HowToDoThings.com Recent Babies' & Children's Health Articles

How To Get Rid of Head Lice

Sarah146 — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:55 -0500

Every parent should know the signs of head lice. It can be a nit-picky process and a down right nuisance to rid a child of head lice, but there a few tricks that will help eliminate lice from your child's hair and home.

How To Brush Your Child's Teeth

Elizabeth69 — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:36:35 -0500

How To Relieve Asthma Using Earth-Friendly Products

Sommer — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:46:54 -0500

How To Use Infant Massage to Relieve Reflux

IMIS — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:34:23 -0600

Massage on any part of the body causes increased activity or stimulation to a nerve in the brain called the vagus nerve. This nerve branches out to control various regions of the respiratory and digestive systems, including the esophagus and the stomach. To use massage successfully for an infant with reflux, follow the steps below:

How To Keep Your Baby Safe from Recalled Products

sarahchusid — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 12:13:57 -0600

Do you know if the products you use for your baby are safe?

Well, it’s sort of a trick question. Like most concerned parents, you’ve probably had your baby’s safety on your mind since day one. But what if you found out that the very items you purchased to keep baby safe and comfortable could end up seriously injuring your child, or worse?

Unfortunately, and contrary to many consumers’ beliefs, there is no requirement that children’s products be tested for safety before they are sold. With recalls in 2007 reaching a record high - over 25 million units - and high-profile recalls of everything from drug-tainted Aqua Dots to lead-laced Barbie dolls to collapsing cribs, parents are understandably anxious about protecting children under their care.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to keep dangerous products out of homes and the hands of children.

How To Help Your Children Stop Nail Biting

bronwyn — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:17:33 -0600

All parents worry about their children's bad habits. Nailbiting, although not one of the worst things a child can do by any means, can be unattractive, annoying, and damage their teeth. Parents often punish or reprimand their children for biting their nails, but there are much more effective ways to help your children stop biting their nails.

Teach your child to crochet or knit. Even children of a young age can learn to knit, crochet, or fingerknit. When they are occupied with creating things out of yarn, they will not remember to bite their fingernails, and their hands would be too occupied to do so anyway!
Give children toys to play with. Play-Doh and clay are wonderful ways to keep children's hands occupied, as are pipe cleaners and twist ties. Children are very creative, so harness their nervous energy.

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How To Have a Positive Birth Experience

robin — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:58:15 -0600

‘I can do this’ is the best way to approach labor. It’s also a great way to step into parenting. The fact is, your body is designed to grow, give birth to and nurture healthy babies. And the fact is that labor is an act of love, physically and hormonally speaking. The contractions of labor massage your baby for a most responsive and alert beginning. The hormone that stimulates these contractions, oxytocin, is called ‘the love hormone’. It also stimulates the area in your brain that has to do with bonding, love, social connection. So when you love yourself, love your baby and have loving, patient people around you, you are helping with the positive work of oxytocin and labor.

During pregnancy:

How To Use the Power of Touch in Your Yoga Practice

melbeau — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:15:02 -0600

When we suffer from anxiety, our minds can become scattered and our bodies riddled with tension. Yoga has the ability to pull us out of a state of anxiety and place us into an environment of physical and mental solitude. Practicing yoga enables us to use all of our physical senses to help pull us back to calmness. One powerful sense we can learn to apply and cultivate in our asana (pose) is touch. By shifting our attention into pressing our hands and feet to the earth and grounding our asana, we've established a stable environment that can be calming and healing.

How To Understand What Living With Autism Means

teacher — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:46:06 -0500

Since my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in December 2003, my husband and I have learned a lot about our child's Autism. By the time our daughter received the same diagnosis in March 2006, we felt like experts in the field. In fact, that is what our children's specialists called us. We are living with Autism, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Both my husband and I have sadly witnessed on several occasions how our children's autistic behavior is misjudged by other people due to their ignorance about Autism.

How To Identify the Symptoms of Autism in Your Child

teacher — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:59:33 -0500

Autism officially entered our family life 4 years ago, when our son turned 3 years old. Our daughter was also diagnosed with autism a year later, when she turned 2. In a way, it has seemed to us that autism crept up on us by surprise but in fact, it actually happened gradually, and began 2 years prior to our son's diagnosis, when he was only 1 year old. We were oblivious to the symptoms, running away from the truth that later confronted us.

Follow the period of shock and denial, like all parents, we went looking for causes and possible cures. Then, remorse and guilt haunted our minds with questions such as: "What if we would have seen it earlier? What if we would have had a list of symptoms to compare to?" There was so many "What if...?" questions that we could torture ourselves eternally. What we should have done was to look for the common symptoms of autism. Here are the symptoms, which I share with you, dear parents.

