hydrated and urinating. If they refuse a drink, you may want to offer them a popsicle; very few children will turn one of those down. The easiest way to determine if your child is hydrated enough is to look at the color of their urine. It will be light-colored and they will urinate at least once every four hours.

* Let them rest. It’s not unusual for children who are feverish to want to sleep and rest. Keep them home from school if they’re running a temperature because that’s usually when most people are contagious. Give them quiet activities such as coloring, watching television or a video, or playing with toys.

* Don’t overdress your child if they’re feverish. Overdressing your child doesn’t allow the body to cool itself through perspiration evaporating from the skin. It also causes the body to become warmer. Dressing your child in a single layer of clothing (pajamas or lightweight clothing) and a sheet will probably be plenty.

There are times you may want to use a fever reducer to bring your child’s temperature down. Remember, however, to never give a child aspirin to bring down a fever as it could result in the child developing Reyes Syndrome. You also don’t want to use adult medicines when trying to keep a fever down in children.

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Hooded Towel Patterns Make a Lot of Difference to the Towel

Tess — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:43:58 +0000

Opting for a good hooded toddler bath towel is a sound proposition. It protects your toddler from exposure to the outside temperature when he gets out from the water in a bath. Children loose heat very quickly and the risk of catching a cold is so much greater. A hooded towel can protect your child from the head down to the legs. It also helps the body regain heat quickly.

Sometimes it is a pattern that makes all the difference in the looks of the towel. Plane towels look mundane but a small teeny-weeny pattern on the hood can give it a very appealing and attractive look. Actually, a pattern on the hooded towel can be a convenient thing that you can talk to your baby about while giving him a bath or drying him up.

If you are making a hooded towel at home you can choose from numerous ideas for patterns to put on the hood or the body of the towel. Educational patterns like alphabets are appropriate for a baby girl or a baby boy alike. The same applies to cartoon characters like Winnie, the Pooh, Mickey Mouse. Garfield in his striking yellow colors makes a superb pattern to put on the hood. For girls you can choose a fairy or some thing dainty that she will like as she grows.

It is not all that difficult to put patterns on the towel, hooded or otherwise. You can download pictures from the Net and trace them where you want to put them. After tracing, you may either simply embroider the outline of the figure or choose to fill in the body also. Make sure that the stitches that you make as you move along the trace are tight. If you are not good at embroidery, you can opt for some non-toxic fabric paint. On the other hand you can simply take time off to shop around for a ready-to-apply motif and stitch it on to the towel.
Baby time is shopping time.

It is also time for you to devote some time to the health aspect of your baby. Be sure to buy only organic stuff for your darling baby. Organic products do not harm babies as they are free from dangerous chemicals. If you wish to learn more about how organically products can help in a healthy growth of your child, invest in some informative literature on the subject. Or better still, log on to the World Wide Web where you will find a sea of information on the benefits of an organic lifestyle.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

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Originally posted 2007-10-08 09:28:56.

Diabetes Genetics

Tess — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:58:41 +0000

You ‘ve probably wondered how you got Diabetes. You may worry that your children will get it too.

Unlike some traits, Diabetes does not seem to be inherited in a simple pattern. Yet clearly, some people are born more likely to get Diabetes than others.

What leads to Diabetes?

Type 1 and type 2 Diabetes have different causes. Yet two factors are important in both. First, you must inherit a predisposition to the disease. Second, something in your environment must trigger Diabetes.

Genes alone are not enough. One proof of this is identical twins. Identical twins have identical genes. Yet when one twin has type 1 Diabetes, the other gets the disease at most only half the time. When one twin has type 2 Diabetes, the other ’s risk is at most 3 in 4.

Type 1 Diabetes

In most cases of type 1 Diabetes, people need to inherit risk factors from both parents. We think these factors must be more common in whites because whites have the highest rate of type 1 Diabetes. Because most people who are at risk do not get Diabetes, researchers want to find out what the environmental triggers are.

One trigger might be related to cold weather. Type 1 Diabetes develops more often in winter than summer and is more common in places with cold climates. Another trigger might be viruses. Perhaps a virus that has only mild effects on most people triggers type 1 Diabetes in others.

Early diet may also play a role. Type 1 Diabetes is less common in people who were breastfed and in those who first ate solid foods at later ages.

