Alternative Care and Your Child
At least 20 percent of regularly healthy children in the United States benefit from alternative health care, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can cover anything from chamomile tea to yoga and it has been practiced on children to help cure a variety of conditions, what do you need to know about it? Read on to learn more.
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Heading Off Head Lice
If your child comes home with lice, you're not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 6 to 12 million people ages 3 to 11 in America are affected by head lice on an annual basis. While no human is immune from infestation, children attending childcare, elementary school children and individuals living with infested children are most susceptible. How much do you know about these crawly critters? Read on to find out more.
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Following the Food Guide Pyramid
You want to make sure your children are eating well, but how can you know for sure they are getting all the nutrients they need? The United States Department of Agriculture developed the Food Guide Pyramid for people over the age of 2 to help you and your family eat a nutritionally varied, well-balanced diet. The Food Guide Pyramid shows that all foods can be part of a healthy diet when eaten in appropriate proportions.
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The Importance of Immunizations
As the start of a new school year approaches, it may be time for your children to get their shots. If your children put up as much of a struggle as most, you may wonder if it's worth all the hassle. The simple truth is that immunizations save lives. Use this guide to help your children make the best of getting their immunizations.
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Keeping Kids Moving
Are your kids continually moving, or are they becoming couch potatoes? If you can't get your children to sit still long enough to eat dinner, you may be luckier than you think. According to the American Heart Association, physical activity has numerous long-term benefits. So if your children love television more than playgrounds, it's time to pry them off the couch and get active as a family! Read on to learn how to make exercise fun.
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Keeping Swim Time a Safe Time
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drownings are the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 through 14, second only to motor vehicle accidents. The majority of those accidents occurred because the children (and their parents) overestimated their ability to swim. You can strengthen your children's water skills with a simple step that could save their lives: teach them to swim.
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Playing It Safe
Playing sports can help your children be healthy and happy, and being involved in organized athletics can teach your kids tolerance, self-discipline, and hard work. Playing sports can be very dangerous, however, if you don't follow safety precautions. Millions of pediatric bone fractures, dislocations, and muscle injuries are treated each year as a result of recreational activities. How can you keep your children safe while letting them enjoy athletics?
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Keeping Kids' Teeth Healthy
A diet loaded with junk food can wreak havoc on dental health, but is limiting the amounts of candy your children consume enough to ensure healthy teeth and gums? Most experts say no. Proper dental hygiene also plays a crucial role.
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Long-Term Illness Strategies
When we think of illness in children, the common cold, an ear infection, or a sore throat come to mind. But five out of every 100 children in America are hospitalized each year for a major illness, injury, or disability. These children sometimes need long-term care in a hospital and/or while recuperating at home, and their families need help coping with the emotional, social, and financial stress.
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Keeping an Eye on Dental Hygiene
For many children, brushing their teeth may be one of their dreaded daily routines. As long as your child's breath has lost the smell of last night's dinner, you may be content. However, smell is not the only indicator of good dental hygiene. Here are four fun and clever ways to ensure a long and happy relationship between your children and their teeth.
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