How To Choose Healthy Foods for Your Family

Elizabeth69 — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 10:18:38 -0500

Parents who choose healthy meals for their families are helping their children to establish sound habits that they will take with them throughout their lives. Eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated (in spite of all the magazine articles that give contrary and ever-changing information!) or difficult; it just requires a bit of common sense.

Become a Label Reader: Nutrition labels offer a wealth of information, as does the list of ingredients posted on packaged foods. Many companies design their packaging to make foods appear healthier than they really are, with pictures of fruits, vegetables and natural grains prominently displayed. While these pictures may give the impression that the contents of the package are healthful, the nutrition label will tell the complete truth.

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How To Eliminate Lice

Kem517 — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 09:27:00 -0600

The word "lice" strikes fear in the hearts of parents everywhere. Lice are small wingless parasites that feed on the blood supply of a host. Lice attach themselves to hair follicles. Once attached, the lice lay eggs called nits. Nits usually hatch within 2 weeks after they are laid. Although the lice parasite is an equal opportunity offender, lice infestation is most commonly spread amongst school-age children. Having lice can be embarrassing for children: It is important for children to be reassured that lice infestation is not a sign of poor hygiene.

Lice is very contagious and is passed through direct contact with the parasite or through shared contact with infested belongings. Items such as combs, brushes, towels, pillows and hats become ready carriers for lice.

Lice are small but can be seen with the naked eye. Lice are usually no larger than a sesame seed. Nits resemble dandruff and can range in color.

How To Understand Child Sexuality

Marilisa560 — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:59:00 -0600

Child sexuality can be an edgy issue that people often find uncomfortable. Differing religious or moral views or dogmas can complicate the issue. My research and wisdom are based upon the information we have on child development, my experience at home and in classrooms, and my own common sense.

There are several guidelines to keep in mind when considering child sexuality. It is essential to understand child sexuality within a framework of age-appropriate behavior. As children develop, so does their understanding of things. If a child is on a fairly typical developmental pattern (no major illness or developmental disability), then sexual development follows a pattern also. So we must know the age of the child before understanding the developmental level. Here are several important points that will help you to understand child sexuality:

How To Teach Autistic Children

Andy185 — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 13:14:00 -0500

Many techniques of general education are not effective when learning how to teach autistic children. Whether you are home schooling your child or working on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as part of a public or private school program, autistic children require special considerations.

People have three basic learning styles. Visual learners learn from reading or seeing a demonstration of a skill. Auditory learners learn best from lectures, spoken instructions, or even music. A kinesthetic learner finds that movement helps and that they learn faster, for example, if they imitate a demonstrated action rather than just observing it.

How To Understand Cord Blood Storage

Andy185 — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:57:00 -0500

Perhaps you heard about it in the news, or maybe from a fellow parent, and now you need more information on how to understand cord blood storage. Here are a few answers to common questions about cord blood storage.

How To Find a Cord Blood Bank

Andy185 — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:55:00 -0500

You know how to understand cord blood storage and now you need to know how to find a cord blood bank.

The first decision to make is whether you want to use a public or private cord blood bank. This is the one aspect of cord blood storage that carries the most controversy. Do you store the cord blood in a private facility for the use by your own family, or do you donate it to a public facility for use by anyone who needs it?

The advantages of public donation include:

How To Recognize Dyslexia in Children

Andy185 — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 14:43:00 -0500

Parents and educators need to know how to recognize dyslexia in children. It is a problem that affects as many as one in six people in the United States and can have devastating effects on a person's life.

Although it is possible for it to go undiagnosed into adulthood, it is more common to diagnose dyslexia in children. By looking for these signs, it is possible to recognize dyslexia early and the earlier a child gets help, the more quickly he can overcome its limitations. Contrary to what many think, dyslexia doesn't only affect reading and writing. It can affect spoken language and gestures, and this can help parents recognize dyslexia before their child is of reading age.

Characteristics to be aware of include:

How To Understand Infant Cognitive Development

Andy185 — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:11:00 -0500

Infants learn a tremendous number of skills during their first two years. The trip from the purely reflexive "eat-sleep-poop" stage to running around asking "Mommy, why is the sky blue?" requires learning at a rate unmatched at any other stage of life. Not only are they learning new information, but their brains are physically developing at an astonishing rate and that changes the kind of thought and learning they are capable of. One model for this period of development, created by Jean Piaget, is detailed below with the addition of language milestones. Note that this article covers only cognitive development (thinking and language) and not other types of development such as gross and fine motor skills.