In many people, the development of type 1 Diabetes seems to take many years. In experiments that followed relatives of people with type 1 Diabetes, researchers found that most of those who later got Diabetes had certain autoantibodies in their blood for years before.

(Antibodies are proteins that destroy bacteria or viruses. Autoantibodies are antibodies â��˜gone bad, ‘ which attack the body ’s own tissues.)

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes has a stronger genetic basis than type 1, yet it also depends more on environmental factors. Sound confusing? What happens is that a family history of type 2 Diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for getting the disease but it only seems to matter in people living a Western lifestyle.

Americans and Europeans eat too much fat and too little carbohydrate and fiber, and they get too little Exercise. Type 2 Diabetes is common in people with these habits. The ethnic groups in the United States with the highest risk are African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Pima Indians.

In contrast, people who live in areas that have not become Westernized tend not to get type 2 Diabetes, no matter how high their genetic risk.

Obesity is a strong risk factor for type 2 Diabetes. Obesity is most risky for young people and for people who have been obese for a long time.

Gestational Diabetes is more of a puzzle. Women who get Diabetes while they are pregnant are more likely to have a family history of Diabetes, especially on their mothers ‘ side. But as in other forms of Diabetes, nongenetic factors play a role. Older mothers and overweight women are more likely to get gestational Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes: your child ’s risk

In general, if you are a man with type 1 Diabetes, the odds of your child getting Diabetes are 1 in 17. If you are a woman with type 1 Diabetes and your child was born before you were 25, your child ’s risk is 1 in 25; if your child was born after you turned 25, your child ’s risk is 1 in 100.

Your child ’s risk is doubled if you developed Diabetes before age 11. If both you and your partner have type 1 Diabetes, the risk is between 1 in 10 and 1 in 4.

There is an exception to these numbers. About 1 in every 7 people with type 1 Diabetes has a condition called type 2 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome.

In addition to having Diabetes, these people also have thyroid disease and a poorly working adrenal gland. Some also have other Immune System disorders. If you have this syndrome, your child ’s risk of getting the syndrome including type 1 Diabetes is 1 in 2.

Researchers are learning how to predict a person ’s odds of getting Diabetes. For example, most whites with type 1 Diabetes have genes called HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4.

If you and your child are white and share these genes, your child ’s risk is higher. (Suspect genes in other ethnic groups are less well studied. The HLA-DR7 gene may put African Americans at risk, and the HLA-DR9 gene may put Japanese at risk.)

Other tests can also make your child ’s risk clearer. A special test that tells how the body responds to glucose can tell which school-aged children are most at risk.

Another more expensive test can be done for children who have siblings with type 1 Diabetes. This test measures antibodies to Insulin, to islet cells in the pancreas, or to an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase. High levels can indicate that a child has a higher risk of developing type 1 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes: your child ’s risk

Type 2 Diabetes runs in families. In part, this tendency is due to children learning bad habits eating a poor diet, not exercisingâ��from their parents. But there is also a genetic basis.

In general, if you have type 2 Diabetes, the risk of your child getting Diabetes is 1 in 7 if you were diagnosed before age 50 and 1 in 13 if you were diagnosed after age 50.

Some scientists believe that a child ’s risk is greater when the parent with type 2 Diabetes is the mother. If both you and your partner have type 2 Diabetes, your child ’s risk is about 1 in 2.

People with certain rare types of type 2 Diabetes have different risks. If you have the rare form called maturity-onset Diabetes of the young (MODY), your child has almost a 1-in-2 chance of getting it, too.

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Originally posted 2006-12-18 10:27:42.

Making Receiving Blankets At Home

Tess — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:54:11 +0000

We swaddle our babies due to more than one reason:

* It controls movements and does not disturb the baby during sleep.
* It has a calming affect on the baby and is a perfect tool to control irritation that babies are known for.
* A swaddled baby means that you can read a book or watch TV with ease.
* The best, however, is that there is no better feeling for parents than to cuddle their darling wrapped in a soft receiving blanket.

Receiving blankets are cut according to size and made in a way to make swaddling easy and convenient for parents as well as babies. You will need more than one to allow for periodic washing as babies tend to soil clothing frequently.

Making receiving blankets at home is easy and can save you a lot of money. All that you require is some fabric, sewing thread and scissors.

