Archive for May, 2011

Advantages of breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best food that a mother can give your child newborn . Not only for its composition, but also the bonding that occurs between a mother and baby during the act of breastfeeding. Because it contains everything the child needs during the first months of life, breast milk protects the baby against many illnesses such as colds , pneumonia , diarrhea , ear infections , urinary infections , and even prevent future as other diseases asthma , allergies , obesity , etc.

However, breast milk is not only good for the small, but for the mother. Women who breastfeed lose weight gained during pregnancy more quickly, and hardly suffer from anemia , hypertension and postpartum depression .

Advantages of breastfeeding
One of the advantages of breastfeeding is that breastfeeding helps the mother lose weight faster, because a lot of energy from fat that has been acquired during pregnancy.

Adding even more benefits, one can say that the milk is organic food. Not manufactured, not packaged or transported, thus avoiding energy waste and environmental pollution. For the family is a big savings. Breast milk is not an expense and above all, is the best way to feed your baby.

For all these reasons and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Breastfeeding Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of the child’s life and continued breastfeeding with adequate complementary foods up to 2 years of age or older.

The child’s sexual identity

The presence of symptoms and sexual desires for children, from early childhood, was one of the most important controversies raised by Sigmund Freud, the Father of Psychoanalysis, almost a century. Imagine the scandal of such an approach to society of the time! Since then studies on the subject did not stop and now occupies space sex education in many schools and many families.

The child’s sexual identity
The development of human sexuality begins with physical contact, when babies are subjects and cherished. That is natural and necessary occurrence. You should not deprive the baby of body contact. We must recognize the child as a sexual being, in relation to himself and others, in order to build their own sexual identity. Infantile sexuality is one of the doors through which children can develop their personality and their relationships with affectivity.
Sexuality is a natural thing in humans, a function like many others, like eating, walking, reading, studying, etc. And as such, should be a subject matter with ease, honesty, love, and having its own space within the child’s educational process.

Sex education and parents
The roads leading to the knowledge of his own body, your feelings, etc., Are not always the most suitable for children. Today, the interference in this process are learning that the child is, increasingly early age, exposed to a severe manifestations, and often incomprehensible, sexuality. The cult of beauty, fitness and seduction, the media do not distinguish the age of his audience. There is an abuse of the sexual manifestations, where children are indiscriminately exposed. Sexual content can accelerate the manifestations of children in the area of ​​sexuality, considering that they learn by imitating what they see their parents, television, out-doors, erotic dance and fashion clothing, etc. The bad influences and harmful misconceptions granted to the child.

In a general way all that can avoid these bad interference is the family. They are adults, parents, who should play the role of filtering information. You need to create and maintain an open channel of communication with their children, opportunities for discussion and intervention on what is right and what is not, related to all subjects, especially sexuality. It is advisable to monitor closely monitor the environment and children’s activities, to advice when deemed necessary. As far as possible, you should not miss any opportunity to engage in conversation about their concerns, interests, etc..

How much has weighed the baby?

The weight and height of infants says much about their physical development. Since its birth, the baby is weighed and measured and, especially, in the first year of life, weight and measures of growth should be monitored by the pediatrician.

Weight and infant size at birth
Heredity and the time of pregnancy the baby chooses to be born determined, in principle, their weight and height. Thus, the size of the parent influences the child’s weight and height not only at birth, but also in its further development. Regarding the timing of delivery, there is a distinction between those born at term and those who are ahead of 38 weeks of gestation. In other cases, maternal disease that has not allowed to receive enough food during pregnancy or gestational diabetes can also determine the weight and size of baby at birth.

How much has weighed the baby?
It is the most frequent question they answer parents after the birth of your child along with the name chosen for him. Below 2,500 grams, is considered low birth weight in babies born at term, while above 4,000 grams, the weight is assessed as high. The average value is situated between the two measures and around 3,000 grams.

How much should your baby grow and gain weight?
The measurement of weight and height are routine checks to be carried out each visit your doctor. It is important not to obsess about these measures because the peaks of weight gain and growth are not always the same and, during the first year, change each quarter.

