Can you imagine your toddler growing up to be 80? 90? 100? It’s not as unlikely as you think.

What a paradox. Children nowadays are purported to be unhealthy – overweight, sedentary, raised on junk food and hooked to the TV and the Internet. They are likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. On the other hand, the same generation of children is expected to live longer than their parents and their grandparents, according to a study by German and Danish researchers. They are the future centenarians.

Which Countries Have the Highest Life Expectancy?

Life expectancy has been improving with each generation. At least in developed countries. Japan and San Marino have the highest life expectancies in the world today: 86 and 81, respectively according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. Canada is not far behind at 80.5 years. US life expectancy is 78.5.

If this trend of improvement continues, 75% of present day children born since 2000 will reach 75, even a hundred years old. Furthermore, the senior citizens of the future will be fitter, with less disability and functional limitations.

Why Are People Living Longer?

Advances in medical treatment and better health care seem to be what is making people in developing countries live longer despite the increased incidence of chronic diseases, pollution, and unhealthy lifestyle.

With all the efforts exerted to fight aging, diseases, and disability, it is a great to know that these efforts are bearing fruit. There are still countries with a life expectancy between 40 and 50 years due to poor health care and war.

Some Downsides to Having an Older Population

Despite this apparent victory against aging, there are some downsides to consider:

• Increased life expectancy and low birth rates will result in a population dominated by retirees and pensioners. Experts believe that in 5 to 10 years, some countries’ demography will reach a point wherein there will be more 65 plus citizens than under-fives. It would be a world with more grandparents than there are grandchildren to go around.

• Such a population structure described above can result in collapse of health care and welfare systems of developed countries.

• Even if birth rates are increased, Mother Earth can only support so much. We may reach a point when our population will outgrow our planet.

Experts believe that country leaders should act now and start preparing for the foreseeable future.

Can you imagine your toddler to live to be 100? Do you want to live to be 100?

A surprising study which was recently published is offering great news to parents. A new type of contact lens is said to be creating solutions for some eye problems that plague children. The contact lenses made especially for short-sighted persons work to correct or improve the condition while they sleep.

How the Contact Lenses Work

The i-GO Overnight Vision Correction lenses are unique in more ways than one. These contacts are made to be slept in. When used, the custom designed contact lenses apply pressure to the cornea. When this pressure is exerted, light is then streamed to the back of the retina the way it should be in healthy eyes. The jelly-like elasticity of the cornea will then keep the shape for up to 36 hours.

In effect, wearing the lenses according to the report makes it unnecessary to have surgery to correct shortsightedness in most cases. Plus, over time the wearer will not need to use contacts or glasses during the day. This would be great for children, especially those who participate in sporting activities.

Why i-GO Works Best for Children

The belief is that since children are young and their eyes are technically still soft and changing the contacts work like braces. Over time this can actually correct or slow the process that leads to shortsightedness. Since the condition is caused by eyeballs becoming misshapen, the contact lenses technically force them back to the way the eyeballs are shaped in people with good vision.

Unlike adults where the cornea will generally go back to the original shape over a period of hours, the results are different for children. The corrected shape of the cornea seems to last, which is great news. This was revealed from the study, called SMART which was started two years ago. The study will run for five years.

A study of the contact lenses has found that there are definitely benefits especially for children after wearing them for at least one year. The lenses are a little more expensive than regular contacts, but seem to be worth the price based on results.

I’m sure many parents and those in the eye care industry are awaiting the completion of the study in 2013 to see just how lasting the results are.

Road traffic safety and prematurity are just a few of the many interesting health-related events going on in November. However, I’ve prepared a short list focusing on family health.

GLOBAL EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

• November 14 is World Diabetes Day

• November 16 is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

• November 19 to 20 is the First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety

• November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

US EVENTS AND OBSERVANCES

• November is American Diabetes Month
  by the American Diabetes Association

• November is National Adoption Month
  by the Child Welfare Information Gateway
  “You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent”

• November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
  by the Alzheimer’s Association

• November is National Family Caregivers Month
  by the National Family Caregivers Association

• November 18 is Prematurity Awareness Dayby the March of Dimes Foundation

• November 6 to 8 is the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Movement Weekend and half marathon/5K race
  by the Gynecological Cancer Foundation’s (GCF)

• November 19 is the Great American Smokeout
  by the American Cancer Society

HEALTH WEB CHATS AT CLEVELAND CLINIC

Check out the online health chats with Cleveland Clinic’s health experts. It’s free.

• November 6: Facelifts with Dr. James E. Zins

• November 9: International Adoption Right For You? with Dr. Elaine Schulte

• November 11: Congenital Heart Disease in Children, with Dr.Constantine Mavroudis

• November 13: Ask the Expert: Menopause: Ready or Not!, with Dr. Holly L. Thacker

• November 19: Are You Concerned About Your Baby’s Motor Development?, with Ann Marie Pace, MPT and Merri Jo Somodi, PT

The flu, especially the swine flu is making headlines everyday and I deemed it wise to give you the latest flu updates that may be relevant for you and your family.

Swine Flu Shots in New York Schools

Schools in New York City will start offering H1N1 shots end of October, the NY Times report. Those of you residing in NYC might already have received the consent forms. The vaccination will cover primary public schools but private schools who want to participate will also get access to the vaccine. The shots or nasal sprays will be administered by school nurses. Middle and high schools are scheduled later in November and December. Other cities and states are expected to follow suit.

