Every time a company calls for a product recall, the main reason who be the high amount of lead content found in the commodities. More often than not, it includes toys, slippers, and other products for kids that use lead to decorate or paint the items. But what is it with lead that makes it very dangerous to one’s health especially your child’s?

One of the most common dangers when a child is exposed to lead is anemia. But this can also affect adults and can be very risky for the unborn child of a pregnant woman as well. In severe cases, exposure to high lead content may also be a threat to the kidneys.

If you think that your child has been exposed to lead (due to the products that you bought or because of the chemicals in your house such as paint) look at the following symptoms and seek medical health immediately.

• abdominal pain
• sleeplessness
• constipation
• headache
• appetite loss

One of the most commonly found critters at home is the spider. Although most of it are friendly, there are spiders that can be dangerous to kids like the brown recluse spider and the black widow.

If your kid has been bitten by a spider (not the two spiders mentioned above), here are some of the things that you can do to treat your child at home.

• Wash the area several times with water and soap
• Put an ice cube and let it sit for about 20 minutes
• Use an anti-biotic ointment and apply it topically on the affected area
• If your child can’t handle the pain, give him Tylenol or other pain medicine for kids
• Do these steps until the swelling goes away (about 2-4 days)

But if your child was bitten by the said spiders, seek medical attention immediately.

Unless you have proven that your child is allergic to peanuts, let them have a serving of P&J (peanut butter and jelly) at least every other day. Why? There are so many reasons why you should let them enjoy eating the most favorite sandwich around the world.

It is right that peanut butter is rich in fat. However, it is one of the good fats called mono-unsaturated fats. Some peanut butters also have poly-saturated fats as well. These are the fats that are not like the ones you find in greasy foods.

Aside from the healthy fats, peanut butter is also a great source of various vitamins including A, E, and B6.  Other nutritions that you can find in peanut butter are copper, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, and of course, protein.

Usually, if a schooling child gets apple for his/her snack, they would frown and feel frustrated. They were hoping that something greasy and fat-filled food would touch their mouth. Yummy isn’t? If you are having a hard time with your child who seems to hate apples, maybe you should give these reasons why an apple usually appears on his/her lunchbox.

1. It is healthier than any other snack!
2. Apples are low in calories.
3. This fruit is naturally sweet.
4. It is high in fibers.

See to it that you preserve the nutrients of the apple by serving it right. Don’t peel the apples because it will lose the essential fibers.  The same goes for the applesauce. Moreover, you must not give too much ready-made applesauce or apple juice because of the sugar content.

More often than not, infants up to preschoolers can’t seem to get enough of their milk during these ages. However, as they grow older, their craving for milk starts to dwindle.  Experts said that this is not because these kids are starting to hate the taste of milk. It is because they opt to drink other beverages instead such as fruit juice, fruit drinks, and of course soda.

As the parent, it is your job to make sure that your child would still drink milk even if they think they are already old enough to drink beer (is 16 the legal age?). Anyway, nobody is too old to drink milk!

Milk is the best source not only of calcium but protein and Vitamin D as well. These are all essential for the development of the child. Unless your child is allergic to milk, let them drink as much as 4 glasses everyday.  Try getting the carton that says “low-fat milk” so you too can enjoy the benefits of this healthy drink.

As parents, we know for a fact that one of the healthiest treats that your child can get is fruit juice.  But according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are also different disadvantages if you give your child too much fruit juice.

Because of the sugar content of the fruit juice, drinking too much of it may lead to obesity. It may be one of the major factors that would lead your child to become obese especially if it runs in your family.

And again, because of the sugar content of these beverages, fruit juices may also carry dental cavities and would ruin your child’s teeth early. Therefore, letting your teething toddler have too much of the good thing is actually bad for their teeth and their fragile gum’s health.

Your child’s health and safety is definitely one of your major concerns as a parent. But sometimes, a mother’s loving touch or a father’s hand that gives security is not enough to keep your baby healthy. Before choosing the doctor or pediatrician that would examine your child’s well-being from time to time, here are some of the questions that you must first ask yourself.

1. Is your child’s doctor honor your insurance policies?
2. How much do you have to pay for every visit?
3. Can you call for an appointment and schedule it the same day?
4. Is the pediatrician available even after clinic hours?
5. Where are the pediatrician’s affiliated hospitals?
6. Is his/her office has a separate waiting room for those who have sick babies?

These are just some questions that may help in finding that perfect pediatrician.  Have you already found yours?

Choosing the right product for your child can be a very daunting task especially now that there are thousands of medicines/products that are meant to be used for only one purpose. Below are some of the “pediatrician’s first choices” that you could buy in drugstores even without presciption.

Infants’ Mylicon Gas Relief Drops – This is the #1 choice of pediatricians when it comes to gas relief among infants.

Pedialyte - The recommended medicine to help your child feel better and rehydrated in case of diarrhea and severe vomitting.

Children’s Tylenol – Pediatrician’s trusted brand for reducing fever.

Baby Orajel Teething Pain Medicine – Most prescribed by pediatricians especially for first-teeth growers.

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Summer today is three times hotter than it was few years ago.  That is why it is important that you prevent your kids from being toasted during this hot season. If you have plans of hitting the beach, make sure that you put a sunblock that would fully protect your child’s skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Typically, sunburns appear within minutes after being exposed to the sun without protection. However, it would take a couple of days before your child feels the pain and even blisters because of the sunburn.

A simple burn cream or soothing lotion may help your child feel relief if he already has sunburn. You must also see to it that you let them drink a lot of water to avoid skin dehydration. Better yet, don’t let them stay on the beach for too long!

Summer is fast approaching! This means vacation, beach, and other fun-filled activities that your kids would surely enjoy. Do you already have plans? If you want your kids to have a memorable summer and discover more of their talent at the same time, why not take advantage of the summer workshops near you?

There are various summer workshops where you can enroll your child. But before doing so, make sure that you ask first your child about his interest. If you would put him in a workshop that he doesn’t like, it wouldn’t make the activities worthwhile. Some of the most common summer workshops include art, dance, music, theater and so much more!

Enrollment is probably on-going by this time since its just a few weeks before the summer.  Use the internet and look for the workshops for kids near you.