Lactose-Free Foods for Babies

December 17th, 2011

A small percentage of babies are lactose intolerant - unable to digest milk sugar, or lactose. Symptoms include diarrhea, gas and fussiness. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, so discuss your baby's condition with a doctor. According to Dr. Allen Greene, the author of "From First Kicks to First Steps," lactose intolerance is more common in premature babies, who are sometimes lactose intolerant until they begin to approach their original due dates. It also can be a temporary condition due to the infant having diarrhea. In most cases, lactose intolerance in babies disappears on its own by the second birthday. In the meantime, you can keep your baby healthy by using lactose-free foods.

  1. Formula

    • Most babies with lactose intolerance cannot be breast fed, since mother's milk contains lactose, or take a cow's milk formula. The baby is placed on a special lactose-free formula made with soy. These formulas are safe for your baby and they can be found in most grocery stores.

    Baby Foods

    • Most baby foods are lactose free, but some contain milk. Typically, these foods contain the words "cream" or "yogurt" on the front of the package. If the product contains milk, there should be a warning at the bottom of the ingredients list.

    Finger foods

    • As your baby approaches his first birthday, start exposing him to more foods. Lactose-free foods include fruits, vegetables, Cheerios, plain rice cakes, noodles, small pieces of tofu, hard-boiled eggs cut into small pieces, and crackers. If you want to give your baby other foods, read labels and look for milk or whey on the ingredients list. If the product is kosher, look for the term "Parve" or a "P" on the package, because it will be lactose free.

    Making your own foods

    • Replace milk with a soy or rice substitute when making your own foods. You might have to experiment, but usually you cannot tell the difference. These products can be found in most grocery stores in the dairy or health food sections.

    Warnings

    • Never try to re-introduce milk into your child's diet until you have discussed doing so with your baby's doctor. Try dairy slowly, keeping the baby on mostly lactose-free foods. Watch her carefully to see if symptoms return. If they do, immediately put her back on a lactose-free diet until your doctor says it is safe to try again.

How to Use Peppermint Oil Aromatherapy for Nausea & Vomiting

December 10th, 2011

Nausea and vomiting can happen for a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy, illnesses, and the treatment of some diseases like cancer. Nausea can be overwhelming, but there are ways to combat this feeling. One common method involves using peppermint. Peppermint is used frequently because it helps ease inflamed tissues and calm muscle spasms. As an essential oil, peppermint acts as an anesthetic on the wall of the stomach to dissipate the feeling of nausea. (see reference 1)

Difficulty:
Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

  • Peppermint essential oil
  • Diffuser
  • Handkerchief
  • Bath tub
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  1. Using Peppermint Oil

    • 1

      Get some peppermint essential oil, which can be found at most natural remedy stores or online. Be sure to get pure essential oil.

    • 2

      Add 3 drops of the peppermint essential oil to a diffuser, then turn on the diffuser. It warms the essential oil and releases the scent of peppermint into the air. Breathe in the peppermint scent. (see reference 2)

    • 3

      Draw a bath using warm water, and add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to the bath water. While relaxing in the bath, breathe in the peppermint scent.

    • 4

      Place 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil in a handkerchief, put it up to your face and breathe in the essential oil.

    • 5

      Combine equal parts of peppermint essential oil and extra virgin olive oil. Apply the mixture topically to your temples to get rid of a headache that may accompany nausea.

Tips & Warnings

  • Be sure to purchase essential oils and not the oils that are used for cooking.

  • Store essential oils in a dark cool place.

  • Consult your physician before using essential oils and aromatherapy, especially if you are pregnant.

  • Before using it, be sure to educate yourself on the essential oil you want to use, and become familiar with the contraindications.

  • Always add base oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, to the essential oil if you are going to use it topically.

  • Do not ingest peppermint essential oil.

How to Stop Premature Labor

December 4th, 2011

Premature labor occurs when a woman goes into labor before the 37th week of her pregnancy. Signs of preterm labor include contractions less than ten minutes apart, pelvic pressure, lower abdominal pain or a change in vaginal discharge. Babies born before the 37th week are premature babies, and have a higher risk of health issues such as breathing problems due to underdeveloped lungs, disabilities such as blindness and special learning needs. The earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of health problems. In order to help the baby fully develop in the uterus, it is imperative to try to stop premature labor.

Difficulty:
Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

  • Glass of water
  • Stopwatch or timer
    • 1

      Call the doctor. It is very important that the obstetrician knows about any contractions or other problems prior to 37 weeks gestation.

    • 2

      Urinate. Having a full bladder increases the pressure in the uterus, which can cause more contractions.