Pregnant Women Urged to Get the H1N1 flu Vaccine

Pregnant women are on top of the H1N1 vaccination priority list. This is because pregnant women seem to be especially vulnerable. Health authorities say that the mortality rate among women infected with H1N1 is six times higher than what is normally observed in the general population. The reasons for pregnant women’s vulnerability are their young age and an immune system that is naturally weakened in order not to reject the growing fetus. It is, however, very hard for pregnant women to accept the flu vaccine despite health official’s reassurances of its safety. So far, 28 deaths have been reported among pregnant women in the US but health officials think it could be more. Many cases go unreported for confidentiality reasons. An NY Times report features one almost fatal case.

Tamiflu for Children in Short Supply

In another report from the NY Times earlier this month, Mary Poppin’s advice that a spoonful of sugar would make medicine more palatable may also be true for the flu drug Tamiflu. The liquid pediatric version of the drug is in short supply as drug companies are concentrating on producing more pills which are definitely much faster to manufacture than Tamiflu syrup. Some sources say that the manufacturing process for the suspension is almost 25 times longer than for the pills. Pharmacists are therefore advised to mix Tamiflu capsules in a liquid that consists of sugar, purified water, artificial cherry flavoring. The instructions on how to mix the liquid version are given in the Tamiflu labels, the report says. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also gives easy to understand instructions in their site.

Flu Fears Prompt Review of the Sportsman Handshake

The hockey season has started and sports associations are scrambling to come up with hygiene guidelines that would hopeful prevent the swine flu. CBC reports that the chief medical officer of Hockey Canada sent out a bulletin with recommended precautionary measures which include no sharing of water bottles and – yes – maybe even do without the end-of-game handshake. It’s not only hockey that is affected. I am a soccer mom here in Switzerland and as early as school start in August, there were already instructions to avoid the sportsmen handshake, if possible. Just one more challenge for parents to find the balance between short-term preventive measure and long-term character building. At least hockey players wear gloves…

I have a 2 yr. old, and before she started walking, I used to carry her all over the house, up and down the stairs. I remember having her with me while I attended to my chores like vacuuming . It definitely felt like a workout to me, and despite putting a stop to my regular gym visits, my muscle definition didn’t suffer during that time (we won’t speak about the rest of my body ). Well, a study done by Dr. Kelli O’Neill says to not count on the workout of chasing your kids to help you lose weight or get in shape. Most moms, the study found, overestimate how many calories they actually burn playing with their kids if they don’t put in an actual formal workout.

The study isn’t exhaustive by any means, with only 58 moms with kids under 6 were included in the study. Of those 58, only a third of the moms ended up receiving the recommended 30 mins a day of physical exertion, though most actually exerted one hour’s worth of activity. The level of activity was monitored by an electronic device they wore for a week. Afterward, the moms also filled out a questionnaire.

Of the moms who were getting the recommended 30 min. daily moderate/intense workout, some were actually making time for working out in the form of sports and other formal exercise. Many moms were surprised that they were way off in their estimate, especially after considering how tired they felt at the end of the day.

Guideline for Physical Activity

The federal recommendation for adults is 2 hrs. and 30 mins. of moderate aerobic activity a week with at least 1/2 of that time spent performing intense aerobic activity. To break it down, you need at least 30 mins of moderate-intense activity, or 15 mins of intense activity 5 times a week.

How Does a Mom Find Time to Workout?

• You can go to the usual gym, and leave your kids in the kids’ station, but I know many moms will find all that driving to be a chore. There are also moms who don’t find leaving their kids with strangers appealing, and still many gyms who don’t offer childcare.

• Next option is to work out at home, but one’s house often has so many distractions in the form of the couch, your kids, even your husband and it’s easy to end up in front of the TV watching your favorite show other than that fitness DVD.

• Consider stroller stride. There are formal stroller stride classes out there, but you can easily set one up with your neighbor, friend, members of your Moms Group.
  • The basics: you work out pushing your baby with other moms or even dads, and all you need is a pair of walking/running shoes and the one piece of equipment you probably already have: your baby’s stroller.

  Some mothers opt to buy a special jogging stroller if you’re planning to go on terrain other than the sidewalk. But if you’re planning to simply walk and not run, a regular, well-built stroller should be fine.

• Get a bike trailer and attach it to your bike. Take a ride around the neighborhood with the added resistance of your kids’ weight.

• Go to workouts that encourage and welcome baby involvement. There’s a Yoga Mama teacher in my own Moms Group, which welcomes babies. Just Google your neighborhood and see what comes up.

Be creative, be persistent. If you can’t do any of the above, make the time with your baby count! One of my favorite ways of getting a workout in was to put together a playlist on YouTube of my favorite songs and music videos and dance in the computer room with my daughter. It instilled a love of music and dancing in her, and it sure worked up a sweat for me.

I used to be an office-based working mom. Currently I am a work at home mom (wahm), which unfortunately, many people don’t take seriously as work. But I am a working mom and my kids are at a childcare facility while I am typing this on my home computer.

It is with trepidation that I present the results of a study here that will surely illicit strong reactions from other working moms out there, reactions that may probably range from outrage, defensiveness, to guilt.

Kids of Working Moms Are Less Healthy

It’s true, according to a study reported by MSNBC. British researchers looked at 12,500 children aged 9 months to 5 years and analyzed their dietary habits and physical activity. The results showed that kids of working moms, regardless of their race, maternal education, job level or whether they are working full time or part-time, are less healthy. For example, they are more likely to eat junk food and spend more time in front of the TV or the computer. In addition, they are more likely to be driven to school and snack on chips and sweetened drinks. The researchers put the blame on the time constraints of working moms.

Now, before we overreact and blast the researchers for their bias against working women, let’s take a deep breath and look at ourselves and our family whether there is any truth to their findings. And if your first thought would be “I don’t have time for this,” then they’re right.¨

I suggest that we take the results of the study as a constructive criticism and an opportunity to check out our current lifestyle. There is a lot that we can do and here are my suggestions:

What’s in the Fridge?

