OBESITY 2.0 – ARE WE WINNING OR LOSING? OR IS MY CHILD OBESE?

By Theresa Kiene

In the beginning of our children’s lives, tracking their weight gain is an important measure of how well they’re growing and eating. We remember their weight and height so well that we can recite it to our friends like a badge of honor. For parents whose babies are not gaining weight fast enough, it remains a worrisome burden to find the right foods and portions to help “put on weight.” But as our children change and get bigger – so do parent’s worries. Looking at a survey of more than 2,000 adults, researchers at the University of Michigan report that childhood obesity rose to the top of the worry list for parents, from worry number 3 in 2007.

But, there’s some good news: for the first time in decades, the childhood obesity rate has actually leveled off rather than risen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found “no significant changes” in kids’ high BMI (body mass index, an estimate of body fat using height and weight measurements) scores between 2003 and 2006, and no “statistically significant trends” from 1999 to 2006 – while the statistics aren’t in yet for the 2007 to 2008 period, that’s good news. The bad news is that the number of overweight kids isn’t decreasing either – about 32% of children and teens are considered overweight or obese.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition. According to the CDC, a child is considered obese when they’re BMI –for-age is in the 95^th percentile or above. Your pediatrician will help you to determine if your child is overweight by calculating your child’s body mass index (BMI). For instance if your child is in the 80^th percentile, this means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80% have a lower BMI. Because BMI doesn’t take into account things like muscularity or a larger than average body frame your doctor will factor your child’s growth and development into the overall weight assessment. Additionally, your doctor evaluates your child’s eating and exercise habits and family history into the final number.

What Does This Mean To You?

Obese children have a 70% chance of becoming obese adults. Obese children are also at risk for a wide range of physical, emotional and psychological health issues like:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Bone and joint problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Early puberty
• Being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers
• Depression & low self-esteem

What Causes Obesity?

There are many reasons why a child becomes obese. Genetics and hormonal causes play a part. In addition, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, media and marketing and the physical environment all influence eating and exercise habits. However, the primary reason children become obese is unhealthy eating habits and little or no exercise. Research show that eating preferences are formed as early as the first 7 months of life, therefore, exposing the youngest members of the family to fresh fruits and vegetables can go along way towards making healthy choices for a lifetime.

How Do I Prevent Obesity In My Child?

No matter what your child’s weight, it’s important to instill the basics of making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.

Healthy Eating Habits

· As parents we buy the groceries and prepare meals for our children so it’s important to minimize the snacks and choose fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid highly processed foods that contain loads of sugar and fat.

· Shop the perimeter of the store first. This is where the healthiest freshest foods are kept. Be an avid reader of ingredient lists on everything you buy – 5 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. While the nutritional labels are per serving, there are usually more than one serving in each container.

· Eliminate sugary drinks and sodas from your child’s diet – there’s no nutritional value and they make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.

· Have fresh snacks on hand that you’ve already prepped and are divided into smaller amounts for grab & go. The short amount of weekly time set aside to do this will pay off many times during the week.

· Never use food as a reward or punishment. And never force a child to clean their plate. When they say they’re full let them stop eating so they will trust their bodies to know when they’re full.

· Restore the family table. Sit down together as a family and make it a time to share news and tell stories. Your children will really look forward to it and can help set the table and participate in meal preparation. Leave the television off and no eating in front of the computer screen or video games. Children will eat too fast and be unaware of how much they are consuming.

· Be aware of appropriate portion sizes – generally, the size of your child’s fist.

· Limit outside dining and frequent snacking. (Do we ALWAYS have to provide snack for every activity in which our children participate?!)

Physical Activity

Children who are active are more likely to become active adults. Exercise is especially important to burn calories, and to build strong bones and muscles. They will also sleep better at night, something that brings a smile to my face. Here are some ideas to increase your child’s activity level:

· Limit screen time to less than two hours a day. That includes all screens beyond television like computers and video games.

· Keep it fun and playful. Burn calories by emphasizing playing games over exercising which will only bring unenthusiastic moans.

· Tune into your child’s interests and make it a physical activity. Even children whose favorite activity is art or reading will enjoy a nature hike, finding items to collect and creating art projects. Walk to the library or store to get your next book.

· Be an active role model. Fun activities that the whole family can do together makes exercise less of a chore.

