Food Allergies in Babies

Food allergies are a very common thing in children especially these days, any food can cause an allergy and it is not necessary for the parent and child to have common allergies at times it is seen some children have allergies with certain foods and their parents are ok with those foods.

The substance or the element that causes allergic reactions in food products is known as "allergen".

Protein is a very common allergen in many people.

The most common protein allergies are- 

1. Eggs

2. Fish as well as shell fish that includes shrimp, mussels, crabs, lobsters and clams 

3. Milk 

4. Nuts like hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and Brazilian nuts all there nuts grow on trees.

5 Soya

6. Wheat

In children you will see they are foremost allergic to peanuts, milk, Soya, shellfish. Most children do not have allergic reactions forever, most of the times it is seen that they all off a sudden stop being allergic to these foods as they are growing up. Usually food intolerance solves faster, it is allergy that takes time.

The difference between food intolerance and allergy is that allergies are more severe and can affect all the body parts where as food intolerance are not so severe and will affect the stomach mainly.

Given below are some food allergies that affect children as well as elders

1. Cereal allergy- very common form of allergy affects both adults and children, most commonly oats cereals are known to be allergic to plenty.

2. Coconut allergy- uncommon earlier but common now this allergy can be very severe and cause heinous illness. It is seen people with low tolerance to milk or nuts end up with coconut allergies more often.

3. Coeliac disease- gluten intolerance is now become very common; in fact in the last 3 to 4 years only in USA alone they have diagnosed nearly every 3^rd person having gluten intolerance. This allergy is hereditary and can pass on from one generation to the other. Gluten allergy can even formulate late in life it need not be an allergy of childhood.

4. Egg allergies again very common but we have seen many children come out of this allergy as they grow up, a person who has an egg allergy is very inclined to be allergic to other protein products too like chicken, soy, quail even turkey.

5. Fish allergy is common in children in some it continues for ever in some it can even die down, but those who are allergic to shell fish in particular will have this allergy for a very long time.

6. Fruits and vegetable allergies very uncommon but it does happen, many times children can have an allergy to certain fruits and most likely the fruit is the berry family. Even vegetables we have seen and heard cases of some kids being allergic to certain vegetables, most likely these vegetables are root veggies.

5. Lactose intolerance is a very common allergy, though this does disappear once the child grows.

Know more at: http://www.justthefactsbaby.com/baby/feeding-and-nutrition

Worst foods for kids

When giving food or snacks to the children a lot of thought has to be given to it. After all you need to be sure of the nutrition value of the food. Children are often addicted to unhealthy foods as they are yummy for the palate but not so yummy for the tummy. When ever you are doing your groceries before you put things in your cart, please read the nutritional value of the snack before buying it. Certain foods are so high in sugar and low in nutrition it is like feeding your child empty calories and paving the way for obesity. In Canada alone nearly 30 % of our children are suffering from childhood obesity because of overindulgence in junk food.

Given below are foods that claim to be good foods but truly deserve the worst food awards for your child-

1.  Granola bars- Many people think granola bars are healthy and will buy in each variant for their child; yes some of them are but not all. Before buying the granola bar please read the nutrition value you will be surprised to see the amount of fiber and sugar in it. For your child’s benefit please pick up bars that have fiber above 2gms and sugar not more than 10 grams. As if the sugar is higher than 10 grams then rather give them a chocolate bar instead of the sugar loaded granola bar.

2. Milkshakes and Smoothies- A large milkshake at McDonald is about 700 calories; these calories are major sugar and less fruit. We would restrict our child from having a whole cheese pizza fearing obesity but will gladly comply with a large milkshake which definitely has more calories than a cheese pizza. Instead of buying a large glass best is to stick to small portions of smoothies or milkshakes for the child as it will be low on sugar and will be easy for the child to digest it too.

Please learn to divide the child’s calorie intake sensibly to make sure he gets proper nutrition the whole day and in all the meals.

Instead of a smoothie opt for fresh fruits which are rich in fiber and contain only natural sugars you can even get them fruits with yogurt which would be less calories than a milkshake. Best would be if you make the milkshake or smoothie for them at home at least you know what all you have added and its nutritional value.

3. Instant noodles- This is the most favorite snack of every child and also mothers as it is the easiest and fastest to cook and feed your child when hungry. But the fact is that these instant noodles have zero nutrition in them and are loaded with sodium in it which is no good when in excess. Too much of salt leads to water retention these instant noodles are only and only junk food to increase their nutrition you should add chopped fresh vegetables as well as some boiled eggs or boiled chicken bits . So be it noodles or macaroni or cheese pasta they are empty foods to make them healthy please add some vegetables in them.