If there’s no or very little produce in your fridge or in your pantry, then you have to rethink your family’s dietary habits. There are fresh produce that keeps long and this includes tomatoes, cucumber, bananas capsicum, and apples. Incorporate these into your shopping list and weekly menus.

What’s in Your Child’s Lunchbox?

If there are only potato chips, cookies or peanut butter sandwiches in there, then there’s something missing. An apple or a banana would be a health addition. Apples are especially great – they keep, they are sturdy, and can fit in a pocket. Choose the sweet varieties such as gala, pink lady or golden delicious.

Junk Food

Another British study reported that people who consume too much sweets as children have a tendency towards aggression in adulthood. So why do some of us keep buying junk food for our family against our better judgement? Some suggest it may be guilt, that those treats are our way of saying sorry for not spending enough time with our kids. Some people think if they don’t get it at home, they’ll get it somewhere else. In a previous post, I’ve listed some tips on children’s nutrition.

Communicate With Your Child.

How did his/her day go? If it’s just all about TV shows or video games, then it’s time to look for alternatives. What about a sports club? Soccer and tennis camps during the holidays? Active family outings on the weekends? Don’t wait until your child becomes overweight. The earlier they start the better.

Childcare

It is not easy to find the perfect childcare provider but we should make the effort to monitor what kind of care is being provided. My twin boys started at a daycare at 12 months, preschool-daycare at 3 years. Now at 1st grade, they attend after school childcare provided by our town. In other words, I’ve had experience about checking out childcare facilities. I, for one, wouldn’t go for a daycare with a TV set. I talk to the caregivers about the daily activities and compare their version with my child’s version. It’s not that I don’t trust them. I simply want to know whether I am getting my money’s worth. Yes, I pay for childcare and I make sure that as the customer, my child gets what he/she needs in terms of healthy food and physical exercise. The same goes if you have a nanny or a babysitter coming in. I am not saying you have to install a nanny cam at home but if we need crosschecks at work, there should also be some at home.

Some of us may not have the means to pay for childcare. A family member such as grandma or aunt might have to pitch in to help with the child care. Check their dietary and exercise habits. Talk to them about nutrition and health. A healthy child needs a healthy caregiver.

Look Within

Your diet and physical activity level reflects that of your family. What you eat at breakfast and at suppertime, your children eat. You are their role model and they learn your good and bad habits. A workout or a run is a great way to wind down. But how do you include your children into your adult exercise routine? Do cycling or inline skating together. I am not keen on both so my kids do either why I jog along side. It helps me keep up my pace. Check out Mrs.H’s list of habits of a healthy family.

I know that as working moms, we are juggling too many things at the same time: motherhood, job, marriage. It is difficult to be a career woman and the perfect mom at the same time. But hey, it’s not about being perfect that counts. It’s about being happy and healthy.

The flu season is here and if it isn’t bad enough dealing with the threat of the seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu (aka swine flu) is also ready to add its virulence to autumn-winter sniffles. Mexico is already possibly seeing the second wave of H1N1 flu and it is only a matter of time till the bug again crosses the border to the rest of the Americas and the world.

Many parents with little children (including me) are on the verge of panic and are scrambling to find out how to best protect their families from the pandemic that’s almost here. Other than the options of moving to South Pole, to a remote tropical island or isolated cave, we can’t avoid being exposed to the flu. My physician told me she believes everybody will get it sooner or later and I tend to agree with her. So how do we live with the epidemic that’s hanging over our heads? Here are some tips aside from the usual wash-your-hands-and-cover-your-nose advice.

Be Informed About the Flu.

This may be an overused cliché but the “knowledge is power” adage still holds true. Inform yourself about the disease, the symptoms, and the treatment. There questions about the flu that can only be answered by gathering as much information as we can. Only then can we make “informed” choices.

Flu Prevention.

I will use another overused adage here. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” And prevention is not just about washing hands. It’s about a whole lifestyle of healthy nutrition, physical fitness, and thinking positively.

Here is a list of resources on prevention which I found useful and therefore would like to share:

• 100 Healthy Hacks to Help You Through Cold & Flu Season at Online Nursing Programs

• What You Can Do to Stay Healthy at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• For those with kids in college: CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) H1N1 Flu Information.

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate.

I am an advocate of immunization but I always drew the line when it came to the seasonal flu vaccine. I thought I and my family never had a need for it. But with the added threat of H1N1 flu, I have to rethink my options. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that’s a big question. So what do we know about the flu vaccines?

Flu Vaccination Updates:

• The US FDA approved the new batch of seasonal flu vaccines last month. It was developed from the most common strains of the previous season as well as strains isolated during the winter flu season in the southern hemisphere. It is indicated for adults and children.

• The US FDA has also approved the H1N1 flu vaccine but it is currently available for adults only. The vaccine is still being tested in children and, according to the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is showing promise (CNN reports). If approved for pediatric use, children ages 6 months to 9 years may need 2 doses versus the single dose mean for adults and children older than 9. For those who would like to know about thimerosal, some formulations of the vaccine have it, and some not. Thimerosal is normally not present in children’s vaccines in the US.

• The AAP has recently updated it guidelines for flu vaccines. It highly recommends that children ages 6 months to 18 years old should receive the current season flu vaccine.

Know Your Family’s Susceptibility.

Children are especially susceptible because they had limited exposure to the seasonal flu. In the UK, the cases of H1N1 among children have doubled since school started a few weeks ago.

Thousands have caught the swine flu but fortunately, it is not as deadly as previously thought. There are certain sectors of the population which are more likely to develop serious symptoms and complications that can result in death.