* Choose a fabric of your choice. Fleece fabric or cotton flannel is best suited as they are light and warm. For colder climates you may opt for a light-weight blanket made of wool.
* You will require at least 1 �

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Originally posted 2007-11-28 13:16:16.

Children’s Calming Tea

Tess — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:09:03 +0000

* 1/2 part oatstraw
* 1/2 part comfrey leaf
* 1/2 part catnip
* 1/2 part passion flower
* 1 part licorice
* 1 part slippery elm
* 1 part rose petals
* 2 parts chamomile
* 2 parts spearmint or peppermint

Prepare infusion with 2 cups water, give 1/2 cup every 2-3 hours as needed. Use honey and sweeten to taste.

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Originally posted 2006-05-18 11:47:18.

How to Make Hooded Towels Commercially

Tess — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:36:55 +0000

As a new mother you might face a problem with your spare time especially if you have been a working woman. It becomes all the more difficult if you cannot depend on a granny to fill in and do not want to leave your darling baby at a cr�

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Originally posted 2007-12-28 13:30:25.

Yoga for Kids

Tess — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:29:30 +0000

Our children today are subjected to a lot of stress factors. There is homework that they have to do daily, the competition from other children, after school game activities and sometimes over-scheduling from parents.

And just like us adults these children need something relaxing to turn to and that Yoga could just be that instrument.

Yoga for kids helps then develop better awareness of their body, and also teaches them total self control, flexibility and coordination. All of these they could carry out not just in their Yoga classes but also in their daily routines as well.

Yoga for kids has shown to help children who are hyper active to tone down and also brighten up those attention deficit ones. Children today crave movement and sensory motor stimuli that can help them to balance up their inner soul-flow.

Yoga for kids helps them channel out this impulses in a positive way.

The main Yoga for kids poses that seem to work perfectly with kids are the warrior pose and the tree pose. These two yoga for kids poses helps instill in them calm, confidence and balance.

The trick to get them to do Yoga for kids is to go beyond just doing the proper poses, you should have to get them think about what the real posture means.

Let them think that they are really what the poses are symbolizing; let them perform the postures strong and confident like a warrior.

Yoga for kids with partners is also a good way to build up trust with you children. It develops their teamwork skills and fosters a closer bonding.

Some kids when it comes to relaxation have a big trouble closing their eyes and having them focus on their exercises. One thing that encourages a child to relax is visualization. Let them think of something that they really like and let them imagine being like these things.

You may also have them focus out on belly breathing first and have them listen to soothing and relaxing music.

Then ask them to imagine their favorite spot in the house or let them think that they are in outer space floating, or let them visualize that they are at the beach, playing their favorite sport or doing the best activity that they like.

Sometimes for boys letting them think of a favorite girlfriend helps them relax, but this is sometimes hard to do because they become shy and intolerable when this kind of issues are discussed. Just stick to the visualization thing if this technique is quite complicated for you.

Every day at the end of each relaxation exercises, encourage the children to share their own experiences. Ask them to tell to the group what it was like to be in their visualized surroundings. Ask them also to share what place have they imagined they where in.

Another approach is to create a guided imagination by telling them a story with a calming theme of some sort.

As you know children have the most active imagination, they imagine all sorts of things. And at this point of imagination it makes them feel calm. So when doing yoga for kids let them think that they are walking on a green pasture.

You can even let them think that they are butterflies in a beautiful garden. The main idea in here is to instill a sense of peace and feeling of oneness with nature.

Yoga for kids should be taught more often and in different places. It is important to teach children the meaning of union of mind, body and spirit.

There is such a wealth of knowledge that we can offer to our children with the practice of Yoga.

About the author

Melvin has dozens more related articles and tips on doing yoga at his site: doing yoga, check them out today!

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Originally posted 2007-04-10 11:51:49.

Children’s Calming Mist

Tess — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:28:04 +0000

Ingredients

* 10 d. allspice oil
* 10 d. chamomile oil
* 10 d. mandarin oil
* 10 d. vetiver oil: in 4 oz. water.

Directions

Blend together in spray bottle. Mist into rooms where hyperactive children play.

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Originally posted 2006-01-09 14:41:47.

Cotton-filled Organic Crib Mattress

Tess — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:33:59 +0000

A crib and a crib mattress form an integral part of the shopping before the arrival of a baby. It is a necessary part of doing up the nursery. Special care must be given to the kind of crib mattress that you choose for your baby.

