For Baby’s Delicate Skin

For Baby's Delicate Skin 

By: Roxanne Edwards

5/2/16- Every child is born delicate, and as parents we want to ensure we are nourishing baby’s skin as much as possible.  But what if you knew the truth about certain brands we have established long-lasting cultural ties with? 

As a mother of 2, I had experienced on both occasions the different changes an infant’s skin goes through, and this can last way beyond infant years depending on how sensitive your child’s skin is. 

When I was admitted post giving birth to my first child, I was assured by nurses Johnson and Johnson should work as my son grew, much like it did the entire week we were at the hospital.  It turns out my son’s skin reacted to the chemicals and coloring used as ingredients in Johnson and Johnson’s products, and for the first 3 months he would break out with tiny red bumps on his back and arms.  I was sure not to confuse this with infant acne, since this is a common skin condition in newborns along with peeling of the skin.  After consulting with his pediatrician, she recommended changing his skin care line to a product consisting of more natural ingredients.  This is when I switched to Aveeno, and while there were improvements the effects of this lasted for only a month or 2.

As a first time mom I was often confused, and felt I wasn't doing enough to care for his skin.

On our next visit, our pediatrician recommended Aquaphor, Eucerin or Dove for sensitive skin and the results were remarkable.  Never again did I experience break outs with my son, unless of course I used something on his skin that has strong chemicals, was scented and had coloring; he is now 3.  At this stage of his life, the results were in and were definite; he has really sensitive skin and must steer clear of products with scents created from certain chemicals.

It turns out this is where it gets tricky for many parents; some brands will market infant and children skin care products as natural, when in fact they contain ingredients that are harmful and may  result in skin allergies.

In a survey of 10 moms, 8 complained about their babies developing some type of skin allergy that gradually cleared up as they introduced more natural or unscented products.  In my experience, though Eucerin, Aquaphor or Dove worked extraordinarily for my son, it may not for other babies.

 After I had my second child, I learnt she had even more sensitive skin compared to my son.  This was when I made the decision to change to organic or all natural ingredients products.  After searching through the skin care isles I came across several that were so gentle on skin, they can be used on just about anyone, and for almost all types of skin ailments, and some of these products are shown in the image above. 

Burt’s Bee -First I discovered Burt’s Bee-Baby Bee Original; this product has a light sweet scent and the ingredients are natural with a texture that easily spreads over the body with minimum shine but leaves the skin feeling very soft.

Seventh Generation – After discussing skin allergic reactions of my newborn baby girl with a friend who had experienced the same issue with her child, she provided some much needed insights into what detergents were best, and through that conversation I learnt of Seventh Generation.  Seventh Generation has no scent, but that of nature, it is clear and pours easily from the container providing for even and easy distribution over fabrics.  The fabric softener has a light natural scent that reminds me of a little girl in a white night gown hugging a brown teddy bear.  It does its job; clothes are soft to the tough after washing and drying. 

Pure Castile Soap Bar – Helmp Baby Unscented Soap – These bars are inexpensive substitutes to liquid organic baby soaps; one bar lasts a long time and lathers your child with creamy goodness that leaves your babies skin feeling nourished and extra clean.

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Roxanne is a writer, blogger and visual media host of kids and moms health, lifestyle, fashion and food features.  You can contact her at: mommylifestylebyroxanneedwards@yahoo.com

Like her on Facebook at Roxanne Edwards

Follow her on Instagram at Roxanne.P.Edwards

and visit her Blog at: http://roxannepedwards.blogspot.com/

Zika on the Rise!

Zika on the Rise!

By:  Roxanne Edwards

2/10/2016- If you haven’t heard about Zika, you can read about it here! Zika- a mosquito borne virus that was discovered in Uganda in 1947, but was first found in humans 5 years later in Brazil has reemerged, and reports are that more than 4000 cases have been found across the Americas and the Caribbean.

Among the many cases, Zika which is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes is believed to have more adverse effects on fetal development when passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby.  Reports are that a serious birth defect that results in a neurological disorder and an undersized head known as microcephaly has been linked to pregnant women carrying the Zika virus.  Researchers are using evidences to tie in how the virus is linked or contributes to the disease. 

Another source has confirmed 404 cases of microcephaly in Brazil in newborns, and these cases have been linked to the Zika Virus. To date, 15 babies have died from microcephaly, and five of the cases have been traced to Zika, authorities have reported.

Researchers also believe the virus can be caught from having sexual intercourse with a partner already infected, and WHO said the virus could affect up to 4 million people this year.

 “I think we’ll discover a lot of parallels,” said Dr. Mark R. Schleiss, the director of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, affirming that findings so far should be sufficient for making a reasonable conclusion in the future.

Now, authorities are faced with a challenge in ensuring the virus does not spread to other regions. So far, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February 3, 2016 has reported a total of 35 travel associated cases of the Zika virus within the U.S, with Florida and Texas carrying the highest numbers - 9 and 8 cases respectively.

Authorities are asking individuals and particularly pregnant women to put off travel arrangements to South and Central America, the Caribbean and Pacific Islands until further notices are given.

In the meantime, remember to report any appearance of fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain and headache to your primary care physician (PCP), as these are known symptoms of Zika.  The virus is usually not fatal and symptoms may last for a week.  There is currently no cure for the Zika virus.