Thus, during the first three months, the weight gain between 750 – 900 grams per month. Between the third and sixth month, decreasing and increasing turn around 500 – 600 grams per month. Between the sixth and ninth month, weight gain is less, between 350 – 400 grams per month. And, finally, between the ninth month and year of age, the monthly average is between 250 to 300 grams.

Tips for infant feeding

Good nutrition is vital for the child to grow up healthy and strong. Eating well does not only affect their physical growth , but also his intellectual development. Proper nutrition of children during the first years of life can impact positively on their state of health , as well as their ability to learn, communicate with others, think and rationalize, socialize, adapt to new environments and people and, especially, in school performance. A good diet can significantly affect their future.

Tips for infant feeding
The food is the basis for a good physical, mental and social development of children. Therefore, a diet healthy is vital for their growth is optimal. It is advisable not to abuse of the vegetable fats and eat at least five times a day fruit and vegetables.

Good nutrition and practice of exercise is the first line of defense against many diseases that children may leave marks on the children for life. Nutrient intake differs depending on the different stages of its evolution.

Good nutrition and good health are directly connected through the lifetime, but the connection is even more vital during childhood. During this period, children can learn good eating habits in regard to the variety and taste of food.

The effects of malnutrition in early childhood (0 to can be devastating and long lasting. May prevent the development of behavior, cognitive, educational achievement
and reproductive health, thus undermining the future productivity at work.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding
The sooner the better. It is important that the child is offered the breast within half an hour after birth . After the first shot, the baby tends to fall asleep a few hours. It is also important not to limit the time of the shots, only the child knows when he is satisfied. During this time, it is recommended that the baby stay with his mother to stimulate the skin to skin contact between them. Thus, the breast can be offered as soon as you notice that the child is willing to suck, and not just for crying. Crying is a late sign of hunger.

Do not forget that a healthy baby does not need more liquid than you get from the milk of his mother, and therefore neither necessary nor advisable to provide water or serum glucose solutions. Before giving “extras” or any food other than breast milk should consult your pediatrician.

Weight and height chart for children

Weight and height chart for children
The tables on the ideal weight and measurements are approximate, an aspect that should be taken into account when weighing and measuring your child. This guidance does not replace the advice of your pediatrician. Still respecting and considering the monthly revisions prescribed by the doctor. He shall give the final say how much the physical condition of your child.

The WHO table
Until April 2006, the growth charts were based on a small child population, the same geographical origin and without distinguishing between breast-fed babies and those fed on formula. Fifteen years ago, the World Health Organization, WHO is aware of this situation and that such tables could be interfering in the health care of infants, he decided to start a much larger study. The target population includes children of various ethnicities and backgrounds, and novelty is that all have been breastfed, which is considered the gold standard in terms of food.

Treatment of hyperactivity

Consequences for the family with a hyperactive child
Parents tend to define a hyperactive child as immature, rude and thug. His behavior causes conflicts in the family, disapproval and rejection. They are irritating and frustrating in terms of educational attainment of parents, and some children tend to social isolation. This disorder is detected and before the 7 years and some have more severe symptoms than others. One thing to keep in mind is that if parents bicker over-the hyperactive child may be encouraging a lack of self-esteem on their part (especially if you criticize him for everything he does) and fed back into the disorder, as the small eventually strive not behave, they will always end up scolding him whatever he does.

Treatment of hyperactivity
Treatment depends on the individual case.
The most widely used drug treatment are stimulants, which serve to help the child to concentrate better, and sedatives in cases where the child displays psychotic features.
The treatment is psychotherapy aimed at improving family and school, promoting better integration of the child at a time, that apply behavior modification techniques.
The cognitive therapy is based on the approach to tasks, where children learn to plan their actions and improve their internal language. From age 7, the internal language assumes a role of self-regulation, these children are not as developed. To perform any task is taught to first assess all the possibilities of it, to concentrate and to check the partial and global results when completed.