Here are some of the latest statistics on fatal swine flu cases in children:

• As of end of August, 36 children (under 18) have died of the H1N1 flu in the US (Source: MedicalNews Today).

• The youngest victim was aged 2 months, and the oldest was 17 years.

• Five fatalities were under 2 years old and 7 were under 5 years old.

• The majority of children who died (24 out of 36) have at least one other medical condition that made them highly susceptible. These conditions include developmental delay such as cerebral palsy and chronic pulmonary problems such as asthma.

Thus, considering that there probably won’t be enough vaccines to go around, the AAP suggests that the following high-risk groups should receive the vaccine first:

• Children ages 6 months through 24 years

• Parents and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months

• Pregnant women

• Health care workers and emergency services personnel

• Adults ages 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions

Think about your family’s susceptibility. Does anybody have a serious condition that makes vaccination worth considering? Does anybody have a higher likelihood of more exposure than usual (e.g. healthcare professionals, school teachers, etc.)?

Take care of yourself.

Finally, moms, do not forget to take care of yourself. It is our jobs to look out for our families in good times and bad times and it seems that bad times may be coming. All the more reason that we should stay healthy.

With families so busy these days it’s sometimes hard to make time for your health by exercising. How can you justify an hour at the gym away from your family when you haven’t seen them all day and dinner’s still up in the air? With parents working harder than ever, homework piling up for kids, extracurricular activities plus the hours it takes to commute to and from those activities, it’s easy to let things slip through the cracks: Take-outs most days of the week, eating in front of the TV soon becomes the norm.

But in today’s stressful, high-tech world, it’s even more crucial to stay healthy and personally connect with your kids, and with your spouse. Your body is your only body, and if your health is neglected and falls by the wayside, everything can go by the wayside too. Your family is your only family, and the same rule applies.

How to keep your family healthy?

• Eat often and eat healthy. Pick healthy foods, and don’t skip meals. You and your kids have a lot on your day’s schedule and you need the fuel to get through it. Chips and soda isn’t going to help you stay alert and healthy. Experts say to eat every 2 hrs. That means a breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks in between meals.Time constrained? Pre-prepare meals before-hand if needed, and pre-package snacks in snack baggies that can be grabbed to go from the pantry . Make your own trailmix filled with nutritious foods like nuts, whole-wheat pretzels, raisins. Resist the temptation for frozen or pre-packackaged foods or snacks as they do not pack the same nutritional punch as home-made munchies, and often contain unhealthy ingredients like partially hydrogenated oils and high-fructose corn syrup.

• Exercise at least 20 minutes a day. An hour is just unmanageable for a lot of families, but just 20 minutes of exercise a day is better than nothing . What’s more, if the activity is something that you enjoy, you end up doing it for longer than 20 minutes.What can you do as a family? Chase the kids in the backyard for at least 20 minutes. Walk the dog together. Take a bike ride around the neighborhood. I know a lot of parents who’ve purchased the bike trailer to attach to their bikes.

• Eat dinner together at least five nights a week. First thing you should do is make sure the the TV is off. It IS possible to eat dinner together. Studies show that families who eat dinner together on most nights have healthier kids who choose more fruits and vegetables even when not at home. It also provides time and opportunity to catch up on everyone’s lives, and it becomes the perfect time to open up lines of communication.What if dinner together is just impossible to make happen? Turn breakfast into your family meal. Make sure you wake up early enough that it isn’t a harried affair.

• Have fun as a family. Take the time to do something silly and fun with the kids. Game night, playing music, dancing, throw water balloons in the backyard, even watching a favorite show together as a family can be a destressing event for each member of the family. All the activities listed are at-home activities because you’re not taking up more valuable time driving somewhere, and they usually end up being cheaper!

• Get plenty of sleep. Sleep should be a calming time, and you need it for your body to recover from the day. Lack of sleep carries the same symptoms as being under the influence. Your groggy, your reflexes aren’t as fast, and you can fall asleep at the wheel while driving. Your kids won’t be able to concentrate as well in school if they’re too sleepy to pay attention. Get your family into a routine that includes lights out at a time that gives you all plenty of time to sleep.

• Don’t forget date night. A strong, happy couple is the backbone of any happy family so you shouldn’t forget about each other. Sure you can hire a baby-sitter to get away from the kids once in a while, but any moment you take time to connect as a couple is better than nothing. This can mean having a later bed-time than the kids and popping open a bottle of wine, plopping in front of the TV and watching an R-rated movie together. Better yet, forget the TV and have a conversation. One caveat: kid topics not allowed. Talk about your day, reminisce, make plans for the future, anything as long as it’s not diapers, and toilet training. You’ll feel a lot closer doing so.

Six tips. How do you incorporate them into your day? Start one at a time. Announce it to the family and get everyone excited and on board. They all involve almost no work or minimal alterations at worst, and the payoff can be huge. Start this week and see if you can’t incorporate all six into your family routine by the end of the month. Please report back and tell us how your family feels after adopting these habits!

Source: Families.com

In many parts of the world, including the US, September marks the month when kids start or go back to school. It is most appropriate that a lot of health observances in the month of September have something to do with children and family health. Below is a list I have compiled for Babies Online readers.

EVENTS ON PHYSICAL FITNESS

• America On the Move’s September Campaign
  America On the Move Foundation (AOM)
  AOM’s annual one-month promotion for healthy eating and active living

• America on the Move Week – September 21 – 27r
  YMCA of Greater Hartford

EVENTS ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH

• September is Childhood Cancer Month
  Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
  Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children younger than 15
  

• September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month
  Children’s Craniofacial Association
  “Empowering and giving hope to those affected by facial differences”

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month
  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

• September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month
  National Healthy Start Association
  “healthy families = healthy babies”

• September is National Pediculosis Prevention Month/Head Lice Prevention Month
  National Pediculosis Association, Inc.
  “Precaution, Preparedness & Peace of Mind”

• September is Reye’s Syndrome Awareness Month
  National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation
  Check your medications for salicylates!

