Toddlers: Preventive Care and Nutrition

We are always looking for ways to prevent problems, diseases and illnesses in our children. Below are many of the articles that we have found that focus on preventative care and nutrition for toddler children.

Other areas to refer to are Toddler Health and Medicine , General Health and Medicine and Toddler Disabilities.

Our rating system for these articles is:

• - Best, in depth and most helpful overall
• - Very Good, but more specific in focus
• - Good reference material

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	E. Coli Infections Detection and Prevention Information E. Coli is one of many diarrheal illnesses a child can contract; yet, its severity warrants special attention. This 3-part article, as part of our special area on E. Coli infections, covers these important topics: * how to help prevent E. Coli infections in your children * what to do if you think your child has E. Coli * how parents can help prevent and halt E. Coli epidemics
	Nutrition and Foods Brought from Home - The ABCs of Safe and Healthy Child Care Parents and childcare providers must know the proper food safety, nutrition and food handling guidlelines. This will ensure that children in a childcare enviroment will have safe food and will receive proper nutrition.
	Keep Your Holidays Happy, Healthy and Headache-Free As the holidays approach, people across the country are looking forward to the twinkling lights, festive music, sweet treats and an extra dose of family visits. But for many, these favorite holiday traditions can also bring on an unwelcome threat of headaches and for some, even a debilitating migraine headache attack. This helpful article offers advice on how to prevent or control common holiday situations that could provoke headaches.
	Child Health Guide - Put Prevention into Practice This is an outstanding 30 page guide from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that has information on preventative care and on good health habits. Use it as a permanent record to help you keep track of your child's health and care through the years. This guide contains many great growth charts, immunization tables and other quick-reference information that can help your child get a healthy start on life.
	Baby Product Safety Tips: Safety Alert- from the CPSC This is a great list of safety tips for parents of young children to follow. The tips are organized in a checklist format for quick review.
	Safety Calendar - A Month of Activities This great calendar has 30 things you can do to safeguard your family. We're all so busy, that we tend to postpone taking these basic steps. This calendar will help by defining discrete and often small things that you can do that could make a big difference in protecting your family. Check it out today!
	2000 Childhood Immunization Schedule The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the 2000 childhood immunization schedule, which includes changes made during the last year that ensure vaccinations for the Nation's children remain safe and effective.
	On the Teen Scene: Dodging the Rays There is no such thing as a safe tan. Why does the body tan? Because the body is being injured by ultraviolet [UV] radiation that hits it. Regardless of your skin color, if you're going to be out in the sun, even for a short time, apply a sunscreen to all skin that will be exposed. Apply the sunscreen generously before going into the sun and reapply it often.
	An "Ounce Of Prevention" Program Is Launched - Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease "An Ounce of Prevention Keeps the Germs Away. is a new program from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Reckitt and Colman, the maker of LYSOL brand products. They have formed a partnership to develop a comprehensive educational program with the ultimate goal of preventing the spread of infectious disease and reducing its death toll.
	E.Coli Infections - What Parents Should Know and Do With a recent E. Coli outbreak in the western U.S. sending many children to the hospital, and perhaps killing one toddler, we learned that many parents are not adequately informed about the dangers and issues around E. Coli infections. In this area you'll find personal stories, medical information, news articles and more to help you protect your children.
	USDA Unveils Food Guide Pyramid For Young Children The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children has been released. This "children's pyramid" is an adaptation of the original Food Guide Pyramid released in 1992, and is targeted to children ages two to six.
	Kids' Vaccinations Get a Little Easier Do you need more information about the vaccinations your child receives? And do you need a handy reference chart of when these vaccinations should be received? Then review this very helpful and informative article. The information in here will also help you during your next visit to your child's pediatrician.
	The Fright of the Iguana: Pet Reptiles Pose Risk of Salmonella Infection for Their Owners Iguanas and other reptiles are very popular pets, but these reptiles carry salmonella bacteria, which can infect owners that don't practice scrupulous hygiene. Many parents do not know that owning an iguana puts their children at risk for salmonella infection.
	Lyme Disease -The Facts, The Challenge This brochure from the National Institute of Health presents information on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease, a disease spread by the bite of the deer tick. Lyme disease is still mistaken for other ailments, and it continues to pose many other challenges: it can be difficult to diagnose because of the inadequacies of today's laboratory tests; it can be troublesome to treat in its later phases; and its prevention through the development of an effective vaccine is hampered by the elusive nature of the bacterium.
