A friend of mine just gave birth and I'll be visiting her in a couple of days. There's nothing like news of a new baby's arrival to bring back memories to that time I also just gave birth.

I remember how anxious I was as a new mother, fidgeting and worrying when I'm with them, and ears tuned in to the baby monitors when I'm not. I worried about every single thing- were they wearing appropriate clothing, were they getting enough milk, were they achieving their milestones according to schedule, and a gazillion other thoughts. I never made a decision without consulting countless websites, or making an opinion poll from friends and relatives. I researched extensively on the type of shoes that were appropriate for toddlers (chose Pediped and ShooShoos), read studies on the pros and cons of immunizations (decided to get the 6-in-1 jab plus some), considered giving my toddler Pediasure when she went on a "hunger strike" for a week (the nasty tooth, and the hunger strike, broke before I could make a decision), and worried about countless other toddler issues.

In retrospect, the well-being of my children would probably have been the same even if I didn't do any of the above. I most probably could have saved myself the anxiety.

But then, is it really possible for a mother, a new one at that, to be anxiety free? Hah!

Traveling is often not an option for those with chronic health issues. Being out of reach of the family doctor is a scary thought, and medical bracelets aren't the right solution for 2010.

Lifeguard30 is a new product out, specifically relevant to those with diabetes and other medical conditions. When EMS arrive at a scene, they have no way of knowing a patient's medical history. However, LifeGuard30 has just been introduced to solve this problem.

The keychain device holds up to 30 pages of information such as allergies, blood type, current medications, and medical history, displayed on a color screen. Individuals are identified as the owners via their picture on the device and their last name in order to prevent identity theft.

Having spent the last few months training over 10,000 EMS workers in all 50 states on how to work if they encounter the device, the LifeGuard30 is just now becoming available to the general public.

It's really handy for adults and kids alike. Check it out.

We start very early in life in teaching our kids the value of dental health. When was the very first time you brushed your kid's teeth? I guess the moment the baby starts feeding on solids. It doesn't really matter if you are brushing just the new two front teeth.

So it's really that early in the hope that the habit of regularly brushing their teeth will rub on throughout adulthood.

Did you know that 50% consider the smile the first facial feature they notice - and 70% of Americans are less likely to date or marry someone who has bad teeth or a bad smile?

With statistics like these, it's critical that we care for our teeth and gums to keep our smiles attractive and health intact!

Dr. Edgard El Chaar, DDS, MS, provides the following tips for maintaining a happy and healthy mouth:

1. Brush your teeth at least 2x daily

One in three Americans only brush their teeth once a day. Ideally, brush your teeth after each meal; however, brushing twice each day is sufficient for good oral health. Here's why: Shortly after you eat, plaque forms on your teeth and 1-2 days later, this plaque hardens to form tartar, which can ONLY be removed with a professional cleaning. Tartar build-up can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. When you brush, use a gentle, circular motion for 2-3 minutes on every surface of your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Never go to bed without brushing - and replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

2. Show 'em who's floss

If you don't floss, you miss out on cleaning more than 60% of each tooth. Floss your teeth at least once per day. As they say - "Only floss the teeth you want to keep!"

3. Bad breath stinks!

Statistics show that up to 25% of adults suffer from bad breath. That means, if you're on a double date, one of you has dragon breath. To combat bad breath and remove the bacteria that contributes to the odor, clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth. You can use your toothbrush or a tooth scraper. Then, rinse your mouth with an anti-microbial mouthwash for the best results (and to help prevent bad breath and gingivitis).

4. Six is the magic number

You should see an oral health professional for thorough cleanings and check-ups at least every 6 months. A dentist or periodontist can spot problems you cannot see. It's important to treat tooth or gum problems early on to prevent tooth loss and money loss.

5. Kick the habit

Smoking stains teeth, infects gums, causes bad breath and can lead to oral cancer. Ick! Quit today.

6. Smile-fixers

If you are not happy with the color, shape or appearance of your teeth and gums, there have been many advances in the field of cosmetic procedures/treatments to enhance your smile. Speak with your dentist or periodontist about whether you are a candidate for tooth whitening, dental implants, gum surgery, etc.

There you go...brush your teeth children!

Gift Giving The Parenting Weblog

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Since Christmas is the Season of Giving, The Case Foundation highlighted fun and interesting ways to bring meaning to giving. If you still haven't bought all your gifts, explore The Case Foundation's Guide to Good Giving if you want to shop with a purpose, volunteer on vacation, or honor someone with a donation to a cause that they care about. Here are gift ideas that "gives back". Buying one of these items [...] Read More


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It's the season of giving once again. Time when all the stores are decked in Christmas decors and all those new toys out in the market are ostentatiously displayed to make little children beg their parents for a nice Christmas gift... particularly, the one on display. Each child is different. Some may want what is currently the fad, others may not care; some may want something to wear, others to play. [...] Read More


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When my children were just babies and were just starting to eat solid foods, the current recommendation then was to put off introduction of solid foods until the baby was at least 6 months old, particularly if allergies run in the family. Recently, however, a recent study published in the January 2010 issue of the Pediatrics journal suggests that postponing the introduction of solid foods may actually be counterproductive in preventing allergies.

To investigate, the researchers looked at 994 children participating in a study of diabetes prevention. All had been followed since infancy. The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding among the children was less than two months.

At age five, 17 percent had food allergies, while 23 percent were "sensitized" to certain inhaled allergens. Twelve percent were sensitized to cow's milk, 9 percent to eggs, 5 percent to wheat, and 1 percent to fish.

Late introduction of some foods increased the likelihood that a child would be sensitized to that food by the time he or she was five years old, the researchers found, whether or not the child's parents had allergies themselves.

The current recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other authorities on child health is that babies be breastfed exclusively up to six months of age, at which time parents can begin introducing solid food. Perhaps this recommendation ought to be reviewed, given these new findings.