How To Recognize Sleep Disorders in Babies

Andy185 — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:19:00 -0500

Babies are a source of both great joy and great worry. They seem terribly fragile and, particularly if this is your first child, it's hard to know what is normal. They can suffer from a variety of sleep disorders that range from merely frustrating to dangerous and as a parent it is important to know how to deal with them.

The first thing to realize is that newborns don't sleep like adults or even like toddlers. They sleep more hours and with a different pattern. A typical newborn sleeps 16 hours per day. That sleep is in short bursts of 30 minutes to three hours, and is distributed equally between night and day. By age one, a child is still sleeping about 14 hours per day, though that sleep is in longer, less frequent periods, and most of that sleep will be at night. So although frequent waking is exhausting and frustrating for the parents, it is a normal part of infant development and not a sleep disorder.

How To Detect Diabetes in a Child

Staff468 — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 10:13:00 -0500

Many of us are familiar with the symptoms of diabetes as they would manifest in an adult. Here is a list of symptoms that will help you to detect diabetes in a child:

Frequent urination and/or bedwetting. An increase in urination might be detected in several different ways. Perhaps your child has been sleeping through the night and suddenly begins wetting his bed. If your child is still in diapers, you might find that you've been changing diapers more frequently. Or maybe your child is toilet-trained and all of a sudden, begins to have accidents.
Irritability. Your child may experience a shift in his general demeanor, such as becoming more clingy, grumpy, or quick to anger.
Increased thirst. Has your child experienced an increase in his thirst? You are looking more for a shift in usual habits than at overall intake.

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How To Solve Baby Sleep Problems

Elizabeth69 — Sun, 28 May 2006 18:27:00 -0500

As any new parent can tell you, "sleeping like a baby" doesn't mean what you think it does. Babies are notoriously bad sleepers and exhausted parents everywhere are willing to try anything to get a good night's sleep. If you find yourself pacing the floor in the wee hours of the night trying to convince your baby that nighttime is meant for sleeping, here are a few tips to help you solve your baby's sleep problems:

If you are concerned that your baby doesn't sleep normally, start with a visit to your pediatrician. Although there is usually nothing wrong, occasionally a sleepless baby may be suffering from an ear infection or other ailment that keeps her from getting a restful sleep.
Consider the age of your baby. Normal sleep patterns are in a constant state of change, so what is considered typical at three months and at nine months are very different. Here are a few guidelines based on age:

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How To Understand the Causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Elizabeth69 — Wed, 24 May 2006 07:03:00 -0500

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is defined as the unexplained death of a child up to a year old who had no detrimental health conditions. Although classifying an infant's death as SIDS is done by ruling out other possible causes, there are some factors that can contribute to SIDS. Understanding the possible causes will help you to minimize the chances of tragedy. Here are some of the most well-known and documented causes of SIDS:

Mothers who did not receive proper prenatal care have an increased chance of losing a child to SIDS. It is vital to get your baby off to the best possible start by assuring that your prenatal care is consistent. Attend all scheduled prenatal medical appointments and try to heed your doctor's advice regarding nutrition, exercise, rest, and exposure to toxins.

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How To Correct Ptosis in a Newborn

Mon, 15 May 2006 22:44:00 -0500

If your baby has Ptosis, which is a drooping of the eyelid, corrective surgery may be necessary to ensure that the vision is not permanently impaired and can develop normally. The following information about newborn vision and Ptosis can help you to determine if your baby potentially suffers from this particular condition and should undergo examination.

How newborn vision works:

From the time babies are born, they are able to see some objects and shapes, but their vision is by no means fully developed. Newborns can see faces and other large shapes, but their vision is very blurry. They can't make out the smaller details yet.
Young babies are drawn to bright colors and contrasting patterns of light and dark, since they can make out the strong differences, but most of them can't distinguish between similar shades and subtleties until they are older.

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How To Protect Infant Health

Wed, 10 May 2006 09:27:00 -0500

Having a baby is a wonderful gift, but along with the joy comes a large amount of responsibility. If you have an infant in your home, it is important that you take steps to protect her health and safety. Here are some things you can do to safeguard your baby and help give her a healthy start:

Take your baby for wellness checkups with your pediatrician. Generally, infants see the pediatrician every few weeks initially, then every few months for the first year to be sure they are growing well.
Have immunizations as recommended. Infants should to be vaccinated against certain diseases (such as measles, Hepatitis A & B and pneumococcal disease). These vaccinations can often be done during your well visits.
Prevent the spread of germs by washing your hands with soap and warm water and ask everyone else who comes in contact with your infant to do the same.