	Autism Not Linked to Immunization: Debunking the Myth In response to a U.S. House Government Reform Committee hearing on autism, PKIDs voices its support for more resources for autism research and stresses that there is no scientific evidence linking autism to immunization.
	Link Between Childhood Obesity and Adult Cardiovascular Disease Two newly published studies strengthen reports of a link between childhood obesity and the increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease, according to the June American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
	Diarrheal Diseases in the Child Care Setting Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of different germs, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, children can sometimes have diarrhea without having an infection, such as when diarrhea is caused by food allergies or as a result of taking medicines such as antibiotics. This article is a good overview of this problem and how its spread can be controlled in a child-care environment.
	Frequently Asked Questions About Raw Apple/Juice Cider Contamination Raw apple juice is a potential source of the deadly E.coli bacteria. This set of frequently asked questions provides answers to many questions that parents have about the safety of apple juice products and what should be done to prevent future outbreaks.
	The Hazards of Raw Apple Juice/Cider Raw apple beverages have been identified as a repeated source of bacterial contamination that has killed and maimed children in over five states. Children, seniors, the immune impaired and pregnant women are advised to drink only pasteurized apple juice/cider.
	Breastfeeding: The Best Investment... An article from International Lactation Consultant Association about breastfeeding. It not only gives love, bonding, and health for mothers and babies, but can also save money!
	Breastmilk Collection and Storage This article from Medela contains breastmilk collection, storage, defrosting, and intake guideline information.
	The Cost of Feeding Your Baby This article from Maternal Connections contains charts that compare costs between breastfeeding and infant formula. Also helpful are the estimate yearly costs calculated for different kinds of formulas.
	Escherichia (E.) coli In The Child Care Setting Escherichia (E.) coli bacteria are found in the digestive tracts of most humans and many animals. Usually, these infections are harmless and may even be beneficial. Not all E. coli are alike and, in a few cases, illness may result from infection with particular strains. One strain, E. coli O157:H7, causes one of the most serious digestive tract infections in the United States.
	Exercise and a Balanced Diet Are Best Tools to Fight Childhood Obesity Pediatric obesity and nutrition experts today said that increasing physical activity and emphasizing eating a wide variety of foods, for a high fiber and low fat diet, are the most important steps parents should take in preventing childhood obesity. The comments were made as part of a national conference on pediatric obesity sponsored by the Georgetown University's Center for Food and Nutrition policy.
	Top Ten Tips for Keeping Your Children Safe Under the Sun This article has "Top Ten Tips" on keeping children safe from the sun during summer months.
	NFID Experts Urge Wide Use of New Childhood Vaccine Schedule The U.S. Public Health Service joined with pediatricians to praise the new 1997 childhood immunization schedule for giving pediatricians and parents more choices when selecting vaccines, without compromising safety and efficacy. Details of the new schedule -- and reasons for the changes -- were discussed at a press conference sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).
	Snack Smart For Healthy Teeth Sugary snacks taste so good-but they aren't so good for your teeth or your body. The candies, cakes, cookies, and other sugary foods that kids love to eat between meals can cause tooth decay. Some sugary foods have a lot of fat in them too. Here's a very informative summary for parents about this important issue.
	Your Child's Check-up Doctor visits are part of every child's life, but they may be uncomfortable and frightening for children, and difficult for their parents. This article, provided by Lucile Packard Children's Health Services, has suggestions to make them easier for both you and your child.
	Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Baby bottles emblazoned with soft drink logos are among the latest fad items selling in discount and toy stores across the country. Members of the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) and other health-care professionals are concerned that parents and caregivers will be encouraged to give infants soft drinks in these bottles, increasing the likelihood of baby bottle tooth decay.
	Early Childhood Violence Prevention This Digest focuses on preventing violence in children's lives and suggests ways caregivers, parents, and teachers can reduce the damaging effects of violence.
	Kids Aren't Just Small Adults: Medicines and Children Today's nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are safe and effective treatments. And they are serious medicines--no less so for children than adults.With that in mind, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working with manufacturers of OTC drugs, developed this article with important advice for parents.
	Winter Safety With its cold and often stormy weather, winter presents many safety challenge- both indoors and out. Being prepared and following these simple safety tips can help you stay safe and warm this season.