Mattresses made of synthetic materials are detrimental to a baby ’s growth and an organic crib mattress can provide a healthy environment for good development of your baby.

Crib mattresses, made of cotton and wool are free from the damaging emissions of chemicals and other substances. One of the essential characteristics of cotton is that it breathes and maintains a healthy and balanced temperature allowing sound sleep.

Cotton does not flare up into flames like polyester, polyurethane foam or PVC. On ignition, cotton does not give out deadly gases and fumes either. Sometimes wool is added to the cotton for better moisture absorption. This addition also increases the fire resistant property of the final product since wool is more resistive to fire. Organic cotton filled mattresses meet the fastidious standards set by the Federal and State governments.

Safe organic crib mattresses made from organically grown cotton are made from virgin first growth cotton, which is grown without using pesticides or genetically modified organisms. To add to all the naturally safe attributes of cotton, it is ensured that no chemical detergents or dyestuffs are used in manufacturing organic mattresses. This makes organic cotton a chemical-free filling material for mattresses, which is radically distinctive from foam.

Besides an environment that is free from hazardous chemicals, a crib mattress should also be firm and provide a flat surface. Pediatricians and the Consumer Product Safety Commission do not recommend softer quilted surfaces for crib mattresses. Before buying an innerspring cotton filled crib mattress ensure that it has enough coils beneath. Coils should be made of steel of the recommended gauge. More coils mean a firmer surface. For a long lasting crib mattress ensure that there is a heavy duty border rod to support the side, edge and the centre of the mattress.

You naturally want to provide your newborn with the best you can afford. Cotton filled safe organic crib mattresses are conducive to the healthy growth of your baby. If you are careful in your choice and stick to the basics before placing an order, you will not regret the extra price that you may have to pay for it.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

References:

http://www.health...by-crib-mattress.htm

www.nontoxic.com/beds/crib.html

http://www.kushtu...om/whatisorganic.htm

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Originally posted 2007-10-13 17:08:45.

ADHD And Bedwetting

Tess — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:24:53 +0000

ADHD is a condition that is generally associated with children. These children have a problem with controlling their behavior and are seen as being â��˜hyperactive ‘ or â��˜impulsive ‘. This condition has been studied extensively in children and till now, a permanent cure for this condition has not been found. At best, this condition can be managed effectively by the use of a combination of medicines and behavior therapy. However, doctors and pharmaceutical companies are working towards finding new ADHD treatments in their effort to finding a permanent cure to this condition. There are many other problems that have been associated with ADHD and one of these is bedwetting.

Most of the parents of the children who have been diagnosed with ADHD would agree with the statement that such children have a higher incidence of bed wetting. This association has been scientifically studied. In a study conducted by researchers at University of California, it was concluded that probability of bed wetting in children with ADHD was two to three times higher than the children without ADHD. This study was conducted in children of an average age of 10 years. Apart from bed wetting, these children had higher incidence of painful or difficult urination, incontinence, urgency and constipation. This shows that apart from bed wetting, these children also have a problem with normal bowel movements.

Most of the doctors treat this condition by administering medication like tricyclic antidepressants. Imipramin and Tofranil are some of the most common antidepressants used. For other children, Desmopressin acetate has been found to be effective. Given the side effects of these pharmaceutical drugs, more and more parents are now willing to try out natural medicines for ADHD and some have even experimented with natural remedies for ADHD. However, it is important to note that to effectively manage this condition, it is important to use a combination of medication and behavior treatment. Biofeedback, which is one such behavioral technique, teaches the person to control the muscles that are involved in urination by responding to physiological cues. It has been found to work effectively in children with ADHD, who have a problem with bedwetting. A scientific study, that involved biofeedback as a line of treatment, reported that it reduced bedwetting in the daytime by about 42%.

To summarize, bedwetting is a common problem with children diagnosed with ADHD. To manage these conditions, it is prudent to use a combination of medicines, pharmaceutical or natural, and behavior therapy like biofeedback.

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Originally posted 2007-03-12 11:15:15.

Are You Looking for Discount Crib Mattresses?