· Variety is important in exercise and learning. It’s important that children have a variety of experiences and learn what they like. Try swimming, bowling, hopscotch or jump rope.

Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop healthy lifestyle habits and self esteem. Don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of health and fitness. Teaching healthy eating and exercise habits is as important as learning to read and write. Schedule yearly well-child visits and discuss your family’s lifestyle habits. Always emphasize the positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like the fun of playing outside and find reasons to praise your child’s progress.

OBESITY 2.0 – ARE WE WINNING OR LOSING?

By Theresa Kiene

In the beginning of our children’s lives, tracking their weight gain is an important measure of how well they’re growing and eating. We remember their weight and height so well that we can recite it to our friends like a badge of honor. For parents whose babies are not gaining weight fast enough, it remains a worrisome burden to find the right foods and portions to help “put on weight.” But as our children change and get bigger – so do parent’s worries. Looking at a survey of more than 2,000 adults, researchers at the University of Michigan report that childhood obesity rose to the top of the worry list for parents, from worry number 3 in 2007.

But, there’s some good news: for the first time in decades, the childhood obesity rate has actually leveled off rather than risen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found “no significant changes” in kids’ high BMI (body mass index, an estimate of body fat using height and weight measurements) scores between 2003 and 2006, and no “statistically significant trends” from 1999 to 2006 – while the statistics aren’t in yet for the 2007 to 2008 period, that’s good news. The bad news is that the number of overweight kids isn’t decreasing either – about 32% of children and teens are considered overweight or obese.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition. According to the CDC, a child is considered obese when they’re BMI –for-age is in the 95^th percentile or above. Your pediatrician will help you to determine if your child is overweight by calculating your child’s body mass index (BMI). For instance if your child is in the 80^th percentile, this means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80% have a lower BMI. Because BMI doesn’t take into account things like muscularity or a larger than average body frame your doctor will factor your child’s growth and development into the overall weight assessment. Additionally, your doctor evaluates your child’s eating and exercise habits and family history into the final number.

What Does This Mean To You?

Obese children have a 70% chance of becoming obese adults. Obese children are also at risk for a wide range of physical, emotional and psychological health issues like:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Bone and joint problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Early puberty
• Being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers
• Depression & low self-esteem

What Causes Obesity?

There are many reasons why a child becomes obese. Genetics and hormonal causes play a part. In addition, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, media and marketing and the physical environment all influence eating and exercise habits. However, the primary reason children become obese is unhealthy eating habits and little or no exercise. Research show that eating preferences are formed as early as the first 7 months of life, therefore, exposing the youngest members of the family to fresh fruits and vegetables can go along way towards making healthy choices for a lifetime.

How Do I Prevent Obesity In My Child?

No matter what your child’s weight, it’s important to instill the basics of making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.

Healthy Eating Habits

· As parents we buy the groceries and prepare meals for our children so it’s important to minimize the snacks and choose fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid highly processed foods that contain loads of sugar and fat.

· Shop the perimeter of the store first. This is where the healthiest freshest foods are kept. Be an avid reader of ingredient lists on everything you buy – 5 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. While the nutritional labels are per serving, there are usually more than one serving in each container.

· Eliminate sugary drinks and sodas from your child’s diet – there’s no nutritional value and they make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.

· Have fresh snacks on hand that you’ve already prepped and are divided into smaller amounts for grab & go. The short amount of weekly time set aside to do this will pay off many times during the week.

· Never use food as a reward or punishment. And never force a child to clean their plate. When they say they’re full let them stop eating so they will trust their bodies to know when they’re full.

· Restore the family table. Sit down together as a family and make it a time to share news and tell stories. Your children will really look forward to it and can help set the table and participate in meal preparation. Leave the television off and no eating in front of the computer screen or video games. Children will eat too fast and be unaware of how much they are consuming.

· Be aware of appropriate portion sizes – generally, the size of your child’s fist.

· Limit outside dining and frequent snacking. (Do we ALWAYS have to provide snack for every activity in which our children participate?!)

Physical Activity

Children who are active are more likely to become active adults. Exercise is especially important to burn calories, and to build strong bones and muscles. They will also sleep better at night, something that brings a smile to my face. Here are some ideas to increase your child’s activity level:

· Limit screen time to less than two hours a day. That includes all screens beyond television like computers and video games.

