Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part II

Continuing with our "Food Intolerance versus Allergies" report by Leanne Cooper, from Organic Bubs, here is part II:

Adverse Reactions:
Some physical signs & behaviors that may indicate an allergy or insensitivity to a particular food being ingested by your child are:

• Diarrhea or loose stools (it may be very smelly).
• Flatulence or gastric upset, colic.
• Vomiting.
• Hives, itching, runny nose.
• Wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing.
• Blotchy skin, mouth sores, red rash around mouth.
• Black circles under the eyes.
• Moodiness, irritability, excessive crying, lethargy.
• Aggressiveness

anaphylactic shock occurs, that the infant should be taken to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part I

Leanne Cooper, a nutritionist from Organic Bubs, released a useful guide for parents about food intolerance and allergies. Kids are very sensitive to new ingredients, and understanding the differences between intolerance and allergy may be very helpful.

Below is the first part of the report. Stay tuned for the second and third parts tomorrow and Wednesday!

Food Intolerance versus Allergies - Part I

"Often the term "allergy" & "intolerance" are used interchangeably. Be aware that self-diagnosing can be risky, as not all reactions to food are what they seem. In fact, "allergy" & "intolerance" are different.

A food allergy involves an immune response to a food protein or similar large molecule. A good example is cows' milk protein allergy or peanut allergy.

Definitions of food intolerance are a little less clear. Generally, it is easier to think of it as a non-immune response where the body is unable to deal with a food compound. One of the best known examples is lactose intolerance where a baby may not have sufficient lactose (a digestive enzyme) to digest milk sugars. Food intolerance is much more common than food allergies.

While kids' immune system is still developing reactions to some foods may occur even in infants who do not have a family history. Foods that commonly cause reactions include: gluten/wheat, dairy products, soy, eggs, fish & shell fish, tree nuts, citrus fruit and tomatoes.


If there is a history of food allergies, eczema or asthma in the family (particularly in a breastfeeding mother) it is recommended that a health professional be consulted. We don’t recommend restricting a child’s diet unless under professional supervision so that nutrients lost from the restricted food is gained elsewhere. Babies are growing at such a phenomenal rate that it is essential they get all the nutrition possible."

Cleaning Hazards

Some home cleaning products may contain airborne substances known to cause asthma to kids and adults. Unfortunately kids are very vulnerable!
The Environmental Working Group came up with a few easy tips to consider when cleaning the house (and schools!):

1. Dilute cleaning supplies. Less is usually more!
2. Clean with windows and doors open so air pollution is not trapped inside your home.
3. Wear gloves. Cleaning chemicals may harm or penetrate skin and eyes.
4. Keep kids away from cleaning products.
5. Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar and other acids. They can produce deadly gases.
6. Try to find certified Green products. They tend to be a lot less toxic.
7. Skip the biggest hazards. Avoid air fresheners, use a baking soda and water paste to clean the oven and tackle stains, and use a mechanical snake to unclog the drain.


For more tips, visit ewg.org

Diaper Changing Made Easy

Diaper bags can be bulky and cumbersome, and sometimes very impractical. How many times have you reached for a fresh diaper and changer pad with just one available hand, and got frustrated?
Well, we came across Patemm, a practical solution to the problem. A high-quality cotton pad with a round design that accommodates squirmy infants and toddlers, and also serves as a diaper bag. It comes with pockets for diapers, wipes and a change of clothes.
The version we tested was fabulous! Made of waterproof, laminated cotton, it is free of BPA, lead, PVC and latex. And very stylish. Clearly designed by an experienced mom.

For product details, logon to patemm.com

Baby Einstein Offering Refunds for Videos

We've always believed that videos are not good for children under 2 years of age, debilitating their cognitive development.

Disney, owner of Baby Einstein, has been threatened a class-action lawsuit for unfair and deceptive practices as a result of its false "educational" claim. Disney agreed to refund the full purchase price to all who bought the DVDs since 2004. We love that!

For more information on the refund, logon to babyeinstein.com.

Useful Database for Concerned Mommas

HealthyStuff is an organization that researches toxic chemicals in everyday products. Check their website for test results for over 5,000 products, including children toys. They also rate car seats, kids' apparel, teethers, etc.
It is a great resource to consult before buying products for our kids.
Check it out! www.healthystuff.org

Children's Personal Care Harm

Moms love buying products for their children. Who doesn't like the scent of baby products? Well, while they smell good, sometimes the products may be harmful for kids. Here are a few points to consider when shopping children's personal care products.
1. Use fewer products, and use them less frequently.
2. Don't trust claims. Check the ingredients.
3. Always opt for fragrance-free products.

Below are some product tips from the Environmental Working Group:
Shampoo and conditioner: Avoid DMDM hydantoin, fragrances, ceteareth, and PEG compounds
Body wash and liquid soap: Avoid triclosan, DMDM hydantoin, and fragrance.
Toothpaste: The American Dental Association recommends fluoride-free products for children under 2. Also, avoid triclosan and PEG compounds
Sunscreen: Children under 6 months of age should not be in the sun. Older children should have limited exposure, and always use products with UVA and UVB protection.
Baby wipes: Avoid 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol, DMDM hydantoin and fragrance.
Diaper cream: Avoid BHA, boric acid, sodium borate and fragrance.
Baby powder: Don't use them. Lung damage results when baby inhales the small particles released during application.

