While thumb sucking is a perfectly normal thing for small children to do, and most go through a thumb sucking phase, it is best to try to stop this as soon as possible.  This goes for a dummy too by the way.  Why is this?

Thumb sucking is a good way for children to bend their teeth out of position.  While thumb sucking may not cause teeth to go out of shape in itself, it can certainly make the problem worse in kids with hereditary problems.  Experts have recently told the U.S. food and drug administration that thumb sucking after the age of seven can affect not just the teeth, but also the alignment of the jaw. 

So if you don’t want your child to have to wear braces and other orthodontic appliances in later life or have a wonky smile, try and kick that thumb sucking habit in the butt as soon as you can!  Vigilance is the best way to do it – try and distract your child whenever you see their thumb going towards their mouth.  It’s a hard habit to kick, but it is just that – a habit.  There is no reason why a child should suck his or her thumb so stay firm, and think of the benefits for your child’s teeth in the long run, even if he or she protests.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal cords located in the larynx. Laryngitis is usually associated with a weak, hoarse voice, sore throat and sometimes a fever. Coughing and tickling in the back of the throat often occurs.

 

The most common cause of laryngitis is a viral infection. It may hang around after the initial infection is over. You will know the infection is over when the fever and ill feeling are gone.

 

Laryngitis can be quite irritating. People that use their voices a lot are often more susceptible to getting laryngitis. This includes singers, cheerleaders, auctioneers and polititions.  Young children that cry a lot or shout while playing can easily get laryngitis. Smoking and second hand smoke can contribute as well, or cause the irritation to last longer.

 

The treatment of laryngitis is as follows:

• Sucking on cough candies or lozenges
• Quit smoking or do not smoke around your children
• Avoid smoky places
• A humidifier will often help
• Gargle with warm water and salt
• Speak soft and do not whisper
• Try a hot shower
• Drink warm liquids 

Some signs that it is time to see your family doctor:

• If you have a hard time breathing
• If you are hoarse for more than one month
• If you are gasping or drooling
• If you have a deep cough
• If you have a fever over 101 degrees

If you have any questions or concerns about laryngitis consult your family doctor.

Scientists have developed a new test which screens new born babies for enzyme deficiencies, potentially detecting harmful problems from the outset. 

Although rare, enzyme deficiencies in babies can cause metabolic diseases which can be deadly.  Examples of these are Tay-Sachs, Fabry and Gaucher syndromes.

Frantisek Turecek, a chemistry professor at the University of Washington, Seattle, said in a statement to journalists:  “All of the damage from these diseases is permanent, so if you can start treatment early, in a few weeks or months, you can begin to minimize the damage.”

Professor Turecek and his collegues have designed a test which is undertaken by taking some blood from baby’s heel and then subjecting it to special analysis.  The process takes under two days to gather results, and can screen for fifteen deficiencies at once.

So what do the enzymes do?  Enzymes are situated in structures called lysosomes, which help break down large molecules in most cells.  With an enzyme deficiency, waste material builds up in the cell which can be harmful.  In the most extreme cases, an enzyme deficiency can cause mental problems, blindness and even death by the age of five or six.

Unsurprisingly, a recent study has found out what generations of women have known for centuries:  new mums are tired!
The study found that five weeks after giving birth, most mums were tired, had sore breasts and didn’t much feel like having sex.  The study’s author, Pat McGovern, said: “This study highlights the need for ongoing rest and recovery beyond four to six weeks postpartum, and the need for more support for women.”
Obvious though it may sound, the study does have a serious point.  One in six women in the US go back to work just a month after giving birth.  41% return after three months.  The federal Family Medical Leave Act states that women who work at companies with more than 50 employees can take three months of unpaid maternity leave.  But Ms McGovern fears that many women are going back to work still suffering from delivery related symptoms. 
Ms McGovern concluded that there should be more education, so that mums know what to expect after the birth.  She also thought that there should be more financial support available, for mums who can’t afford to take the full three months off.

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye problems that children can have. It causes itching, inflammation, swelling and redness. There can be clear, while or yellowish green goopy liquid that collects in the eyes.