· Keep it fun and playful. Burn calories by emphasizing playing games over exercising which will only bring unenthusiastic moans.

· Tune into your child’s interests and make it a physical activity. Even children whose favorite activity is art or reading will enjoy a nature hike, finding items to collect and creating art projects. Walk to the library or store to get your next book.

· Be an active role model. Fun activities that the whole family can do together makes exercise less of a chore.

· Variety is important in exercise and learning. It’s important that children have a variety of experiences and learn what they like. Try swimming, bowling, hopscotch or jump rope.

Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop healthy lifestyle habits and self esteem. Don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of health and fitness. Teaching healthy eating and exercise habits is as important as learning to read and write. Schedule yearly well-child visits and discuss your family’s lifestyle habits. Always emphasize the positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like the fun of playing outside and find reasons to praise your child’s progress.

OBESITY 2.0 – ARE WE WINNING OR LOSING? OR IS MY CHILD OBESE?

By Theresa Kiene

In the beginning of our children’s lives, tracking their weight gain is an important measure of how well they’re growing and eating. We remember their weight and height so well that we can recite it to our friends like a badge of honor. For parents whose babies are not gaining weight fast enough, it remains a worrisome burden to find the right foods and portions to help “put on weight.” But as our children change and get bigger – so do parent’s worries. Looking at a survey of more than 2,000 adults, researchers at the University of Michigan report that childhood obesity rose to the top of the worry list for parents, from worry number 3 in 2007.

But, there’s some good news: for the first time in decades, the childhood obesity rate has actually leveled off rather than risen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found “no significant changes” in kids’ high BMI (body mass index, an estimate of body fat using height and weight measurements) scores between 2003 and 2006, and no “statistically significant trends” from 1999 to 2006 – while the statistics aren’t in yet for the 2007 to 2008 period, that’s good news. The bad news is that the number of overweight kids isn’t decreasing either – about 32% of children and teens are considered overweight or obese.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition. According to the CDC, a child is considered obese when they’re BMI –for-age is in the 95^th percentile or above. Your pediatrician will help you to determine if your child is overweight by calculating your child’s body mass index (BMI). For instance if your child is in the 80^th percentile, this means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80% have a lower BMI. Because BMI doesn’t take into account things like muscularity or a larger than average body frame your doctor will factor your child’s growth and development into the overall weight assessment. Additionally, your doctor evaluates your child’s eating and exercise habits and family history into the final number.

What Does This Mean To You?

Obese children have a 70% chance of becoming obese adults. Obese children are also at risk for a wide range of physical, emotional and psychological health issues like:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Bone and joint problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Early puberty
• Being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers
• Depression & low self-esteem

What Causes Obesity?

There are many reasons why a child becomes obese. Genetics and hormonal causes play a part. In addition, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, media and marketing and the physical environment all influence eating and exercise habits. However, the primary reason children become obese is unhealthy eating habits and little or no exercise. Research show that eating preferences are formed as early as the first 7 months of life, therefore, exposing the youngest members of the family to fresh fruits and vegetables can go along way towards making healthy choices for a lifetime.

How Do I Prevent Obesity In My Child?

No matter what your child’s weight, it’s important to instill the basics of making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.

Healthy Eating Habits

· As parents we buy the groceries and prepare meals for our children so it’s important to minimize the snacks and choose fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid highly processed foods that contain loads of sugar and fat.

· Shop the perimeter of the store first. This is where the healthiest freshest foods are kept. Be an avid reader of ingredient lists on everything you buy – 5 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. While the nutritional labels are per serving, there are usually more than one serving in each container.

· Eliminate sugary drinks and sodas from your child’s diet – there’s no nutritional value and they make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.

· Have fresh snacks on hand that you’ve already prepped and are divided into smaller amounts for grab & go. The short amount of weekly time set aside to do this will pay off many times during the week.

· Never use food as a reward or punishment. And never force a child to clean their plate. When they say they’re full let them stop eating so they will trust their bodies to know when they’re full.

· Restore the family table. Sit down together as a family and make it a time to share news and tell stories. Your children will really look forward to it and can help set the table and participate in meal preparation. Leave the television off and no eating in front of the computer screen or video games. Children will eat too fast and be unaware of how much they are consuming.

· Be aware of appropriate portion sizes – generally, the size of your child’s fist.