	Recommendations Revised To Prevent Infant Deaths from Soft Bedding To prevent deaths from soft bedding, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) are revising their recommendations for putting infants down to sleep. Soft bedding may be a major contributor to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.
	Near-Sightedness in Children Linked to Light Exposure During Sleep Before Children who sleep with a light on in their bedrooms at night before the age of 2 may be at significantly higher risk of developing myopia -- near-sightedness -- when they become older than children who sleep as infants in the dark at night, according to a collaborative study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
	Ten Common Mistakes Parents Make When Choosing Beverages When it comes to choosing a healthy diet for their children, many parents don't realize the important role that beverages play. For example, while most parents realize that milk is a healthful drink there is still confusion about other beverage choices, particularly the differences between 100% fruit juice (the type of juice pediatricians recommend) and juice drinks.
	Health Travel Tips for Spring-Break March is the month when the most serious cases of cabin fever strike adults and college-students alike. A few basic tips can help keep travelers healthy while on vacation.
	Thumb Sucking -- Stop It Early... Helpful hints on how to help children avoid permanent structural dental problems resulting from thumb-sucking.
	Those With Asthma: Take Precautions During High Ozone Days To many Americans, concern over depletion of the ozone layer may seem to conflict with the weatherman's warning about high ozone on humid days. This confusion arises because ozone can be good or bad, depending on where it is. Excess ozone at ground level can be extremely detrimental. This is of particular concern to the 15 million adults and children who have asthma.
	AMA Offers Strong Support of Childhood Immunizations "The American Medical Association joins the American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher in strong support of childhood immunizations. In a statement submitted today to the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform, we noted that if a parent chooses not to have their child immunized, it not only puts that child at increased risk for disease -- but the entire community as well.
	Healthy eating from the start: Nutrition education for young children Early experiences with food have a strong impact on the future eating habits and health of young children, and the best time to teach good dietary habits is during the early years.
	Antibacterial Products May Worsen Problem of Resistant Bacteria In a paper published in the April 16 Journal of Biological Chemistry, Charles O. Rock, Ph.D., and Richard J. Heath, Ph.D., researchers in the biochemistry department at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, find that the use of antibacterial products may actually make drug-resistant strains of bacteria more prevalent.
	Caring for Diaper Rash Most babies will get a diaper rash at some time. Their bottoms are in frequent contact with moisture, bacteria and ammonia, and there is rubbing from the diaper. Babies and toddlers are at risk as long as they are wearing diapers. Rashes are much easier to prevent than to cure. This article from the Lucile Packard Children's Health Services will help you do both.
	Beverages Play Important Role in Child Nutrition Obesity in children may have as much to do with what kids drink as it does with what they eat, a new report by The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center's Nutrition Information Center finds. This report urges a reduction in soft-drink consumption and an increase in healthier, water-based beverages.
	Alternatives to drug therapy for ADD and Autistic-like behaviors In this article, by the Feingold Association, you'll learn about non-drug alternatives, including a dietary program, to help children with ADD.
	Parents on Right Sun Safety Track: But Still Room for Improvement Most parents have gotten the word about sun safety, but there's still room for improvement especially compared to making sure their children wear their seat belts, eat their fruits and vegetables or wash their hands.
	Parents Ask for Collaborative Investigation Into Role Of Vaccinesin Autism Epidemic The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) and the Autism Research Institute (ARI) are calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to launch a public-private collaborative effort to investigate the possible relationship between vaccines and an autism epidemic.
	General Information about Visual Impairments This article from the National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) describes the characteristics and educational implications of visual impairments, including partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind impairments. A good list of additional resources is also included.
	Testing Your Child's Hearing This article states that from the day of birth, an infant's hearing ability can be accurately tested and if you think your child has the slightest hearing or speech problem, have your child's hearing examined. A loss of hearing can result in developmental delays and missed learning experiences.
	New Study Confirms Vaccine Reduces Childhood Ear Infections A vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in children has for the first time been confirmed effective in preventing certain childhood ear infections as well, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
	Basic Health And Hygiene Tips For Child Care Children in child care centers average six to eight upper respiratory illnesses and about four gastrointestinal illnesses each year. A key challenge for child care administrators is minimizing the spread of germs which are transmitted most commonly and easily by contact with dirty hands. This article provides basic health and hygiene tips to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
	Children Without Cavities: A Growing Trend The Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) reports that a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) indicates the number of school-aged children without cavities permanent teeth has doubled in the past two decades.