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Roxanne is a writer, blogger and visual media host of kids and moms health, lifestyle, fashion and food features.  You can contact her at: mommylifestylebyroxanneedwards@yahoo.com

Like her on Facebook at Roxanne Edwards

Follow her on Instagram at Roxanne.P.Edwards

and visit her Blog at: http://roxannepedwards.blogspot.com/

Recent Woes With Tap Water

Recent Woes With Tap Water

By:  Roxanne Edwards

 2/4/2016- Do you ever wonder why your tap water runs brown or has a chemical or sulfury fetor? Well, it could be that your water supply is contaminated, as lately this has been a growing problem among many U.S residents as well as people living in other parts of the world.

Water impurity poses a serious threat to population health, and can transmit diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio causing as much as 842, 000 diarrheal deaths each year, states the World Health Organization.

Given the nature of these reports, many would find such water conditions uninhabitable.  Jennifer Mason, mother of 2, Flint resident and  and English teacher says some days the chlorine smell was so strong "it would burn their eyes, and on days when she would full the tub for her kids the water would give off an earthy smell."

Though recent cries of Flint residents have led to social uproars, from a more global perspective it seems this is certainly not where all issues with contaminated water will end, as WHO has informed that by the year 2025, half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas, due largely to re-use of waste water to recover water, nutrients, or energy.

So how much damage can contaminated water cause?  “The health effects of drinking contaminated water can range from no physical impact to severe illness or even death,” states Halton Region.   According to Halton Region, Nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea are some examples of gastrointestinal and stomach illnesses that can manifest as a result of consuming contaminated water.   

Other health threats are: cancer, tooth skeletal damage and schistosomiasis (a disease caused by parasitic worms) which has affected over 240 million people worldwide.  In addition to this WHO has reported that of the 842, 000 diarrheal deaths each year, 361, 000 are children under the age of 5 and these deaths could have been avoided if risk factors were addressed.

“I can’t imagine being a parent of a child whose health has been affected in a way that is irreversible,” expressed Jennifer. 

Since 2014, WHO has been testing household water treatment products against WHO health-based performance criteria through the WHO International ‘Scheme’ to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies...WHO works closely with UNICEF in a number of areas concerning water and health.  For example, the integrated global action plan to end preventable child deaths from pneumonia and diarrhea by 2025 (GAPPD) sets out several prevention and treatment targets, including achieving universal access to drinking water in health care facilities and homes by 2030 (WHO, 2016).

In the meantime, city authorities implore residents to consume safer water alternatives, such as prepackaged bottled water which are being issued at no cost by representatives in affected cities; they also encourage residents to purchase water at nearest stores. 

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Roxanne is a writer, blogger and visual media host of kids and moms health and lifestyle features.  You can contact her at: mommylifestylebyroxanneedwards@yahoo.com

Like her on Facebook at Roxanne Edwards

Follow her on Instagram at Roxanne.P.Edwards

Or visit her Blog at: http://roxannepedwards.blogspot.com/

Nursery, Baby Spot or Co-sleeping?

Nursery, Baby Spot or Co-sleeping? 

By: Roxanne Edwards 

 More than half of expecting mothers conflict themselves with the importance of creating a nursery for their new cuddly baby.  By the time a woman gets to the end of her third trimester, usually she may have figured out how to create a safe, comfortable, and convenient space for her newborn. The truth is, whether parents opt for a fully furnished room made into a nursery, a baby spot alongside the bed or prefer co-sleeping, the objectives of healthy growth and development may still be achieved, providing all the necessary resources are in place.   

Though nurseries and baby spots are cute, fun, and may develop your baby into a more independent sleeper, 1 study by the University of Cape Town compared the reaction of newborns sleeping in hospital bassinets versus skin-to-skin.  Since an active atomic system is found to make one more alert, excited or nervous, the research which measured heart rate variability found babies who slept alone experienced a 176% increase in atomic activity as well as less ‘quiet sleep.’

In contrast, studies have reported improved body function and cardiovascular activity in newborns and particularly preterm babies as a result of skin-to-skin contact with mom. 

Certainly, the idea of co-sleeping does not sit well with many, and typically stirs controversy among those who believe babies are safest sleeping alone. 39% of individuals from a national survey of 6000 people believe co-sleepers are spoiling their baby, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has informed us about the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome while co-sleeping.

But studies have also reported deaths of infants who sleep alone.  These deaths are usually due to choking on milk, or from suffocation due to inability to lift the head.  More often than not, this happens because parents who sleep separately aren’t able to glimpse on their baby as often as co-sleepers may, studies reveal. 

So what happens to your nicely decorated nursery or baby spot you asked?   After all, you’ve spent days, weeks maybe even months making sure it’s cozy enough for your new baby.  The truth is there are no hard and fast rules for one to follow.  If parents are able to take all the necessary precautions and utilize them appropriately, care and comfort can certainly be accomplished in any of these situations.

Just remember, sleeping with an infant in bed may not be the wisest decision for some parents or guardians.  So if you aren’t one of those conscious sleepers, or your bed is not very baby friendly, do yourself a favor and put your baby back in his nursery or his spot.   

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Roxanne is a writer, blogger and visual media host of kids and moms health and lifestyle.  You can contact her at: mommylifestylebyroxanneedwards@yahoo.com

Like her on Facebook at Roxanne Edwards

Follow her on Instagram at Roxanne.P.Edwards

Or visit her Blog at: http://roxannepedwards.blogspot.com/

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