· Limit outside dining and frequent snacking. (Do we ALWAYS have to provide snack for every activity in which our children participate?!)

Physical Activity

Children who are active are more likely to become active adults. Exercise is especially important to burn calories, and to build strong bones and muscles. They will also sleep better at night, something that brings a smile to my face. Here are some ideas to increase your child’s activity level:

· Limit screen time to less than two hours a day. That includes all screens beyond television like computers and video games.

· Keep it fun and playful. Burn calories by emphasizing playing games over exercising which will only bring unenthusiastic moans.

· Tune into your child’s interests and make it a physical activity. Even children whose favorite activity is art or reading will enjoy a nature hike, finding items to collect and creating art projects. Walk to the library or store to get your next book.

· Be an active role model. Fun activities that the whole family can do together makes exercise less of a chore.

· Variety is important in exercise and learning. It’s important that children have a variety of experiences and learn what they like. Try swimming, bowling, hopscotch or jump rope.

Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop healthy lifestyle habits and self esteem. Don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of health and fitness. Teaching healthy eating and exercise habits is as important as learning to read and write. Schedule yearly well-child visits and discuss your family’s lifestyle habits. Always emphasize the positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like the fun of playing outside and find reasons to praise your child’s progress.

OBESITY 2.0 – ARE WE WINNING OR LOSING? OR IS MY CHILD OBESE?

By Theresa Kiene

In the beginning of our children’s lives, tracking their weight gain is an important measure of how well they’re growing and eating. We remember their weight and height so well that we can recite it to our friends like a badge of honor. For parents whose babies are not gaining weight fast enough, it remains a worrisome burden to find the right foods and portions to help “put on weight.” But as our children change and get bigger – so do parent’s worries. Looking at a survey of more than 2,000 adults, researchers at the University of Michigan report that childhood obesity rose to the top of the worry list for parents, from worry number 3 in 2007.

But, there’s some good news: for the first time in decades, the childhood obesity rate has actually leveled off rather than risen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found “no significant changes” in kids’ high BMI (body mass index, an estimate of body fat using height and weight measurements) scores between 2003 and 2006, and no “statistically significant trends” from 1999 to 2006 – while the statistics aren’t in yet for the 2007 to 2008 period, that’s good news. The bad news is that the number of overweight kids isn’t decreasing either – about 32% of children and teens are considered overweight or obese.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition. According to the CDC, a child is considered obese when they’re BMI –for-age is in the 95^th percentile or above. Your pediatrician will help you to determine if your child is overweight by calculating your child’s body mass index (BMI). For instance if your child is in the 80^th percentile, this means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80% have a lower BMI. Because BMI doesn’t take into account things like muscularity or a larger than average body frame your doctor will factor your child’s growth and development into the overall weight assessment. Additionally, your doctor evaluates your child’s eating and exercise habits and family history into the final number.

What Does This Mean To You?

Obese children have a 70% chance of becoming obese adults. Obese children are also at risk for a wide range of physical, emotional and psychological health issues like:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Bone and joint problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Early puberty
• Being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers
• Depression & low self-esteem

What Causes Obesity?

There are many reasons why a child becomes obese. Genetics and hormonal causes play a part. In addition, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, media and marketing and the physical environment all influence eating and exercise habits. However, the primary reason children become obese is unhealthy eating habits and little or no exercise. Research show that eating preferences are formed as early as the first 7 months of life, therefore, exposing the youngest members of the family to fresh fruits and vegetables can go along way towards making healthy choices for a lifetime.

How Do I Prevent Obesity In My Child?

No matter what your child’s weight, it’s important to instill the basics of making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.

Healthy Eating Habits

· As parents we buy the groceries and prepare meals for our children so it’s important to minimize the snacks and choose fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid highly processed foods that contain loads of sugar and fat.

· Shop the perimeter of the store first. This is where the healthiest freshest foods are kept. Be an avid reader of ingredient lists on everything you buy – 5 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. While the nutritional labels are per serving, there are usually more than one serving in each container.

· Eliminate sugary drinks and sodas from your child’s diet – there’s no nutritional value and they make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.

· Have fresh snacks on hand that you’ve already prepped and are divided into smaller amounts for grab & go. The short amount of weekly time set aside to do this will pay off many times during the week.

· Never use food as a reward or punishment. And never force a child to clean their plate. When they say they’re full let them stop eating so they will trust their bodies to know when they’re full.