For more information, logon to ewg.org

SIGG Bottles Contained Bisphenol-A

Children's bottle maker SIGG has admitted that the epoxy lining used for years in SIGG bottles - which they secretly swapped out for a new liner last summer - contained the hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A.
Parents all over the world, advocates of their supposed high quality bottles, are very annoyed with the news.
Bottles purchased before August 2008 contained the old BPA liner.
For more information click here.

Is My Baby Weird?

This morning msn.com published a great article about child development. So many parents, including me, are always analyzing their kids’ behavior, and are often concerned about what is normal and what is not.

Chances are, he or she is just unique….

I was pleasantly surprised that my kid’s obsession with electrical cords and electronic equipments is quite a standard. The link is posted below. Check it out!

Is my Baby Weird

Little Things, huge Impact

Little things can have a huge impact on growing kids, affecting their psychological, cognitive and social developments.

Kids tend to imitate their parents all the time, and this dynamic plays a big role in their development. What is familiar, weird, right, wrong, acceptable, impolite, etc, will be a reflection of their frame of references.

Even little things such as how our attitude fluctuates with our emotions, can affect a child’s behavior. If you are mad and tries to control your kid by raising your voice (yelling), it can be interpreted in their little minds as an effective way to intimidate and control others.

Cognitive development can also be hugely improved by parents and childcare providers with proper stimulation. The word “Cognitive” comes from the Latin root “cognoscere” meaning “to become acquainted with”, “to come to know”. Talking to them, explaining the reasoning behind actions, situations and problems can help them understand the world, and learn the “cause and effect” rule. Allowing kids to communicate their points of view brings confidence and develops their thought process.

This is our golden opportunity to maximize their development, taking it to the best possible direction!

Bouncy Love

If you have kids, chances are you are a huge fan of bouncer chairs. What a great invention!

It is one gear that will buy you at least one hour of peace and rest a day. I’m yet to see a baby or young toddler that doesn’t get completely entertained in one of those for at least an hour. It is a bit noisy, but you just can’t have everything!

Someone gave us as a baby shower present. I confess that we didn’t have the slightest idea that it even existed until that moment. Since the first minute we put Lukas on it, it was like magic, he loved it. We didn’t even put batteries in the chair. He bounced himself by kicking it with his heels.

The toys hanging are very amusing, and for some reason the bouncy movement makes him very drowsy. It is an hour of self-entertainment, and an extra-hour of nap. As a bonus, the dog also gets quite amused….

God bless its creator!

If You Are a Runner or a Walker

Walking or running are great ways to exercise. Being able to walk to the grocery store, a cafe, or to see my friends is a great opportunity to burn calories and save resources (gas and money!).

We got an “all-terrain” type of stroller that works really well. It is a bit heavy to take on trips, but a great gear to have in the city. The wheels are big and wide, so riding it on smooth or rough pavements is a breeze. And the suspension keeps the little one comfortable anywhere. Its large canopy protects my son against rain or sun. I also keep a net and an umbrella in the pocket, in case of mosquitoes, or rain to cover myself. A diaper changer, when I remember, is also useful to keep in the pocket!

There are several brands available in stores, most marketed as running strollers. The one we got is from BOB, but overall look for “all-terrain” features (large wheels and suspension) and a long canopy for protection.

Daily Dose of Energy

Every day I raise my energy level with a great workout, a blend of fresh antioxidant fruits and positive thoughts. Well, at least I try! If time doesn’t allow for a great workout, I go for a shorter power walk.

Setting aside ten to fifteen minutes at night to relax my mind and meditate completes the cycle, and energizes my ability to maintain positive thoughts.

As role models for our kids, we have the duty to teach them self-motivation and the importance of taking good care of themselves.

Wikipedia defines self-motivation as the ability to “find a reason and the necessary strength to do something, without the need of being influenced to do so by another person. Working in a careful and consistent manner without giving up.” This precisely defines great personality traits that I want my kids to develop.

As busy parents, we often put ourselves at the bottom of our priority lists. Taking good care of ourselves is a great exercise but requires some discipline! Cultivating our health and mind can only bring positive results for the whole family. Definitely a win-win!

Making your Own Toys

Young kids love playing with different materials. That is a great opportunity to develop their creativity, and teach them their first lessons about renewable resources!

Large boxes, fabric, non-toxic glue and paint are ideal elements to have fun with. Ok, I’m far from being creative in arts with my hands, but just the experience is already worth it! A large box, cut on both sides can turn into a fun tunnel! A long and colored piece of fabric with different patterns becomes a little play field. An empty plastic container with coins inside can make interesting noises. Even a bunch of nylon sponges with different colors may turn into a puppet, which all toddlers love to play with!

Learning how to transform materials into creative pieces is a great skill to have for life. Wait until they are teenagers to buy them elaborate gifts, when they are definitely more demanding. Toddlers have fun with anything different that allows them to explorer forms and colors