Each year, the epidemic of gastroenteritis is responsible for more than one million doctor visits. Be aware that the management of this condition has changed. It’s time to shake up preconceptions and stop self medication.

Gastroenteritis is the leading cause of death, excluding accidents, among children under 5 years. But this is not diarrhea itself that threatens the smaller is the dehydration! If adults can easily compensate for water loss and minerals by drinking lots (water, broth, etc.). Is a real problem for toddlers. In children, it is important to prevent this complication early what dehydration with oral rehydration solutions. Their effectiveness is well demonstrated. Alas, they remain underutilized. These solutions are available without prescription. But on doctor’s prescription, they are reimbursed by social security. Before the epidemic, it is recommended that parents of children to complete their preventive medicine cabinet with this product. But also, it must avoid giving the coke! This reflex widespread or systematic, should be abandoned. Pediatric gastroenterologists are now very clear decision in the case of coca can be dangerous gastrointestinal aggravating diarrhea. In addition, the sodium content of the drink is too low to compensate for water loss. These experts also advise to forget the drugs and carrot, and not to change milk. In conclusion, what is needed is rehydrate children, routinely and only with oral rehydration solutions. If medical advice is usually not necessary, it is mandatory for young children and people with weakened. Indeed, dehydration threatens all fragile subjects, including the elderly. The oral rehydration solutions are also recommended for these populations.

Can we prevent gastroenteritis?

The main route of infection by viruses is represented by the hands. We must therefore meet strict hygiene is very simple: wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water, especially before cooking, leaving the toilet, after public transport, and also systematically before dealing children! And know that the classic gastroenteritis, viral or food disappears spontaneously in 3 days.

Disorders of physical and mental development of children are usually a sign of disease. It is important to detect them in time to diagnosis of a condition. In developed countries, the development of children is rarely impeded by undernutrition or malnutrition.

You will find below listed the ages at which most children develop some new skills or abilities. All children can occasionally be lagging behind the average: this is not disturbing. But if your child rarely fails to do what most kids his age, please talk to your doctor.

At the age of 2 months: The child smiles, coos, look at people, watching him
4 months: The child laughed loudly, put on his stomach he lifts his head and shoulders, grabs objects
6 months: The child babbles, turns to noise, rolls on itself, holds his head well when sitting
9 months: The child responds to his name, playing hide (Cuckoo!), Sits alone, ramp, manages to stand up holding on to furniture
1 year: The child is “goodbye” of the hand, said “Mom” or “Papa” when he is walking hand takes objects between thumb and forefinger
18 months: The child said three words other than Mom and Dad, scribbles, walks alone, eats alone with a spoon
2 years: The child combines two words, speaks of himself using his name, over easy, up the stairs alone
3 years: The child knows his age, knows close buttons, wash and dry hands, throws a ball, makes the tricycle
4 years: The child knows his first and last name, tells stories, four objects, swaying on one leg, knows how to use scissors to paper
5 years: The child names four colors, there are ten objects, jumping on one foot, dressed only

This is what is called food neophobia. After eating almost everything, they refuses almost everything, especially vegetables and what is new. How to make they eat something other than ham, pasta and potatoes? How to deal with this phobia?

At first the child likes just about everything

From birth, we have an innate taste for sweet taste. But very young children are very curious. Result from dietary diversification (food phasing in parallel feeding or bottle) and up to age 2, children at almost any taste, even if they show their own preferences. It is important to use this time to help them discover a wide variety of tastes. For after, things get complicated and often the child starts to refuse many foods.

Then the meals are complicated

This is the food neophobia. This term refers to the fear of new foods, a normal phase in the development of the child. In fact, around 2-3 years, the child would also like to refuse food before he ate it and even enjoyed. This period is especially marked between the child at this age in a phase of self-assertion and systematic opposition. So do not take offense too much, but respond appropriately to this situation and usually temporary.

Some tips for weathering the food neophobia

- Stay calm. Meals should degenerate into conflict. Keep in mind that this period is temporary and the child’s tastes are changing rapidly.
- Do not turn the refusal of food in an affair of state, the risk that food causes blockage final.
- Accept the refusal and propose another substitute food. But refused the food should not be ruled out definitively. Rather, it is important to offer again and again several times. It is likely that food will be accepted after several attempts.
- Do not try to force. Offer a child a cake or candy if he ends his plate is not a solution.
- Parents and / or siblings must lead by example: to enjoy eating everything.
- Demonstrate imagination presentation on the plate, a mixture of ingredients to mask certain tastes or food coloring, tomato sauce, ketchup, vegetable gratins, etc.
- Involve children in meal preparation. By manipulating the food, the child becomes familiar with them and can more easily accept or reconsider its refusal.

Children are often reluctant to eat more fruits and vegetables. Here are some tips and tricks to get them, look like much, to take advantage of these health food by excellence.