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How To Choose Children's Vitamins

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:06:00 -0500

If your children are picky eaters, you may worry that they aren't getting all of the nutrients and vitamins they need in their daily food intake. This is a common problem and one that is easily rectified by giving them children's vitamins. Today, children's vitamins come in a wide range of styles and tastes. Just check with your pediatrician before you add vitamins into your children's menu, to be sure they are an appropriate option for your specific situation. If you do decide to supplement with vitamins, here are some things to keep in mind:

Read food labels. Become aware of what portion they contain of the recommended daily amount of various vitamins so you can see where your children may be lacking.
Check to see whether many of the foods your children eat are already fortified with vitamins. Many foods today are, so you will want to be sure you aren't giving your children too much of anything.

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How To Stop Baby Crying

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 19:22:00 -0500

If your baby cries a lot, don't despair. Crying is the primary way a baby has to communicate its needs. Therefore, your baby may spend a lot of time talking to you in the only way he or she knows how: with loud wails! Here are some ways to decode the crying so you can help your baby feel better fast.

Change the baby's diaper. Some babies cry because they are wet or dirty, so this is a good place to start trying to soothe an unhappy baby.
Babies often cry when they are hungry. If it's been a while since you fed your baby, offer a bottle or your breast and see if the baby wants to eat.
If your baby is crying for a while before being fed, the crying may become more and more frantic because the baby could be swallowing air. This can make the baby more uncomfortable and can also cause spitting up. Therefore, try to respond to hunger cries as early as you can.

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How To Treat Newborn Constipation

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 04:36:00 -0500

Many newborns have their first stool within 24 hours after being born. But those who suffer from constipation have trouble with this, either having infrequent stools or dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass. These infants may strain to go to the bathroom, drawing the legs up and grunting, and turning red in the face from the effort. Worse, the passing of a hard stool can cause a tear in the rectal wall, which can bleed. All of these symptoms can be very uncomfortable for the baby and a concern for you. If your newborn is constipated, here's what you can do:

Understand that for the first few days of life, your baby will pass meconium, which is a dark green or black substance. By the third day, regular bowel movements should begin. If your baby's stools don't get regular, or if he or she is still passing meconium, this could be a sign that your baby may not be getting enough to eat.
Consider whether you recently switched from breast milk to formula.

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How To Treat Newborn Jaundice

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 19:36:00 -0500

If your baby has a yellowish tint to the skin, it could be caused by jaundice, which is a common condition that affects many newborns. Usually, jaundice is not dangerous. It is simply caused by an excess of a pigment called bilirubin, which builds up in the baby's body and can take a few weeks to subside. If your baby has been diagnosed with jaundice, here are some things you can do to help:

Understand that mild cases of jaundice do not need to be treated. They will resolve on their own.
If you breastfeed, continue doing so regularly, as this can help to eliminate extra bilirubin from the body.
Make sure that your breastfeeding baby is latched on properly and is sucking correctly. When babies do not breastfeed well, they may not get enough calories and may be more likely to get a more severe case of jaundice.
If your baby seems sleepier from the jaundice, take care to wake him or her to feed often enough.

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How To Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Elizabeth69 — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 12:09:00 -0500

One of the things that parents of infants worry most about is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. SIDS is described as the unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant in the first year of life. Although there is no way to guarantee the complete safety of your baby, there are a number of things you can do to minimize the risks:

Preventing SIDS begins even before your child's birth.
- Be sure to see your doctor on a regular basis during your pregnancy. Studies show that babies of mothers who received proper prenatal care have a lower incidence of SIDS than those of mothers who received no care.
- Do not smoke. Babies of mothers who smoked during their pregnancy are three times more likely to die from SIDS than the babies of non-smoking mothers.
Breastfeed your baby, if possible. There is some evidence that breastfed babies have a lower incidence of SIDS.

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How To Diagnose Dyslexia in Children

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 07:14:00 -0500

Dyslexia is a common learning disability that makes it difficult for people to read. Most people with dyslexia have average or above average intelligence but their brains have trouble receiving, organizing, remembering or using information. Many children with dyslexia have trouble learning in school and may be anxious because of this. If you suspect that your child has dyslexia, here are some things you should know to help you diagnose this condition:

Dyslexia can affect young children in different ways. They may be slow to talk, have more difficulty adding new words to their vocabulary and have trouble following multi-part directions.

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How To Help Obese Children

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 05:38:00 -0500

Is your child overweight? If so, he or she is not alone. Obesity is a growing concern for children and one that can lead to many serious health problems if it is not addressed early. For instance, childhood obesity is related to poor self-esteem, depression, liver problems and childhood diabetes, among other things. The effects of obesity can also follow children into adulthood, causing high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, it is important to take steps now to help your child lose weight and learn how to make healthy eating choices.