· Restore the family table. Sit down together as a family and make it a time to share news and tell stories. Your children will really look forward to it and can help set the table and participate in meal preparation. Leave the television off and no eating in front of the computer screen or video games. Children will eat too fast and be unaware of how much they are consuming.

· Be aware of appropriate portion sizes – generally, the size of your child’s fist.

· Limit outside dining and frequent snacking. (Do we ALWAYS have to provide snack for every activity in which our children participate?!)

Physical Activity

Children who are active are more likely to become active adults. Exercise is especially important to burn calories, and to build strong bones and muscles. They will also sleep better at night, something that brings a smile to my face. Here are some ideas to increase your child’s activity level:

· Limit screen time to less than two hours a day. That includes all screens beyond television like computers and video games.

· Keep it fun and playful. Burn calories by emphasizing playing games over exercising which will only bring unenthusiastic moans.

· Tune into your child’s interests and make it a physical activity. Even children whose favorite activity is art or reading will enjoy a nature hike, finding items to collect and creating art projects. Walk to the library or store to get your next book.

· Be an active role model. Fun activities that the whole family can do together makes exercise less of a chore.

· Variety is important in exercise and learning. It’s important that children have a variety of experiences and learn what they like. Try swimming, bowling, hopscotch or jump rope.

Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop healthy lifestyle habits and self esteem. Don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of health and fitness. Teaching healthy eating and exercise habits is as important as learning to read and write. Schedule yearly well-child visits and discuss your family’s lifestyle habits. Always emphasize the positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like the fun of playing outside and find reasons to praise your child’s progress.

In the beginning of our children’s lives, tracking their weight gain is an important measure of how well they’re growing and eating. We remember their weight and height so well that we can recite it to our friends like a badge of honor. For parents whose babies are not gaining weight fast enough, it remains a worrisome burden to find the right foods and portions to help “put on weight.” But as our children change and get bigger – so do parent’s worries. Looking at a survey of more than 2,000 adults, researchers at the University of Michigan report that childhood obesity rose to the top of the worry list for parents, from worry number 3 in 2007.

But, there’s some good news: for the first time in decades, the childhood obesity rate has actually leveled off rather than risen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found “no significant changes” in kids’ high BMI (body mass index, an estimate of body fat using height and weight measurements) scores between 2003 and 2006, and no “statistically significant trends” from 1999 to 2006 – while the statistics aren’t in yet for the 2007 to 2008 period, that’s good news. The bad news is that the number of overweight kids isn’t decreasing either – about 32% of children and teens are considered overweight or obese.

What Is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition. According to the CDC, a child is considered obese when they’re BMI –for-age is in the 95^th percentile or above. Your pediatrician will help you to determine if your child is overweight by calculating your child’s body mass index (BMI). For instance if your child is in the 80^th percentile, this means that compared with other children of the same sex and age, 80% have a lower BMI. Because BMI doesn’t take into account things like muscularity or a larger than average body frame your doctor will factor your child’s growth and development into the overall weight assessment. Additionally, your doctor evaluates your child’s eating and exercise habits and family history into the final number.

What Does This Mean To You?

Obese children have a 70% chance of becoming obese adults. Obese children are also at risk for a wide range of physical, emotional and psychological health issues like:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Bone and joint problems
• Difficulty sleeping
• Early puberty
• Being teased, bullied, or rejected by peers
• Depression & low self-esteem

What Causes Obesity?

There are many reasons why a child becomes obese. Genetics and hormonal causes play a part. In addition, socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, media and marketing and the physical environment all influence eating and exercise habits. However, the primary reason children become obese is unhealthy eating habits and little or no exercise. Research show that eating preferences are formed as early as the first 7 months of life, therefore, exposing the youngest members of the family to fresh fruits and vegetables can go along way towards making healthy choices for a lifetime.

How Do I Prevent Obesity In My Child?

No matter what your child’s weight, it’s important to instill the basics of making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.

Healthy Eating Habits

· As parents we buy the groceries and prepare meals for our children so it’s important to minimize the snacks and choose fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid highly processed foods that contain loads of sugar and fat.

· Shop the perimeter of the store first. This is where the healthiest freshest foods are kept. Be an avid reader of ingredient lists on everything you buy – 5 grams of sugar equals one teaspoon. While the nutritional labels are per serving, there are usually more than one serving in each container.

