Baby Care and Parenting Tips

A craft trend that is all the rage is making green crafts. Not the color – but the environmentally correct kind. They are inexpensive, fun, and teach kids about being creative when reusing and recycling. Going green with crafts is great because kids learn to be eco friendly and help the environment. Green crafts are inexpensive to make since you probably have all the materials already. Eco friendly arts and crafts also give kids a chance to let their creative spirit out – instead of using prepackaged, pre-conceived craft kits.

There are many items to use that you have around the house: cardboard boxes, plastic food containers, toilet and paper towel rolls; empty glass jars; old greeting and Christmas cards, plastic and paper bags; paper or Styrofoam plates; egg cartons; old Tupperware; wooden spoons, material scraps or worn out clothes, buttons, ribbons, used wrapping paper, etc.

Crafts can always be supplemented with some free gifts from mother nature, like leaves; sticks; sand; rocks/stones; flowers; pine cones, etc.

Keep a large box in the basement or garage and put items in that can be used for crafts. On a rainy day, let your kids and their friends make up their own crafts using the recycled materials. They may need a few extra items like glue, paint, scissors, staples, etc. You will probably be amazed at their creativity.

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Studies have shown that more than 1 in 5 children suffer from allergies and you child might just be one as well. It’s important to understand child allergies and to be aware of the triggering factors within your child.

Allergies are designed to protect us but sometimes our immune systems might take it a little too far and over-react to certain air-borne pollutants and food. When it occurs in young children, especially babies, they can be quite miserable indeed. The symptoms can be anywhere from a simple runny nose, to itchy eyes, stomach aches, rashes and eczema.

With child allergies becoming more and more common these days, we need to learn how to deal with it as part of live. Recent statistics are showing that the number of child allergies are on the rise and “Anaphylaxis”, a severe allergic reaction that occurs where the blood pressure drops and breathing becomes quite difficult is increasing as well.

While small children can be allergic to many things, food is by far the most common factor.  Foods such as eggs, nuts, soy, wheat and dairy are normally responsible for allergic reaction, especially when ingested for the first time by the child.

The most common signs that your child is allergic to a certain type of food might be the break of our a rash, hives or eczema. Stomach upsets and vomiting is not uncommon either. These symptoms are considered mild and for other more serious reactions like breathing difficulties, call an ambulance right away – do not risk your child’s life by thinking that the reaction might subside soon.

Usually it is quite difficult to tell if your child’s reaction to a certain food will change as they grow older, but as seen in most cases, if the allergic reaction is mild it will generally remain that way. Overall, most children do outgrow these food allergies by the time they start attending school.  However, there are certain allergies like nuts, that people normally never outgrow and become life-long sufferers.

Other allergens such as grass, pet hair, mold and dust mites might cause allergies in children as well. The most common symptoms are runny noses, sneezing and itchy red eyes. Child allergies can also spawn from bee stings or insect bites which can result in a mild rash to the more severe breathing difficulties. Do consult your doctor with regards to what to do should these events occur.

In conclusion, although it is not possible to actually prevent allergies in your children, you can help them by educating them on what the allergic triggers are, so that they know how to avoid allergens when possible.

Amy Chan is an author and publisher for several online blogs and websites which focus on children’s and women’s health, shopping and nutrition. She also does write-ups for business ideas and business equipment. In her latest articles, she tells you how you can streamline your business by utilising a portable barcode scanner like a pda barcode scanner.

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