Peanut allergies have become a serious affliction for a rising number of children in recent years, requiring homes, school and even airlines to remove any peanut-related food items from their cupboards and menus, as accidental consumption of peanuts – or even just a sniff – can often be fatal.  While EpiPens have infiltrated thousands of kids’ backpacks and family emergency kits, things may be taking a turn for the better.

Startling statistics in a 2010 study by food allergists at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City discovered that the prevalence of peanut allergies in children across the country has risen threefold since 1997, from 0.4 percent to 1.4 percent in 2010.

While there is no known cure for nut allergies, an exciting recent study has found that exposing young children to peanuts during kinder years may in fact prevent allergies as they grow up.

The research, funded partially by The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the National Institute of Health, found that by introducing and exposing infants to a wide variety of foods – including peanuts- were actually far less likely than others to develop peanut allergies.  Published on February 23 in The New England Journal of Medicine, research showed that by regularly feeding small dosages of peanuts to babies for at least four years, it phenomenally cut their allergy risk by an average of 81%.

“The results,” said Anthony Fauci, director of the NIAID, “have the potential to transform how we approach food allergy prevention.”

Scientists were meticulous in their research, carefully screening, selecting and testing babies known to be at a higher risk for peanut allergies based on an already-established egg allergy or skin disorder known as eczema.

Babies between the ages of 4 to 11 months were tested first, using a standard skin-prick test.  If the results came back proving strong reactions, those children were excluded from the experiment for their safety and health, according to the study.  Those babies who showed no signs of irritation or reaction were assigned to either avoid peanuts altogether or to consume at least 24 peanuts a week.

Several years passed before researches reexamined the children, retesting them at the age of 5. Data concluded that children who consumed peanuts had a drastically reduced risk of developing an allergy. 35% of kids who avoided peanuts altogether developed a highly-serious allergy compared to 11% of those who ate peanuts.

According to a recent Washington Post article, Gideon Lack, lead researcher and head of the Department of Pediatric Allergy at King’s College London (where this particular research was conducted) stated: “I believe that the findings are robust enough to tell us that if a child is at risk for peanut allergy…that child should immediately, as soon as they develop the first signs, have a skin-prick test.  If the test is negative, the child should be encouraged to eat peanuts regularly.”

While this truly groundbreaking research acts as a massive stepping stone toward the future of allergy prevention and possible cures, it doesn’t mean you should fill your kid up with peanuts and hope for the best. Parents are strongly advised to consult with their child’s pediatrician regarding allergies, as many of which can be life-threatening.

To learn more about this study, please visit www.nejm.org.

The post Can Peanut Allergies Be Prevented? appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

About Jennifer Chung & Kinsights:
Jennifer Chung is a parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights.com: part parenting community, part online health record. Kinsights provides parents with a safe place to seek answers to their questions while also helping them track their child’s health information. Organize your child’s growth and developmental milestones, immunizations, medications, allergies, and more. Connect with Kinsights at https://kinsights.com to learn more and sign-up! You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter (@kinsights).

The post Tips to be your child’s health advocate appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Cringeworthy moments in a baby or toddler’s life often includes them eating food off the floor, sucking on their own toes, and touching what seems to be anything filthy they can find within arm’s reach. Most parents are quick to pull out the sanitizer and layer their kids with a thick coat of antibacterial liquid, but some would argue that society has gone a bit overboard when it comes to keeping their kids safe from germs.

A recent study published in the June 6edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that babies exposed to germs and allergens during their first few years of life have healthier immune systems than those babies with limited germ exposure.  Such children are also less like to suffer from breathing issues like asthma later on in life.

Dr. Robert Wood, lead author of the study, was actually stunned by the results, which showed that those who aren’t exposed to common household allergens (like those from pets or dust) within the first year or life may not develop as strong an immunity as those who are exposed early in life.

Data from this research found that of the children tested, 41% of those who ended up being allergy free came from homes where large amounts of bacteria and allergens were found. Doctors related this research to previous studies that found that children who grow up on farms are less likely to have asthma and allergies, which is most likely due to increased exposure to bacteria from farm animals and outdoor living.

So what does this mean for moms? It means spending a little less time dusting and vacuuming, and a little more time enjoying the benefits of a somewhat untidy home, all for the sake of your child’s health and immunity!

The post Befriending Germs for Better Immunity appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

By Samantha McConnell

We have all lied to our child’s pediatrician.

We are all guilty; and I don’t think a single one of us are ashamed to admit it.

Never about anything life threatening of course, we wouldn’t want to impede on the health evaluation of our child. Considering that insurance costs upwards of a zillion dollars (give or take an arm or a leg) annually to pay for these five minute check-ups, providing false information would just be fiscally irresponsible.