· Eliminate sugary drinks and sodas from your child’s diet – there’s no nutritional value and they make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.

· Have fresh snacks on hand that you’ve already prepped and are divided into smaller amounts for grab & go. The short amount of weekly time set aside to do this will pay off many times during the week.

· Never use food as a reward or punishment. And never force a child to clean their plate. When they say they’re full let them stop eating so they will trust their bodies to know when they’re full.

· Restore the family table. Sit down together as a family and make it a time to share news and tell stories. Your children will really look forward to it and can help set the table and participate in meal preparation. Leave the television off and no eating in front of the computer screen or video games. Children will eat too fast and be unaware of how much they are consuming.

· Be aware of appropriate portion sizes – generally, the size of your child’s fist.

· Limit outside dining and frequent snacking. (Do we ALWAYS have to provide snack for every activity in which our children participate?!)

Physical Activity

Children who are active are more likely to become active adults. Exercise is especially important to burn calories, and to build strong bones and muscles. They will also sleep better at night, something that brings a smile to my face. Here are some ideas to increase your child’s activity level:

· Limit screen time to less than two hours a day. That includes all screens beyond television like computers and video games.

· Keep it fun and playful. Burn calories by emphasizing playing games over exercising which will only bring unenthusiastic moans.

· Tune into your child’s interests and make it a physical activity. Even children whose favorite activity is art or reading will enjoy a nature hike, finding items to collect and creating art projects. Walk to the library or store to get your next book.

· Be an active role model. Fun activities that the whole family can do together makes exercise less of a chore.

· Variety is important in exercise and learning. It’s important that children have a variety of experiences and learn what they like. Try swimming, bowling, hopscotch or jump rope.

Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight, parents play a crucial role in helping their children develop healthy lifestyle habits and self esteem. Don’t be afraid to bring up the topic of health and fitness. Teaching healthy eating and exercise habits is as important as learning to read and write. Schedule yearly well-child visits and discuss your family’s lifestyle habits. Always emphasize the positive aspects of a healthy lifestyle, like the fun of playing outside and find reasons to praise your child’s progress.

Any time your child gets a cold, your deepest mommy caregiver instincts suddenly take over. You just want your baby to feel better so she can finally rest and you can get the family schedule back on track. Until recently, many parents immediately reached for a reliable over-the-counter cold medicine that ads promised would help doctor mom.

Not anymore!

In October, A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel voted to ban popular over-the-counter cold products intended for children under the age of 6. The panel couldn’t find any proof that the medicines alleviated cold symptoms in children. In fact, there were reports of serious illness and even death as a result of accidental overdose.

Reading the proper dosage amounts for weight and age isn’t good enough.

Unfortunately, the only way to understand how the medicine will affect your child is to read the “Drug Facts” box on the package (in teeny tiny print). According to The New York Times, about 800 pediatric cold products sold in the United States use at least one or more of 39 different drugs. Concerned parents spend around $500 million every year, and buy nearly 95 million boxes of medicine. That’s a lot of teeny tiny print!

And it’s only a matter of time before major manufacturers of cold medicines find a way to get their reformulated products back on the shelves. When they re-appear, here are some important facts that every parent should know the next time you want to give your child an over-the-counter medicine.

- Cough and Cold medicines should NOT be used in children under the age of 2 UNLESS your pediatrician gives you specific directions to do so.

- Never give children medicine intended for adults. This would dramatically increase the risk of an overdose. That includes desperate parents with children on a long flight.

- If other medicines either prescription or over-the-counter are being given to a child, the child’s pediatrician should review and approve their combined use.

- It is important to follow the directions in the “Drug Facts” box. Do not give a child medicine more often or in greater amounts than is stated on the package.

- Use the measuring device i.e. dropper, dosing cup or spoon, that comes with the package with each different medicine. They are marked to deliver the recommended dose. If one is not included in the medicine packaging, they’re widely available for purchase in drug stores. Take a look to make sure that the dosing matches the directions on the medicine box that you are using.

- If you do not understand the dosing directions, do not give the medicine until you contact your pediatrician.

- If your child’s condition worsens or doesn’t improve, stop using the product and take your child to their pediatrician for evaluation.