 

Conjunctivitis is called pink eye due to the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids becoming pink or red. Pink eye can start in one eye, but it can affect both eyes. It usually doesn’t hurt, but it is itchy which can get quite annoying. Sometimes pink eye has the same sensation of having an eyelash stuck in your eye and not being able to get it out.

 

Adults and parents can get pink eye too; it isn’t just children that contract it. It lasts for a short period of time; about a week, sometimes less. It will go away by itself or after treatment (it should be treated to reduce the amount of time it is contagious).

 

Children can get pink eye from bacteria or viruses. This is called “infectious conjunctivitis”. Viruses that give you a cold can cause pink eye. You can get it by touching the hand of someone that is infected with pink eye, then rubbing your own eyes. It is that simple. Washing hands regularly help to keep the bacteria under control.

 

Children can also get pink eye from allergies. If the child has pinkeye that is cause by bacteria, the doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops. These drops will not work if the pink eye is cause by a virus.

 

If your child is irritated try wiping the eye with a cotton ball saturated in warm water. This will loosen the goop from the eyes making it easier to blink. Try to make sure that the child doesn’t touch their eyes. This helps keep the infection under control. Call your doctor if you see any signs of conjunctivitis.

In the first twelve months, bowed legs are normal. The legs will bow out naturally and begin to straighten as the child grows. By four years old it is very common to see a child become knock kneed, and between the ages of seven and ten become straight again.

 

This is common in a child with a family history of knock-knees. In some cases, the knock-knees are due to some sort of trauma that has happened affected growth in the knee area. Sometimes it is even caused by arthritis.

 

Most cases of knock-knee do not require any form of treatment. Children with knock-knees are usually just observed over a period of time. This allows time for growth to correct the legs. Some parents take pictures of their children standing then several months later they take another picture. This can help compare the progress.

 

Sometimes the child will be fitted with a brace if the knock-knees keep progressing. Operations are only needed in severe cases of knock-knees. The surgery is done for improving the way the child walks, cosmetic purposes, or to prevent arthritis. If you have any questions about knock-knees consult your family doctor.

Does your child wet the bed? Well he or she is not alone. Here are a few tips to help prevent this problem:

1. Try not to give your child a drink before bedtime. A small cup is fine, but for persistent bedwetters try to make sure your child drinks only an hour or so before bed. That way he or she can use the toilet before sleep.
2. If the problem is very persistent, a temporary solution can be to wake your child up at a certain time each night. Although this will not stop the problem, it will mean that your child has a chance to go to the toilet and may prevent wet sheets for a time.
3. Again, for very persistent bedwetters, it can be an idea to purchase some disposable nappy type pants. But it is not a good idea to use them except in extreme cases, as then your child will not be learning how to prevent bedwetting.
4. Try using a ‘moisture alarm’. This is a small alarm that wakes your child up the moment it detects moisture. Research shows that a child who uses the alarm each night usually stops wetting the bed by themselves in a period of approximately three months.
5. Keep a calendar of your child’s wet and dry nights, which will help you notice any improvements.
6. If the problem is severe and persistent, you may wish to consult your doctor. There are certain medications which may help your child to control his or her bladder.

Find out more about bed wetting.

Campaigners against the advertising of junk food for children are complaining that food companies are trying new ways to get around current laws, such as advertising on the Internet using MSN.

McDonalds has recently signed a deal with Microsoft to produce a ‘Theme Pack’ for MSN messenger, which offers special deals for customers.  McDonalds argue that the pack is used in an opt-in basis, and is not specifically targeted at children. 

A McDonalds spokeswoman told a UK newspaper: “We are one of a significant number of companies offering Theme Packs on MSN. The Theme Packs are intentionally developed on an ‘opt in’ basis, where the user must deliberately select the icon themselves.”
But MSN estimates that it has nearly a million users who are under the age of eighteen, and without parental controls there is no way of stopping children viewing the theme pack. 

Parents would be well advised to monitor their child’s use of the internet, to ensure that their little ones aren’t falling prey to the unhealthy eating messages online.