Here are five lies that are commonly told to pediatricians at some point, and perfectly logical and arguable justifications for these exaggerations of truth. Rest easy ladies, you aren’t alone in your fibs.

1. Yes, my child gets a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every day, he just loves them!

As a parent, the struggle of feeding is REAL! At some point, knowing when to pick your battle is far more important that getting your toddler to eat that kumquat. Besides, someone has to keep the kid’s gummy vitamins in circulation.

2. She watches no more than three, two, one hour of television a day.

This one is tricky. They know we are bold-faced lying and they know exactly how to navigate and dissect this lie. Not even saying the television is on for background noise escapes their interrogation. Best bet, hope this question isn’t asked.

3. Yes, he gets put to bed tired and before he is asleep.

This one has gotten me into big trouble on numerous occasions (until I learned the importance of omissions of truth of course). Particularly with infants that get a bed-time bottle it is nearly impossible to catch that exact moment when he is still awake, but only barely so; that mythical opportune moment to get him in his crib still slightly awake to establish a consistent and independently fueled sleep routine. I do not think I know of a single person that has been successful in this. Besides, I can say with complete confidence that at this stage of early motherhood, mom herself is falling asleep as well while giving the baby that bed-time bottle. Besides, what better way to end the day than with a sleeping infant nestled in your arms.

4. Yes, she goes to bed in her own bed, in her own room.

This, for some, may fall into the category of omission of truth. Yes, she may go to sleep in her own room, in her own bed, but the doctor doesn’t ask about five minutes after bed time when she just wants to snuggle! Sleep easy on this one ladies.

5. He is off the bottle and only using sippy cups!

… Except at bed time. This I consider another omission. Cutting down from 4-5 bottles a day is a huge accomplishment in itself. Until you are ready to handle a few nights, or even weeks, of a screaming and exhausted child who has become accustomed to that bottle to fall asleep, keep omitting mom, I promise I won’t tell.

The post Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

One of the biggest concerns for any mom is that her children are getting the proper nutrition so that they can be healthy and happy. After all, that is what moms everywhere want for their children. However, what your child is eating may be causing some behavior problems according to some recent studies. Research from Dr. Neil Ward of the University of Surrey has found that there is a link between excessive amounts of certain metals in food and aggressive or anti-social behavior in children. Since children’s brains and bodies are still developing, these metals could be causing conditions such as autism, anxiety, and depression as well as learning disabilities.

The strong associations between what children are consuming through their food and behavioral problems have been scrutinized for several years. Back in 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated the link between hyperactivity in children and artificial food dyes. These substances are used by manufactures to enhance the color of processed foods, yet there was a real concern that these dyes were linked to ADD and ADHD. There have also been concerns about links between the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) found in tooth fillings and social problems, depression, and anxiety in children.

Our bodies need some small amounts of trace metals like copper, iron, zinc, and magnesium. In high doses, however, they could be fatal or cause nutritional deficiencies of other substances. For example, a high dose of magnesium has links to high blood pressure and nausea. Moreover, there are some metals that have no health benefits and actually act to block nutrition absorption in the body. High doses of lead have long been linked to health problems. Dr. Ward states that high levels of lead may be associated with violent behavior, juvenile delinquency, and reduction in IQ scores. Other metals of concern that could be in food are mercury, aluminum, arsenic, and cadmium.

Harmful metals can get into our food by a variety of ways. Some of them are just naturally-occurring substances that are already present in soil, water, and the air. Food can be contaminated just by normal production activities such as farming. Often, these substances get into our food by during the processing step by food manufactures, and they are occasionally added by pollution. The levels of harmful metals build up in our bodies over time from consuming tainted food and water.

So what can moms do about this? Eating healthy is the best way to keep children from ingesting harmful levels of metal. If possible, wash your food before consuming. This is especially important for fresh fruits and vegetables. There is also an abundance of organic and locally produced foods available today. Ensure your child’s health and happiness with a well-balanced, varied diet.

The post Are Metals to Blame for Your Children’s Behavior? appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

For moms of young children, taking your kids to the doctor can be one of the most frustrating experiences. Many children become upset at the doctor’s office, refusing to go in the exam room at all costs or making a scene by crying and screaming uncontrollably. Next thing you know what was supposed to be a routine visit turned into a dress rehearsal for the Apocalypse!

To adults, a child’s distress about doctor visits might seem irrational. No matter how young or old your kids are, though, they will likely have some fears and other negative feelings about going to the doctor. They might be afraid of the doctor himself, that the exam will cause pain, or of being separated from you. There might also be some beliefs that going to the doctor is a form of punishment or anxiety that something is bad is happening to them.