Because these medicines treat the symptoms of the common cold and are not a cure, many parents turn to tried and true homemade remedies. I use a humidifier, TLC and my grandmother’s chicken soup recipe which always makes my children feel better during the time it takes to get better.

For a list of products that were banned visit www.aap.org/new/kidscolds.htm

Tell us: What’s your Homemade Cold Remedy? Send us your great ideas for cold solutions without medicine and we will share them with other moms on www.homemadebaby.com

Theresa Kiene

By now most of us realize the dangers of the sun’s harmful rays on both adults and children. Research shows that two or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. So, in the summertime when there’s so much fun to be had outdoors, what’s a new parent to do with the baby?

Most sunscreen products are made for children over the age of six months. Until recently the American Academy of Pediatrics advised against the use of sun block for babies under six months of age. Now they recommend:

“For babies under six months of age, sunscreen may be used on small areas of the body such as the face and the back of the hands if adequate clothing and shade are not available. For older children, test the sunscreen on the baby’s back for a reaction before applying it all over. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding eyelids. If your baby rubs sunscreen into her eyes, wipe the eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen burns her eyes, try different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sun block with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, talk to your pediatrician.”

Many sunscreens are made up of chemicals like phthalates and parabens. Infants and young children have proportionately more skin for the size body as compared to adults. Therefore, babies absorb higher amounts of sunscreen than older kids and it’s hard to regulate how much they’re getting. Fortunately there are sunscreens that are made without chemicals especially designed for babies. You can find them at most Natural Food stores or check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and click on sunscreen for a list of safe sunscreens or to check the safety of those you already own. Choose a sunscreen with the words “broad-spectrum” on the label. This means that the sunscreen will screen out both ultraviolet B (UVB) and Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. I always choose one much higher. Try to put sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outdoors. Remember to reapply frequently, especially if your baby is playing in water. Using sunscreen is not a safety net and not a reason to stay in the sun longer.
Dehydration is a real concern for babies and they need extra care in the heat to stay cool and comfortable. A baby can’t tell you when he’s too hot or beginning to sunburn. And your baby can’t move out of the sun and into the shade without your help. Here are a few suggestions to help your summer time stay cool:

• Keep babies under six months of age out of the direct sun.
• Feed your baby frequently, with breastmilk or formula. The water content in either of these will help keep your baby well hydrated. While a little extra water is okay, be careful not to overdue it because babies may actually drink too much of it and suffer from what is called water intoxication which can cause seizures.
• Use a wide brimmed hat. If you start using hats when they are very young, most babies will tolerate it. Using a little extra distraction at first can help them get used to it.
• Select clothes that are light weight and tightly woven that covers the body. Clothes with a tighter weave protect better than clothes with a broader weave. To check the fabric weave of your baby’s clothing, hold the clothing up to a lamp or window and see how much light shines through. The less the better. Clothing made of certified organic cotton is cool, protective and more pure for baby’s extra sensitive skin.
• Use a canopy as much as possible.
• Don’t forget the UV protection sunglasses. Check for a good fit. Damaging sun rays can bounce back from sand, snow, concrete and water.
• Try to avoid peak sun hours (10am to 4pm) and save the water play for later in the evening or early morning. Sunrays can come through the clouds on an overcast day; so use sun protection if you’re going to be outside on cloudy days.
• If your baby gets a sunburn and is under 1 year of age, contact your pediatrician. They will help you to treat the burn appropriately and check the general health of your baby.

Follow these suggestions and come up with a few creative ideas of your own so that your baby and family will love your time together in the Sun!

We shared wedding vows to stay together for life. We shared a mortgage – which in California is almost more binding than the vows. But our lives only really changed the day we brought home our first baby.

My husband still claims that his most nervous car trip was the day he drove our new daughter Olivia and me home from the hospital. Although we’d spent months preparing our nursery, nothing prepared us for jaundice. Suddenly, we had sleepless nights supervising her sleep under the powerful night light; obsessively reading baby how-to books and learning to nurse. Over night, our comfortable routines had been interrupted and our marriage had taken a back seat to the ever-present needs of our newborn. After the birth of a child, couples only have about one-third as much time together alone as they did before the child. Priorities change. This became painfully clear to me the first day my husband returned home from work and kissed our daughter before remembering to kiss me hello.