Tips for eats vegetables

- Offer beginning of the meal or during the preparation of the meal, raw vegetables cut into sticks or small pieces (carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, cucumber). These vegetables can be chewed or soaked in a natural sauce with yogurt or cottage cheese. Being able to eat with your fingers is also very attractive.

- Introduce the vegetables in an attractive and original. Play with colors and associations. Be careful not to over mix the different vegetables. Children do not like mixes (they sort those they like and abandon the others). Moreover, it is important that children find and analyze the taste of each vegetable separately.

- Involve your child in meal preparation, and ideal for racing on the market.

- Submit soups. This presentation as a soup can vary the taste and make them swallow vegetables considered more “difficult” as broccoli, endive, etc..

- Add vegetables to more substantial dishes: casseroles, quiches, pies.

- Finally, insist, but do not force your child to eat. However, do not give up: regularly represent or vegetables they refused.

Tips for  eats fruit

- Do not book systematically fruit for dessert. Offer fruit as a snack, for breakfast, and at any other time of day as a snack, such as after school, returning from a walk or after sport.

- Always leave the fruits in evidence, freely available.

- Eat fruits also. If your child sees you eat it you want to taste it and imitate the habit.

- Prepare the fruit that you present to your child while peeled and cut into small pieces, the fruits are more easily accepted, especially since children often refuse to eat out of the fruit.

The milk of its mother is first. But when, for various physical or psychological reasons, it is or becomes absent, your pediatrician will prescribe an baby formula. They are legion. How to recognize?

Milk is a Staple Food

Since his first cry at birth and until he is 6 months period of the early diversification of food where it will gradually discover other, milk is the food Baby exclusive.

Then, until he is 3 years old and in principle it does not scream – well, not in the same way! – And eat everything, milk should remain the mainstay of the diet of the infant. As in many months, he will drink less because he will love other dairy products. They bring him milk and the calcium it has a great need to make his bones.

In the first months, the best milk for a baby is obviously that of its mother. If she can not or will not provide it, it then use an infant milk recommended by the pediatrician.

But because the nutritional needs of a baby change with growth, this milk is not always the same. And because some babies can have problems with digestive disorders, allergies, there are milk adapted to these problems. All are subject to strict regulation.

Milk First Age

It can also be called “formula” because its composition is close to the best of the breast milk.

A standard milk first age is composed of proteins extracted from cow’s milk but have been modified to be closer to those of milk, fat of plant origin (with essential fatty acids), carbohydrates from milk. He must be fortified with vitamin D. There are also vitamin C and iron.

Is that your baby needs from birth to 4 or 6 months and who is easily in all supermarkets and hypermarkets. Whatever the brand, there is always the number 1 after the name of milk.

To deal with different problems, there are also the first milk age for preterm or low birth weight, milk enriched with lactic acid bacteria for those who have colic, thickened milk (with carob flour on more often) for babies who spit up too much of the lactose-free milk for those who have an intolerance to carbohydrates, and very specific milks for babies with allergies. They are in pharmacy.

But regardless of the milk, it should always be reconstituted with 30 ml of water with low mineral powder for a scoop.

Milk Second Age

Its shipping name is “preparation or follow-on milk”. His name is usually followed by the digit 2. These milks second age are also sold in the supermarkets and hypermarkets. They are available either in powder or liquid, briquettes or individual packs of 25, or 50 cl 1 liter. They are recommended for babies 6 months to 1 year.

From 4 to 6 months (six is ​​better than 4) starts food diversification. Baby gradually discovers other foods than milk. They bring him many nutrients but it still needs 500 to 750 ml of milk.

Cow’s milk does not suit him normal again, it contains too much protein and not enough iron or essential fatty acids or vitamin B9, C, D and E. Hence the need for a second milk age.

Depending on the brand, there is also a wide variety of milks. Their composition is clearly regulated. For 100 calories, protein intake should be between 2.25 and 4.5 g, the lipid between 3.3 and 6.5 g trans fat free, but with essential fatty acids, carbohydrates that between 7 and 14 g. They also contain iron, calcium (obviously!), other minerals and vitamins according to specific standards set forth according to a time when the baby grows quickly.

Always consult a pediatrician before taking milk to the milk second infancy age. And never give milk (juice) soy baby even if it is allergic or intolerant to cow’s milk. It exists for those cases of infant age second ideal.

Milk Growth

From the first year, baby up to be a small child eating yoghurt, white cheese, and soup cooked with a normal cow’s milk.

But it still needs to drink milk (500 ml per day) and he now takes for breakfast and lunch.

Certainly, he can drink cow’s milk. But it really does not provide iron or essential fatty acids it needs. If that cow’s milk is semi-skimmed, it did not bring enough vitamins A and D. If it is over, then he brings too much fat. And whatever it is, it is too rich in protein.

