Children's Health

<p>Norovirus Outbreak:  what you need to know If you have kids and live in York Region, you would have heard about the Norovirus outbreak.  Currently a number of schools in York Region are affected.  Norovirus may already sound familiar to you because this infamous group of virus is the number one viral cause of digestive [&hellip;]</p>

<p>First of all food sensitivity is not the same as food allergy.  Food allergy involves the immunoglobulin E (IgE).  To determine food allergy that creates various degree of anaphylaxis, check with your family doctor to get a referral to an allergist. Food sensitivity is a milder and more chronic immunological reaction that can have effects throughout [&hellip;]</p>

<p>One of the most common question I get from new moms is “when should I start my baby on solid foods?”  The short answer is, “it depends.” Health Canada now recommends moms breast feed their children for 6 months prior to starting solids foods.  This is a change from the 4 months recommendation years back.  [&hellip;]</p>

<p>If you have always wanted to get familiar with the various slings, wraps, and baby wearing gear and not sure if you are doing it right; you should look into joining this group https://www.facebook.com/groups/YRBabywearers/497328837005264/?notif_t=group_activity Elizabeth Calippes has a York Region Baby Wearer group that meets regularly at farmer markets and various other locations.</p>

<p>Health and Well Being: How much out door activity will your child get?  Even a young child could benefit from being in the elements at least ½ if not a full hour each day.  Sunlight resets our sleep/wake rhythm, provides vitamin D, and increase serotonin production (mood).  Humans are exposed to more toxins and allergens [&hellip;]</p>

<p>For moms returning to work after maternity leave, nothing is more distressing then finding someone who will care for your baby with the same love and attention as you have in the prior months.There are so many public, private and home based child care options available the decision is dizzying.  The questions below are there [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Join us at Baby in Gear for a very informative session on food that nourish and foods that could potentially harm.  Postpartum moms will find out the best way to replenish exhaustion, prevent hair loss, increase milk supply, and aid in weight loss.  New moms will benefit from tips on food introduction, smart ways to [&hellip;]</p>

<p>There are myriad of products created by ingenious moms and toy companies aimed to make the lives of modern mothers easier.  Some allow a child to bounce up and down while suspended in some form of fabric seats so moms can get on with household chores.  Some keep a child in an incline position so [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The media is telling us that we are experiencing an “epidemic” of childhood obesity.  Tax rebates are given to families who enroll their children in physical exercise programs, pop machines are being taken out of schools, and parents are told to limit computer and video game time.  These are great steps we are making toward [&hellip;]</p>

<p>In some families, back to school means another round of antibiotic.  Someone inevitably gets an ear infection or a bad cough.  The tight schedule at start of a new school season triggers a bladder infection.  Eating left over lunch kept in locker and the consequent digestive protest. When antibiotics were first discovered, it saved countless [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Toilet Training is a significant milestone in a young child’s emotional life.  Parents of early achievers proudly announce it to their acquaintances.  A child who is slow to toilet train is often acutely aware and embarrassed by it. Approximately 6% of 5 year olds, boys twice as often as girls, still have difficulty staying dry [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We take our daughter to the parks twice a day, rain, wind, snow, or shine.  She has a suitable outfit for all the different weathers.  It always surprises me to see how few children are actually out playing.  Where are all the children?  The optimist in me thinks there is an awesome park hidden somewhere [&hellip;]</p>

<p>What you feed your infant will largely be influenced by your family’s dietary selection.  Season your food similar to how you would normally eat it.  Chances are your baby is already familiar with the flavour in-utero and through breast milk. If you are making your own baby food, baking and steaming will preserve more nutrient [&hellip;]</p>