Tess — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:14:56 +0000

The way prices of almost everything are shooting up, every one wants to buy things at a discount to save money. Discount sales can only save you money if the product you are buying is what you actually need. The fact is that good and premium quality products get sold off first and the stores offer discounts on inferior brands, products or sizes that do not sell. In our desire to save money we fail to recognize that we may end up buying inferior quality products. These products need to be replaced faster than expected and therefore do not result in any actual or true savings.

The decision to buy on discount or not is even more crucial when you are deciding to buy for your baby. It is necessary that you keep in mind the safety and the health of your baby. For example, buying crib mattresses at a discount store is one such bait that most parents fall for. The lure of a discount becomes too tempting to resist especially after having invested in the crib itself. What they fail to appreciate is the fact that a crib mattress can contribute to the baby ’s health. The other aspect that is missed in many cases is that, if chosen well, a crib mattress can last much longer and can support your kid till he becomes a toddler.

With the Green Movement picking up fast, the world has ultimately realized the benefits of natural and organic products. Organic bedding is one item in a long list of do ’s and don ‘ts suggested by the advocates of the organic movement. Among other things they suggest avoiding laundry detergents with phosphates, plastics, meats from animals injected with hormones and steroids and clothing made in sweat shops around the world. In fact, everything that is synthetic or pollutes the atmosphere or is detrimental to health is considered to be taboo.

Considering the negative impact that synthetic beddings can have on overall health and growth, safe organic crib mattresses should be considered by all parents. Organic mattresses are:

* made with cotton and wool fillings
* made from naturally fire resistant materials
* able to breathe and therefore maintain a certain range of temperature
* a prerequisite for a sound sleep
* produced without using synthetic dyes and chemicals at any stage in the manufacturing process.

Unfortunately many discount and chain stores lay more emphasis on their own profits and refuse to stock natural products. If you are unable to locate a safe organic crib mattress in stores the best place to find one would be the Internet. The World Wide Web has grown to such proportions that it is possible to look for any product/information from the comfort of your home. With luck you may even find a purely certified organic crib mattress at a discount.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

References:

http://www.kushtu...sh.com/eco-ideas.htm

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Originally posted 2008-01-18 13:54:26.

Swaddling Baby in an Organic Crib Comforter

Tess — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:55:26 +0000

Since time immemorial mothers have been swaddling their babies. Babies usually get disturbed while sleeping by their own movements. Swaddling can help them in getting a sound sleep and wrapping them up helps make them sleep comfortably. Swaddling also ensures that the baby gets a snug feeling. This feeling is similar to being hugged by a blanket and is closer to what they have been used to inside the womb. It gives a feeling of safety and protection to the baby ensuring a comfortable sleep.

For a nice cozy swaddling experience, obviously you need to choose a warm, snug and comfortable baby blanket.

While shopping for a baby blanket you may choose between a quilt, duvet or a comforter. There are hundreds of styles and designs available in baby crib comforters that include prints of flowers, cartoons and other familiar characters. You may even want to have a look at a filled down crib comforter, which are very soft and give the baby a cozy, snug and secure feeling when they are swaddled.

While choosing a baby comforter, you would naturally like to buy one that is not only soft on the skin but also safe for the baby. There are lots of online stores and a quick search will lead you to a website for crib comforters or quilts where you can choose the style, design and the material that you think is best for your baby.

It is easy to learn how to swaddle your baby. Place the baby crib comforter on a flat surface and place the baby over it. Fold one corner of the blanket slightly and place the baby in the middle of the fold with the head just above the edge of the blanket. Take the bottom of the blanket and fold it up to cover the legs and feet. Now take the other corner and wrap over the arms. Tuck it around the other side. Swaddling should be snug and secure and not loose.

Swaddling is most important in the first few weeks of the baby ’s life. Beyond that it may restrict the motor movement of the child. Not all babies enjoy being swaddled and if yours does not, there is no need to worry about it or force it on him. A baby comforter serves a lot of purposes other than swaddling your darling baby.

NaturalEco Organics for mom and baby!

References:

http://healthandf...Little-Bundle-of-Joy

http://positivear...s-Guide-to-Swaddling

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Originally posted 2007-11-08 13:26:06.

Anti-Anxiety Medications for Children

Tess — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:10:49 +0000

Anxiety disorder has spread its tentacles across people of all the age groups and children are no exception. The pressure to perform in school, excel in extracurricular activities and other social pressures has made them prone to this menace. It is estimated that though anxiety disorders affect around thirteen percent of children, it goes undetected in most cases and hence most of the children suffering from it do not get any treatment for anxiety relief till it reaches a more developed stage.