	A Little Effort Goes A Long Way to Keep Asthma Patients Healthy Children treated for acute asthma attacks who went home to parents who smoke stayed healthier if care givers made regular follow up calls to check on measures to reduce the children's exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), according to a study by the Pulmonary Division at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, Wash.
	Helping Children Eat Right Susan L. Johnson, Ph.D., is a post-doctoral fellow with the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. For the last 10 years, she has designed and conducted research on the relationship of nutrition and behavior, with a focus on the regulation of energy intake in preschool-age children. Here, Johnson focuses on the issues of parental influence on children's eating habits and the development of childhood obesity.
	Preventing Infant Food Allergies Although food allergies affect only a small number of children, finding a way to prevent them or at least delay their onset is an important goal for parents and researchers alike. "Avoiding the early introduction of potentially allergenic foods is the basic step in the primary prevention of food allergies in children who are at high risk," said Zeiger. But some infants may still become sensitized or allergic to a food.
	An Open Letter To The Unpasteurized Apple Juice/Cider Industry To protect your child from potential poisoning by E. coli O157:H7 this fall, read this letter. We suggest that you read this letter and send it to other parents, parent groups and organizations that will find it valuable.
	Families Frying Together: Sunbathing Habits of Parents and Children Gone are the days when we send children outside to play to get a little color in their cheeks. We know too much about the dangers of unprotected sun exposure to hazard the development of skin cancer in our children. Or do we?
	Tips to Help Families Achieve Optimal Oral Health Periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and prevention begins in childhood. This helpful article from the American Academy of Periodontology offers good advice on how to prevent periodontal diseases in children.
	Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Its Cousins Approximately 85 percent of the population will develop an allergic reaction if exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Here's some information and tips from the FDA about how to identify and avoid poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, and how to treat the rash if you are exposed.
	Q & A about the Nutritional Content of Processed Baby Food This article contains a number of questions about the nutritional content of processed baby food. Answers to such questions as "Why is water added to baby food?" and "Why is texture important?" are found in this Q&A from the International Food Information Council Foundation.
	Campylobacter Infections in the Child Care Setting Campylobacter infections are caused by a group of bacteria which are found in many different birds and mammals. While we once thought that this group only caused infections in other animals, we now know that the campylobacteria are responsible for a number of diseases, including diarrheal illness, in humans.
	Breakthrough in the Early Detection of Childhood Vision Disorders The development of a new digital computerized vision screening system now makes it possible to detect childhood eye diseases in less than one minute. This will help many children with vision disorders who are not tested early enough.
	New Study Shows Pre-Operative Sedative Helps Children To Recover From Fear Of Surgery New clinical research shows that if a child is given a sedative before surgery, then the negative post-operative reactions might be prevented. This research, which was published in a recent edition of Anesthesiology, demonstrated that giving children a sedative prior to administration of general anesthesia for surgery not only reduces pre-operative anxiety, but also may improve post-operative behavioral outcomes. The results showed that children who were premedicated before surgery experienced fewer negative reactions to the operation, such as bed-wetting and loss of appetite, than those patients who were not premedicated.
	Free To Moms: Kraft Cheese Kids' Calcium Counter To help assess how much calcium children are getting, KRAFT Cheese has created the "Kick Up the Calcium" Kids' Calcium Counter. This informative and fun pamphlet offers parents an easy way to see how much calcium their children are getting in the foods they eat each day.
	Eating Right But Drinking Wrong - Beverage Choice is Critical After having focused more exclusively on the food we eat, nutritionists are now emphasizing the importance of the beverages we drink. A Cornell University Medical Center study showed that children who drink more than 12 fluid ounces of sweetened fruit juices a day are prone to obesity and reduced growth.
	Tips on Teaching Kids Proper Dental Care In observance of National Children's Dental Health Month this February, the Prudential HealthCare's managed dental plan, the Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO(R)), offers important tips on teaching kids proper dental care.
	New Study Reveals Parental Blunders With Kids' Brushing Routine national study just released by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and Oral-B Laboratories reveals parents aren't following the experts' advice regarding their children's dental care, and are mostly unaware of the specific "ages and stages" in a child's oral care development.
	Blue Care Network Offers Advice on Seasonal Viruses "We all need to remember to take care of ourselves during the holidays," said Dr. Rice recently. "Good lifestyle habits can pay off in avoiding illnesses." Dr. Rice offers these tips on how to stay healthy during the cold and flu season.
