Sometimes, though, mental health problems can be prevented in children. Problems such as aggression, anxiety, stress, and depression can be dealt with early in life (as early as two and three years old) when mental health programs are made available to parents and their children.

The Institute of Medicine found that the programs that do work at the lower age levels are:

• The Good Behavior Game
• Positive Parenting Programs
• Clark Cognitive-Behavioral Prevention Intervention
• The Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies program

For a summary of these please see the article entitled How to Protect your Child’s Mental Health.

Additionally, in President Obama’s new children’s health insurance plan there is a new policy for low-income parents: increased insurance for children with mental health problems.

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Protect Kids’ Mental Health

I have always very clearly stated that AJ has never had a diagnosis of Autism but that we believe that he may be on the spectrum because of his symptoms. However, he may very well simply be a sensory seeking/avoidant child or a child affected by Institutional Autism. Or, he may be a child affected by heavy metals and environmental toxins.

Every professional we have seen has been very cautious about giving us a diagnosis…perhaps because they don’t know. Is it possible that AJ’s birth mother was malnutritioned during the time she carried AJ?

Very Possible. And I have NEVER ruled that out. But, its hard to grasp.

There is a great new book out that will help all of us with mislabeled or undiagnosed children. Written by Brock Eide, M.D., M.A, and his wife, Fernette Eide, M.D., even Carol Kranowitz is toting it as a fantastic resource for parents.

“As informed physicians and informative writers, the Eides delineate children’s mystifying behavior and ways to help them get in sync. For all of us who care about children with unlabeled or mislabeled needs, this book is a must!”

Carol Kranowitz, M.A.

The Midwest Book Review states that The Mislabeled Child “provides parents, teachers and educators a fine, clear guide to children who are different, how diagnoses often fail, and how to look behind labels to find the basics of a child’s problems.”

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Is Your Child Mislabeled?

Everyone who live with or care for children should also be vaccinated in order to prevent hospitalization or death.

According to the CDC, the flu is a contagious disease that can cause symptoms such as a high fever, sore throat, coughing, extreme tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, and even nausea and diarrhea in children. Each year in the US, an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized because of flu related complications.

Children who are getting the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses of the vaccine the first year. The second dose should be given 28 days (or more) after the first dose.

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

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Flu Vaccines

Why?

Because being born at that time of the year increases the chance of a respiratory infection during infancy, which also increases the chance of asthma.

WebMD

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Fall Babies Higher Risk for Asthma?

This is your friendly reminder to schedule your family’s flu shots, now.

The cold and flu season are about to begin, and I’m all about protecting your family against influenza and its complication.

Should your family member get vaccinated? 

Yes, if he is high risk for complications of the flu. No, if he falls under this category of people.

• Children up to 9 years old who are getting the shots for the first time should receive two shots, and one shot every year thereafter.
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children need to be vaccinated as well. Yes, that means up parents, grandparents, teachers and baby sitters in regular contact with children.
• Flu Mists are OK for healthy toddlers.
• Flu vaccine is now recommended for older children and teens too.

Pregnant? Consult your doctor.

Remember, vaccines do not cause autism. Studies have shown no scientific evidence that autism is caused by vaccine or thimerosal itself. But if you’re concered about this, talk to your doctor about getting a “preservative-free” vaccine.

source: Flickr

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Have you scheduled flu shots yet?

And then earlier this year, the agency warned against using over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 2 years, and later to children up to 11 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics even weighed in that these drugs are ineffective for treating cough and cold, and so the FDA was urged to enforce a ban.

But the FDA has rejected a call to an immediate ban on cough and cold medicine, saying that the ban might drive parents to give adult medication to their children.

This is where it gets lost on me. If the dosage is wrong, and the drug is ineffective anyway, why is it still in the market?

image used with permission by Newscom

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FDA rejects ban on children’s OTC cough and cold medicine

The first tip: PLAN AHEAD. Nothing is more stressful than not having a plan for times like these. Enlist help with care-giving ahead of time. Identify your list of resources (aka family, friends or church), and what day/time they’re available. Scout for sick-child daycare and carecenters before your child gets sick. Ask about a flexible schedule at work, and what your options are.

Kids Growth lists several more tips when you have a sick child and a demanding job.

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A sick child versus demands at work

So now I’m stumped. Do I keep them separated the whole time he is sick? I do tell her to wash her hands often, but should I do that everytime she touches him? Yeah, he has coughed on her several times already and I have to tell HER to cover her mouth when the baby does that.

So, help me out here, will you please, and share your tips.

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE OTHER CHILDREN (AND THE PARENTS) HEALTHY WHEN ONE OF THEM IS SICK?

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Share your tips: How to keep other children healthy when one is sick

The pediatrician said the rashes and fever might be caused by a virus, so we’re sort of quarantined for the next few days. And then today, my sister asked me if my son has a simple viral fever, or a roseola.

A what? ROSEOLA is an extremely common but mild infection that affects children under 2. Symptoms include a rash that develops after fever has subsided. Well, my son had the rashes before his fever even started, so he may not have roseola.

Still, if you suspect your child has one, click here for more information on symptoms and treatment.

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Just a virus, or roseola?

How do you know if your child has a swimmer’s ear? The most common symptom is severe pain, which becomes worse when the child tugs on the ear. Other symptoms include:

• Swelling in your ear or lymph nodes in the neck.
• Feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the ear.
• Pus draining out of the ear.
• Decreased or muffled hearing.

Swimmer’s ear is easy to treat but could have complications or pain that may require a visit to the doctor. Mild cases can be treated with a solution of half strength white vinegar ear drops (half water/half white vinegar) twice a day. 

Other home remedies for mild cases of swimmer’s ear include:

• Heat therapy. Place a warm (not hot) heating pad over or against your ear to help reduce pain.
• Pain relievers. Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to ease your discomfort.
• Ear protection. Keep your ear dry while it’s healing. Use earplugs when showering or bathing. Don’t swim or clean your ears until the infection is gone.

Don’t let your child swim if he has swimmer’s ear. In fact, that’s also the key to prevention – keep water out of your child’s ears.

source: Mayo Clinic

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First aid: Swimmer’s ear