• September 15 is Get Ready Day
  American Public Health Association
  “get ready for the flu season“

EVENTS ON FAMILY NUTRITION

• September is Fruit and Veggies – More Matters Month
  Fruit and Vegetable Program Office

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH)
  How much fruit and veggies you and family really need. Get tool kits with timely ideas on how to stretch food dollars with fruits and veggies.

• September is National Cholesterol Education Month
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center

• September is Grains Month
  Whole Grains Council

• September 13 is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day
  Celiac Sprue Association

EVENTS ON PARENTAL HEALTH

• September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
  National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
  “…raise awareness and promote education about ovarian cancer”

• September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
  American Cancer Society

• September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
  Zero – The Project to End Prostate Cancer

• September 21 – 27 is Prostate Cancer Awareness Week
  Free or low cost screenings available!

• September is Healthy Aging®Month
  Educational Television Network, Inc
  “because there’s lots of living left to do...”

• September is Sports and Home Eye Safety Month
  Prevent Blindness America

Let’s face it, some children are tough to feed. Most parents know that their children are notoriously picky eaters. Some of us parents, not wanting to fight a losing battle will just give them what they want, just so they will eat something. Well, according to some cancer experts, if processed meats falls into that category, you may need to think twice.

Scientists in the UK have determined that ham and bacon as well as other processed meats should not be given to children. They have asked parents to stop putting sandwiches made from these meats in their children’s lunches. Research has indicated that these meats increase the risk of bowel cancer later in life.

It seems their main concern is that feeding children these meats will lead to unhealthy eating habits. The scientists suggest healthier options like fish, chicken or low fat cheese. The World Cancer Research Fund charity has admitted that the study did not specifically examine the effects of these meats on children. The Charity claims, however, that the evidence could be seen based on studying adults. For this reason they think it is best to encourage children to try other food options instead of processed meats.

The children’s education manager for the charity was quoted online as saying, “If children have processed meat in their lunch every day then over the course of a school year they will be eating quite a lot of it. It is better if children learn to view processed meat as an occasional treat if it is eaten at all.”

The warning by the UK scientists applies to meats that are smoked or have anything added to them. They also recommend keeping the intake of red meat to 500 grams (approximately 1 pound) per week. The study’s findings were arrived at after looking at the results of thousands of previous studies.

What’s a parent to do?

I guess like most things, moderation is key. Feeding some children can indeed be challenging. It is understandable when some parents cave in and feed them whatever they want. Most parents may be on the lookout for childhood obesity, but clearly there are other dangers waiting for children down the road depending on their diets.

It is best to talk to your child’s pediatrician, see if they are aware of the study and get their feedback. Food safety will always be at the forefront of any parent’s mind. Despite the types of food any child shows a preference for, it goes without saying that as parents we must do our best to find ways to get some fruits and vegetables into their diets.

So far I have found a cool trick that have been working for a few months with my now 5-year old son. To get him to eat cucumber, we pretend that each circular slice is a full moon. Each bite changes the shape through the various stages of the moon, three-quarter, half, crescent until it is all gone. Now, if only I could find a way to make a game out of eating carrots.

It stinks to be a sick mom. There’s no way around that. Housework still needs to be done, dinner cooked, children cared for – even if you feel as if you just want to down a shot of Nyquil and crawl under the covers for about a week.

When you’re a nursing mother – whether your baby is newborn, close to a year, or older – you don’t even have the option of downing Nyquil due to concerns about alcohol and breastfeeding. It can be pure torture. What can you do?

When I came down with a cold last week – at the same time my nine-month-old was battling a double ear infection – I devised a few coping strategies.

Napping

Sleep when baby sleeps. Remember what they used to tell you in those first few weeks after childbirth? That’s right … take advantage of naptime to catch some ZZZs yourself. If you have to, lie down with your nursing baby in the middle of the day. Whatever it takes, get your rest.

Medication

Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl and Chlor-trimeton are approved for use while breastfeeding. Be aware that Benadryl may reduce your milk supply and also may make the baby drowsy. (I know it’s politically incorrect, but if you’re sick, is this really so horrible?)

Keep in mind that most antihistamines and decongestants, including Dimetapp and Sudafed, are not recommended while breastfeeding, as they may substantially decrease your milk supply. Any products with menthol, including menthol cough drops, may also decrease your milk supply. Find out more information on medicine and nursing mothers.

Vaporizers

Research shows that putting Vicks or other menthol products in a vaporizer can be harmful to an infant’s lungs. However, a humidifier with plain filtered water can do wonders to clear and moisten your nasal passages.

Vitamins

This is one of my favorite natural cold remedies, and most doctors say it’s safe if you’re breastfeeding a baby. Every two hours, I alternate a vitamin C drop with a zinc-gluconate drop, such as Cold-eeze. Oddly, vitamin C blocks the positive effects of zinc, so make sure to wait an hour between each drop. Do not drink any citrus for an hour before or after taking zinc, either.

Neti Pot

Highly recommended for people with recurring allergies or sinus problems, a neti pot works well to clear the nasal passages during the common cold, as well. Since it’s all natural and you’re not actually ingesting anything, it’s 100% safe for a nursing mom. It’s not the aforementioned Nyquil, but hey, we’ll take what we can get, right?