I had to do something quickly – besides finding the time to take a shower and losing my pregnancy fat. After reading The Birth of a Mother How the Motherhood Experience Changes you Forever by Daniel Stern M.D., a moving psychological look at the new role of mother I was about to play, we turned to a loving network of family members, our pediatrician and friends. Their advice and support addressed our sense of isolation, helped establish eating and sleeping routines for the baby and most importantly gave us a couple hours alone together.

At first it was hard for me to accept advice from friends and family because I felt that I was being judged. I realized that just as our baby was the most important part of our lives, our baby was also important to them and because they cared about us they wanted to help. Of course, being extremely hormonal didn’t help either! Some of their information was extremely valuable like “watch your baby not the clock” when breastfeeding – while other well meaning advice just felt wrong. When I didn’t want to accept the advice that was given, I learned to use our pediatrician as our scapegoat by quoting “Our doctor says…..” or by using a non-committal response like “interesting!” Regardless of their advice, we were the only ones who could decide what was best for our baby and our family.

Our former pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, taught us his technique for calming our infant – key to establishing a sleep routine, and restoring sanity to our sleep-deprived household. His best selling book, The Happiest Baby on The Block is a detailed account of his revolutionary technique that helps calm crying. It definitely helped our baby to sleep longer. Whether you’re a first time mom or just need to brush up, I highly recommend it!

Establishing a routine can be a bit more complicated when parents are also contending with older siblings.

Start Making Friends Before Birth
We started by involving our oldest, Olivia who was now 2 years old at the time, in my prenatal checkups. She could hear her little sister’s heartbeat and look at the ultra-sound pictures. She’d feel the baby’s kicks and “talk” to her little sister through my belly. We also found many wonderful books to read to her like What to Expect When the New Baby Comes Home by Heidi Murkoff and Laura Rader and Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats. At the hospital she spent a lot of time introducing the baby to our visiting relatives which was a great source of pride for her.

Bringing Baby Home
When her little sister, Isabella came home from the hospital, Olivia rode in the car with us. This became my husband’s second most nervous car trip. Generally, friends also gave gifts to Olivia when visiting Isabella. But if they forgot, we wrapped a few, just in case. It also scored points when her new little baby sister “gave” a gift to her big sister.

Olivia loved playing the role of “teacher” to her baby sister and found pride in helping mommy pick out Isabella’s clothes and handing me diapers. In the evening and weekends daddy made her feel special by giving her extra attention – which was a great help to me too.

While I nursed the new baby, I kept a basket of special toys for Olivia to play with that only came out during nursing times. She even called them her “nursing toys.” They were mostly quiet play toys. I also found that wearing our baby in a sling was a great way to keep both hands free and that helped me remain available to both children. Wearing my baby became critical when the third baby came along.

How do I prepare my Twins for the New Baby?
Parents of twins already have a head start on splitting their attention and multitasking. “Having a singleton after multiples is wonderful!” says Dr. Rebecca Moskwinski, Executive Vice President of the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club as well as a mother of twins and four singletons. “It’s so much easier. When you have fed the baby – you’re done! When you’ve changed him – you’re done! (Unlike twins when it seems you are never finished!) Plus twins were used to sharing Mom and Dad with someone else, so it wasn’t as much as a shock to them.” Since your twins already have a built in best friend, use it to your advantage when you need more time with the new baby. Consider buying each child a baby doll of their own to take care of, as a way to help foster the individuality of the twins.

How Can I Prepare My Pet?
Similar principles apply for bringing home your new baby to a waiting beloved pet that also needs help adjusting to the new family member. When you arrive from the hospital, have a neutral person, like a grandparent or aunt carry the baby into the house. That way, you’re free to greet your pet and give them attention before teaching them about the new member of the family. You can also accustom your pet to baby related noises months before the baby arrives by playing crying sounds, mechanical infant swing, etc. Give positive reinforcement during these noises by offering a treat or playtime. If you’re concerned about how your pet may interact with your baby, discuss it with your veterinarian and pediatrician. You may want to enroll in a training course so that you can safely and humanely control your pet’s behavior around the baby. Being up to date on routine health exams and vaccines will also give you peace of mind when the new baby comes home.

A second, and then third child also helped us evolve our family dynamics. The three sisters still have their moments of frustration and rivalry. I suppose that’s the nature of family. Fortunately, your children will also realize that more siblings just means more love – and that’s what really strengthens the family (and marital) bonds.