This is why milk growth, which also, like other infant formulas, a well-regulated composition, is useful for meeting the nutritional needs of a small child until the age of 3 years. Whatever the brand, all milk growth are measured in protein, rich in iron, essential fatty acids, vitamins A and D, sometimes in C, and other minerals.

The problem with these milks growth is that many are sweetened and flavored (usually with vanilla). And it is not top to form the taste of baby! It is better to choose one that is natural, no sugar or flavors added. Mom what she wants to add to the bowl of milk from her big baby honey or agave syrup or rapadura (this whole cane sugar), a little chocolate powder defatted. This will be much better for nutrition education for the toddler and discover different tastes.

Otitis media is an inflammation that lies behind the eardrum. Young children are not the only victims of this infection often very painful. What exactly are the symptoms of otitis media in adults?

Otitis media

Otitis media is an infection of the bone cavity located behind the eardrum. This cavity is connected to the nasal cavity by the eustachian tube, which can become clogged with a cold for example, or in case of allergy (allergic rhinitis). The ear is less well ventilated, inflammation can develop, it is otitis media.
Otitis media often affects young children because their Eustachian tube is thinner and a more horizontal position, but it can also affect adults.

What are the symptoms of otitis media in adults?

Inflammation of the middle ear is likely to give the same symptoms in children and adults. The difference is more restricted mode of expression for young children.
Thus one can distinguish complaints of child symptoms described by adults.
Children usually have difficulty in one ear or both ears typically, only one is affected. The child puts his hand to his ear. He hears and reacts badly to some soft sounds. Conjunctivitis is often associated with otitis media. Finally, the child may have fever, a sometimes fluid flows from his ear and often lack of appetite. Infants, irritable, they cry more.
The adult, he describes a throbbing pain at the infected ear. It also intends to less well described and a sensation of plugged ear, and ringing. It is the purpose of dizziness, loss of balance and dizziness. Sometimes a yellowish discharge from the ear indicates a perforated eardrum. The adult is experiencing a general malaise: fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability … Otitis media is often accompanied by high fever.
Finally, a classic: a cold often precedes otitis media.

Can we prevent an ear infection?

- Hygiene, especially hand washing, is a preventive basis. This prevents colds, common cause of otitis media.
- Do not smoke and avoid polluted areas to protect his ears irritants.
- Identify any food allergies.
- Treating allergic rhinitis.
It is noteworthy that also in children, some changes in the environment (hygiene, tobacco …) are already contributing effectively to limit the risk of otitis media.

This is known as colic, they are crying with grimaces and very difficult to calm. Some information to better understand and treat them.

The colic do they have a digestive origin?

Is often thought, because the baby seems to have a stomach ache. But in reality, the link between colic and digestion baby is not well understood. In most cases, these crises have no impact on transit. The baby is not constipated, and has no diarrhea either. At present, many experts believe that colic is more psychological in origin, although not always agree on the precise causes: lack of hugs? Life too hectic? It is not clear.

At present, the actions recommended to soothe babies with colic are prey to comfort rather than cure;

Make light massage on the abdomen (not just after a meal). Their goal is to relax the baby rather than to heal Feel free to ask your pediatrician will probably give you an education or training.

The rocking or massage in a quiet and avoid over-stimulate (babies with colic are often nervous or sensitive).

Make her drink a small amount of sugar water. Again, the goal is to calm the baby and not to improve digestion. A small amount when he cries is sufficient.

In case of colic, calm parents

If your baby has colic, it is important to reassure you. For this, the first step is to see a pediatrician you trust who will check that your baby does not have underlying gastrointestinal disease. Also remember that colic always, if they are painful to bear, have a time and usually disappear before the fourth month of the baby.

Colic: drugs are often unnecessary

United States (1), doctors give babies drugs against gastroesophageal reflux. The amount of drugs prescribed was multiplied by 16 between 1999 and 2004!

Or if the reflux is very common in infants, it still does not deserve a medical treatment. Above all, such an increase is justified surely not by medical criteria.

The study authors therefore believe that the combination of reflux and colic, two factors that are not serious, worried parents to the point that they seek treatment for the problem. Although it is unclear whether this increase is also with us, it is certain that the reflux in babies can sometimes much worried parents.

Let us recall that the prescription of treatments against reflux is not without side effects, and should be reserved for cases where the reflux is very severe (if the baby is not growing, for example). Conclusion: If your baby spits up and has colic, bring him to the doctor. But does not necessarily come out with a prescription.

Fatigue is one of those signs that doctors like to call “non-specific.” It can signal a serious illness as the fact that the child played with energy all afternoon! Some tips to determine whether fatigue is a problem and respond well.

A tired child is normal?