Drink Water

If you’re sick and run down, and possibly stressed out as a result, your milk supply may drop. To maintain your supply, make sure you get plenty of rest, drink water, and take in enough calories. A nursing mom needs about 500 more calories per day to compensate for the extra work the body does to produce milk. Since you’re probably not very active if you’re sick, you may get away with eating a little bit less than usual since you’re not burning as many calories. Still, remember to follow the old adage and “feed a cold.” Drink water, tea, juices – anything you can in order to stay hydrated and keep your milk supply up.

The good news, as a breastfeeding mom, is that your body is producing antibodies to fight your cold, and passing those antibodies onto your little one. That’s not to say your breastfed baby won’t get sick if you’re sick, but there’s a good chance she won’t. If your baby does get your cold, it might be a milder version.

I’ve had three colds in the past nine months – my most recent bout passed my daughter by, although she did catch the two colds prior. As she gets older, her immune system is getting stronger and I’m sure the fact that I’m still nursing her has helped a lot.

The bisphenol A (BPA) story is not yet over. More revelations about this chemical found in plastics are coming in as scientists are stepping up on BPA research. The recent undesirable BPA effect is female infertility and this was reported by Yale University researchers at the recent meeting of the Endocrine Society.

The Yale researchers have observed that when pregnant mice were exposed to BPA, the genetic chemistry of their female offspring is irreversibly altered. The researchers have the identified the gene in question as HOXA10, which regulates the normal development of the uterus and fertility, not only in mice, but also in humans. BPA sometimes plays havoc with the gene’s switching on and off. They can conceive but their ability to carry the pregnancy to full term is compromised, leading to permanent fertility loss.

In a way, this doesn’t surprise me, considering that BPA is an endocrine disruptor and mimics the effect of estrogen, and therefore plays havoc with hormonal balance.

However, this isn’t the only bad news about BPA.

University of Cincinnati researchers reported irregular heart rhythms in female mice (but not male!) exposed to BPA.

Now, if ever health authorities claim again that current BPA exposure is too low to cause these effects, University of Missouri-Columbia experts will definitely show their new estimate that BPA exposure among Americans is much higher that the so-called maximum safe dose.

These recent findings are alarming themselves but what concerns me are the following:

• Babies in the uterus are exposed and possibly already damaged by BPA even before they are born.
• Females seem to be strongly affected by BPA, because of its capacity to mimic estrogen.

In other words, BPA is affecting our reproductive cycle and will be affecting or has already affected the next generation of mothers.

The scientists at the Endocrine Society Meeting issued a scientific statement declaring that BPA and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food, water and consumer products represent a “significant concern to public health.”

I really hope that the health authorities are listening.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned early on that pregnant women and young children may be especially susceptible to the H1N1 swine flu. This has been proven by the latest reports and moralities due to this flu epidemic.

The first confirmed death due to swine flu in Europe happened in Scotland last weekend and involved a 38-year old mother who just gave birth two weeks ago. The mother had some “underlying conditions” aside from the flu and delivered her baby prematurely. The baby was not infected with the H1N1 flu but also died shortly after, probably because it was very premature – eleven weeks early. The first case of swine flu fatality involving a pregnant woman was reported in Texas in May.

In the meantime:

• Argentina also reported its first H1N1 flu fatality – a 3-month old baby.

• Hong Kong closed all its kindergartens and primary schools due to increasing numbers of infected pupils.

• A Swiss daycare was also shutdown temporarily this week due to a positive H1N1 infection. It seems that the virus is getting closure to home.

Why pregnant women are at risk

According to MSNBC, the New Zealand Herald, and other sources:

1. Pregnancy weakens the immune system. The immune system is naturally suppressed during pregnancy to accommodate a foreign body – the baby – in the womb. The likelihood of flu leading to pneumonia during pregnancy is high.
2. A flu infection increases the risk for premature delivery which itself also can lead to other complications.
3. Pregnant women suffering from asthma and other underlying conditions have even higher risk for complications.
4. Young people (this includes children and women of reproductive age!) are more vulnerable to the H1N1 flu compared to older people because the H1N1 virus seems to be susceptible to flu antibodies that were probably produced during previous seasonal flu infections. In other words, older people have had more flu exposure and have had therefore built up more immune defenses against the current flu.

What the health authorities recommend

Pregnant women are therefore advised to especially take care and see their doctors immediately as soon as the flu symptoms start. Health authorities believe that the danger the virus poses to the fetus is much more than what anti-viral drugs do. The National Health Services (NHS) of the UK recommends the use of the inhalable antiviral drug Relenza, which can treat flu symptoms without reaching fetus.

Another victory for American consumers! On June 2, the state of California Senate voted to ban bisphenol A (BPA) from the packaging of baby food and beverage products. You remember BPA, right? It’s that carcinogenic, endocrine disruptor compound found to leach out from plastic bottles (including baby bottles!) and food packaging (including baby formula!).

Well, it seems that the Toxics-Free Babies and Toddlers Act (SB 797) of California will finally put an end to the use of this chemical in the manufacture of plastics and plastic-containing products. At least until the Act goes through the State Assembly. The legislation is also known as the Pavley Bill as it was introduced by Senator Fran Pavley.

The industry lobbyists did try their best to sway the Senate’s decision in their favor but it the end, the Senate members acted rationally based on the mounting scientific evidence that BPA is detrimental to our health. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), research studies have linked BPA exposure to the following diseases and health problems:

• Breast cancer

• Heart disease

• Birth defects

• Prostate cancer

• Infertility

• Premature puberty in girls

• Diabetes

• Obesity

California is the not the first state to ban BPA. Earlier this year, Minnesota, then Connecticut set the precedence. It is expected that more states will follow. This is despite the fact that the US FDA has declared the levels of BPA in the food and beverages are very low and considered to be harmless.

As Breast Cancer Fund Gretchen Lee Salter policy manager rightly said “…kids had to come first before the lobbyists.” Indeed, with the Pavley Bill, this is exactly what happened.

