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

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.

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?

Do you know that there are actually hundreds of babies found dead in their own cribs because of unsafe bedding?

One of the most commn reactions of every couple once they knew that they are getting pregnant is EXCITEMENT! And because of this excited feeling for a little bundle of joy, they shop for the things that would seem to bring comfort and luxury to the baby including the crib and the beddings. Unfortunately, they sometimes forget that the simpler bedding is the mos advisable especially for infants.

Don’t buy thick quilts that are very, very soft. Although your little one would be very comfortable lying in these soft quilts, they can be at risk because of these beddings.  Thick blankets are not also advisable as well. If your baby’s room is cold, then just put on something that would make him feel warm like a set of pajamas.

Even though spanking is considered illegal in more than 20 countries, there are still some parents (particularly in countries located in Asia) who thinks that spanking is the right way to discipline their child. By the time that you spank or hit your children, you may show them who’s the Boss and create fear. However, you would never gain respect in the long run.

There are also other disadvantages of spanking that is why this is not advisable if you want to separate what is right from what is wrong.

1. Children who grew on spanking becomes aggressive.
2. They usually suffer from anxiety.
3. It teaches them that violence and aggression is the only way to solve problems.
4. It affects your child’s performance at school.

Keep in mind that being positive parenting is more powerful than spanking. There are other ways to discipline your child without hurting them.

If you want your child to develop his/her vocabulary early, experts suggest that gestures would be a great help in doing so.

A child who shows more gestures at an early age will eventually have stronger vocabulary/language skills later on. Researchers said that most of the children who have strong language skills belong to the priviledged family. Those children who are less priviledge usually have limited words or vocabularies.

Why? Probably, one of the main reasons for this is that families who are well-off have more objects that the child can see including toys, furnitures, and alike. These things provide the parents bigger opportunities in showing gestures that their children would imitate.

However, whether you have a place filled with stuff or not (and whether you believe the said research or not), the child-parent communication is still the main influence in your child’s mental development.

Do you have other ways in improving your child’s vocabulary?

Food allergy is something that you should give attention to.  This may lead to severe health problems and can be life-threatening as well.

In a recent study conducted by the experts in Chinese medicines, a fresh herbal antidote called FAHF-2 or Food Allergy Herbal Formula is said to be the “cure” for those who have food allergies particularly peanuts.  Dr. Xiu-Min Li, who spearheaded the research, said that it could also work on other food allergies as well including shellfish, fish, and even tree nut.

But even if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration already gave its approval to the FAHF-2, you must remember that the tests were only conducted on mice. It was only last year when the FAHF-2 was tested on humans.

Food allergies vary and so does the allergic reactions of the kids. Do you think that this animal-tested medicine may also do wonders on children and adults who are suffering from food allergies as well?

Our idea of “sleeping tight” is when you see kids smiling while their eyes are closed and travelling in their Dream Land. However, many parents (especially the first-time parents) are troubled if their babies, toddlers, or kids are snoring.

Snoring is actually normal. This is something that you should not be worried about. More often than not, a child snores if they have colds or allergies that would result to stuffy nose.

But there are some cases that you should be bothered with your child’s snoring. If your child usually catches his/her breath while sleeping or the snore seems to loud, he/she might be having a disorder called Sleep Apnea. Although this usually to the children between 3 up to 6 years old, sleep apnea may also occur in younger child as well.

See to it that you mention this to your pediatrician. This may cause your child to be inactive during daytime since they might be awaken during the night because of this sleeping disorder.

Do you think your child has a sleep apnea or you think that his/her snoring is something that you should not be worried about?