For an adult, it’s easy to feel the fatigue, recognize and express it. For children it is a little more difficult although they can speak. While some say they are tired, others may show their fatigue without putting words in a tendency to fall asleep everywhere, nervousness, discouragement, difficulty concentrating, etc..
Fatigue is a normal consequence of any physical or mental activity. But if it does not disappear with rest, do not ignore it.

How to react when my child is tired?

First, check if the cause of fatigue is not in his daily life. There enough time to relax after school? Its activities outside school are they not too numerous or too intense?
Also make sure that his lifestyle is good. Sleeping enough? His sleep is it good? Its power is balanced?
Negative emotions can also cause fatigue. If the family atmosphere is not good or if the child is not comfortable in his environment, he feels may be a psychological fatigue. Talk to you it may allow to express the problem.
If your child has a healthy lifestyle and fatigue remains still, a visit to the pediatrician is needed. The physical causes of fatigue are numerous, so observe the symptoms that accompany it will be useful for the physician.

Fatigue and depression in children

Apart from physical illness, fatigue must still be kept in the eye because it can be linked to the onset of depression.
In addition to fatigue, a depressed child often expresses boredom, a self-devaluation (I suck, I can not, etc..), And takes more pleasure, even his favorite activities. In the presence of these signs, a consultation with a pediatrician or child psychiatrist, is also necessary: ​​the treatments are effective and can prevent a recurrence of depression in adolescence or adulthood.

In a small minority of cases, bronchiolitis may require special treatment or hospitalization.

Only a minority of bronchiolitis warrant specialist care, physical therapy or hospitalization. But it is important to detect in time the (rare) cases that have a real need.

Bronchiolitis: a few warning signs to be familiar

In some cases, the condition of a young child with bronchiolitis can deteriorate in a few hours, especially if it is an infant and he was already sick of the lungs for another reason before the bronchiolitis . The appearance of only one of the following warning signs should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention:

Breathing difficulties in children seem to get worse instead of improving steadily; the hiss you hear when he rejects the air from the lungs is more noisy, or breathing accelerates more (especially if it breathes 60 times per minute or more);
when the child breathes, her belly is growing, and his nostrils open so unusual;
the skin of the child seems unusually pale or gray, or bluish lips appear;
the child seems to be difficult to catch his breath after a coughing episode (episode of apnea, that is to say, stopping breathing);
the child refuses to suck, or just head;
the child becomes drowsy and not wake to nurse or eat as usual;
the child is very irritable, sleep badly and becomes difficult to calm down;
the child’s temperature reaches or exceeds 39 ° C;
baby does not wet his diapers for six to eight hours, the fontanelle at the top of his head sinks, or mouth and lips feel dry.
Do not panic, however. In some cases, the occurrence of any of these signs will only be a false alarm. or consultation and support faster will quickly go out of a tight baby, including the prescription of a respiratory physiotherapy.

Ingestion of foreign bodies is a relatively common occurrence in children. Do not panic, it is rarely of any consequence. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to seek medical advice.

If your child has just swallowed a foreign object, do not panic. In the absence of symptoms, there is no immediate emergency, unless the subject has ingested a toxic clean, as is the case of a miniature lithium battery (see below).

First thing: carefully check

Beads, coins, screws … swallowed very quickly. You should check the reality of the incident, making sure that the object is not simply dropped or hidden in the hand of your child. Dig methodically to avoid unnecessary consultations.

Ingestion is often asymptomatic

Very often, regardless of the size of the object, ingestion is without symptoms. It can sometimes result in a moderate expiratory dyspnea (stop short of the end) and the efforts of swallowing suggesting that the obstacle remains.

Remain calm

Do not panic and do not try to extract it with gestures that are unfortunate in any case dangerous and doomed to failure. Do not type it in the back and do not try to induce vomiting at the risk of exposure to inhalation of gastric contents. Generally, the foreign body is removed by natural means after 24 to 48 hours, 5 days. Visit calmly to the hospital to perform a radiography graphique locate the object and check to make good progress in transit. Only esophageal foreign bodies in position and those with a volume incompatible with their transit through the digestive tract will be extracted endoscopically.

For objects such as toxic watch batteries

Ingestion of button batteries (used in watches, calculators, electronic games) is special because of their toxic nature. Indeed, their components can cause electrical burns or chemical and exert direct toxicity. If they have not crossed the pylorus after 24 hours, they must be removed by endoscopy or emesis in the hospital. Otherwise, they are eliminated without problems following the transit. We must see!

Case of sharps

Metal objects sharps erode easily in a few hours in contact with gastric juices. In addition, digestive secretions effectively coat these objects, facilitating their transition and protecting the ways of the digestive tract. If the child has swallowed a sharp object, do not give your bread, this method was effective to remove a needle or a fishbone stuck in the throat.