It is important for children suffering from anxiety disorder, a comprehensive treatment plan should be chalked out including cognitive-behavioral therapy and natural treatments for anxiety. In cases where immediate relief is required, medication can be an effective part of the treatment. While implementing this treatment plan, it is very critical that the progress of the child be monitored through ongoing medical assessment. When prescribed appropriately by a doctor and administered as prescribed, medication may reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of anxiety disorder. However, since these medications can have their side effects also, it is important on part of the parents to ensure the safety of their children. There are some important things to be kept in mind when a child is prescribed medication as part of anxiety or panic attack treatment.

Some of the common medications used for treatment of children belong to the group benzodiazepines that include alprazolam, diazepam and iorazepam. The other group of medicines is antihistamines that include diphenhydramine and hydroxizine. Sometimes, atypicals like buspirone and zolpidem are also prescribed. As a parent, it is important to ask some key questions. These include the details of the medicines being used, their benefits and side effects, the time taken before these medications start showing results, the recommended dosage, the frequency of the ongoing medical assessment, drugs or foods to avoid while the child is on medication and any specific activity that the child needs to avoid while on medication. It is important to note that there are some medicines that can be prescribed of a child of a particular age group. For example, Tofranil (imipramine) can be prescribed to a child above 6 years of age, Sinequan (doxepin) is administered to children above 12 years of age and BuSpar (buspiraone) can be recommended only to teens above 18 years of age.

The use of medication for providing relief from anxiety is a serious matter and each parent should ensure that he or she is completely informed especially about the line of treatment being followed and also the benefits and side effects of the medications that are being used in the treatment.

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Originally posted 2007-03-04 11:52:43.

No More Tears Colic Blend

Tess — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:53:02 +0000

* 4 oz Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil
* 6 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil
* 10 drops of Tangerine essential oil

Blend together and use to massage baby during fretful times

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Originally posted 2006-08-03 13:46:55.

Natural Baby Products

Tess — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:31:38 +0000

During the first months of life, a baby needs lots of tender loving care. Mothers carefully measure formula, learn the signs that it’s time for a diaper change, and develop soothing bedtime routines. They also carefully select the products they use, from diapers to baby powder to toys. But did you know that some of the leading brands of baby products contain harsh chemicals that could be harmful to your baby?

Dangerous chemicals are bad for people of all ages. But babies are particularly susceptible to their ill effects. Toxins such as phthalates and flame retardants can impair brain development, cause reproductive defects and damage the immune system. Other unnatural ingredients can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.

Many of the chemicals that are cause for concern are not regulated. Certain types of phthalates are banned from use in children’s products in the European Union, but they may be used in the United States and other countries. Lead is also banned in many countries. But imported products could contain banned ingredients, and there are many hazardous chemicals that can legally be used in baby products.

Fortunately, a growing number of companies are taking it upon themselves to produce natural baby products that are free of harmful substances. But thanks to lax ingredient-labeling requirements, it can be difficult to tell which products are safe and which aren’t. Here are some pointers:

* Baby products should ideally be fragrance-free. Chemical fragrances can be harmful to baby’s skin. And in many cases, phthalates are used to stabilize fragrances. They do not have to be listed separately in the ingredients, so fragranced products can contain them without explicitly saying so.

* Check labels for acronyms such as DBP, DEP and DEHP. These are common phthalates. Some other harmful chemicals may be abbreviated as well. Also be on the lookout for long, hard to pronounce ingredient names. Most natural ingredients are easily identifiable.

* Be wary of products that are flame retardant. Most flame retardants are very toxic. Choose natural fabrics that have not been treated instead. You can make your own non-permanent flame retardant by mixing 2 1/2 ounces of borax with 2 cups of boiling water. Just spray it on and let it dry before each wearing.

* Consider using cloth diapers. Disposable diapers often contain chemicals and other irritants. Reusable diapers made of natural fabrics are better for baby and the environment.

It’s easy to assume that products made for babies are safe, but all too often they aren’t. We need to be vigilant if we want to minimize our children’s exposure to hazardous chemicals. But by learning what to look for and reading labels carefully, we can make sure that our babies get the best possible start in life.

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Originally posted 2009-04-29 12:37:46.