It’s supposed to help us keep things and ourselves clean. It is found in almost every household cleaning product from soaps to mouthwash, from toothpaste to deodorant, and from kitchen detergent to toilet cleaners. Yet this wide-spectrum anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent may actually pose some health and environmental risks. I am talking about triclosan, a rather ubiquitous but controversial compound.

Here are some of the possible harmful effects of triclosan:

• Triclosan may lead to the development of resistant bacterial strains.
• It may be an endocrine disruptor, a substance which mimics certain types of hormones. Triclosan mimics the thyroid hormone, thus disrupting the metabolism of this hormone and the functioning of the thyroid gland. It has been shown to be harmful to certain aquatic animals.
• Triclosan combines with the chlorine in our tap water to produce the gas chloroform which can be toxic and carcinogenic.
• Triclosan finds its way into your breast milk and can be ingested by little babies.

On the other side of the coin, triclosan doesn’t seem to bring much benefit to the products where it is found, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). A soap, detergent or toothpaste with triclosan don’t seem to be any better in cleaning than those without. In addition to cleaning products, triclosan is also found in other products from countertops to toys and fabrics.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a safety study on triclosan but the EWG feels that the EPA assessment may be biased towards the industries using triclosan. EWG especially expressed concerns over exposure of babies to triclosan – e.g. baby care products, toys, blankets, – and breast milk.

An EWG testing of triclosan showed the following results:

• Breast milk – 97% of samples collected (60 out of 62) tested positive.
• Urine in people older than 6 – 75%
• Cord blood – 47%
• Rivers and streams – 58%

Based on these results and arguments, the EWG recommends the following:

• Consumers should avoid triclosan-containing products. Check your product labels!
• Manufacturers should not use triclosan in manufacturing their products.
• Triclosan should be banned from personal care products.
• The EPA should conduct a full, unbiased assessment.

I guess it was just a matter of time before something like this happened. The news is full of stories and pictures of celebrities snapping back into shape weeks after giving birth. Now the obsession with being thin and dieting has given rise to a new condition: PREGOREXIA.

What is Pregorexia?

This is a disorder that affects pregnant women who have an obsession with being thin. It involves not only excessive exercising, but also dieting, and sometimes self-induced vomiting. Pregorexia affects pregnant women who want to avoid putting on too much weight while pregnant and to lose it quickly after giving birth.

In some quarters it is referred to as anorexia for pregnant women. Not everyone sees it as an eating disorder. This is based on the fact that pregorexia is about more than just dieting.

Dangers to the Unborn Child

There are a number of things that can happen to the unborn child that will impact them even after birth, caused by improper eating and excessive exercise. Some of the main ones are:

• Low birth weight

• Growth retardation

• Neurological defects due to oxygen deprivation resulting from excess exercising

• Miscarriage or near miscarriage

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Anemia

Dangers for the Woman

Interestingly this can also impact the mother’s health as well. So while she is maintaining her weight she may not be getting adequate amounts of vital minerals and vitamins for her and her baby.

Some major problems include:

• If the mother isn’t getting enough calcium for example, her baby will pull what it needs. This means that the mother-to-be will end up with bone problems because of a lack of calcium.

• Increase likelihood of needing to have a c-section

• Anemia

• Emotional problems such as shame and embarrassment cause added issues for the woman leading to depression

Thankfully, the condition is now coming out of the closet so to speak as women speak about their problems. There are some signs to look out for to gauge whether a pregnant woman is going beyond trying to maintain a healthy weight.

To help prevent an expectant mother from developing the condition the following can help:

• Forming a supportive network for the mother-to-be

• Providing information on healthy weight gain during pregnancy

• Knowing the warning signs so as to provide intervention quickly.

Pregorexia is a real problem and unless something is done it will have major consequences in years to come.

After a seemingly endless assortment of coughing, sneezing and general feelings of unwellness, we seem to have turned the corner on our sickness. My toddler is happily playing by herself again, singing songs and arranging and rearranging a set of nesting boxes all over the living room. My baby son is nursing more frequently again – but much more efficiently, now that his nose isn’t so congested he doesn’t have to stop eating every few seconds to breathe.

We’re better.

Which means the real work begins. After anyone in the house is sick, I like to give everything a good scrub down to get rid of any residual germs and freshen things up.

Starting with our linens, I pull everything off the beds and wash in hot water. Same with towels, wash cloths and any other fabrics we came in contact with – stuffed animals, pillows, clothes, shoes, jackets, or anything else that can go through the washing machine.

Hard plastic toys get cleaned and sanitized in a diluted bleach solution – ½ cup bleach to a gallon of water; soak for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.

Fabric or plush toys are a little trickier to clean; most are spot-clean only, so they get wiped down with some gentle soap and water and allowed to dry in the sun to bleach out any germs.

The house also gets a good scrubbing, including high traffic areas like the entire bathroom, door knobs, the refrigerator door handle, and anything else that gets touched frequently – and frequently by germy kid hands. Toothbrushes get tossed out and replaced, and combs and brushes are scrubbed with soapy water. Dishes are washed in the dishwasher using the “sanitize” setting to make sure that they’re nice and clean.

What’s your routine after everyone feels better from being sick?

I forget where I originally read it – and darned if I can find the link now! – but I heard that babies stick out their tongues right after the first tooth comes in.

We’d been feeling Ashley’s first tooth right below the surface for more than a week. We were lying in bed, she had just finished nursing and I was ready to read her a bedtime story, when she stuck out her little tongue.

“Let me see that” I said, putting my finger in her mouth. And there it was! For two days, I still couldn’t see it but I could feel it.