Understand the causes of your child's weight problem. Is it related to making poor food choices, ignoring portion control recommendations or having too sedentary a lifestyle? Often, the problem is a combination of those factors. It can also be a hereditary condition.

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How To Keep Premature Babies Healthy

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 20:50:00 -0500

If you're a new parent, you've probably already learned that when it comes to babies, things rarely go as planned. This is especially true if your baby was born prematurely. Premature babies, or those born before their due date, typically need to stay in the hospital longer than full-term babies, as they need some extra time to mature. Some babies just need an extra day or two, while others may need to stay in the Neonatology Intensive Care Unit for several months or more. Even when your preemie is ready to finally come home, he or she will need extra care.

Opt to breastfeed if at all possible, as your milk will provide many benefits that will be important for your baby's health and development. Most premature newborns eat 8 or more times a day.
Recognize that preemies sleep most of the time, and can be difficult to wake up. This is to be expected and is not usually cause for concern by itself.

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How To Treat Newborn Acne

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 19:38:00 -0500

Some parents are dismayed when their newborn's perfect face suddenly breaks out in tiny red bumps, which is called baby acne. While the condition may look painful, it usually doesn't bother the baby at all. And like many other difficult stages of infancy, this one, too, shall pass.

How To Treat Diaper Rash

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 07:36:00 -0500

If your baby has ever had a diaper rash - and most babies have - then you know the fiery red irritation that appears out of nowhere on your baby's delicate skin. While it may look quite alarming and may make you worry that you may have done something wrong, you can rest assured that getting diaper rashes is just a normal part of being a baby.

Diaper rashes occur when the moisture from a wet or dirty diaper rubs again the extremely sensitive skin on your baby's bottom. If bacteria or yeast then set in, that can make an existing rash even worse. But while you can't avoid all diaper rashes, if your baby is prone to them, there are things you can do to minimize new rashes and make existing ones feel better fast.

Change your baby's diaper frequently, so the area will stay as dry and clean as possible. For a newborn, this may be every two hours or as needed. Older babies can often go a little longer between changes.

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How To Get a Baby to Sleep Through the Night

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 19:43:00 -0500

While some babies seem instinctively to be good sleepers, others need to be taught how to soothe themselves to sleep and how to stay asleep all night. If your baby falls into this second category, you may be reading this with bleary eyes, praying for a miracle to help you get some uninterrupted rest tonight. While there is no magic "sleep cure" that works for all babies, the good news is that there are a number of things you can try to help you, and your baby, get some well-needed shut eye.

Plan soothing activities to help lull your baby before putting him or her down for the night. Giving a bath, reading a book or cuddling in a rocking chair before bedtime are all good ways to help your child wind down and get ready to sleep.
Encourage your baby to fall asleep without relying on a pacifier, bottle or breast. This will allow your child to learn how to comfort him or herself without extra help.

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How To Discipline Children with Challenging Behavior

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 17:23:00 -0500

One of the most difficult jobs you may face as a parent is disciplining your children, especially when they exhibit particularly challenging behavior. And when your children are at their worst, your temper is usually at its shortest. But the good news is that when you have effective discipline strategies in place, you can turn negative behaviors into positive, learning situations. Here are some things you can try to help your children become well behaved:

Decide on a discipline method you and your spouse will use and come up with some ground rules. Make sure you share this information with your whole family so everyone knows the consequences of breaking the rules.
Be consistent in responding to misbehavior so your children will know what to expect each and every time. When you have a discipline plan in place in advance, it will also help you to keep your temper and handle things calmly and coolly.

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How To Care For Your Newborn

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:32:00 -0500

Having a baby is one of the most exciting times of your life. But it can also be one of the most stressful! You may feel overwhelmed by the knowledge that your tiny newborn is totally dependent on you to meet all of his or her needs. But keep in mind that you and your baby will get through this challenging time together and in the process, you will build a special bond that will last for a lifetime. Here are some steps to get you started on the road to success as a new parent:

Select a pediatrician with whom you feel comfortable. You and your pediatrician will work as a team to give your child a healthy start. Your pediatrician will also be there for you to answer your questions and address your concerns about your child's health.

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How To Encourage Kids to Exercise

Wendy118 — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 10:08:00 -0500

With so many fun and interesting things to do indoors, it can be a challenge to encourage kids to exercise. Surfing the Internet, watching television and playing video games are the favorite pastimes of today's kids. Here are some tips that will help you motivate your children and get them moving.