As parents, we know that having medical checkups for our children is crucial for their health and wellbeing. The problem is that kids often are not aware of this and need your help in order to know to expect when going to the doctor. Here are suggestions for preparing your children for visits:

Be Honest About the Reason for the Visit

It is always a good idea to sit down with your children and explain the reason they need to go to the doctor, whether because it is just for a checkup or because of a specific problem. Use language they can understand and keep a positive tone. Try to do this in advance so the doctor’s visit is not a total surprise.

Go Over What to Expect

You can also talk to your children about what to expect during the exam itself. Explain what kinds of things the doctor might do during a routine exam like taking their temperature, looking into their eyes and ears, and feeling their tummies. Many parents find it helpful to role play what the doctor might do by using their child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll. You can also introduce children to the instruments a doctor will use with a children’s book or toy doctor’s kit.

Address Your Children’s Feelings

When you talk to your children about the doctor, address any specific negative feelings they have in a supportive way. Reassure them that you will be with them the whole time. Explain that going to the doctor is not punishment for something they did. Remember that your child may or may not display signs of having negative feelings about seeing the doctor, so he or she might need your encouragement to express these feelings.

Help Your Child Cope

During the exam itself, you child may experience unpleasant medical procedures like getting a shot. Help your child deal with these by learning age-appropriate distraction and coping techniques like positive self-talk, deep breathing, singing, and rocking or patting.

With these tips, your child’s next visit to the doctor can be a success instead of an all-out-war that only leaves you frustrated and exhausted.

The post Preparing Your Children for a Doctor’s Visit appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

The home is a revered place in the context of family life and has spawned many wonderful adages such as “Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home”, “Home is where the heart is” and many more.  Among its definitions are:  a valued place regarded as a refuge or place of origin; a congenial environment; a place that serves as a social unit formed by a family living together; and an environment offering security and happiness.  In general, a home often fosters images of warmth, comfort, security and happiness.

In reality though, the home can be and often is a dangerous place for health and safety.  Health agencies have reported that one-third of all fatal injuries and one-third of injury-related accidents treated in emergency rooms happen in the home.  Among those most vulnerable to injuries and harm are children.  If the most important responsibility of parents is to protect the health and safety of their children, it is critical that they are aware of the potential health hazards in the home and take every measure available to ensure that the home is indeed a safe environment for their loved ones.

Two of the greatest sources of danger to children in the home are injuries, and even death, from choking and falls.  Addressing that problem, a Southern California-based company – Big John Products, Inc. – has created, manufactured and is distributing two patented products specifically designed to prevent harm to children from these two sources in the home. 

Heimlich Helper: A Life Saving Deterrent to Choking

Surveys have revealed that 60% of children (ages 14 years and under) who are admitted to emergency rooms are there as a result of choking on food.  The New York State Department of Health reports that choking is the fourth largest cause of death for children less than five years of age and the primary reason is related to choking on food. 

The Heimlich Helper provides an individual who is choking with the ability to remove the foreign object without the aid of another person – much as the “Heimlich Maneuver” is utilized for the same purpose when applied by another person.  It is lightweight and can be used by children or it has two person grips that allow another person (e.g. parent, sibling) to assist if needed.  It has no batteries and comes with a wall mount enabling it to be available in a convenient place (e.g. kitchen).  The Heimlich Helper is easy to administer and can be used in two ways: (1) with the person’s back to the wall administering the thrusts towards his/her stomach or (2) with the device anchored to a table with the thrusts going forward. 

Window Wedgie:  Eliminating Harm to Children Outside the House

Keeping the children inside the home and safe is critical – especially preventing them from falling through windows.  The Center for Injury Research and Policy of the National Children’s Hospital reported that during a recent 18 year period, an average of 5,200 adolescents per year were treated for window falls (average of 18 per day) with an average of eight deaths per year.

The Window Wedgie was created to keep children inside and safe – both from falling out of windows and also for use with sliding glass doors to restrict them from getting outside and being exposed to a myriad of potential sources of harm (e.g. pools, hillsides, animals, getting lost).  The device is simple to install, easily removable and will withstand 50 pounds of pressure.  Recommended amount of space to be open is four inches. 

With proper recognition of the inherent dangers that lurk for children in the home combined with taking proper measures to eliminate these potential sources of harm, parents can ensure that the home will truly be a place of safety and security for their children.

Additional information on the Heimlich Helper and Window Wedgie can be obtained from the company’s website, www.bigjohnproducts.com.

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