    • 3

      Rest. Lie down positioned on your left side. Lying down on your back may result in more contractions, so avoid this position. For women experiencing preterm labor, bed rest may be necessary. In serious cases, the woman may have to stay in the hospital on bed rest to prolong the pregnancy as long as possible.

    • 4

      Stay hydrated. Dehydration leads to contractions, so drink a few glasses of water.

    • 5

      Time the contractions. Use a stopwatch or timer to determine how far apart the contractions are and if they are regular.

    • 6

      Get medical attention. Premature labor requires medical intervention. If the doctor's office isn't open, get to a hospital immediately.

    • 7

      Use medication. Doctors prescribe and administer several types of medication to halt preterm labor. Magnesium sulfate is one of the intravenous medications that doctors use to stop contractions. Terbutaline stops the uterus from contracting and comes in both sub-cutaneous and pill form.

Tips & Warnings

  • Premature labor is a serious condition that requires medical attention. A woman experiencing any signs of premature labor needs to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

How Does Fat Work?

November 26th, 2011
How Does Fat Work?
  1. The Good and The Bad about Fat

    • The fat on our bodies has many roles. The fat we carry can either be our friend or our enemy, depending upon how much fat we have. Too much of a good thing can actually be bad for our health, while not enough can do the same thing Buy Propecia online no prescription. Too much fat can make a person more susceptible to high blood pressure, heart disease, fatty liver, diabetes and other health conditions. When a person suffers from anorexia, they don't have enough fat on their bodies, which can also lead to health problems such as poor circulation, poor kidney function, brittle bones, and even death. Fat is actually something we need to survive. Our bodies store fat whenever it can to protect us in case of famine.

    Fat Works as an Insulator and Protector

    • The fat we have on our bodies helps to insulate us from the cold, and cushion our organs for extra protection. When you don't have enough fat on your body you will get cold more easily basically because there is less insulation. Most people are more likely to gain weight in the winter time because our bodies are programmed this way. We also tend to eat more in the winter because of Thanksgiving and other holiday parties.

      Fat protects. Fat coats our nerves and nerve fibers by providing insulation and protection to our delicate nerves.

    Fat Works as Energy

    • The body uses fat as energy. This is why exercise literally burns fat. When we are physically active our body uses the calories we eat as energy in addition to the fat we have stored on our body. The more fat we have the longer it will take to burn it off.

    Fat Works with our Cells and Hormones

    • Fat helps to keep our hormones balanced. When we have too much or too little fat on our body, our hormones can become out of whack. This is especially the case for women of child bearing age. Some women who are severely obese have a harder time conceiving, and women who are too thin may also have difficulty when they try to get pregnant. Sometimes a lack of body fat can stop the menstrual cycle. Hormones play an important role in conception and when we don't have the right amount of fat on our bodies things don't always go as planned. Fat also works with our cells. Fat helps the cells to transport nutrients through cell membranes.

Resources

  • Right Health
  • AOL Health
  • Ideal Weight Calculator

How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks & Cellulite

November 25th, 2011
How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks & Cellulite

Stretch marks and cellulite are unwanted, but they don't affect your health. Mostly, these troublesome blemishes have an influence on your confidence and self-esteem, which can sometimes be just as important as your physical health. No matter how the stretch marks and cellulite got there, most people wouldn't mind ridding themselves of these flaws.

Difficulty:
Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

  • Tretinoin cream
  • Vitamin E cream
  • Cocoa butter
    • 1

      Adhere to a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and low in fat. One of the most effective ways to rid your body of stretch marks and cellulite is to stop them before they can even start Order Phentermine 37.5mg online no prescription. Adhering to a well-balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight should help you keep both stretch marks and cellulite at bay.

    • 2

      Start exercising. When you add daily exercise to a well-balanced diet, you can stop cellulite from forming, as well as keep your weight under control, which helps eliminate the possibility of stretch marks.

    • 3

      Get a prescription for a tretinoin cream. If you already have troublesome stretch marks, make an appointment with a dermatologist for a prescription of a tretinoin cream. This can aid in reducing the signs of stretch marks on a person's body.

    • 4

      Apply a cream containing vitamin E. Though this may sound like an "old wives' tale," there is some benefit to applying a cream with vitamin E on your stretch marks to lessen their intensity. It is also believed that massaging this same cream on areas of the body with cellulite can reduce its signs as well.

    • 5

      Use cocoa butter. This is especially beneficial both during and after pregnancy. If you apply cocoa butter to the breasts and stomach during pregnancy, it can aid in reducing the severity of the stretch marks. Continue to use it after delivery, with a combination of vitamin E and tretinoin.

Tips & Warnings

  • If you are breastfeeding, you shouldn't use a tretinoin cream. Experts are still unsure about its absorption and effect on breast milk.

Resources

  • What is cellulite?
  • Additional information on stretch marks