How To Give Medicine To Your Child

Giving medicine to your child can be difficult at times. Here are some tips so that taking medicine will be enjoyable for your child.

1. Make it fun!
* Before she takes her medicine, give her a cold drink, ice cream, ice chips or flavored ice lolly. Cold temperatures can numb the taste buds. Medicine can also be chilled but don't forget to take note of the required storage temperature.
* Pretend giving the medicine to her favorite stuffed toy first.
* Cover up the bad taste of the medicine by giving a spoonful of sugar-free peanut butter, chocolate syrup or jam. You can also give your child juice or crackers after taking the medicine.

2. Proper way to give medicine:
* You can use pacifier medicine dispenser, dose cup or syringe when giving medicine to your child.
* A safer way to give liquid medicine to your child is to hold her in a seated position on your lap.
* Read the information written on the medicine's bottle or box first before giving the medicine.
* Always follow your doctor's instructions.

3. TLC Approach:
* Allow her to take charge. - Let her decide what she wants to drink afterwards. You can also ask her where and how she wants to take it ( in one big gulp or with baby amounts).
* Give "window" time. - Don't force medicine to your child when she's upset. Divert her attention to something fun and then offer to the child after 1 hour when she feels better.
* Reward your child. - Give her a sticker of her favorite cartoon after she takes her medicine.
* Make it a family affair. - If your other child is taking medicine also, you can encourage them to race. The first one to finish gets a prize.
* Be honest to your child. Tell her the importance of taking medicine.

credit: gsk

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic Dermatitis (also known as atopic eczema or skin asthma) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by red, itchy skin. It is most commonly seen in infants and children. For some children, the condition improves as they grow older. For others, it continues to be a significant problem into adulthood.

Atopic Dermatitis is generally attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. Children have a strong probability of developing atopic dermatitis if one or both of their parents have had it or have had any allergic conditions.

Here are some things to remember if your child has Atopic Dermatitis:

1. Avoid contact with cleansers or detergents which contain soap. Soaps and detergents trip the skin of its protective lipids, causing the skin barrier to be further impaired. This increases water loss from the skin which may worsen the eczema.
2. Don't scratch or rub the affected skin because it can intensify the itch.
3. Avoid exposure to extreme temperature changes
4. Choose clothing made of cotton instead of wool and linen.
5. Avoid food that can trigger the eczema like cow's milk, egg, soy, seafood, wheat and peanut.
6. Keep the skin well moisturized. Moisturizers soothe the itch and dry skin associated with atopic dermatitis.

Treatment Options for Atopic Dermatitis:
1. moisturizers like Physiogel AI Cream, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
2. topical steroids like Hydrocortisone
3. oral antihistamine like Cetirizine

source: Stiefel

Helpful Tips: Treating A Child With Diarrhea

When your child has diarrhea, it is important to

A. Give fluids such as
1. Oral Rehydration Solution - ORS prevents dehydration. This is the ideal solution for replacement of electrolyte losses due to diarrhea and vomiting. Gatorade (which mothers usually give) is not the ideal solution to give to a child. Available brands recommended are Pedialyte, Glucolyte or Hydrite.
2. fresh buko or fruit juice
3. vegetable or chicken soup
4. salted rice water or "am"
5. yogurt drink (salted)

B. Avoid the following:
1. caffeinated drinks (softdrinks, ice tea, coffee)
2. too oily food
3. commercial fruit juices
4. anti-diarrheal medicines like loperamide
5. antibiotics (consult your pediatrician first)

C. Give small, frequent feedings. Breastfeeding should be continued.

D. Give zinc supplement to shorten the duration and decrease the severity of diarrhea.

When giving Oral Rehydration Solution,
A. Use of feeding bottles is discouraged.
B. Instead use a cup, spoon or dropper. Dropper for infants, spoon for children under two years old and cup for older kids.
C. If the child vomits, rest the stomach for 15 minutes before giving ORS to the child.

Fab Finds: Indigo Baby

I came across Indigo Baby while browsing a local magazine. This online store was created by 2 young moms who wanted to work at home so that they can spend quality time with their babies.
I discovered a lot of pretty interesting and quite unique stuff in their store which I think are very helpful for those mothers out there.

Check out my fab finds:
1. HANDY DANDY CHAIR WRAP - This is the first time that I've read of such a thing and it's really a fab item. There are times when my family and I would go out to eat and we would bring our little nephew. Most of the time there are high chairs available for little kids. I always end up cleaning the chairs and chair handles first with alcohol because he might touch the dirty surface and place his hands in his mouth. This wrap by Indigo is convenient since it is washable and more sanitary to use.

2. FUNKY FEET - These socks that look like shoes are really so cute. These are ideal for babies (6 months and below who still can't stand or walk) because it is more comfortable to wear than real shoes.


3. BABY LEGS - These leggings or warmers are cute too. They keep the legs warm at the same time give added protection against mosquitoes. My nephew always wears pajamas even during daytime to protect him from insect bites so this is a great alternative since it's easier to change his diapers too.



4. ZIPPEE SAC - Another must-have is this diaper bag with a built-in mat! There's no need cleaning the surface in the diaper changing area in mall comfort rooms when you change your baby's diapers.

BGONE Insect Repellant Spray

I just found out a few days ago when I ordered my 3rd batch of Bioneem products that the The GreenCow Company has a new product, the BGONE (Bioneem) Insect Repellant Spray. This one is oil-based and comes in a 50 ml spray bottle which is convenient when going outdoors. It is composed of Andiroba Oil with Neem and it is 100% non-citronella and 100% non-DEET. It is both a natural insect repellant and skin moisturizer. This is also said to be ideal for kids with sensitive skin.

Aside from BGONE Spray's insect repellant effects, it can also relieve joint pains (in arthritis), scalp itchiness, muscle pains and many others.

It is recommended to spray the oil onto skin every 4 to 10 hours when going outdoors to give protection against mosquitoes.

I actually tried the spray today. I noticed that the smell is not that strong compared to the Bioneem lotion. (I don't know how to describe it but the lotion has a distinct aromatic smell.) I also noticed that it's not that sticky or greasy. ( which is different from what I expected because the spray is oil-based). It is also cheaper than the lotion. It costs P195 while the lotion costs P325. This makes the spray a cheaper alternative if parents can't afford the lotion.

For more information regarding Bgone spray and other products, just visit The GreenCow Company website.