Parents November 2006 Issue

Food-Allergy News

According to Parents November 2006 Issue (pg 49), parents are getting conflicting advice on when to feed solids to their baby or whether waiting might reduce the risk of food allergies. According to a new study, the results were that babies who don't eat cereals other than rice until after 6 months actually have an increased risk of wheat allergy, as compared with babies who begin eating them between 4 and 6 months.

Pg 76 of Parents talks about some hidden food allergens. Even though manufacturers must include common allergens, such as wheat and dairy, on food labels, parents sometimes do not consider checking some products that actually do have allergens.

Some surprising allergen sources are:
(1) wheat can be found in hot dogs, imitation crab meat, and ice cream
(2) milk can be found in luncheon meat, hot dogs, and bread
(3) tree nuts can be found in barbecue sauce, cereal, and crackers

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Touch Me, Babe!
Here are some simple techniques to soothe your baby's aches and pains (pg 74):

(1) For a Stuffy Nose: Put your index fingers in the corners of your baby's eyes, along his nose. (Rest your thumbs by his chin). Gently press in and up, then glide your fingers bit by bit down the sides of his nose and then across his cheeks. Repeat this 3 times.

(2) For Colic: Rub a small amount of baby lotion on your hands. Imagine your baby's tummy as a clock, and put the fingertips of your right hand at 9 o'clock. Stroke from 9 to 12 to 3 in one smooth, slow movement. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Next, place the palm of your right hand on your baby's navel, and put your left hand next to it. Rub your hands firmly over his tummy 5 times in a clockwise motion.

(3) For Constipation: Take your baby's diaper off and lay him on his belly. Put your right index and middle fingers on his right buttock (just below the small of his back). Gently, but firmly, move your fingers in a small, clockwise motion 25 times. At the same time, put your left index and middle fingers on the same spot on his left buttock, and move them counterclockwise 25 times.