4. Cheese- There is major arguments where cheese is concerned major say it is the best source of calcium but truly it is a good source of calcium fine but it is also a great source of fat. In the 100 odd calories that you intake from cheese you intake 10 grams of fat too.  So if you want to give your child cheese please give it as a topping on their pizza or pasta or add it in whole wheat slices of bread instead of giving them plain cheese slice or . Even better pick up low fat cheese sticks and slices which are easily available at all stores. While picking p cheese read the fat content and the sodium content.

5. Fruit candies or gummy bears - Because they say they are fruit candies please do not think they are healthy they are loaded with sugar making them only rich in fat and not health. Yes they are rich in vitamin C but what about the sugar. Fresh fruits are definitely a better option please inculcate the child to gorge on fresh fruits as a mid day meal rather than fruit bars or candies.

Whenever you go to restaurants do not fall for kiddy meals instead be smarter order a healthy appetizer like a salad or veggie sticks and order a large chicken or veggie pizza or pasta or noodles and spilt it for your children. If you do that from the beginning your children will automatically get used to eating their veggies. You need to be strict with your child’s food habits as it has everything to do with their health if the child has unhealthy eating habit they will be unhealthy.

Get more details at http://www.justthefactsbaby.com/baby/feeding-and-nutrition

Guide to choosing the best toys for your baby

Toys are the best source of entertainment as well as education to your toddler. We are lucky to be living in a progressive world where all kinds of toys books and accessories are available for your babies comfort and entertainment.

The 1st year toys of the babies have to be bought with lots of thought, they should be soft and of good quality no kind of toxic plastic should be bought. It’s vital as whatever toys they play with will invariably land up in their mouth all the time. So while selecting their toys that should be kept in mind. The toy should have soft edges so that the baby doesn’t get hurt with it.

0-3 months- The best toys for this age group is noisy rattles. Toys R Us has a huge range of Fisherprice rattles even Mother Care makes some very cute colorful and noisy rattles for infants. Putting up a musical chime on the baby cot is also a good entertainer. Make sure the baby chime has soft music that you can put on even when the baby is sleeping. It is proved fact; music soothes the baby and helps them sleep calmly.

3-6 months – Baby gym or Play mat is a perfect gift for your little one, available n Toys R Us as well as Babies R Us. It’s a perfect toy, you can place your baby on the mat, the mats are decorated with lots of soft toys, noisy rattles and a baby safe mirror. At this age the babies are very inquisitive they want to hold everything, so rattles and soft toys on the play mat will keep them busy. Seeing their own reflection in the baby mirror will keep the baby amused and interested.While the baby is busy on the mat the mom can do some of her own work making sure the baby is in your eye view. You can also invest in a good musical rocking chair for your baby.

6-9 months – Your baby is getting more and more inquisitive. They want to reach out to everything. If your baby falls in the hyper active stage then for sure she must have started her crawling by now. By this time hopefully you have put up all the safety hooks and latches all over your house. For this period colorful noisy toy with lights is a good pick. Buy a soft colourful teether also as at this stage the babies’ gums are irritable and they tend to chew on every toy they have in their hand. So best is to invest in a good teether and give it to them. But at least buy 3 - 4 teether’s and make sure you keep them sterilized.Soft toys play phones with lights even soft colorful books of Touch and Feel are a good toy for your baby’s stage.

9-12 months- They are now a bundle of activity and keeping them entertained is an uphill task. Kids at this age get bored out of toys easily. Within minutes they are on something else. For this age pull along toys or colorful blocks or different sized and colorful balls are a good pick. If your city has a beach then buying them sand toys is a must.

At this age taking the kids to the park and giving them bucket and a shovel to play in the sand pits is good fun. Taking them for a swim with colorful floats is also a good pass time. While playing with them it’s also advisable to start teaching them thru books. Stuff like recognitions of household things like fan light table chair sofa. Teach them animal names thru books also about colors and shapes. Talk about all the above to your child they will not reciprocate but trust me they are so intelligent and you wont even know how well they have absorbed all your teachings.

Nowadays when we go to buy toys every store has toys with the age suitable printed on the box, as per that pick up your baby toys.

Know more at: http://www.justthefactsbaby.com/best/baby-toys