Her second bottom tooth came in on Mother’s Day. Today, the first top tooth is lingering just below the gum – I thought I felt it surface this morning but I was mistaken.

Teething may begin just a short time before those first central incisors show their cute little tops or, if your child is like my daughter, it could begin very early and seem to go on forever. She started teething at about three-and-a-half months; her first tooth didn’t show up until almost seven months on the dot.

Teeth typically follow this pattern, with the bottom teeth in the set usually coming in first:

• Bottom central incisors

• Top central incisors (these come in anywhere from immediately after the bottom teeth to a month or two later)

• Two additional bottom incisors, followed by two additional top incisors

• Four back molars

• Four canines

• Four additional back molars

There are 20 teeth in a set of baby teeth, and by about 24 months, they will usually all come in – a happy moment for parents when teething is finally over!

Signs of teething include:

• Drool – lots and lots of it!

• Chewing everything in sight. Babies put nearly everything in their mouth – it is one of the ways they explore their world. But if they really start to gnaw down on everything they get their little hands on, they might be teething.

• Refusal to eat (Would you want to nurse or eat if your mouth ached?)

• Frequent night-waking after baby has been sleeping through the night

• General fussiness (Again, what kind of mood would you be in if, quite literally, hard objects were poking their way through your gums!)

• Tugging at the ears

Many doctors say that a low-grade fever and/or a stuffy or runny nose are not signs of teething but may be a sign of infection. By all means, follow your pediatrician’s instructions and if you are concerned about a fever, call the doctor. However, I have noticed that my daughter gets a stuffy nose – her cries sound nasally and she sniffles a bit – every time a tooth has come in and also when her other teething symptoms seem worse. She hasn’t run a fever while teething yet, which I’m sure would be more of a concern.

Since pain in the mouth often radiates up to the ear, and infants can’t really tell the difference, a teething infant may also pull on her ear. However, this symptom combined with a fever could also indicate an ear infection. Trust your instincts, but err on the side of caution if you suspect there’s more at play than teething!

Moms — what sort of teething symptoms have you noticed and how long after that did your baby’s teeth come in?

Many people in the US think that the minimum legal drinking age of 21 (MLDA 21) is just too old – one of the highest in the world, in fact. After all, most 18-year old Americans can drive, vote, be legally employed, get married without parental consent, and enlist in the military. In the other words, 18-year olds are adults – except when it comes to alcohol. Last year, the Amethyst Initiative, a group which consisted of several university and college heads actually put forward the proposal to lower the MLDA to 18. Their argument is that the current MLDA 21 in place is actually resulting in irresponsible and secret binge drinking among college students. But what would be the consequences of lowering the MLDA?

A University of Georgia researcher looked at data from 1978 to 1988, a decade when the MLD in that state was still 18. And here are the results she found are

• Prenatal alcohol consumption among 18- to 20-year-old women was higher by 21%.

• Pregnancy among 18- to 20-year-olds was higher by 4.6% and 3.9% in white and African-American women, respectively.

• The likelihood of premature delivery in women under 18 increased by 5% and 7% in white women and in African-American women, respectively.

• The likelihood of women under age 21 delivering a low-birth weight baby was higher by 4% (white women) and 8% African-American women).

• Unplanned pregnancies are more pronounced among African-American women under 21, with a 25% increase.

The cause of the poor birth outcomes is not due to alcohol consumption itself and its effect on the unborn child (e.g. alcohol fetal syndrome) but rather due to the increase in risky sexual behavior as a consequence of increased alcohol consumption.

This behavior resulted in unwanted pregnancies that in turn led to poor prenatal care. Women, especially very young women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to take care of themselves or seek prenatal care. With these results, the researcher argues that lowering the MLDA will have a counterproductive effective on the rates of teen pregnancies and birth outcomes.

What do you think? Should the MLDA in the US be kept at 21 or lowered to 18?

Surprise! Surprise! It’s lean times but we are actually getting fat! This is because we may be cutting down on the wrong things. A survey conducted by the American Heart Association is showing a troubling trend, people are skimping on healthy activities due to the bad economy! Let’s check out what we are doing wrong:

People are eating worse.
It seems that more and more people are cutting down on fresh fruit and vegetables. Cheap, fast but filling food such as chips, fries, burgers, and 1-minute noodle soups are becoming more popular.

People are cutting down on health care.
Many families are cutting down on medical bills by avoiding visits to the doctor or dentist, even for children. Some people are delaying screening and check ups and even skip taking medications!

People are doing less exercise.
Many of those who used to go the gym or sports club have had to cancel their memberships. Bye, bye exercise.

People are getting less sleep.
Let’s face it. Many people have to work longer hours to make ends meet especially in families which have to make do with one income instead of two.

People are having more stress, but less relaxation.
The travel and tourism industry is suffering as more and more people are cutting costs by foregoing vacation. However, the old adage about all work and no play not being good for our health is applicable now more than ever. Go for recession-friendly holiday activities and destinations. Take a break on the weekends.

All these can actually contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure and poor heart health. The end result is poor physical and mental health outcomes.

However, the economic downturn does have its upsides. This should be the biggest chance for people to break some bad habits.

Quit smoking.
Cut down on smoking and save money.

Eat out less.
Home-cooked meals are definitely better than any fast food meal. Most of the time, at least. This can be your chance to lose a few pounds!

Drink less alcohol.
While a little bit of alcohol may not hurt, excessive consumption is bad for our health. Alcoholic drinks are calorie-rich and binge drinking is hard on the body and wallet!

It seems that the current economic problems are forcing people to cut down on a lot of things. To survive this recession, we should learn to prioritize and cut down on things which are bad for our health but still allocate for things that are essential for good health. Remember, there are things that we just can’t put on hold and our health is on top of the list.