	National Campaign to Educate Children about Sun Safety Launched To educate children about the importance of sun safety, the American Academy of Dermatology and Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., the maker of the Coppertone(R) brand, have partnered to initiate a multi-year national sun safety educational campaign.
	Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Proves Effective in Children A new type of influenza vaccine given in a nasal spray is very effective at preventing the flu in healthy young children, according to results from a large multicenter study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the biopharmaceutical company Aviron.
	Emergency Departments Important Line of Defense in Immunizing Hard-to-Reach Children Despite nationwide efforts, a large number of young children in the United States still lack most of their necessary immunizations against basic childhood diseases. Emergency departments and their personnel can be effective in helping immunize these children who, for many reasons, fall through the cracks in the health care system.
	Look Beyond the Obvious for Telltale Signs of Child Abuse The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the face offers the most telling glimpse behind the closed doors of child abuse. In a comprehensive study of 371 children who were suspected of being abused, injuries to the head and face accounted for 28% of 892 soft-tissue injuries.
	Understanding Strabismus and Amblyopia Two to four percent of America's children develop strabismus and/or amblyopia. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says early detection and treatment of these disorders during childhood are essential for preventing permanent vision loss.
	Anna's Story A mother recounts her child Anna's brush with the bacteria e. coli that caused Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), "a disease that affects the kidneys and other organs. It poses a threat...as one of the leading causes of both acute and chronic kidney failure."
	Number Of Children Without Cavities Doubles In Two Decades The number of school-aged children without cavities in their permanent teeth has doubled in the past two decades, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA).
	ADA Study Identifies Most Common Sun Protection Activities For Children A study conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) determined that nearly 75% of adults practiced one or more sun protection behaviors with the children, ranging in age from newborn to 12 years old, in their care.
	Parents Confuse Fruit 'Drinks' With the Real Thing Summertime, and the weather is hot. But instead of serving their children 100 percent fruit juice, a healthy drink to quench their thirst, many parents are giving their kids fruit drinks, ades or even "bug juice." Blame it on El Nino? Maybe the weather, but not the choice of thirst-quenchers.
	Tips to Help Children Who Suffer Car Sickness Car sickness has as much to do with the body's own sensory overload as it does with the motion of the car. While the brain is telling the body "we're moving," your actions -- like reading a book -- may be feeding the brain an entirely different message.
	New Study Finds Fortified Foods Are Significant Contributors of Vitamins According to a new National Cancer Institute (NCI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study published in the October issue of Pediatrics, fortified foods contribute significant amounts of vitamins and minerals to US children's diets. Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, researchers found that ready-to-eat cereal is among the top sources of folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and zinc among children 2-18 years old.
	What's Lurking in the Sandbox? While little ones enjoy building castles, digging holes and rolling around in the sandbox, these popular play areas present the perfect environment for the spread of disease. In fact, playing in sandboxes may make a child more prone to contracting contagious viruses and bacteria, including those that cause warts, conjunctivitis and skin disorders.
	NHTSA Announces Comprehensive Plan to Improve Air Bag Technology And Reduce Air Bag Dangers The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced a comprehensive approach to preserve the important safety benefit of air bags while minimizing their danger to children and at-risk adults.
	Chickenpox is Now the Leading Cause of Vaccine Preventable Deaths in Children in the United States Varicella-related (chickenpox) deaths in children continue to occur in the United States, despite the availability of a vaccine and recommendations for its use in all susceptible children by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians.
	A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby General information and tips on how to maintain the dental health of your baby.
	Dehydration and Kids: A Fluid Situation Severe dehydration can lead to heat illness, heat stroke and even death. With record high temperatures predicted for much of the country this summer, it's best to think about the dangers of dehydration to active children before it happens.
	Tips on Preventing Car-Sickness in Children Car-sickness isn't really about the car -- it's about sensory overload. To head off or avoid car-sickness, this article provides specific recommendations for parents to follow.
	Mommy, What's Mumps? A national survey shows how traditional childhood diseases are a mystery to kids today thanks to modern vaccines and national vaccination programs.
	American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Nutrition The real challenge for parents is not simply being aware of the right foods to feed their children, it's getting the children to eat those foods. "The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child's Nutrition: Making Peace at the Table and Building Healthy Eating Habits for Life," is an essential resource that gives parents all the information and strategies they need to take care of the dietary requirements of children, from birth through adolescence.